Us Airways' Biggest Union:

[cavalier]

How do you know they want to do all this if the IAM won't meet with the company to find out what it is they want? Where is all this "information" you're posting here coming from? Sounds to me like you could be a close relative to a certain poster on here that you follow around like a dog in heat waiting on the next post to attack. As for the millions that the IAM says the company can save by implementing their ideas I was just looking them over and it's just as I suspected. It's typical union drivel where they're using numbers they bent over and pulled out of their "Official IAM Idea Book". One thing is almost certain, it sure looks like they're pulling those numbers from the same place you're getting your "factual information" from.

MrAeroMan:

What the company wants is work rule changes and they will eliminate stores, utility, and the cleaners, as well as plant maintenance and GSE. These rule changes will result in a whole pile of furloughs. AND, that is in addition to the BUS WORK. Most mechanics I talk to feel the bus work alone is enough of an issue NOT to hold further talks. In others words, management poisoned the pot by ambushing the bus work and that issue alone has everyone seeing red. Now if that wound isn't enough, they want all the above mentioned. Like 700 says, the mechanics would be decimated with most hitting the streets. So that being fact, how can anyone really expect the IAM membership to even want to discuss anything?

Most mechanics feel that what is, is, and let the s---it hit the fan and go from there. People are quitting just about daily and they are not being replaced, others are only hoping for severance and others still are just waiting to get furloughed so they can collect, get their bearings and move on with their life. Many, too damn many are on meds to keep them sane. With all this going on, how can anyone really expect any different attitude than what is. IMO, to expect more is expecting more than normal human beings can possible offer. This is the end game and no amount of anger is going to change that fact, and no number of posts begging the mechanics to see the light will make a difference at this point.

Thank the union busting people who are still here effectively destroying our airline with 18th century labor tactics, and this is WITH the BOD's blessings and why we are screwed.

 

[unit4clt]

Mraeroman,

You need to take off your blinders, just because your management pulls numbers out of a certian place, does not necessarly mean the IAM pulls numbers from the same place.

Question to you is, Why does the company refuse to cut cost in other areas, but continue to pursue labor cost?

They have been accomadated twice by Labor, while doing nothing about the other cost!!

 

[MrAeroMan]

Mraeroman,

You need to take off your blinders, just because your management pulls numbers out of a certian place, does not necessarly mean the IAM pulls numbers from the same place.

Question to you is, Why does the company refuse to cut cost in other areas, but continue to pursue labor cost?

They have been accomadated twice by Labor, while doing nothing about the other cost!!

First of all they're not my management.

Secondly, just because management pulls numbers from an unsunshined area doesn't make it right for the IAM to do the same.

Thirdly, managment has said they will cut the non labor side of the cost equation as much as they do the labor side. I haven't seen anything that says they've "refused" to cut the non-labor side. Granted it should've been done first and I agree with you on this point.

Lastly, I still haven't seen any proof the IAM is offering to save a nickel to the company let alone $80-100 million.

 

[700UW]

Do you have to see proof? Who are you to demand to see proof if it does not even concern you?

And if the company is in such bad shape as they say, they should all be fired management that is if they have not cut any non-labor costs in their control.

The IAM and the company have met on it, the company even admited they did, if you read the statement the company put out.

From the company itself:

US Airways is preparing a response to the IAM's letter but won't disclose what it will be, spokesman David Castelveter said Monday. "We will hopefully sit down with the IAM and talk about how we can get to our cost-cutting objectives."

 

[MrAeroMan]

Why don't you contact DL 141 and 142 and they will tell you the breakdown of the cost savings.

And ofcourse that is a wish list, but if you don't believe me what they want go ask any union that has met with the company and they will back me up.

