Ok Dave, while I haven't posted much for a while I did stop by occasionally and read, lately I found myself with a little extra time so I decided to voice some of my opinions and concerns again. I really do not want to get stuck into the IAMNPF and I really want out of this sham Association. The fact is the agreement to get us into the IAMNPF is still there, and it is just as enforceable as the Association agreement itself.
I also am 100% against our title group being split between two Unions. I told them that they should either keep all Fleet in the IAM and all M&R in the TWU or vica versa but under no circumstances should we be split up. Many others agreed, never found anyone even within the organization who felt that this is a good structure. While in office I was Vocal in my opposition, Samuelson said they took it to the Lawyers and there was no way out-but they found a way out of the CWA deal and I know if it was Local 100 that was going to be split he would have found a way out. Lombardo was a fighter, but he was just as comfortable fighting his members as the company without bothering to get an in depth perspective on what was going on. Don't get me wrong, he was much better than Little. But I personally witnessed him repeatedly say that the mechanics should leave if they don't like the way they do things at the TWU. No interest in hearing their concerns whatsoever, in fact the only mechanic he pulled into the International was Dale Danker who was fresh off the floor of Tulsa. I'd recommended Larry Pike due to the fact that he has worked both OH and Line and was well liked in both the Line and OH. Larry also had supported the Lombardo ticket while Tulsa sat on the fence. Larry never sold out the line. Instead the International chose to stack the ATD with Fleet, Alex Garcia, Dave Virella, (I know he retired), Sean Doyle, all good guys but not Maintenance, just a token Maintenance guy fresh off the floor to sit in on a Committee, no real input into the direction of the ATD. Line Maintenance, now the largest group in M&R had no voice on the International. The fact is the Associations two year trial run has failed miserably, not only have they not aggressively gone after the company for not delivering the "best in the industry" we have not even achieved parity within the company, within our own title group. The fact is the LAA mechanics have the worst deal in the industry by far, worse than many non-union-can you say that about Fleet? Next Monday is just one example, there will be Legacy AA guys getting straight time for working the Holiday while the LUS guy gets doubletime. If the LAA guy calls in sick, he loses half a days pay, we don't even have parity within our own Union as other groups such as yours still get full pay. I gave my input, I gave them time, I stayed fairly quiet but they have not done anything to earn continued silence and sacrifice.
I don't see things getting better, Samuelson is a good leader but he has a thing against Craft Unions. He doesn't get the Airline Industry culture, he doesn't understand the RLA and its effects on airline representation and negotiations. Look at the most effective Locals in the TWU, The SWA group, two Craft Locals within an Industrial Union. Even Fleet at AA could be considered a Craft structure. While Fleet Presidents could sit in on M&R and Vote no M&R can sit in Fleet unless somehow the Fleet guys elect a title II guy to be President. When Title II from Local 510 petitioned to join Local 591, in full agreement with their Local Leadership due to cost issues (Local 510 had no Fllet service members in some locations but Local 591 did) the International blocked the move. Why? To keep that thorn in our side that's why. We are talking a handful of guys but also the elimination of a Fleet guy at the M&R table that's why. Currently M&R is three M&R representing around 7 thousand and 4 Fleet representing a few hundred. The Fleet Dominated ATD has something against Line Maintenance and every chance they get they screw us.
