Is a corporate oligarchy the same thing as facism?

Obama has named Lawrence Summers to head the National Economic Council and Timothy Geithner to be Treasury Secretary. If you believe that deregulation of the financial industry was the fire for this economic meltdown you should know that these guys have fanned the flames.

Summers helped to dismantle Glass-Steagall and as Clinton’s Treasury Secretary signed off on the Commodity Futures Modernization Act which removed oversight on credit default swaps and derivatives trading. (This was the act that was the catalyst for Enron)

Geithner worked at the IMF for “W.” He also worked at the Treasury Department under Bush 1 and Clinton; just as Treasury and the IMF were manipulating the Asian economies for U.S. Banks and corporations that subsequently destroyed South Korea's and Thailand's middle class. Since 2003 he has been President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and you can rest assured his policies there have been about executive and Wall Street preservation, not the National interest. (By “National interest” I mean the interest of the middle class here in the U.S.)

Here’s the question: Why is Obama naming these guys to these positions?

Know Your Senator? John Cornyn;

John Cornyn III (born February 2, 1952) is the junior United States Senator from Texas. He is a Republican and was elected to his first term in November 2002, having defeated former mayor of Dallas, Ron Kirk. He defeated the Democratic State Representative Rick Noriega of Houston in the November general election for his second term. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress. [Ref]

Over at Project Vote Smart they have more information on John Cornyn.; including his biography, voting record, committees, as well as interest group ratings of his performance in the Senate. More information is available on their website.

Contact John Cornyn; HERE

Know your Senator? Kay Bailey Hutchison;

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) (born July 22, 1943), In 2001, she was named one of "The 30 most powerful women in America" by Ladies Home Journal. She is the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, the first Republican woman to win election to the Senate by defeating an incumbent, and is currently the most senior Republican woman in the Senate, ranking 39th out of 100 in seniority. [ref.]

Education; BA University of Texas 1962, JD University of Texas Law 67 (at least she's a Longhorn)

Over at Project Vote Smart they have a wealth of information on K.B.H.; including her biography, voting record, committees, as well as interest group ratings of her performance in the Senate. More information is available on their website.

Contact Kay Bailey Hutchison;
HERE

Calvin & Hobbes economics. (Click for larger)

Sock and AWE!

Fuel hedging "cost" AA money

Over at Bloomberg they have a quick news segment explaining fuel hedging and airline fuel cost.

In one part of the clip they're actually optimistic about airlines for 2009; keep that in mind when the company is crying poor-mouth about the contract.

It will always be something...fuel, ASMs, cost here, cost there, labor cost, labor cost, labor cost... if they paid you dollar a year it would be a dollar too much!

There is information out here that can be Labor's fuel; we just have to pump it ourselves.

Comments Anyone?

This is a response letter to GM's request for support from their employees & suppliers. It is bitter and vitriolic; and it speaks volumes to perception...

Dear Employees & Suppliers,
Congress and the current Administration will soon determine whether to provide immediate support to the domestic auto industry to help it through one of the most difficult economic times in our nation's history. Your elected officials must hear from all of us now on why this support is critical to our continuing the progress we began prior to the global financial crisis......................As an employee or supplier, you have a lot at stake and continue to be one of our most effective and passionate voices. I know GM can count on you to have your voice heard.
Thank you for your urgent action and ongoing support.
Troy Clarke
President General Motors North America
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Response from:
Gregory Knox, Pres.
Knox Machinery Company
Franklin, Ohio

Gentlemen:

In response to your request to contact legislators and ask for a bailout for the Big Three automakers please consider the following, and please pass my thoughts on to Troy Clark, President of General Motors North America.

Politicians and Management of the Big 3 are both infected with the same entitlement mentality that has spread like cancerous germs in UAW halls for the last countless decades, and whose plague is now sweeping this nation, awaiting our new "messiah", Pres-elect Obama, to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away, while at the same time allowing our once great nation to keep "living the dream". Believe me folks, The dream is over!

This dream where we can ignore the consumer for years while management myopically focuses on its personal rewards packages at the same time that our factories have been filled with the worlds most overpaid, arrogant, ignorant and laziest entitlement minded "laborers" without paying the price for these atrocities.this dream where you still think the masses will line up to buy our products for ever and ever.

Don't even think about telling me I'm wrong. Don't accuse me of not knowing of what I speak. I have called on Ford, GM, Chrysler, TRW, Delphi, Kelsey Hayes, American Axle and countless other automotive OEM's throughout the Midwest during the past 30 years and what I've seen over those years in these union shops can only be described as disgusting.

