Questions for the TWU/IAM Alliance – Part II

THE ALLIANCE
Q: Why is this the right time for the TWU/IAM representation Alliance?
A: TWU and IAM both believe that fighting to achieve industry-leading contracts for TWU and IAM members at the “new” American Airlines is a better use of resources than fighting each other in a bitter representation campaign. With the issue of representation settled, preparations for joint negotiations can begin much sooner and positive results can be achieved much quicker. We are currently operating in an environment in which unions and collective bargaining are under continuous assault from anti-worker forces. Our preference is to work with other labor organizations to fight management and those who wish to take our rights away, rather than to fight each other. Indeed, AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka, in a letter to both unions, urged the TWU and IAM to join together rather than fight for precisely this reason.

National AMT Day

Today, we join thousands of AMTs at American Airlines and American Eagle in celebrating National AMT Day. We have tremendous pride in your professionalism, and the skills and knowledge you apply to keep the flying public safe.

2013 Michael Quill Scholarship

Since 1970, the TWU International has held an annual drawing to provide college tuition assistance to the deserving children of hard working TWU members. Known as the Michael Quill Scholarship, it is supervised by International Executive Vice President Harry Lombardo.

TWU Equity Stake

Several members have informed me that IBT organizers are distributing propaganda that claims that the TWU International will withhold equity that is rightfully due to our members. The TWU successfully negotiated the 4.8% equity, and it will be distributed to our members fairly, and with transparency.

TWU/IAM Alliance Q&A and Full Agreement

DOWNLOAD THE FULL AGREEMENT HERE

THE ALLIANCE
1.    Q: Why did the TWU and IAM form a representation alliance?
A: The alliance was formed because both the TWU and the IAM concluded that joining forces as partners would offer members of both unions the most bargaining leverage and representation resources possible at the “new” American Airlines.

TWU & IAM to Jointly Represent Ground Workers

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

TWU Condemns Teamsters Union Raid on Machinists Union at US Airways

As a trade unionist, I’m outraged and disgusted that the Teamsters plan to waste the time and resources of their members in an unprincipled raid against union members at US Airways. Let’s call this what it is: The IBT is behaving like a parasite. They are desperately attempting to feed off another organization to cover up their own failures. This has everything to do with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the IBT lost more members than any other union last year and nothing to do with the needs of aircraft mechanics.

TWU Young Workers Rise Up on May Day

They held signs reading Stand Up and Fight Back while taking over the streets of New York and the lobbies of union busters and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), telling each why they were there and that they would be back.