New AA Union Drive

[texasreb]

I'm good with our class and craft as it stands.

The flying public does not care if we go on strike. The planes will still fly with scabs taking over. But if the flying public arrives at Cancun and their luggage is missing,they notice and stop flying the airline. The national media covers missing luggage because it affects them also. Times have changed, AMFA proved that at Nortworst.

 

[The Goose]

You said, "One person making a living is no more or less valuable than the other". I could have misinterpreted your meaning. Instead of monetary value, perhaps you meant human value as in respect and dignity? If so, my bad. But, I never sensed that AMFA placed any more or less human value on the less skilled in the MCC. Yes, they promoted more pay for skilled workers but "elitist"? Didn't see it.

Some will swear it never happened, but some of us remember supporters of AMFA telling skilled workers how they would be on the street after AMFA booted the TWU from American - that was no way to win friends and many of them remember the things that were said. A very vocal minority made it plain if one didn't have an A&P certificate, that person was unskilled labor. That was no way to influence people and win allies for the cause. AMFA mayhave had greater success in TULE had this vocal group been muzzled and the main body of supporters stuck to real issues such as the problems with the TWU.

As far as what value AMFA placed on the people themselves (non-certificated), I have no idea because after the things I heard, I was permanently turned off to the possibility of them as a bargaining agent.

Skill requirements for some positions that are still required to make an airline function are little to none and I agree - tossing bags should not be compensated as would be a mechanic, machinist, or a welder. Regardless, those people are part of the "power in numbers" we have to have to get a fair hearing by the company.

 

[Vortilon]

The flying public does not care if we go on strike. The planes will still fly with scabs taking over. But if the flying public arrives at Cancun and their luggage is missing,they notice and stop flying the airline. The national media covers missing luggage because it affects them also. Times have changed, AMFA proved that at Nortworst.

The best contract we ever got was due to the threat of AMFA taking over as our bargaining agent here at AA. What role did the threat of lost bags play in that negotiation? No offense, but in my 25 years - Fleet Service has done nothing that would benefit A/C Maint. In fact, quite the opposite was true back in the good ole days of Fleet rule at the locals. Fleet was taking so many functions from A/C Maint that they were considering new titles to call themselves - ramp service engineers - and similar. Us AMTs sat in bewilderment as the leadership said "these are the jobs you guys don't want to do anyway" really? There are enough special interests within our own class and craft - that the added dilution of fleet service would only complicate matters even more.

 

[texasreb]

The best contract we ever got was due to the threat of AMFA taking over as our bargaining agent here at AA. What role did the threat of lost bags play in that negotiation? No offense, but in my 25 years - Fleet Service has done nothing that would benefit A/C Maint. In fact, quite the opposite was true back in the good ole days of Fleet rule at the locals. Fleet was taking so many functions from A/C Maint that they were considering new titles to call themselves - ramp service engineers - and similar. Us AMTs sat in bewilderment as the leadership said "these are the jobs you guys don't want to do anyway" really? There are enough special interests within our own class and craft - that the added dilution of fleet service would only complicate matters even more.

I personally wish we had fleet service at AFW. In Tulsa, they did a lot for us mechanics such as seat track cleaning, cabin cleaning, seat covers and so on. When we moved to AFW, the DFW local did not want anything to do with us AFW mechanics. Left us out to dry with management. So now we do all of fleet service.

 

[Vortilon]

I personally wish we had fleet service at AFW. In Tulsa, they did a lot for us mechanics such as seat track cleaning, cabin cleaning, seat covers and so on. When we moved to AFW, the DFW local did not want anything to do with us AFW mechanics. Left us out to dry with management. So now we do all of fleet service.

Well, if memory serves me correctly, the DFW local at the time AFW opened - was headed up by FSCs. Besides, just based on membership size and the difference between line & ovhl - AFW needed its own local anyway.

 

[texasreb]

Well, if memory serves me correctly, the DFW local at the time AFW opened - was headed up by FSCs. Besides, just based on membership size and the difference between line & ovhl - AFW needed its own local anyway.

We tried to join the DFW local. Turned us down so we had to have our meetings at a Holiday Inn. Guess who we got to lead us? None other than Jim Little! How lucky were we?

 

[The Goose]

We tried to join the DFW local. Turned us down so we had to have our meetings at a Holiday Inn. Guess who we got to lead us? None other than Jim Little! How lucky were we?

... if you'd known then what you know now ...

 

[texasreb]

... if you'd known then what you know now ...

I could sense it way back then. He would never back us up against management. We fought for fleet service. Nope, can't do it. One mechanic to inspect the entire fuselage on initial. Sorry, just do it. So on and so on.

 

[The Goose]

I could sense it way back then. He would never back us up against management. We fought for fleet service. Nope, can't do it. One mechanic to inspect the entire fuselage on initial. Sorry, just do it. So on and so on.

No matter now - with luck, he'll be taking a paycut soon along with fat Don and a few other twits.

 

[aapitbull]

We tried to join the DFW local. Turned us down so we had to have our meetings at a Holiday Inn. Guess who we got to lead us? None other than Jim Little! How lucky were we?