Troy Clarke, President of General Motors North America, states: "There is widespread sentiment throughout this country, and our government, and especially via the news media, that the current crisis is completely the result of bad management which it certainly is not."

You're right Mr. Clarke, it's not JUST management.how about the electricians who walk around the plants like lords in feudal times, making people wait on them for countless hours while they drag ass.so they can come in on the weekend and make double and triple time.for a job they easily could have done within their normal 40 hour work week. How about the line workers who threaten newbies with all kinds of scare tactics.for putting out too many parts on a shift.and for being too productive. ( Volumes could be written about the bloat and abuse in union shops; in most production process businesses that need to be efficient and productive and they have outlived their true value.)

(We certainly must not expose those lazy bums who have been getting overpaid for decades for their horrific underproduction, must we?!?)

Do you folks really not know about this stuff?!? How about this great sentiment abridged from Mr. Clarke's sad plea: "over the last few years .we have closed the quality and efficiency gaps with our competitors." What the hell has Detroit been doing for the last 40 years?!? Did we really JUST wake up to the gaps in quality and efficiency between us and them? The K car vs. the Accord? The Pinto vs. the Civic?!? Do I need to go on? What a joke!

We are living through the inevitable outcome of the actions of the United States auto industry for decades. It's time to pay for your sins, Detroit.

I attended an economic summit last week where brilliant economist, Alan Beaulieu, from the Institute of Trend Research, surprised the crowd when he said he would not have given the banks a penny of "bailout money". "Yes, he said, this would cause short term problems," but despite what people like politicians and corporate magnates would have us believe, the sun would in fact rise the next day. and the following very important thing would happen.where there had been greedy and sloppy banks, new efficient ones would pop up.that is how a free market system works.it does work.if we would only let it work."

But for some nondescript reason we are now deciding that the rest of the world is right and that capitalism doesn't work - that we need the government to step in and "save us".Save us my ass, Hell - we're nationalizing.and unfortunately too many of our once fine nation's citizens don't even have a clue that this is what is really happening.But, they sure can tell you the stats on their favorite sports teams.yeah - THAT'S really important, isn't it.

Does it ever occur to ANYONE that the "competition" has been producing vehicles, EXTREMELY PROFITABLY, for decades in this country?... How can that be??? Let's see. Fuel efficient. Listening to customers. Investing in the proper tooling and automation for the long haul.

Not being too complacent or arrogant to listen to Dr. W. Edwards Deming four decades ago when he taught that by adopting appropriate principles of management, organizations could increase quality and simultaneously reduce costs. Ever increased productivity through quality and intelligent planning. Treating vendors like strategic partners, rather than like "the enemy". Efficient front and back offices. Non union environment.

Again, I could go on and on, but I really wouldn't be telling anyone anything they really don't already know down deep in their hearts.

I have six children, so I am not unfamiliar with the concept of wanting someone to bail you out of a mess that you have gotten yourself into - my children do this on a weekly, if not daily basis, as I did when I was their age. I do for them what my parents did for me (one of their greatest gifts, by the way) - I make them stand on their own two feet and accept the consequences of their actions and work through it. Radical concept, huh. Am I there for them in the wings? Of course - but only until such time as they need to be fully on their own as adults.

I don't want to oversimplify a complex situation, but there certainly are unmistakable parallels here between the proper role of parenting and government. Detroit and the United States need to pay for their sins. Bad news people - it's coming whether we like it or not. The newly elected Messiah really doesn't have a magic wand big enough to "make it all go away." I laughed as I heard Obama "reeling it back in" almost immediately after the final vote count was tallied."we really might not do it in a year.or in four." Where the Hell was that kind of talk when he was RUNNING for office?

Stop trying to put off the inevitable folks . That house in Florida really isn't worth $750,000. People who jump across a border really don't deserve free health care benefits. That job driving that forklift for the Big 3 really isn't worth $85,000 a year. We really shouldn't allow Wal-Mart to stock their shelves with products acquired from a country that unfairly manipulates their currency and has the most atrocious human rights infractions on the face of the globe.

That couple whose combined income is less than $50,000 really shouldn't be living in that $485,000 home. Let the market correct itself folks - it will. Yes it will be painful, but it's gonna' be painful either way, and the bright side of my proposal is that on the other side of it all, is a nation that appreciates what it has.and doesn't live beyond its means.and gets back to basics.and redevelops the patriotic work ethic that made it the greatest nation in the history of the world.and probably turns back to God.

Sorry - don't cut my head off, I'm just the messenger sharing with you the "bad news". I hope you take it to heart.