You cut and paste on here all the time yet this time you choose not to. I wonder why.....hmmmmm. Could it be the numbers don't add up and smell a little?? I would bet that's the case. There's no way the numbers coming from the IAM pass the smell test. You preach about factual information on here all the time. It's time to put it up. That's where the rubber meets the road my friend and putting out those numbers would prove the IAM is serious. Explain to me how buying radios is going to save money.
That one should be a good one to explain. (Please do so with a straight face)

 

[700UW]

I do not know the exact breakdown of the numbers as I am not involved, so go ask the GCs involved.

Also I know the SOS, Ship or Shelf rotable parts is worth $500,000 a month alone.

So stop putting the onus on me, put it on the company and if you say you are not an employee, I don't owe anything to you, I have posted Facts of what I know, the things I don't, I don't post.

 

[unit4clt]

Mraeroman,

It has been 23 months since the first major cuts were agreed to by Labor. The management has had plenty of time to cut OTHER cost, that even they have identified.

REFUSAL or RELUCTANCE = No Difference

 

[MrAeroMan]

Do you have to see proof? Who are you to demand to see proof if it does not even concern you?

And if the company is in such bad shape as they say, they should all be fired management that is if they have not cut any non-labor costs in their control.

The IAM and the company have met on it, the company even admited they did, if you read the statement the company put out.

From the company itself:

Just like I thought. You demand facts when it makes you look good but when it comes to providing facts to support your unions stance you can't do it.
So the company and the union met on the list. So what? What does that prove? That proves nothing on the cost of the savings. It only proves two parties met in a room with a catered lunch and ate for free.

Try again...

 

[tadjr]

Explain to me how buying radios is going to save money.
That one should be a good one to explain. (Please do so with a straight face)

Not sure what the radios are for specifically, but, if they are used in the proper way, they could be used to alert the ramp leads that more bags have just come into the bagroom from TSA meaning if they dont hold the plane a minute or two we will have several bag claims at the other end costing money to deliver. If the cleaners are out doing their jobs and suddenly an emergency cleaning is required on a flight that is about ready to leave or the connections are going to bust costing money for overnight hotels and no one has a radio to get in touch with them to advise them, its going to cost some money.
These are but two small ways that money could be saved by actually purchasing radios (that work) so the agents/supervisors can communicate efficiently instead of playing phone tag or trying to guess where someone might be or what might be happening.
It amazes me that as much as things have the possibility to change in this business that would require effective communications, the lack of proper equipment is allowed many times to continue. It took us forever to get management to get some decent radios so the ops guys could talk to the ramp lead working the end of the building and so the maint guys could communicate with the ops guys.

 

[700UW]

mraeroman,

I am not involved with the cost savings, if you want the information and are an employee ask the IAM Rep in your station.

I provided the dollar amount on one item that I know off for a tune of $500,000 per month.

So go on with your bashing if it turns you on, I have provided what I know.

 

[MrAeroMan]

mraeroman,

I am not involved with the cost savings, if you want the information and are an employee ask the IAM Rep in your station.

I provided the dollar amount on one item that I know off for a tune of $500,000 per month.

So go on with your bashing if it turns you on, I have provided what I know.

So you don't really know it's $80-100 million dollars in savings. Thanks, just as I thought.

 

[MrAeroMan]

Not sure what the radios are for specifically, but, if they are used in the proper way, they could be used to alert the ramp leads that more bags have just come into the bagroom from TSA meaning if they dont hold the plane a minute or two we will have several bag claims at the other end costing money to deliver. If the cleaners are out doing their jobs and suddenly an emergency cleaning is required on a flight that is about ready to leave or the connections are going to bust costing money for overnight hotels and no one has a radio to get in touch with them to advise them, its going to cost some money.
These are but two small ways that money could be saved by actually purchasing radios (that work) so the agents/supervisors can communicate efficiently instead of playing phone tag or trying to guess where someone might be or what might be happening.
It amazes me that as much as things have the possibility to change in this business that would require effective communications, the lack of proper equipment is allowed many times to continue. It took us forever to get management to get some decent radios so the ops guys could talk to the ramp lead working the end of the building and so the maint guys could communicate with the ops guys.

