Mechanics Start holding Informational Picketing

[Overspeed]

Well, assuming you can count at least 29 mechanics are in the video. We had around 50 in that session and around half that the next session. By the way both candidates were there.

Yes, the TWU is to blame for the lack of solidarity, just as management is to blame for the performance of the company. The TWU is responsible for the structure of the Union, they could change it, make it similar to what works such as what the SWA Flight Attendants and Local 100 have but instead we have a hodgepodge mix of locals with no consistent thought process behind the makeup of those locals. Weighted votes, a lack of structure, unelected officials who outrank elected ones, Nobody's in charge. It's a mess, and yes the International is responsible for that.

And when only 50 show up does that mean the other 250 will be crossing? What about the ones that work second jobs at other aircraft maintenance companies? When those places sign contracts to service AA aircraft during a walkout will they refuse to work the AA service contract? Didn't think of that did you? Or maybe those Jetblue, DL, or UA mechanics will work the AA aircraft during the self help period.

Yeah, you thought this out completely.

 

[Frank Szabo]

Well, assuming you can count at least 29 mechanics are in the video. We had around 50 in that session and around half that the next session. By the way both candidates were there.

Yes, the TWU is to blame for the lack of solidarity, just as management is to blame for the performance of the company. The TWU is responsible for the structure of the Union, they could change it, make it similar to what works such as what the SWA Flight Attendants and Local 100 have but instead we have a hodgepodge mix of locals with no consistent thought process behind the makeup of those locals. Weighted votes, a lack of structure, unelected officials who outrank elected ones, Nobody's in charge. It's a mess, and yes the International is responsible for that.

Disagree - all is according to plan.

If AA's mechs actually had their act together, the twu would be on the street looking in and the international knows that. It's to their benefit to keep things screwed up - ie, ruling via constant chaos - a very old and quite simple and cheap tactic.

 

[Buck]

Disagree - all is according to plan.

If AA's mechs actually had their act together, the twu would be on the street looking in and the international knows that. It's to their benefit to keep things screwed up - ie, ruling via constant chaos - a very old and quite simple and cheap tactic.

I am beginning to wonder what that scenario would be like. What will the TWU and the company do this time to prevent it from happening? Better yet does the company already have a plan when the mechanics are no longer in their hip pocket

 

[Frank Szabo]

I am beginning to wonder what that scenario would be like. What will the TWU and the company do this time to prevent it from happening? Better yet does the company already have a plan when the mechanics are no longer in their hip pocket

I'm assuming you are using the terms "twu" and "company" interchangably - ie, not a damned bit of difference.

Doubtful a plan exists as so much is built around the twu/company relationship that it's inconceivable a mechanics/twu split could occur, however, with the dead, fired, quit and retired making up such a large portion of AA's employment count in 2000, odds are the same type of counter would occur. Anything that can't be fixed after scrutiny with a "Oh, we're sorry - we fired the person that did this" would open the company and its pet union to much legal woe and gnashing of teeth.

I do think it'd be extremely entertaining to watch unfold - the company and its pet would be busier than a cat covering crap trying to protect their butts from lawsuits.

 

[Buck]

I'm assuming you are using the terms "twu" and "company" interchangably - ie, not a damned bit of difference.

Doubtful a plan exists as so much is built around the twu/company relationship that it's inconceivable a mechanics/twu split could occur, however, with the dead, fired, quit and retired making up such a large portion of AA's employment count in 2000, odds are the same type of counter would occur. Anything that can't be fixed after scrutiny with a "Oh, we're sorry - we fired the person that did this" would open the company and its pet union to much legal woe and gnashing of teeth.

I do think it'd be extremely entertaining to watch unfold - the company and its pet would be busier than a cat covering crap trying to protect their butts from lawsuits.

That is exactly the point, but would the company throw the TWU under it's own bus if given the chance?

 

[Chuck Schalk]

Yes I enjoy working instead of being in the unemployment line like all those unemployed no voters at UA, US, NW, etc...

I would have much preferred to keep the week but I did not get the option of lifting the system protection date to allow RIFs in lieu of pay and benefit cuts. The agenda of the presidents at that time seemed to be more political and wanted to drive the bus off the BK cliff. Ended up making a bad deal with the concessionary deal.

And Chuck it's not the name that's important, it's the message. People like you have weak arguments that when countered you attack the person as "in bed with management", "playing golf with the company", "a yes voter", "kool aid drinker", etc... While it may sound funny and you feel like a tough guy it is nothing more than being thug which is why the union has little to no clout in places like court, the media, and a PEB. When people discuss ways to improve labor's image or worth you say, "Screw you. Pay me."


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Nothing for nothing Overspeed, you claim I have weak arguments but at least you know who you are arguing with. It is weak to hide behind an alias and without offering any viable solutions to all the issues that are brought up here you are spewing nonsense.

 

[Frank Szabo]

That is exactly the point, but would the company throw the TWU under it's own bus if given the chance?

Probably not if whoever is doing the throwing is thinking rationally.

Consider the number of company functions done by its union. Most companies keep staff about to deal with insurance problems but not AA. A little girl named DeAnn at the hall does this and instead of the copmpany administering its policies, WE pay the union to do so. That wasn't an indictment of DeAnn as I understand she does wonders with navigating the company gauntlet.

At any rate, there are numerous union positions dealing with company matters that we pay for. The two are so entertwined that mass confusion would, no doubt, result from AMP, for example, kicking the twu to the street. Neither really understands its function anymore.

