American Trying To Make Profit In Heavy Maint.

[FWAAA]

Here's more bad news:

NEW YORK, May 24 (Reuters) - American Airlines is trying to do what no U.S. carrier has done before -- make money in the labor-intensive aircraft maintenance business.

Not only have many rival airlines closed down their own fleet maintenance operations, but they have also outsourced the upkeep and repair work on their own planes, which for most is the No. 3 cost after labor and fuel.

Fort Worth, Texas-based American is working with mechanics who want to avoid the fate of cohorts who have lost their jobs at other airlines. The two sides are betting that American can dodge cost pressures that have dogged competitors.

In the latest example of how airlines are trying to cut maintenance, Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWAC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) has proposed firing 2,031, or nearly half of its mechanics, to save $176 million a year, their union said.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompa...24453271_newsml

"Better off in Bankruptcy." Ask the former UAL AMTs in IND whether they agree.

Keep up the good work, AA.

 

[air_guy]

Here's more bad news:
http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompa...24453271_newsml

"Better off in Bankruptcy." Ask the former UAL AMTs in IND whether they agree.

Keep up the good work, AA.

[post="272555"][/post]​

The membership has been sold once again .....

 

[Bob Owens]

AMR quote Real-time quotes
12.14


Hey it only has to go up by another $287/share for us to get back what it cost us.

 

[Hackman]

Here's more bad news:
http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompa...24453271_newsml

"Better off in Bankruptcy." Ask the former UAL AMTs in IND whether they agree.

Keep up the good work, AA.

[post="272555"][/post]​

Well again, you have all solutions answer man. Are you sure the twu International's Jimmy Do-little is not your dad? Lets ask the US Air employees how the 3 time iam concession sellout saved their mantenance program? AA has enjoyed some of the lowest maintenance costs since 1983, when the first twu concessions were wrought. Since that time the twu continuously cowered at the feet of its AA master on every contract. No other airline has the concessions the twu has given away even in bankruptcy. No one.

Here are some facts on UAL which you obviously do not know:

Feb 18 2002: The iam announces a T/A with UAL for M@E. The agreement includes a LOA 02-17m. which requires the iam to negotiate concessions with UAL if they propose a "financial recovery plan".

March 5 2002: The iam M@E ratifiy the T/A with UAL.

May 8 2002: The iam holds a "NO CONCESSIONS RALLY" at SFO and other airports around the country. The afl-cio pledge their support to fight concessions at UAL.

July 10 2002, The iam leadership rejects UAL proposal for 10% paycut without a membership vote.

August 28 2002: UAL announces in will reveal cost-cutting proposals to the iam as part of it "financial recovery plan".

September 25 2002: UAL Union Coalition, with includes all unions at UAL, submit a counter proposal to the UAL cost reduction proposal.

November 20 2002: The iam announces a T/A with UAL for concessions as part of their participation in the "financial recovery plan". The agreement would be contingent upon the ATSB accepting UAL's application for $1.8 billion in loan guarantees.

November 29 2002: The iam represented M@R workers narrowly reject the T/A for concessions at UAL.

December 2 2002: UAL receaches a new T/A with the iam M@R. Implementation of the contract is contingent upon the ATSB's approval of the UAL loan guarantee. The iam sets vote for December 5 2002.

December 4 2002: ATSB rejects UAL's loan guarantee by stating that its business plan "was not financially sound, and would pose an unacceptable high risk to U.S. taxpayers". The ATSB Board further states that although United focused on securing wage concessions, the board rejected the application because; "The airline made unrealistic revenue projections." "This is not about costs; its about a business plan that is fundamentally flawed." (Peter R. Fisher, ATSB Board Voting Member)

December 4 2002: The Iam Condemns Loan Denial for UAL: "The ATSB has miserably failed its mandate of assisting distressed airlines", said Tom Buffenbarger International President of the IAM on the rejection of UAL's application for federal loan guarantee by the ATSB. "Tomorrows ratification was set to be a vote on United"s future," said Buffenbarger. "We we ready to partner with United, the nations premier carrier." The terms being voted on, as well as those previously ratified by IAM District 141 and all other labors groups (including the TWU represented Meteorologist and Operational Specialist) was contingent on the ATSB's approval of United's loan guarantee application. "As a result of the ATSB's irresponsible actions." said Buffenbarger, "a vote on the recovery package would be pointless, and has been canceled."

December 9 2002: UAL files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection.

January 10, 2003: Bankrupcy court judge authorizes a temporary 14% pay cut for all IAM workers from January 10 2003, until May 1 2003.

