FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 27, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
O. V. Delle-Femine, National Director
603-527-9212
Terry Harvey, Assistant National Director
810-223-1540
AMFA ACCUSES AMERICAN AIRLINES WITH ELECTION INTERFERENCE
WITH THE ACQUIESCENCE OF THE NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
Laconia, NH – May 27, 2004 – On March 12, 2004, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a representational dispute election on American Airlines (AA). Since AMFA’s filing, the NMB has started its investigation to determine whether a sufficient number of authorization cards have been submitted by AMFA. During March of 2002, the NMB confirmed that approximately 16,500 mechanics and related personnel were represented by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWUA) in its dismissal of a representational election between the TWUA and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW – AFL-CIO).
In March 2004, AA submitted eligibility lists of employees in the mechanics and related craft/class totaling 18,698. However, as mentioned above, it was determined in March 2002 during the dispute between the IAMAW – AFL-CIO and the TWUA – AFL-CIO concerning the election of the combined mechanics and related at American Airlines (AA) and Trans World Airlines (TWA), that there were only a total number of 16,500 employees. In addition, the airline industry has been in an employment downturn since September 11, 2001. Therefore, there is no conceivable justification to believe that AA has expanded its workforce by 2,198 mechanics and related personnel. AA’s claim of eligibility lists of 18,698 is ridiculous and a violation of the NMB Rules. As a result, the NMB should utilize Section 17.0 – ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE due to the exceptional and extraordinary circumstances surrounding the upcoming election.
To further support AMFA’s claim, Terry Harvey, Assistant National Director, has proven documentation that reflects that over 2,000 employees on AA’s eligibility lists are not valid employees. For example, the eligibility lists include:
• Deceased or retired AA employees;
• Deceased or retired TWA employees who died long before AA’s acquisition of TWA;
• AA and TWA employees who have resigned or refused to return to work after being recalled;
• AA and TWA employees who have resigned and took employment with other airlines;
• Fleet Service Clerks who are not in the Mechanics and Related Craft/Class;
• AA management personnel, Stock Clerks and Ticket Agents not in the Mechanics and Related Craft/Class;
• TWA employees who never established an employee relationship with AA;
• TWA and AA employees who were dismissed prior to passing their probation; and
• Employees listed more than once on the eligibility lists.
The purpose of the NMB, an independent, neutral federal agency, is to oversee and correct any abuse during the election process. Thus far, the NMB has not admonished AA for its misleading eligibility lists. This lack of responsibility, at the very least, shows ineptitude on the part of the NMB in protecting its credibility and representational rules.
AMFA plans to picket the NMB on June 1, 2 and 3, 2004 at its office at 1301 K. Street, NW, Suite 250 E, Washington DC, to protest NMB’s lack of concern for the mechanics and related personnel at AA.
AMFA, an independent, craft-oriented union not affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents more than 18,000 aircraft technicians and related personnel in Alaska Airlines, American Trans Air, Atlantic Coast Airlines (Independence Airlines), Horizon, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. AMFA believes in open negotiations where all officers are elected and can be recalled by its membership. This democratic process is unique in the airline unions.
To learn more about AMFA, visit www.amfanatl.org.
Safety in the Air begins with Quality Maintenance on the Ground.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
O. V. Delle-Femine, National Director
603-527-9212
Terry Harvey, Assistant National Director
810-223-1540
AMFA ACCUSES AMERICAN AIRLINES WITH ELECTION INTERFERENCE
WITH THE ACQUIESCENCE OF THE NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
Laconia, NH – May 27, 2004 – On March 12, 2004, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a representational dispute election on American Airlines (AA). Since AMFA’s filing, the NMB has started its investigation to determine whether a sufficient number of authorization cards have been submitted by AMFA. During March of 2002, the NMB confirmed that approximately 16,500 mechanics and related personnel were represented by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWUA) in its dismissal of a representational election between the TWUA and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW – AFL-CIO).
In March 2004, AA submitted eligibility lists of employees in the mechanics and related craft/class totaling 18,698. However, as mentioned above, it was determined in March 2002 during the dispute between the IAMAW – AFL-CIO and the TWUA – AFL-CIO concerning the election of the combined mechanics and related at American Airlines (AA) and Trans World Airlines (TWA), that there were only a total number of 16,500 employees. In addition, the airline industry has been in an employment downturn since September 11, 2001. Therefore, there is no conceivable justification to believe that AA has expanded its workforce by 2,198 mechanics and related personnel. AA’s claim of eligibility lists of 18,698 is ridiculous and a violation of the NMB Rules. As a result, the NMB should utilize Section 17.0 – ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE due to the exceptional and extraordinary circumstances surrounding the upcoming election.
To further support AMFA’s claim, Terry Harvey, Assistant National Director, has proven documentation that reflects that over 2,000 employees on AA’s eligibility lists are not valid employees. For example, the eligibility lists include:
• Deceased or retired AA employees;
• Deceased or retired TWA employees who died long before AA’s acquisition of TWA;
• AA and TWA employees who have resigned or refused to return to work after being recalled;
• AA and TWA employees who have resigned and took employment with other airlines;
• Fleet Service Clerks who are not in the Mechanics and Related Craft/Class;
• AA management personnel, Stock Clerks and Ticket Agents not in the Mechanics and Related Craft/Class;
• TWA employees who never established an employee relationship with AA;
• TWA and AA employees who were dismissed prior to passing their probation; and
• Employees listed more than once on the eligibility lists.
The purpose of the NMB, an independent, neutral federal agency, is to oversee and correct any abuse during the election process. Thus far, the NMB has not admonished AA for its misleading eligibility lists. This lack of responsibility, at the very least, shows ineptitude on the part of the NMB in protecting its credibility and representational rules.
AMFA plans to picket the NMB on June 1, 2 and 3, 2004 at its office at 1301 K. Street, NW, Suite 250 E, Washington DC, to protest NMB’s lack of concern for the mechanics and related personnel at AA.
AMFA, an independent, craft-oriented union not affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents more than 18,000 aircraft technicians and related personnel in Alaska Airlines, American Trans Air, Atlantic Coast Airlines (Independence Airlines), Horizon, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. AMFA believes in open negotiations where all officers are elected and can be recalled by its membership. This democratic process is unique in the airline unions.
To learn more about AMFA, visit www.amfanatl.org.
Safety in the Air begins with Quality Maintenance on the Ground.
We weren't out to piss anyone off (unlike amfa)!! (Off the subject a bit, but why weren't you there Dave?? A bit too tame for you???)
