Update

[AIRWOMAN]

If the company is preventing the investigation the IAM or any union has to file suit to resolve it.

What if it was you who were on the outside looking in and the company refused to the the union investigate why you were fired?

No wonder why you have no idea of what happened and what is going on.

I think most have a better understanding of what is going on that you think. All you have to do is read.


US Airways sued over dismissalsThe suit says 22 union members were unjustly fired. The airline denies it.By Jane M. Von BergenInquirer Staff WriterAfter a brawl between rival unions, US Airways unjustly fired 22 union members - many of them leaders - in an attempt to systematically eliminate union representation, according to a lawsuit filed against the airline in federal court yesterday.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, says that organizers from the Transport Workers Union started the violence and that the machinists acted only in self-defense.
US Airways says the suit is without merit.
Five TWU organizers were beaten, allegedly by the machinists, during a meeting Feb. 8 at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott. The brawl also involved about 25 machinists' union members, according to an affidavit (af·fi·da·vit ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-dvt)
n.
A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or other authorized officer. signed by one of the TWU organizers. Both unions want to represent baggage handlers under the new US Airways, which merged last year with America West Airlines.
"The firings are an attempt to undermine the machinists' union at US Airways," said Stephen "Randy" Canale, of Havertown, general chairman of the segment of the union that represents 5,500 active and furloughed US Airways baggage handlers.
"This lawsuit has absolutely no merit," US Airways spokesman Philip Gee said in a statement. "US Airways terminated 22 employees after a thorough investigation revealed that they were involved in an assault of TWU representatives," who were not US Airways employees.
"Our investigation revealed no credible evidence that the TWU representatives instigated the violent altercation," he wrote. "US Airways has zero tolerance for acts of violence, intimidation, and harassment against or by any employee. The terminated employees were dealt with accordingly."
Two TWU organizers wound up in the hospital. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is still investigating, a spokeswoman said yesterday.
"Just because you are in a hospital being treated doesn't mean you are right," Canale said. His workers also were injured.
According to the lawsuit, the TWU organizers tried to force machinists' union members to leave the meeting and "physically assaulted some... . As a result of this unprovoked assault, a fight broke out."
David Rosen, general counsel for the TWU, laughed when he heard the complaint. "It sounds like I'm getting Bizarro-world version of the facts," he said.
The TWU organizer's affidavit, filed the day of the incident, said that "a crowd of 25 men from the lobby burst through the doors of the meeting room. The men picked up the chairs and threw them at us. They punched us and kicked us and broke glass and furniture."
The TWU represents about 2,400 baggage handlers originally with America West. The machinists' union represents original US Airways baggage handlers, the majority.
Canale said the implications of the airline's actions went beyond firing workers in a fight. The US Airways workers were attending a union meeting (union meeting at a hotel? don't you have a union hall to hold/attend meetings?), were not on company time, and were not on company property, so the company should not interfere, he said.
"If I am in a bar fight, does US Airways have a right to discipline me?" he asked.
Many of those fired were shop stewards and union leaders and now are not allowed on US Airways property to represent workers, in violation of the union's contract, Canale said. If you're FIRED, should you be allowed back on company (the one that fired you) property?? :unsure:
Canale said he thought the airline was trying to weaken the machinists' union to discourage turnout at a pending representation election. If fewer than half vote, the workers lose their union status.
That happened in an earlier merger, he said, and "US Airways wants history to repeat itself."
The lawsuit asks for the 22 workers, all longtime employees, to be reinstated immediately and compensated for their losses.

 

[700UW]

The IAM representative investigating the grievance were prevented on the property.

They are elected representatives of the IAM by their peers, they still have the contractual right to represent their coworkers.

Once again a poster thinks whatever is in the newspaper or company says is right even though he has to comment on matters he has no idea about.

The union meeting was held by the twu, not the IAM go ask them why it was at a hotel.

And do you think no one has ever lied in an affidavit?

Get a clue!

 

[AIRWOMAN]

The IAM representative investigating the grievance were prevented on the property.

They are elected representatives of the IAM by their peers, they still have the contractual right to represent their coworkers.
Many of those fired were shop stewards and union leaders and now are not allowed on US Airways property to represent workers, in violation of the union's contract, Canale said. Even if they're fired???

Once again the board person who thinks he knows it all thinks whatever is in the newspaper or company says is right even though he has to comment on matters he has no idea about. No wonder they Chiames sent you a enema.??? :unsure: But what the IAM puts out in these updates, bulletins, etc. are to be believed any more than the free press??

The union meeting was held by the twu, not the IAM go ask them why it was at a hotel.
Canale said the implications of the airline's actions went beyond firing workers in a fight. The US Airways workers were attending a union meeting, were not on company time, and were not on company property, so the company should not interfere, he said. Again, don't you have a union hall in PHL??

AND NO ONE HAS EVER FILED A BOGUS LAWSUIT??? I'VE GOT A CLUE. I EVEN HAVE AN EXTRA ONE FOR YOU, IF YOU WANT IT.

