Cleveland labor support for pilots is strong

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also clever enough to wait until all the other airlines had slashed wages and benefits before they made their move. They then argued: How can we compete against all these low-cost carriers?• Another serious weakness in this strike, as well as at other airlines, is that three different unions negotiate three different contracts at three different times. While ALPA and the AFA were on strike, the International Association of Machinists (IAM) kept working— and kept the company running.

The IAM, which represents 15,000 workers systemwide, was bound by a no-strike clause in their contract. This clause, which the majority of the membership never even knew existed, has stood in the contract under "miscellaneous" since 1947. [See article dealing with the no-strike clause on pp. 16-17.] A changing mood • What was different in this strike? Even though the union leadership betrayed the membership with this agreement, the employees are going back to work as a union.

They walked off the job and stayed off. They did not scab on each other as everyone believed they would, and as management had counted on. Only four of the 570 "pre-hires,' who were key to management's strike-busting plans, chose to scab.

Other airline pilots also supported ALPA. There was no flood of applicants from other airlines. Other airline unions have accepted, without a strike, contracts as bad, if not worse, than the CLEVELAND—Labor solidarity was the big theme of the 19th Biennial District Conference of the United Steel Workers of America District 28 held on June 13-15. District Director Frank Valenta ended his opening remarks by asking delegates to remember, "United we stand; divided we fall—an injury to one is an injury to all."

At the Cleveland Federation of Labor meeting held before the conference, the Steelworkers announced plans to hold a rally and march in solidarity with the striking United Airlines pilots on June 13. Steelworker delegates urged other unions to support the pilots.

When the conference adjourned its first-day session, the 234 delegates were joined at a rally by members of the Air GATE Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) and their families. Auto Workers, Food and Commercial Workers, Communications Workers, Newspaper Pressmen, and building trades unions also attended.

ALPA spokesperson, Dwayne Harrison, addressed the rally, explaining how, although a member of ALPA for 31 years, he'd never thought of himself as a unionist. He said most pilots viewed themselves as professionals, considering ALPA similar to the American Medical Association. He said the nature of their job makes them seem quite removed from the type of day-to-day conflict with the boss experienced by factory workers.

He added that the uniform, title, and "prestige" of the job also help convince TO CHICAGO NASHVILLE 'IT ALL DEPENDS ON IF THE PILOT IS "IT ALL DEPENDS ON GETTING FULL PAY OR HALF PAY I" airport on June 15. They were joined by many members of other unions, who pledged solidarity in coming union battles.

A speaker from the IAM told the rally, "We should never cross the picket line."

He indicated the IAM needed new leaders.

While many pilots and flight attendants were discontented at the concessions in the strike settlement, spirits pilots they're different than other workers. This strike changed these beliefs, he said, as pilots saw the total disregard United showed for all its employeeswhether pilots or baggage handlers.

Harrison said 95 percent of ALPA's members honored the picket lines. He promised, that in the future, pilots would actively support other unionists Others addressing the rally included Sebastian Lupica, executive secretary of the Cleveland AFL-CIO; USWA District Director Valenta; a flight attendant; a representative of the UAW; and City Councilman Jay Westbrook. Musicians Union members led the singing of "Solidarity Forever"

Large labor solidarity

In the largest labor solidarity rally in Cleveland in recent years, over 500 demonstrators marched from the Steelworkers conference to Hopkins Airport. A uniformed pilot and a flight attendant led the march with a banner stating "Don't Tread on Me."

Marchers held signs saying; "Steelworkers Support United "Equal Pay for Equal Work,, "Stop Busting," and others."

Protesters marched into the airport, stopping to chant in front of the United and Continental ticket counters. As they marched by, workers from other unionized airlines voiced their support.

The next day, approximately 25 members of ALPA and AFA joined 100 conference delegates in a spirited picket line outside Tube Craft where USWA

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