TWU Restructuring Plan
Introduction
The TWU at American Airlines has undergone much adversity over the much of its 46 year history. For the most part, the TWU has done much for its members over this period. There have been many victories that the TWU has earned for the membership at American Airlines. Since deregulation hit the airline industry in 1978, the industry has undergone tremendous highs and lows. Now, due to a horrendous economy that has been brought on by a variety of reasons too numerous to go into here, the TWU faces a serious problem.
The problem is that the airline industry changed and we did not. These changes were brought on by;
• Ever changing government regulations
• The industry is much more competitive due to deregulation
• The job skills have become vastly different in the groups the TWU represents at American Airlines, Inc. (AA)
• The work environment has changed (i.e. changing attitudes on work place violence, discrimination, harassment, etc.)
• The demographics of our membership has changed
o Younger membership - the hard fought gains of the past and how we earned them has been forgotten.
o New generation was brought up when the concern was not the whole group but on individual achievement. That you need to worry about yourself first.
• Airline Human Resources has become more professional and better educated while we rely on well-meaning, but woefully outclassed, union representatives.
• An emerging global work environment that offers similar job skills but with reduced government oversight and inherently lower costs.
• And many other details that can be debated ad infinitum
What this has brought on is a myriad of complex problems. Members are looking to the TWU and they do not see us as prepared. They see an antiquated organization that is out-classed by American Airlines. They see us as unwilling to change so the groundswell of support for labor organizations outside the TWU grows with every day that we stagnate.
Some problems are clear while others are more ambiguous, so in order to correct the issues at hand, we must have a plan with distinct goals.
The Plan
The solution to the problems the TWU faces cannot be resolved by merely advertising how bad the other organizations are to make us look better. The TWU must be better. This proposal outlines several aspects that will allow the TWU to be more responsive and professional. The following is what the core issues at hand are;
1) Structure
a) The TWU system of locals is confusing and has no rhyme or reason. The system is based on an outdated and outmoded way of doing business before the day of instantaneous communications.
B) Financial as well as physical resources are not being used effectively, duplication exists at all levels.
c) Separation of work groups to more effectively represent those each local covers.
d) Negotiation teams are cumbersome and ineffective.
2) Information Technology
a) Technological solutions exist that will allow the TWU become highly effective.
3) Publicity and Education
a) The ATD needs a separate identity within the larger body of the TWU.
B) The TWU needs specialized training for its representatives.
Structure
The ability to address specific needs of various title groups while encouraging unity as a labor organization requires the review of the complex system of locals. Within the ATD structure itself, the fact that there are so many locals with a mixture of different title groups, employers and contracts makes it very confusing. Within the AA system itself this still continues to be a divisive problem.
Reducing the overall number of locals possibly along title group or regional lines would help to streamline negotiations, president’s councils, etc. This reduction of upper management within the ATD and their Locals could also help by centralizing the arbitration process, possible into one arbitration unit handling all grievances; this consolidation would better utilize the limited resources of the ATD and all the locals.
Resources could be better used to find common threads, more along common labor issue and respecting the difference of each title group. These should be our strengths as it is in the overall labor movement.
Presidents Council
There would be a Presidents Council that would oversee and administer the global issues that affect the AA/TWU membership that they represent. Duties and responsibilities would include, but not be limited to:
1) Negotiations
a) Identifying the membership’s goals for their contract and formulating them into contract proposals.
2) Administration
a) Ensuring the contract is enforced at the system-wide level.
B) Coordinating the uniform enforcement and application of the contract at all Locals. (No side deals that undermine the overall membership.)
c) Committees and appointments
i) Creation of all committees along with their scope and range will be determined by the President’s Council.
ii) All AA/TWU Committees and appointees will be accountable to the President’s Council or those they so designate.
iii) All committee appointees will be selected and approved by the President’s Council through a mutually agreed upon procedure.
iv) All Airline System Board appointees will be reviewed and selected by the President’s Council.
3) Political
a) Identifying and addressing the legislative goals of the ATD Division.
Standing Committees would be created by the Presidents Council to assist with the ongoing process of better serving the membership. These committees would report directly to the Presidents Council and would address issues such as political action, legal, structure, grievance and arbitrations, etc.
AA/TWU System Coordinator
The President’s Council will advise and report to the AA/TWU System Coordinator as to what is the will of the membership in regards to all issues. The duties and responsibilities of the AA/System Coordinator are as follows;
1) To act on the direction given to him/her by the Presidents Council.
