Founding Meeting of the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition

By: Chris Moore, Continental Airlines mechanic, Houston:

As a Teamster aviation mechanic, I feel honored and privileged to have taken part in a historic gathering recently held in Indianapolis. On Saturday, September 15, 2007, I was one of 14 aviation mechanics appointed to serve on the steering committee of the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition. I will represent Continental Airlines mechanics on this coalition. Representatives from 13 other carriers, including United Airlines, were also appointed. Over 100 Teamster aviation mechanics and local union leaders attended the meeting, which was chaired by Don Treichler, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division.

This coalition is a major step forward for aviation mechanics. It provides the structure and support for aviation mechanics to come together and influence the policies, regulations and legislation that determine our livelihoods. Our industry is rapidly changing and increasing standards for mechanics at one airline or company can have a significant impact on the industry as a whole.

It is an outrage that in this country aviation mechanics have to fight to stay in the middle class. The main goal of this coalition is for us to preserve, as aviation mechanics, our work and the respect due to our craft. I am pleased to share with you the specific goals of this coalition, as set forth below:

Our Goals:
 Safety

Preserve safety in aircraft maintenance by:

Working with government agencies to promote more stringent rules for third party maintenance contractors, both U.S. and foreign;

Examining the aircraft mechanic’s work environment, including, but not limited to:

Hours of service, effects of shift work/overtime/sleep deprivation;

Types of chemicals used; and

Availability and affectivity of personal protective equipment.

Form a coalition-led Aircraft Mechanics Safety Committee to deal with AMT’s safety concerns industry-wide and carry these issues to the proper regulatory agency. This committee will meet with the airline work groups to discuss and promote industry safety concerns that are common to all groups;

Promote Aircraft Mechanic Safety Committees at each member airline/company.

  Political

Preserve our jobs and secure our future through our collective voice to:

Stop outsourcing by exposing the poor quality of work performed by OSV’s unlicensed, undocumented, and somewhat unregulated (little oversight) workers;

Promote industry-wide issues at the local, state, and federal levels; and

Use DRIVE, the Teamsters’ political action program, and encourage our members to become politically active!

Contracts

Set the industry standard for all aircraft mechanics in scope language, wages, benefits, retirement, work rules and health/safety standards.

Organize, Organize, Organize!

Organize mechanics industry wide and set the standard for all aircraft mechanics’ collective bargaining agreements!