Yep, I'm sure that was a very important conference that could not be put off, lots of important items on the agenda!!! Maybe now that the election is over they can raise the dues, just guessing but I'm thinking we should see that before the end of the year. Perhaps they are discussing how to go about getting the mechanics at U a decent contract...or at least industry standard vs the industry bottom....
Teamsters filed at USAir for representation
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Be glad you guys did not bring the teamsters in. Below are updates from the AA mechanics fiasco caused by the teamsters and includes the letter from AMFA to the NMB for a protest against the one year waiting period since the teamsters forged and fraudulently collected cards at AA, and I would be willing to bet they did the same at your airline during their campaign. Why else would there be over 2800 cards signed by mechanics and only 1400 voted for the teamsters, hmmm. The two articles below are 100% brought on by the teamsters themselves and they have no one to blame but themselves:
Letter to AA Mechanic and Related Regarding NMB Determination (CASE NO. R-7365)
Aug 21, 2013 - Posted by: AMFA National
Dear AA Mechanic & Related:
When the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a representation election at American Airlines in May, the company and the IBT effectively blocked AMFA from becoming your labor representative.
At 3:30 p.m. on the same day the IBT filed with the NMB, and in an almost unprecedented move, the company presented their employee eligibility list and sample signature cards to the NMB. That move by the company closed the window for AMFA, as the NMB rules require that any other union seeking intervenor status must submit their representation cards and accompanying documentation in person by no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day the company presents its documents. In this case it was impossible for any union, even those based in Washington, DC to comply in such a short time period.
Now fast-forward to today, and as it turns out, the IBT has forsaken their desire to represent you and caused the NMB to determine that this act bars the mechanics and related craft from seeking an election for an entire year. If the IBT gets their way, the effort that you made to seek new representation was for nothing, and would ultimately mean that you’ll never get back all those hours spent away from family and friends.
What first began as collusion between the IBT and TWU to halt AMFA’s momentum quickly became a power struggle between two industrial unions too consumed with their depraved conspiracy to properly represent you (Read the Forbes Article). In a rush to pad their membership rolls and greedily seek to be the sole representative at both American Airlines and US Airways prior to the merger, the IBT took away your chance for a fair and democratic election.
The IBT’s and TWU’s behavior, much like a petulant, impatient child, accomplished nothing for American’s mechanics and related craft. No improvements were made in representation; no improvements were made in workplace benefits or even work rules. Nothing but the cold realization that you were used as pawns in a misguided effort to destroy the chances of AMFA, the only truly democratic union for the class and craft, from representing you.
We believe that the TWU was fearful that they would lose their membership at American to AMFA and conspired with the IBT to keep AMFA off the ballot. We suspect that American Airlines produced their employee eligibility list so quickly because they too, were fearful of AMFA winning an election and coming on property. We expect such awful behavior from employers, but it is unforgivable coming from an organization that represents workers. An election should be about representing you, not about destroying fair competition.
AMFA is not going away. We care too much about making improvements in your lives. We value each and every one of you who supported us at American and we want to see you protected and properly represented. We have already filed a protest with the NMB demanding that the one year ban be lifted due to the “unusual and extraordinary circumstances” that have taken place (Read AMFA's Appeal).
When the time is right, we’ll have another chance. In the meantime, stay engaged and keep the faith.
In Solidarity,
AMFA National Executive Council
Now, here's AMFA's protest letter to the NMB, and yes this does concern you guys if the merger moves forward to a conclusion.:
AMFA's Appeal to NMB Determination (CASE NO. R-7365)
Aug 20, 2013 - Posted by: George Diamantopoulos, AMFA Legal
August 20, 2013
BY FAX (202) 692-5085
Mary Johnson, General Counsel
National Mediation Board
1301 K Street, N.W., Ste. 250E
Washington, DC 20005
Re: NMB Case No. R-7365
Dear Ms. Johnson:
We write on behalf of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA&rdquo
to request that the National Mediation Board (“NMB&rdquo not apply a one-year bar to organizing by Mechanics and Related Employees at American Airlines, Inc. (“American&rdquo based on the imminent dismissal of the application of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (“Teamsters&rdquo in the above-referenced case. In our view, such a one-year bar would not only frustrate the democratic aspirations of American employees who have collected thousands of authorization cards in order to obtain representation by AMFA, but would also result in the NMB’s creation of a powerful ongoing incentive to resort to fraud as weapon in the union organizing context.
Through the latter part of 2012 and 2013, the Mechanics and Related Employees of American Airlines, Inc. (“American&rdquo conducted a well-publicized campaign to obtain representation by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA&rdquo. By mid-May, 2013, these AA employees had, by their own calculation, collected sufficient cards to satisfy the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) majority showing of interesting requirement and were in the final stages of collecting additional authorization cards to provide an adequate safety margin.