Gregory J. Knox, President
Knox Machinery, Inc.
Franklin, Ohio 45005

Merry Christmas!!! Twas the Night before Bailout

Happy Christma-Kwanza-nakkuh
With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore
MoP presents:

Twas the night before Bailout;

Twas the night before Bailout, and all through the States
Folks were worried about the economy and feared for their fate.
Can we afford to buy gifts this Christmas? Do we dare?
Quite, simply put... money for presents is simply not there.

The children are content expecting only to be fed,
And perhaps a college education and a brighter future ahead.
So far, their college fund… I’ve yet had to tap
But the income to expenses…such an ever increasing gap.

When up on Wall Street there arose such a disaster,
I checked my 401k and couldn’t move things faster.
I tried to save all I could of my little nest egg of cash
But history repeats, and methinks this another crash.

So here we are staring into the abyss…
Of the next Great Depression…all from remiss.
We’ve been here before and should’ve learned our lesson.
Why we abandoned the wisdom of the past is anyone’s guessin.

So, in steps St. Paulson, that will save us from this wreck,
All we have to do now is sign over a blank check!
700 Trllion dollars no questions asked…
But you have to do it now, you have to do it quick and you have to do it fast.

So, Congress wrote the check without debate one on the floor.
And the money was allotted to the who, where and the what for,
They came from all over, big names well known,
To mismanaged financial giants, taxpayer money was thrown…

Now Suntrust! Now AIG, now JP Morgan and Chase!
Here! Citibank! Here Regions! Your debt we’ll erase!
To the CEOs and executives most funds shall fall!
But…Cash away, cash away, cash away all!!!

Now as you sit and wonder how…
Why do we buy the milk when we own the cow?
Money to banks, instead of directly to borrowers?
To the ideology of fascism these must be followers.

You will see it argued, the fault be Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
How bankers were forced to lend under the Community Reinvestment Act.
But bankers do not engage in unprofitable propositions,
And the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts made for so many sweet commissions

In comes’ Ben Bernanke and his Federal Reserve…
With the promise of rate cuts and an economy preserved!!!
But supply side economics only works when…
There is a middle class and they have money to spend.

Bernanke cut the interest rates ever so low,
Lowest on record…practically zero!
So people could buy, but they still cannot afford,
All the imports brought in from U.S. trade policy accords.

So here we are again staring into the abyss,
A real substantive economic policy missed…
Here’s to hope that we move back to Eccles from Greenspan
Away from supply-side and back to demand.

When a democracy passes laws that neglects its own past,
And a policy of government that opposes middle class,
As FDR said; “Necessitous men are not [free.]”
I say; here…this New year, let failed policies be…

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

by Brian Golden 12/24/08

Where'd the bailout money go? Shhhh, it's a secret

Oh, this will just piss you off...

Where'd the bailout money go? Shhhh, it's a secret

AP study finds $1.6B went to bailed-out bank execs

Write em...

Senator John Cornyn

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Find your representative

MoP gonna save you money! Make it rain beeyotch!

Here is a link to the UnionPlus website. It has information and links to discounts, bargains, consumer tips etc...not a bad site for union friendly rescources.
They do have some discounts worth looking over; they have up to 40% off movie tickets as well as some Dell Computer savings.
There is one discount offered by UnionPlus.org that can be beat over in Jetnet. As an AA employee you can get a 21% discount on AT&T products and services...
Jetnet+employee services+scroll to the bottom+in purple click services+AT&T link+print that page with the reference code+take it by a corporate store.

With economy in shambles, Congress gets a raise!

Congress gives itself a raise.

typical...

Remember this?

Year-end Local 565 President's Message

Local 565 Year-end President's message.

Nigel! Gerard!...don't make me come back there!

The FAA has called for the pilots union and the company not to scrap their ASAP program.

It looks as if the two are in for a long drive to grandma's... Would you stop touching me! Mom he's on my side!... I hate you!...

MoP's prediction...A Decisive Arbitrary Decision-maker, D.A.D. (federal arbitrator) will pull the car over and straighten everything out before it gets nuts.

Hopefully next year, Mom's new husband will realize unions do all the chores and then the company will become the red-headed step child.

Lego my Eggo-beater

The Danish investment company that also owns the toy manufacturer Lego, KIRK Kapital A/S, a is buying 39 ATR 72s from American Eagle, then will lease them back.

{Yeah, I thought the same thing...WTF?... Must be a creative-accounting/write-off thing.}

George Bush Dodges Everything!

"Gitttin all Locke and Burke and s*"t!"

"Locke and Burke"

Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative; on economic issues, here is the question at its ideological core.

