Update on things

AFSS5602 Junior Member

Flight Service has been quite a roller coaster for quite some time. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the hard working specialists who despite the horrid treatment by air traffic controllers, the FAA, and especially Lockheed Martin, show up to work everyday to do their part in supporting aviation. I also want to pay tribute to specialists who have died from mental and stress related illnesses over the past few years due to the horrific treatment by the FAA and Lockheed Martin.

When I was first hired by Lockheed, I like many was very excited. I felt it was a great opportunity to get to work for a company who builds fighter jets and spacecraft and is an American icon in aerospace/defense. What has become clear however is that we are not valued employees of the company. They have made it quite clear that we are nothing more than a necessary liability that is keeping their profit down.

So, here we stand as so many workers have stood before. Its us against management. They hate us and we hate them. However they need us for the contract and we need them for money. Its a shame that it had to come to this. Lockheed has pushed the safety envelope way too far and clearly only cares about profit. It is up to us specialists and our union to fight for safety and fair treatment and work rules. The grievances have already started and some battles have been won already.

Lockheed Martin recently lost a 1.4 million lawsuit when it was proven that they targeted union organizers by firing them to try and stop the IAM from getting in. These workers will get back pay which they deserve.

Lockheed is trying to oppose us at every turn like a child throwing a temper tantrum. They are pissed that we voted a union in. What they need to be asking themselves is why did a union get voted in. All they had to do was treat us like professionals and offer us the same respect they give their management. Why was that so hard for them?