2) To report back to the Presidents Council any and all information and outcomes of any proceedings or discussion with Company Representatives.
3) To make no independent action unless expressed authority to make such action was given by the Presidents Council.
4) To make agreements with the Company only when properly authorized by the Presidents Council.
5) To act as spokesperson for the membership of the TWU with AA.
The selection of the AA System Coordinator - as well as any and all International position that oversees administration of the AA/TWU Agreement - must be by direct election of the membership. This can be done to coincide with the TWU Constitutional Convention.
In addition, all officers at any level should be subject to recall provisions. A recall process needs to be developed that would provide for officers to be recalled. The provision should be written so that only a majority can force a recall vote.
Information Technology
The TWU must provide higher quality representation. A large piece of representation is information and how it is used and distributed. Existing Information Technology (IT) is under-utilized and there is no clear plan. The following proposal offers just one possible direction the TWU can go;
1) Hardware
a) The TWU International should ask multiple computer hardware companies to offer proposals and solutions to standardizing the hardware at all Locals in the AA/TWU system. Proposal should include;
i) Establishing an internal use only network that is secure.
ii) Establish a central server at ATD Office in DFW
iii) Common hardware for all Locals
iv) Should include maintenance and technical support.
v) All Locals would pay a fee to cover cost. ATD would pay cost and each Local would pay a pro rata share.
2) Software
a) The TWU International would solicit proposals that would deal with a software solution to meet the Union’s unique needs.
B) Standardize all forms and make them electronic with a provision to get a hard copy.
i) Grievance forms would be completed online. They would be submitted to the Local via the internet. A hard copy would be used by AA as the working copy.
ii) Tracking software to handle all grievances would be used. Local Grievance Committees could track and follow up more effectively on status of grievances.
c) Member services
i) Members would update personal info such as addresses online.
ii) Dues tracking software so that members who pay by hand can check their balance.
iii) All insurance forms for TWU offered programs would be available to the members. Submission of claim forms could be on the TWU-ATD website.
iv) Get news on contract negotiations.
d) Contract enforcement tools;
i) Arbitration research
(1) All past Opinion and Awards would be on the central server at the ATD Office. All cases would be on the server and be fully indexed for rapid accessing.
(2) Legal library to help with preparing for cases.
e) Training
i) Develop online training courses for union representatives to better the skills
ii) Links to resources that representatives could use to further their knowledge.
iii) Online exercises that representatives could use to better their skills.
f) Publicity and Education
i) Online newsletter
ii) Political news and system that helps members get involved and informed in the legislative process and how it affects them.
g) Email system
i) Internal email system for representatives to communicate through.
ii) External email system for contacting the membership.
3) Video and Phone Conferencing
a) These methods are already used to varying degrees but need better utilization and application.
B) When contract negotiations are in process, weekly video updates can be established to inform our members.
c) International or Presidents Council could do presentations via a video conference that members could attend at their respective locals.
4) Establish an 800 number that would be used for members that do not have access to a computer but want information.
Publicity and Education
The TWU has an identity problem. Although it has been established that the TWU’s roots are in ground transportation, many members believe this means the smaller divisions are not effectively represented. Several reasons for this exist.
1) The TWU Express focuses primarily on the ground transit portion of the TWU.
2) The history of the TWU is rooted and publicized that it began in ground transit.
3) Most emblems and logos focus on the ground transit aspect.
4) Lack of separate identity within the TWU.
While some solutions are to separate entirely each group, the issue can be resolved by other less drastic means.
1) Newsletter
a) Develop a separate section in the TWU Express that deals solely with Air Transit related issues. Same newsletter, but create a discernable difference.
i) FAA Regulatory issues
ii) Aviation safety issues
iii) Industry related news that affects the membership.
2) Publicize that the TWU is a union that represents worker’s rights and issues and can effectively represent each group’s needs.
a) Publicize where the TWU started and how it got to where it is now.
B) Publicize that the TWU is evolving to meet the greater scope of the transportation sector. (i.e. railway, buses, airlines, etc.)
c) Update the logo and emblems to better represent those we represent more clearly.
3) Separate the representative groups on specific issues unique to each group represented by the TWU. Keep them together on common issues.
Summary
While the above serves to give one particular direction to go, it is not the only direction to go. One thing is for certain, that all members should get involved in the shape of their union and how they are represented. I hope that others will present ideas that can better the TWU from within so that our members can feel that they have a say in how their union represents them.
