Jester said:
WeAAsles,
I don't think it is an issue of the AA Membership understanding that if US FSAs do better, then they will do better with a joint contract. However, as we have said many times before, "wages don't matter if one doesn't have a job," just as much as for the union hierarchy, "number of due paying member don't matter, if they aren't part of your union."
If the IAM does well with its contract, then it harms the possibilities of the TWU keeping the New American fleet service once the alliance has ended. Does anyone think the alliance will keep all the overhead of two large union organizations under one new union? I don't think so anymore than the "synergies" of the New American will not lead to downsizing in Management and other Executive positions.
The alliance was formed to work through the merger process, but someday this merger will be complete and I would be surprised if neither the unions' Executives aren't plotting some plans to be the surviving organization and what steps could be taken now to ensure their success, even at the expense of the Membership.
I can't say with certainty but I don't believe that is true. The association was crafted for post merger and not just a temp fix. The agreed to action of having a representation election confirms that. If there is one thing that I think we can be virtually certain of, it is the association.
On the face of it, a brilliant idea. I think the TWU is strong with this but I also think that AH is going to try his best to itch the TWU ears one last time. I think AH will fail in this, but given the IAM resolve, where else does AH have to turn to??? I seriously doubt the Obama administration yields to him. AH and DP have alienated the IAM into a situation where it has no choice but to strike. I mean nobody wants to strike but we have been given no other choice but to take this company on or trust and take AH at his word that he will be fair with us in joint talks.
I think all of us have to support the strike vote. There is room for someone to dissent on a TA if it is not fair, but the solidarity has to be very visible on the solidarity vote [strike vote]. A TA will be coming, and I think fairly quick, but no matter how one votes on the TA, all must vote yes to solidarity.
Over the next several weeks, I will attempt to bring out all of the favorable things, and options, that should give plenty of support to a strike. There are a lot of fears about striking but once things are explained, much of the fear should subside with hope, although the risk are always present.
I'm not sure what the NC and the union leadership will put out, but I'm sure my communications will supplement the materials they put out. Not to circumvent, but due to politics and legal, there are simply some things that the union may not put out that I think should be for full disclosure. And I would be doing so in the spirit of solidarity and in support of the NC. Of course, doing it together is also an option. It has been said a few weeks ago if I would join the NC since some of them asked. I think it's much too late for that and I don't think politics should be ahead of the membership. Let the NC finish their work, if it isn't already finished. My focus, and perhaps the focus of the leadership, is on building solidarity at this moment of decision in which our jobs, and families will have an important decision to make. I'm not saying I will support a company offer in the form of a TA if it doesn't include more scope to protect all of our current stations [To be sure, dissent from any NC's recommendation on such an offer is not profane], but there should be no choice on the strike vote as it should be a resounding Yes to strike.
Yes we can and Yes we will. That should be our plea and I think supper is ready!
