FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Rick Mullings 918.810.1081
Emilie Karrick 202.253.7298
January 15, 2004
TWU DEBATE PANEL REVEALS TRUTH ABOUT AMFA
TULSA — Rank and file supporters of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) today told an assembled crowd of American Airlines mechanic and related workers why they are sticking with their union. The TWU supporters challenged representatives of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) to a debate, however. AMFA failed to send a panel to participate.
“We’re disappointed that AMFA didn’t have the guts to get up there and debate us,†said Rick Mullings, spokesman for TWU Local 514. “They are trying to get our support yet they refuse to step up to the plate. It seems as if they just aren’t ready to face questions from our membership.’
Facing three empty seats on the AMFA side of the stage, a panel of three TWU supporters praised the TWU for saving 12,000 jobs and maintaining one of the lowest rates of outsourcing in the industry while keeping the three maintenance bases at American Airlines open. They then exposed AMFA’s abysmal track record on outsourcing, job loss and accountability.
AMFA is a Laconia, New Hampshire-based group formed to raid AFL-CIO unions across the airline industry.
“There are more than 10,000 people on the streets right now because of AMFA,†said Lee Doughty, a panelist from TWU Local 530 in Kansas City. “Their airlines currently lead the industry in the outsourcing of work both overseas and to outside contractors. AMFA leads their members straight to the unemployment line.â€
Today’s debate was sponsored by Tulsa’s TWU Local 514 and TEAM TWU — a growing group of TWU supporters from across the American Airlines system. TWU challenged AMFA to today’s debate last month in order to clear up half truths and misconceptions that AMFA has been circulating about the union. AMFA’s only response to the TWU’s challenge was to propose a debate on Saturday at the Brady Theater.
“Today’s debate was among the rank and file workers who will have to live with the outcome of this representational dispute,†said Matt Porter, a panelist from TWU Local 567 at Alliance Fort Worth. “This is about us; this is about the people who stand to fall victim to AMFA’s record of allowing the elimination of jobs and the outsourcing of maintenance work. We should be the ones discussing these issues.â€
TWU represents nearly 60,000 workers in the nation’s airline industry, including 29,000 active employees at American and 15,000 mechanic and related classes. TWU has represented workers at American Airlines since 1946.
CONTACT: Rick Mullings 918.810.1081
Emilie Karrick 202.253.7298
January 15, 2004
TWU DEBATE PANEL REVEALS TRUTH ABOUT AMFA
TULSA — Rank and file supporters of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) today told an assembled crowd of American Airlines mechanic and related workers why they are sticking with their union. The TWU supporters challenged representatives of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) to a debate, however. AMFA failed to send a panel to participate.
“We’re disappointed that AMFA didn’t have the guts to get up there and debate us,†said Rick Mullings, spokesman for TWU Local 514. “They are trying to get our support yet they refuse to step up to the plate. It seems as if they just aren’t ready to face questions from our membership.’
Facing three empty seats on the AMFA side of the stage, a panel of three TWU supporters praised the TWU for saving 12,000 jobs and maintaining one of the lowest rates of outsourcing in the industry while keeping the three maintenance bases at American Airlines open. They then exposed AMFA’s abysmal track record on outsourcing, job loss and accountability.
AMFA is a Laconia, New Hampshire-based group formed to raid AFL-CIO unions across the airline industry.
“There are more than 10,000 people on the streets right now because of AMFA,†said Lee Doughty, a panelist from TWU Local 530 in Kansas City. “Their airlines currently lead the industry in the outsourcing of work both overseas and to outside contractors. AMFA leads their members straight to the unemployment line.â€
Today’s debate was sponsored by Tulsa’s TWU Local 514 and TEAM TWU — a growing group of TWU supporters from across the American Airlines system. TWU challenged AMFA to today’s debate last month in order to clear up half truths and misconceptions that AMFA has been circulating about the union. AMFA’s only response to the TWU’s challenge was to propose a debate on Saturday at the Brady Theater.
“Today’s debate was among the rank and file workers who will have to live with the outcome of this representational dispute,†said Matt Porter, a panelist from TWU Local 567 at Alliance Fort Worth. “This is about us; this is about the people who stand to fall victim to AMFA’s record of allowing the elimination of jobs and the outsourcing of maintenance work. We should be the ones discussing these issues.â€
TWU represents nearly 60,000 workers in the nation’s airline industry, including 29,000 active employees at American and 15,000 mechanic and related classes. TWU has represented workers at American Airlines since 1946.