By Don Treichler, Teamsters Airline Division Director

Over the past few days, a number of you have asked questions concerning the Teamsters’ position on a number of issues. Many of your questions were prompted by memos and flyers published by the Machinists (IAM) that are misleading, in error, and intended to falsely inform you. The IAM does not want you to know that Teamster contracts, representation, and bargaining are better. Below are questions and answers that should put to rest the incorrect information you have been given.

Question: Who will be recognized as your representative? The IAM claims (9-26-05 memo and flyer) that it will be recognized automatically as the representative of the US Airways and America West Airlines mechanics once there is a merger.  Is that true?

Answer: The answer is NO; there will be no automatic recognition of the Machinists.  The IAM allegedly filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a single carrier ruling (equivalent to a merger) on September 30.  The carrier and both unions have an opportunity to respond to this filing.  Should the Board rule THAT a single carrier does not yet exist, then members will continue to be represented by their current unions.  Should the Board rule that a single carrier does exist, then the IBT has two additional weeks in which to provide a sufficient showing of interest to force an election between the two unions.

Question:  What is a showing of interest and what is required to force an election between the two unions?

Answer:  In this case, the Teamsters must provide a showing of interest that equals or exceeds 35% of the total eligibility list of the two mechanic groups.  To achieve 35%, the IBT needs several hundred cards signed by IAM members to add to its America West members.  Once this threshold is met, there will be an election and you will have a choice between the unions.

Question:  How is representation decided in such an election?

Answer:  With 50% plus 1 or more of the total members voting, the union with a majority of the votes cast is certified as your representative.

Question: Is it true, as the IAM claims, that there exists a danger that less than 50% of the total members may vote thereby resulting in loss of representation?

Answer:  This is technically possible, but it really is only an IAM scare tactic.  The IAM said the same thing at Piedmont and they were as wrong there as they are here.  The IBT anticipates an election and we expect a high turnout of voters, well in excess of 50% of the total post merger mechanic class and craft.

Question:  Is the IAM correct that, since US Airways is the surviving carrier, the US Airways IAM mechanic’s agreement will prevail?

Answer:  NO.  The IAM made the same claim at Piedmont and they were wrong.  Piedmont management then tried to make the same claim and they were forced to accept the IBT’s position on the courthouse steps.  As your certified representative, the IBT will negotiate an amalgamated agreement from the two existing agreements and we fully intend to improve these.  By contrast, the IAM is stuck with your bankruptcy driven agreement that they have yet to publish.

Question:  Is it correct, as alleged by the IAM, that US Airways mechanics risk a loss of seniority under IBT policies?  Is the rumor true that the IBT will insist on dovetailing the seniority list?

Answer:  NO.  As the IBT stated previously, we expect seniority integration to be based on date of hire with no further furloughs because of the merger.

Question: Is it correct, as the IAM alleges, that the IBT will not bargain to retain heavy maintenance?

Answer:  NO.  The IBT will bargain to retain all heavy maintenance and bring in additional business.  The IBT did this at Continental and other carriers.  IBT job security language (scope) is the strongest in the industry, while the IAM’s has been weak.

Question:  The IAM states that it is bargaining a transition agreement with the Company (US Airways).  Is that true and what does that mean? 

Answer:  If the IBT is certified, the company is required by law to bargain with us.  That would make irrelevant anything that the IAM is doing now.

Question:  How is the IBT better than the IAM insofar as wages and job security are concerned?

Answer:  The IAM already told you that their bankruptcy-negotiated wages and scope are what you are going to get if they represent you.  The IBT wages at AWA are already higher than your current wages and the Teamsters are bargaining to get the AWA wages higher.  US Airways is out of bankruptcy and can no longer justify a claim for bottom feeder wages.  We intend to negotiate the wages higher.  The Teamsters have the highest AMT wages in the industry and the world.  The Teamsters have the best scope (job security) language in industry.  The Teamsters have the power, strength, and experience you need to aggressively bargain for you and to properly represent you.

In conclusion, we ask each of you to complete and return a Teamster representation card  in order to ensure that there will be a democratic election, which allows you to choose the IBT as your bargaining representative.