In our democracy; do businesses, commerce and the economy exist to serve our government: Or does our government exist to serve the economy, commerce and business?

The reason I prefaced that question with “in our Democracy” is this;

Because we are a government of the people, for the people and by the people; let me ask the question this way… Do businesses, commerce and the economy exist to serve We the People: Or do We the People exist to serve business, commerce and the economy?

I submit that we the people have lost sight of the purpose of government and that purpose is to serve We the people.

(Brought to you by MoP's Office of Redundancy Office;
working to help stamp-out and eliminate redundancy daily everyday.)

Quick Quote

"[W]ealth has never yet sacrificed itself on the altar of patriotism." -Robert La Follette

As expected...

The APFA and AA file for Federal mediation.

But MOM! I want the good cereal! Not Sam's-Flakes!

Currently with the currency;

Over at the Wall street journal they did a piece on the falling value of the dollar compared to currencies around the world; Dollar Continues to Slide
Here is just part of the article;
Currency watchers said while dollar fundamentals remain bleak with the Fed having signaled a new era of ultra-low interest rates and quantitative easing, there has been no major catalyst for Wednesday's sudden and renewed moves lower. Rather, technical breaches of the dollar's post-Fed lows have brought momentum players back onside with the dollar downtrend, while thin trading conditions exaggerate the magnitude of intraday movements for many currency pairs.

WTF?
What do these economist eat for breakfast? Ambiguous biscuits smothered in garrulous gravy hold the brevity?
In layman's terms;
The people that make money trading money do not think the dollar is a good buy. And they are claiming they can't figure out exactly why. They are also saying, because a lot of people are trying to make money on the falling dollar, they hope it looks worse than it really is.

Now, let me explain what is really happening...
The federal reserve cut interest rates to practically zero and the rest of the world feels that the U.S. is simply printing money (which cheapens the value of the dollar). Now when you go to WalMart to buy something, it cost more because China is demanding more dollars for the imports they send here. But you aren't making anymore money to buy those Chinese goods. (see three post down You get nothing) So, you cut back on the dollars you spend, which perpetuates the catch 22 of supply side economics; and the fool's errand of trying to create real value in a service economy.

Good luck with that!
Sorry for the depressing post and the bad link...I'll find some good news tomorrow.
B.G.

Appropriate quote by T.J.

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." -Thomas Jefferson

Kudos to the guest post. From the comments it looks as if he has ignited a spark of interest..
Good! I encourage the open dialogue and conversation and hope he post again soon.

Guest Post;

This post is from a DFW Aircraft Mechanic...

December 15, 2008
When one see’s the bailouts of financial institutions and the abuse some of those institutions instilled by using the TARP monies for political contributions and corporate bonuses etc.. I wonder; when I find out that my union shop stewards are having a Christmas appreciation dinner in an elaborate expensive restaurant. Is it just as inappropriate as the misuse of funds by the financial institutions? Please, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the hard work our shop stewards do everyday and realize their commitment to the union and it's membership. However, we the membership are struggling financially and are demanding a contract that will bring back what we gave up in 2003. Are these expensive Christmas appreciation dinners paid for by the membership appropriate at a time when rank and file members are trying to make ends meet after the 2003 concessions?. I can understand a dinner at a moderate but nice restaurant….ie. Fridays or Chilis, but a high dollar restaurant?
I don’t understand the difference between this dinner and Arpey buying a condo in Cabo on the bonuses he received from his employees. I thought this new administration was going to be different from the past. I was under the impression that some of the leadership was bringing their own lunches to work instead of using expense money, which is an example never done by a prior administration.

I have high regards for our new administration. I believe that this is the first administration that has been elected by the membership for the membership. Now this might not be highly regarded as a major importance, but if you think about it; how is this any different than the Big Three, AIG or any other corporations that take money from the tax payer for their own gain instead of the gain of the entire company and its employees?
All I ask is before this administration has another event like this, that perhaps they think about their membership and hardships it is suffering during this difficult time when this company, who is sitting high on the hog, refuses to do the right thing to the very people that helped put them on that hog.

MoP's P.P. (Political Prediction)

Obama has been naming cabinet post for his administration but has yet to name a replacement for Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. (good riddance)
Let's just see if I have my finger on the pulse of American Politics. MoP's prediction/choice for Obama's Labor Secretary; Thomas Georghegan.

You Get Nothing!

American/TWU; 12 days of talks end with...

No surprise here...NO DEAL!!! We are now heading for Federal Mediation.