January 29, 2003: Chicago Tribune reports that the UAL Indianapolis Maintenance Base will close

March 21, 2003: UAL closes Indianapolis Maintenance Base By claiming a force majeure event due to the Iraqi War. More than 1,100 are laid off, bringing the total layoff at the base to over 3000 including previous layoffs dating back to 2001.

April 3 2003: The IAM settles contract dispute over the Indianapolis Maintenance Base closure. The settlement provides severance pay and the opportunity to trnsfer to another UAL maintenance station with paid moving exspenses.

April 11 2003: The IAM and UAL tenatively agree to a restructuring agreement that loosens up outsourcing limits and allows the permenant closure of the Indianapolis and Oakland Maintenance
Bases. The agreement also allows for dramatic increases in retiree medical costs, wage reductions and various other concessions.

May 2 2003: UAL IAM M@R workers ratify Restructuring Agreement Amendment that allows for the Permanent closeure of both UAL Indianapolis and Oakland Maintenance Bases, wage reductions, and various other concessions.

June 12, 2003: The National Mediation Board mails Telephone Electronic Voting Instructions to UAL M@R workers in order to conduct a representional election between the IAM and AMFA.

July 15 2003: The NMB announces AMFA has defeated the IAM in a representational election at UAL. AMFA now INHERITS the IAM negotiated concessionary restructuring agreement.

January 17, 2004: The twu kicks off the UAL campain of lies in Tulsa with a coffin, Teamsters, Retirees, twu International Felons, and anyone else they can pay to help them claim all of the aforementioned events happened under AMFA's representation.

So as you can see Mr. IQ Computer Genius, you need to do some research before you run that big fat mouth of yours. You'd better stick to pushing papers and telephone buttons.

 

[operaations]

wow it didnt take long for more union flaming.

I read the article and it seems AA is trying to secure work for us to do heavy maintenance for other carriers. Hummmm would you rather us outsurce

 

[Bob Owens]

wow it didnt take long for more union flaming.

I read the article and it seems AA is trying to secure work for us to do heavy maintenance for other carriers. Hummmm would you rather us outsurce

[post="272654"][/post]​

Work for you? Are you in Maintenance?

 

[Hackman]

wow it didnt take long for more union flaming.

I read the article and it seems AA is trying to secure work for us to do heavy maintenance for other carriers. Hummmm would you rather us outsurce

[post="272654"][/post]​

No flaming, just setting the record straight at UAL. FWAAA Answer guy likes to put his nose in where it does not belong because he has an ever expanding ego to feed

Of course I want to see AA succeed, they have been extremely good at doing it off labors back for years.

 

[FWAAA]

So as you can see Mr. IQ Computer Genius, you need to do some research before you run that big fat mouth of yours. You'd better stick to pushing papers and telephone buttons.

FWAAA Answer guy likes to put his nose in where it does not belong . . .

[post="272648"][/post]​

You have some issues.

Better off in Bankruptcy, Mr Owens??

Of course line maintenance would be the last to go - hey, why not throw your brothers in TULE and AFW under the bus if it preserves your precious $5,000 holiday pay?

 

[Hackman]

You have some issues.

Better off in Bankruptcy, Mr Owens??

Of course line maintenance would be the last to go - hey, why not throw your brothers in TULE and AFW under the bus if it preserves your precious $5,000 holiday pay?

[post="272687"][/post]​

Your right, I do have issues with liars that have no business in others affairs.

Better off in Bankruptcy than to support a management like those of UAL and US Air who seem bent on running a once great company into the ground. :angry: :angry:

 

[Bill]

Hackman's just pissed off because he didn't think of the idea first!!!!! He'd rather sell out his fellow union brothers for an extra $ or 2. Remember, he supports Delle!

Hey Hack, think Delle can save the 1000's of mechanics who are getting ready to lose their jobs at NWA??? And that Matthew's, WOW, he's a real piece of work isn't he????? BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!!!!!

 

[High Speed Steel]

Thanks FWAAA, for the thread! It is true that AA is taking a different approach to the trend of the industry right now and I believe they are right on track. The Tulsa facility is very unique and tooled with the proper equipment, and personel to achieve the goals set out by AA. The new plan of working together is being embraced through labor and management. This should be recognized through the recent announcement of the F-100 work soon to be introduced. Not to be criticized for not making reference to our other facilities AFW and MCI my hope is that more work is to come to ensure that all of our brothers and sisters can benifit in this new approach........Best wishes to all

 

[TWU informer]

I for one hope that the strategy to do outside maintenance work succeeds.

This is a far better alternative for those of us working heavy O/H than outsource of work.

