The Truth Is A Hard Pill

[Nightwatch]

Name: Joey
Email:
Employer: Laid Off NWA Tech
Station: St Paul
Date: Monday September 27, 2004
Time: 09:44:14 PM

Comments
Oxbig, I do understand. I understand now that we made a big flippin mistake! I did vote for AMFA, but you have to understand, when I walked in the door there was fighting on the floor and people were telling me that the IAM sucked and that my contract wasn't as sweet as it could of been if the Baggage Handlers and Clerks weren't dragging me down. I believed them. But, I now am aware that AMFA was lying about the IAM and the position we'd be in if we were alone. How can you think that I haven't learned that? I lost my job over it! I lost my job over AMFA lies! Yes, I did get excited when Jeff Mathews reported in the St Paul paper that the Force Majeure was a "Major Victory", and that at least 150 Techs were going to be recalled with full Back Pay! That gave me hope! I thought maybe AMFA had finally won something. I was wrong, NO I wasn't, AMFA lied! Jeff Mathews lied again, nobody got back pay and there never were 150 recalls! That was the final straw for me. I'm sick of AMFA's lies. I'm sick of having my hopes up and crushed because our Union isn't worth a hill of beans. That's why I called a lawyer and proceeded with this case. AMFA's got to be made aware of the consequences of lying and pay for the damage it causes and I fully intend to collect. It's going to be hard for them to get out of this, they put it in writing and in the news papers. I think a judge will agree that I had the right to expect that they were being honest don't you? If this makes you happy and I'm not a liar, know this, I will never support AMFA again and sent in the last IAM card that Robert Roach sent me. I hope AMFA learns a lesson. And by the way, do you know that I've been laid off for a couple years now and AMFA hasn't sent me anything except a bill for delinquent dues! Delinquent dues, I don't work there anymore, go figure that one out!

 

[Nightwatch]

Name: Buck'n Bar
Email: AMFA Style
Employer: SWA
Station: PHX
Date: Monday September 27, 2004
Time: 09:29:19 PM

Comments
Well the time has finally come. We have heard from our President that the 300-500 1/2 "C" has been approved and will go forth 01/01/05. Even though we have had several meetings in Phoenix over the past year each of which assured us that nobody would be displaced we now hear that anywhere from 14-30 mechanics will have to relocate. We have had mechanics ask Jim Sokol face to face if it would be a good idea to purchase a home in Phoenix and each time he has stated to go ahead as Southwest has no plans whatsoever to reduce the size of any station. I remember in the Herb days if there was bad news to come he came right out and let everyone know. Now with the accountants running the company it is all hide behind the masses until the last possible moment and then, "Hey guys, you have to have your home sold and family moved right now and move half way across the country and be at work next week". Oh yea, you have to pay for it as well. But have a great Christmas because we love you. WOW, just days after the approval of the extension and mechanics are being displaced, who would have figured???

 

[Nightwatch]

Name: BMS 5- 95 b 1/2
Email: Each other
Employer: ALASKAN
Station: Hanger-line
Date: Monday September 27, 2004
Time: 12:56:03 PM

Comments
Open letter to horizon people--- Are you read to shed that weight of empty promises by the con- - artists, that's hanging on your neck. Or do you like that weight dragging your face in the mud?? You see what A.M.F.A. did to us!!!!!

 

[Nightwatch]

Name: B.T.D.T.
Email:
Employer:
Station:
Date: Saturday September 25, 2004
Time: 01:13:39 PM

Comments
Hey Nick, nice point about the NWA's plan being good for Minnesota? Maybe you can refresh my memory on how AMFA is good for us, or how our iron-clad job protection and farm-out language is good for us? AMFA permits the farm-outs to Singapore, so why blame the company for doing what you allowed them to do? Hey UAL guys, how come I only read about the IAM and the Flight Attendants fighting the company on the pension issue? Are you guys coat-tailing?

