Us Airways / Behind The Scenes: Machinists

[cavalier]

Article

Notice there are only a few. I don't care what the paper or some reporter or so called expert says. I work there, not them! I KNOW most mechanics are with the IAM stance of the now famous saying: "SHOVE IT". Anyone who really believes caving yet again will save their job has the faith required to simply quit today and never look back knowing they will be fine. That is the kind of faith required to actually believe additional givebacks will save this terminal patient.

 

[repeet]

I also find the reported 66% interesting. In the Charlotte hanger where I work, support for the I.A.M.'s position runs between 90% to 98%, depending on the work area.

I would urge all I.A.M. mechanic and related at US Airways to email their AGCs before Monday night, so that they will have an accurate feel for the memberships wishes in their meeting with Vice Presidient Roach on Tuesday.

I also find it interesting that of those who had "mixed feeling", that they were willing to sacrifice the "related" in order to save their own jobs. Talk about divide and conquer.

 

[700UW]

Here is a real unionist, not!

Those with mixed feelings were torn between anger over new cuts and the practical concerns of economics and family. One mechanic, who has a wife and two kids to support in Charlotte, N.C., said he didn't want to lose his job but at the same time, "you have to draw a line in the sand somewhere." Another said that the mechanics have no more room to give but pointed his finger instead at the utility workers, who clean planes. They "make too much," he said.

 

[usfliboi]

YAWN!

 

[unit4clt]

Seems to be a Company generated story!!! Wonder how difficult it was for the reporter to find these UNNAMED workers?

 

[Doc]

Well suggest everyone drop this guy a note and tell him how we feel maybe then these little journalist will write what happens from the inside instead of what the company tells them to write......here is his email

[email protected]

 

[E-TRONS]

I too hold firm that we should NOT open our contract for a number of reasons:

1) Blatant violation of our contract which is a testament to the "good faith" the company exhibits to its maintenance employees. Why should we talk to these LIARS????

2) Failure of the company to reduce the non-labor costs (besides fuel). BTW, What exactly are the non-labor costs comprised of?????

3) Failure of management to disclose what exactly will be their portion of sharing the pain?????

4) Continued threats from CCY.....if we don't make a deal then...blah, blah, blah. I say let the judge decide and govern our management. Then there will be no more monkey business......just business.

What makes me ill are the cowardly lions that have no children and their spouse works too (dinks). These individuals are the ones crowing the loudest about dealing with the company. They send e-mails to Lakefield about how they are willing to sacrifice even more to save the company :angry: !!!! I might not agree with how the IAM has operated in the past but I would not undermine their position during this fight for our jobs. I stand behind that line in the sand.

The outcome of this battle will not only effect UAIR employees but will set the stage for other carriers to assault their employees. People have died for their beliefs during the early years of the labor movement in this country. And so many are willing to turn their backs on all the personal sacrifice of our ancestry to save their own sorry hides. What a self centered lot indeed. Absolutely shameful.

This company has demonstrated that they will stop at nothing to get their way. Including a 2nd bankruptcy AFTER all groups agree to a 3rd round of concessions. Why??? So they can get MORE-MORE-MORE!!!!!

Once a sucker.......always a sucker :down:

 

[mweiss]

Come on, people. The man took a poll out of a relatively insignificant percentage of IAM workers and you're complaining because the majority he found wasn't big enough?

Look, he proved your case well. He should be praised, not lambasted.

Or are you mad at him because he dared to print the motivations of those who would agree to concessions?

 

[USA320Pilot]

Cuts are coming for all of us one way or another. Either through mutually agreed upon contract changes, court ordered changes, or liquidation.

The reality of the marketplace is driving the changes. AFA president Pat Friend recently told the New York Times, “This industry is transforming itself in front of our very eyes. The economic situation of the industry is a reality. We can’t change that. We have no choice but to try to adapt ourselves to a new business model while reserving as much as we can,â€￾ she said.

I find it interesting that immediately before the Board of Aribtation issues its Opinion & Award on the A320 heavy maintenance grievance IAM general vice president Robert Roach is meeting with the five US Airways AGC's who are the union’s negotiators. Why could that be if the "concession stand is closed?â€￾ Why is there a need to talk? Moreover, is the timing of these two events coincidental or is there more to the story?

