Strike Support

[PITMTC]

I'll share an exapmle of PHL. Yesterday I overheard a conversation between a stock clerk and an Avionics mechanic. We had a 757 coming in with all 3 autopliots inop. They knew what the problem was and what parts were needed. They were to come on a flight from PHL around 4:30. This was planned 5 hours earlier. The 757 arrived on time and was on ETR because it was no-go to the west coast without any autopilots. The flight with the parts arrived, guess what? No parts!
They called and the response was "Oh, it must have not been loaded. We'll put it on the next flight." That's it, nothing else. We just waited another two hours for the parts.
That's OK the people still left to the west coast just 3 hours later.

 

[repeet]

Mmmmm-. A 757 to the west coast waiting parts to arrive from PHL. Most probably this flight was leaving from CLT or PIT wasn't it. Both major maintenance stations. So why get parts, (avionics parts) from PHL.

Let's see, the US Airways Avionics Shop is in CLT and they do autopilots. No wait, not 757-767 autopilots. As a matter of fact not any autopilots anymore!

757,767, and Airbus autopilots weren't done by PI or AL before the merger. When the avionics on these planes came out of warranty, the company decided that having to buy test sets and replacement parts made it new and unique work. As a matter of fact PI did about 50% of the Boeing avionics pre-merger and now it's about 15%. We do less than 1% of Airbus avionics (Airbus' are designed to be big flying robots).

So as you can see scope is not an old fight to the shops. And the company is just trying to continue a decade old trend.

That's why it is do important to stop this erosion NOW! HERE!

Who's fault is it that that flight was three hours late. Of course not the company who under allocated spairs. Nope, it was our wonderful, low cost vender. Who couldn't keep up with demand.

Once the company has vendored out all the maintenance allowed by law, they will continue to subcontract anything else that requires labor.

So let's ask this threads question again, who would support the mechanics if driven to a strike?

 

[AOG-N-IT]

PITMTC and Repeet,

You Guys are SPOT ON !!!

The company has created a quagmire...and the Union only protects lack luster results in kind.

Both scenarios you folks outlined are 99% avoidable...but we live in a world that's a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. The company does create it's own problems with vendoring out things....and when we do have something on the shelf...and a station like PHL is tasked to move it...and it's a No Show , who's held accountable?
Frankly No one is...and that's part of the core problem here.

What needs to take place here is this. The Company needs to keep the work in house..the in house work needs timely logistical support , ample staffing levels , and proper resources to perform the given task. Internal accountability keeps it all neat,clean and more importantly readily available...if we could just get them to see the light on whats really wrong?

The company is simply trying to reduce overhead..and keep the human element at a bare minimum....and we are paying for that...but they see us as the problem , it's nothing more than finger-pointing without actually examining the root of the problem. Additional out-sourcing will only compound the problems we already have...Just watch and see !!!

 

[delldude]

Mmmmm-. A 757 to the west coast waiting parts to arrive from PHL. Most probably this flight was leaving from CLT or PIT wasn't it. Both major maintenance stations. So why get parts, (avionics parts) from PHL.

Let's see, the US Airways Avionics Shop is in CLT and they do autopilots. No wait, not 757-767 autopilots. As a matter of fact not any autopilots anymore!

757,767, and Airbus autopilots weren't done by PI or AL before the merger. When the avionics on these planes came out of warranty, the company decided that having to buy test sets and replacement parts made it new and unique work. As a matter of fact PI did about 50% of the Boeing avionics pre-merger and now it's about 15%. We do less than 1% of Airbus avionics (Airbus' are designed to be big flying robots).

So as you can see scope is not an old fight to the shops. And the company is just trying to continue a decade old trend.

That's why it is do important to stop this erosion NOW! HERE!

Who's fault is it that that flight was three hours late. Of course not the company who under allocated spairs. Nope, it was our wonderful, low cost vender. Who couldn't keep up with demand.

Once the company has vendored out all the maintenance allowed by law, they will continue to subcontract anything else that requires labor.

So let's ask this threads question again, who would support the mechanics if driven to a strike?

do you remember the manager of PIT instrument shops...a john ......?
he left U and went to FLA i believe and opened up his own inst.shop...curious,is that where the autopilots went?

 

[cat 111]

Why would the company buy parts??? They just rob the parts off of airplanes in a heavy check. It's a JOKE !!!

 

[RedOne]

It has been asked over and over..... who would support the mechanics if driven to a strike?

