- Nov 4, 2003
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Division of labor
Disagreements run deep between rival unions vying to represent AA mechanics
By Trebor Banstetter
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
TULSA - A battle over what union should represent American Airlines mechanics has grown so divisive that the two sides can't even agree on getting together to debate their differences.
In Tulsa on Thursday hundreds of mechanics, many from North Texas, packed a forum organized by the Transport Workers Union, which represents American's mechanics and ground workers. The event had been advertised as a debate pitting TWU supporters against members working to bring in a new union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
Notably absent, however, were AMFA organizers. They refused to participate and instead touted their own debate scheduled for Saturday in Tulsa. TWU leaders, meanwhile, say they'll skip that event and plan to show up only to protest outside the building.
"It was my expectation that both unions would be represented today," said a puzzled Jim Thomas, a law professor at the University of Tulsa who was asked to moderate Thursday's event. "This is unfortunate."
The debate over the debates is typical of an increasingly bitter struggle over who will speak for American's 17,000 mechanics. The TWU, a division of the 13 million-member AFL-CIO, has negotiated on their behalf since the 1940s. The 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 smaller 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 contracts.
"They used fear tactics to ram through a long-term solution for a short-term problem," said Gary Schaible, a mechanic based at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport as he stood outside Thursday's forum. "They capitulated without even putting up a fight."
TWU loyalists counter that union leaders made the best decision available, given American's financial crisis. Keeping the airline out of bankruptcy, they say, saved thousands of jobs. And TWU leaders also take credit for persuading American to keep all three of its maintenance bases open last year.
"The loss of jobs in a Chapter 11 case would have been devastating," said Kirk Wells, a mechanic and TWU supporter based at American's maintenance facility at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth. "Half the guys here today would be out of work."
The disagreement over debates in Tulsa, where American operates its biggest airplane maintenance facility, appeared to largely concern who would be doing the talking. The TWU favored an event with rank-and-file members representing each union. Advocates of change wanted a one-on-one smackdown between union heavyweights, AMFA National Director O.V. Delle-Femine and TWU International President Sonny Hall.
Both groups also claimed to have been the first to challenge the other side to a debate over the issues.
The dispute could have far-reaching consequences for American's mechanics. AMFA organizers have been collecting signature cards from mechanics for months, hoping to force a vote on the issue.
If the group can certify names from 50 percent of the mechanics, the National Mediation Board will hold an election on whether to keep the present union or bring in the AMFA.
AMFA supporters pledge to take a more confrontational approach with management than the TWU.
"We would be very aggressive in our negotiating," said Dan Cunningham, a Fort Worth-based mechanic who is pushing for a leadership change.
So far, organizers have collected cards from about 54 percent of workers, said Don Rogers, a Tulsa-based AMFA supporter. He says the group will submit the signatures to the board when they reach 60 percent.
"We'll have that by mid-March," he said.
TWU officials, however, say they doubt the rival union has collected that many names. They also point out that the signature cards are only valid for one year, so many will begin to expire over the next few months.
Still, "we're taking this very seriously," said Matt Porter, a Fort Worth-based mechanic and TWU supporter. "We can't afford not to."
Last year, the TWU even suspended two officials with the union's New York chapter for allegedly supporting the drive to switch unions. Supporters of the officials erected a 25-foot inflatable rat, dubbed Ralph, outside the union's headquarters during the "trial" that led to the suspension. It was an ominous symbol of how emotional the labor schism has become, as the giant rat is typically displayed to criticize airline management.
Though not a debate, Thursday's forum was a passionate, sometimes raucous affair. The few mechanics who spoke in favor of switching unions were often shouted down by supporters of the TWU, who dominated the packed ballroom at the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
"There is no democracy here, no accountability," said a disgusted Chris Cook, a technical service worker who supports switching unions. Cook said he dislikes the fact that the TWU's leadership is appointed rather than elected by members.
Others said they favored AMFA because it refuses to support political candidates, unlike the TWU.
"I will not give my money to the Democratic Party," said Tulsa-based mechanic David Linko.
Speakers supporting the TWU, meanwhile, routinely brought the crowd to its feet with cheers of support. Many cited American's recent financial improvements, which included a small $1 million profit for the third quarter of 2003, as proof that concessions were the right choice.
"The TWU made the hard decisions to face the harsh reality of the new environment for American Airlines," said Kevin Hammack, a Tulsa-based mechanic. "Nine months later, it's clear we made the right decision."