This actually makes some sense. Communication is a lynchpin of any business such as UAIR's. It's amazing how you have to beg for equipment that allows one to do their job in the most efficient manner. While I can see cost savings with this it's still a long way to the $80 to $100 million figure.

Thanks Tadjr.

 

[USA320Pilot]

I believe if the IAM had a legitimate claim to cut costs by $80 to $100 million, the company would implement the plan.

US Airways has an employee suggestion program to cut costs and raise revenue. Each idea that has been implemented has been reproted, but there is nothing even close to $80 to $100 million in any suggestion(s).

US Airways management is trying to save the company and it's doubtful the IAM's claim is true. The IAM is scared to death of AMFA, which is why they are posturing the company and the union members.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[700UW]

I believe if the IAM had a legitimate claim to cut costs by $80 to $100 million, the company would implement the plan.

US Airways has an employee suggestion program to cut costs and raise revenue. Each idea that has been implemented has been reproted, but there is nothing even close to $80 to $100 million in any suggestion(s).

US Airways management is trying to save the company and it's doubtful the IAM's claim is true. The IAM is scared to death of AMFA, which is why they are posturing the company and the union members.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

My oh my,

The company HAS FAILED TO ENACT ANY NON-LABOR COST SAVINGS YET.

Are you that blind or are you just filled with ego.

Even the company says they are evaulating the cost savings.

The IAM is not afraid of AMFA, they have taken AMFA on and not done a good job of it at times.

The IAM realizes the company wants to eliminate the mechanic and related classifications as much as they can. But I can tell you it a million times and just like all the real facts you care to ignore them because it does not fit your agenda.

You are obsessed with the IAM, you devote more time, energy and postings on this board to the IAM and the path they have chosen, why is that?

Are you scared because one union has the gonads to say no, enough is enough, while your group feeds it young to the wolves once againg for the fourth time?

Let me repost the following since you dont get it, you choose to ignore it, just to save your hyde.

The key is a certain pilot wants everyone else to sacrfice so he can keep his job.

Please explain to me how it is that 900+ utility, 200+ stock clerks and 2,000+ mechanics who will be furloghed from US if the company gets their transformation plan enacted should vote to lay themselves off with NO CHANCE ever to return.

The company wants to eliminate heavy maintenance, Ground Equipment (GSE), Plant Maintenance, Stores, Shops, go down to 800 mechanics and eliminate All UTILITY.

That is the bottom line is what the company wants to do the Mechanic and Related.

They violate the very same contracts they agreed to on a daily basis, they lie, cheat and steal from the very employees who have sacrificed twice in two rounds of concessions.

They declare war on the employees instead of the competition.

When will all of you out there get it?

 

[Finish or Ignore]

RANT
As I, and others have noted, the transformation of U should have begun years ago. Can anyone remember Mr. Ghangwals powerpoint presentation in the hangar? I argued with my fellow workers that we could not be a Southwest but we should be doing some things like Southwest. Even with the good economy under the Wolf regime I did not enjoy raping the business traveler with the outrageous one way fares. I know the anger of someone flying with us because they "have" to, not because the want to. Many millions have gone to a few that we put our faith in. From vice president level on down we still have the same problems and people running the show. I don't blame the PHL workers for all the problems there. The gate won't hold a flt to accomodate the customer whose flt was cancelled 2 weeks ago and never called, that ruins our on time numbers. We could care less if your bags were on your flt. What matters is how many people we drag to the kiosk. We go above and beyond to help customers with all the adverse situations we come against and the corporate concern is what we are wearing or if we are seen sitting down while working. Are Gofares PROactive or REactive? What about the DON'Tgo fares? Are the same harsh rules still in effect for them? A little common sense once in a while would help ease the pain.

Now, we must transform the airline. In a very short timeframe. With the bulk of it on the employees back. 9-11 is not the blame for this. We were lead into this, now lead us out. My old Eastern Airlines friend told me You never know what you had till you lose it. And, you never know what you can do till you have to.
We may have to find out what we can do before this is over. RANT OVER