WN Mechanics seek mediation

[B737 driver]

No prob. Driver. I really do understand the frustration of not having a new contract for the last 5 years. I am very frustrated too and extremely disappointed with our company on how they are now treating all the work groups and now especially us (mechanics group) at the table.
I don't think AMFA has gone wrong. AMFA has been very reasonable, AMFA has moved, AMFA has negotiated in good faith, AMFA has shown up for and asked for many, many more dates of negotiations each and every month, it IS the company that is doing all the opposite. They are not negotiating in good faith, they are not setting more than 2-3 days per month again, they are not being reasonable, they are not moving (although they did start) in scope, they are the ones stalling these negotiations until recently and all of a sudden they are ready to "get-er-done". The company has always stated at the table and away from the table that they will meet anytime, anywhere, over weekends whatever it takes to get this done. AMFA has asked company to meet more often even outside of mediation to work out the remaining issues and the company has flat out refused every offer by AMFA to do more than the pathetic 1-3 days per month. Which the company even said after finishing up with Pilots and F/A's they would make more dates available for us. That too wa a flat out lie. When our Lead Negotiator confronted the company on this they simply replied, "those are the only dates we are available." You see, the company is now (after 4 years and 11 months) saying let's get this thru Med-Arb, trying to make it look as if they are ready and or making moves to get this done. That's a false front from the company for the membership and the mediators. If the company was serious, they would be setting 3 day meetings every week 4 times per month. They have the option to do so, but will not take the time and make the move so it is obvious they are not ready to get something done yet.
Now I will retract a little. What has AMFA done wrong? Well, I have not a clue if it was wrong, but, pretty sure they used the financial company's suggestions on the new numbers in economics that the company just fell apart at. Well, they deserved that as they are the ones dragging this out for 5-6 years. And for what they are asking for and not moving the numbers were changed accordingly. Was it a little too much? Well some think so, but , this financial group simply re-ran the numbers after several other airlines came to agreements, including other groups here at SWA, all the while the company was stalling our contract nego's. I mentioned somewhere around the 2-3 year mark that the longer they drag this out the more it's gonna cost them and this is exactly what I was referring to, all the other groups coming to agreements with in our industry. Now let's see just how serious the company is in these next nego's and see if they are willing to move on scope, if they do maybe the NC will draw back a little, not sure, but it would make sense. I hate to tell ya this but if the company is not willing to move at all with scope still at these next nego's I see this going into next year.
Don't worry about being grouchy, we all do time to time. If you have research the pages you will see from time to time we all will let it fly every now and then. The key is to shake it off and come back with cooler heads and thoughts just as you did and I thank you for that.

On a side note: If you feel your rep is not doing his job there are processes you guys can take to repair it. Now I will say, if your rep is one of the guys that are tied up in nego's as well as being your rep, pls,pls,pls, give him a little rope. I say this because the company is acting so head strong at the table that these guys are working on their own time a lot to try and get this done. The nego. cmte. still has meetings, conference calls, gatherings with financial groups about the numbers etc... They really are a very busy group. Driver, reach out to your rep, tell him how you feel and ask for a station visit so you and others can sit with him and get all your questions answered. This week may not be a good week as I believe they are prepping for the upcoming nego's starting next week. Pretty sure we won't have anything at this next meeting (at least not expecting anything, as usual) so maybe set something up after this week and get all your guys rounded up with all their questions in hand to make it a very efficient station meeting. Again if your rep is not on the NC then there should be almost no excuses. Good luck with that, and pls let me know how it goes.

I will my opinion is this I know we have bent on some scope based on the economics numbers, I think where AMFA went wrong is they have spoon fed alot of guys that we can get you a raise and not have any work rule changes and the company from the beginning has had their must haves we all know that, and the reason they don't want to meet more than they have is that very reason! We need to be honest with membership, because every group that has come to a T/ A with SWA has had work rule changes, so now we are trying to get more economics to make it more acceptable to the membership ! And again thanks for your help !

 

[I'll have another]

We would probably have to agree to drop our lawsuit, and they would have to drop ours to get them to sign that agreement! But after the Northwest situation I am not saying it is impossible, but I don't see this ever getting to self help, uou say the word Strike, especially the ex Northwest guys and they tell you to shove it up your ass, and the rest of the guys treat you like you have the plague !

I don't think so, the NWA guys would love to see an loa agreeing to no replacement workers if this gets to self help. SWA can get this to self help if that is their intentions. All they have to do is keep doing what they have been doing. As far as the lawsuits are concerned, the amfa lawsuit and the company suit would be dropped. Air21's I doubt they will be dropped. Curious, if anyone knows who's funding these air21's. Is it our dues money. I suspect it is.

