Teamsters and CWA Make Nice

    This was my prediction, or maybe it was hope: once everyone started to calm down about the psychology of "the split," adult behavior would start to come to the surface. Here we have at least one example: The Teamsters and Communications Workers of America have reached a deal to jointly represent workers when the merger between U.S. Air and America West is completed.

    As a reminder, to the casual reader, the Teamsters withdrew from the AFL-CIO, while the CWA remains inside the AFL-CIO. Seems to me if this can be figured out, should be quite easy to come up with local labor council cooperations and other such coordinated activity.

    Of course, this does side step one issue: I still think there are way too many unions in the airline industry and it would have been better for one union to perhaps say, "we'll step aside and you take this on." But, I'll take half a loaf on this and kudos to Jim Hoffa and Larry Cohen for making the deal.

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Teamsters, Communications Workers Agree To Jointly Represent Passenger Service Agents At Merged US Airways and America West
(Washington, D.C.) -- The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters today announced a proposed alliance to jointly represent passenger service agents at US Airways when the merger of America West and US Airways is completed.

The proposal to create a new Airline Customer Service Employee Association – IBT/CWA will be presented to members of the two unions for their approval, reported Teamsters President James Hoffa and CWA President Larry Cohen.

CWA represents 6,000 passenger agents at US Airways currently, and IBT represents 3,500 agents at America West.  The employees work as reservations, ticket and gate agents, and also staff hospitality clubs at airports and assist handicapped passengers.

"By working together, we can build a strong, unified passenger service group and protect and improve conditions for employees that both unions represent at US Airways," said CWA's Cohen.

“This joint effort will result in strong representation for all workers at the newly merged airline,” Hoffa said.  “As the industry endures continued economic uncertainty, this agreement will ensure that nearly 10,000 workers are united in their fight for fair treatment and job security.”

CWA currently has a contract at US Airways whose conditions remain in effect by law, while the IBT now is in bargaining for a first contract at America West, where employees unionized last year.

The future goal of the association is to improve salaries and conditions for America West and US Airways employees.

In day-to-day representation, CWA will continue to represent workers in the eastern, largely US Airways locations, and the Teamsters will represent those in the western states where America West mainly operates.

The pact calls for the presidents of the two unions to alternate in heading up the association, with Cohen initially serving as director for the first year and Hoffa as vice director.  CWA and IBT will each designate an equal number of representatives from their local unions to form a US Airways Representation Committee to meet at least four times a year on workplace issues and policies of the association.  All policy questions must be jointly approved.

Comments

[curious]

so, this deals with the CSAs. What about the mechanics. The Am-West mechanics are Teamsters, and USAir are IAM.

Are they going to strike a deal too?

[jim]

I think this a perfect example of both unions, regardless of affliation looking out for their own self interest. It makes sense to work together on issues that affect both equally.
I know in the city, unions always have worked together regardless of international (union) problems.

If people could just take a step back and put egos aside, they would see there is an opportunity here to effect more change in how things could work.

[Tasini]

Totally agree, Jim: and it's up to everyone of us to try to make that happen by raising that approach in every forum possible. That's not to say we need to agree with specific approachs--just that they should be debated without venom and "I'm pissed-off" attitude.

[Chris Scanlon]

I totally agree with what you're saying. I wish more people felt this way and took the time to express themselves. Keep up the great work.

Chris Scanlon
http://www.americawestairlinescheap.com

[James Fryman]

Here is a small message I sent to the Teamster.org on why nothing was on there home page about the Yellow transportation change of operation and how they did nothing to stop it.

Yes, I would like to know why nothing has been mentioned about Columbus Ohio change of Operation for Yellow Transportation. A lot of people cant make the move to the two poor locations they gave us and are going to loose there jobs. How's come nothing is mentioned about this? I go on the union site and nothing has been mentioned or how they left us high and dry. The meeting that took place in Myrtle Beach and only took thirty minutes to decide our fate which makes me believe we where sold out. I guess the extra dollar on our union dues on top of the regular dollar was for the golf outing afterwards. This had to be the worst representation of a union that I have ever seen. We pay money every month for the union to represent us and we got sold out. The company pretty much dictated what was what, and the union and so called national went along with it. It not only left a bad taste in my mouth our union, but look at the young people who lost there jobs, future union members got a real look at how their union did not stand behind them. Real good going guys. If this is not the place for this letter, I wish you send it to the right place for all to read. The brotherhood should have the right to hear what happen, If there is a brotherhood any more, thank you.
I sent this a second time in case you did not get the first one.

Since then the courts have change the ruling from 11 to 10 hours which might save our jobs, but to ask our union to find something out for us, the response was to just sit and wait and see what the company is going to do. Way to back us guys and fight for us. I guess they are too interested in UPS negotiations do deal with our problems.