This is for real people! Stop settling
"As indicated in last weeks update, no negotiations took place this week nor will there be any talks next week. The two sides will resume Mon. Feb 29th. The frustration of these erratic meets is real for all of us and this week we were given the reason for these interruptions. Previous communiques sent to you had introduced you all to Jerry Glass, chief negotiator for F&H Solutions, the firm hired by AA to represent the company for their side of Negotiations. This is the same firm that United Airlines is using with their Mechanic negotiations and for as much as AA has expressed a readiness to present us with raises and a unified contract with our USAir counterparts, the perception now given is that AA has been less than truthful on these promises. Combined with not having yet produced any offer of a contract for us, it appears Mr Glass's busy schedule will dictate the pace of our talks.
On that same note we can determine that our interests and involvement here at AA has much in common with our peers at United. On the company side, referenced by the usage of the same negotiating firm we can see these two Airlines utilize the same playbook. For those of you paying attention to what's occurring at United, the case can be made that the way in which that mechanic group is battling to obtain a fair contract will be emulated here at AA. Hardcore strategies by the Companies void of any interests to make a mends for any previous transgressions. And.....
We continue to have our noses rubbed in the obscene profit numbers and monies available that continue to escape us. Massive profits being doled out to employees at other Airlines ie. Delta, Southwest and others. Raises obtained with other work groups here at AA, and now....recent notification that upper tier management here at AA will enjoy 18% bonuses in the near future. What makes this a sour pill to swallow is the inclusion in our present Contract of Gain Share:
Attachment 4.3 found on page 32 of our current M&R Contract effective Sept. 2012
ATTACHMENT 4.3- PROCESS IMPROVEMENT - LINE EMPLOYEE GAIN SHARING PLAN
"During the recent negotiations, the parties committed to jointly develop a variable compensation plan (“Plan”) that will be applicable to TWU employees in the Maintenance and Engineering department.
An appropriate recognition system is a meaningful way to keep our people engaged.
The variable compensation plan covering Line Maintenance employees will incorporate the following principles:
– Tied to corporate and Line Maintenance business results
– Structured to motivate continuous improvement"
Translation: Our pay has the ability to reflect the same increases enjoyed by other employees including management and based on the same variables. One of many pieces of our current Contract that goes unrecognized by AA.
Along with the determined effort to strip our work group of Aircraft brake riding and Taxi/Tow operations, continued expansion of new hire Supervisory personnel, increased investigations and counseling for frivolous issues including no-badge-in/out, continued Contract violations including seniority recognition and job-class cross utilization, we can only hope that these challenges will serve to unite us.
I take no pleasure to instill all this negativity but for those of you that continue to cross fingers in hopes that the Company will freely hand over what we believe is owed needs to see our present engagement for what it is. Having said that, I look forward to the day we can celebrate a more positive path toward the future. Stay tuned."
** A special shout out to the fellas upstairs in Training. The ability to demonstrate unity with a positive end result is rare but now proven. Good job.
