Teamster-represented CAL mechanics, who have one of the strongest contracts in the industry, support the fleet service workers’ campaign to become Teamsters. Mechanics from around the country are working in support of the fleet service workers’ campaign.

The mechanics know first-hand the strength of being Teamsters. Prior to their first Teamster contract in 1999, their situation was very bleak. Thousands of the CAL mechanics were on furlough, had no union and their benefits, pay, and work rules were the worst in the industry. Their retirement was a joke. They were entirely at the mercy of management. Even their JOBS were in peril because of management’s intention to outsource as much of their work as possible.

The mechanics had an Employee Council that tried its best to hold its own, but in the end were dictated to by management. The mechanics needed the strongest union in the country—one with vast resources and the willingness to help them fight for their rights at the bargaining table. They needed a union that would require the company to treat them with dignity and respect. That union is the Teamsters. 

The mechanics have negotiated three contracts and have turned their entire situation around. It hasn’t been easy, but the Teamsters have given the mechanics strong backing and have worked with the mechanics every step of the way.

Even in times of concessionary bargaining the mechanics were able to negotiate a fair agreement that included having their pay restored prior to the end of the agreement, they kept their 401(k) match and were able to negotiate a no-layoff clause for the duration of the agreement. It’s fair to say that we now have one of the best mechanics’ contracts in the aviation industry. Our pay is solid and has kept up with the rest of the industry, they enjoy a pension plan, and they fixed their overtime procedure, eliminated favoritism, worked out a strong trade-day policy, and capped their contribution to health insurance costs. But by far the most important achievement has been in job protection. The mechanics’ contract has some of the strongest scope language in the industry and protects mechanics from outsourcing of their work and provides protection in the event of an acquisition or merger.