TO BOYCOTT OR NOT TO BOYCOTT AMT DAY?
It takes the effort of every union member in Tulsa to deliver a safe and quality aircraft back to service on time day in and day out. I am a constant champion of Tulsa’s attention to Safety and Quality. I express this to upper management every chance I get.
Local 514 President
Dale Danker
Gary Peterson, President Local 591, Rollie Reeves, President Local 567 and I are in constant contact in our efforts to deliver to you a contract you deserve. The three of us are trying to bring our membership together to have one collective voice for your benefit. So we discussed the possibilities of boycotting AMT day in an effort to let the company know we are not happy with how they continue to treat the TWU employees like third class citizens compared to our coworkers.
This was a topic at the May 12th Executive board meeting and it was determined to bring the question to the five (5) membership meetings which are held at the Union Hall. It was just an open discussion for those 160 members that come to the meetings every month. There was no clear position either way. Some had a strong opinions that AMT Day is not and should not be used as a tool for the union out of respect for past and future AMT’s, while others agreed we should join the boycott. So after several days of consideration on how to handle AMT Day, I have arrived at the following position.
First and foremost, I support my friends and co-workers Gary and Rollie and the position they arrived at for each of their respective locals. Second, I’m told David Seymour, Bill Cade and Erik Olund, the new MD of Tulsa Base, who is replacing Mark Easton will be attending. So let’s see if we are together in our efforts to get what we deserve in a contract. I am asking everyone to wear your black “T” Shirt on AMT Day, WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 to show them we are a union. A union that will stand up for every brother and sister, regardless of what class or title you may work.
I know you don’t get many opportunities to leave your work area without managment asking where you have been. So if your heart tells you to attend, then do so, but please wear your black union shirt and find David Seymour, Bill Cade and Erik Olund and give them your honest assessment of just how ridiculous it is that the company continues to treat us in an unreasonable manner while publicly claiming they desire to improve the past relationship with this union and its employees. I am encouraging every member to ask them directly if they intend to continue a strong presence in jet engine overhaul, landing gear, wheel and brake, avionics, and all the other back shops in Tulsa. Let them know what you expect the future of the Tulsa Base to look like. If you choose to not attend, I’m asking you to wear your black shirt anyway to show your solidarity with your brothers and sisters in this time of seemingly never ending negotiations.
I will be in DC next week for negotiations. To all AMT’s and every 514 member that make the Tulsa Base the best maintenance base in the world, I want to thank you.
Together we are the Union!
A Union of all Locals, all members!
Thank You & God Bless,
Dale
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