AMFA…
We
Are Moving Forward Without You
By: Rich Petrovsky,
37-year UAL mechanic and Chair of the Committee for Change
As we move closer to
filing for an election and our pace has turned into a sprint to the
finish line, the AMFA and the IAM continue to battle over a piece of the
pie by continuing their mud slinging and scare tactic editorials.
Let’s clear out all the smoke
and mirrors for a minute and look at what has been happening in the last
few weeks.
The IAM has been increasing
their letters to our homes hoping to throw their hat into the ring as a
contestant. Last month Robert Roach Jr. wrote about the possibilities of
“associating” with the AMFA so we could have a smooth “internal process”
to become members of the IAM again. With no increase in the volume of
cards through that venue, he has sent out a letter this month using the
scare tactics of decertification in an attempt to swing a three way
split during the voting process. Where was the IAM in 2005 when they
became eligible to apply for an election? Mr. Roach was allowing you
time to realize the mistake you had made by voting for the AMFA, even
though there was been very little support for the IAM’s return.
In the meantime, here is what
we have been getting for our monthly dues:
Our AMFA representatives have
been doing little more then “prepping” us for the spin off of the
maintenance base during the past month. AMFA’s Local 9 President wrote
in his letter dated October 29, “The Company has never engaged the union
regarding any terms of any proposed deal. The union has simply been
informed of the company’s intent.” He then goes on to say, “In fact the
union embraces the idea of changing the failed management of the
Airline’s maintenance Division.” These statements speak volumes when you
consider that United wants to keep line maintenance under the United
Airlines brand while expecting to sell off the maintenance base in
At last month’s union meeting,
I held up the bright pink flier that our AMFA reps from Local 9 had put
out about the Panasonic blending that is to begin at United Airlines on
our aircraft.
I explained to Joe Prisco, the
Local 9 President, that if the company wants to continue violating the
contract as they please with something as (comparatively) small as
blending, what makes you think that they care if we vote or not over the
selling of a major stake in the maintenance base? They will most likely
implement the deal anyway. So,
what is AMFA prepared to do in that event?
His answer?
“We could always go on strike!”
Sorry Joe, that’s not the
answer any of us are looking for, given the mess AMFA made at Northwest
Airlines. In fact, that’s exactly what United is waiting for and the
devastating results will be the same for us.
You have all read our last two
newsletters telling you about the Teamsters taking a proactive approach
in
One thing is for sure. United
Airlines management knows how to play us! After years of their use of
“physiological warfare” on us, we have come to believe that we are
“lucky to have what we have”. This simply isn’t true. We are a group of
extremely skilled individuals, and each of us has worked hard for the
benefits these Executive Chieftains have stolen from us for their own
personal gain. There were many of us that went on strike for what we
have lost for these executives’ personal gain. But for us to
regain what is rightfully
ours requires a proactive stance with a labor union willing to stand
with us, to fight for what is rightfully ours.
The Teamsters have shown us
they are already engaged in this process on our behalf, as apposed to
the AMFA representation which takes the “wait and see” approach
with our jobs hanging in the
balance!
It does make a difference which
union we have! Every member from the Committee for Change has put their
lives on hold to make this a reality. The International Brotherhood of
Teamsters has put much of their resources into fighting for OUR rights,
without a single dime being paid to them. They understand the crisis our
industry is in. They realize the peril that our nation’s workers are
facing and they take that threat seriously. Fighting for workers’ rights
IS the sole mission of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters!
So believe me when I say to
each of you, with the strength of the Teamsters and the commitment from
the workers at United Airlines who have supported our efforts, we ARE
moving forward AMFA…without you!