I have had the opportunity to converse with fleet service committeemen other than myself that have recommended a 'no' vote to the workers they represent. This vote will be very close.
I will not speak for them but below is what sums up my position on why I am recommending a 'no vote' for the workers I represent.
1. By fleet service voting 'no' it does not mean this company is going to go belly up and force us to look for other employment. Some 'Doom and gloomers' on this board are advocating that a 'no vote' by 4,500 baggage handlers will force this company to shut its doors. That simply is not true.
Fleet service couldn't force this company to close its doors even if we went on strike. Fleet service already knows that 4,500 baggage handlers alone will not force this company to close its doors, in any situation. Pilots for sure, possibly mechanics but not baggage handlers.
US AIRWAYS is in line to get a $1 billion carrot dangling in front of it, throw in hundreds of millions invested by corporate GIANTS like GE. To suggest that the company and Doctor Bronner will pick his ball up and go home over the ramp issues is unthinkable.
2. We were told that this modification is to address 'current' projection shortfalls. Yet, our proposed contract digs deeper into our pockets in years 2005-2008. Although it might have been fair to give the company more in 2003 or 2004, it is just 'mean' to take more from us in years where the company has written projections of making hundreds of millions of dollars. This is Robin Hood reversed.
3. The 1/1/09 medical snap back to levels described in the 1999 Collective bargaining Agreement (Article 22) is gone from this written contract proposal. This is a big blow for not only our current workers but also those who will soon retire on fixed incomes.
4. The company should settle the Pilots Big Pension problems before coming to us. Although some say that concessions by rampers or ticket counter workers are unrelated to the Pilots pensions, the truth is that you can't separate the company's current situation, our concessions, and the Pilot pension problem without doing harm to justice.
I could go on, but at any rate, I do not believe any ramper should entertain the 'gloom and doomers' and negativists that are trying to stir your emotions into voting 'yes'. After all, if you remove the illusion that a ramper can somehow cause this airline to shut its doors, there is nothing desirable to vote 'yes' on in this concessionary contract.
Just because we work the ramp doesn't mean we are stupid.
Tim Nelson
Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago O'hare
you can call me at: 215-440-6392