Here is a mail out the twu may use free of charge. They most certainly will not use it because the truth burns.
CHANGE FROM WITHIN
Several years ago the twu was threatened by another union looking to represent the AMT craft and class at American Airlines. Through lies and fear tactics the twu managed to escape the inevitable. The twu pretended to behave like a union that doesn't put the appointed international officers first but rather the membership. The twu even carted out a fancy slogan, (their strong suit), crying to the misrepresented members "Change from within.". This slogan and mantra was intended to hoodwink the membership into believing that the twu could change and listen to the membership. But alas this was nothing more than an attempt to pacify dues paying members. It was nothing short of another twu lie.
How could this slogan be a lie? The answer is rather simple. Back when the twu rolled out with great fanfare that the membership should get involved with the twu and "Change from within." the twu was indicating that the membership should step up to the plate and become more active and vocal in the union because as the twu wanted you to think the membership is the union. Oh, how foolhardy are the accountable. Spring forward to today with a threat of a democratic, craft union wanting to allow the AMT craft and class at American Airlines to truly control their own union and the twu says the membership isn't capable of doing this. Huh? Didn't they just claim the opposite when there was no threat to their style of unionism? The twu is simply saying that the membership is too stupid to create a new union because there isn't anyone smart enough to do what is needed. I tell you what, I can see an out of touch management degrade and disrespect the work force but an organization I pay hard earned money for union dues to protect my profession to insult me and degrade my ability to do what is necessary to better our pay and benefits is flat out WRONG and UNACCEPTABLE!
Why is it when it benefits the twu slogans come cheap. Slogans that are empty. But when the membership does try to "change from within" by creating a craft, democratic union where all officers are elected by the membership and held accountable by the membership the membership all of a sudden turns into incapable dolts? Is it because change is possible with the twu but only as long as the change doesn't include changing the international structure? Is it because the twu realy only cares about international officers who are NOT elected by the membership and who DO NOT take cuts in pay and benefits when the membership does but rather only receives pay raises?
"Change from within" was something two union Brothers attempted in New York. Bob Owens and Chuck Schalk, both AMTs in JFK, were REMOVED from office by the twu international because Brothers Owens' and Schalk's idea of "change from within" benefited the membership not the international. So is "change from within" possible from the very people who started this idea? Or are they lying to the membership?
"Change from within" is being accomplished right now at AA by AMTs who are doing what the twu said we should do years ago! The Association of Maintenance Professionals, AMP, is everything the twu fears... democracy and accountability from the top down. With AMP the membership controls the constitution as well as the contracts. With AMP union officials from the top down are ELECTED by the full membership. The National Officers have term limits which brings accountability because eventually these elected officials will return to the positions they held when running for office. Their futures are tied to their direct efforts to better our craft and class. Does the twu offer any of these basic principles in unionism?
At the end of the day the question remains... are you better off with an undemocratic, unaccountable industrial union that offers nothing but empty slogans or are you better off with a democratic, accountable craft union controlled by YOU and held accountable by YOU!!
The twu fears this "change from within" and rightfully so because this change does not include their self serving ways. The twu does not defend their constitution because they can not defend the undefendable. Rather they will say the membership is not capable or smart enough to do what other independent unions like the American Pilots and Flight Attendants have done. Why should we support a union that has no faith in its own membership?
If you are tired of empty slogans and wish to read a constitution that YOU control visit the AMP web site, WWW.AMPNATIONAL.ORG, and educate yourself on what the future holds for us. Do not listen to the fearful moans of the twu who can only peddle concessionary contracts one after the other because they refuse to use a foundation of democracy and accountability. Sign an AMP authorization card and tell the twu it's time to "change from within"!
Ken MacTiernan
A&P, I.A.
AA AMT
