So, now back on topic. How does being split between two Unions under one contract benefit the members? It doesn't. --I disagree. It help each side keep the process their familiar with, as an example the Grievance process will still be argued by those directly elected by the TWU...and the same time when it comes to collective barganing is also helps to have a united front going for an industry leading contract. We won't have factions from either side trying to dominate the process. The IAM can keep their IAMNPF and the TWU can keep their 401K, if that's what they choose.
What doesn't help the Membership is to have TWU, IAM and AMFA supporters sabotaging each aspect of unionism moving forward.
NYer claims that this is better because members get to stay in the Union they prefer, but he ignores the fact that many members will be forced to change Unions simply because of where they are. --Some will have to change over, correct, but the majority will be able to stay with what they're familiar with. It also helps those that go to either TWU or IAM cities to stay with the retirement plan they currently prefer. And in a vote, the side that loses is also forced to change Unions, but at a much higher rate.
NYer claims that he wants the Association because with it he gets to keep everything he has with the TWU structure. This is false, under this structure negotiations are changed completely, instead of every Local and every title group in every local being entitled to participate the International will select just three people for each contract group, where stores is lumped into Maintenance (-the IAM way). --Funny, you've been arguing against the current process of negotiations and have blamed other Presidents, other Title groups and International Reps for the perceived interference in negotiations. Are you now saying you'd prefer the current system and process. If the TWU and/or the IAM process is not to your liking there is sufficient time to get enough cards to bring in a more palpable option of your choice.
Under the Association they can transfer members back and forth between unions at will. Wow. It's not "at will" there is a process and there is participation from both sides in that process.
Under the association tie breakers will no longer be done by date of birth but by SSN (again the IAM way). --The tie-breaker will not re-shuffle everyone as all the TWU Members will remain in their current positions relative to each other. The tie-breaker comes in when an IAM Member has the same Classification and Date of Hire as the TWU Member, in which case the SSN will used in to keep the IAM Members in their current positions are related to each other. The alternative is to not have an agreement and take out chances with an Arbitrator. How's that worked in recent times?
The Association has stated that it is their intent to put us all in the UAMNPF (again the IAM way) so clearly every change that the Association has agreed to so far changes the way the TWU does business to the way the IAM does business and the TWU already agreed to let the IAM control the Association for the first two year. --The Association has stated the intent to be to give priority to the participation of the IAMNPF, should we not try to protect the retirement vehicle of a fellow unionist, and it also states that if the IAMNPF is not extended to the TWU we would not stand in the way of their continued participation. It does not make it mandatory for the TWU to adopt the IAMNPF...no matter how many times Bob says it does.
NYer seems to feel that members place greater value in being associated with the TWU name than whats in a contract, he seems to feel that Union membership is not a professional business relationship but rather a cult. --The TWU and the CBA it holds are synonymous.
I say lets have a vote, I prefer to stay with the TWU after seeing what type of contract the IAM can get from a very profitable company, but if the majority choose to go IAM that would be better than being split up between the two. I became a TWU member because AA hired me, if I was hired at US I would be an IAM member, the letters on the door are not whats most important, its the language of and numbers in the contract that matter. Then getting to a JCBA should be the priority and not having union Members fighting each other. When the TWU was first formed and was part of the CIO, they partnered with the IAM and were included into the AFL. That partnership in the past was positive, there is no reason this partnership can't also be positive. Bob may want to bring the negative of everything done by the TWU, but he also cherishes the ability to represent his Members. With the Association he and his Members are guaranteed to be able to continue that partnership. Is it really favorable to take a change a lose that while at the same time letting the IAM take over. It doesn't seem logical, especially if you love Bob so much.
The Association is a structure designed for the benefit of the people running the two unions, not for the benefit of the members of it. read the language, every item is geared towards removing any voice of the members and placing total authority in the hands of the two Internationals. members can be shuffled from one union to the other without their consent, members do not pick who represents them in negotiations, locals have no say in anything, and everything they have already agreed to is us changing our ways to the way the IAM does things and all of these decisions were made without any input from the membership or the people elected by the membership to represent them. This gives a very clear indication of what we can expect from the Association. --And if the Association gives all Mechanics Industry Leading Wages, something that been sought after for so long, will you agree you were wrong. (of course, knowing your history there will certainly be something to rile against even if the number one issue is addressed)