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On 6/18/2003 9
12 AM AAmech wrote:
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On 6/17/2003 9:40:43 PM RV4 wrote:
Is it even remotely possible that the AA Line Mechanics, the AA AFW Base Mechanics, the Northwest Airline Mechanics, the Southwest Airline Mechanics, the Horizon Airline Mechanics, the Mesaba Mechanics, the ATA Mechanics, the ACA Mechanics, and now the UNITED and USAIRWAYS Mechanics, ARE SOMEHOW ALL WRONG and it is only Checking it Out and the Tulsa TWU stooges that are on the right track for the future of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Profession?
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Maybe we've had time to watch amfa in action the last 5 years at Alaska and Northwest and have seen NOTHING!!!   These are horrible times for the airline industry and the trend is to outsource as much as possible. How is amfa going to protect us?  They have failed miserably to protect the work they had during times of record profits! And now they're going to help us? Please! Even amfa backers on this board will advocate outsourcing our work! And I'm supposed to help these guys as they plot to cut our throats! No thanks! I'll stick with the devils I know thank you!!
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And we have seen the TWU in action since 1983 "B-Scale" concessions every contract. TWU has the lowest average paid mechanics in this industry. You are fond of looking to Northwest or Alaska etc.. You should be looking at your own union and what they have accomplished, nothing. In fact the sister union; the IAM, another industrial union has now laid off most of their mechanic work force. AMFA represented mechanics are the highest paid in the industry. Even those formerly represented by the Teamsters have opted for better representation in their craft.
No, AMFA backers on this board would favor contractual guarantees on the farm out issue. Issues that are voted on by the full membership. The TWU has had a "jobs" program since 1983. The more dues payers we can keep the better the airline will operate?
The definition of a union below is from the AFL-CIO:
"A union is a group of workers who come together to win respect on the job, better wages and benefits, more flexibility for work and family needs and a voice in improving the quality of their products and services. Workers in unions counter-balance the unchecked power of employers."
The TWU on the other hand degrades the respect, lowers wages and benefits, increases tension in families, has silenced the worker at the international level and destroyed moral. The TWU has not counter-blanced anything, they participate in whatever the company wants to do.
You cut your fellow members throats everyday.
The IAM has performed well:
Seniority Rights comparisons AMFA vs. IAM
IAM/UAL AMTS REDUCED by 6000 or 50%
AMFA/NWA AMTS reduced by 2500 or 25%
We all realize the importance of seniority, everyday counts. The time you invest in working with the company is rewarded by your seniority. Seniority allows you to bid work locations, shift and vacation preference. Other benefits similar to seniority would be longevity pay like the AMFA represented Southwest mechanics who receive 10 cents a year longevity. Your seniority allows you to retain employment during layoffs with the right to displace junior employees, with bumping rights your seniority allows you to pick the positions you are qualified to fill.
Here is a comparison of two maintenance bases closing displacing AMTs. One represented by AMFA one represented by the IAM. This should clearly show which union supports its members.
AMFA NWA ANOUNCES CLOSURE OF ATLANTA MAINTNANCE BASE where 1200 AMTS ARE AFFECTED
Each mechanic is guaranteed the right to exercise his or her seniority to displace junior amts by a preference bid.
IAM UAL ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF INDIANAPOLIS AND OAKLAND MAINTENANCE BASES 1200 AMTS AFFECTED IN INDIANAPOLIS 700 AMTS AFFECTED IN OAKLAND
The IAM AGC Ray Horgan announces the IMC layoff will follow the guidelines established in a 1982 letter of agreement that is no longer in the Mechanics and Related contract. The most senior AMT will bump the most junior AMT on the system and so on.., with no preference bids.
With the IAM 35 years of seniority is worthless if you CANNOT preference bid.
You must choose every location offered or you may be furloughed. Is it any surprise that
only 200 AMTs out of 1200 in Indy took the bids. ASK the guys from INDY!
The IAM failed to protect even the most basic rights of its mechanic membership. This is just another example of why we need AMFA representation.
Only the IAM stores personnel in Indy were allowed to preference bid out of Indy.
