May 4, 2022
Dear AMFA-SWA Members:
Many have you have received, or will receive, a mailer from the TWU, seeking your support in a card drive for a representation vote. This effort to solicit your favor has nothing to do with righting wrongs or representing you more faithfully; it is merely a desperate attempt at revenge.
You may be aware that over two years ago, AMFA agreed to support a grassroots group within the American Airlines mechanics and related workgroup determined to replace the dysfunctional “Association” – a TWU/IAM joint venture created in a hasty effort to avoid a representational battle. The Association was an idea that enriched the unions but failed the workers. The grassroots movement resulted in an incredibly close election, but sadly, the incumbents were able to manufacture a win and prevent the vote. It was so close, in fact, that amongst mechanics and related workers, more than a 60% majority of TWU & IAM paying members requested the representation election without a visit from AMFA. It was the added 1,200 individuals that included the deceased, voluntarily retired, and fleet service workgroups that tilted the scales in the other direction.
The TWU felt threatened by the previous representation card drive, as well as the drive currently developing, that they have begun to act with desperation. Not only are they attempting to gain representation at Southwest Airlines, but they are also looking to displace their matrimonial partner in the Association – the IAM. Obviously, the TWU is not acting because they believe they can offer you a better deal; you have the best deal in the industry and certainly better than anything the TWU has ever negotiated. They are using you as a pawn in their battle to remain relevant.
The focus of the TWU junk mail was the outsourcing of jobs at Southwest Airlines, but what they neglect to tell you is that mechanics and related workers headcount at Southwest Airlines has been growing while at American they have been shrinking with 17 years of concessions and only just now are they starting to meet the industry standard.
On April 22, 2022, AMFA shared an article with members of the Association at American Airlines -- TWU, Rattled by AMFA Vote, Responds in Desperation -- offering more background on the history. Please know this letter was published in advance of anyone receiving the TWU junk mail and was in no way a response to their reaching out to you.
Surprisingly, this type of industrial union organizing approach is typically with old-school harassment tactics from this union. TWU uses hired guns – non-craft related organizing salesmen – in your employee parking lots, and soon they will be cornering you and your family face-to-face, and marching door-to-door in your neighborhoods. They will go to any length to further their revenge on AMFA for supporting our craft-specific American Airlines Mechanics and Related revolution.
If you do receive this TWU junk mail propaganda, that obviously means they have your home address, and you are on their "hit list" for further harassment. We recommend you do not fill out any of the TWU paperwork or sign anything to prevent further harassment by TWU, IAM or AFL-CIO. Remember who we are dealing with, the TWU and the National Mediation Board (NMB). the TWU and NMB would probably count your defaced TWU propaganda towards the representation election tally. This is an example of multiple industrial unions who have a no-raid clause violating your privacy and adding your personal and secure information to a mega database.
The TWU is industrial union representing multiple larger workgroups (flight attendants, ramp, as well as groups outside the aviation industry) who are more important to them than the Mechanics and Related employees. They are a union attempting to be everything to everybody, and we all know how that story ends.
AMFA is a craft union that is solely dedicated to Mechanics and Related professionals. This focus better equips us to fight for your unique needs, without the overhead of the countless overpaid executives in the TWU and AFL-CIO hierarchies.
It is important for you to be aware of this TWU harassment and solicitation situation. Please remain professional when approached by them and be aware of your surroundings, whether in the privacy of your own home or the workplace.
On Behalf of the NEC,
Bret Oestreich
National President