Statements

"It is very good to know that employees have value. Work rules and job security rank high with the Teamsters. During my 12 years as a Teamster, I have seen the company prosper and my family has prospered as well. Teamsters all the way!"

—James Balkum, AirTran, Mechanic

"My father, Lester Steve Pate, was a Teamster member for 34 years. He was a shop steward for over 15 years, so I have been able to enjoy union benefits most of my life. I worked at ASA before it had a union and now that we have a union, things are so much better! I encourage ASA Mechanics and Related to form a union with the Teamsters!"

—Rhonda Niko Pate, Flight Attendant, McDonough, Georgia

"I support ASA Mechanics and Related in forming a union because a union isn’t about being anti-company; it is about being pro-people. Everyone needs their voice to be heard."

—Heather Ragle, Flight Attendant, Shawnee, Georgia

“ASA needs a change and I do not think we can get the company to change without the Teamsters. With the Teamsters, we will have the voice we need to get the respect we deserve.”—Jamie Yanez, Mechanic, Macon

“I support forming a union because I want to see better conditions in my workplace. I want better benefits and more opportunities and I know a union like the Teamsters could provide those things.”—Angel Luis Iturrino, Maintenance, Atlanta

“I am in favor of joining the Teamsters because I want every ASA mechanic to get paid what they deserve. Their work helps to keep planes flying safely for customers and crew.”—Mahek Bulsara, Mechanic, Macon

“I want to join the Teamsters because I want to see the lives of my coworkers improved.”—Timothy Kirsten, Mechanic, Macon

“I think it is important to join the Teamsters because our work force needs backing. As cleaners for ASA, we need moral support and we need a voice. The Teamsters can give us those things. I totally support the Teamsters!”—Annette Holyfield, Cleaner, Atlanta

“I support joining the Teamsters because I feel that security in a job is important. As employees, we need to be able to give our comments and share our likes and dislikes without fear of losing our jobs. The Teamsters will give us security and they will give us a voice.”—Sean Brady, Mechanic, Baton Rouge

“I helped organizing AFA (Association of Flight Attendants) with ASA. I have worked with a union and without one. It is so important to have a voice with the company. I like having rules that can’t change and I like being able to negotiate those rules with the company. I like having a grievance procedure.”—Jeannie Babb, Flight Attendant, Fayetteville, Georgia

"I’m glad I have a union. It gives me a contract that is binding, a voice in the work rules, and respect. I no longer feel intimidated when I come to work.”—Chris Tomko, Flight Attendant, Atlanta

“Joining the Teamsters is important to me because of the kind of work that I do. Aircrafts are unforgiving machines. Extreme care must be used when maintaining them. Union representation ensures mechanics and related employees have a safe place to work.”—Carlos Rosado, Maintenance, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“I support joining the Teamsters because it is time for a change at ASA. We deserve better pay, better benefits and job security.”—Michael Flowers, Cleaning, Atlanta

“I want to join the Teamsters because the union would bargain on my behalf for better wages, control of insurance costs, consistent work rules and job security.”—Lonnie Lemoine, Maintenance, Baton Rouge

“Forming a union with the Teamsters is important to me because I would like to see the employees have more of a say in policies and procedures. I would like to see ASA follow its own rules at all times, not just when it suits management. I would like to see the 15-year top out time dropped to five years. I think a union would offer more incentives to stay with ASA rather than to have a constant revolving door. Forming a union would help everyone have a positive work experience.”—Steven Cessna, MTC Mechanic, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“As a chief shop steward with Local 769 for Continental Airlines, I am very excited to see the ASA Technicians and their related workers reach out to the Teamsters. I welcome and support your campaign.”—Tommy Esposito, shop steward, Continental Airlines, Member of Local 769, Orlando, Florida

“I support the ASA Technicians forming a union with the Teamsters. A strong union and a strong contract are the only ways to ensure survival and prosperity for your families and yourselves.”—Eddie Cruz, FedEx AMT

“I support ASA Mechanics and Related joining the Teamsters because with a Teamster contract, quality of life improves, workers get a voice in the workplace, all work rules are well-defined and benefits and pay are increased."--Mike Cline, Business Agent for ExpressJet, Local 19 Houston, Texas

