And how long did you try to get released?
How did that work out?
We never really did. The International just kept stalling, they finally agreed to ask Nov 30th, the company declared BK on Nov 29th.
Nearly every airline union in the history of the RLA asked to be released after their members rejected a TA, especially if the rejection came after three years of negotiations, and over a year under NMB mediation, but the TWU refused to even ask. The pilots and FAs had good cause to kick the can down the road, by 2010 we were already at the bottom of the industry, they werent. We needed to push the process but the International , the lawyers they hired, the reps from Tulsa and the Title II reps from the fleet locals who did whatever Don told them to do blocked any attempt to get to a release. The line Locals and AFW pushed for it at every opportunity.
The Title II rep from Tulsa accused me of wanting to strike, I told him that although I was willing to strike if it came to that I doubt that we would be allowed to strike, that we would most likely end up in a PEB. I base that on the fact that since 1997 the industry as a whole had consolidated and if a pilot strike at AA in 1997 drove a PEB then more than likely so would a mechanics strike in 2010. Yes I know that NWA took on the mechanics in 2005 but not only is AA bigger than NWA was but the supply of mechanics was not the same in 2010 as it was in 2005 )neither was the supply of seats). AA had made no preparations for a strike, probably because they had assurances from Don that nothing would happen, NWA was prepared and had been preparing for roughly 18 months with a huge supply of riffed A&Ps out there, that supply has evaporated. Our pilots were also engaged in contentious negotiations as were the FAs and AA most likely would not get the cooperation that NWA got from their pilots and FAs when the mechanics went on strike. So based upon the likely success of a mechanics strike, and the fact that conditions favor further disruptions by other groups my guess was we would be placed into the PEB process.
So, tell us whats going on with USAIR and the IAM and why the IAM is sitting idly by while their members concessions and labor are converted into record profits that are not shared with them? Why isnt the IAM demanding a release? Have they even sought mediation?
TWU/IAM, six of one/half a dozen of the other. The TWU at AA was always known as a "docile" union, the IAM at one time had a good reputation and they represented more airline workers than any other union, its sad to see what they became.