AA union stepping up protests of exec wages

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=45&articleid=20100416_45_E1_Transp724284

The group has begun picketing, advertising and text-messaging campaigns.

By D.R. STEWART World Staff Writer
Published: 4/16/2010 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 4/16/2010 5:30 AM

American Airlines' unionized mechanics have begun an informational picketing, advertising and text-messaging campaign protesting the latest round of executive bonuses, which are expected to be distributed to top managers next week.

In the midst of contract negotiations with AMR Corp., American's parent, mechanics say company executives are rewarding themselves at the expense of employees who have been working at reduced wages and benefits since 2003.


Transport Workers Union Local 513 members conduct an informational picket line to protest American Airlines executive bonuses Thursday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. MAX FAULKNER/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/AP


"How much is too much?" said John Conley, director of the Transport Workers Union's Air Transport Division. "In the past five years, the top executives at AMR have enriched themselves with more than $300 million in bonuses, and their proxy statement shows that they'll be back at the trough again this year."

The picketing, advertising and text-messaging protests were launched Thursday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and in Tulsa by members of the TWU. The TWU represents 28,000 American employees, including 6,000 mechanics at American's Tulsa Maintenance & Engineering Center.

The picketing at DFW and advertisements in the Tulsa World and the Dallas Morning News featured a suitcase full of cash under the headline, "Excess Baggage."

Beneath the headline of the nearly full-page ad, smaller text said, "This week, AMR's top executives will bag millions in bonuses again. Meanwhile passengers pay steep fees to check bags and ground workers get nothing — again."


FULL story at link.

[laughingliberal]

1. Just typical. The pain starts at the bottom and it stays there. nt

[nilram]

2. k&r

[lonestarnot]

3. Nice effort, but

reminds me of anti-war protests in D.C., largely ignored.