I am certainly on the outside looking in as I am not finally privy to key IAM or TWU internal decisions. Thus, although I myself believe my source of the original posting as being 'key', I realize information is still 'secondhand' when it gets to me and the initial post along with the post starting below should be read as second hand hearsay.
Nonetheless, within 24 hours of the posting of this thread, much of its original posting has come true as deadly accurate. I was not surprised.
My post below is to shed any insight I may have along with furthering procedural information that may be useful in furthering this important conversation.
At any rate, don't be too high on an internal vote, without a marriage. I was told the IAM was totally against a marriage [like IBT/CWA]from the beginning because of the TWA debacle and 'hard feelings'.
IMO, an internal vote appears to be an interesting procedural move that may benefit organized labor in future NMB elections, however, in the end, I believe it is the start of the 'smoke and mirrors' that the TWU represented workers will be experiencing since the TWU INTL apparently didn't have the balls to stop listening to the IAM regimes 'deals'.
It is my understanding that the IAM will eventually stare down the TWU and the TWU will withdraw its petition thereby allowing the IAM to retain certification. The IAM has all but convinced the TWU that a complete decert would be in order if the TWU did the right thing and continued with a normal vote. It's still in the TWU's hands from a legal standpoint since they haven't withdrawn yet, but again, my understanding based on my opening post under this thread is that the TWU INTL has already pledged a withdrawal under conditions, and I believe that means money. Not sure if the TWU locals are already aware of this but they might be. Dunno. At any rate, I do not think the TWU INTL really cared or had all the information and thus didn't effectively consider any write-in votes.
FWIW: The Players
1. NMB: The NMB has already notified the eligible workers that a petition was served and that "...workers will have the right to express their desire to be represented or to be nonrepresented."
The NMB has jurisdiction and it is unlikely that the NMB will stray from the above and allow a 'hybrid' run-off election between two unions that effectively violates the rights of workers to be nonrepresented or vote 'other'. Further, I'm sure there would be legal action against the NMB if it strayed and I can't be sure if the DOL would support a favorable ruling for unions yet against workers.
2. Your Company: It is my understanding that your company likes the IAM agreement and wants it to stay right where it is without jeopardy. This means that it is extremely unlikely that any election will have a company sponsored counter organizing drive. Further, if the IAM/TWU was really serious about an internal election then it would have went to the company for voluntary recognition of the winner of an American Arbitration Associations conducted election. This would have cut out the NMB altogether. My spin on this is that the IAM doesn't NO HOW NO WAY want any election because it can't win with the TWU or 'mickey mouse' on the ballot. So that is why I believe the IAM has apparently already come into agreement with the TWU INTL over monetary values in exchange for its members. Kinda like Iran-Contra IMO. It's unlikely that the TWU locals are aware of this but certainly not its members until it comes to pass.
3. IAM: unfortunately, it appears the IAM will end up smelling like a rose. FWIW: I know someone posted that they would be concerned with an internal election that has the IAM counting ballots. To be sure, neither a company or NMB would allow an election to be run by unions, for fear of possible litigation. So in theory if there were any internal election dealing with these matters then I think an officially recognized organization like the American Arbitrator's Association would be used. This isn't for union officers so just running any ole flimsy election would not be allowed.
4. TWU INTL: I'm not surprised.
I suppose it is fair for me to say where I'm coming from.
1. I will do what I can to make sure Normal Board election procedures are followed, provided things fall apart between the IAM/TWU and the TWU doesn't withdraw its petition. My understanding is that some will choose to vote for the TWU, some IAM, some IBT, some no-union. To be sure, I don't believe the IBT will run an official fleet service campaign because of the political reasons dealing with the mechanics, however, it is also my understanding that a write-in campaign for them may be greater than IAM votes.
2. I believe the Continental rampers should be briefed on how the IAM and especially the TWU may be putting the screws to TWU represented workers at America West. I believe I will see to it.
3. For the record, I am not a voter for the TWU or IAM. however I do plan on staying involved in an official NMB election.
regards,
