Headline News

Airline Division News, Week Ending June 15, 2013

Meetings with American and USAirways Mechanics Highlight Strengths of Teamster Representation

Airline Division representatives along with members from locals and the Organizing department held a series of informational meetings for the American Airlines and USAirways mechanics and related work groups in MIA, DFW, ORD, LAX and TUL over the past two weeks. In a free flowing exchange of information, questions were answered on a wide and varying range of topics including the election process, the structure of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Airline Division, how the transition from their current representation to the Teamsters would take place and the function and structure of Local Union’s. Of particular interest was the TAMC and the way it works with the Airline Division and others to form a strong, consistent and professional voice on Capitol Hill and elsewhere voicing the concerns and helping protect the careers of over 18,000 airline maintenance professionals.

“It has been great working with and meeting so many dedicated and professional mechanics at both American and USAirways,” said International Representative Chris Moore. “They have made two things abundantly clear; they are immensely proud of the work they do; keeping aircraft in top shape, and they are tired of substandard union representation and broken promises. They want a union that not only is going to stand with them and fight to preserve and enhance their careers, they want a union that is willing to stand up and fight with a unified voice to ensure the safety of the traveling public and their fellow employees who fly the planes daily.”

“One thing is abundantly clear to every person we’ve spoken to at American and USAirways,” said International representative Bob Fisher. “They fully understand that the substandard contracts they have been working under are detrimental to the entire craft and they don’t like it. What they like even less is their current union representation is so poor and ineffective and led to them being where they are today. To a person; they want, and we think they deserve better.  They see the value and strength of unity that comes with Teamster membership and the TAMC and they want to be part of it,” he went on to say. “We’re looking forward to representing them and making it happen,” he concluded.

NetJets Dispatcher Discussions Continue

The Negotiating Committee met with Company representatives on Wednesday, June 5th and again on Thursday, June 6th. The union opened on Wednesday by passing four initial proposals on Seniority, Filling of Vacancies, Furlough & Recall and Safety & Health.  The Company was not prepared with any new articles or counters. On Thursday, the Company provided the union counter proposals on Expenses, Seniority and Safety & Health; however it is expected that Expenses will be TA'd prior to the next meeting with the Company.

While agreement on the other two counters, significant progress was achieved with both.

The proposal from the union on Safety & Health discussed the Dispatchers critical role within Company Operations as well as protections such as ASAP.  Given the nature of ASAP and its ability to enhance safety, the committee extended an offer to revisit implementation of this program, rather than await its effectiveness until a CBA is in place.  The company accepted the offer and advised the union that they would be back in touch once they had consulted with the Company Safety Department for further action.

The next scheduled meeting will be in July.

Airline Industry News

Governmental and Regulatory

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee plans to hold a hearing on June 19 on airline mergers.

Airlines for America, the airlines trade group, cited government imposed furloughs of air traffic controllers as a main cause for the reduction in airlines' April on-time performance.

Airlines, Industry and Labor

Piedmont Airlines flight attendants seek contract   that shares in USAirways success

Atlas Air has begun operating its newest Boeing 747-800F for Etihad Cargo, as the Abu Dhabi airline announced its new round-the –world cargo service. The fully-painted freighter will operate twice-weekly cargo services to and from Miami, connecting Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub with destinations in Asia, the United States, South America and Europe.