Negotiations........why?

[Vortilon]

You have a right to your opinion of course.
 
However, when the membership (the mechanics) had an opportunity to get rid of the TWU........ they chose not to.
 
They "settled" for an association.

Again, I wish it was as simple as you make it out to be.  If the vote was left up to only licensed A&P mechanics at AA, the TWU would no longer be representing them.  I use the word "representing" very loosely.  Unfortunately, unions like the TWU have convinced the NMB to keep FAA licensed A&P mechanics in some sort of "all inclusive" catagory.  I wonder why?

 

[Realityck]

I'm sure their strategy never pictured the cannibals from the island of twu, aim and ibt raiding the place. You can't overlook the fact that Northwest couldn't have pulled it off if laid off and out of work twu,iam and ibt scabs hadn't shown up en mass to help them pull it off. No one plans for cannibalization but in the industrial union world we have learned the hard way to expect it.  

 
 
 
[SIZE=16pt]AMFA’s First NWA Contract (a little history lesson)[/SIZE]
 
Job security and scope provisions are the bedrock foundation of any collective bargaining
agreement. The contract AMFA inherited from the IAM prevented Northwest from farming
out any maintenance work if a single member was furloughed. Wages and benefits are
worthless if there aren’t any workers to earn them.
 
When AMFA assumed representation of Northwest’s Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians
(MCC), their membership numbers totaled nearly 10,000 and no members were on furlough.
That amount of workers was far too large to replace in the event of a strike. Reducing the
number of MCC members was the first step in Northwest’s plan.
 
AMFA’s negotiators had misplaced priorities, and the airline took advantage of
their inexperience. Northwest offered the Mechanics substantial wage increases in exchange
for eliminating the IAM’s strong scope language. AMFA’s leadership and members were
blinded by the dollar signs and failed to realize that when they signed that first contract and
allowed the airline to subcontract work while furloughing members, they sealed their own
demise.
 
In spite of AMFA’s claims that it negotiated “iron-clad” job security language, Northwest
immediately began the systematic dismantling of its Mechanic & Related workforce. Engine
and airframe overhaul work and scheduled maintenance checks were subcontracted to firms
around the globe. Line maintenance Mechanics were replaced with vendors.
 
Furloughs quickly followed the signing of AMFA’s first agreement with a major airline.
Thousands of Northwest Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians lost their jobs due to a
contract AMFA negotiated in early 2001, before the industry downturn caused by 9-11 and
before the surge in fuel prices.
 
Even at carriers where AMFA did not represent anyone their presence was felt. The
Northwest contract became the envy of airline management throughout the industry. Soon,
other carriers were demanding the same outsourcing flexibility AMFA conceded to
Northwest Strike.
 
By the summer of 2005, the 10,000 members AMFA inherited from the IAM had dwindled
to 4,000. It took four years, but the mechanics were isolated by choice, weakened by
ignorance and vulnerable by design.
 
From the signing of the 2001 Northwest-AMFA agreement, the airline began preparing for
an AMFA strike. Not because it felt AMFA was militant, but because they were predictable.
Just as Northwest fooled AMFA into eliminating job security during their first negotiations,
they would now either force a worthless contract on them or bust the union completely.
AMFA’s membership had dwindled to the point they now could be replaced.
 
Northwest watched AMFA back itself into a corner with its “no concessions” mantra and
then made their own contract demands, knowing they would be unacceptable to AMFA’s
leadership. Either the membership would ultimately accept them, or there would be a strike
the airline was eager to accept.
 
The AMFA proposal to Northwest requires that the IAM membership pay more than double
the amount of concessions requested by the company. AMFA's position is that they should
sacrifice less at the expense of IAM members.
 
AMFA was made aware prior to the strike that their position could not be endorsed by the
IAM. The IAM attempted to enter into dialogue with the AMFA leadership before the
strike, but they did not respond.
 
On August 20, 2005, at 12:01 AM EDT, Northwest’s 4-year campaign to break the
association representing its Mechanics, Cleaner and Custodians was complete.
 
AMFA declared a strike without allowing its membership to vote on or even see the
company’s last, best and final offer. AMFA, the “democratic alternative” to legitimate labor
unions, refused to provide its membership the details until after the strike began and they
had been replaced.

 

[ThirdSeatHero]

 
[SIZE=16pt]AMFA’s First NWA Contract (a little history lesson)[/SIZE]
 

 
Still citing old IAM propaganda I see ...

 

[Realityck]

 
Still citing old IAM propaganda I see ...

 
 
The truth is the truth, sorry it bothers you.

 

[Vortilon]

 
 
 
[SIZE=16pt]AMFA’s First NWA Contract (a little history lesson)[/SIZE]
 
Job security and scope provisions are the bedrock foundation of any collective bargaining
agreement. The contract AMFA inherited from the IAM prevented Northwest from farming
out any maintenance work if a single member was furloughed. Wages and benefits are
worthless if there aren’t any workers to earn them.
 
When AMFA assumed representation of Northwest’s Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians
(MCC), their membership numbers totaled nearly 10,000 and no members were on furlough.
That amount of workers was far too large to replace in the event of a strike. Reducing the
number of MCC members was the first step in Northwest’s plan.
 
AMFA’s negotiators had misplaced priorities, and the airline took advantage of
their inexperience. Northwest offered the Mechanics substantial wage increases in exchange
for eliminating the IAM’s strong scope language. AMFA’s leadership and members were
blinded by the dollar signs and failed to realize that when they signed that first contract and
allowed the airline to subcontract work while furloughing members, they sealed their own
demise.
 
In spite of AMFA’s claims that it negotiated “iron-clad” job security language, Northwest
immediately began the systematic dismantling of its Mechanic & Related workforce. Engine
and airframe overhaul work and scheduled maintenance checks were subcontracted to firms
around the globe. Line maintenance Mechanics were replaced with vendors.
 
