Labor Tensions Rise After DL/NW Merger

[Kev3188]

The IAM should have never negotiated those stations to begin with but they did.

Agreed. However, since we're on the DL board, I think people should know a few things that you and I already do.

1. Both these CBA's were negotiated under BK.
2. Ours kept those left standing "whole" as far as status; no Class II, no Mainline express, etc.
3. You guys at 141 had Canale running the show, which was an atrocity in itself.

However, this also shows the beauty of union democracy. Enough people rose up, and now he's gone. Is there as lot of work for your new team? You bet, but this last vote shows that the will of the people will be heard.

What good is a union if you sell off people? Oh and when there is a contract to vote on the IAM will make sure that the results are tainted in the way they want...People in some stations will have to drive 30 miles to cast a vote for a contract while others get to vote right on the ramp at work. This happened with our last vote and the deciding factor for our bum IAM contract.

Maybe this is a 141 (or Canale) thing as well???

I know at 143, for a contract ratification vote, most were held at local lodges in the same city, and the hours were such that anyone could vote, regardless of shift.

For those stations that are attached to a local in another city, the voting was held at the airport (off company property) with hours that allowed all to vote.

For officer elections, it's the same deal, except if you live more than 25 miles from the local, you can get an absentee ballot. These are sent out waaaaay in advance, so you have plenty of time to fill it out and return it (postage free, BTW). For example, for our last officer election, my entire station got their applications 2 months in advance, then their ballots shortly thereafter.

Personally, I would like to see electronic votes, but that's a different debate.

 

[Black Magic]

Yes an electronic voting system needs to be implemented, this is 2008 so technology is here.

It could be a Canal thing. We weren't in bankruptcy this year or last year and they still negotiated those cities away and had a very weak package. Its very interesting that Phx and I believe Vegas were the only cities that were allowed to vote on site at the airport. All the other citys had to vote elsewhere. That is shady and unfair!! Although I haven't been with the IAM union for very long from everything I have experienced so far it has been nothing but crooked.

 

[Kev3188]

It could be a Canale thing. We weren't in bankruptcy this year or last year and they still negotiated those cities away and had a very weak package.

I was speaking about the East T/A that was ratified while in BK, though this last one was terrible as well. And, yes, it's my opinion that it was a "Canale thing."

I think you guys are in much better shape now with the new leadership that's in place. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Black Magic]

Delta ramp here is the IAM payscale. Lots of people getting paid unreal amounts of money, even they maids get paid more than most people on the ramp. Shows where your dues are going.

http://unionfacts.org/unions/unionOfficers...7&year=2006

 

[Kev3188]

Delta ramp here is the IAM payscale. Lots of people getting paid unreal amounts of money, even they maids get paid more than most people on the ramp. Shows where your dues are going.

http://unionfacts.org/unions/unionOfficers...7&year=2006

Do a Google search on Richard B. (Rick) Berman, the man behind that website.

It'll be quite enlightening...

 

[North by Northwest]

Delta ramp here is the IAM payscale. Lots of people getting paid unreal amounts of money, even they maids get paid more than most people on the ramp. Shows where your dues are going.

http://unionfacts.org/unions/unionOfficers...7&year=2006

The only problem I see with this is:


"So who are you guys, really?"
The Center for Union Facts is a 501©(3) non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the truth about today's union leadership.

Now...that about says it all. Great chart, but you can find all of this info on each Unions website.

Furthermore, I'd be a helluva lot more concerned with those in CHARGE of companies taking hundreds of millions of employees wages and jobs in bonuses than Union leaders. Union leaders can be voted OUT...can you do the same with your CEO? (whose pay has INCREASED beyond 450% since 1985)

(I do think some of those salaries are over the top tho. I would like to see what their compensation is based on)

 

[Kev3188]

The Center for Union Facts is a 501©(3) non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the truth about today's union leadership.

Exactly, NxNW!

The better question might be; non-profit for whom? According to a USA Today article about Berman, his center takes in $10 million a year, but "only Berman and his bookkeeper wife" know how much of the $10 million ends up in their own pockets.



Pot meet kettle. Kettle meet pot.

 

[North by Northwest]

Here's a few facts bout "DICK" Berman (UNIONFACTS.org), and his "concern" for us working stiffs:

"Richard "DICK" Berman (don't ya find it interesting that some of the biggest haters in America are named "DICK" (i.e. Cheney, Nixon, Berman)? and James Bowers. Click the link to DICK's bio and you'll discover that DICKIE has made it his life's work to bash American Workers and Organized Labor. Here is an excerpt (emphasis added), but ya just gotta visit their web-site, by click the link, to see a picture of exactly what we're dealing with here; heck, if he wasn't filthy rich he could pass for a Clinton supporter, you-know old, white, and angry:

... Berman was previously employed as the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Pillsbury Restaurant Group, where he was responsible for the government relations programs of all restaurant operations. Berman also was a (anti)labor lawyer for the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Dana Corporation, and the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

Rick Berman has testified on numerous occasions before committees of the various state legislatures, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and has been named a "Star Rainmaker" on Capitol Hill by The Hill, a popular Washington, DC newspaper. He has appeared on all major television networks and has organized national coalitions on a variety of issues."

