IBT 357 Hits New Low
05-22-2012, 07:28 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: FO
Posts: 101
IBT 357 Hits New Low
Released by 357 today..... I didnt change it's fromat much and changed no words. Aparently Religion is fair game now to.
5-22-12 Interfaith Worker Justice report
As you read in the April 15 edition of the Pay Day Update (https://www.local357.org/images/stories/Files/rah_newsletters/pdu4-15-12.pdf), the Interfaith Worker Justice, a multi-faith organization which advances the rights of workers by engaging diverse faith communities into action, formed a Monitoring Committee to investigate Republic Airways Holdings.
Their findings , along with a response from the CEO Byran Bedford are attached
You will see in Bedford’s response that it’s the same anti-union rhetoric we’ve come to expect. Not even the urgings of the IWJ – which includes very prominent Catholics – will sway him to do what is right and just for his employees.
As further proof of Bedford’s insolence, read this email from Sept. 2011 addressed to FAPA operatives Jeff Thomas and Scott Gould in which he ridicules a request by DOT Secretary LaHood and FAA Administrator Babbitt to sit on a panel discussion about cooperative labor relations.
Bedford’s pompous and self-serving attitude has hit an all-time low. He has the hubris to argue with bishops—as seen here from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/upload/Primer-labor-Catholic-social-teaching.pdf
The view of the US Bishops is that “Catholic social teaching supports the right of workers to choose w hether to organize, join a union, and bargain collectively, and to exercise these rights without reprisal. . .Workers, owners, employers, and unions should work together to create decent jobs, build a more just economy, and advance the common good.”
And if he needs any more proof these two comments from the US Bishops 2011 Labor Day message should leave any doubt as to the Catholic Church’s stance on unions:
“Pope John Paul II, in his powerful encyclical Laborem Exercens, noted unions "defend the existential interests of workers in all sectors in which their rights are concerned. . . . [They] are an indispensable element of social life, especially in modern industrialized societies" (no. 20). Most recently, in Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI said, "the repeated calls issued within the Church’s social doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum, for the promotion of workers’ associations that can defend their rights must therefore be honored today even more than in the past . . ."
Remember, when it comes to Bedford (Psalm 55:21), "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."
Better yet - remember, “My Negotiating Committee Speaks For Me."
5-22-12 Interfaith Worker Justice report
As you read in the April 15 edition of the Pay Day Update (https://www.local357.org/images/stories/Files/rah_newsletters/pdu4-15-12.pdf), the Interfaith Worker Justice, a multi-faith organization which advances the rights of workers by engaging diverse faith communities into action, formed a Monitoring Committee to investigate Republic Airways Holdings.
Their findings , along with a response from the CEO Byran Bedford are attached
You will see in Bedford’s response that it’s the same anti-union rhetoric we’ve come to expect. Not even the urgings of the IWJ – which includes very prominent Catholics – will sway him to do what is right and just for his employees.
As further proof of Bedford’s insolence, read this email from Sept. 2011 addressed to FAPA operatives Jeff Thomas and Scott Gould in which he ridicules a request by DOT Secretary LaHood and FAA Administrator Babbitt to sit on a panel discussion about cooperative labor relations.
Bedford’s pompous and self-serving attitude has hit an all-time low. He has the hubris to argue with bishops—as seen here from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/upload/Primer-labor-Catholic-social-teaching.pdf
The view of the US Bishops is that “Catholic social teaching supports the right of workers to choose w hether to organize, join a union, and bargain collectively, and to exercise these rights without reprisal. . .Workers, owners, employers, and unions should work together to create decent jobs, build a more just economy, and advance the common good.”
And if he needs any more proof these two comments from the US Bishops 2011 Labor Day message should leave any doubt as to the Catholic Church’s stance on unions:
“Pope John Paul II, in his powerful encyclical Laborem Exercens, noted unions "defend the existential interests of workers in all sectors in which their rights are concerned. . . . [They] are an indispensable element of social life, especially in modern industrialized societies" (no. 20). Most recently, in Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI said, "the repeated calls issued within the Church’s social doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum, for the promotion of workers’ associations that can defend their rights must therefore be honored today even more than in the past . . ."
Remember, when it comes to Bedford (Psalm 55:21), "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."
Better yet - remember, “My Negotiating Committee Speaks For Me."
Last edited by 3662forlife; 05-22-2012 at 07:56 PM.
05-22-2012, 07:38 PM
#2
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: FO
Posts: 101
And Brians responce to the Preachers (I think he kicked their but):
May 10, 2011
Monitoring Committee
Interfaith Worker Justice
1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
Dear Monitoring Committee Members:
Thank you for your letter of March 26 concerning the ongoing IBT union representation drive. A
fair and just workplace is important to Republic Airlines. Since the economic crisis of 2008, we
have attempted to maintain employment and benefit levels for our employees while, at the
same time, overcoming the significant challenges facing our industry over the past several
years-many of our competitors have not been so lucky in confronting these challenges.
