UAL Mechanics' Election Set for Feb. 26

[UAL_TECH]

UAL Mechanics' Election Set for Feb. 26

This will be interesting... :blink:

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Mediation Board notified the Teamsters Union and 9,300 active and furloughed United Airlines mechanics that a representation vote will take place between Feb. 26 and March 31.


The Teamsters filed for a petition with the NMB on Dec. 3, culminating a two-year campaign by hundreds of rank-and-file mechanics to gain strong representation by United airline mechanics.


Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa welcomed the news.


"It's a disgrace that United mechanics are losing their jobs to repair stations in China and South Korea, which have lower safety and security standards than U.S. repair stations," Hoffa said. "United mechanics can count on the Teamsters to fight for them and for airline passengers against dangerous outsourcing. We will also stand with the mechanics in the fight for their rights when their retirement security is threatened.


"We expect to win this election," Hoffa said. "Teamster organizers left no stone unturned in contacting employed and furloughed mechanics throughout the country."


The NMB authorized voting by Internet and telephone. It has directed the company to send the list of eligible voter names to the NMB in the form of labels.


"The question everyone has been asking is, 'When are we going to have an election date'?" said Rich Petrovsky, a 38-year UAL mechanic and chair of the Committee for Change. "We are so gratified to see this finally happening. We're finally going to have our Teamsters election," Petrovsky said.


"The Teamsters have been a union of actions, and not just empty promises," said Kevin Zunker, a United mechanic based in Denver. "The Teamsters stand up and fight for the rights of their members with all their knowledge and resources. The Teamsters also bring the best contract language to protect jobs."


The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 40,000 airline employees, including more than 9,000 mechanics and related at 11 airlines such as Continental and UPS.


The organizing campaign has been helped by Teamster airline mechanics at UPS, US Airways (Allegheny), Aloha Island Air, AirTran, Frontier, NetJets, ExpressJet, Executive Jet, Piedmont, Champion Air, Ross Aviation and GE Engine Services.


Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Ran the Reamster gauntlet today with glad-handing professional organizers.

Prediction 2008, UAL M&R will be decertified and there will be no Union.

Too Bad, Sooo Sad....

B) UT

 

[700UW]

Is that why all the IBT represented AMTs outsource their heavy mtc?

 

[TWU-GOTTA-GO]

This is kind of funny or rather sad.

Hoffa says:

"It's a disgrace that United mechanics are losing their jobs to repair stations in China and South Korea, which have lower safety and security standards than U.S. repair stations," Hoffa said. "United mechanics can count on the Teamsters to fight for them and for airline passengers against dangerous outsourcing.

Add this:

Kevin Zunker, a United mechanic based in Denver. "The Teamsters stand up and fight for the rights of their members with all their knowledge and resources. The Teamsters also bring the best contract language to protect jobs."

Then the truth:

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 40,000 airline employees, including more than 9,000 mechanics and related at 11 airlines such as Continental and UPS.


The organizing campaign has been helped by Teamster airline mechanics at UPS, US Airways (Allegheny), Aloha Island Air, AirTran, Frontier, NetJets, ExpressJet, Executive Jet, Piedmont, Champion Air, Ross Aviation and GE Engine Services.

Looks like no one at Continental would help. Add in the fact they have 11 airlines, 1767 airplanes in their combine fleets, not including Ross or GE's work, and they have a mere 9,000 mechanics but claim the best language to protect jobs.

 

[UAL_TECH]

Is that why all the IBT represented AMTs outsource their heavy mtc?

Very good , keyword is 'ALL' :angry:
Then they talk like the 2nd coming. :blink:
Good Luck to the idiots that vote these clowns in...

JMHO,
B) UT

 

[scuba]

Can somebody explain what is going to happen on this election? Are you getting a ballot to replace AMFA with IBT? Could it happen that that you get no representation at the end of the election?

 

[UAL_TECH]

Can somebody explain what is going to happen on this election? Are you getting a ballot to replace AMFA with IBT? Could it happen that that you get no representation at the end of the election?

Best Read here:

mnb.gov Help Desk

Representation

When a union or an individual seeks to represent a specific group of employees (craft-or-class under the RLA) for the purpose of negotiating as a group on wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions (collective bargaining), the NMB investigates the case. The NMB examines the jurisdiction of the carrier under the RLA; the appropriate carrier and craft-or-class designation; the eligibility of voters; and whether an election is justified. If an election is authorized, the NMB conducts the election and certifies the winning union or individual to represent the group. Additionally, the NMB ensures that the representation process occurs without interference, influence or coercion. See the NMB Representation Manual for more information.

