A Letter From Teamsters Airline Division Director, Don Treichler

 Dear United Airlines mechanics and related:

Shortly, you will vote to determine who will represent you: Teamsters or AMFA. As if this event was not important enough by itself, rumors of maintenance spinoff and mergers fly about United Airlines. The spinoff goal has been announced and the United CEO has professed a desire to merge. Let there be no doubt, very important decisions affecting your future are on the horizon. You should have a voice in those decisions, and you will if you vote for the Teamsters.

Your first step is a democratic vote conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB). Given the amount of cards that the IBT filed with, we have little doubt that more than 50%+1 of you will vote, regardless of what AMFA claims. But please do not take this election for granted. Do not just assume that someone else will vote for you. We need everyone to vote and that includes you. The new representative will be decided by who receives the plurality of your votes. Your new representative is your decision and your decision alone. 

Many allegations have been made in an effort to influence how you might vote. Let me suggest that your vote should reflect the principal interests of you and your family. Promises mean nothing; it is who can deliver that counts. Some brief comparisons are set forth below:

·         Teamsters have added workers while AMFA has lost thousands of jobs.

·         Teamsters have succeeded in protecting their members in and out of bankruptcy court while AMFA has not.

·         Teamsters have the top agreements in the industry while AMFA does not.

·         Teamsters’ bargaining involves a democratic survey, your members on the negotiating committee and all of the assistance and resources you need. Your vote decides the outcome. This is compared with AMFA’s no resources, no money, inadequate assistance, and implementation of contract items without your vote.

·         Merger assistance from the Teamsters includes attorneys, actuaries, CPA’s, research analysts, and professional staff to assist you compared to AMFA’s lack of money, use of management attorneys, and no professional staff. Teamster representation in such matters will be thorough and professional whether it involves Delta, Continental, or whomever.

·         Teamsters aggressively pursue grievances while AMFA does not.

·         Teamsters are unalterably opposed to outsourcing while AMFA has been willing to make outsourcing deals. Southwest Airlines is the latest example where AMFA has proposed to go along with outsourcing so long as management discusses it with them.

Rather than belabor the point, I will simply say that this may be the most important vote you have ever had over your family’s quality of life and the welfare and viability of your workplace. Your vote for the Teamsters is a vote for professional, tough and fair representation that will help ensure your future career and retirement.

Sincerely,

Don Treichler, Director

Teamsters Airline Division