continental rampers union faq’s
Question & Answer with District 141 Organizing Director,
Tim Nelson
Q
Why should Continental Rampers choose any union at all?
A
It’s the same reason for all workers. It’s all about being empowered:
Freedom of voice; Freedom to vote; Freedom to determine how justice will
be be administered on the job.
These are the results of collective bargaining power.
Right now, management has all the power. The voice of the Continental Ramp
is oppressed. The company determines what Continental Rampers are going to
give and what Continental Rampers are going to take.
Continental rampers deserve a voice — just like the thousands of other
workers at Continental Airlines.
q
How that voice is heard at the IAM?
a
It’s heard by having rampers representing you from the local lodge level
all the way to the international executive council.
The IAM knows Ramp! That is a huge difference between the Machinists Union
and other big industrial unions.
To illustrate, we just started negotiations at United Airlines and have
Local lodge Rampers; District President Rich Delaney [ramper],
International Representative Ira Levy [ramper], International
Representative Tom Brickner [ramper].
Even on the highest perch, the Machinists executive board, there is a Ramp
worker, Robert Roach, Jr. No other union on the planet has a Ramp voice
throughout all levels of their union.
q
What do you think is the single greatest feature of the Machinist union?
a
The IAM Constitution: It’s what governs the IAM and it is distinctly
democratic. I was probably the IAM's biggest skeptic. Then I saw the
constitution in action. Members in my District not only participated in
rejecting company proposals but also were empowered to participate in new
officer elections, resulting in new Local and District leaders.
q
But all unions are run like a democracy, right?
a
Wrong! No other union on the planet empowers its members with freedom of
voice and vote in the way the IAM does.
When comparing unions, it is critical that workers clearly understand who
governs the union and how. Just voting in a union doesn't guarantee your
voice is heard. Nor does it mean you have any voice at all.
At the airline for which I work, IAM Members voted on company proposals.
Meanwhile, the Teamster union signed a contract and refused to allow their
members a vote.
It’s very important for workers to understand that all unions are not
equally democratic in how they treat Members.
Q
Continental Rampers may have a choice in unions, so what is the
IAM advantage?
A
We are an airline union. Our attorneys are editors of the number one
judicial reference book for the Railway Labor Act.
IAM Members not only enjoy an airline voice, but they have a majority
airline voice. Having a majority airline voice is critical to voting in
airline people to lead the union. The alternative is a union in which the
airline voice is diluted and faint. Members in those unions will always
be outvoted by the bigger divisions.
When choosing between unions, it’s critical not to make the mistake of
taking democracy for granted. Not all unions are democratic.
Compare the facts of the unions — not just what they claim. Get as much
information as possible!