Monika Warner, Region III Assistant and Chapter WA3 President
PASS members have access to a host of valuable consumer benefits through Union Plus, a labor supported nonprofit. PASS often promotes these benefits, such as Free College or the bachelor’s degree completion program, in PASS News Now, reminding members to look for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association in the drop down menu of unions. Have you ever asked, “Why MEBA?”
In 1972, PASS President Emeritus Howard Johannssen and other New York area airways transportation systems specialists were seeking to affiliate with a new union because of how poorly they were treated in the workplace and the ineffective representation they were receiving from their current union. They were also seeking a connection to the larger labor community.
(Watch the PASS 40th Anniversary video for more PASS history)
Johannssen first looked to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) which had a strong local connection, but the national union wasn’t interested in taking on the FAA technicians. Johannssen also had many friends within the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) which itself was affiliated with MEBA. The time was not right, however, for an affiliation with PATCO, which had only been established in 1968. MEBA was interested in only a local configuration, so Johannssen and his fellow technicians established a local with AFGE at the New York Common Instrument Flight Rule Room at JFK Airport, becoming NYCIFRR Local 1.
But Johannssen kept his sights on affiliating with MEBA.
Founded in 1875, MEBA is the second oldest association in the United States. It is a large and powerful collection of unions, much like the AFL-CIO, at one time having over 10,000 ships under its umbrella. The shipping industry navigates a delicate balance between its roles in commuter and luxury transportation, cargo, and even resupply and national security. Merchant Mariners served in both World Wars, losing thousands of lives aboard ships that supplied the armed forces all over the globe. “Nothing moves on water without the Marine Engineers,” says Johannssen. Mariners maintain propulsion systems, electronics, and backup generators similar to the systems PASS members work on for the FAA today.
Early on, Johannssen says, his research found that MEBA was politically astute, especially when requesting crucial labor votes on a transportation, port or shipping issues in Congress. MEBA is respected for working on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.
At the bargaining table, MEBA President Jesse Calhoon was legendary for being a tough negotiator for his members. And financially, MEBA was on solid ground and known for its sound investments, generous benefits, and retirement packages for its members. The new union would be in good hands, if Johannssen could make it happen. “What else do we need to do to convince others to support us?” he asked.
Johannssen gained the trust of PATCO representatives Bud Long and Mike Rock. They played a major role in supporting the organizing efforts for the safety specialists. According to Johannssen, having established a relationship with PATCO, he secured the support of the union’s president, John Leyden, and the PATCO executive board. He often attended their safety meetings, sharing the needs of safety specialists, and systems’ strengths and weaknesses.
Through these relationships, Johannssen continued building connections and attracted interest for the work he was doing to organize a new union for the FAA’s safety specialists. All along he was researching MEBA. In 1976, a meeting was arranged between MEBA President Calhoon and Johannssen. When Calhoon asked why he was taking on this challenge, Johannssen said he replied, “Because it HAS to be done.” Calhoon and Johannssen soon proved to have an honest respect for one another’s union beliefs and integrity. And by the end of 1976, Calhoon was convinced Johannssen had the plan and drive to bring nationwide representatives of the safety specialists together to form their own union. Calhoon approved a $1 million budget and secured a loan through PATCO to get the new union on its feet.
In February 1977, the representatives of FAA safety specialists met at the founding convention for what became the Professional Airways Systems Specialists, now the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, PASS. The new union was brought under the MEBA umbrella and is officially MEBA District 6.
By 1981, Johannssen had guided and won 13 elections over competing unions representing FAA technicians across the country with a remarkable 80 to 98 percent voter turnout. According to Johannssen, he was confronted by George Meany, then president of the AFL-CIO, who ordered him to stop organizing but Johannssen held his ground. “Starting PASS is the right thing to do. It is time for PASS to join the house of labor,” he told the powerful labor leader. He assured Meany that he wouldn’t stop until PASS organized technicians across the entire country. The AFL-CIO filed raiding charges against PASS, which were dismissed.
Johannssen became MEBA’s representative on the Executive Board of the Public Employee Department of the AFL-CIO, a voting member of the National MEBA Executive Board and even served as President of NMEBA from 1991–93.
MEBA has also supported PASS through the use of training facilities in Maryland and Florida and helped PASS establish important relationships in the political and labor worlds. PASS members are encouraged to seek out and continue these relationships with MEBA in your local port areas where MEBA has a presence.
PASS members can be proud when signing up for Union Plus benefits and choosing MEBA as their union affiliation. The founders of PASS worked hard to establish access to these valuable benefits. MEBA is a force to be reckoned with and PASS is eternally grateful for their support.