I hear some Fed Ex work is already secured also. Of course we must wait until the current FedEx third party contract expires. And the timing of the announcement should closely follow the layoff of 600+ MCI former TWA Mechanics.

My only concern is with where the profits end up. If those of us in maintenance create the profit, then I would hope to be seated across from negotiators that have the profit on the table.

I fear, the profits will be lost in the over managed albatross airline and the finance department. It is far more likely management bonuses will be paid with the profit rather than a return of any M&R concessions.

I also acknowledge that this is a decision of AA Management not TWU.

If a profit can be turned with TWU on the property, then so too can a profit be turned with AMFA on the property.

Bankruptcy pros and cons, and maintenance in or out, is not what the TWU/AMFA debate is about.

Craft Union versus Industrial Union debates have raged for over 100 years, and most of these debates never included AA or the TWU.

So please stop attempting to use this as a wedge against the Craft Union advocates. It is getting you no where!

Until someone proves that the AFL-CIO, strength in numbers, or dictator rule is better than Political Freedom, Strength in Skill, and Membership empowerment, then you will never succeed in lowering the belief and trust in Craft Union ideals.

 

[High Speed Steel]

I for one hope that the strategy to do outside maintenance work succeeds.

This is a far better alternative for those of us working heavy O/H than outsource of work.

My only concern is with where the profits end up. If those of us in maintenance create the profit, then I would hope to be seated across from negotiators that have the profit on the table.

I fear, the profits will be lost in the over managed albatross airline and the finance department. It is far more likely management bonuses will be paid with the profit rather than a return of any M&R concessions.

I also acknowledge that this is a decision of AA Management not TWU.

If a profit can be turned with TWU on the property, then so too can a profit be turned with AMFA on the property.

Bankruptcy pros and cons, and maintenance in or out, is not what the TWU/AMFA debate is about.

Craft Union versus Industrial Union debates have raged for over 100 years, and most of these debates never included AA or the TWU.

So please stop attempting to use this as a wedge against the Craft Union advocates. It is getting you no where!

Until someone proves that the AFL-CIO, strength in numbers, or dictator rule is better than Political Freedom, Strength in Skill, and Membership empowerment, then you will never succeed in lowering the belief and trust in Craft Union ideals.

[post="272719"][/post]​

O.K. Informer, The part of your post I have highlighted in blue I do agree with. It has merit, and it should be considered when the opportunity does arise for some "pay back", for our efforts. The rest, "well you know" :down:

 

[Hackman]

Hackman's just pissed off because he didn't think of the idea first!!!!! He'd rather sell out his fellow union brothers for an extra $ or 2. Remember, he supports Delle!

Hey Hack, think Delle can save the 1000's of mechanics who are getting ready to lose their jobs at NWA??? And that Matthew's, WOW, he's a real piece of work isn't he????? BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!!!!!

[post="272704"][/post]​

Think of what idea Bill? Selling my profession out so Jimmy Do-little can keep his six figure unelected International position? Or how about creating the OSM all-most mechanic position at poverty wages? Think that might save NWA? How about we ask the MCIE guys how well the Tulsa twu/manAAgement pajama party is working for them? Did Do-little save the 3000 AA has on the street with his concessions he signed without a full re-vote like he promised? You gotta love this; "Sellout my union brothers for and extra $ or 2", hardy har har.....the twu knows all about that don't they? I suppose your also proud of the fact your twu assisted manAAgement in recruiting scabs for NWA at MCIE?

Remember; Twu Concessions saved my job, now I have two of them.......

Now return back to your normal fetal position Bill, your cowardice is duly noted. h34r:

 

[TWU informer]

O.K. Informer, The part of your post I have highlighted in blue I do agree with. It has merit, and it should be considered when the opportunity does arise for some "pay back",  for our efforts. The rest,  "well you know" :down:

[post="272724"][/post]​

Well why not have Burchette and Carmine write into one of those lovefest letters about this issue?

Surely if they can sign letters agreeing to work togehter to make this happen, then there could be a letter of understanding regarding the $500 million is to be returned in part to those that earned it?

I figure it will be just the oppposite happen.

The third party work will be here, negotiations will begin, and the TWU will once again be threatened with removal of third party work, and job loss if the desire to get back what was lost has any strength.

"Considered" my A$$, it should be DEMANDED!!! Of course we could always write up and pass around a petition about a "bee hive" being kicked over if we don't get what we want. Or better yet, a t-shirt with a slogan on it will surely secure better wages and benefits.

Remember "Don't Lower Wages - Oppose Right-to-Work"

That t-shirt cracks me up everytime I see a TWU member wearing one.

It should read "Don't Raise Wages - Save Me a Job"