Transport Workers Union To Picket 'Job Cremator' Romney
Jan. 24-- The Transport Workers Union, which has objected to the hiring of labor consultant Bain & Co. in the bankruptcy case of American Airlines parent AMR Corp., will picket former Bain executive and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, union officials said Monday.
In the days leading up to the Florida primary election on Jan. 31, TWU members will picket outside Romney's campaign offices in Florida, officials said.
"Mitt Romney is a job cremator, not a job creator," said TWU President James C. Little. "He made a fortune snatching up companies, closing factories and laying off workers. Now, Bain & Co. -- which still lines Mitt Romney's pockets with their profits -- has been hired to ax workers at AMR Corp."
On Friday, the TWU filed an objection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York to AMR's proposed employment of Bain.
The union's lawyers said the New York-based firm is being hired to reduce jobs at AMR subsidiary American Eagle Airlines, a regional airline affiliate of American Airlines.
"The consulting firm was not hired to renegotiate aircraft leases, advise on financing or alter route structures; their sole function is eliminating employees," the TWU said.
American Airlines and American Eagle workers are employed at 171 U.S. airports, including Tulsa International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
"It's outrageous that someone running for president as a 'job creator' is going to enrich himself by cutting pensions, cutting wages and destroying American jobs," Little said. "Like so many on Wall Street, Mitt Romney earns his money by destroying the jobs of airline employees.
"We're going to do our best to make sure voters in Florida and elsewhere know exactly where Mitt gets his money."
D.R. Stewart 918-581-8451
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