Introduction
The TWU at American Airlines has undergone much adversity over the much of its 46 year history. For the most part, the TWU has done much for its members over this period. There have been many victories that the TWU has earned for the membership at American Airlines. Since deregulation hit the airline industry in 1978, the industry has undergone tremendous highs and lows. Now, due to a horrendous economy that has been brought on by a variety of reasons too numerous to go into here, the TWU faces a serious problem.
The problem is that the airline industry changed and we did not. These changes were brought on by;
• Ever changing government regulations
• The industry is much more competitive due to deregulation
• The job skills have become vastly different in the groups the TWU represents at American Airlines, Inc. (AA)
• The work environment has changed (i.e. changing attitudes on work place violence, discrimination, harassment, etc.)
• The demographics of our membership has changed
o Younger membership - the hard fought gains of the past and how we earned them has been forgotten.
o New generation was brought up when the concern was not the whole group but on individual achievement. That you need to worry about yourself first.
• Airline Human Resources has become more professional and better educated while we rely on well-meaning, but woefully outclassed, union representatives.
• An emerging global work environment that offers similar job skills but with reduced government oversight and inherently lower costs.
• And many other details that can be debated ad infinitum
What this has brought on is a myriad of complex problems. Members are looking to the TWU and they do not see us as prepared. They see an antiquated organization that is out-classed by American Airlines. They see us as unwilling to change so the groundswell of support for labor organizations outside the TWU grows with every day that we stagnate.
Some problems are clear while others are more ambiguous, so in order to correct the issues at hand, we must have a plan with distinct goals.
The Plan
The solution to the problems the TWU faces cannot be resolved by merely advertising how bad the other organizations are to make us look better. The TWU must be better. This proposal outlines several aspects that will allow the TWU to be more responsive and professional. The following is what the core issues at hand are;
1) Structure
a) The TWU system of locals is confusing and has no rhyme or reason. The system is based on an outdated and outmoded way of doing business before the day of instantaneous communications.
B) Financial as well as physical resources are not being used effectively, duplication exists at all levels.
c) Separation of work groups to more effectively represent those each local covers.
d) Negotiation teams are cumbersome and ineffective.
2) Information Technology
a) Technological solutions exist that will allow the TWU become highly effective.
3) Publicity and Education
a) The ATD needs a separate identity within the larger body of the TWU.
B) The TWU needs specialized training for its representatives.
Structure
The ability to address specific needs of various title groups while encouraging unity as a labor organization requires the review of the complex system of locals. Within the ATD structure itself, the fact that there are so many locals with a mixture of different title groups, employers and contracts makes it very confusing. Within the AA system itself this still continues to be a divisive problem.
Reducing the overall number of locals possibly along title group or regional lines would help to streamline negotiations, president’s councils, etc. This reduction of upper management within the ATD and their Locals could also help by centralizing the arbitration process, possible into one arbitration unit handling all grievances; this consolidation would better utilize the limited resources of the ATD and all the locals.
Resources could be better used to find common threads, more along common labor issue and respecting the difference of each title group. These should be our strengths as it is in the overall labor movement.
Presidents Council
There would be a Presidents Council that would oversee and administer the global issues that affect the AA/TWU membership that they represent. Duties and responsibilities would include, but not be limited to:
1) Negotiations
a) Identifying the membership’s goals for their contract and formulating them into contract proposals.
2) Administration
a) Ensuring the contract is enforced at the system-wide level.
B) Coordinating the uniform enforcement and application of the contract at all Locals. (No side deals that undermine the overall membership.)
c) Committees and appointments
i) Creation of all committees along with their scope and range will be determined by the President’s Council.
ii) All AA/TWU Committees and appointees will be accountable to the President’s Council or those they so designate.
iii) All committee appointees will be selected and approved by the President’s Council through a mutually agreed upon procedure.
iv) All Airline System Board appointees will be reviewed and selected by the President’s Council.
3) Political
a) Identifying and addressing the legislative goals of the ATD Division.
Standing Committees would be created by the Presidents Council to assist with the ongoing process of better serving the membership. These committees would report directly to the Presidents Council and would address issues such as political action, legal, structure, grievance and arbitrations, etc.
AA/TWU System Coordinator
The President’s Council will advise and report to the AA/TWU System Coordinator as to what is the will of the membership in regards to all issues. The duties and responsibilities of the AA/System Coordinator are as follows;
1) To act on the direction given to him/her by the Presidents Council.
