American Airlines and Labor Negotiations

[Tim Nelson]

Unions are going have to CHANGE. They now have no choice now. AFL-CIO; IBT; & SEIU will have to change now. No more fat paychecks for union officials. (The cash won't be coming in, so no fat vacations; nepotism and dinners. No more politicians pockets to fill as well.) Leaders and members will have to get back to on-the-ground organizing and telling/selling members why a Union is needed in your workplace. And how and why you need a contract. And trying to get that contract which is beneficial to all parties. Of course, the anti-union forces, emboldened with this decision will be working in full force trying to tell you why you don't need a Union. Unions will have to get creative and resourceful with much limited resources (who are you going to lobby now?). Otherwise people will be in deep @##$, because you will be now forced to sign an arbitration agreement (which the SC approved a couple of weeks ago) to get any job now without the power of collective bargaining. And wage theft is prevalent now. Working more hours for less. I myself know that I would not want to be working without a union in this or any industry (my 2nd job is a Union job as well). Even though the IAM and the District has its problems, I have seen the Local Lodge fight for people's jobs. And won. People may ***** and moan about a union (especially people on my side of the house since we didn't have one previously), I know that things would not be as well without one. When the cuts came years ago, all of the Unionized groups on property got their get backs faster than we did. Ours was much slower, because we weren't represented.

What bothers me now is what happens if "One Party Rule" takes hold? And what happens to Unions? Once gone, what happens next? Will our pay drastically drop? Will work rules be decimated? I have a lot of misgivings about the last few SC decisions this week. A lot of us is going to get hurt . We all aren't rich enough to be insulated from this nonsense. But this for for the "Water Cooler" and not this thread.

It is going to be many years of pain before a new renaissance of Union power comes back to fruition. If history is correct, Corporations will not do the right thing. And a lot of teachers (one of the reasons why this decision came about - their power was huge) hit the streets the last few weeks. So I see some hope............

This isn't new. RTW has pruned poor unions. Michigan union membership is up after RTW.

 

[Kev3188]

Not much of a sell when they all know they will lose their jobs within 90 days of going IAM. The IAM has no history to suggest that they can change the quality of work life at JetBlue. The IAM realizes that, but they have to spend $4 million a year on organizing to satisfy AFLCIO stipulations. And JetBlue and Delta are the perfect fits for Sito to blow money and get people loyal to him by getting them gigs.

What AFL-CIO stipulations are you referring to?

 

[Tim Nelson]

Ultimately. How can anyone have a Contract if no one negotiates for it or can afford to defend it.

Do you think the Airline will still “want” to compensate you the way they do currently?

The actual money spent on representation at our district is like 10%. The LM2s suggest a lot more but included in that are convention cost, ridiculous salaries, double pensions, free health care, and a boatload of other perks. The union can represent members just fine if they had modest salaries, didn't give themselves double pensions, free health care. And Baskett gave himself $25 a day just to stay home. HIs meter is running while he is sleeping. Sure, the union will be just fine. A union man doesn't need any overpriced dude hanging around. Your handlers may have to go back to the ramp as well. Sorry.

 

[Tim Nelson]

He's upset his blood pressure is probably through the roof not worth it since it will be business as usual with him at AA

Me thinks his FLL gig is at risk if the IAM has to tighten its belt. Don't be surprised if he starts backing the TWU again and trying to mend all of the damage he did at his local.

 

[WeAAsles]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/724604002

BTW Crema got to tell you that I look at a lot of Union Contracts and many back on the East Coast, and $34,00 to $35,00 in the next few years is the norm for Blue Collar Union non skilled work. Check it out yourself.

 

[Tim Nelson]

The unions need to get their collectivist act together. Far too many six-figure people, and even at the local levels demonstrate too much favoritism such that those members not with the clique begin to question paying dues. If dues paying becomes truly voluntary, then the unions run the risk of becoming financially insolvent unless they appear to be truly representative of all members and beyond reproach.

However, in an environment for which pricey meals, cronyism, nepotism, expensive hotels, daily allowances, separate pensions, exorbitant salaries, private jets, etc. are considered to be acceptable since the days of mafia influence, I doubt there will be many high-minded, philosophical, ethically-introspective types to demonstrate leadership and change the culture, especially while waving the union-paid credit card at a nearby convention jiggle joint.

Either the union needs to clean-up its leadership and provide competent representation, or get ready to start downsizing the lifestyle while looking for a safety vest and knee pads.

Unions getting their chit together? They don't have anything together. Look at the IAM Pension, many of its employees make over $200,000+ and they contract with the worst anti union Law Firms known, i.e., Morgan, Lewis, Bockius. Maybe 700 can explain this since he hates Ford and Harrison, and Morgan and Lewis.