I sincerely appreciate your interest in our employees; however, I must disagree with your
presumption that the Teamsters union (IBT) is the means by which our people can "improve the
Company and their working conditions." Such a statement ignores the benefits that our people,
Including mechanics, enjoy without the presence of a third party, which often seeks to foster
conflict and antagonism in the relationship between employees and their company. Instead it
would seem reasonable that the first question would be "is there a need for a mechanic trade
union at Republic?" The IBT, like any other union, is a business. Its profits are the dues its
members pay for representation; hence the more members the higher the profits. There is
nothing wrong with this, but we must be honest that this is not an altruistic organization.
You are concerned that our employees fear being "unjustly fired" Of "penalized for exercising
their right to organize." I assure you (and them) that this is not the case; if you have knowledge
of specific instances where this has happened, I want to know about them because that's not
who we are and that's not how we treat our people here. Actions like these not only are illegal,
but they go completely against Republic's Mission and Guiding Principles, priorities that I take
very seriously and to which I hold our leaders accountable. I would point you to our vision
statement as proof of what motivates us:
I believe it is the issue of respect and dignity that may be the real concern the IBT seeks to
capitalize on. Over the past three years, we have focused our management efforts almost
excursively on the critical issues related to the integration of two acquired companies. We were
so focused on restructuring our business to ensure the future of our Company for our
employees and stakeholders that we didn't provide the attention to the very employees on
whose behalf we were working. With the installation of a highly qualified executive team at our
branded subsidiary, we have refocused our efforts and our attention on our core employees.
We have reestablished our site-visit program and have already seen results of these visits With
recent pay scale increases for our Maintenance employees, management changes and support
staff additions and facility improvements just to name a few. While I do not believe any union
can force employers to "respect" their employees, what is clear to me is that, regardless of the
organizing effort, we must and will continue to recommit to and reconnect with our people and
demonstrate that we can and will "walk the talk" of our Mission Statement. In this odd sort of
way, I am grateful for the wake-up call.
The one area where we do agree is that employees should decide whether or not they want a
union. We agree with Catholic scholars who, after extensive discernment, determined that:
To that point, Republic believes every one of our mechanics has the right to decide whether
they want to join a union or keep a direct relationship with the Company. We also believe their
decision should be free from intimidation and coercion and should be informed by all the facts
provided by both the union and Republic. We have taken steps to provide truthful information
on what union representation means and on the steps in the process to select a union. We also
are responding with the truth when we learn of misinformation the IBT organizers are using to
further their agenda.
I also want to point out that a true reading of Paragraph 2S from Chapter Two (Human
Development in Our Time) of Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical letter, in Coritas in veritate, clearly
speaks to the plight of workers in third world and developing countries, those countries without
the many protections afforded to workers here in the United States and other developed
industrial countries. Your interpretation of The Pontiff's words to support an ill-conceived effort
by a less-than-credible third party to harm the relationship we have with our employees does a
disservice to you in your roles as religious leaders and to Pope Benedict and his efforts as stated
in his wonderful encyclical. I have attached a copy of the referenced section at the end of this
letter for your reconsideration.
Whatever decision is made by our employees, we will respect it and continue to work with our
people. We will continue to communicate our position on unionization to our mechanics so they
can form their own opinions and make their own decisions, armed with the facts, about what's
best for them and their families.
We believe in the value of partnering with our people, not because we want to avoid a union,
but because it makes for a better airline and it's just the right thing to do. We are by no means
finished with our work; I admit that there is always room for improvement. Recognizing this, I
believe we've been able to do something special at Republic by working with our people,
listening and making this a great place to work and grow together. Can we do better?
Absolutely! Do we need a third party building walls of distrust between the Company and its
employees, I sincerely believe the answer is no.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. Please continue to pray for
our employees as they make this very important decision. May God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
Bryan Bedford
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Republic Airway Holdings, Inc.
Committee Members:
May 10, 2011
Monitoring Committee
Interfaith Worker Justice
1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
Dear Monitoring Committee Members:
Thank you for your letter of March 26 concerning the ongoing IBT union representation drive. A
fair and just workplace is important to Republic Airlines. Since the economic crisis of 2008, we
have attempted to maintain employment and benefit levels for our employees while, at the
same time, overcoming the significant challenges facing our industry over the past several
years-many of our competitors have not been so lucky in confronting these challenges.