Disagreements run deep between rival unions vying to represent AA mechanics
By Trebor Banstetter
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
TULSA - A battle over what union should represent American Airlines mechanics has grown so divisive that the two sides can't even agree on getting together to debate their differences.
In Tulsa on Thursday hundreds of mechanics, many from North Texas, packed a forum organized by the Transport Workers Union, which represents American's mechanics and ground workers. The event had been advertised as a debate pitting TWU supporters against members working to bring in a new union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
Notably absent, however, were AMFA organizers. They refused to participate and instead touted their own debate scheduled for Saturday in Tulsa. TWU leaders, meanwhile, say they'll skip that event and plan to show up only to protest outside the building.
"It was my expectation that both unions would be represented today," said a puzzled Jim Thomas, a law professor at the University of Tulsa who was asked to moderate Thursday's event. "This is unfortunate."
The debate over the debates is typical of an increasingly bitter struggle over who will speak for American's 17,000 mechanics. The TWU, a division of the 13 million-member AFL-CIO, has negotiated on their behalf since the 1940s. The 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 smaller 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 contracts.
"They used fear tactics to ram through a long-term solution for a short-term problem," said Gary Schaible, a mechanic based at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport as he stood outside Thursday's forum. "They capitulated without even putting up a fight."
TWU loyalists counter that union leaders made the best decision available, given American's financial crisis. Keeping the airline out of bankruptcy, they say, saved thousands of jobs. And TWU leaders also take credit for persuading American to keep all three of its maintenance bases open last year.
"The loss of jobs in a Chapter 11 case would have been devastating," said Kirk Wells, a mechanic and TWU supporter based at American's maintenance facility at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth. "Half the guys here today would be out of work."
The disagreement over debates in Tulsa, where American operates its biggest airplane maintenance facility, appeared to largely concern who would be doing the talking. The TWU favored an event with rank-and-file members representing each union. Advocates of change wanted a one-on-one smackdown between union heavyweights, AMFA National Director O.V. Delle-Femine and TWU International President Sonny Hall.
Both groups also claimed to have been the first to challenge the other side to a debate over the issues.
The dispute could have far-reaching consequences for American's mechanics. AMFA organizers have been collecting signature cards from mechanics for months, hoping to force a vote on the issue.
If the group can certify names from 50 percent of the mechanics, the National Mediation Board will hold an election on whether to keep the present union or bring in the AMFA.
AMFA supporters pledge to take a more confrontational approach with management than the TWU.
"We would be very aggressive in our negotiating," said Dan Cunningham, a Fort Worth-based mechanic who is pushing for a leadership change.
So far, organizers have collected cards from about 54 percent of workers, said Don Rogers, a Tulsa-based AMFA supporter. He says the group will submit the signatures to the board when they reach 60 percent.
"We'll have that by mid-March," he said.
TWU officials, however, say they doubt the rival union has collected that many names. They also point out that the signature cards are only valid for one year, so many will begin to expire over the next few months.
Still, "we're taking this very seriously," said Matt Porter, a Fort Worth-based mechanic and TWU supporter. "We can't afford not to."
Last year, the TWU even suspended two officials with the union's New York chapter for allegedly supporting the drive to switch unions. Supporters of the officials erected a 25-foot inflatable rat, dubbed Ralph, outside the union's headquarters during the "trial" that led to the suspension. It was an ominous symbol of how emotional the labor schism has become, as the giant rat is typically displayed to criticize airline management.
Though not a debate, Thursday's forum was a passionate, sometimes raucous affair. The few mechanics who spoke in favor of switching unions were often shouted down by supporters of the TWU, who dominated the packed ballroom at the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
"There is no democracy here, no accountability," said a disgusted Chris Cook, a technical service worker who supports switching unions. Cook said he dislikes the fact that the TWU's leadership is appointed rather than elected by members.
Others said they favored AMFA because it refuses to support political candidates, unlike the TWU.
"I will not give my money to the Democratic Party," said Tulsa-based mechanic David Linko.
Speakers supporting the TWU, meanwhile, routinely brought the crowd to its feet with cheers of support. Many cited American's recent financial improvements, which included a small $1 million profit for the third quarter of 2003, as proof that concessions were the right choice.
"The TWU made the hard decisions to face the harsh reality of the new environment for American Airlines," said Kevin Hammack, a Tulsa-based mechanic. "Nine months later, it's clear we made the right decision."
