The TWU being unable to win support with their dismal record will continue to try and scare the membership into loyalty. An example of this is a recent propaganda piece in In Solidarity by Kevin Gorremans. He tells how AMFA at NWA gave away job protections and how approximately 50% have lost their jobs.
If AMFA gave away job protections why did Northwest have to resort to using a force majure to get around the restraints of their contract with AMFA? If AMFA gave away job protections Northwest would not have to defend their actions in front of an Arbitrator. AMFA did not give away job protections, Northwest is the only airline with a defined limit on outsourcing. If AMFA gave away job protections and 50% have been forced from their jobs why is AMFA still there? Why can’t the IAM oust AMFA? The fact of the matter is Northwest has a lower headcount because of many reasons; retirements, people deciding to stay where they are at rather than moving and taking positions elsewhere, and yes because of layoffs caused by 9/11. AMFA fought layoffs, the TWU did not. The number the TWU supporters throw around is a cumulative number and is closer to 35%. If you were to count the same way at American our total would appear large also. Fact of the matter is no one seems to be able to get an honest answer from the TWU just how many people have been laid-off here and how much work is outsourced. The TWU’s not going to give it to you. We find out about outsourcing, real-time, as it occurs and usually have to tell the TWU that it’s happening. We have had a lot of retirements in the last year also. Another factor in our headcount is the TWA workers being integrated into American in 2001. Anyone care to figure how many started with us in 2001 and how many are still here?
The article mentions how bad things are at Alaska yet neglects to mention that AMFA at Alaska got its members a 5% pay raise while other airlines (like American) were reducing benefits and wages by as much as 30%. At least AMFA negotiated at Alaska; the TWU did not at American last year. The TWU took what was offered. If the TWU had had the courage to speak up maybe we’d have the same amount of holidays off as management and title 1 would have the same sick day coverage as the rest of the title groups.
Concerning the slogans I believe the writer is attempting to call AMFA elitist. I have never heard the other work groups called splinter groups. At United AMFA is suing the company over the right to represent the fuelers. Why would they spend the time and money doing this if they didn’t believe they deserved AMFA representation? The cleaners at NWA make more than our cleaners. The cleaners at NWA received a 13% raise in their last contract. Here the cleaners received less and gave it all back and then some a year later.
I don’t know if Kevin McCormick sells real estate and frankly I don’t care. What I care about is bang for the buck, good representation, and I’m ready to pay dues to whoever can get the job accomplished. I don’t know how much the TWU pays for their office in Manhattan but I’m sure its more than AMFA’s office space in Laconia.
The writer talks about how bad AMFA has represented its members and calls AMFA an “Internet Schemeâ€. If it’s a scheme it’s a pretty good scheme. Not one group of AMFA represented airline workers wants to dump AMFA, not even NWA. The mechanics at American Eagle attempted to dump the TWU in 2000 but head count was added to the class and craft by adding the workers at a heavy maintenance base in Michigan and the election was denied. I am told this base is no longer part of AE.
AMFA represents workers at 8 airlines and all of them except NWA have had fewer people laid-off then American. In fact the head count has increased at Southwest and ACA. None of AMFA’s members have had their pay and benefits cut.
As long as the TWU’s position is in jeopardy the scare tactics will grow louder and louder. Don’t look to the future with despair look toward the future with excitement and hope. It’s an honorable profession to maintain aircraft and assure the safety of the flying public.
With AMFA we get hope for a better future in our craft
With the TWU we get scare tactics
If AMFA gave away job protections why did Northwest have to resort to using a force majure to get around the restraints of their contract with AMFA? If AMFA gave away job protections Northwest would not have to defend their actions in front of an Arbitrator. AMFA did not give away job protections, Northwest is the only airline with a defined limit on outsourcing. If AMFA gave away job protections and 50% have been forced from their jobs why is AMFA still there? Why can’t the IAM oust AMFA? The fact of the matter is Northwest has a lower headcount because of many reasons; retirements, people deciding to stay where they are at rather than moving and taking positions elsewhere, and yes because of layoffs caused by 9/11. AMFA fought layoffs, the TWU did not. The number the TWU supporters throw around is a cumulative number and is closer to 35%. If you were to count the same way at American our total would appear large also. Fact of the matter is no one seems to be able to get an honest answer from the TWU just how many people have been laid-off here and how much work is outsourced. The TWU’s not going to give it to you. We find out about outsourcing, real-time, as it occurs and usually have to tell the TWU that it’s happening. We have had a lot of retirements in the last year also. Another factor in our headcount is the TWA workers being integrated into American in 2001. Anyone care to figure how many started with us in 2001 and how many are still here?
The article mentions how bad things are at Alaska yet neglects to mention that AMFA at Alaska got its members a 5% pay raise while other airlines (like American) were reducing benefits and wages by as much as 30%. At least AMFA negotiated at Alaska; the TWU did not at American last year. The TWU took what was offered. If the TWU had had the courage to speak up maybe we’d have the same amount of holidays off as management and title 1 would have the same sick day coverage as the rest of the title groups.
Concerning the slogans I believe the writer is attempting to call AMFA elitist. I have never heard the other work groups called splinter groups. At United AMFA is suing the company over the right to represent the fuelers. Why would they spend the time and money doing this if they didn’t believe they deserved AMFA representation? The cleaners at NWA make more than our cleaners. The cleaners at NWA received a 13% raise in their last contract. Here the cleaners received less and gave it all back and then some a year later.
I don’t know if Kevin McCormick sells real estate and frankly I don’t care. What I care about is bang for the buck, good representation, and I’m ready to pay dues to whoever can get the job accomplished. I don’t know how much the TWU pays for their office in Manhattan but I’m sure its more than AMFA’s office space in Laconia.
The writer talks about how bad AMFA has represented its members and calls AMFA an “Internet Schemeâ€. If it’s a scheme it’s a pretty good scheme. Not one group of AMFA represented airline workers wants to dump AMFA, not even NWA. The mechanics at American Eagle attempted to dump the TWU in 2000 but head count was added to the class and craft by adding the workers at a heavy maintenance base in Michigan and the election was denied. I am told this base is no longer part of AE.
AMFA represents workers at 8 airlines and all of them except NWA have had fewer people laid-off then American. In fact the head count has increased at Southwest and ACA. None of AMFA’s members have had their pay and benefits cut.
As long as the TWU’s position is in jeopardy the scare tactics will grow louder and louder. Don’t look to the future with despair look toward the future with excitement and hope. It’s an honorable profession to maintain aircraft and assure the safety of the flying public.
With AMFA we get hope for a better future in our craft
With the TWU we get scare tactics
