Teaam Twu

Bob Owens

Veteran
Sep 9, 2002
14,274
6,112
Well I recieved my package.

First page;

TWU CONFRONTS ARPEY ON SHARED SACRIFICE

First of all the picture appears to be from a Presidents council meeting and not a share holders meeting. Whats the story? Did the TWU use a picture from the Presidents council to give a false impression to the members?

Shared sacrifice? Isnt it a little late for that? Shouldnt this have been worked out and included in the contract? By the way where is the shared sacrifice from our leaders? Little and other TWU officials got raises from the TWU last year while they negotiated and signed into effect-without further ratification- pay cuts for us. Why didnt they hand out those shirts to all the members? Was this just a photo op? I would love to get one of those shirts and set up pickets in front of the International asking them the same question; Where is the shared sacrifice? Why did you guys give yourselves raises while telling us to agree to the most concessionary contract in history?

Their big victory, according to the sheet is that a resolution was accepted that requires shareholder approval of Golden Parachutes. BIG DEAL! And how does that help us? When you consider that most of the shares in the company are controlled by institutions and not employees this resolution means nothing and it will certainly not help ease the pain of all of us who have given huge concessions and the thousands of fellow workers out on the street.


Second page;

Unions tell AA officials to raise revenue.

"Dozens of members" No doubt all on UB. So with over 30,000 AA memberrs the TWU was only able to produce a few dozen? What percentage were officers?


Third page;

American Arpey given full control

"So far we have not seen middle and lower management sharing the sacrifices we have made," said Robert Gless,,,


WE?

How does Bobby fit in as "we"? Did he take a pay cut? Did he have to work Memorial Day for no extra pay? They included this whole article for this one pathetic statement? Ok, so we know the TWU can complain on the members behalf, but the question is what can or will they do about it? NOTHING!!!!!!


Fourth page;

AMFA ACCEPTS MORE CONCESSIONS AT UNITED AIRLINES

Now this really takes the cake. Here the TWU is criticizing AMFA for agreeing to (in bankruptcy) what the TWU basically agreed to over 15 years ago.

"United praised AMFA for agreeing to the new concessions and criticized the AFL_CIO unions for not following AMFAs example in accepting givebacks".

Once again we have the TWU criticizing AMFA when everyone knows that the TWU is the undisputed leader in concessions. Lets see what the end result is. Lets not forget that UAL is under completely different rules beacause of the bankruptcy and if the company can effectively argue that the term they seek to change is "onerous" and presents a burden that its competitors dont have then the judge is likely to rule in the companys favor. Thanks to the TWU, which agreed to prefunding by the members of employee retirement health benifits over 15 years ago, when the airline was in good financial shape no less, and the fact that AA also enjoys, again thanks to the TWU, lower wages, lower health benifit costs, lower sick time costs, less vacation time costs without ever going into bankruptcy, workers throughout the industry have been severely compromised, especially those that work for bankrupt companies that still pay their workers better wages with more benifits than the TWU members at AA. The fact is that most other airlines will be going for more concessions because the TWU lowered the bar below everyone else. The TWU set the new standard for concessions, as usual.

The closing line is a TWU classic; AMFA: THE FIRST TO ACCEPT RETIREE GIVEBACKS AT UNITED AIRLINES.


What they left out was TWU: FIRST TO ACCEPT RETIREE GIVEBACKS IN THE INDUSTRY, TWU INDUSTRY LEADER IN CONCESSIONS!

Fifth page:

More of the same as AFL-CIO uniions try to give the TWU a hand at not losing members. Its funny how all of a sudden they are ready to fight after the fact.



So there you have it. Another package of half truths and pathetic displays from the TWU. OK so they complained at the shareholders meeting, why didnt they just do that at the Presidents council meeting where they took the picture? Other than complaining what else did they say to the company? Did they threaten the company with anything like the company threatened us with bankruptcy? Did they say they would no longer cooperate in productivity enhancement plans or participate in the "Overland" group? Did they say that they would no longer encourage their members to put in extra hours and give extra effort so the company could continue to reduce headcount through attrition? What actions did the TWU say they would take to address our needs? Nothing. They complained after telling us to agree to what amounts to an unconditional surrender. Complained after signing into effect, without further ratification, the most concessionary contract the industry has ever see. All outside of bankruptcy. More of our dues money spent in a way that will do nothing positive for our future. No plan to regain what they took away. No leadership. Nothing.

This is the best that the TWU can do. Spend what little money you have left on pathetic displays such as this.

Dont you think for two hours goss pay per month we can do better?

Was there anything in this or any other package from the TWU that preseted a plan for, or promised, a better future? This union only knows one way, defensive retreat. They bring back concessions, tell you its the best you will ever get, then blame you for accepting their word and believing them. Is that Leadership?

We deserve better. And ANYTHING is better than Jim Little and the TWU.