CWA vote stands

Nov 20, 2002
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www.usaviation.com
January 14, 2003
Dear Colleagues:
Since the results of the ratification vote which passed by five (5) votes were announced, my office has received several complaints. Those specific complaints generally fall into five categories as follows:
1. Members who said they did not receive voting information;
2. Three members who claim that their personal identification number (PIN) didn't work;
3. Members who voted in the first period which was suspended after additional clarifications were made in the proposed agreement, but who did not re-vote;
4. A member who said she contacted AAA to get a PIN and was told she wasn't on the list and that someone would call her back. The member says no one called her; and
5. Members' claim to have more than one PIN.
An investigation was conducted concerning the five categories listed above, and the results of the research are attached.
There were two additional general complaints that I wish to address. Several members cite Article XV of the CWA Constitution, alleging improper behavior by the company. That article pertains to local officer elections only, not to contract ratification votes, therefore it does not apply in this case. Another complaint is that US Airways management attempted to influence the vote in Pittsburgh. There is credible evidence that management did attempt to influence the vote, including distribution of an IAM flyer in Pittsburgh. While this action is reprehensible, it was not illegal. CWA registered its strong disapproval of management's activities.
While there also was an allegation that PIT reservation members were being forced to vote in the presence of management on the last day of voting, upon closer investigation CWA found that was not the case. In any event, the voting period was extended by one hour to accommodate anyone who may have been confused by this allegation. Thus, there was no interference by management in the vote.
Through this very difficult period, the union made every effort to put in place a process that would provide an opportunity for our members to receive information and then vote. The vote count was handled by the AAA, an organization that has an enviable record for fairness and accuracy in record keeping. Our locals were provided with extra packages to give to members who may not have received them and methods were established to provide PINs to those who needed them. Every member who voted the first time was sent an individual letter advising them that they would have to re-vote. During this ratification process, the individual member also had to take responsibility for following through on the information and materials provided. All of this information was widely disseminated including on our website.
I, therefore, must conclude that the ratification process was handled in a fair and reasonable manner.
In Unity,
Morton Bahr
President
 
I'm sure if the measures would have been defeated by just 5 votes things would have been different.
 
The CWA got the vote they recommended, the company got the vote they wanted. A revote was never going to happen.

Even in 'fair' election, the challenger has to win big.
 
Funny how the CWA President Bahr talked about fair election results but he never answered the two questions that seemed to be circling the areas.[BR]Why did retirees get to vote?[BR]Why did furloughees get to vote?[BR]Could it be because they were likey to be yes votes and that would insure passage?[BR]By George, I think it could.
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On 1/16/2003 9:37:42 PM DaWoo wrote:

Why did furloughees get to vote?
Could it be because they were likey to be yes votes and that would insure passage?
By George, I think it could. [img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/11.gif'] [img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/11.gif']
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I am a furloughed employee and I voted no...I do not want to come back and do my old job for less pay and with less benefits. I would rather work for someone else in a non sweatshop enviroment and use my flight benefits for as long as I can have them.[img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/10.gif']
 
[P]
[BLOCKQUOTE][BR]----------------[BR]On 1/16/2003 9:37:42 PM DaWoo wrote:
[P]Funny how the CWA President Bahr talked about fair election results but he never answered the two questions that seemed to be circling the areas.[BR]Why did retirees get to vote?[BR]Why did furloughees get to vote?[BR]Could it be because they were likey to be yes votes and that would insure passage?[BR]By George, I think it could. [IMG src="http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/11.gif"] [IMG src="http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/11.gif"] [/P]----------------[/BLOCKQUOTE]
[P]2 points...why would retired employees care either way........and it is not a for sure that they got to vote.[BR]also, what makes you so sure that furloughed employees would vote yes...[BR]have you talked to any furloughed employees or are you just guessing... [BR][BR][BR][/P][img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/10.gif']
 
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On 1/19/2003 12:58:48 PM PixieKell wrote:

[/blockquote]
I am a furloughed employee and I voted no...I do not want to come back and do my old job for less pay and with less benefits. I would rather work for someone else in a non sweatshop enviroment and use my flight benefits for as long as I can have them.
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You go sister, voting NO may not influence the outcome one way or another, but as long as you can maintain what you consider an acceptable standard of living(or better), and I know I can, I say enjoy your passes and severance and we can watch DAVE continue to Skipper, or shd I say Gilligan, the TITANIC II.
I'll bring the popcorn, make that, the caviar.[img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/2.gif']
 
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On 1/19/2003 8:34:57 PM skyflyr69 wrote:

Now that all the unions have agreed i wonder if this is a good time for those that say there are better jobs out there to begin looking for them. i wish all of you good luck as it seems a huge miniority will be looking for greener pastures. For those that leave , how about leaving particulars on this board so we know how you are doing. Godspeed and be happy.
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I did not realize 15 thousand people, involuntarily or otherwise, was a huge minority.
In kind,it would be nice to know how the "still US employed" are doing with all the approved pay and benefit cuts. Any foreclosures,bankruptcies,sell offs,relocations, etc. would be of general interest as well.[img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/1.gif']
 
Now that all the unions have agreed i wonder if this is a good time for those that say there are better jobs out there to begin looking for them. i wish all of you good luck as it seems a huge miniority will be looking for greener pastures. For those that leave , how about leaving particulars on this board so we know how you are doing. Godspeed and be happy.
 
DaWoo,
Where did you get ur info about retirees voting. I've been retired for about 18 months and was never contacted by the union or anybody about voting. It would serve no purpose for retirees to vote.

nosey
 
[P]
[BLOCKQUOTE][BR]----------------[BR]On 1/19/2003 1:13:45 PM sdavis29 wrote:
[P][BR][BR]
[BLOCKQUOTE][BR]----------------[BR][BR]2 points...why would retired employees care either way........and it is not a for sure that they got to vote.[BR]also, what makes you so sure that furloughed employees would vote yes...[BR]have you talked to any furloughed employees or are you just guessing... [BR][BR][STRONG]See my response to Nosey on retirees, and YES I did talk to quite a few furloughees, No guessing, just some facts from retirees and furloughees. I also saw their letters with their pin numbers.[/STRONG][/BLOCKQUOTE][/BLOCKQUOTE]
 
[P]
[BLOCKQUOTE][BR]----------------[BR]On 1/19/2003 11:54:28 PM nosedive wrote:
[P]DaWoo,[BR]Where did you get ur info about retirees voting. I've been retired for about 18 months and was never contacted by the union or anybody about voting. It would serve no purpose for retirees to vote.[BR][BR]nosey [/P]----------------[/BLOCKQUOTE]
[P][/P][STRONG]Nosey[BR]My information came from local presidents and more importantly RETIREES. I have three friends who are retired and all got pin numbers and voted.[BR][BR]The purpose for them to vote is a simple one. The company and maybe the union wanted this to pass. Retirees would vote YES to keep the company from liquidation because you will have no medical insurance if they liquidate. You may have not gotten a vote, but others did. Let me know if you need more info. [/STRONG][img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/4.gif'] [img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/4.gif'] [img src='http://www.usaviation.com/idealbb/images/smilies/4.gif']