While I am a staunch TWU supporter you do make valid points. If these new officers back democracy then where is the leadership by example? All I heard when I asked reps in DFW is that they deserve a the money because they are representing so many members. Don't disagree with that but if their argument for the raise is valid then why do they fear the membership voting on their new salaries.
We can propose new bylaws to get voted on including their salaries? I suggest we all submit changes to the bylaws that reflect what we want and is within the TWU Constitution and DOL rules.
Monthly meetings are needed and we don't need the entire Exec Board their to run them. What are these new officers doing? I have called around and many of them never show up on the floor. As you say, what deal was cut with management to allow them to be out of the operation and get paid by AA? These guys were crying months ago that the UBB removal was a scam by Don V to break the locals. Then it sounds like either the TWU is paying them or AA is in contradiction to the new contract that was passed. AA not following through? Shocking! The current local 591 officers lying? Now that is even more SHOCKING!!!
This membership has got to hold these guys accountable. Only 25% of the nearly 4,000 members voted in the local 591 election. They local 591 officers know that and because we aren't bombarding their cell phones and emails with questions of what the hell are they doing and where do they get off being some kind of high cabal.
Contact them
http://www.local591....ve/officers.cfm
Overspeed
I don't understand why you would still be a staunch TWU supporter, the old and now the new TWU leadership is doing what ever it wants. No matter who we place into these positions the culture of the IGM here at AA within the TWU ranks is so inbred
that a complete flush or a reboot needs to happen.
I have been a AMFA supporter and will be one until I retire from AA. I think being separate from the other class and crafts, being able to attend negotiations, having the ability to hold the union leadership accountable for their actions is the way it should be.
I think that starting over with a new constitution, new leadership, new way of doing things might save the career that many of us have chose. You say that you have called around and asked if any have returned to the floor, well as you found out I assume none have. The deals continue, so how can you support the TWU?
Even this virtual local, they have now, is just a way to cover up what they want to do. Everyone knows that the membership wants it all spoon fed. Saying we put it up on the local web site is not the way members of today will get involved.
Most didn't even know about the elections and were not even registered with the local. Most say they hate the TWU or just don't care anymore.
I think the corruption has been here sooo long that the employees of AA who are represented by the TWU have lost all faith in the union.
Even at the stations the union reps are not even held accountable, they come and go as they please, don't even have a scheduled shift, they always seem to be on UB.
The company has them in the hip pocket as they say. They do things that are managements job, which allows them to scam the membership. Then when mgmnt
needs them to have what ever done they show up. But when asked the union reps say that we are running the show, we have input here, and it saves jobs. Just more of the industrial union bs that is a scare factor to keep the membership from any followup questions as to the doings of the union.
We are all aware of the new IAW program, we will be held accountable for it all, this is a way in which the company can place blame on the mechanics when something happens. What has the TWU done to hold mgmnt accountable? What is the new TWU's plan to turn the selfish thinking of todays membership, back into a we against them? What is the plan so that pay/vacation/sick time/holidays stuff we fought for yrs ago will be again benefits we all enjoy?
You are right either the TWU is paying them off or AA has cut a deal which allows them to stay away. The TWU expects us to be disengaged, the TWU wants the membership in the dark, this is how they (union reps) continue to scam.
It's time to rid AA of the TWU, its time for all to write to the NMB tell them we want a answer, NOW. So we can either add too or resign cards to remove the TWU and bring AMFA here. Have a Democratic Vote let the membership speak.
I am not sure that AMFA is the answer, or can I say that they won't have problems either, but the TWU has been here so long they feel that they are untouchable, above the law. When it comes to that point we the membership need to take back the union
and replace the old ways and bring in a new way of thinking.
AMFA at AA