Teamsters 'Destroying The Labor Movement' Pantoja Says

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has filed a request for an election against the Transport Workers Union (TWU) to represent the Mechanic and Related employees at American Airlines with the National Mediation Board (NMB). In a prepared response to the filing, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers General Vice President Sito Pantoja said that the Teamsters are undermining labor unions in general.

"The Teamsters continue to destroy the labor movement by dividing already unionized employees with hollow promises," Pantoja said in the written release. "They are doing nothing to bring new airline workers into the labor movement. Instead, they try to siphon members from other unions, at the expense of those members and their families.

"Besides losing more members than any other union in the labor movement last year, the Teamsters have accomplished nothing for aircraft mechanics. At United Airlines, weak Teamster representation removed limits on outsourcing heavy maintenance to China, slashed the number of United mechanics per aircraft by half, abandoned their guarantee to negotiate a pension plan and spent millions of their members’ dues money on federal oversight due to their culture and history of corruption.

"The IAM stands with our TWU sisters and brothers through the AFL-CIO and the TWU-IAM representation alliance, a model of unity and solidarity. We will ensure that all American Airlines and US Airways mechanic and related employees fully understand that with TWU-IAM representation, workers gain real benefits and protections, not empty promises."

FMI: www.usaamerger.com.