 

[Nightwatch]

Name: Joey
Email:
Employer: Laid Off NWA Tech
Station: St Paul
Date: Saturday September 25, 2004
Time: 01:05:07 PM

Comments
To Mike Oxbig:
I hope you're not trying to intimidate me. That would be just like AMFA's tactics with me to date. I'm not worried about losing this suit. AMFA made promises some in writing. It would be hard for me to lose, as a matter of fact, my lawyer has said this ones "in the Bank". I have newspaper articles, letters to the membership and shop committee reports not to mention more than a dozen signed and witnessed testimonials from other mechanics that support this case. AMFA lied to us all and that's illegal. It's called "Fraud". AMFA is a FRAUD. They tricked me into voting for them with lies and my lawyer says that's illegal when it costs me money and hardships. I see you forgot what I told you before but moving wasn't an option for me I have an ill parent to care for and I take my obligations seriously. The problem was AMFA told me that my layoff was illegal and that NWA would have to bring me back with back pay. I took their word for it and so agreed to take the station layoff rather than commuting while they sorted it out. Now, AMFA says it's over and they lost! That's unacceptable!

 

[Nightwatch]

Name: AM'-fuh@NWA
Email:
Employer:
Station: MSP
Date: Thursday September 23, 2004
Time: 08:31:15 PM

Comments

The AMFA National Website states that "In thirty years AMFA has never accepted concessions." Click Here

Let's see now, because of contractual outsourcing, close to 50% of the AMTs have already been laid off from NWA, and now the same for Alaska Airlines. Since SWA already out sources most of it's heavy maintenance I won't include them. But just a minute, these are now all AMFA represented carriers. Talk about disguised concessions! Allow the company to dump half the AMTs and claim it's some kind of a victory!

 

[Hackman]

Received: 09/25/04 08:17:57 EDT
Name:
E-Mail:
Employer:
Location:
Message:
In reagrds to the TWU dispatchers at USAir... It would appear that the
membership voted to take concessions before going to the judge. You are
condemming the democratic process here. If they voted against it, they
would be in front of the same judge as everyone else. Are you suggesting
that the TWU International should take their rights away? They had a
choice and they made it. I agree with TM that concessions beget
concessions, and they are most likely delaying the death, but, it appears
to be the wishes of the membership. What is wrong with that?

Why were they negotiating concessions? Did they not have a contract? Did the TWU advocate acceptance of more wage and benefit reductions? Is there a TWU group anywhere that is not primarily composed of company stooges and timid cowards? - TM

 

[Hackman]

Received: 09/25/04 10:15:39 EDT
Name: Digusted with AMFA
E-Mail:
Employer:
Location:
Message:
Received: 09/24/04 1342 EDT
Name: sleepless
E-Mail: no thank you
Employer: the big red one
Location: seattle
Message:

TWENTY SEVEN VOTES! Did anyone check for hanging chad. I wanna hurl. I hope there are at least twenty seven people feeling foolish. Probably not. They are the same as the ones that haven't heard about the layoffs at Alaska. Edmond Burke is gyrating in his grave. (From a previous discussion).

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''


Did I miss something? I thought the massive AMT layoffs at Alaska are happening under a contract that was negotiated twice by AMFA? Don't tell me that's all a mirage?

Alaska is laying off about 600 Mechanics. AA, UAL and USAir each have furloughed several thousand Mechanics under contracts that were negotiated by the TWU and IAM for decades. Your point? - TM

 

[Hackman]

Received: 09/26/04 14:15:09 EDT
Name:
E-Mail:
Employer:
Location:
Message:
Received: 09/25/04 08:17:57 EDT
Name:
E-Mail:
Employer:
Location:
Message:

In reagrds to the TWU dispatchers at USAir... It would appear that the
membership voted to take concessions before going to the judge. You are
condemming the democratic process here. If they voted against it, they
would be in front of the same judge as everyone else. Are you suggesting
that the TWU International should take their rights away? They had a
choice and they made it. I agree with TM that concessions beget
concessions, and they are most likely delaying the death, but, it appears
to be the wishes of the membership. What is wrong with that?

Why were they negotiating concessions? Did they not have a contract? Did the TWU advocate acceptance of more wage and benefit reductions? Is there a TWU group anywhere that is not primarily composed of company stooges and timid cowards? - TM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Unless you happen to be a USAir dispatcher, don't you think that decision regardless of how dumb you or I may think it is, is theirs to make?

I'm not convinced they did the smart thing but democracy's a #### isn't it?

I find it rather difficult to believe that a union which refuses to allow it's own members to elect their national officers is now negotiating concessions because they are deeply committed to the democratic process.

BTW, TWU represented Dispatchers were the first group at USAir to accept concessions, click here. USAir Flight Instructors are now the second group to agree to concessions, click here. Guess who represents Flight Instructors at USAir...go ahead...guess. - TM

 

[Bob Owens]

So what truth are you selling? That there are a few AMFA members that are upset about layoffs? For all we know those are just bitter ex-IAM officers who had to return to the floor. Still have not seen a drive for for the TWU by mechanics anywhere!

