Machinist Union Weathers the Storm

AMFA made three critical mistakes, IAM's Roach says. It isolated itself from other unions on the property, saying it didn't need them. In 2005, those unions didn't honor picket lines. AMFA allowed work to be outsourced, paving the way for more outsourcing. And after members voted to authorize a strike, AMFA leaders decided to strike without a second vote on the final proposal, which is a routine procedure at the IAM. "They should have seen the handwriting on the wall and negotiated a contract," Roach says.

The IAM still represents about 12,000 Northwest agents and ramp workers. Some of the mechanics who remain at the airline have talked to the IAM about a union election, Roach says, as have United mechanics who joined AMFA in 2003.

More Wins at Boeing, USAir

In September 2005, the 18,300 IAM mechanics and production workers at Boeing staged a monthlong strike and got what they wanted: a guaranteed pension and continued health benefits. "Boeing was forced to shut down because of solidarity and the numbers that we had," says union spokesman Joe Tiberi.

"When we struck Boeing, the company wasn't hemorrhaging money," Tiberi says. "It was profitable, which gave us a chance to use all the resources that a strong union has."

This month, the IAM gained 3,400 members at US Airways, a result of the merger between the former US Airways and America West Airlines. America West fleet service workers were members of the Transport Workers Union, but joined the IAM rather than risk decertification in a union vote. The Teamsters represented America West mechanics, but did not get enough support to hold an election.

Now the IAM is negotiating transition agreements. Under the Teamster contract, heavy maintenance was farmed out to third-party contractors. Under the IAM contract, most heavy maintenance is done in-house.

"We are looking to get some work back," Roach says. "Once these transition agreements are completed, it will require several hundred mechanics to be recalled. Salary is also part of it, of course, but salary is meaningless if you don't have job security to go with it."