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!