I sincerely appreciate your interest in our employees; however, I must disagree with your
presumption that the Teamsters union (IBT) is the means by which our people can "improve the
Company and their working conditions." Such a statement ignores the benefits that our people,
Including mechanics, enjoy without the presence of a third party, which often seeks to foster
conflict and antagonism in the relationship between employees and their company. Instead it
would seem reasonable that the first question would be "is there a need for a mechanic trade
union at Republic?" The IBT, like any other union, is a business. Its profits are the dues its
members pay for representation; hence the more members the higher the profits. There is
nothing wrong with this, but we must be honest that this is not an altruistic organization.
You are concerned that our employees fear being "unjustly fired" Of "penalized for exercising
their right to organize." I assure you (and them) that this is not the case; if you have knowledge
of specific instances where this has happened, I want to know about them because that's not
who we are and that's not how we treat our people here. Actions like these not only are illegal,
but they go completely against Republic's Mission and Guiding Principles, priorities that I take
very seriously and to which I hold our leaders accountable. I would point you to our vision
statement as proof of what motivates us:
"We believe that every employee, regardless of personal beliefs or world-view,
has been created in the image and likeness of God. We seek to become stronger
from our diversity. We seek personal respect and fulfillment from our work. Most
of all, we seek to recognize the dignity and potential of each member of our
Republic Airways Holdings Family."
has been created in the image and likeness of God. We seek to become stronger
from our diversity. We seek personal respect and fulfillment from our work. Most
of all, we seek to recognize the dignity and potential of each member of our
Republic Airways Holdings Family."
I believe it is the issue of respect and dignity that may be the real concern the IBT seeks to
capitalize on. Over the past three years, we have focused our management efforts almost
excursively on the critical issues related to the integration of two acquired companies. We were
so focused on restructuring our business to ensure the future of our Company for our
employees and stakeholders that we didn't provide the attention to the very employees on
whose behalf we were working. With the installation of a highly qualified executive team at our
branded subsidiary, we have refocused our efforts and our attention on our core employees.
We have reestablished our site-visit program and have already seen results of these visits With
recent pay scale increases for our Maintenance employees, management changes and support
staff additions and facility improvements just to name a few. While I do not believe any union
can force employers to "respect" their employees, what is clear to me is that, regardless of the
organizing effort, we must and will continue to recommit to and reconnect with our people and
demonstrate that we can and will "walk the talk" of our Mission Statement. In this odd sort of
way, I am grateful for the wake-up call.
The one area where we do agree is that employees should decide whether or not they want a
union. We agree with Catholic scholars who, after extensive discernment, determined that:
''Although Catholic social teaching acknowledges that a just workplace can exist
without the presence of a union, it also maintains that workers have a right to
unionize. The presence of a union does not necessarily make for a just workplace,
just as the absence of a union does not make it unjust. What is vital, however, is
respect for workers and respect for their full and conscious participation in [the
ministry], in whatever form they choose to participate.”1
without the presence of a union, it also maintains that workers have a right to
unionize. The presence of a union does not necessarily make for a just workplace,
just as the absence of a union does not make it unjust. What is vital, however, is
respect for workers and respect for their full and conscious participation in [the
ministry], in whatever form they choose to participate.”1
To that point, Republic believes every one of our mechanics has the right to decide whether
they want to join a union or keep a direct relationship with the Company. We also believe their
decision should be free from intimidation and coercion and should be informed by all the facts
provided by both the union and Republic. We have taken steps to provide truthful information
on what union representation means and on the steps in the process to select a union. We also
are responding with the truth when we learn of misinformation the IBT organizers are using to
further their agenda.
I also want to point out that a true reading of Paragraph 2S from Chapter Two (Human
Development in Our Time) of Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical letter, in Coritas in veritate, clearly
speaks to the plight of workers in third world and developing countries, those countries without
the many protections afforded to workers here in the United States and other developed
industrial countries. Your interpretation of The Pontiff's words to support an ill-conceived effort
by a less-than-credible third party to harm the relationship we have with our employees does a
disservice to you in your roles as religious leaders and to Pope Benedict and his efforts as stated
in his wonderful encyclical. I have attached a copy of the referenced section at the end of this
letter for your reconsideration.
Whatever decision is made by our employees, we will respect it and continue to work with our
people. We will continue to communicate our position on unionization to our mechanics so they
can form their own opinions and make their own decisions, armed with the facts, about what's
best for them and their families.
We believe in the value of partnering with our people, not because we want to avoid a union,
but because it makes for a better airline and it's just the right thing to do. We are by no means
finished with our work; I admit that there is always room for improvement. Recognizing this, I
believe we've been able to do something special at Republic by working with our people,
listening and making this a great place to work and grow together. Can we do better?
Absolutely! Do we need a third party building walls of distrust between the Company and its
employees, I sincerely believe the answer is no.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. Please continue to pray for
our employees as they make this very important decision. May God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
Bryan Bedford
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Republic Airway Holdings, Inc.
