Here is some intesting comments found on the-mechanic.net
What is in store for the future?
We have seen in the last several years a fundamental change in the way the airlines are viewing the maintenance of the Aircraft. With the airline passenger paying less for a ticket and the airlines looking for ways to slash costs. The trend will be to continue to reduce maintenance costs.
A couple of ways has been to lower wages and benefits by challenging the unions or increase the outsourcing of work. Amfa has chosen to allow the increase in outsourcing by inserting language in their contracts and not putting up a fight to stop the trend. The TWU on the other hand has seen fit to lower wages and benefits to stay in line with the average wages within the industry and in turn has been able to keep the language in tact along with working aggressively to keep work in-house.
Which way is correct? If you ask a 20-year mechanic he will say higher wages. If you ask a 5-year mechanic he will indicate lower wages with steady employment is the better way to go. If you ask Amfa they like to compare the NW contract as superior in wages, while approaching the 50% mark on layoffs there is little chance of ever working at NW. If you look at AA the TWU has chosen to keep layoffs at below 15% with lower wages and an opportunity for future employment. The TWU has more experience in representing the best interest of the membership, while Amfa is better at organizing.
The Airlines are going thru some turbulent times and are trying to find a medium where they can sustain profitability and long-term survival ship. Is this going to mean more pressure will be applied to reduce cost? In my opinion yes!
Here is my opinion of what this means to you?
*At NW you will see a steady decline of maintenance and employees in the next couple of years to where the maintenance bases will close and the head count will be around 1500 mechanics. Amfa has been unable to stop the trend as NW continues to shift work to 3rd party maintenance here and overseas. (Note current employment is 5250+/- down from 9700 in 2000. source Jan.2004 seniority list)
*At United with the new contract and recent talks of spinning maintenance off. You will see a steady decline of employees in maintenance to around 2500. With unlimited scope language, the new 2 billion dollar contract on engines and the closing of the maintenance bases this will take place in short order. (Note current employment is 8400 +/- down from 13,200 less than 2 years ago, source Amfa)
*At American the trend is to take advantage of the outsourcing frenzy and work at controlling labor costs and going after 3rd party maintenance. Will AA be able to capitalize on this? The stock market believes they will. Time will definitely tell. (Note current employment is approx.17,000 thousand)
You have a choice! Amfa has openly admitted the scope clause in the AA/TWU contract is worthless. If they are successful at calling for an election and get in, you will see a gradual shifting of AA philosophy and a steady increase of work outsourced. At the rate NW and United is losing employees the 17,000 employees at AA could be 4000 in 5 years. Don’t be fooled into believing Amfa is the way to go. The track record speaks for itself.
Have you tried lately to get hired at one of the majors? It takes an average of 8 months at Southwest. With 1800 mechanics, majority of heavy maintenance outsourced and as competition increases hiring will slow. USAir continues to have problems and is looking for more concessions and additional layoffs. If Delta is unable to get its costs under control you will see some major changes in the future.
As 3rd party maintenance continues to grow in popularity you will see a steady increase in this sector. The wages and benefits are normally 50% of what the majors pay. This is where you will end up if you continue to support Amfa and fall over the 4000 mark. You need to ask yourself if this is the right choice when you sign a card. I ask that you look at the facts presented over the last couple of years and you will see the TWU is the best choice in representing you!
Proud member of the TWU, In Solidarity
