It’s common knowledge that the IBT has not been as well received by the line as it has in Tulsa. So what does the TWU do? They decide to run roughshod over the line in an effort to get the line so fed up that they will sign any card to get rid of the TWU.
While that may sound strange you know what they say about politics.
I believe that the TWU has written off M&R, they figure they will lose us anyway but would prefer that we go to the IBT, a union that is a potential merger partner, than to AMFA.
591 is a direct attack upon the line, clear retaliation for the 75% NO vote and the fact that they voted in leaders that would not be manipulated by Don Videtich, Jim Little’s appointed overseer for M&R.
If the TWU was trying to fend off the IBT, then why would they attack the group that’s more resistant to the IBT? One would think that with their huge Treasury and large organizing Department that the IBT would be the greater threat than AMFA. To date very little has come out from the International against the IBT, as far as I know Gordon Clark has not reported to work at DWH and is still working with them trying to organize MROs.
They claim that 591 is an attempt to gain effeciencies and better represent the members, to incorporate a more successful model in M&R, such as at WN. Their plan does not support their claims. If they were trying to Model us on the WN model then why not simply put all M&R into one Local, instead of just most of the line mechanics? Why leave Title II scattered about in more than half a dozen Fleet Service Locals? Well there was no reason to antagonize Title II or Tulsa by imposing changes on them because that’s where most of the IBT support is coming from, both groups have historically been resistant to AMFA but they needed to get the line so aggravated they would accept anybody, thus along comes the scheme for 591.
There are several reasons why the TWU wants us to leave, one major reason is political. Anyone wonder why all of a sudden there has been such a rush placed on the formation of 591? What’s the big hurry?
The answer is the September Convention.
Jim’s pro-company mis-management of the TWU has put the entire Union on the road to oblivion. He is tearing down the house Mike Quill built. In 2001 the TWU had over $60million, now they have less than $25 million and it seems that he may be shopping his membership around for the best deal for him and other International officials. If he fails to get re-elected he may not have any place for those who have supported him. Wouln’t it be a shame to see "Lower your expectations" Bobby Gless or Don Videtich back on the floor having to work under the conditions they told us to accept? Dont feel too bad for them, they get to keep the A-5s, Admirals Club and pensions from AA based upon the salary as reported by the Union.
With the exception of those few people that he has picked up and provided six figure salaries and other perks, it’s no secret that the line maintenance group would likely support anybody but Jim at the Convention. When Tulsa loses the 767 to Aisia he will probably lose the support of Tulsa as well. That could leave Little with nearly half of the ATD, his base, where he came from, going into a Convention very displeased with him (the WN FAs have been battling with Little over his appointment of Thom McDaniels, their former President, to an International position, they insist he must return to the floor or resign from the company).
Jim does not want to see Locals 561, 562, 563, 564 or 565 lining up with Local 556 against him at the next Convention. If the other divisions see that he doesn’t have the support of nearly half the ATD they may mount a challenge. Even if 591 does not drive M&R to leave before the Convention, my guess is they had hoped that all the guys who are in the locals being dissolved would opt to not run and he could get some friendly faces such as Todd Woodward or Steve Gilboy etc in there.
.
In addition to not wanting the Line Locals at the Convention there is also a financial gain for the TWU by getting us to leave, (preferably to the IBT of course). They stand to gain at least $10 million. They would confiscate the assets of the Locals that would be dissolved if the mechanics leave. Since they only get 30% of our dues they net less than $2 million a year from M&R but if M&R leaves they get to walk away with $10 million. If they really wanted to fight off the raids they would likely have to spend more than that.
$10 million, enough for them to keep riding their gravy train that much longer before merging with another Union or making them more attractive which would allow them to get a better deal for themselves out of the merger.
Really there is no downside for Little with by ramming us into 591. If it helps get the line, traditionally a stronghold for AMFA, to sign IBT cards then he gets rid of political opponents and walks away with $10 million, if we are still around in September he may have more friendly faces running 591 than he would have faced with Locals 561, 562, 563, 564, & 565. Who knows, he may make moves to prevent current officers from getting on the ballot of 591, nothing surprises me anymore.
Relations between the TWU and IBT are intimate, in other words they are in bed together. In addition to joint ventures such as trying to organize Domestic MROs both have an interest in going after AMFA. The TWU is like USAIRWAYS, they are looking for someone to merge with, our $10 million will buy them a few more years to get the best deal for themselves. IMO the short list is CWA and IBT, some smaller Transit Locals may also be on that list. The IBT is known for making promises they do not keep, and I’m concerned that should we end up with the IBT some of the same people that have caused us so much suffering will slide right into appointed positions within the IBT.
Going to the IBT would have as much of a positive effect on our lives as AA’s new paint job. Different, more costly look, but the same underneath.