Yes, I plan to honor the line (if convinced that is what I am to do...so far I haven't received anything official from IAM). Oh, by the way, so you will know who I am, I have been called on this site (not this thread)... one of those "unskilled scum" ramp guys...that you as a mechanic dont want in YOUR union. And yes, we think it is YOUR union too, cause they sure have done little for us. I must confess I feel I am being used. By IAM-M and by IAM. Neither wants us...both just want our dues and now the mechanics expect, no demand our support ....(IF we don't honor your line, we will forever be lower than whales dung at the bottom of the ocean...right?) You are willing to USE us....for your hopeful gain.

I got a question for IAM-M. If the shoe was on the other foot....would you honestly not cross our line, support lowly ramp guys, and be happy about it? Can you understand some of our guys feeling as they do? (I'm sure this will draw comments. Fire away!)

Again, yes, I plan not to cross your picket line if it comes to that.

 

[pitguy]

I was recently speaking to a pilot friend of mine who was telling me about a fellow pilot that used to work at Continental Express under the 'Dave" regime and how his pilot friend used to go and pick up his food stamps in his pilot uniform. Gosh that makes me sick.

 

[PITMTC]

RedOne
If the company wanted to outsource all or even some of the bag loading or freight throughout the system and you wanted support from the pilots, all would say yes we back you up, that is on these boards. In in the crew rooms, there would be a different story. Same with the F/A and mechanics.

I strongly suugest the same is going on here. Most of the people that are home discussing it with there families are hearing the same thing from their spouses. "What happens if you honor the picket line for the mechanics"? "Will we be able to survive". "Is it worth it"?

Time will tell. We will be on our own again.

 

[pitguy]

Ezekiel 25:17
A.K.A. a cool line from the film 'Pulp Fiction'.


The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down on thee with great vengence and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers, and you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengence upon thee.

 

[PITbull]

Pitguy,

That my friend, is my favorite passage in the old testament.

 

[RedOne]

PITGUY, Sorry but I am unable to understand the connection you are trying to make with scripture. Are you comparing the possible wrath of mechanics to the wrath of God? That they will stike with vengence against anyone who does not see or do as they want?


And I have some favorites too...but I'm not sure this is the place or time to share them.

 

[repeet]

RedOne,

As a mechanic, I can say that Yes!!! absolutely I would honor your picket line. I might not like it. I may have doubts about it. But absolutely yes, I would honor your picket line.

How can I be so sure? Because we belong to a team. It is called a Union. Unless you want to take on corporate America alone, you join and play with a team. If your coach calls for a play, you look stupid doing something different.

When your coach calls for unity with us, well accept it with thanks. And yes, when our coach call for us to join you, we will.

 

[cavalier]

PITGUY, Sorry but I am unable to understand the connection you are trying to make with scripture. Are you comparing the possible wrath of mechanics to the wrath of God? That they will stike with vengence against anyone who does not see or do as they want?


And I have some favorites too...but I'm not sure this is the place or time to share them.

It makes the point very well.... you obviously think like the company being you don't GET IT. They don't either and play the part.

 

[T-bone]

PITGUY, Sorry but I am unable to understand the connection you are trying to make with scripture. Are you comparing the possible wrath of mechanics to the wrath of God? That they will stike with vengence against anyone who does not see or do as they want?


And I have some favorites too...but I'm not sure this is the place or time to share them.

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down on thee with great vengence and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers, and you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengence upon
thee

PITGUY, Sorry but I am unable to understand the connection you are trying to make with scripture. Are you comparing the possible wrath of mechanics to the wrath of God? That they will stike with vengence against anyone who does not see or do as they want?

Redone let me help you out with this one.

Item 1 from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Union 2: something that is made one : as a : a confederation of independant individuals (as nations or persons) for some common purpose.

Item 2 from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Tyrant 1a: an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution b: a usurper of sovereignty. 2a : a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally b: one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power.

You figure it out!

 

[F/AinDay]

Looks like a good turn-out in CLT!!

Posted on Sun, Sep. 28, 2003

US Airways mechanics rally
Carrier looks at contracting out maintenance work
EARNEST WINSTON AND TED REED
Staff Writers

More than 400 US Airways mechanics and supporters rallied in Charlotte Saturday, protesting the chance that the airline will contract out heavy maintenance work on its fleet of Airbus jets.


CLT Rally