2) To report back to the Presidents Council any and all information and outcomes of any proceedings or discussion with Company Representatives.
3) To make no independent action unless expressed authority to make such action was given by the Presidents Council.
4) To make agreements with the Company only when properly authorized by the Presidents Council.
5) To act as spokesperson for the membership of the TWU with AA.
The selection of the AA System Coordinator - as well as any and all International position that oversees administration of the AA/TWU Agreement - must be by direct election of the membership. This can be done to coincide with the TWU Constitutional Convention.
In addition, all officers at any level should be subject to recall provisions. A recall process needs to be developed that would provide for officers to be recalled. The provision should be written so that only a majority can force a recall vote.
Information Technology
The TWU must provide higher quality representation. A large piece of representation is information and how it is used and distributed. Existing Information Technology (IT) is under-utilized and there is no clear plan. The following proposal offers just one possible direction the TWU can go;
1) Hardware
a) The TWU International should ask multiple computer hardware companies to offer proposals and solutions to standardizing the hardware at all Locals in the AA/TWU system. Proposal should include;
i) Establishing an internal use only network that is secure.
ii) Establish a central server at ATD Office in DFW
iii) Common hardware for all Locals
iv) Should include maintenance and technical support.
v) All Locals would pay a fee to cover cost. ATD would pay cost and each Local would pay a pro rata share.
2) Software
a) The TWU International would solicit proposals that would deal with a software solution to meet the Union’s unique needs.
B) Standardize all forms and make them electronic with a provision to get a hard copy.
i) Grievance forms would be completed online. They would be submitted to the Local via the internet. A hard copy would be used by AA as the working copy.
ii) Tracking software to handle all grievances would be used. Local Grievance Committees could track and follow up more effectively on status of grievances.
c) Member services
i) Members would update personal info such as addresses online.
ii) Dues tracking software so that members who pay by hand can check their balance.
iii) All insurance forms for TWU offered programs would be available to the members. Submission of claim forms could be on the TWU-ATD website.
iv) Get news on contract negotiations.
d) Contract enforcement tools;
i) Arbitration research
(1) All past Opinion and Awards would be on the central server at the ATD Office. All cases would be on the server and be fully indexed for rapid accessing.
(2) Legal library to help with preparing for cases.
e) Training
i) Develop online training courses for union representatives to better the skills
ii) Links to resources that representatives could use to further their knowledge.
iii) Online exercises that representatives could use to better their skills.
f) Publicity and Education
i) Online newsletter
ii) Political news and system that helps members get involved and informed in the legislative process and how it affects them.
g) Email system
i) Internal email system for representatives to communicate through.
ii) External email system for contacting the membership.
3) Video and Phone Conferencing
a) These methods are already used to varying degrees but need better utilization and application.
B) When contract negotiations are in process, weekly video updates can be established to inform our members.
c) International or Presidents Council could do presentations via a video conference that members could attend at their respective locals.
4) Establish an 800 number that would be used for members that do not have access to a computer but want information.
Publicity and Education
The TWU has an identity problem. Although it has been established that the TWU’s roots are in ground transportation, many members believe this means the smaller divisions are not effectively represented. Several reasons for this exist.
1) The TWU Express focuses primarily on the ground transit portion of the TWU.
2) The history of the TWU is rooted and publicized that it began in ground transit.
3) Most emblems and logos focus on the ground transit aspect.
4) Lack of separate identity within the TWU.
While some solutions are to separate entirely each group, the issue can be resolved by other less drastic means.
1) Newsletter
a) Develop a separate section in the TWU Express that deals solely with Air Transit related issues. Same newsletter, but create a discernable difference.
i) FAA Regulatory issues
ii) Aviation safety issues
iii) Industry related news that affects the membership.
2) Publicize that the TWU is a union that represents worker’s rights and issues and can effectively represent each group’s needs.
a) Publicize where the TWU started and how it got to where it is now.
B) Publicize that the TWU is evolving to meet the greater scope of the transportation sector. (i.e. railway, buses, airlines, etc.)
c) Update the logo and emblems to better represent those we represent more clearly.
3) Separate the representative groups on specific issues unique to each group represented by the TWU. Keep them together on common issues.
Summary
While the above serves to give one particular direction to go, it is not the only direction to go. One thing is for certain, that all members should get involved in the shape of their union and how they are represented. I hope that others will present ideas that can better the TWU from within so that our members can feel that they have a say in how their union represents them.