“I support ASA mechanics and craft forming a union with the Teamsters. I am a Teamster and I have a voice in my company’s business. I have an advocate to represent my legal rights as an American worker. My terms of employment are guaranteed under a contract. ASA employees can have those benefits, too!”—Joseph Terzo, AirTran

“I am happy to support the efforts of the ASA Mechanics and Related to organize under the Teamsters. Protecting worker rights, creating safer work environments and offering employee support are all benefits of unionizing, and these things are especially important in this economy and in the volatile industry of aviation. All workers should have an ally that will represent their interests and work to improve their quality of life. Congratulations to the ASA Mechanics and Related for employing the help and expertise of the Teamsters. I wish you the best of luck in your venture for a safer, more employee-friendly workplace."—Crystal Collinsworth, ASA CRJ-700 Captain

“I support joining the Teamsters because I believe ASA employees should have better pay, better benefits, a voice, job protection and the respect we deserve.”—Andre Beaudoin, Mechanic, Macon

“I support joining the Teamsters because a union will ensure that our pay keeps up with inflation and that our benefits are fair.”—Carlos Barboza, Maintenance BTR, Baton Rouge

 “I want ASA mechanics and craft to have higher pay and better benefits. I support ASA employees joining the Teamsters. With the Teamsters, your pay is guaranteed through a contract, meaning no concessions without a vote. Work rules pertaining to overtime and working hours are laid out and something is there to represent you when you’re on the hot seat.”—Greg Senart, AirTran

“I am in favor of forming a union because a Teamster contract will give ASA employees better benefits, better pay and ensure that we have equality and fairness in the work place.”—James Canty, Mechanic, Atlanta

“I support joining the Teamsters because I believe a union would be good for mechanics and related. A Teamster contract would ensure solid work rules, better pay and benefits. A Teamster contract would mean our health insurance costs would be more affordable.”—Bryant Owen, Maintenance, Macon

“I want to join the Teamsters because I’d like to belong to a group with the ability to negotiate pay, insurance rates and sick leave.”—Ray S. Green, Maintenance, Baton Rouge

“I think we should join the Teamsters because I feel ASA employees need to have a union in place to keep everything in check between the company and the workers. ASA employees need representation in the workplace.”—Michael Lipiatos, Mechanic, Atlanta

“Joining the Teamsters would mean a change in unfair work rules. Favoritism would be eliminated and we could bid by seniority. A Teamster contract would provide us with fair pay and good working conditions.”—Rose Mary Comena, Cleaner, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“I support forming a union with the Teamsters because I feel that with union support, the pay, benefits and our jobs would be better than what they are now. I would like to see more respect from the company and a change in policies.”—Alton Morris, Jr. Cleaner Maintenance, Macon, Georgia

“I support joining the Teamsters because I don’t like the way the rules change whenever the company feels like changing them. I also do not like the expectation that workers show up to “mandatory” meetings or classes when we have been given little notice. Those who schedule the mandatory meetings show no regard for anything we might have already planned.”

“I support joining the Teamsters Union because of their sense of camaraderie, their organization, and their willingness to fight for fair wages and a just cause. The Teamsters will ensure fair and equal treatment for our craft.”

“I support joining the Teamsters. We haven’t ever had a voice within the company, which many of us view as our company. With the support of the Teamsters Union, we, the workers on the front line, will have the voice we need for a better tomorrow.”

“When we have informational meetings with management, I always see them writing down concerns workers have raised, but management never acts on our concerns. They say they listen to our concerns and they comment about doing something, but they never seem to follow through. I feel that if we join together, we could have a voice that is heard, not one that is ignored.”

“Joining the Teamsters is important to me because the employees of ASA haven’t received a cost-of-living raise for four years or more. In September all of the hanger employees got a small raise except for those who clean and those who are in the parts department. We were just left out. This makes me feel like we are not important to ASA.”

“I support joining the Teamsters because I am tired of the way ASA walks al over what are supposed to be their valued employees. It is not far that employees who work hard and do their jobs correctly get kicked to the curb at the discretion of the company.”

“ASA has left us with no choice. Years of empty promises and lack of action from management have caused us to seek unionization. The Teamsters are our best hope for opportunity and change at ASA.”

“I want to join the Teamsters because I believe that all mechanics should be treated equally. With a Teamster contract, we will have set work rules, wages that are up to par with airline industry standards and benefits that reflect the work we accomplish.”