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Teamsters – NOT TWU
When we vote in our upcoming representation election at American Airlines, mechanics and related will have two official options to choose from: Teamsters or TWU. When it comes to union democracy, strength, craft focus and independence from management, there are vast differences between the Teamsters and the TWU.
DIRECT MEMBER VOTING OF OFFICERS
The Teamsters democratically elect their national officers every five years BY DIRECT MEMBER VOTE. By contrast, the TWU has no true democracy and national officers can secure their job by manipulating money and locals.
CRAFT UNION WITHIN A LARGER TRANSPORTATION UNION
With the Teamsters, mechanics are recognized and have a craft union within the larger transportation union – run by mechanics and for mechanics. The 18,000-strong Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC) fights against aviation outsourcing on many fronts – on Capitol Hill, in the media and on the streets. The priorities of the TAMC also include job security for members, safety, pension reform, bankruptcy reform, organizing aviation mechanics and related workers into the Teamsters Union, and upholding industry standards. As Teamster mechanics and related, no other work group – not rampers or any other non-mechanic group – is involved in negotiating and voting on our contract. Mechanics negotiate for mechanics.
A BOTTOM-UP UNION
The Teamsters is a bottom-up, member-driven union. Teamster locals are highly autonomous and call the shots in the union. 78% of Teamsters’ dues go directly to their locals. All local Teamster officers are elected by the members and all union expenditures are transparent. By contrast, with the TWU, international officers can close down or consolidate locals at their whim, and most TWU dues money goes to the International.
NO MONEY FROM COMPANIES IS ACCEPTED – EVER!
The Teamsters are proud of their integrity and independence. Unlike the TWU which accepted $2.7 million from AA to negotiate during bankruptcy and will take 5% from our equity stake for "administrative expenses," the Teamsters never accept money from companies. The Teamsters are funded solely by their members’ dues so there is no conflict of interest. Likewise, Teamster business agents are funded by membership dues, not by the company, making them totally independent from management.
TEAMSTERS: A PROVEN RECORD OF FIGHTING BACK!
For more information, visit the AA Mechanics for Teamsters website or call the hotline at 877-589-4951.