ograc said:
We voted for change six years ago. The Canale concession stand was closed. The New Direction Team was the answer. 6 years later... here we are again. Delaney, his leadership team and the NC are now the villans and AH is probably right. We are asking too much. Wow! I'm getting dizzy following this forum anymore. If elected; what could one newly elected AGC do to turn things around other than oppose the direction and strategy of District negotiations? In the end; would one dissenting vote on principals, from a newly elected AGC on the district E Board, have any impact on the direction this district takes in negotiations?
I don't think it is a matter of villans but rather solutions and accountability. The IAM doesn't always have to be the odd ball out of 8 groups, and things don't always have to end up with deep concessions. Each voter will have to measure that for themselves. 6 Years, and what to show? We gave them a chance and thus far they showed the Hawaiian contract and the United contract. If that's the direction folks want to continue on, then they should vote for the current bunch. If folks think they are getting their dues worth then they should consider the incumbents, if not then they should consider change. As far as a dissenting vote, I don't think that my vote will be the only one dissenting, should I get elected. I would be going in on the collective strength of the members seeking change along with the entire ticket I'm running on that will make up the majority of the eboard. Delaney won't have one big kumbuya singing to his praises. Again, if the HAL and UAL contract and the present polarized talks at US AIRWAYS is the direction folks are comfortable in then they should vote for the incumbents. You all have enough history with this group to adequately measure what happened and where the current talks at US AIRWAYS are headed. There is a reason why 70,000 employees on this company have signed a contract regarding this merger but the IAM is left screaming in the press with nothing to show, just like at United, holding the bag. I have prepared you to realize the inevitable of a single carrier application and how it will all wind down by July at the latest, even though those from the current eboard lead you to believe that the TWU will balk at their obligations and drag things out indefinitely. And the IAM has already informed all of you that it will be in stand alone talks until the NMB rules on a single carrier. That's September at the latest btw.
One thing is clear though, there are clear contrasts between me and the current bunch stuck in polarized talks demanding improvements in all contract articles in the midst of the reality of a first bite situation. Every other union adapted once a merger was announced, just like at United. Remember, the current eboard that supports the polarized position is the same eboard that supported Delaney's decision to do the same thing at United and then walk in to joint talks with $0, leaving a 12% pay hike and job security on the table. The United members understand what happened, many US AIRWAYS members are led to believe a '6 item' throwdown in negotiations is a reality. I will admit that it does itch the hell out of ears and buys votes for my opponents but I'm not going to buy votes by blowing smoke up your asses. If you guys like the current situation then keep the current bunch. That's the deal. If not then Delaney will get the message in June. That's the deal as well.
You want someone to stroke you by telling you that you will be getting full sick pay, more holidays, more vacation, more retirement, 13% pay raise, more scope in a pre-joint contract situation then vote for the current bunch who claim that there is an impasse and those 6 items are part of their final offer. Folks like believing a lie. It's easier, as the truth offends folks. But I'd rather slap folks in the face with the truth than kiss them with lies. You want fairy tales and treasure Island....vote for the incumbents and wish upon a star. They are the ones telling you about their '6 item throwdown' and how they will fix AH with a strike. Lock and Load but let's consider some solutions first. Polar opposite negotiations isn't going to resolve anything at US AIRWAYS and burnt the hell out of the members at United who got 'goose-egged' in pre-joint talks.
