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Posted on Tue, Mar. 09, 2004
AA mechanics may force election
By Trebor Banstetter
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Organizers who hope to bring in a new union to represent 17,000 American Airlines mechanics say they have collected enough signatures to force a vote on the issue.
Officials with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, a mechanics union based in Laconia, N.H., have completed an audit of signature cards, which union supporters have been gathering for nearly a year.
"The association fully expects to file for a representational [election] within the next two weeks," said Terry Harvey, the union's assistant national director, in a March 5 letter to supporters.
Under federal guidelines, organizers need signatures from at least 50 percent of affected workers in order to conduct an election. Last fall, AMFA officials said they would collect 60 percent before submitting the names to the National Mediation Board, which would verify the signatures and conduct the election.
Mechanics are represented by the Transport Workers Union, a division of the 13 million-member AFL-CIO. That union also represents baggage handlers, service clerks and other ground workers at Fort Worth-based American.
But since last March, a group of mechanics has been campaigning to throw out the established union and bring in AMFA, which represents mechanics at Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and several other carriers.
The effort largely stems from unhappiness with the concessions negotiated by the TWU last year to keep American out of bankruptcy, including wage cuts averaging 16 percent. Some union members are particularly upset about the unusually long six-year contract.
"If in fact they do have enough signatures, we feel pretty strongly that we would prevail in an election," said Robert Gless, international representative for the TWU.
In the past, TWU officials have defended the decision to accept concessions, arguing that it was the only alternative to bankruptcy. Under Chapter 11, they said, far more jobs would have been lost.
Thousands of American mechanics work in North Texas -- at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth and at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
pre•vail
Pronunciation: (pri-vAl'), [key]
—v.i.
1. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally: Silence prevailed along the funeral route.
2. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate: Green tints prevail in the upholstery.
3. to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually fol. by over): They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.
4. to succeed; become dominant; win out: to wish that the right side might prevail.
5. to use persuasion or inducement successfully: He prevailed upon us to accompany him.
AA mechanics may force election
By Trebor Banstetter
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Organizers who hope to bring in a new union to represent 17,000 American Airlines mechanics say they have collected enough signatures to force a vote on the issue.
Officials with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, a mechanics union based in Laconia, N.H., have completed an audit of signature cards, which union supporters have been gathering for nearly a year.
"The association fully expects to file for a representational [election] within the next two weeks," said Terry Harvey, the union's assistant national director, in a March 5 letter to supporters.
Under federal guidelines, organizers need signatures from at least 50 percent of affected workers in order to conduct an election. Last fall, AMFA officials said they would collect 60 percent before submitting the names to the National Mediation Board, which would verify the signatures and conduct the election.
Mechanics are represented by the Transport Workers Union, a division of the 13 million-member AFL-CIO. That union also represents baggage handlers, service clerks and other ground workers at Fort Worth-based American.
But since last March, a group of mechanics has been campaigning to throw out the established union and bring in AMFA, which represents mechanics at Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and several other carriers.
The effort largely stems from unhappiness with the concessions negotiated by the TWU last year to keep American out of bankruptcy, including wage cuts averaging 16 percent. Some union members are particularly upset about the unusually long six-year contract.
"If in fact they do have enough signatures, we feel pretty strongly that we would prevail in an election," said Robert Gless, international representative for the TWU.
In the past, TWU officials have defended the decision to accept concessions, arguing that it was the only alternative to bankruptcy. Under Chapter 11, they said, far more jobs would have been lost.
Thousands of American mechanics work in North Texas -- at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth and at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
pre•vail
Pronunciation: (pri-vAl'), [key]
—v.i.
1. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally: Silence prevailed along the funeral route.
2. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate: Green tints prevail in the upholstery.
3. to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually fol. by over): They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.
4. to succeed; become dominant; win out: to wish that the right side might prevail.
5. to use persuasion or inducement successfully: He prevailed upon us to accompany him.