What's a "Star Rainmaker" you might ask, well here is the dictionary definition:

"Slang. an executive or lawyer with exceptional ability to attract clients, use political connections, increase profits, etc.: The president has several rainmakers among his advisers."

Some might shorten that formal definition to a single word: 'WEASEL'. Certainly not the type of person who toils for a living or actually manufactures anything (except lies) or contributes anything of substance to the greater good. Pretty much a just butt-muncher."

http://www.bloggerradio.com/2008/05/unionfactsorg-i.html


If it smells like corporate out houses...it usually is one.

Gotta love this creature:

"Berman has accused Mothers Against Drunk Driving and kindred groups (in the words of one of his Web sites) of "junk science, intimidation tactics, and even threats of violence to push their radical agenda." Another Berman Web site was devoted to dismissing the dangers of mercury levels in fish"

 

[Black Magic]

I'm not concerned with the guy that own's or runs the site. The info. posted comes from the Department of Labor so it's accurate. It is well known that these IAM reps make 100K plus easy. How that is justifiable is beyond me.

 

[Kev3188]

I'm not concerned with the guy that own's or runs the site.

You should be.

Are you saying that you blindly accept what you read without ever vetting the source(s)? That's just a disservice to yourself.

Look, I respect your right to believe what you want, just know where you're info is coming from.

The info. posted comes from the Department of Labor so it's accurate.

Are you sure? You just said you don't care who runs the site, so how do you know where they received their info from? Have you looked at the DOL site?

It is well known that these IAM reps make 100K plus easy. How that is justifiable is beyond me.

Most union officials do not make "100K easy." had you looked at the DOL website, you'd see that some make that amount, but most do not. A rep that does their job is worth every nickel. One that doesn't needs to get voted out at the first opportunity; that's the beauty of democracy.

Can we vote out the CEO's or BOD's of our respective carriers?

 

[Black Magic]

The CEO is going to get their high pay regardless, but that doesn't mean I have to throw money at an overpriced union leadership who even if gets voted out another one is right there to take their place.

I will clarify I don't care who posts info. on unions as long as it's credible. If you look at the link I posted on the very bottom the information was taken from the department of labor. No I didn't check it out on the DOL website or write a novel as I don't have time to nit pick and search endless crap about it, but it works for me as I have heard similar reports from other sources.

I'm done wasting life talking about this bum union of the IAM. Delta ramp if you want to talk to any US Airways or United rampers I'm sure they're willing to tell exactly how much the IAM has done for them...nothing.

 

[southwind]

Lifeguards, Bartenders and Maids on the payroll ? Sounds like they're living the life of a CEO !

 

[Kev3188]

The CEO is going to get their high pay regardless, but that doesn't mean I have to throw money at an overpriced union leadership who even if gets voted out another one is right there to take their place.

Did you miss the part about "You being the union?" If you don't like who's running the show, get involved.

I will clarify I don't care who posts info. on unions as long as it's credible. If you look at the link I posted on the very bottom the information was taken from the department of labor. No I didn't check it out on the DOL website or write a novel as I don't have time to nit pick and search endless crap about it, but it works for me as I have heard similar reports from other sources.

Hey, as long as going with hearsay works for you, go with it. 🙄

I'm done wasting life talking about this bum union of the IAM. Delta ramp if you want to talk to any US Airways or United rampers I'm sure they're willing to tell exactly how much the IAM has done for them...nothing.

Actually UA was able to secure quite a bit in BK. Make sure you do a compare/contrast of what UA wanted vs. what the IAM was able to get before you visit.

...And when you're done swing by NWA and ask them. Make sure you have plenty of time; the list of what we achieved in BK vs. what the company wanted is a long one.

Lifeguards, Bartenders and Maids on the payroll ? Sounds like they're living the life of a CEO !

You know they have dorms to house people attending training, right? I think that's a far better value for my dues dollar than constantly paying to put people up in hotels (even with the cost of housekeeping).

BTW, can someone tell me how a maid making 11k a year is on easy street? Thanks.

 

[LGA Fleet Service]

I'm not concerned with the guy that own's or runs the site. The info. posted comes from the Department of Labor so it's accurate. It is well known that these IAM reps make 100K plus easy. How that is justifiable is beyond me.

So credibility of the messenger is irrelevant?

I'm amazed that a little HTML coding on a website is all it takes to convince you something is iron clad fact.I too can take a few 'Facts' from a Federal website and make them look as positive or negative as my message needs them to be.