The President's Report— spring 2010

'Organized labor is the best and only answer' by Tony Gibson The NMB has rendered a decision. The decision, simply put, allows for only the votes cast to matter. Here's an example: there are 100 employees at the widget factory, and 45 people cast a vote; if 26 of those 45 vote union then work group is now organized. Under the old rules, at least 50 of the 100 people must vote; and of that 50 at least 50% plus 1 must vote for the union for the work group to be organized. What does this mean you may ask? It means a level playing field, and more democratic process for a representation election; and more importantly, it is what it does not mean. It does not mean that we can rest on our collective hindquarters with this Delta organizing drive; it does not mean that we are assured an easy victory, and it does not mean that Delta will rollover. It means we must redouble our efforts from the organizer to those of you working side by side with the non union workers. It means we are not to squander this opportunity. It means we must continue to demonstrate every reason why organized labor is the best and only answer for the work force in this or any country.

The Executive Board and I have been working extremely hard to ensure that we are in a position to capitalize on every organizing opportunity. We started by taking an aggressive attitude toward budgeting, and every expenditure has been placed on the table for review. Rest assured that even the Executive Board has felt the pinch. We have saved money in every area possible. We have cut lost time to a minimum, and our volunteers are on the rise. Your local lodge committees are active, involved and supportive. An example would be the budget committee. This committee has worked hard, and come up with 4 proposals that they will be making to the Executive Board, and you the membership on July 7th 2010. I invite you to attend this meeting and freely give your input.

I have completed my first round of station visits. I have visited the properties of Delta DTW ESE and CSA day shift. I have visited UAL GRRCS day shift; both Delta GRRCS and UAL DTWCS, day and afternoon shifts. If I have missed any of you while on these station visits I sincerely apologize. I will begin my second round of station visits, which will include Flint, the afternoon shift of the Delta DTW ESE and CSA groups. My station visit plan will be as follows: Swing shift visits to Delta, UAL and Southwest will be done on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and rotated based upon time and availability of your Shop Committees. The day shift visits will be done monthly on the 3rd Thursday of each month, rotated, and based upon the time and availability of your Shop Committees. I hope this gives you an idea of when you can expect to see me on your property. You don't have to wait for my visits to share your concerns, you can email me at presidentLL141@yahoo.com, or call me at my office which is 313 234-6826. I will respond promptly to any and all concerns.

Fraternally,

Tony Gibson
President
Detroit Air Transport Local Lodge 141