Meanwhile, why did Allegheny Capital airline analyst Bill Lauer tell the Post-Gazette, "I think they (the IAM) have got themselves painted into a corner?"

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[WestCoastGuy]

Cuts for all of us are coming one way or another.

The company wants to cut our pay to poverty levels of $13,10 per hour. I prefer to have the pay argued in from of a BK judge. If he says $8.00 or $10.00 or $12.00...then so be it. The company will NEVER force this down our throats. All of us have NOTHING to loose by going BK. We are screwed either way. So let them show all their dirty laundry to the judge and see if he agrees.

 

[USA320Pilot]

WestCoastGuy:

You could be right in that for your work group the cuts could be deeper than $13.10 in bankruptcy court.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

P.S. By the way -- I believe the $13.10 per hour wage rate was an "opener". Nonetheless, I find it interesting that the CWA and the company are going back to the bargaining table this week.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[700UW]

I find it interesting that immediately before the Board of Aribtation issues its Opinion & Award on the A320 heavy maintenance grievance IAM general vice president Robert Roach is meeting with the five US Airways AGC's who are the union’s negotiators. Why could that be if the "concession stand is closed?â€￾ Why is there a need to talk? Moreover, is the timing of these two events coincidental or is there more to the story?
Respectfully,
USA320Pilot

Once again your lack of how the IAM operates shines like the sun.

GVP Robert Roach and the five US Airways General Chairmen meet regularly about once a month or via conference call.

So don't try to imply or take anything out of it. It is a normal course of duties and they are meeting prior to a whole District 142 Staff and Executive Board meeting that will take place this upcoming week.

And the Aribtor Bloch is not expected to render his decision no earlier then end of August as the post-hearing brief's rebuttals were not due till yesterday. So it is not immediatley before any decision is issued.

So keep trying.

 

[robbedagain]

I too hold firm that we should NOT open our contract for a number of reasons:

1) Blatant violation of our contract which is a testament to the "good faith" the company exhibits to its maintenance employees. Why should we talk to these LIARS????

2) Failure of the company to reduce the non-labor costs (besides fuel). BTW, What exactly are the non-labor costs comprised of?????

3) Failure of management to disclose what exactly will be their portion of sharing the pain?????

4) Continued threats from CCY.....if we don't make a deal then...blah, blah, blah. I say let the judge decide and govern our management. Then there will be no more monkey business......just business.

What makes me ill are the cowardly lions that have no children and their spouse works too (dinks). These individuals are the ones crowing the loudest about dealing with the company. They send e-mails to Lakefield about how they are willing to sacrifice even more to save the company :angry: !!!! I might not agree with how the IAM has operated in the past but I would not undermine their position during this fight for our jobs. I stand behind that line in the sand.

The outcome of this battle will not only effect UAIR employees but will set the stage for other carriers to assault their employees. People have died for their beliefs during the early years of the labor movement in this country. And so many are willing to turn their backs on all the personal sacrifice of our ancestry to save their own sorry hides. What a self centered lot indeed. Absolutely shameful.

This company has demonstrated that they will stop at nothing to get their way. Including a 2nd bankruptcy AFTER all groups agree to a 3rd round of concessions. Why??? So they can get MORE-MORE-MORE!!!!!

Once a sucker.......always a sucker :down:

i agree with your post. absoultely no more concessions. why not have all of mgmts perks cut off completely and their pays reduce to poverty level and see how they act? BTW great post ETRONS!

 

[PITbull]

Simple issue to resolve...


Pittsbur base had conducted a scientific survey by the Wilson Center...twice. Took one week, with Philadelphia members being split. So, going to the table could have gone either way depending on the lec Pres.

Pitttsburgh vote was CRYSTAL CLEAR!


Same results even with BK in the equation..

ANSWER: NO

 

[WestCoastGuy]

You could be right in that for your work group the cuts could be deeper than $13.10 in bankruptcy court.

That is a risk both myself and many of my coworkers are willing to take. The management of this company has shown us NOTHING but lies, deceit, disregard for contracts and self interest. We can not respect their leadership, concern for anyone except themselves, or their so called "business plan". They have been given all the tools they need on numerous occations by all work groups, including the pilots, and what did they do? NOTHING. They can not be trusted again.