"What Have Unions Ever Done For Me?"

When I was a young man just returning from church work in Tahiti, I needed a job and I needed to return to school. I'm sure many of our younger workers can relate to the anxiety that I felt many years ago. I heard about work being available at a local trucking company and I applied and fortunately, landed the job. Can you imagine back in 1975 making $12.87 and hour with benefits? I was overjoyed to learn that the pay was great because it was a union job. I was able to not only make ends meet but also afford my college tuition. A few years later I had a 4-year degree and was off to conquer the world.

While I was contemplating teaching school, an opportunity arose for me to work for Western airlines and I jumped at the chance. Back in the day, Airline jobs were considered the cream of the crop in available work. The 5 years I worked for Western were some of the happiest moments of my life. It was a laid back airline with consummate professionals.

In 1987, after a couple of rocky years, Delta airlines came calling and we merged, thanks to the heroic work of a forward thinking CEO, Gerald Grinstein, Western Airlines was saved and we became part of Delta.

I remember vividly the moment I was ushered into a room and offered a job by a Delta representative. He put a piece of paper in front of me and told me to sign the bottom line if I wanted a job, no questions asked.

I'm no fool; I took the job. When I left the room I thought to myself, "How easy was that"? A few days later a sage, wise old veteran of Western informed me why the process was so easy and smooth. He told me that the union I belonged to with Western Airlines had a LPP (labor protection provision) that in the event of a merger or acquisition, I would be guaranteed my job and seniority and that's exactly what happened.

Many years later we're faced with some harsh realities. We are no longer strong or safe from being absorbed by other stronger airlines, even though our leaders tell us our goal is to be a "stand alone airline".

What happens if a largely union carrier merges with us? Do we have any guarantees that we will keep our seniority or even our jobs? No, because we have no contract to protect us. Anything could happen, who is to say that in the event of a merger, Delta would be the dominant carrier? There are no guarantees for us, nothing in writing, no promises.

With a union standing by us, we could make sure of our future. We wouldn't be left to the whims of those who have the power. We would be a partner in the process, not a pawn to be manipulated however they see fit. Take a stand, sign a union card, ask for an election and rejoin the middle class.

The Federal government guarantees the secrecy of union cards and the company will never know who has or has not signed cards. For more information on the benefits of union membership, visit IAM at:
http://www.goiamnow.org/

Bruce K. Church, Dept. 120 - SLC