Committee Members:
Rev. Tim Ahrens, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church UCC
(Columbus)
Ms. Kim Bobo, Executive Director, Interfaith Worker Justice (Chicago)
Dr. James Childs, Professor of Ethics, Lutheran Theological Seminary
(Columbus)
Ms. Erin Cordle, Office of Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Rev. Darren Cushman-Wood, Senior Pastor, North United Methodist
Church (Indianapolis)
Ms. Kimberly Freeman-Brown, Executive Director, American Rights at
Work (DC)
Dr. Dan Graff; Higgins Labor Studies Program, Notre Dame University
(South Bend}
Dr. Chris Howell, Department of Politics, Oberlin University (Oberlin)
Rev. Troy Jackson, Senior Pastor, University Christian Church (Cincinnati)
Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez, Whitewater Valley Presbytery {Indianapolis)
Dr. Bill Mirola, Marian University (Indianapolis)
Sr. Norma Rockladge, Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg (Oldenburg)
St. Demetria Smith, Diocese of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Mr. Charlie Wiles, International Interfaith Initiatives (Indianapolis)
Rev. June Wilkins, Senior Pastor, Gethsemane Lutheran Church
(Columbus)
(Columbus)
Ms. Kim Bobo, Executive Director, Interfaith Worker Justice (Chicago)
Dr. James Childs, Professor of Ethics, Lutheran Theological Seminary
(Columbus)
Ms. Erin Cordle, Office of Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Rev. Darren Cushman-Wood, Senior Pastor, North United Methodist
Church (Indianapolis)
Ms. Kimberly Freeman-Brown, Executive Director, American Rights at
Work (DC)
Dr. Dan Graff; Higgins Labor Studies Program, Notre Dame University
(South Bend}
Dr. Chris Howell, Department of Politics, Oberlin University (Oberlin)
Rev. Troy Jackson, Senior Pastor, University Christian Church (Cincinnati)
Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez, Whitewater Valley Presbytery {Indianapolis)
Dr. Bill Mirola, Marian University (Indianapolis)
Sr. Norma Rockladge, Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg (Oldenburg)
St. Demetria Smith, Diocese of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Mr. Charlie Wiles, International Interfaith Initiatives (Indianapolis)
Rev. June Wilkins, Senior Pastor, Gethsemane Lutheran Church
(Columbus)
Last edited by 3662forlife; 05-22-2012 at 08:03 PM.
05-23-2012, 12:20 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Posts: 339
Originally Posted by 3662forlife
Released by 357 today..... I didnt change it's fromat much and changed no words. Aparently Religion is fair game now to.
05-23-2012, 10:31 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Eff Oh Won Fo Fife
Posts: 325
Originally Posted by 3662forlife
Whats next? Are we going to pickit his church or one of his kids T-Ball games?
Really, are there no limits?
Really, are there no limits?
Domination was achieved through targeted assignations of nuns with holy water filled super soakers, IED modified pope-mobiles and swapping mitres with trucker caps.
The IBT's overall goal is to trademark the phrase "God bless" so that every time BB signs off a letter or quotes a bible verse he will owe the Teamsters a hefty royalty fee which will be used to finance the distribution of free porn to passengers on all RAH and Frontier flights.
We are the Illuminati Local of the Teamsters.
The "secret" union hall.
We are everywhere.
Everywhere.
05-23-2012, 10:52 AM
#8
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Joined APC: Apr 2011
Position: CW20
Posts: 130
So is this....
IBT's way of changing the subject as to why they are getting thier clock cleaned at the Bargaining Table? Why the anger? Did the Vatican get in the way of an IBT Trash Pick-up contract/extortion? Seem that the Cardinal of IND is laughing all the way to the bank....IBT 747 is a better example of Clean living? Hmnnn, maybe by IBT standards. Better to admit you are i WAYYYY over your head. BTW any OTHER "major" airline come to the IBT for representation or is Court Room trickery the only way to reign over the "unionized" masses? IBT- the Sunset Union....
05-23-2012, 11:23 AM
#9
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: B-73N FO
Posts: 532
BB is the one who opened the religion can. He throws it around all the time, every shareholder meeting, every company memo or email, every time he is on tv...IBT didn't start the talk on religion, they just returned a salvo.
05-23-2012, 12:38 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 919
Im guessing 3662 and DC are the same person. The funny thing about these anti IBT threads is they offer no other options. Im no fan of the IBT, but who is better? ALPA has countless examples of drawn out and dissapointing contract negotiations. There is an inhouse that the company would bankrupt in less than a year. The only other argument is to not have a union. As much as one may hate IBT, the thought of bedford having the freedom to impose his own work rules and wages is downright scary. So bash away and continue to offer nothing constructive.
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