UNITED STATES: Mechanics'' victory at United Airlines
BY MALIK MIAH
SAN FRANCISCO — In a stunning victory for mechanics and related employees at United Airlines, on July 14 the Aircraft Mechanics'' Fraternal Association (AMFA) replaced the International Association of Machinists (IAM) as their union. The victory came after a campaign by rank-and-file unionists in response to the failed policies of the incumbent union. United Airlines is the world''s second largest air carrier.
AMFA now represents more mechanics in the US airline industry than any other trade union. It also represents airline mechanics employed by Northwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and, in January, AMFA won certification at Southwest Airlines. With mechanics at United Airlines, AMFA represents more than 20,000 active mechanics and related workers. It is in the middle of volunteer organising campaigns at American Airlines (the world''s largest carrier), Delta, US Airways and American West.
The vote at United was not close. Of the 13,144 eligible voters, 5234 (63.5%) voted for AMFA, while 2992 (34%) voted for the IAM, which has been at the airline since 1945. The voting eligibility list included thousands of laid-off employees and non-union salaried employees added to the list two years ago with the IAM''s support.
The internal revolt (AMFA does not use outside organisers) was led by mechanics who were fed up with the concessions made to management by the IAM leaders and the lack of union democracy. Secrecy was the officials'' motto as they talked more to management than to their own dues-paying members. Decisions were made behind the members'' backs and they had to follow the rumour mills and company propaganda to learn their fate.
The incumbents became close partners with top management as concessions were wrung from the workers — first under the misguided Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1994, which gave workers shares that are now virtually worthless with United Airlines in bankruptcy. The workers'' contract became almost meaningless as management imposed its will and subcontracted out more and more of their work.
The final nail in the IAM''s coffin occurred on April 30 when, under the gun of the bankruptcy court, a new contract was signed containing massive concessions by the union. The next day, after the pact was approved, the certification election was announced.
AMFA rejects secret negotiations and the signing any “letters of confidentiality†with management. AMFA does not promise a quick reversal of the setbacks that United workers have suffered. It can''t. The aim is to first close the barn door and stop the erosion of the contract.
Based on AMFA''s democratic principles and philosophy of treating members with respect, the mechanics and related workers are ready to stand up and fight for a better future at the airline.
BY MALIK MIAH
SAN FRANCISCO — In a stunning victory for mechanics and related employees at United Airlines, on July 14 the Aircraft Mechanics'' Fraternal Association (AMFA) replaced the International Association of Machinists (IAM) as their union. The victory came after a campaign by rank-and-file unionists in response to the failed policies of the incumbent union. United Airlines is the world''s second largest air carrier.
AMFA now represents more mechanics in the US airline industry than any other trade union. It also represents airline mechanics employed by Northwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and, in January, AMFA won certification at Southwest Airlines. With mechanics at United Airlines, AMFA represents more than 20,000 active mechanics and related workers. It is in the middle of volunteer organising campaigns at American Airlines (the world''s largest carrier), Delta, US Airways and American West.
The vote at United was not close. Of the 13,144 eligible voters, 5234 (63.5%) voted for AMFA, while 2992 (34%) voted for the IAM, which has been at the airline since 1945. The voting eligibility list included thousands of laid-off employees and non-union salaried employees added to the list two years ago with the IAM''s support.
The internal revolt (AMFA does not use outside organisers) was led by mechanics who were fed up with the concessions made to management by the IAM leaders and the lack of union democracy. Secrecy was the officials'' motto as they talked more to management than to their own dues-paying members. Decisions were made behind the members'' backs and they had to follow the rumour mills and company propaganda to learn their fate.
The incumbents became close partners with top management as concessions were wrung from the workers — first under the misguided Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1994, which gave workers shares that are now virtually worthless with United Airlines in bankruptcy. The workers'' contract became almost meaningless as management imposed its will and subcontracted out more and more of their work.
The final nail in the IAM''s coffin occurred on April 30 when, under the gun of the bankruptcy court, a new contract was signed containing massive concessions by the union. The next day, after the pact was approved, the certification election was announced.
AMFA rejects secret negotiations and the signing any “letters of confidentiality†with management. AMFA does not promise a quick reversal of the setbacks that United workers have suffered. It can''t. The aim is to first close the barn door and stop the erosion of the contract.
Based on AMFA''s democratic principles and philosophy of treating members with respect, the mechanics and related workers are ready to stand up and fight for a better future at the airline.