 

[Tim Nelson]

Kind of forces the unions into Customer service doesnt it and we are paying customers

I can assure you that our chitty representation with the IAM will amount to most members opting the hell out

 

[ALUS78]

I can assure you that our chitty representation with the IAM will amount to most members opting the hell out

Well let's get a 8 year contract signed before they do

 

[WeAAsles]

Well let's get a 8 year contract signed before they do

Hey Al check this out. Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money going in to that IBT Pension fund there at UPS. Have to wonder if we’re looking at a crystal ball here for you guys and the IAMNPF?

https://teamster.org/news/2018/06/t...mmittee-reaches-settlement-principle-national

 

[Tim Nelson]

What AFL-CIO stipulations are you referring to?

Each AFLCIO union must spend 2% on organizing.

 

[ALUS78]

Each AFLCIO union must spend 2% on organizing.

Tim with today's ruling the IAM will eventually be forced nto some of the reforms you had sought.Will you still be pursuing Sitos job?

 

[gulfcoast1]

Essentially that would be APA, APFA and AMFA that will be hit hard. I suspect APA Members would still contribute but there has been a ton of dissenters in the APFA and there are many AMT’s who don’t believe they need a Union whatsoever as their skilled tradesman and Delta Mechanics are doing just fine unrepresented.

I think those who want to stop paying their dues, which mostly go to protecting our jobs, should lose all contract and union protection. And those who voluntarily withdraw, stop paying, and lose protection have to start paying again and then wait 6 months while paying before protection resumes. The valuable protection the Union gives union workers costs money.

 

[ALUS78]

I think those who want to stop paying their dues, which mostly go to protecting our jobs, should lose all contract and union protection. And those who voluntarily withdraw and stop paying have to start paying again and then wait 6 months before protection resumes. The valuable protection the Union gives union workers costs money.

Yup shouldnt get something without paying for it ,thats the part I dont get.

 

[B737 driver]

I think those who want to stop paying their dues, which mostly go to protecting our jobs, should lose all contract and union protection. And those who voluntarily withdraw and stop paying have to start paying again and then wait 6 months before protection resumes. The valuable protection the Union gives union workers costs money.

The only reason Delta makes what they do is because of the Unions at other Airlines. I know this they don't get tripple time at Delta for working overtime on a holiday, like SWA does. Plus Delta gives and Delta takes away. We give you this raise, now your health care cost go up.

 

[PIEDMONT784]

Apparently, only Weez and NY'er "Get It"...

For the rest of you that are saying the Janus decision will 'keep the unions honest' - You are either living in a fantasy world, or you are secretly on an anti-union mission. The fact is, this is only the beginning. There is no amount of "belt tightening" or newfound accountability that will prevent ALL organized labor groups from withering on the vine, and eventually dying . Nothing will be able to reverse this legislative assault -- Not reducing officer salaries, not trimming travel expenses, and certainly not banning contributions to political campaigns.

The Republican Party is currently in the best position in history to decimate their archenemy, organized labor. The GOP and the lobbyist that support them have been salivating for this scenario for decades. (Incidentally, AA is major contributer to the GOP https://skift.com/2014/09/04/american-airlines-top-airline-donor-to-political-campaigns-this-year/)

Repulicans currently have FULL control, from the POTUS, both wings of Congress, to the Supreme Court, and even majorities at the state levels. With this unprecedented absolute power, they can remain in control indefinitely by controlling the electorate. This was just made easier, as the SCOTUS also ruled in favor of gerrymandering, which will allow them to do just that. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/...ourt-wisconsin-maryland-gerrymander-vote.html

Gerrymandering allows the GOP to win state electorates in Congressional, and General elections, even without a voter majority. Basically, this means you can attempt to vote them out with a majority, but they will remain power anyway due to electoral rigging.

This means the labor laws, and organizing efforts that took decades for the American worker to achieve, can be erased in one, or two POTUS terms. Without Democratic majorities to keep this in check, it will most certainly transpire. As airline employees, the target is on our back. First, it was the Janus decision, next will be NRTA, then finally the RLA will be eliminated altogether. The end result is, we will eventually be employees at will without representation.

There is no doubt this will adversely affect not only these negotiations, but all others moving forward. The company will stall, bait, and wait, and then repeat...

Do you think this sounds far fetched? Think it can't happen? Remember, the legislative agenda is already in place. All they need are the majority in congressional wing votes, or another good ol' SCOTUS rubber stamp... just like the one today!

>SPIT<