“I have my faults. But being wrong ain’t one of them.”
-- Jimmy Hoffa
Normally those of us in the aviation maintenance field can associated with that famous quote from Mr. Hoffa because at 30,000 feet in the air, we can’t afford to be wrong. Lately however, there is a new trend showing its ugly little head. Across the system we are seeing many more incidents of injuries, aircraft damage and mistakes. We are asked daily to do more with less and in a shorter amount of time. The deep cuts of the beginning of the year are beginning to take their toll and it would appear that the company has found the maintenance “quick” or that point at which we start to bleed.
I have reflected on you many times of the pride I feel for the work and professionalism we are all displaying. We have met the company’s many challenges, and where possible exceeded the expectations. We truly need to continue that trend, but must become more aware of our surroundings. Please use a bit of caution, and take a quick second to check your paperwork. That second set of eyes we were used to having around is too often just not there anymore, so again please be careful.
Straight on to the local front with the GQ/PV issues, the company has begun the shake down procedure here like at many other stations. As of today, there is still no official word on how this will affect those of us in MM, at least not here in Seattle. The latest we did hear, in opposition to the claims by the station manager of a seamless transition, is the GSE mechanics bumping in to the MM line maintenance area will be allowed some time to come up to speed. Those of us, who were looking to get a summer “vacation” will now be getting a paycheck for a bit longer. We do not know how long the “break in” period will be or the status on the early out - voluntary lay off option for MM, but as we learn more we will share.
There has been much talk generated from the proposal for the company to consider participating in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund. One query dealt with the IBT’s history of questionable investments with pension plan funds, as sensationalized by books and the big screen. According to the Encyclopedia of White-collar & Corporate Crime, former IBT President James R Hoffa was convicted in a 1964 Chicago case of diverting $20 Million dollars from the Teamster pension fund, and although the fund continued to grow through this dubious transaction, he served 4 years in jail. Today, CEO’s can completely trash pension programs and savings accounts of hard working families while personally making millions in the process, and then are rewarded for their accomplishments. Thank you, but I’ll put my faith in the Teamsters pension fund -- Dave
