Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa visited American Airlines mechanics and related workers in Tulsa this evening. Sitting in a room filled with over 80 mechanics, Hoffa heard from campaign leaders and learned about the specific problems mechanics and related are facing. The mechanics in the room spoke about their frustration with the TWU in addition to asking Hoffa questions and expressing their hope for strong Teamster representation at AA.

“It’s an honor to be here with all of you to talk about this major campaign for Teamster power at American Airlines,” Hoffa said. “When you came to us for help because you wanted to take back your profession with the support of the strongest aviation mechanics union, we answered that call. We’ve had your backs since day one in this mechanic-led organizing drive.”

Throughout the meeting, mechanics told Hoffa about the hardships and devastation they have endured during 25 years of concessionary bargaining and the AA bankruptcy. Concerns about outsourcing, jobs lost at the AFW base, and frozen pensions were voiced during the meeting.  

Bill Wheeler, a 26-year mechanic in Tulsa, described a recent example of AA management and TWU agreeing to outsource narrow/wide body starters. “This is just another example of poor management decisions and weak TWU representation. We need the Teamsters now more than ever,” he said.

AA mechanic Jim Witt from LAX described the many things lost at AA under TWU’s representation. “While management was making record profits in the 1990s, TWU negotiated huge pay cuts for mechanics,” he said. “Now we have 35 percent of maintenance work that’s been negotiated away by TWU representation. We need to stop the assault on organized labor and the working class. We need to join the powerful Teamsters.”

At the meeting, mechanics and Hoffa also heard from Teamsters Organizing Director Jeff Farmer who reported on the campaign. “We’re building the world’s strongest union that has real power – unstoppable Teamster power,” Farmer said. “This is about building industry strength for mechanics and demanding respect. You came to us and we’re committed to fighting for you.”

Airline Division Representative Chris Moore spoke about the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition and the strong voice it gives to mechanics and related when lobbying on Capitol Hill. Bob Fisher, an Airline Division Representative and former United Airlines mechanic, spoke about how the Teamsters have brought work back at UAL, saved thousands of jobs at the SFO base and cleaned up a huge backlog of grievances that AMFA left unaddressed.

“My dad is a retired Teamster and he’s taken care of by a strong Teamster pension,” said Hank Rogish, an AMT from AFW. “We need what my dad had and still has today. We need someone to really fight for us. Only the Teamsters can give us that.”

Hoffa rallied mechanics in the room and reaffirmed the Teamsters’ commitment to AA mechanics and related. He also outlined what’s at stake in this campaign.

“Bankruptcy and mergers are readily used as opportunities to cut labor costs,” Hoffa said to the mechanics. “The union you have now gets pushed around. Jobs are on the line and the Teamsters are the only union that can take on this huge airline, both now and after the merger. When we come in, we bring Teamster muscle and we tell management that they’re not messing with American Airlines mechanics. We know how to fight outsourcing and we have the vision to build one big member-driven aviation mechanics union in this country. Because that’s what it’s going to take to protect and advance your craft – it’s going to take Teamster power!”

With the TEAMSTERS We Will WIN!

For more information, visit the AA Mechanics for Teamsters campaign website or call the campaign hotline at 877-589-4951.

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