Transportation NewsWire
IAM Transportation Department
General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
www.goiam.org/transportation
August 14, 2006
Transportation Adds 900 US Airways Members
The National Mediation Board (NMB) has certified the Machinists Union as the collective
bargaining representative for the Mechanic & Related class and craft at US Airways. The IAM and the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters were both competing for representation rights following the
airline's merger with America West Airlines. The Teamsters represented America West's 900 mechanics,
while the IAM has represented workers at US Airways and its predecessors since 1949. The NMB's action
extinguished the Teamsters' representation rights for the former America West Mechanics.
"IAM members showed tremendous support for their union while ignoring an intense Teamster
campaign of lies and empty promises," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "We are prepared to
immediately enter into transition negotiations with US Airways to ensure fair seniority integration, provide
the secure IAM National Pension Plan and provide active and furloughed employees of the combined airline
with the job opportunities they deserve."
The NMB determined the Teamsters failed to show sufficient interest from the combined workforce
to call for an election and on August 11, 2006 granted the IAM's request for certification. On May 11, 2006
the NMB certified the Machinists as the representative for the combined airline's Fleet Service employees,
adding 2,400 new IAM members. The IAM's application to represent US Airways' Stock Clerks was filed
on August 2, 2006, but the NMB has not yet made a determination on the issue.
IAM Members Excel, TSA Falls Short During Security Threat
The enhanced security procedures enacted last week caused disruptions at airports across the
country, but not the widespread chaos predicted by the media. "The new procedures increased workloads
and generated many questions and unexpected situations that IAM members handled with their usual
professionalism," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "The job IAM members continue to
perform under extreme circumstances is commendable. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA),
however, could have responded better."
Following the announcement of the latest terror threat and increased security procedures, passengers
were herded into massive lines that snaked through airports. Upon reaching the front of the lines, passengers
at many airports were met with an unexpected site - closed screening lanes. Expensive security screening
machines paid for by the same passengers waiting in line stood idle because the TSA is limited by law to
only 45,000 screeners nationwide and does not have the necessary manpower to operate an appropriate
number of security lanes at many airports.
Additionally, the TSA recently nixed plans for Gulfstream Airlines, whose Flight Attendants are
represented by the IAM, and Delta Airlines to begin service this fall to Marathon Airport in the Florida
Keys because they could not provide the required screeners. "The TSA has finite resources for managing
security services in airports around the country and it's difficult for us to add new airports," said TSA
spokesman Christopher White.
"The TSA is forced to under staff airport screeners, limit cargo inspections and neglect Amtrak and
commuter rail security because of budget constraints," said GVP Roach. "Transportation security and the
industry's growth are crucial to our nation's economy and should not be cheated by short-sighted policies
that erode our nation's security."