 

[Overspeed]

Nothing for nothing Overspeed, you claim I have weak arguments but at least you know who you are arguing with. It is weak to hide behind an alias and without offering any viable solutions to all the issues that are brought up here you are spewing nonsense.

Oh but I have and did in my previous post. I understand that many of the presidents during 2003 talks balked at the "viable" solution to swap work rule changes that would enable higher productivity for hundreds of millions in annual labor cost savings. So what happened since 2003? According to DOT F41 numbers the M&R headcount to aircraft was 24 to 1, in 2010 it was 20.5 to 1. Given that AA states with wages and benefits each AMT is worth $100K annually and when using the ratios I have stated AA now runs about 2,100 AMTs more efficiently than it did in 2003. $100K times 2,100 people...that's $210M in savings. Increase productivity through work rule changes and you can gain more. Every 1,000 AMTs increase (do that through buyouts and other attrition) and you got your $100M a year to play with. Think if you could get to the 1990 headcount of 9,000 for 575 aircraft or 15.6 to 1, that would mean you could operate with 4,000 less M&R people (management, stores, and all types of mechanics) and that would give you over $400M in savings. Get half of that back in wage and benefit increases and that is $22K per member to divide up. You can get to lower headcount numbers by attrition as you roll out the new work rule changes gradually over a period of a few years and AA would get a one time immediate bump in productivity through a buyout with and implementation of some work rule changes.

Of course AA got the $210M in labor cost savings annually and the wage and benefit concessions already. Let's hope Bob, JR, Gary P, and Pike can build in some langauge to prevent AA from getting concessions and productivity with nothing for us

 

[Frank Szabo]

Oh but I have and did in my previous post. I understand that many of the presidents during 2003 talks balked at the "viable" solution to swap work rule changes that would enable higher productivity for hundreds of millions in annual labor cost savings. So what happened since 2003? According to DOT F41 numbers the M&R headcount to aircraft was 24 to 1, in 2010 it was 20.5 to 1. Given that AA states with wages and benefits each AMT is worth $100K annually and when using the ratios I have stated AA now runs about 2,100 AMTs more efficiently than it did in 2003. $100K times 2,100 people...that's $210M in savings. Increase productivity through work rule changes and you can gain more. Every 1,000 AMTs increase (do that through buyouts and other attrition) and you got your $100M a year to play with. Think if you could get to the 1990 headcount of 9,000 for 575 aircraft or 15.6 to 1, that would mean you could operate with 4,000 less M&R people (management, stores, and all types of mechanics) and that would give you over $400M in savings. Get half of that back in wage and benefit increases and that is $22K per member to divide up. You can get to lower headcount numbers by attrition as you roll out the new work rule changes gradually over a period of a few years and AA would get a one time immediate bump in productivity through a buyout with and implementation of some work rule changes.

Of course AA got the $210M in labor cost savings annually and the wage and benefit concessions already. Let's hope Bob, JR, Gary P, and Pike can build in some langauge to prevent AA from getting concessions and productivity with nothing for us

Your numbers are immaterial.

The POS organization you fawn over joined with the company in 2003 and lied to the membership. You are still producing BS as is your POS union. Evidently, this is OK with you and your ilk.

I'm not interested in what "Bob, JR, Gary P., and Pike" can do in negotiations as it's rather obvious the outcome is predetermined by others like Fat Don and Lying Jimmy in private dealings with the company.

I wouldn't be signing my real name to lies like yours either.

 

[Overspeed]

Your numbers are immaterial.

The POS organization you fawn over joined with the company in 2003 and lied to the membership. You are still producing BS as is your POS union. Evidently, this is OK with you and your ilk.

I'm not interested in what "Bob, JR, Gary P., and Pike" can do in negotiations as it's rather obvious the outcome is predetermined by others like Fat Don and Lying Jimmy in private dealings with the company.

I wouldn't be signing my real name to lies like yours either.

Okay. You win, your method is much better than the one I proposed. Name calling is the most effective resolution tool in the arsenal of negotiations apparently.

"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

 

[Frank Szabo]

Okay. You win, your method is much better than the one I proposed. Name calling is the most effective resolution tool in the arsenal of negotiations apparently.

"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

Your answer isn't much better than calling one who disagrees with O'Bummer a racist.

Keep posting the lies - you do have certain entertainment value for some of us.

 

[Overspeed]

Your answer isn't much better than calling one who disagrees with O'Bummer a racist.

Keep posting the lies - you do have certain entertainment value for some of us.

Oh I will keep posting...truth.

I had high hopes for Obama. Hillary probably would have been a better choice in retrospect. She would have laid out a lot of those weak politicians on both sides of the aisle.

 

[Rogallo]

My guess is he plays Golf with the company.

Lewis Black talks about him/her!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T8Gxk7vbec

 

[Overspeed]

Lewis Black talks about him/her!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T8Gxk7vbec

Clever but that won't help during negotiations. Attempting - and this is a weak attempt - to negate a person's argument will get you less than you already have. Why not engage on a civil and intellectual level instead of revealing that you may not have fully formed your thoughts.

 

[Rogallo]

Clever but that won't help during negotiations. Attempting - and this is a weak attempt - to negate a person's argument will get you less than you already have. Why not engage on a civil and intellectual level instead of revealing that you may not have fully formed your thoughts.

If you can't laugh at yourself, well, don't worry. I gotcha covered!