Dear President Little,
So, another company comprehensive counter-proposal has gone down in smoke; the third in nearly a year. When other Unions beat the war drums, the Jim Little-led TWU is probably off to Disneyland to celebrate another defeat.
As bad as Sonny Hall was (everybody had a lawsuit against that wretch), you undoubtedly hold the mantle of the worst TWU president. Management at AA has consistently stonewalled negotiations, bargained in bad faith, and shown an utter contempt for workers, while the Jim Little-led TWU has entertained the company in every enterprise to diminish the livelihood of workers.
On August 15, 2007, just prior to the official launch of the negotiations, you exerted your prestige as International President to personally appeal to CEO Arpey for a "non-traditional compensation" for long suffering TWU members. In this letter, the reference "Dear Mr Arpey" was crossed out with you imputing by hand "Dear Gerard," suggesting a intimate relationship, and attempting to capitalize on it.
Rather than reciprocate, the company deliberately chose to tie-up Union resources and time with a meaningless discussion that would become a 2-year offer with 2 meager lump sums and no true sense of "non-traditional compensation." When collective bargaining formally opened that November, there was no remorse from you after the betrayal of your goodwill inquiry. Instead, you referred to management as "partners" and set an unrealistic goal of a ratifiable agreement by the amendable date, April 30th.
The amendable date arrived with no offer from AA even after Dennis Burchette's stirring "bring a toothbrush" speech for a marathon session on April 30th. The company required an extension as the allotted time since November was inadequate to bring forth a proposal. When the company finally revealed their comprehensive proposal weeks later it turned out to be a 2-year concessionary contract with 2 meager lump sum payments, eerily reminiscent of the "non-tradition compensation" counter-offer. Hardly the outgrowth of the additional time.
It was evident to all the participants that Management was stalling. Yet, the ATD leadership immediately recommended returning this abomination to the membership for ratification. The ATD leaders, however, explained they weren't necessarily endorsing it - - just allowing the membership to vote on the package. Gee, another profile in courage from the ATD. Their sole purpose is leadership but following the company's bad faith they provide a fast track to ratification.
Even though this counter-proposal was rejected by the negotiating committee, you again used your clout, behind the scene, for a chance to allow the beleaguered fleet service group to ratify this contract, which would have only benefitted the recipients of a quick deal (i.e.: the company and the TWU leadership). Fortunately, the repugnant company represented the membership more keenly by pulling the offer off the table than you did by championing the concessions.
Months passed with no real progress. The TWU distributed "no contract-no peace" buttons and bought ad space in major newspapers briefly. Was this the first step in a more militant stance? No, it was just a window dressing. The Jim Little-led TWU was actively joined at the philosophical hip with management to produce the quickest deal possible despite all the company's bad faith efforts.
On August 15th, 2008, the first anniversary of the "Dear Gerard" letter, your hand picked AA system coordinator, Dennis Burchette, secretly held a quorum with a few 'yes' men after most of the negotiators adjourned to go home. They dismantled the original proposal by producing an offer that came closer to AA's economic package. This was still considered to be too rich by company standards. They, however, assured the TWU that a counter-offer would be made on September 4th. Not surprisingly AA asked for another extension and not surprisingly it was granted by the ATD leadership. The ATD officers have signed a non-aggression pact with management as they steer the negotiations.
On September 6th, I e-mailed you expressing my dissatisfaction on the ATD's performance, and stating any proposal the company conjured up at this point would resemble their last offer. The company's proposal on September 18th was obscene! As the Jim Little-led TWU lowered their expectation to come closer to the company, management failed to reciprocate and lunged further away from the TWU, even after oil prices plummeted $50/gallon from their high. The 2 lump sums, off course, were still the cornerstone, but the contract duration was increased to almost 3 years, and the coup de grace was that new hires wouldn't be afforded a pension. The company presented an unacceptable offer knowing the fickle nature of the Jim Little-led TWU.
AA stubbornness didn't catch anybody by surprise, especially you. However, your overriding concern is harmony with the company and the collection of dues to support the 6-digit salaries of you and your henchmen. Men like John Conley, who didn't simply blunder at a pro-business symposium by blurting defeatism, but was actually stating TWU policy under your leadership. Or the wiley Dennis Burchette who acts like a mix between Doc Holiday and Eddie Munster with your blessing.
So, where do we go from here? Do we continue to wear our "no contract-no peace" buttons while participating in every cost saving work-together program the company dreams up, in the finest tradition of Jim Little? One thing is certain - - TWU members will never advance with you at the helm. Consequently, I'm asking for your immediate resignation.