Whats next? I found a flow chart over at the National Mediation Board (NMB) that explains what happens to us under the Railway Labor Act (RLA)

Remember the urgency for us to sign the concessionary contract in 2003? If we didn't act quickly our fate would be in the hands of a bankruptcy judge! Remember the reason Carty resigned? Everyone knows by now slogans like; “Pull together-Win together” and “Shared Sacrifice” espoused by the company are nothing more than hollow sound-bites and lies. The fact that today, American is dragging its feet, should come as no surprise either; I just wonder if this paradigm of simulated corporate integrity and feigned accountability to employees is in the GPM somewhere and I missed it.

But wait; We must also hold ourselves accountable. Click on the Share GAAin Pic...it is a link to the NMB timeline concerning Labor issues and it is telling. It's evident that back in the day, Labor didn't play. They fought hard for things that we so submissively surrendered under the guise of "saving the company." Notice how the last time the TWU took it to the mattresses was Pan-Am in 1985. Twenty three years later, we are the next generation. Are we leaving things better for the ones who will be here when we are gone? That would be a resounding NO. We have much work to do... the first step is the re-realization of the import of solidarity.

Reports about the no-deal by;

Dallas Morning News; American Airlines, union fail to hammer out quick deal.

Bloomberg; American Air, Baggage Handlers End Talks; Mediation May Be Next

Bailout Scam!

Bill Moyers is one of the last true journalist in the media today. In this PBS video he speaks with Georgetown University Professor Emma Coleman Jordan about the 700 billion bailout.

This is just the sickest...

The fraud, graft, corruption and greed explained in this video will make you physically ill... but it is a must see. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/12122008/watch.html

Civics Lesson

Must watch civics lesson;

PBS; Bill Moyers speaks with constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald...

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/12122008/watch.html

Aircraft Maintenance outsourcing and Drug Testing

420: I don't smoke pot; that's my credit score after the concessions.

As you know AMTs working on aircraft in the U.S. are subject to random drug testing. I'm gonna give you a dijoono. Did you know that the U.S. is the only country in the world that requires the random drug testing of people that work in aviation? That fear of coked-up foreigners working on U.S. passenger aircraft might just work in our favor and help keep AMT jobs here in the United States.

Attempt at a solution...The Poe Amendment; H. AMDT. 805, H.R 2881.

Representative Ted Poe (R), from the 2nd district of Texas tried to attach an amendment to the FAA's re-authorization bill that would require any outsourced maintenance contractors outside the U.S. working on U.S. aircraft to be randomly drug tested like we are here in the states.

I called Congressman Poe's office in support of the amendment and was told the amendment failed to gain enough support...at least for this year.

But if it can be resurrected at the next FAA re-authorization bill, it could be the check valve that will prevent outsourcing & keep aircraft mechanic jobs here in the states!!!

The Aircraft Maintenance Technician best friend in congress; Representative Ted Poe, D.C. Office 202-225-6565

Click here for more information about The Poe Amendment For an op-Ed piece about it over at "Aviation Today" click here... http://www.aviationtoday.com/am/issue/departments/backshop/industryinsights/27952.html

Senate kills Bailout bill

Bailout; UAW says full pay to the last day...

Senate republicans say nay...

Over at FOXnews (yes, I will sometimes post things by FOX) they have a story titled "United Auto Workers Lash Out at GOP Senators Over Bailout Collapse"

Here is the link...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/12/auto-workers-union-lashes-gop-senators-bailout-collapse/

The UAW is absolutely right to refuse any more concessions. The big three are threatening bankruptcy if nothing is done is nothing new. Every union member at American has heard that lie...does this sound familiar? "So that there is absolutely no confusion or uncertainty, I must make completely clear that if we fail to secure flight attendant ratification by tomorrow… [April 16th]… we are regrettably left with no alternative but to immediately file for bankruptcy." [Don Carty]. (Ramstack)

The Senate republicans claim that if only the UAW accepts wage and benefit cuts to that of their counter parts at the non-union plants of Nissan, Toyota and Honda then the money will flow and it will be Popsicles rainbows and lollipops.

Does that mean the UAW will be required to give up their health insurance? That cost is a large part of the supposed $70 an hour that automakers pay. This link explains where the $70 number came from... http://mediamatters.org/items/200812060002

The non-union competition's health care cost is offset through the respective countries universal health care plans. We have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

Congratulations UAW for calling their bluff and standing firm...the time of the politics of fear will soon be at an end.

B.G.

Comments welcome and requested...

