You may have seen some electioneering from the Teamsters lately regarding Tom Horton’s compensation and the bankruptcy court. Let’s be perfectly clear about what is really going on here:
Not only is the TWU not supportive of excessive bonuses and compensation for Tom Horton – we worked with the other unions at American to oust him as CEO. We understood there was a critical need to fix more than a decade of mismanagement and unfair sacrifice by our members. We pushed for the US Airways merger and got rid of Horton.
Every day, TWU has a team of highly skilled bankruptcy specialists, lawyers, economists, investment bankers and publicists working on your behalf. Every time Judge Lane holds a hearing we’re there for you.
The bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York is an open courtroom. Anyone can attend. Ask any lawyer, rep for APFA, APA or any casual observer who has attended these hearings: “Are the Teamsters there?”
The answer you will get back is “No. Never have seen them.”
When it comes to the AMR bankruptcy, the Teamsters are clueless.
However, admittedly when it comes to excessive executive compensation the Teamsters are experts.
I encourage you to read this article from the June 10, 2013 Chicago Sun-Times that details the high salaries, waste, abuse and outright corruption in one of the IBT’s Illinois affiliates. Keep in mind, that if they could, this is one of the local’s where the IBT would like to place American Airlines’ mechanics.
http://www.suntimes.com/20538198-761/sons-of-rahm-emanuels-top-union-ally-john-coli-also-rise.html
Would you really want to pay higher dues to support this kind of corrupt and lackluster representation?
Fraternally,
Garry Drummond
TWU ATD Director