The NMB does not have a union-decertification process per se; however, you may want to review questions 38, 39, 23 and 28 of the NMB frequently asked questions for representation.

The NMB does not have jurisdiction over internal union matters such as the election of union officials, voting to strike, or the voting to approve (ratify) a collective bargaining agreement.

For a Description of NMB representation, click here.

For frequently asked questions (FAQs), click here.

For a menu of other representation information, click here.

38. Q: What happens after the tally?

A: If a majority of the eligible voters voted in favor of representation, the NMB issues a certification the next business day after a tally. If less than a majority of eligible voters voted in favor of representation, the NMB issues a dismissal.

39. Q: If a representation application is dismissed, does the current representative of the craft or class of employees lose its representation rights?

A: It depends. If an organization files an application for a craft or class that is already represented, the incumbent organization is a party in the investigation and election. If the organization which filed the application does not have an adequate showing of interest or for some other reason the application is dismissed prior to an election, the incumbent organization will remain the representative of the craft or class. If the investigation proceeds to an election and a majority of the eligible voters in the craft or class do not vote in the election, then the application is dismissed and the incumbent organization loses its representation status. In determining whether a majority of employees voted, all votes for representation are totaled.

In a nutshell, if not enough people vote for either union, there is no union.

JMHO, if the IBT wins, UAL M&R loose and the outsourcing will esculate.

B) UT

 

[tech2101]

Best Read here:

mnb.gov Help Desk





In a nutshell, if not enough people vote for either union, there is no union.

JMHO, if the IBT wins, UAL M&R loose and the outsourcing will esculate.

B) UT

UAL must be salivating at the thought of decertification. BOHICA.

 

[TWU informer]

The TEAMSTERS refused to give an option on repesentation against the TWU.

The TWU has led the industry in concessions and is the most anti-democratic union on the planet. Appointed leadership across the top with no accountability to the dues paying membership.

If the TEMASTERS really had the best interest of the AMT Profession on the top of their platter then we would have had an organizing drive at AA to oust the TWU. It is the TWU that does the most damage to the AMT profession and has for 20+ years yet the TEAMSTER refused to help us out.

I highly doubt that the TEAMSTERS are in this for the best interest of the AMT profession. I more suspect they are hooked up with the TWU to get rid of the only existing threat to company unionism and anti-democracy in the Maintenace Representation World. The TWU still fears AMFA and knows we had enough cards to oust them only to be thwarted by by the company protecting their lapdog union.

Based on the above facts and given the refusal by the TEAMSTERS to help oust the TWU from the profession at American Airlines, if I was unhappy with AMFA at UAL, I would vote for NO UNION at all before I would vote for the TEAMSTERS.

If the membership at UAL has a problem with AMFA then they have a problem with a democratic union. And if you have a problem with a democratic union then come and try the TWU for awhile and see where you end up.

 

[AMFAMAN]

Looks like no one at Continental would help. Add in the fact they have 11 airlines, 1767 airplanes in their combine fleets, not including Ross or GE's work, and they have a mere 9,000 mechanics but claim the best language to protect jobs.

Using the Reamsters math, UAL will be going down to 2300 mechanics based on their 460 planes in their fleet, and the "best language to protect jobs" at a mere 5 mechanics per a plane.

 

[UAL_TECH]

I copied this from the-amt.com and thoughgt it is quite appropiate:

While walking down the street one day a UAL mechanic is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a UAL Corporate type around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, I’m not Senior Management- I’m a mechanic just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the mechanic.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are several Union business agents and more dead Airline Executives than you could shake an unearned bonus at.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people and all talking happily about airlines in the good ol’ days.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, dressed like a paramedic and ready to save anyone who chokes, and he really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the mechanic joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp, drinking frosty cold Harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The UAL Mechanic reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all the Business Agents and Airline Execs, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as used blue water rain and murky half frozen blue hail fall from the sky coating them.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers the mechanic. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and everyone looks miserable.
What happened?"

The devil, now wearing his IBT Local 1 jacket, looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted."

UT

 

[Bob Owens]

The Teamsters instead of AMFA?

At this time I have seen nothing to indicate that that would be a good choice.

Hoffa claims that the Teamsters will fight against outsourcing, yet at those carriers where the Teamsters already represent mechanics they have not been successful at bringing work in house. Just look at Continental, UPS and SWA, where the mechanics ousted the Teamsters in favor of AMFA a few years ago, none of them have as much insourced work as UAL.

