AA Mechanics - WE ARE NEXT!

RV4

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Aug 20, 2002
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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 confidentialityâ€￾ 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.
 
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US Airways Representational Update
August 8, 2003
AMFA National received more information concerning furloughed employees and additional authorization cards over the weekend.
The representational status at US Air was discussed at length during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 5. The NEC has determined that the US Air supporters are very close to achieving their goal and will commence with a more active roll to assist our supporters in achieving the representational election that they currently seek.
AMFA National is:
1. Establishing contact with furloughed US Air mechanic and related employees
2. Notifying current card signers of their expiration date
3. Scheduling informational meetings at cities on the US Air system
With the additional information we are receiving and the NEC’s commitment we are confident that AMFA National will be able to file for a representational election on US Air in the near future.
Sincerely,
Terry Harvey
Assistant National Director
 

INTEGRITY -------- JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
This is how amfa is rewarding the Members at Horizon with Integrity!



Welcome to AMFA Watch Dogs - The truth is out there!!
AMFA Watch Dogs bring you the truth about AMFA dispelling the lies and half-truths and exposing their misrepresentation.
AMFA Officers Refuse to Help Members Get Refund
May 31, 2003

When AMFA Local 17 Officers where asked if they would make a form letter for the mechanics and related to send in for their refund of Oct. -Dec. dues they said "No, we are not going to help them get their money back." See AMFA Admits Their Wrong Doing When Faced With Legal Actions about the dues refund.
Also AMFA has told the Shop Reps. that they can not get this refund that has been offered to the members. This made many Shop Reps. very upset and have stated that they want their money and they are resigning their position.
We have made up a form letter that you may print off and fill out to send in your request for your refund. If you would like you can give this to Marv on swing shift line or Brian Saks in QC on day shift in PDX and he will mail them in for you.
Refund Request Letter
The Watch Dogs
We are Watching!
 
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On 8/10/2003 3:53:49 PM Checking it Out wrote:









INTEGRITY -------- JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
This is how amfa is rewarding the Members at Horizon with Integrity!



Welcome to AMFA Watch Dogs - The truth is out there!!
AMFA Watch Dogs bring you the truth about AMFA dispelling the lies and half-truths and exposing their misrepresentation.
AMFA Officers Refuse to Help Members Get Refund
May 31, 2003

When AMFA Local 17 Officers where asked if they would make a form letter for the mechanics and related to send in for their refund of Oct. -Dec. dues they said "No, we are not going to help them get their money back." See AMFA Admits Their Wrong Doing When Faced With Legal Actions about the dues refund.
Also AMFA has told the Shop Reps. that they can not get this refund that has been offered to the members. This made many Shop Reps. very upset and have stated that they want their money and they are resigning their position.
We have made up a form letter that you may print off and fill out to send in your request for your refund. If you would like you can give this to Marv on swing shift line or Brian Saks in QC on day shift in PDX and he will mail them in for you.
Refund Request Letter
The Watch Dogs
We are Watching!


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Get off your A$$ and fix an airplane! I worked with the IAM at TWA. TWA was a good airline. The problem was----because of the IAM ---we could not fire slugs like you. If we could have-maybe TWA would still be around!
 
Posted form anoter forum-------

"Any" union at dues of $ 35(1.2 hours wages) a month and pay of $30 an an hour is better than no union and $12 an hour. You people b#tch so much I can not believe it! Why don't you get off your ass$ and fix some airplanes! If the free market was truly free, I could compete for your job and probably get it! ( except for the truly qualified master line mechanics who make the airline work).

I have been cut from 3 airlines since 9/11. Thank your lucky stars you still have a job at $65,000 a year. Come out here and see if you can sell your skills to some chick in HR to put together fume hoods for resaurants. See if you can sell your electrical skills to a company that makes generators. See if you can hide the fact that you made too much money before and that is why they will not hire you. Come out here and see!

If you want a debate, I would vote for AMFA. Someone who could represent me as an AMT, and not some union that makes sure the laziest members of our society get jobs that end up making $24.00 an hour throwing bags or emptying lav's . A Union that would define the A&P to the Department of Labor as skilled labor(did you know that a A&P spends as many hours in class as a college graduate? 1920 hours).

GO AMFA!

More later------
 

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