On May 28, 2013, the Teamsters, by their own filing, preempted the American employees’ application on behalf of AMFA. Moreover, despite the fact that the NMB’s Representation Manual provides for intervention by other unions, an AMFA intervention application filed within 24 hours, with thousands of supporting authorization cards, was rejected by the NMB as untimely. Substantial evidence indicates that the democratic aspirations of thousands of American employees has been subverted by criminal fraud.
The incumbent Transport Workers Union (“TWU&rdquo, as part of its Challenges and Objections, dated July 23, 2013, submitted two declarations from professional organizers from the Teamsters Organizing Department that an International Teamster Organizer and Teamster Directors and Coordinators were involved in falsifying cards and other related documents. In the aftermath of the TWU’s submission of this evidence of fraud, the Teamsters have chosen to “voluntarily” withdraw their application to the NMB.
AMFA is the only labor union that constitutionally limits itself to representing the craft or class of Mechanics and Related Employees in order to avoid conflicts of interests. AMFA is a democratic organization whose officers are directly elected by the members and subject to recall by these same members. The Teamsters cast a wider net and utilize a more centralized system of governance. Over the years, the resulting ideological rivalry has been one of great intensity. It beggars the imagination that the Teamsters flawed filing was motivated by anything other than a desire to frustrate the AMFA representation drive.
Irrespective of the Teamsters motivations, the NMB has in its possession substantial evidence of Teamsters’ fraud and substantial evidence that this fraud has frustrated the democratic aspirations of thousands of American employees who supported AMFA. Pursuant to 29 CFR §1206.4, the NMB has the authority to decline to impose a one-year bar under unusual or extraordinary circumstances. If the existing circumstances – involving substantial evidence of fraud and the frustration of an imminent filing supported by thousands of American employees – do not qualify under this standard, it is difficult to imagine what circumstances would.
Of equal significance, however, is that the application of a one-year bar under these circumstances would give rise to a new NMB-sanctioned strategy – the use of a fraudulent application to frustrate a representation drive by a rival union.
In its July 23rd submission, the TWU characterized the fraud committed in this matter to constitute criminal conduct in violation of 18 USC § 1001(a). We concur and hereby request that the NMB refer this matter to the appropriate prosecutorial body. The persons responsible should be behind bars.
In order to protect American democracy and to take a stand against criminality, we respectfully request that the NMB not impose a one-year bar in this matter.
Sincerely,
George Diamantopoulos
cc: Service List
Looks like AMFA will be trying again at AA, rather it be before the one year ban or after (June 2014) will be completely up to the NMB and AMFA's protest letter. Stay tuned and hopefully AMFA will get their chance to represent the AA mechanics and quite possibly the mechanics at US after the merger.
Letter to AA Mechanic and Related Regarding NMB Determination (CASE NO. R-7365)
Aug 21, 2013 - Posted by: AMFA National
Dear AA Mechanic & Related:
When the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a representation election at American Airlines in May, the company and the IBT effectively blocked AMFA from becoming your labor representative.
At 3:30 p.m. on the same day the IBT filed with the NMB, and in an almost unprecedented move, the company presented their employee eligibility list and sample signature cards to the NMB. That move by the company closed the window for AMFA, as the NMB rules require that any other union seeking intervenor status must submit their representation cards and accompanying documentation in person by no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day the company presents its documents. In this case it was impossible for any union, even those based in Washington, DC to comply in such a short time period.
Now fast-forward to today, and as it turns out, the IBT has forsaken their desire to represent you and caused the NMB to determine that this act bars the mechanics and related craft from seeking an election for an entire year. If the IBT gets their way, the effort that you made to seek new representation was for nothing, and would ultimately mean that you’ll never get back all those hours spent away from family and friends.
What first began as collusion between the IBT and TWU to halt AMFA’s momentum quickly became a power struggle between two industrial unions too consumed with their depraved conspiracy to properly represent you (Read the Forbes Article). In a rush to pad their membership rolls and greedily seek to be the sole representative at both American Airlines and US Airways prior to the merger, the IBT took away your chance for a fair and democratic election.
The IBT’s and TWU’s behavior, much like a petulant, impatient child, accomplished nothing for American’s mechanics and related craft. No improvements were made in representation; no improvements were made in workplace benefits or even work rules. Nothing but the cold realization that you were used as pawns in a misguided effort to destroy the chances of AMFA, the only truly democratic union for the class and craft, from representing you.
We believe that the TWU was fearful that they would lose their membership at American to AMFA and conspired with the IBT to keep AMFA off the ballot. We suspect that American Airlines produced their employee eligibility list so quickly because they too, were fearful of AMFA winning an election and coming on property. We expect such awful behavior from employers, but it is unforgivable coming from an organization that represents workers. An election should be about representing you, not about destroying fair competition.