591 has nothing to do with the finances or UBB, it has to do with the Convention and the IBT drive.
While that may sound strange you know what they say about politics.
I believe that the TWU has written off M&R, they figure they will lose us anyway but would prefer that we go to the IBT, a union that is a potential merger partner, than to AMFA.
591 is a direct attack upon the line, clear retaliation for the 75% NO vote and the fact that they voted in leaders that would not be manipulated by Don Videtich, Jim Little’s appointed overseer for M&R.
If the TWU was trying to fend off the IBT, then why would they attack the group that’s more resistant to the IBT? One would think that with their huge Treasury and large organizing Department that the IBT would be the greater threat than AMFA. To date very little has come out from the International against the IBT, as far as I know Gordon Clark has not reported to work at DWH and is still working with them trying to organize MROs.
They claim that 591 is an attempt to gain effeciencies and better represent the members, to incorporate a more successful model in M&R, such as at WN. Their plan does not support their claims. If they were trying to Model us on the WN model then why not simply put all M&R into one Local, instead of just most of the line mechanics? Why leave Title II scattered about in more than half a dozen Fleet Service Locals? Well there was no reason to antagonize Title II or Tulsa by imposing changes on them because that’s where most of the IBT support is coming from, both groups have historically been resistant to AMFA but they needed to get the line so aggravated they would accept anybody, thus along comes the scheme for 591.
There are several reasons why the TWU wants us to leave, one major reason is political. Anyone wonder why all of a sudden there has been such a rush placed on the formation of 591? What’s the big hurry?
The answer is the September Convention.
Jim’s pro-company mis-management of the TWU has put the entire Union on the road to oblivion. He is tearing down the house Mike Quill built. In 2001 the TWU had over $60million, now they have less than $25 million and it seems that he may be shopping his membership around for the best deal for him and other International officials. If he fails to get re-elected he may not have any place for those who have supported him. Wouln’t it be a shame to see "Lower your expectations" Bobby Gless or Don Videtich back on the floor having to work under the conditions they told us to accept? Dont feel too bad for them, they get to keep the A-5s, Admirals Club and pensions from AA based upon the salary as reported by the Union.
With the exception of those few people that he has picked up and provided six figure salaries and other perks, it’s no secret that the line maintenance group would likely support anybody but Jim at the Convention. When Tulsa loses the 767 to Aisia he will probably lose the support of Tulsa as well. That could leave Little with nearly half of the ATD, his base, where he came from, going into a Convention very displeased with him (the WN FAs have been battling with Little over his appointment of Thom McDaniels, their former President, to an International position, they insist he must return to the floor or resign from the company).
Jim does not want to see Locals 561, 562, 563, 564 or 565 lining up with Local 556 against him at the next Convention. If the other divisions see that he doesn’t have the support of nearly half the ATD they may mount a challenge. Even if 591 does not drive M&R to leave before the Convention, my guess is they had hoped that all the guys who are in the locals being dissolved would opt to not run and he could get some friendly faces such as Todd Woodward or Steve Gilboy etc in there.
.
In addition to not wanting the Line Locals at the Convention there is also a financial gain for the TWU by getting us to leave, (preferably to the IBT of course). They stand to gain at least $10 million. They would confiscate the assets of the Locals that would be dissolved if the mechanics leave. Since they only get 30% of our dues they net less than $2 million a year from M&R but if M&R leaves they get to walk away with $10 million. If they really wanted to fight off the raids they would likely have to spend more than that.
$10 million, enough for them to keep riding their gravy train that much longer before merging with another Union or making them more attractive which would allow them to get a better deal for themselves out of the merger.
Really there is no downside for Little with by ramming us into 591. If it helps get the line, traditionally a stronghold for AMFA, to sign IBT cards then he gets rid of political opponents and walks away with $10 million, if we are still around in September he may have more friendly faces running 591 than he would have faced with Locals 561, 562, 563, 564, & 565. Who knows, he may make moves to prevent current officers from getting on the ballot of 591, nothing surprises me anymore.
Relations between the TWU and IBT are intimate, in other words they are in bed together. In addition to joint ventures such as trying to organize Domestic MROs both have an interest in going after AMFA. The TWU is like USAIRWAYS, they are looking for someone to merge with, our $10 million will buy them a few more years to get the best deal for themselves. IMO the short list is CWA and IBT, some smaller Transit Locals may also be on that list. The IBT is known for making promises they do not keep, and I’m concerned that should we end up with the IBT some of the same people that have caused us so much suffering will slide right into appointed positions within the IBT.
Going to the IBT would have as much of a positive effect on our lives as AA’s new paint job. Different, more costly look, but the same underneath.
591 has nothing to do with the finances or UBB, it has to do with the Convention and the IBT drive.