 

[700UW]

They were attending a twu union meeting not an IAM union meeting, is that too hard for you to comprehend?

The IAM does have a hall in PHL, apparently the twu does not.

Being fired from the company does not remove a representative from his or her position. By the RLA they are still representatives.

The union would not file a bogus suit, the IAM attornies would not waste dues money.

Apparently you need all the clues you have.

Bet you did not even know one of the persons fired was not even in the room nor on company time nor in uniform?

See you dont know what happened.

 

[AIRWOMAN]

They were attending a twu union meeting not an IAM union meeting, is that too hard for you to comprehend?

The IAM does have a hall in PHL, apparently the twu does not.

Being fired from the company does not remove a representative from his or her position. By the RLA they are still representatives.

The union would not file a bogus suit, the IAM attornies would not waste dues money.

Apparently you need all the clues you have.

Bet you did not even know one of the persons fired was not even in the room nor on company time nor in uniform?

See you dont know what happened.

IAM members, stewards and such, were attending the TWU informational meeting?? Wow, I didn't think that would happen.

Is company property private or public?

Would the company fire 22 people without investigating and coming to a non-bogus decision? Possibly but under the current circumstances, I hope not.

No, I wasn't there. I read the articles put out from the various sources.

 

[700UW]

All the members invited to the meeting were IAM members.

Company property is in a SIDA Area.

And yes the company has fired people before without knowing all the facts and gotten their jobs back.

Welcome to US Airways way of labor relations. Fire first and make the person prove themselves innocent.

 

[robbedagain]

They were attending a twu union meeting not an IAM union meeting, is that too hard for you to comprehend?

The IAM does have a hall in PHL, apparently the twu does not.

Being fired from the company does not remove a representative from his or her position. By the RLA they are still representatives.

The union would not file a bogus suit, the IAM attornies would not waste dues money.

Apparently you need all the clues you have.

Bet you did not even know one of the persons fired was not even in the room nor on company time nor in uniform?

See you dont know what happened.

If they werent on comp time or in uniform, I must ask, how can the company fire them? I am not sticking up to them for what happened just want to know how can a company fire them if they werent in uniform or on comp time? and yet the DA has yet to file charges, if any? this doesnt make sense to me

 

[longing4piedmont]

All the members invited to the meeting were IAM members.

oh that is rich.....

Reminds me of other famous quote...."I never had sex with that women....."

I have in the past respected your defending the IAM, but you are losing it with this continued mantra

 

[markkus757]

If they have been terminated, wouldn't someone else have to represent the union? They are technically not employees anymore so who are they representing? I think US is doing the right thing by not allowing them back on property. The possibility of vandalism and/or tampering with ops is probably high and no business would ever put themselves at risk for this kind of behavior. I would also think they could argue that in court. The only stickler that might work against US in this case is if the employees are never formally charged.

 

[brown]

oh that is rich.....

Reminds me of other famous quote...."I never had sex with that women....."

I have in the past respected your defending the IAM, but you are losing it with this continued mantra

Or even "Saddam was tied to 9/11"

You're wrong about 700UW, He is an Airways employee. I've met him and I assure you he is far to busy to post during working hours.

He supports IAM obviously but he DOES NOT have a paid position with IAM.

You can break his agates over his views and Lord knows I do but do not insult his work ethic. Say what you will but at least he isn't sitting on his assets whinning about what a piece of crap the union is. He's trying to make a difference and that is NEVER a bad thing.

That's funny. I just happen to go through some posts today. 700UW posted at 0745am, 11.13am a bunch about 5:00pm. So If 700UW is so busy at work in this is how USAirways employees stay busy I see why AW bailed them out.

 

[700UW]

Funny at 11:13am I was in CLT, not even home nor near a computer.

Keep trying Inspector Cluesou.

 

[Paul]

This topic is not about any one poster. Let's move it back to the topic at hand.

Thank you.

 

[Dog Wonder]

Why don't people trust the judicial system to find the truth here?

 

[Dog Wonder]

Honestly because it's PHL and judges can and are bought every day.

Welcome to America. It is not just judges for sale.

In any event, if our government fails it is because we voted for idiots.

The system works if the people care enough to to see if the people elected give a damn what the ones voting for them think.

 

[NevadaHP]

OK, where do i start... What happened to the grievance process?? Can they even file a lawsuit before the grievance has been settled?

Bob, youve got it all wrong the TWU was sent a letter from the company the day the cards were filed that no TWU rep could speak about the election while at work on the clock. They couldnt come down to the ramp off the clock and talk about the vote. TWU cant S4it in a toilet without permission from the company, the only place TWU is aloud to talk about a vote is on the curb. yes its being contested but, the company has clearly favored the IAM. Currently IAM AGCs are aloud on the ramp in Vegas without security clearance, so dont F***ing tell me that TWU is getting prefential treatment. I want TWU and IAM to DEBATE on why each of them should be the bargaaing unit, and distribute to all employees with the cost split between the unions. This wont happen because the IAM has slammed the own contract on their website and still dont have one in print on website or mailed to employees.