Ramstack, Tom. Airline Attendants Accept Pay, Benefits Cuts; American's Chairman Lauds Employees for Vote That Provides Reprieve from Bankruptcy. Newspaper Title: The Washington Times. Publication Date: April 17, 2003. Page Number: C10

Delta/Northwest

Delta/Northwest; Seniority is everything.


The dust hasn't settled over at Delta/Northwest. The one news story I found about the trouble with the merger can be linked here: http://www.startribune.com/business/35776879.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7EaDiaMDCiUZ

Delta is trying to merge the seniority lists of its work groups before a free and fair election for union representation can be held. The IAM had filed a lawsuit earlier to force Delta to wait until a federal mediator calls the two one and then hold an election before preceding with the seniority list integration. Keep an eye on this one. If Delta's attempt to mesh seniority lists favor more non-union employees and a vote for representation is held...guess what.

UAW

The Detroit News put together a piece called "Success in South America" "South of the Equator, Ford and GM Prosper"... http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/AUTO01/708210301/-1/SPECIAL&template=THEME&theme=AUTOS-SOUTH-AMERICA

It's the same old story. "U.S. workers should work harder for less money so that American companies can compete in this global economy." Notice in this video; http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1189
how they marvel at the efficiency of the plant in Brazil but not once do they mention wages, health care or benefits for the employees.

If you judge solely on efficiency...Hell, slavery was efficient!

More on the Southwest/AMFA tentative deal...

AMFA has released more information about their tentative agreement with Southwest...

http://www.amfa11.com/CN/SWA_Negotiation_Update_13_200812051%20Final.pdf

At the end of a four year contract, with raises and potential bonuses, the mechanics at Southwest are looking at better than $45 an hour.

Congratulations guys and thanks for the precedent!

Employee Free Choice Act

There is an important piece of legislation grinding its way through congress called The Employee Free Choice Act. I think it is one of the most progressive bills in favor of Labor to be presented before congress since the The Wagner Act of 1935.

The A.D.D. like me..."Hey look something shiny!" ...Summary: The E.F.C.A. will allow non-union shops to vote for union representation if they sign 50+1 cards. {Like the AMFA drive that failed in 04}Instead of signing a card to {authorize for a vote} for union representation; you sign a card {as a vote for} union representation.

Here are just two For & Against links so you can decide for yourself...
PRO: http://freechoiceact.org/petition/?source=ggl&gclid=CP_TlsnDrZcCFQIfswod2Xeshw
CON: http://www.unionfacts.com/articles/cardCheck.cfm

Southwest/Mechanics Reach Tenative Deal

Again, meanwhile over at Southwest...
As of post time CNN/Money seemed to have the most info about the tentative agreement...
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200812051714DOWJONESDJONLINE000959_FORTUNE5.htm

The above graph came from American's negotiations web page. http://www.aanegotiations.com/default.asp

American's use of (WN) stands for either Southwest or "What!...Never!"

The Human Clock

This is just a Cool Link:
Every minute a new image loads that tells the time. It may be a person holding a sign, Big Ben, a license number, or a street address. Submitted photos are encouraged...
http://www.humanclock.com/?s=1

Immigrant Song.

Do you have what it takes to become a citizen?

MSNBC put together a sample of twenty questions that the INS asks immigrants before they can become a citizen. Try it here...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19552808/

By the way...The INS requires a score of 80 or better. Good Luck

Contract update websites.

Information from the company on contract negotiations from all three unions can be found here: http://www.aanegotiations.com/default.asp

BUT...before you link above,

here is a walk down Bad-Memory Lane...

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/apr/17/business/fi-amr17

Meanwhile...Over at Southwest...

An article over at TDAmeritrade declares...

[Indeed, Southwest employees are often described as among the most satisfied and best compensated in the industry, compared with, as one example, AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, which suffers from low morale stemming from mistrust between workers and management.]
["The attitude between Southwest an American Airlines employee is night and day," said Craig Hodges of Hodges Capital Investments, which holds sizable stakes in both companies. "American employees act like they hate their jobs and act like they're put out when you ask them for a pillow."]

Here is the link to the whole article.http://research.tdameritrade.com/public/stocks/news/story.asp?docKey=4018-0853494CB55743D99EA1CA346181A479-0GHS29VNRML5J77G7C26N1RF6S

The Big Three Automakers are back... Good luck with that...

GM, Ford & Chrysler are back on the Hill today to plead with Congress for about 35 billion in loans.

My prediction...Not gonna get it.

Americans are becoming fed up with taxpayer funded bailouts and 61% believe we should let the automakers fail.

Over at the Boston globe there is an article about the recent poll and public disapproval...

