Bob Fisher, Deputy Director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent appointment to his new position. Fisher also discussed plans to grow the airline division and a unique approach to organizing one of the industry's largest operators.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien appointed Fisher as the Deputy Director of the Airline Division effective April 1. The airline division is made up of over 80,000 union members. Fisher has been the Chief Negotiator in other critical roles for several agreements covering multiple crafts over the last 13 years. He previously worked as an Airline and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic for 35 years.
The airline industry is facing a pay wage gap, and the non-pilots want a share of the profits their work creates. By providing the industry's best in contract negotiations, the airline division is positioning itself to take advantage of the discourse. The Teamsters are also working to increase the number of women in the trade, and Fisher wants to grow the trades to all workers during his tenure. His lofty wish is to reach 100,000 members in the airline division over the next 12 months.
Part of the plan for growing membership involves a unique approach to organizing employees working for Delta. Together with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Teamsters have formed a coalition to organize workers within their chosen positions. The Machinists are organizing the fleet, the AFA is taking on the flight attendants and the Teamsters are working to organize Delta’s mechanics. If successful, this could change the way unions organize in the airline industry, Fisher said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.
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