Did management consult with you before YOU bought Airtran? What was your part in the decision making process?
Its not nitpicking, its fact. Your employer purchased AirTran. You've been fortunate that you have a historically and exceptionaly good and fair employer, but at the end of the day its not "your" airline. Employment does not mean ownership. You may own a little piece of it but I doubt its a controlling interest in it. The guys who worked for Ozark Airlines had a great contract and AMFA as well, one day they found out they were "sold" to TWA. Their contract offered them protections but their airline was sold without their consent.
I didnt imply anything about AMFA, only stated what I recall was their position, and I worked alongside one of the guys who founded AMFA back in 1964 at JFK. Your union was founded in the hangar I work in. When Ozark was purchased by TWA, AMFA insisted that their guys were dovetailed by the seniority they held prior to the merger/aquisition.
I'm not here to antagonize you, just share my perspectives as a mechanic who has been in this industry for 30 years who is hoping that we as a group can one day get our act together and realize that we need to stick together as mechanics and do things that will promote the profession, not just our respective positions at our current location.
Before you go assuming that my motives are with ill intent let me tell you a few things about myself. I was thrown out of office by the TWU International for sueing the International and criticizing the officials who helped jam the concessions of 2003 down our throats. They claimed that my criticisms of the TWU were an endorsement of AMFA, which was conducting a card drive at AA at the time. If the truth hurts then so be it, I'm not going to lie for anyone, even if it means I get removed. Based solely on my criticisms they convicted me of Dual Unionism. The Trial committe consisted of three subordinates of my accusor. I was forced out of office for five years, when I ran for office two years ago (at the behest of my peers) several Presidents, some of whom who ended up getting what amounts to appointed titles in the International, came to my Local the week the ballots went out and tried to tell my peers not to vote for me, claiming that they had made a lot of progress and they needed to keep my predecessor in place. The President from Tulsa at the time was one of them and claimed that the bases and the line were on the same page. Well I got elected anyway. Out of the four guys that were sent three have since been voted out of office, including the President from Tulsa whose members voted against the deal he recommended they accept by a ratio of 2 to 1. Thats the first time in the 24 years with the company I saw the members of Tulsa vote against their Presidents recommendation. He claimed 90% would accept the deal. I recommended rejection and my Local membership voted against it by 94%. When I look at you I dont see an opponent because you belong to a different union and a different company, I see a fellow mechanic. I'm not seeking favor from the IBT, in fact I've been very critical of the deal they brought back at Continental. I've no doubt that if I'm on their list, its on their Sh--List. You need to realize that your future gains will be affected by what I can get and what everyone else gets. What we do affects each other regardless of what union we are in. So far you guys have been fortunate, but still, you are making less than an A&P should.
Lighten up and step back to see what I'm trying to say and dont be so defensive. I realize I may be saying things you dont want to hear but I can assure you I have no ill will towards you guys.