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/12/poll_americans.html

Those kind of poll numbers will force Congress to vote with public sentiment. The Senate will send them packing and and most certainly into bankruptcy. The results are going to be disastrous for our unions brothers at the UAW but at some point this has to stop.

Senator Saxby Chambliss wins in GA

Chambliss' runoff election win in Georgia means the magic number of a sixty has been denied. Democrats were hoping for 60 seats in the Senate to be able to block any Republican filibuster. As of now the count will be 58 to 41 with Minnesota in recount. But with today's progressive political momentum; party caucusing, at least for Conservatives, may be weakening. Any progressive legislation grinding its way through the Senate that is halted by a Republican filibuster; Dems will only need to sway one maybe two Republicans to move a bill forward.
There are as many as seven Senators that many conservatives believe are RINOs (Republican in name only) that might not tow the (R) party line...
1. Olympia Snowe (R. Maine)
2. Susan Collins (R. Maine)
3. Gordon Smith (R. Ore.)
4. Arlen Specter,(R. Pa.)
5. Coleman, Norm, (R. Minn.)
6. Richard Lugar (R. Ind.)
7. George Voinovich (R. Ohio)

Reuters has the full story about the Georgia Senate runoff...
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0152117620081203

American Airlines complained to Federal mediators about the Pilots' and the progress of their negotiations . Trebor Banstetter over at SkyTAlk wrote a blog on the story...http://startelegram.typepad.com/sky_talk/2008/12/aa-blasts-union-pilots-walk-out.html


To see the what company negotiators presented to mediators click here.
http://www.aanegotiations.com/documents/NMBPresentationforAANegotiations3.pdf

2008 November Newsletter

11/18/2008
The Mechanics of Politics
By Brian Golden
“When political news breaks; placard it!”

U.S. Senate; the election isn’t over just yet…

There are three U.S. Senate seats yet to be decided; Georgia, Minnesota and Alaska.
These three states are either in a runoff or in a recount. This is important. If all three states send a democratic Senator to Washington it will be the first time in almost thirty years that the democrats will have a filibuster proof 60 vote majority in the Senate. (58 to 40 with independents Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Joe Lieberman (CN) caucusing with the democrats) A filibuster is where the opposition/minority party can talk, talk and talk some more, on the senate floor effectively preventing a vote and thus the passage of any new legislation before the Senate. If incumbent republican Senators Ted Stevens of Alaska, Norm Coleman of MN and Saxby Chambliss of GA lose in their recount or runoff, the democrats will have the coveted sixty vote majority to defeat a republican filibuster and pretty-much pass any legislation they want. Your fingers are crossed if you’re a democrat; you’re biting your nails if you’re republican.
Confirmation of Supreme Court Justices by the Senate is another reason why these three seats are of import. A solid democratic majority in the Senate would more than likely confirm soundly left of center judges to the highest court in the land. The nominees that President Obama will bring before the Senate to replace the likely retiring left-leaning justices Ginsberg and Stevens, middle-of-the-road Kennedy, as well as the right leaning 72 year old Scalia, should he decide to retire, could tip the Robert’s court 6 to 3 towards the left. Depending on your politics this is great news or the end of civilization as we know it.

"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!" –
Will Rogers

U.S. House of Representatives
5 out of 435 undecided

There is a recount between Representative Don Young (R) and challenger Ethan Berkowitz (D) in Alaska. California’s 4th district democrat Charlie Brown is trailing Republican Tom Craddick by about a thousand votes with 40,000 still outstanding. In Ohio, Steve Stivers (R) is up by 393 to Mary Jo Kilroy (D) with 20,000 votes still uncounted. Louisiana’s 2nd and 4th district are voting December 6th because of hurricane Gustav. William Jefferson (D) is expected to win over Anh Cao (R); and Paul Carmouche (D) is up against republican John Fleming Jr. If the democrats win they should have a 259 to 156 majority in the house.




“Politics is just show business for ugly people.” - Jay Leno

Texas 81st Legislature
Early Bills before the house and Senate

On November 10th the early filing for legislative bills began in Austin. For the sake of this newsletter I have made a list of ten that caught my interest. As far as I can tell, there are none that have a direct impact on our local, union or industry, but again these are the early bills; There are some hot-button issues that are before the legislature this session but before you become enraged or get your hopes-up, remember School House Rock and “it’s only a bill” By way of comparison, last session; 6190 bills were introduced, 1481 passed, and 51 were vetoed by Gov. Perry.

