PHL News-Line 70
"CLT is the only USA Council in opposition to the merger"
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PHL News-Line 70 "CLT is the only USA Council in opposition to the merger" |
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In This Issue - "PHL NewsLine for November 29, 2003" |
Issue #11_29_03 |
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IMPORTANT READ: This is the PHL News-Line 70 from Mollie McCarthy LECP. If you would like to respond to Mollie, please use this email address mmccarthy@afausairways.org. Subscribe to News-Line 70 from here. November 29, 2003 Dear Council 70 Flying Partners, |
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'Together,' OUR numbers CAN make a difference.
"C" stands for Communications
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Rumor # 4: If we go with CWA, when it comes time for Section 6 negotiations, both the gate agents and the flight attendants will have to negotiate "together." Answer: Wrong Again! The gate agents have their contract and their seniority list and we have ours! Negotiations will remain just as they are today SEPARATE. The AFA-CWA merger agreement very clearly states that AFA will retain the bargaining rights for all flight attendants at all AFA carriers. AFA's proposed merger with CWA has NOTHING to do with the gate agents! We will remain two SEPARATE divisions under the CWA umbrella. There will be no noticeable change from what we are today. The real advantage of the merger is the strength of the CWA in combination with AFA. Today when the airline industry 'hurts,' then AFA 'hurts.' Just when we need our union to be at it's strongest it isn't because there is no diversity within our union to offset what is happening to our industry. Rumor # 5: Gate agents are telling us CWA is weak. Answer: Again, a union is only as strong as it's membership. But the CWA must be doing something right because they have organized over 700,000 workers when it has taken AFA approximately 50-years to organize 49,000 in our hay day. In addition, CWA was strong enough to get their members to vote during the RA's and one RA only passed by 5 votes! In contrast 900 more FA's voted FOR the Winter RA than those who voted against. Please note that the Winter RA was poorly worded and took away work rules we may never get back. But the worst part is almost 3,800 of our fellow FA's did not vote at all. Additionally, CWA has millions in both their strike fund and their defense fund. We will have access to these funds during our next round of Section 6 negotiations. Hopefully just the strength of the two funds will make management deal more fairly during negotiations rather than take the risk of a well financed work action. If we merge with the CWA, for the first time in our history we will actually have the funds needed to back us up if management refuses to negotiate fairly with us. So, you tell me, who is stronger? "C" stands for Communications The "C" in CWA stands for "Communications". Look at some of the union members who are presently under the umbrella of the CWA, they include workers from Newspapers, TV Stations, Radio Stations and Phone Companies. These industries are not adversely affected when the airline industry goes through a downturn. Do not get me wrong; the CWA is NOT a magic potion. No matter how much money there is or isn't, a Union is only as strong as it's members. If US Airways FA's are weak or apathetic it will not matter how much money or resources the CWA, has or how strong our sister members at UAL, Alaska, America West, etc., may be. OUR contract is OUR's to protect and enhance. Even though, during a CHAOS campaign, we can expect support from both our sister FA's and from the 700,000 other members of the CWA, it will ultimately still be up to US to get what we negotiate. But is sure will be a lot easier to fight the 'good fight' with the resources needed and that is what merging with the CWA will give us. Because I believe so strongly in this, I am going to come right out and say I VOTED FOR the CWA merger and I sure hope you do the same. Those in Opposition 59 out of the 67 LEC Presidents who make up the governing body of AFA SUPPORT the merge. They support the merger because it is the right thing for our union. I SUPPORT it because it is the right thing for the US Airways Flight Attendants! Out of the 9 LEC Presidents who are opposed to the merger 1 is from second largest Council at USA, and 7 are from some of the larger Councils at United. Those opposing Councils are getting the vote out. If we do not want them deciding our future for us then WE must use our collective voice and vote. CLT is the only USA Council in opposition to the merger. United has a total of 18 Councils, only 7 of those Council Presidents are in opposition. Problem is, the combined membership of those 8 councils is extremely large. Most of the bad information is coming out of one of these Councils, and they are doing a good job at getting out the vote. These Opposing Councils like to use the word 'Autonomy' and the phrase "A union of, by and for flight attendants." Do NOT be fooled, no matter if we remain AFA or become AFA/CWA we will retain our 'Autonomy' and will continue to be "A Union of, by and for Flight Attendants." To indicate other wise is purposely misleading If we elect to go under the umbrella of the CWA, our dues remain $39 for at least 4-years and then can be raised to be the AVERAGE of all the different dues levels paid by the different unions also under the CWA umbrella. FYI, the average TODAY is actually a few cents LESS that our present dues of $39. If we do not merge then our dues WILL increase to $45 on January 1, 2004. I believe Philly will be the deciding factor in this vote. If the vote fails it will be because a percentage of the Philly FA's did not vote or voted based on incorrect rumors. As a member of this union you not only have an obligation to vote but you have an obligation to make sure your fellow FA's are also voting. After all you pay $39 a month (and will be paying $45 per month if the merger fails). YOU have a voice, please use it. Your vote must be cast PRIOR to 12 (noon) on December 1. If you have any trouble voting, the AFA International office will be open over the weekend to answer your questions. Just call 1-800-424-2401 ext. 777. It is time the Council 70 PHL/PHW FA's took their rightful place as one of the largest Councils at AFA. Let your voice be heard. 'Together,' OUR numbers CAN make a difference. Happy Holidays. Take Care and Fly Safe, Mollie McCarthy LEC President AFA - US Airways Council 70 PHL/PHW |