 

[Hackman]

Received: 09/27/04 16:58:27 EDT
Name: YOUR PAY CUTS
E-Mail: GIVEN TO EAGLE
Employer: FROM AA
Location: AND Totally Worthless Union (TWU)
Message:
Press Release - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 15:01
The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO have been involved in contract negotiations with American Eagle Regional Airlines since September 4, 2002 and we were successful in reaching a tentative agreement with the Company on August 3, 2004.



We are pleased to announce that an overwhelming majority of our membership in the Maintenance & Related class and crafts voted today to accept the tentative agreement.



We believe that this agreement is a good contract for the Union and the Company. The wage increases, the signing bonuses and other enhancements that are now part of the agreement recognizes the contributions that were made by our members towards the overall success of the Company and at the same time, provides the company with the flexibility it needs in order to remain competitive in an environment severely stricken by the events of September 11, 2001, airline bankruptcies, and rocketing increases in fuel cost.



We look forward in working with the company during the implementation process of the agreement.



American Eagle Contract Ratification Results - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 14:57
On August 3, 2004, The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO and American Eagle Regional Airlines reached a tentative agreement on contracts covering the Maintenance & Related contract class and craft and the Ramp contract covering the Fleet Service workers and Cabin Cleaners. The voting began on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 12:00 CST and ended at 12:00 CST on Monday, September 27,2004.

There were 3,059 voting packets mailed to each eligible member and 63.8% participated in the voting.

Of the total votes cast in each respective contract group the final count was as follows:

Maintenance & Related: YES 700 NO 254

Ramp / Fleet Service: YES 330 NO 648

The final tabulation in the Maintenance and Related contract groups is officially reported as a ratified contract. The final tabulation in the Ramp and Cabin Cleaners is officially reported as a rejection. As a result of the final tabulation, the following action will take place between the Union and the Company:

Meetings will be scheduled with the Company for immediate implementation on the Maintenance and Related contract.

Meetings will be scheduled with the Company as soon as possible in order to determine the reason or reasons for the rejection of the Ramp agreement and our next course of action.
I would like to thank those who took the time to participate in the voting. If you have any questions, please contact your Local Representatives.

Fraternally,

Joseph C. Gordon
TWU International Representative

 

[AMFAMAN]

Well now we know what our twu officers do all day, sit at a computer making posts about other airlines and some ficticious mechanics.

 

[will fix for food]

Received: 09/27/04 16:58:27 EDT
Name: YOUR PAY CUTS
E-Mail: GIVEN TO EAGLE
Employer: FROM AA
Location: AND Totally Worthless Union (TWU)
Message:
Press Release - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 15:01
The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO have been involved in contract negotiations with American Eagle Regional Airlines since September 4, 2002 and we were successful in reaching a tentative agreement with the Company on August 3, 2004.
We are pleased to announce that an overwhelming majority of our membership in the Maintenance & Related class and crafts voted today to accept the tentative agreement.
We believe that this agreement is a good contract for the Union and the Company. The wage increases, the signing bonuses and other enhancements that are now part of the agreement recognizes the contributions that were made by our members towards the overall success of the Company and at the same time, provides the company with the flexibility it needs in order to remain competitive in an environment severely stricken by the events of September 11, 2001, airline bankruptcies, and rocketing increases in fuel cost.
We look forward in working with the company during the implementation process of the agreement.
American Eagle Contract Ratification Results - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 14:57
On August 3, 2004, The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO and American Eagle Regional Airlines reached a tentative agreement on contracts covering the Maintenance & Related contract class and craft and the Ramp contract covering the Fleet Service workers and Cabin Cleaners. The voting began on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 12:00 CST and ended at 12:00 CST on Monday, September 27,2004.

There were 3,059 voting packets mailed to each eligible member and 63.8% participated in the voting.

Of the total votes cast in each respective contract group the final count was as follows:

Maintenance & Related: YES 700 NO 254

Ramp / Fleet Service: YES 330 NO 648

The final tabulation in the Maintenance and Related contract groups is officially reported as a ratified contract. The final tabulation in the Ramp and Cabin Cleaners is officially reported as a rejection. As a result of the final tabulation, the following action will take place between the Union and the Company:

Meetings will be scheduled with the Company for immediate implementation on the Maintenance and Related contract.