 

[B737 driver]

I don't think so, the NWA guys would love to see an loa agreeing to no replacement workers if this gets to self help. SWA can get this to self help if that is their intentions. All they have to do is keep doing what they have been doing. As far as the lawsuits are concerned, the amfa lawsuit and the company suit would be dropped. Air21's I doubt they will be dropped. Curious, if anyone knows who's funding these air21's. Is it our dues money. I suspect it is.

Yes they would want it in writing, I really don't believe the company wants to destroy us, they just have their cost structure they want simple as that ! I am sure we are providing some of the money for the Air21's, they don't have a job !

 

[I'll have another]

Yes they would want it in writing, I really don't believe the company wants to destroy us, they just have their cost structure they want simple as that ! I am sure we are providing some of the money for the Air21's, they don't have a job !

Just because you file an air21 doesn't mean you were fired. We have folks that have filed air21's and have their jobs. I believe the company could careless about this group. The attitude of the company is, my way or the highway. They are gonna get there maintenance program and rules even if it has to go to self help. We are dealing with a ruthless group that has been hired to get it done. Why do you think it's taking so long? Through the grapevine mechanics are being fired for things SWA would not have before.

 

[B737 driver]

Just because you file an air21 doesn't mean you were fired. We have folks that have filed air21's and have their jobs. I believe the company could careless about this group. The attitude of the company is, my way or the highway. They are gonna get there maintenance program and rules even if it has to go to self help. We are dealing with a ruthless group that has been hired to get it done. Why do you think it's taking so long? Through the grapevine mechanics are being fired for things SWA would not have before.

Well based on that, and if we really have no power we might as well just come to a T/ A and see if AMFA survives! No one really seems to care, sad !

 

[sendmeupacrowsfoot]

Many of us can file air21 whistleblower complaints. Have you all watched Seham's video? Google Seham air21. It's about 15 minutes. He's fixing to make a bundle.

Here, let me help you with that:

 

[sendmeupacrowsfoot]

bump...

 

[sendmeupacrowsfoot]

Well based on that, and if we really have no power we might as well just come to a T/ A and see if AMFA survives! No one really seems to care, sad !

Woe is me for all is lost............

 

[B737 driver]

Woe is me for all is lost............

I was being kinda sarcastic and a little serious !

 

[Go Figure]

There are other lawsuits in the works filed besides the AIR 21 suits. Both the union and the company filed Federal Suits over the negotiations. Those are the "Big White Elephant" in the room. Per swamt those lawsuits don't mean anything with CBA conclusion??????? Ok.

U can run and ignore swamt but you and your cheerleading squad have been exposed. Address Sehams great tactics and skills on filing the lawsuit and then SWA counteracting with their lawsuit in Federal Courts over the negotiations. The suits are not scheduled for litigation until early 2018. The plan moving forward? I am sure Seham is billing currently forming his strategy. Worked out fabulous for USAPA and their strategy and outcome. Long bumpy road ahead until litigation. I wish the hardworking SWA techs well but the strategy is flawed!!??

 

[Go Figure]

Retrospect on NWA. The PFAA-flight attendant- Union did not even support Amfa on their strike and Seham was head legal counsel for both groups. Unbelievable. Solidarity at its finest with same counsel representation. How he and his minions are still being employed in the labor organization is beyond reality . Go Figure!!

 

[B737 driver]

Retrospect on NWA. The PFAA-flight attendant- Union did not even support Amfa on their strike and Seham was head legal counsel for both groups. Unbelievable. Solidarity at its finest with same counsel representation. How he and his minions are still being employed in the labor organization is beyond reality . Go Figure!!

A Lion does not care where he gets his meal, he still eats! A lawyer will go to whoever will pay their fees !

 

[Go Figure]

A Lion does not care where he gets his meal, he still eats! A lawyer will go to whoever will pay their fees !

Not all labor lawyers. There are a bunch of them that still have ethics and Truely care about the labor movement. They will be honest and give good advice - not just run you off a suicidal cliff billing all hours.

 

[B737 driver]

Not all labor lawyers. There are a bunch of them that still have ethics and Truely care about the labor movement. They will be honest and give good advice - not just run you off a suicidal cliff billing all hours.

The only thing that will get this group to get rid of Seham is a lack of results, and a realization of how much we have paid with very little to show for it, and only then will they want change!

 

[I'll have another]

The only thing that will get this group to get rid of Seham is a lack of results, and a realization of how much we have paid with very little to show for it, and only then will they want change!

Here's what Seham has made off our dues the last 5 years we haven't had a pay raise. 2016-$311,056 , 2015-$239,703, 2014-$185,911, 2013-$371,187, 2012-$445,706. May or may not be worth I don't know. I feel one thing, is that I never made a nickel off it.