[PEN-L:1843] Teamster Mechanics Say Do Not Fly America West! (fwd)

[D Shniad <shniad@xxxxxx>]

> Date: Sat, 9 Dec 1995 06:38:30 -0800
> From: Andrew J. English <aenglish@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Teamster Mechanics Say Do Not Fly America West!
>
> *Teamsters Say Do Not Fly America West!*
>
> Last week Phoenix-based airline America West fired 500
> airline mechanics  and outsourced the jobs to a contractor in
> Washington state.  The Teamsters union charges that the
> firings are part of plan by the company to thwart an ongoing
> union organizing drive among mechanics.   All heavy-maintenance
> jobs were outsourced, while light-maintenance will be continue
> to be done in Phoenix.  The Teamsters union charges that union supporters
> were targeted for firings.
>
> America West employees had given up several million dollars worth
> in wage and benefit concessions to the company in recent years to bring
> it back from bankruptcy.  Prior to the bankruptcy declaration, employees
> were forced to purchase non-voting stock in the company, which then
> became worthless.  Meanwhile company chief execs continued to pay
> themselves million-dollar salaries and bonuses.  The company also
> received  $100 million dollars in state and local subsidies to keep it
> afloat and keep jobs in Arizona.  Now reporting record profits, America
> West is screwing both its loyal employees and taxpayers.
>
> Other groups of employees are also seeking to unionize under the
> Flight Attendants Union and the IAM.
>
> Several hundred fired workers rallied outside the America West
> corporate headquarters in Tempe, Arizona and demanded their jobs back.
> They called for boycott of America West.  Members of many other union
> locals were present to show their support.
>
> The Arizona state AFL-CIO is petitioning to place an Arizona Workers Bill
> of Rights on the ballot in the 1996 election.  This initiative would
> require companies which receive public subsidies and then relocate jobs
> out of state to pay back the taxpayers.  It would also raise the minium
> wage to $5.84 per hour, improve workers compensation and unemployment
> benefits, guarantee the right to organize, and require employers to show
> <just cause> when terminating employees.   Workers at the rally eagerly
> signed this petition.
>
> The Teamsters vow to continue their campaign against America West with
> continued picketing at corporate offices, the Sky Harbour offices, and
> the Phoenix Suns basketball arena which is named the America West Arena.
>
> Do Not Fly America West!
>