Furloughs quickly followed the signing of AMFA’s first agreement with a major airline.
Thousands of Northwest Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians lost their jobs due to a
contract AMFA negotiated in early 2001, before the industry downturn caused by 9-11 and
before the surge in fuel prices.
 
Even at carriers where AMFA did not represent anyone their presence was felt. The
Northwest contract became the envy of airline management throughout the industry. Soon,
other carriers were demanding the same outsourcing flexibility AMFA conceded to
Northwest Strike.
 
By the summer of 2005, the 10,000 members AMFA inherited from the IAM had dwindled
to 4,000. It took four years, but the mechanics were isolated by choice, weakened by
ignorance and vulnerable by design.
 
From the signing of the 2001 Northwest-AMFA agreement, the airline began preparing for
an AMFA strike. Not because it felt AMFA was militant, but because they were predictable.
Just as Northwest fooled AMFA into eliminating job security during their first negotiations,
they would now either force a worthless contract on them or bust the union completely.
AMFA’s membership had dwindled to the point they now could be replaced.
 
Northwest watched AMFA back itself into a corner with its “no concessions” mantra and
then made their own contract demands, knowing they would be unacceptable to AMFA’s
leadership. Either the membership would ultimately accept them, or there would be a strike
the airline was eager to accept.
 
The AMFA proposal to Northwest requires that the IAM membership pay more than double
the amount of concessions requested by the company. AMFA's position is that they should
sacrifice less at the expense of IAM members.
 
AMFA was made aware prior to the strike that their position could not be endorsed by the
IAM. The IAM attempted to enter into dialogue with the AMFA leadership before the
strike, but they did not respond.
 
On August 20, 2005, at 12:01 AM EDT, Northwest’s 4-year campaign to break the
association representing its Mechanics, Cleaner and Custodians was complete.
 
AMFA declared a strike without allowing its membership to vote on or even see the
company’s last, best and final offer. AMFA, the “democratic alternative” to legitimate labor
unions, refused to provide its membership the details until after the strike began and they
had been replaced.

Who do you think your preaching to?  Why don't you tell the whole story?  What happens if they voted yes?  Just half truths to fit your commie union narrative right?

 

[swamt]

He's also lying. the NWA guys did see what they were to vote on which was over 53% of their membership gone and the remaining taking drastic cuts in pay and bennies as well as vac hol and many many other perks.  At least AMFA is the only union out there that will in fact stand up and fight.  ALL the industrial unions just keep agreeing with their companies and forcing concessions after concessions upon their memberships. The TWU has been doing it since 1983.  You guys can keep them.  You were warned and now you will have to live with it and the results obtained by the worst two industrial unions out there...

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

With the TWU there is no settle with. They forced it upon us with lies and intimidation. Now that the association is in place there is no hurry to settle for anything. The association got what they wanted. We got the BOHICA. Plain and simple without sugar coating it.

I am not going to dispute your claim because I am not there anymore to see it for myself. However, what I heard is most mechanics in TULE were very disinterested in AMFA and very little effort was made to campaign for them. I believe that to be true. 
 
If you feel what I heard was erroneous I would like to hear your version of it.

 

[1AA]

I am not going to dispute your claim because I am not there anymore to see it for myself. However, what I heard is most mechanics in TULE were very disinterested in AMFA and very little effort was made to campaign for them. I believe that to be true. 
 
If you feel what I heard was erroneous I would like to hear your version of it.

No version exists. The fact is Tulsa has been shrinking and the membership is in denial. The reductions will continue.

 

[DallasConehead]

Do just a touch more than "handle bags".

Like clean flight deck windows , push backs, and de-ice,, all previous maintenance activities.

 

[Kev3188]

Do just a touch more than "handle bags".

Not in some people's minds...

...and the divide & conquer continues...

 

[Realityck]

He's also lying. the NWA guys did see what they were to vote on which was over 53% of their membership gone and the remaining taking drastic cuts in pay and bennies as well as vac hol and many many other perks.  At least AMFA is the only union out there that will in fact stand up and fight.  ALL the industrial unions just keep agreeing with their companies and forcing concessions after concessions upon their memberships. The TWU has been doing it since 1983.  You guys can keep them.  You were warned and now you will have to live with it and the results obtained by the worst two industrial unions out there...

 
 
Also, the primary source of scabs during the NWA strike was AMFA represented AMTs. There were no plant maintenance scabs because all of their work was gone

 

[1AA]

Also, the primary source of scabs during the NWA strike was AMFA represented AMTs. There were no plant maintenance scabs because all of their work was gone

And the TWU eliminated building cleaners in the 95 contract. Speaking of scabs I know that several of our fellow TWU members scabbed on the side for extra cash while the AMT'S at NWA were on strike. It was happening at one station that I know of and the TWU never put a letter out officially condoning it.

 

[Vortilon]

 
 
Also, the primary source of scabs during the NWA strike was AMFA represented AMTs. There were no plant maintenance scabs because all of their work was gone

 
Yeah, those were the 'die hard' IAM holdouts.  BTW most of the 53% that were to be layed off with a "yes" vote were non AMTs.

 

[Kev3188]

 
Yeah, those were the 'die hard' IAM holdouts. 

Not necessarily.

 

[Realityck]

And the TWU eliminated building cleaners in the 95 contract. Speaking of scabs I know that several of our fellow TWU members scabbed on the side for extra cash while the AMT'S at NWA were on strike. It was happening at one station that I know of and the TWU never put a letter out officially condoning it.

 
The Building Cleaners whose jobs were eliminated in 1995 were reassigned to either Cabin Cleaning or Fleet Service. None of them were required to relocate to another station.