The Teamsters have done a good job at UPS and SWA as far as wages, where they set industry standards, but those are special circumstances. UPS mechanics benifit from being aligned with the militant pro-Carey faction of the IBT. Under Carey UPS led the last successful major strike in this country-thats why our corporate controlled government ran him out of the IBT. Hoffa on the other hand led the Overnight Trucking debacle and if my memory is correct supported Bush for President, in the hopes that by picking the winning side government oversight would be eased up-he was wrong. He is still a lapdog. SWA pays everyone the best so the fact that the mechanics voted them out should say more than the contract that was put in place while they were there. Continental is better off than TWU represented workers at AA but thats not exactly an endorsement. The fact is that all three of those carriers do very little overhaul and in all the years the IBT has been there, and with all the resources at their disposal they have done nothing to change that, yet, here they are criticizing AMFA for the concessions that the IAM put in place that allowed UAL to send out overhaul work.

The IBT has no particular interest in A&P mechanics or airline workers. They are simply opportunists seeking dues.They may have left the AFL-CIO but they have long since abandoned the mission statement of the "United We Win" coalition. Its business unionism as usual with the IBT. When workers at AA contacted the IBT about representation the IBT sent a letter to the TWU assuring them that they had no interest in representing the workers at AA. So why is the IBT all of a sudden interested in A&P mechanics at UAL? Simply because they are pissed that AMFA replaced them at SWA and they are trying to use you guys as a means of getting back at AMFA. They could care less about you guys and the guys selling it are just trying to make a bed for themselves.

Tell the IBT that you know of a group of workers that are really unhappy with the union they have and that after they go and get them, then maybe you will consider trading in your craft union for a business union.

When the IBT starts to act like a real union and is willing to step on the toes of the AFL-CIO and offer workers a choice of representation then maybe they would be worth considering, until then, you are better off staying with a union that you control. Give the guys over at SWA a call and ask them why they ousted the IBT before you jump in.

 

[gatemech]

Anyone who thinks the IBT will be our saving grace is a complete IDIOT!!!!!!!

So many people think we will get our pention back. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!

If the IBT wins I will become a dues objector. Don't want any part of them.
Just a bunch of sorry IAM leaders that don't want to get their hands dirty anymore.
I voted those sorry sacks out once and I will vote to keep them out again.

All that matters is that everyone votes !!!!!

 

[UAL_TECH]

Anyone who thinks the IBT will be our saving grace is a complete IDIOT!!!!!!!

So many people think we will get our pention back. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!

If the IBT wins I will become a dues objector. Don't want any part of them.
Just a bunch of sorry IAM leaders that don't want to get their hands dirty anymore.
I voted those sorry sacks out once and I will vote to keep them out again.

All that matters is that everyone votes !!!!!

Good Post

I agree 100%

Too bad the rest of the M&R do not comprehend the ramifications of this vote. :down:

Hopefully, they will not learn this first hand.

It will be interesting on how this plays out.

Take Care and watch your back,
B) UAL_TECH

 

[gatemech]

Good Post

I agree 100%

Too bad the rest of the M&R do not comprehend the ramifications of this vote. :down:

Hopefully, they will not learn this first hand.

It will be interesting on how this plays out.

Take Care and watch your back,
B) UAL_TECH

I'm done watching my back. The only thing United hasn't come after is in front.

 

[700UW]

AMFA Says ''Better Late Than Never'' as Teamsters Eye Outsourcing
Monday February 11, 8:44 am ET

AURORA, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) prepares to hold its first Airline Summit meeting on maintenance outsourcing in Washington, DC, today, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) officials said, "Better late than never."

"This is the first time the IBT has shown any real interest in limiting outsourcing. They've been at Continental Airlines for 10 years and still don't have any outsourcing audit provisions in their contract. These provisions and other measures have been standard in AMFA's carrier contracts for many years," said AMFA National Director Steve MacFarlane.

MacFarlane said data collected by the respected MIT Airline Project shows that for the period 1995-2006, outsourcing percentages have grown substantially higher than industry averages at airlines under contract with IBT.

"We're glad that the IBT is starting to pay attention to an issue that has been of primary concern to AMFA and other unions representing aircraft technicians at U.S. carriers," MacFarlane added. "Once they get up to speed on this important issue, all of the unions can work together to address it aggressively."

AMFA is the largest craft union representing aircraft technicians and related employees and serves members at Alaska Airlines, ATA, Horizon Air, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. AMFA's motto is "Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground."

Contact:
AMFA National
Steve MacFarlane, 612-910-8003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: AMFA National