AMFA is not going away. We care too much about making improvements in your lives. We value each and every one of you who supported us at American and we want to see you protected and properly represented. We have already filed a protest with the NMB demanding that the one year ban be lifted due to the “unusual and extraordinary circumstances” that have taken place (Read AMFA's Appeal).
When the time is right, we’ll have another chance. In the meantime, stay engaged and keep the faith.
In Solidarity,
AMFA National Executive Council
Now, here's AMFA's protest letter to the NMB, and yes this does concern you guys if the merger moves forward to a conclusion.:
AMFA's Appeal to NMB Determination (CASE NO. R-7365)
Aug 20, 2013 - Posted by: George Diamantopoulos, AMFA Legal
August 20, 2013
BY FAX (202) 692-5085
Mary Johnson, General Counsel
National Mediation Board
1301 K Street, N.W., Ste. 250E
Washington, DC 20005
Re: NMB Case No. R-7365
Dear Ms. Johnson:
We write on behalf of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA&rdquo
to request that the National Mediation Board (“NMB&rdquo not apply a one-year bar to organizing by Mechanics and Related Employees at American Airlines, Inc. (“American&rdquo based on the imminent dismissal of the application of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (“Teamsters&rdquo in the above-referenced case. In our view, such a one-year bar would not only frustrate the democratic aspirations of American employees who have collected thousands of authorization cards in order to obtain representation by AMFA, but would also result in the NMB’s creation of a powerful ongoing incentive to resort to fraud as weapon in the union organizing context.Through the latter part of 2012 and 2013, the Mechanics and Related Employees of American Airlines, Inc. (“American&rdquo
conducted a well-publicized campaign to obtain representation by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA&rdquo. By mid-May, 2013, these AA employees had, by their own calculation, collected sufficient cards to satisfy the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) majority showing of interesting requirement and were in the final stages of collecting additional authorization cards to provide an adequate safety margin.On May 28, 2013, the Teamsters, by their own filing, preempted the American employees’ application on behalf of AMFA. Moreover, despite the fact that the NMB’s Representation Manual provides for intervention by other unions, an AMFA intervention application filed within 24 hours, with thousands of supporting authorization cards, was rejected by the NMB as untimely. Substantial evidence indicates that the democratic aspirations of thousands of American employees has been subverted by criminal fraud.
The incumbent Transport Workers Union (“TWU&rdquo
, as part of its Challenges and Objections, dated July 23, 2013, submitted two declarations from professional organizers from the Teamsters Organizing Department that an International Teamster Organizer and Teamster Directors and Coordinators were involved in falsifying cards and other related documents. In the aftermath of the TWU’s submission of this evidence of fraud, the Teamsters have chosen to “voluntarily” withdraw their application to the NMB.AMFA is the only labor union that constitutionally limits itself to representing the craft or class of Mechanics and Related Employees in order to avoid conflicts of interests. AMFA is a democratic organization whose officers are directly elected by the members and subject to recall by these same members. The Teamsters cast a wider net and utilize a more centralized system of governance. Over the years, the resulting ideological rivalry has been one of great intensity. It beggars the imagination that the Teamsters flawed filing was motivated by anything other than a desire to frustrate the AMFA representation drive.
Irrespective of the Teamsters motivations, the NMB has in its possession substantial evidence of Teamsters’ fraud and substantial evidence that this fraud has frustrated the democratic aspirations of thousands of American employees who supported AMFA. Pursuant to 29 CFR §1206.4, the NMB has the authority to decline to impose a one-year bar under unusual or extraordinary circumstances. If the existing circumstances – involving substantial evidence of fraud and the frustration of an imminent filing supported by thousands of American employees – do not qualify under this standard, it is difficult to imagine what circumstances would.
Of equal significance, however, is that the application of a one-year bar under these circumstances would give rise to a new NMB-sanctioned strategy – the use of a fraudulent application to frustrate a representation drive by a rival union.
In its July 23rd submission, the TWU characterized the fraud committed in this matter to constitute criminal conduct in violation of 18 USC § 1001(a). We concur and hereby request that the NMB refer this matter to the appropriate prosecutorial body. The persons responsible should be behind bars.
In order to protect American democracy and to take a stand against criminality, we respectfully request that the NMB not impose a one-year bar in this matter.
Sincerely,
George Diamantopoulos
cc: Service List
Looks like AMFA will be trying again at AA, rather it be before the one year ban or after (June 2014) will be completely up to the NMB and AMFA's protest letter. Stay tuned and hopefully AMFA will get their chance to represent the AA mechanics and quite possibly the mechanics at US after the merger.
