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On 3/23/2003 9:24:38 AM Buck wrote:
The seperation of TULE from the rest of the system to become like Southwest? Are they not beginning to perform their own heavy maintenance? If a seperation of the line mechanics from the base maintenance is called for, I for one would excercise my seniority and displace a line mechanic. In fact I would most likely displace a DFW mechnic to maintain my comparable cost of living. Once the seperation of the two different mechanic groups is completed, is American going to pay the same wages to it''s mechanics that Southwest does? So you see after all of the years of the TWU structure, that has produced the "I got mine brother", I would attempt to get mine. Remember that while you continualy raise the question about cost of living, TULE has the lowest mechanic wages in the company. There are not any SRP/OSM mechanics on the line.
So how do we fix the structure that has produced the Roll Call vote?
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Well I don’t see the company getting rid of Overhaul. They have a lot on meney invested there. As the economies of scale make in house OH a better business decision SWA is going more and more that way. This line about sending out all the OH is supposedly based upon cost savings. If more and more airlines outsource, thereby idling their own facilities the price that those facilities charge will go up and the airline becomes dependant on the vendor’s schedule. The company loses the ability to schedule its checks in the most efficient manner possible. The fact that we have OSMs makes it possible not only that AA can do the work cheaper than its competitors but probably comparable to vendors.
Line guys don’t have a problem with OH. We have a problem with Tulsa. We do not like the fact that this one local, that happens to be located in a very cheap area of the country sets the terms of our contract. They set the terms based upon the cost of living in Tulsa. Its one thing if Tulsa can vote in a contract because they have the numbers, that’s Democracy, its another when they even control what gets voted on without the other locals having real input, that’s tyranny. I can accept the fact that the actual vote count went one way or the other, however to assume that all 7000 members are in agreement with the president is not justified. Even if Tulsa does not use the Roll Call, its still wrong that they have it.
There should be a differential between Tulsa and the line. The working conditions are different and the cost of living is different. In the NY area a "starter" home will set you back at least $350,000. What would a 1200 sq/ft home on a 60X100 lot cost in Tulsa? While there is a Line differential OH gets it if they work Sat or Sun. The line mechanic who has Sat or Sun off is considered to have weekends off. It’s considered a premium slot. I don’t blame Tulsa for acting in its best interests. We all are acting in our best interests. However when one local has the power not only to accept or reject what comes from the table but what gets put on it to begin with we have a problem. Tulsa''s ability to act in their interest overrides everybody elses ability. Under these conditions, from a line mechanics perspective, we have to consider whether or not the strength in numbers that being affiliated with Tulsa provides is a benefit or a liability. As it is now, and has been for some time, Tulsa is a liability. We do not consider them an asset in any way. So when the company cites the fact that AA has overhaul and SWA does not it only stings that much more. Surely the company is aware of the wedge between the two groups and it plays upon it. While Tulsa sits there with its big stick, the company continues to drive that wedge a little deeper, with Tulsa unwittingly helping. If the company came back and said “We will keep line maint at SWAs rates but our OH has to compete with Timco so we are spinning those assets off to form a new company AMR Overhaul Services†how should the line react? Most of the line guys would feel as if a great burden has been lifted. The TWU would probably fight it but why would the line guys want to resist? Would Fleet walk away from their $90,000/yr (with OT) jobs? Now line mechanics would have control over their contract, which would be more influenced by those living in high cost areas.
Right now the line had made it clear. Even the junior guys who are going to be directly affected. They say "layoff as needed but do not cut the rates". More than likely Tulsa is going to force through cuts in pay. They can afford to. Its cheap to live there and if their members are laid off, where will they go? So once again, just like all the times before our rates will be determined by conditions in Tulsa.
The roll call vote could be fixed by a member from Tulsa making a motion that at membership meeting directing the President at the next Presidents Council to make a motion to change the bylaws and eliminate the Roll Call provision. This would make the Presidents council a meeting of equals.
How do we fix the structure that produced the Roll call vote? Well there are two ways. One, bring reform on the Constitutional level, which will take time since that opportunity only comes once every 4 years, just as it took time to get this way. Or two, we can change unions. As long as both options are available the likelihood that the desired change will take place is increased. If either option disappears then the likelihood of change disappears. There is no doubt that the majority on the line finds the current structure unacceptable. They support separation within the TWU and/or separation from the TWU. What they seek is greater control over their careers. Separation has not had the same appeal in Tulsa because they have control, and the current structure apparently meets their needs, that’s partially why they reject AMFA. The fact that RTW and ultra right wing zealots have control of the drive doesn’t help either. ( I know “RTW doesn’t have no effect on us†but with the stroke of a pen it could).
RV4;
What''s the matter Dave?