There certainly are a lot of divisions in our union represented work groups. I am more inclined to believe that these divisions are the cause for the drawn out contact negotiation. I have heard many line personnel express thier disdain for overhaul, especially Tulsa overhaul. This may partially come from the numerous times that local Tulsa TWU leadership used local 514's large membership numbers to control votes that were important to all AA TWU members. Those days have passed and now the company has established a larger line contingency. The line side of maintenance will finally have its day as they see overhaul as much of a parasite riding thier coattails as they saw fleet service that way years ago. After all, overhaul maintenance can be outsourced to Aeroman, HEACO, TIMCO, ect, ect. The company sees the extraordinary opportunity to create more division and stretch out this contract negotiation as long as possible. Why would they hurry. Our contract doesn't run out until September of 2018! I've got enough years left that I will be packing my bags and moving to whatever line station my 35 years will get me. Lots of people in overhaul and on the line will probably vote for a buyout (another division). That will have a negative effect on the earning power of the rest of us that are left behind. I haven't even mentioned the IAMNPF. The TWU would love to lock the membership into that debacle. So many opportunities for the company to nurture division and so much time to do it.
