Questions and Answers For
US AIRWAYS Fleet Service Workers
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1. Where will the Allied Ground Workers get the money to represent the workers?
The Allied Ground Workers will be dues-supportive. As soon as you vote in the AGW, the Allied Ground Workers, like the IAM has, will start receiving dues money through the dues-checkoff article in your contract. The only difference will be in how that money is spent.
For instance, the $95,000 salary for your union officers is way out of touch. AGW Officers make in the $50's, with the exception of the President whose salary would be $61,000. The money saved is in the hundreds of thousands and is better used elsewhere. The AGW also cuts out the use of your funds for; political contributions; glamorous yearly conventions; AFLCIO dues; and a host of other deadend paths.
2. What is the difference between the IAM Regime and the Allied Ground Workers
We believe the biggest difference is the system of governance. Democracy vs. Autocracy. The IAM Regime is a union that survived because of the culture of the early to mid 1900's. During that part of the last century, its membership grew because workers were content with a paternal "we know what's best for you" union. A union that doesn't have to communicate with you because it makes several of YOUR choices.
However, the days of members demanding communication, democracy, choices, freedoms, etc., are now here. Unfortunately, the IAM Regime and other "Old Guard" unions are stuck with "Jurassiclike" constitutions that are centuries old and too difficult to change in such a way to truly incorporate the culture shift of todays workforce.
Being a member of the AFLCIO, the IAM is fast becoming known moreso for being a Political beast as opposed to serving its members.
On the other hand, the AGW is membership controlled and has a modern constitution to better serve members in this century. The AGW constitution guarantees communication and guarantees the democratic rights of its members. It's in the Constitution and we encourage you to read it!
3. How was the Allied Ground Workers able to secure the law services of Seham, Seham, Meltz, and Petersen [SSMP]?
The process was a long one. The AGW Interim Officers reviewed different law firms and individual attorneys in the search for legal counsel. However, after meeting with SSMP, we were convinced that SSMP would be a tremendous benefit to the AGW since SSMP is widely recognized as an expert law firm within the scope of the Railway Labor Act. SSMP not only represents thousands of airline workers from different crafts, but they share many of the democratic values of the AGW.
4. How Will the AGW Have Enough Money Without the IAM Regime Behind Us?
We will have more money! The Allied Ground Workers will take the majority of YOUR money and put it right back at your Local where it belongs, instead of sending it a long way from home to feed a huge Political Beast complete with Lear Jet and Golf Course. We won't even have to pay the IAM Regime's "cooks" with YOUR money! Further, we won't be spending YOUR money on Political Contributions, AFLCIO dues, or glamorous conventions!
www.the-agw.org
