We, Northwest Airlines Reservation Agents decided to establish this blog to help you understand us and vice versa. First and foremost, We are just like you. We have been victims of bankruptcy due to bad management decisions. We are your neighbors, attend the same houses of worship, shop at the same stores, and support the same communities. We are soccer moms and dads. We are single parents trying to make ends meet, juggling schedules, and never having enough time for everything we want to do. We value the time we get to spend with our friends and families. We want to provide our families with a good quality of life so we work hard and take pride in doing the best job we possibly can. And we look forward to the day we can hand over our headset and take on a new job title...retired. We love to travel. After all, why would we work for an airline and put up with all the crap that comes with the job if we didn't want to travel? The days of having a glamorous airline job are over.
There are many other similarities, but the biggest difference between us is that we belong to a union and have a rule book that management has to abide by, and if they do not, we have a grievance process to remedy the situation. There are many rumors and misconceptions about being a member of the Machinist's Union. This blog is the avenues we want you to use to ask us questions and yes, even express your opinions. This will be an honest dialogue between us. You may not always like our answers, but we will do our best to educate you on trade unionism.
For starters, here are some issues we have heard you are concerned about:
·WHO RUNS THE IAM?
The members do. Every level of the IAM operates on the democratic principle of majority rule. IAM members have the right to participate in local lodge meetings, vote for local and international officers and vote on contracts and convention delegates. The Grand Lodge Convention, which is convenes every four years, is the highest government body in the union.Elected delegates set union policy and have the power to amend the IAM Constitution.
HOW MUCH ARE DUES?
Dues rates are approximately two times your hourly rate of pay. The IAM has waived the initiation fee and no Delta Airlines employee will be required to pay union dues until the IAM has negotiated, and the employees have ratified their first contract. There are no back dues or fees. Generally, what it costs a union member in dues is paid back many times over by higher wages and more company-paid benefits than nonunion workers.
HOW ARE MEMBERS' DUES SPENT?
Dues pay for all the operating expenses of the union, including negotiations, grievance handling, and arbitration. In addition, dues cover the cost of union publications, the IAM's William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, community service programs and many other member services.
· WHAT DOES THE IAM DO?
The IAM's primary role is to negotiate collective bargaining agreements or contracts with employers. Agreements are legal documents that establish wages, shifts, working conditions, and benefits for all workers under its jurisdiction. Once negotiated, the IAM enforces the agreement by representing members having day-to-day problems with management. The IAM also addresses issues such as workplace safety and community services.
· WHAT ABOUT GOING ON STRIKE?
In the IAM, strikes are a last resort, used only when all of the means of reaching an agreement fail. The IAM negotiates more than 99% of its contracts without a strike. In the IAM, you can't go on strike unless you and your fellow members vote to do so. Strike approval requires a two-thirds majority vote of the membership in a secret ballot election.
· DOES THE IAM PRACTICE POLITICS?
Yes. Legislation at the federal and state level has a tremendous impact on our members. The IAM has a very effective Legislative Department that monitors pending legislation in Congress that could affect the lives of our members and their families. The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) raises voluntary contributions to assist pro-worker candidates and defeat those who consistently vote against the interests of our members.