Meetings will be scheduled with the Company as soon as possible in order to determine the reason or reasons for the rejection of the Ramp agreement and our next course of action.
I would like to thank those who took the time to participate in the voting. If you have any questions, please contact your Local Representatives.

Fraternally,

Joseph C. Gordon
TWU International Representative

[post="185391"][/post]​

"YOUR PAY CUTS GIVEN TO EAGLE FROM AA AND TWU"


Yes, god forbid Eagle mechanics get ANY sort of pay raise while you guys are working under a concessionary contract. When we (American and Eagle mechanics) were working under the old contract pay scales Eagle was at approximately 90% of your top-out. At the end of this contract 3 years from now we will be making just over $26.00. What will you be making? Will Eagle be making more or less than 90% of your concession scale? I'll help you out here. It is less. Much less. If you can't see that we have an even more concessionary pay scale than you guys than you are a f-----g idiot. AND we don't get to have a few months of making real money like you guys did...AND we don't get a big retro check like you guys did......but yea, you guys took concessions to pay me and I'm making out like a bandit.

You guys really go to stupidly ridiculous lengths to play the victim don't you.

 

[Buck]

"YOUR PAY CUTS GIVEN TO EAGLE FROM AA AND TWU"
Yes, god forbid Eagle mechanics get ANY sort of pay raise while you guys are working under a concessionary contract. When we (American and Eagle mechanics) were working under the old contract pay scales Eagle was at approximately 90% of your top-out. At the end of this contract 3 years from now we will be making just over $26.00. What will you be making? Will Eagle be making more or less than 90% of your concession scale? I'll help you out here. It is less. Much less. If you can't see that we have an even more concessionary pay scale than you guys than you are a f-----g idiot. AND we don't get to have a few months of making real money like you guys did...AND we don't get a big retro check like you guys did......but yea, you guys took concessions to pay me and I'm making out like a bandit.

You guys really go to stupidly ridiculous lengths to play the victim don't you.

[post="185435"][/post]​

$26.00 or less?

 

[Bob Owens]

"YOUR PAY CUTS GIVEN TO EAGLE FROM AA AND TWU"
Yes, god forbid Eagle mechanics get ANY sort of pay raise while you guys are working under a concessionary contract. When we (American and Eagle mechanics) were working under the old contract pay scales Eagle was at approximately 90% of your top-out. At the end of this contract 3 years from now we will be making just over $26.00. What will you be making? Will Eagle be making more or less than 90% of your concession scale? I'll help you out here. It is less. Much less. If you can't see that we have an even more concessionary pay scale than you guys than you are a f-----g idiot. AND we don't get to have a few months of making real money like you guys did...AND we don't get a big retro check like you guys did......but yea, you guys took concessions to pay me and I'm making out like a bandit.

You guys really go to stupidly ridiculous lengths to play the victim don't you.

[post="185435"][/post]​

Maybe you should not take things so personally. The sad part is that the TWU is not bringing you up to our rates but is bringing us down to your rates. Its good to see that your FS guys rejected the agreement. I suspect that the TWUs next hat trick is to try and get AA/AE declared a single carrier to try and stop next years AMFA vote.

Regional rates have historically been much lower than the rates for the majors. In the past they were where mechanics would get their experience before getting hired by a major. Thats not a put down to you guys thats just the way it was.

Now. as long as we have unions like the TWU, all our rates will, when measured in real dollars decline. For mechanics the TWU wants us all to make what was considered regional pay rates, your rates are the objective. For fleet service its even worse, the TWU wants to lower their rates over time to TWU represented Worldwide, Swissport or Triangle. They make out like bandits in places like those. In those locals they demand a $100 initition fee, and with the high turnover rate they just keep getting that three month of dues bonus. The fact that most of the workers are part timers means that for 40 manhours they would collect a monthly dues rate several times as opposed to what they would get from a full timer. Yes the TWUs grand plan is working great for the TWU, not so good for airport workers though. Look at the little bonus they have here with AA fighting AE mechanics!

The TWUs low cost labor plan however is only for the members. TWU employees despite their incompetance and lack of knowledge are generously paid.

I dont think that anyone blames you guys for wanting or getting raises, however it does undermine the credibility of the company/unions arguement that we had to give such massive concessions. I dont think that the comments about Eagle were directed at you, but rather the company/union.