Here are 10 of note:
HB 129 by State Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio): This bill would make it a law that the Texas Insurance Commissioner be elected as opposed to appointed. This has consumer protection written all over it...this is a good bill)
HJR 19 (House Joint Resolution) by State Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin): This would change the Texas Constitution to create a non-partisan redistricting committee. Sounds good as long as it remains non-partisan.
SB 220 by Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville): Would prevent portions of non-toll roads from becoming toll roads. Who wouldn’t support this?
SB 245 by State Sen. Elliot Shapleigh (D- El Paso): Mandates significant testing and security of some electronic voting machines. This bill doesn’t go far enough with oversight, but it is a step in the right direction. This issue needs to be addressed nationally.
HB 20 by State Rep. David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio): this bill would exempt college text books from sales tax. That’s good; maybe a $20 savings on a $240 dollar book that will be obsolete next semester will pay the cover charge for the keg party at Delta house.
SB 105 by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D- McAllen): a bill that imposes a college tuition freeze. Good luck with that Chuy...Whatever UT wants, UT gets.
HB 49 by State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball): This bill would require local police (Yes… Barney, not the INS) to arrest and detain anyone that can not produce documentation of citizenship. The charge…? …Trespassing. “Papels por favor, documentación?” How do you say “papers please” in German?
HB 50 by State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball): No more in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. I agree, but isn’t that effectively turning our state’s Universities and Colleges into agents of the INS… How... no, why is this even being discussed at the state level? Immigration is a federal problem, not Judy’s at the Dean’s office
HB 91 by State Rep. Dan Flynn (R Van): Bans state agencies from printing any public documents in Spanish. Yo no se, esta la ley? Donde estas me derechos civeles? HB 36 and SB 182, by State Rep. Frank Corte (D-San Antonio) and State Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston): Under current informed consent laws both of these bills would require physicians to show women seeking abortions in Texas ultra sound images of the fetus before the procedure. No comment

Acceptable responses to sick-call counseling

After calling in sick and you are summoned before the kind folks at Lost-time & Attendance to atone for your transgressions; feel free to use these prepared responses. I hope they bring absolution.

The generic
It is with the deepest regret and heartfelt humility that I speak with you today concerning the recent use of my contractually allotted sick time. Due to unforeseen circumstances involving my health and well being I was unfortunately compelled to use the generous half-day sick pay benevolently bestowed upon me by my employer. I cannot begin to express the remorse and disappointment I have in myself and my immune system for having to expend such a magnanimous gift. Rest assured, from this day forth, it is my intent to strive for and achieve my most fervent goal of perfect attendance.


The Subservient
First let me say how much I value, respect and appreciate the hard work you and the lost time administration department have done for American Airlines and our bottom line. As an employee I strive for perfect attendance because I know we are a team at American and if we pull together we win together. Like the importance of the Critical departures throughout the day, I understand the importance of perfect attendance and I agree that every employee should place perfect attendance as a Priority one critical so that the mutually shared sacrifice each employee endures for the good of the company will ensure the success of American Airlines and Operation Cooperation.

The Patriot
Regrettably, I was forced to call-in sick on the date/s in question. With every fiber of my being I wanted to be here on that day and achieve my goal of perfect attendance. I want to contribute to the success of American Airlines. I understand that I am a valued employee with the world’s second largest airline and that makes me an integral part of the economy that is our great nation. In the future, my goal, or personal mission statement; shall be, “Ask not what American can do for me but rather what can I do for American.”

The Paulson
I would like to provide an update on the state of my health, my employment, and my strategy for continued implementation of what I call the sick-call rescue package. As I assess where I am today, I believe I have taken the necessary steps to prevent a broad systemic event. Both at home and at work I have already seen signs of improvement. My immune system is stronger and more stable than just a few weeks ago. Although this is a major accomplishment, there are many challenges ahead. My immune system remains fragile in the face of the bacterial onslaught that resulted in a well being downturn as well as a significant loss to my economic fluidity resulting from the half day sick pay I was forced to take in my weakened condition. Sick call turmoil should abate now that the biggest part of the health correction is behind me. For now my primary focus is recovery and repair of my perfect attendance record.

The MLK
I have a dream. That one day I will be judged not by the failure of my immune system but by the content of my character and history of my work ethic. I dream of a day when as an employee of American Airlines I can call in sick without fear of retribution or sick-call counseling. I envision a promised land where employees are treated with mutual respect and regarded by management as equals in furthering the interest of the company. I am certain that one day this shall come to pass. I may not see it in my career but I believe one day we shall reach the promised land of understanding and mutual respect, where pulling together actually means working together and winning together.

The Bixby
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of Lost Time Administration the statement that I have used five sick-days on the field of battle for my health.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the one person's health for which they were expended.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of my health and well-being
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,