Gentlemen

Look at what is going on here this guy has come on the board and turned this in to mechanics vs fleet service lets don't let one TWU baiter get us off target fleet service is not the issue jim little and all his boys are, while it might be inviting to call someone a bootlicker or company men it is not in our the best interest if you are for AMP try to stay on the high road you don't know who is reading this.

Please never forget that 2400 cards where signed for AMFA in Tulsa thats almost double anywhere else now I no they will say well on a percentage base it was low but if I could tell how many times I had to undo something that was said on the internet to get someone to sign. I promise you it will in no way help our cause to be drawn into this debate.

I spoke with some tltle 2 guys at dfw they like the idea but they have not made up their minds the TWU is in real trouble lets not provide them ammo to shoot at us.

I appreciate your hard work and I know you mean well and I undestand your frustration stay the course and we will win this time!

 

[iluvaa]

Some will swear it never happened, but some of us remember supporters of AMFA telling skilled workers how they would be on the street after AMFA booted the TWU from American - that was no way to win friends and many of them remember the things that were said. A very vocal minority made it plain if one didn't have an A&P certificate, that person was unskilled labor. That was no way to influence people and win allies for the cause. AMFA mayhave had greater success in TULE had this vocal group been muzzled and the main body of supporters stuck to real issues such as the problems with the TWU.

As far as what value AMFA placed on the people themselves (non-certificated), I have no idea because after the things I heard, I was permanently turned off to the possibility of them as a bargaining agent.

Skill requirements for some positions that are still required to make an airline function are little to none and I agree - tossing bags should not be compensated as would be a mechanic, machinist, or a welder. Regardless, those people are part of the "power in numbers" we have to have to get a fair hearing by the company.

Goose I have have to call b.s. on that one, Dave is a welder not an A&P and he was our leader of the drive. But that aside i voted yes on TA and will sign a card and get many others to sign one as well. Its about getting rid of the TWU not about who is better then the next guy it takes all skills to put an aircraft in the air.

 

[iluvaa]

Gentlemen

Look at what is going on here this guy has come on the board and turned this in to mechanics vs fleet service lets don't let one TWU baiter get us off target fleet service is not the issue jim little and all his boys are, while it might be inviting to call someone a bootlicker or company men it is not in our the best interest if you are for AMP try to stay on the high road you don't know who is reading this.

Please never forget that 2400 cards where signed for AMFA in Tulsa thats almost double anywhere else now I no they will say well on a percentage base it was low but if I could tell how many times I had to undo something that was said on the internet to get someone to sign. I promise you it will in no way help our cause to be drawn into this debate.

I spoke with some tltle 2 guys at dfw they like the idea but they have not made up their minds the TWU is in real trouble lets not provide them ammo to shoot at us.

I appreciate your hard work and I know you mean well and I undestand your frustration stay the course and we will win this time!

Don many disagreed with you and Dave many hated you two, but I never heard either of you hate on any other craft or class

 

[aapitbull]

Don many disagreed with you and Dave many hated you two, but I never heard either of you hate on any other craft or class

If I said it once I have said it a thousand times this not about the name AMP AMFA or anything else I do not care what you call it. the problem is and always has been the lack of accountabilty ask yourself this, If you could recall jim and the boys would they risk their jobs by bringing back this T/A?

Thank you for the kind words we tried to stay on the high road.

The time has come to finally hold them accountable, Sign your card GO AMP !

 

[Grumpy_Old_Man]

Well, if memory serves me correctly, the DFW local at the time AFW opened - was headed up by FSCs. Besides, just based on membership size and the difference between line & ovhl - AFW needed its own local anyway.

Size has nothing to do with it. The more numbers the better. Usually locals are based on just that. Locality. There would be no inconvenience to move if you are bumped since we are all in the same locality and the low seniority folks were at AFW anyway. We should have been able to bid jobs between both locations as one unit at least once a year. This would have only improved the craft and could have provided a path for more experience for both work groups. I think this was just another way AA and the TWU conspired to keep a wedge between the line and the overhaul mechanic. They like to see us wasting energy bickering amongst ourselves instead of against them.
Tule wanted nothing to do with AFW and started the AFW closing rumors the day it opened. The DFW local would have been better off to take AFW into the fold. Anyway too late for that but ....... maybe with a new union? I'm glad to see TULE had the initiative to toss out their president and condemn the T/A. Why would an AMT prez support this mess but the new FSC prez have sense to see through it? Scary stuff but it is good to see that change as well as the drive to toss the TWU happen there in Tulsaville.

Vote No! Throw the bums out. Sign a card.

 

[The Goose]

... snip
Why would an AMT prez support this mess but the new FSC prez have sense to see through it?
... snip

If you look on the TWU International's website, after some fishing around and arriving at the ATD area, you'll find Steve Luis listed as an International Vice President - this was his main ambition when he was campaigning for 514's Local Prez job some time ago.

On the other hand, I understand Sam has no ambitions to become "Little Jimmy's Buddy" and as an example, delivered a 2200+ signature petition (put together by a fellow in TULE) to Colonel Squirrel personally. I believe Sam made our darling little weasel extremely unhappy and it's rather doubtful (to me) voicing his distaste for this "wonderous" TA was with said weasel's approval.

Make no mistake - the AMT prez (Luis) saw this TA for what it was but was under instructions (?) to sell it and perhaps wouldn't have gotten his dream job had he actually represented his membership as he was paid (by our dues) to do.