I have been following with interest the media reports detailing American Airlines bankruptcy and US Airways attempts to inject itself into the process.
US Airways is courting American’s trade unions and whispering sweet nothings about how a merger would benefit workers. But US Airways is a faithless suitor. Speaking from my personal experience at the bargaining table at USAirways, you can't even trust 10% of what they say. We too negotiated a restructuring agreement OUTSIDE of bankruptcy in 2002, post 9/11. And after giving them what they convinced us they needed to survive, and after all of labor signed, sealed and delivered ratified agreements, USAirways flew into bankruptcy (their first one). Once again, after they convinced us that they needed more to survive, and that if we didn't give them what they needed again, we would liquidate. And again, we gave them NEW ratified agreements. Eighteen months later, USAirways flew into bankruptcy again ( bankruptcy #2 for those of you who don't know our history).
AA labor unions need no further proof than the company’s track record in its relationship with US Airways unions. Thousands of us vividly remember 2005. That was the year US Airways labor groups ratified contracts that froze the pension plans, all in an effort to help the company achieve the cost savings it needed during bankruptcy. Just five days later, US Airways asked the court to terminate the pension plans, divorcing itself from employees and dumping pension costs on taxpayers. It was slap in the face to thousands of union workers who were committed to saving the airline. To add insult to injury, a year later, US Airways managed to find $11 billion, money that the company hoped to use in its failed attempt to purchase Delta.
American Airlines workers must stick together and not be swayed by empty promises.
Washington, D.C. May 9, 2006 – The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), AFL-CIO, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), AFL-CIO, today reached an agreement over the future representation rights for the close to 8,000 active and furloughed fleet service workers at the merged US Airways and America West Airlines.
As part of the accord, the TWU today is withdrawing its application with the National Mediation Board (NMB) seeking representation rights for the merged workforce, and has agreed to work with the IAM leadership on a seniority integration process to ensure a smooth transition of representation services between the TWU and the IAM.
The TWU has represented America West fleet service employees since 1999. The IAM has represented US Airways fleet service workers since 1994.
TWU International President James C. Little said that the TWU International Administrative Committee made the decision after recognizing that an NMB-conducted election would possibly result in no union for the merged workforce.
“I believe we have made the right decision for the members we represent at America West. Considering the current state of the airline industry, no workforce should be without union representation,” said Little.
“The IAM will work closely with the TWU’s International and Local 580 representatives to ensure a smooth transition into a single, unified workforce,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “The IAM and TWU have worked together for many years, and that relationship will continue.”
“A major part of this process will be negotiating a transition agreement with US Airways that covers all Fleet Service workers,” said Roach. “Current TWU Local 580 representatives from the former America West will participate in the transition negotiations alongside IAM District 141 representatives. The TWU representatives’ knowledge and experience will be invaluable.”
Little added that the two sides had explored other options to avoid an NMB election, including a Joint Council or a private election. “In the end, however, circumstances made it clear that only our withdrawal of our NMB petition would guarantee uninterrupted union representation for the merged workforce.”
Little also said that the TWU Administrative Committee was acceding to the wishes of the Local TWU leaders at America West that the union not become involved in protracted dispute with the IAM that could result in no union for the merged workforce.
“The TWU certainly hates to lose representation rights for this fine group of workers and union members at America West. But it would be far worse if the merged workforce was faced with a future of no representation,” said Little.
See J. Little and the boys making deals, what would be in store for US, if we mergeed with US Airways. As you can read Little does NOT want an election here at AA because the TWU track record is POOR. He's scared to be voted OUT..
