Is AMFA really going to be better

planedoctor · Joined: Oct 08, 2002 Posts: 306

The official voting starts Friday. Any last minute discussions?

Would you really think a complete switch would cure the problems? How about giving up that big voice the teamsters has in the government?

I personally think it might be better to crack the whip on the teamsters and get them in line rather then starting over with AMFA. I work for CAL and we have the same issues you do. I think between the two of us making changes happen at the IBT would be quicker and less painful then going with new representation.

Don't get me wrong, the IBT has a lot of issues to be straightened out

, but if your car needed a tune up you wouldn't just go out and get a new one would you?

Voice your opinions, stand you ground. Make the Union work FOR you.
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Mick · Joined: Dec 25, 2002 Posts: 3 Location: USA

Yes I Do agree with you,for us our AMT's contract Is up Oct 2003,And Our course will hopfully be to Get behind IBT get a contract. It all Hinge's on SWA and there Vote Jan 24,2003.We get alot of Talk and no help to Unite people. But like your Greed article it's like a cancer,How do you get people interested ,The onlu thing I know to do is to Talk. Mick @ AWA.

planedoctor · Joined: Oct 08, 2002 Posts: 306

Hey Mick Welcome aboard

I have added a new forum "America West Airlines" and will be happy to open up some Q&A to possibly get your group involved.

Let's continue over there

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RDUCALTECH · Joined: Nov 27, 2002 Posts: 7 Location: USA

Planedoc, I don't know if you are clearly seeing our problem with the Teamsters, they need more than a tune up; more like a engine overhaul, not only that but odometer is broken too. (We all know they have trouble counting). For example, our local business rep is some guy that worked in a battery plant and has very little idea on what responsibilties an AMT has. and being a small outstation, (we have 6 techs) our biz rep has bigger fish to fry. I think he feels we make to much money anyway. I don't know the level of involment your station has with your local but ours is almost nonexitsant.

planedoctor · Joined: Oct 08, 2002 Posts: 306

I see the problems with the IBT. I first would like to say I honestly haven't set my mind in any one direction concerning which would be better IBT of AMFA.

I see where you coming from RDUCALTECH. Being at a small station do you really honestly think having AMFA or anyone else would increase the support you get locally? I wouldn't think it would. That's alwasy going to be that way do to your station size.

There was a thread started HERE that jumped into this topic a bit. It's a real tough one. There are a lot of companies that are unhappy with the IBT right now. There is also a drive at NWA to bring in the IAM and drop AMFA.

I believe the guys at SWA really opened the IBT's eyes and hopefully they(IBT) will attempt to make some positive changes. I don't know if it's to late though.

From the Solidarity that CAL has, I don't think any union would do much different at appeasing the masses. Our local BA just last month moved his office into town. He was located about 1 hr from the station before. I was told he hasn't had but less then 1 hand full of members stop by since them. As a foot note I didnt see him either, but I did write the Division Director a letter.

I'm relatively new to unions. It has been quite a learning experience watching and learning how things work. The biggest problem I see is the lack of Solidarity amongst the members(my experience at CAL). It just isn't there. I don't know how to get more members to be actively participate.
Like I had posted in the thread about my letter to the IBT. If the unions don't get feedback but from only 1-2% of its members it will never know there's a problem. A lot of guys will BITCH, BITCH, BITCH but that's it. Now letter writing, no phone calls, nothing. Do they expect the shop steward to change the big issues?

Here's another example of a IBT screw up. The IBT has on their website a flyer showing Hoffa greeting the guys at SWA. There was one picture that showed him talking with some guys around the tool box area. It caught me odd that this one guys box had a sticker of a 757 on it. Then it occurred to me they screwed up and put a picture of Hoffa greeting guys at America West instead.

Click HERE to see it!
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