Machinists Condemn Raider Association for United Airlines Contract Delay

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 The National Mediation Board (NMB)
today dismissed a petition by the Aircraft Mechanic Fraternal Association
(AMFA) for representation of the Mechanic and Related employees at United
Airlines.  After more than four months of investigation, the NMB ruled today
that AMFA did not submit sufficient valid authorization cards to warrant an
election against the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers (IAM), the current representative for the Mechanic and Related
employees at United. The NMB requires that more than 50% of a represented
group must sign valid authorization cards.
    AMFA's March 30, 2001 election petition came amid tense negotiations
between the IAM's District 141-M and United Airlines, causing all substantive
negotiations between the parties to cease pending the NMB ruling.
    "AMFA knew they didn't have enough interest for an election, yet they
filed their petition to intentionally stall our negotiations with United
Airlines," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "They are guilty
of assisting United in delaying increased wages, benefits and pensions for our
members. There is no place in the labor movement for people whose actions are
designed to deny benefits to working families."
    "Airline workers have enough roadblocks to reaching an agreement without
having an outside group torpedo their negotiations" said General Vice
President Robert Roach, Jr. "AMFA owes an apology to the thousands of United
employees who have been forced to wait for a new contract because of AMFA's
own greed."
    "It's disgraceful how AMFA timed their filing for when it would do the
most damage to our negotiations," said District 141-M president and lead
negotiator Scotty Ford. "We have wasted enough time with outside distractions,
and I call on United to have their negotiators immediately return to the table
with the authority to complete an agreement."

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