Bob, I see this as a quagmire. Imagine telling the TWU, the IBT, the IAM, the AMFA, ALPA, AFA, etc., that they are no longer going to be seperate entities. They would not dissolve, as the ATD is a small part of their income, except of course for AMFA, ALPA, AFA and such. I could imagine retaining Dell (cannot spell his last name), and Mr. Little, or whoever as holding a seat at the governing table. Though most do not share common ideas as to which union would direct us forward more profitiently, their is undeniably talent at all unions , and that talent is currently running their respective unions.
The fact is that even people in the AFL-CIO told me that these unions will never voluntarily give up their airline workers. The fact is that when it comes to dues the airlines, due to the RLA are a very profitable source. I also feel that the flight attendants and pilots are already in craft unions and that before we can even attempt to form a strong coalition with them we have to form our own equivelent organizations. We must go to AMFA and the AGW first, then approach those unions.
I agree there is talent, but within the current structure its unproductive, despite the best of intentions. Those at the top only are conerned with protecting their six figure incomes.
I believe Mr. Little would fight to retain the TWU, I believe Dell would fight as well, and why not? Their positions are their livlihood. I am not learned enough to formulate a direction here.
The difference is that Delle wishes to unite the class and craft, Little does not. Delle seeks real change, Little seeks to preserve the status quo through "Communication, communication, communication. In other words to use propaganda to keep us going in the same negative direction. A direction that results in a lower standard of living for us but more dues for the TWU. Look at his summation of "the survey" , he claims the membership does not want "structural changes".
For us the choice is do we stay with Little on a path where we continue to give concessions so the TWU gets more dues and remain divided or do we try and unite under one union?
It's to easy to "armchair quarterback" from my keyboard, I would hate to see our industry rely on my thoughts or ideas. I would venture to suggest having all of our affected unions combine one time and hire a professional firm, that is aircraft industry minded, and assist our plight.
And you expect a unions that are led by a school bus driver, a lawyer, and a machinist who never even worked in this industry to do this? You are dreaming, they never will. Believe me, I tried, I dared to dream too.
We are losing here, at AA, USAirways, UAL , NWA, ATA, all the above and then some. The corporate leaders and shareholders are making their mark on life through our back muscles. We need to find a way to keep management and labor employed in the US, and not at poverty level or below.
Yes, and when our unions are led by people like Little, Gless and Yingst, who reward themselves with raises while at the same time convincing us to not fight back and just accept concessions things will continue to get worse.
OR BOB, we could attempt to
change the direction and operations of the AFL-CIO. Give the AFL-CIO unlimited restrictions in our labor movement.
The problem is that the working man has no say in the AFL-CIO. The leaders of member unions dictate policy. In order to change the AFL-CIO you and every other union member in every other union have to change their unions first. That has proven to be an insurmountable obsticle. Its more effiecint and effective to go around this obsticle and join a union that has the traits and goals you seek.
The idea of "we only get involved when asked" is a real draw back to them.
Thats another scam. Union members that pay dues are involved. They put in time every month to earn the money to fund the union. Incompetant, insecure leaders fall back on this lame excuse to conceal their failings. What do you specifically mean by involved and explain how that "involvement" will benifit the member.
Yes, I understand they represent more than just the TWU or the IAM. Yes, it would be another situation where diplomacy would be crucial to daily ops, but it could happen.
And we could be hit be a meteor that will wipe out all life on earth. Sure there is a chance, but like I said, before you get there, you have to pass the barriers here.
We are getting absolutely no where, except upset, when we pit union against union, member against member. Mr. McTiernan seems valid and true to his drive of progressing our future, as do most on these boards. Imagine starting a combined effort of proAMFA and proTWU members at AA to initiate a progressive step to longevity. It is most likely myself and others will be gone from this industry in the coming year. I am at MCI, not a mechanic (stores), so I am pretty sure my days are marked. However, so are each and every members days marked also, just a bit down the calender from mine, if operations do not have a drastic change.
Ok, have you looked into the AGW and their objectives? The-agw.org. As long as you are here you should give it a shot.
If we go AMFA, and you go AGW, we could both approach the pilots and flight attendants as airline industry unions, not as transit, truckers or machinists unions. Together we could form the strongest labor organization this country has ever seen.
Answers? There are numerous opinions and ideas as to what is best. It will take more than I to formulate a direction of travel. I know what should be done, e.g. the raising of ticket pricing, but the means to get there are beyond my know how.
Those are the companies decisions, our decision should be no more influenced by ticket prices as the price of fuel is.
Here's to hoping we all survive another year, have a safe New Year's.
Thanks. Same to you.
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