G Santos
Member-in-Good Standing
Air Transport Local 562
So, another company comprehensive counter-proposal has gone down in smoke; the third in nearly a year. When other Unions beat the war drums, the Jim Little-led TWU is probably off to Disneyland to celebrate another defeat.
As bad as Sonny Hall was (everybody had a lawsuit against that wretch), you undoubtedly hold the mantle of the worst TWU president. Management at AA has consistently stonewalled negotiations, bargained in bad faith, and shown an utter contempt for workers, while the Jim Little-led TWU has entertained the company in every enterprise to diminish the livelihood of workers.
On August 15, 2007, just prior to the official launch of the negotiations, you exerted your prestige as International President to personally appeal to CEO Arpey for a "non-traditional compensation" for long suffering TWU members. In this letter, the reference "Dear Mr Arpey" was crossed out with you imputing by hand "Dear Gerard," suggesting a intimate relationship, and attempting to capitalize on it.
Rather than reciprocate, the company deliberately chose to tie-up Union resources and time with a meaningless discussion that would become a 2-year offer with 2 meager lump sums and no true sense of "non-traditional compensation." When collective bargaining formally opened that November, there was no remorse from you after the betrayal of your goodwill inquiry. Instead, you referred to management as "partners" and set an unrealistic goal of a ratifiable agreement by the amendable date, April 30th.
The amendable date arrived with no offer from AA even after Dennis Burchette's stirring "bring a toothbrush" speech for a marathon session on April 30th. The company required an extension as the allotted time since November was inadequate to bring forth a proposal. When the company finally revealed their comprehensive proposal weeks later it turned out to be a 2-year concessionary contract with 2 meager lump sum payments, eerily reminiscent of the "non-tradition compensation" counter-offer. Hardly the outgrowth of the additional time.
It was evident to all the participants that Management was stalling. Yet, the ATD leadership immediately recommended returning this abomination to the membership for ratification. The ATD leaders, however, explained they weren't necessarily endorsing it - - just allowing the membership to vote on the package. Gee, another profile in courage from the ATD. Their sole purpose is leadership but following the company's bad faith they provide a fast track to ratification.
Even though this counter-proposal was rejected by the negotiating committee, you again used your clout, behind the scene, for a chance to allow the beleaguered fleet service group to ratify this contract, which would have only benefitted the recipients of a quick deal (i.e.: the company and the TWU leadership). Fortunately, the repugnant company represented the membership more keenly by pulling the offer off the table than you did by championing the concessions.
Months passed with no real progress. The TWU distributed "no contract-no peace" buttons and bought ad space in major newspapers briefly. Was this the first step in a more militant stance? No, it was just a window dressing. The Jim Little-led TWU was actively joined at the philosophical hip with management to produce the quickest deal possible despite all the company's bad faith efforts.
On August 15th, 2008, the first anniversary of the "Dear Gerard" letter, your hand picked AA system coordinator, Dennis Burchette, secretly held a quorum with a few 'yes' men after most of the negotiators adjourned to go home. They dismantled the original proposal by producing an offer that came closer to AA's economic package. This was still considered to be too rich by company standards. They, however, assured the TWU that a counter-offer would be made on September 4th. Not surprisingly AA asked for another extension and not surprisingly it was granted by the ATD leadership. The ATD officers have signed a non-aggression pact with management as they steer the negotiations.
On September 6th, I e-mailed you expressing my dissatisfaction on the ATD's performance, and stating any proposal the company conjured up at this point would resemble their last offer. The company's proposal on September 18th was obscene! As the Jim Little-led TWU lowered their expectation to come closer to the company, management failed to reciprocate and lunged further away from the TWU, even after oil prices plummeted $50/gallon from their high. The 2 lump sums, off course, were still the cornerstone, but the contract duration was increased to almost 3 years, and the coup de grace was that new hires wouldn't be afforded a pension. The company presented an unacceptable offer knowing the fickle nature of the Jim Little-led TWU.
AA stubbornness didn't catch anybody by surprise, especially you. However, your overriding concern is harmony with the company and the collection of dues to support the 6-digit salaries of you and your henchmen. Men like John Conley, who didn't simply blunder at a pro-business symposium by blurting defeatism, but was actually stating TWU policy under your leadership. Or the wiley Dennis Burchette who acts like a mix between Doc Holiday and Eddie Munster with your blessing.
So, where do we go from here? Do we continue to wear our "no contract-no peace" buttons while participating in every cost saving work-together program the company dreams up, in the finest tradition of Jim Little? One thing is certain - - TWU members will never advance with you at the helm. Consequently, I'm asking for your immediate resignation.
G Santos
Member-in-Good Standing
Air Transport Local 562
