Over the course of the weekend, and following my last blog post, I was in touch with each rank and file member of the negotiating committee. Brothers and Sisters I can proudly tell you that without hesitation or question, each of us is resolute in our position to achieve an agreement for the United Mechanics and Related prior to amalgamation. Each member also steadfastly indicated that a defined benefit pension plan is a must in order to achieve that goal. These members include Roger Apana HNL, Larry Calhoun JFK, Dion Cornelius LAX, Ramon Gonzalez DEN, George Graham ORD, Kevin Giegoldt ORD, Dominic Gulley SFO, Javier Lectora SFO, Ken Meidenger DEN, and Harvey Wright from SFO.
This should really come as no surprise to anyone. After all, every one of us is a mechanic and we have, and continue to suffer the same hardships as each of you.
In line with what's happening currently, a very dear friend recently sent a quote from Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Paine and it follows;
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God."
As I read this, I thought with some very minor changes this passage describes our current plight. However, long gone are the summer soldiers and sunshine patriots from amongst our ranks. Those of us left have been refined in the crucible that is United Airlines. We have been hardened and polished by an extended bankruptcy. United, in much the same way as King George used his armies to keep his subjects under thumb, used the bankruptcy courts to enforce her tyranny on us her subjects, but now is that time, instead of the freedom mentioned above, to be rewarded for our sacrifices with an acceptable agreement! In other words, this tyranny must be now be conquered!
The feedback I've received over the last couple of days is tremendous and I thank you all for the kind words. However, a couple of emails indicated that sending our message to our supervisors would gain nothing. I couldn't disagree more. Soon after the CAL mechanics finished their TA, several members of management approached me and informed me station by station what the feedback was surrounding that agreement on the UAL system. Your supervisor is a direct conduit to the CEO. Believe me, they share your stories, and if our tale is one of apathy, they will steamroll us so fast it will make our heads spin. I'm anything but apathetic at this point, and I can't believe it's any different for any of you! Tell your tale! Our hope for a decent agreement lies with the Union, the committee and you. Working as a team we will be unstoppable and we can, and we will, achieve our collective goals!
Remember; WITH NO PENSION THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, WITH NO AGREEMENT THERE IS NO HAPPINESS!
