News Updates
Teamsters Statement: TWU-IAM Alliance Fails to Address Mechanics’ Concerns
May 15, 2013The recent top-down deal struck between the TWU and the IAM to jointly represent mechanics and related at the merging American Airlines and US Airways fails to address the serious concerns of their own members, including years of weak representation and concessionary bargaining.
Through their organizing, the mechanics have made it clear that they want better, stronger representation with the Teamsters, not a reinvention of the same poor representation they have suffered through already. It is absurd to think that two rival unions that have failed their members can somehow work together and provide the adequate representation that is long overdue. Instead, this self-interested alliance between two unions that are desperate to hold on to their disgruntled membership will lead to more instability, more concessions, more outsourcing and more setbacks for workers.
Large majorities of AA and US Airways mechanics are currently working with the Teamsters Union in a powerful drive to gain new representation. A petition for election has already been filed with the National Mediation Board on behalf of US Airways mechanics and related and a similar petition will soon be filed on behalf of AA mechanics and related. The process to oust the TWU and the IAM is well underway and it’s the mechanics who have been leading this effort from the beginning.
The Teamsters stand with AA and US Airways mechanics and related in their goal to protect jobs from outsourcing, stop the backsliding of standards, and advance the craft. Working with our members and the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition, we intend to create the largest and most powerful union of airline mechanics and related in the world – an aviation mechanics union capable of keeping jobs in the U.S. and in the middle class.
Thousands of AA and US Airways mechanics have contacted the Teamsters in this effort because they can no longer afford to fall further behind. The Teamsters are prepared with the enormous power of our union to stand behind the AA and US Airways mechanics and help them negotiate a strong contract at the new American Airlines.
For more information, visit www.teamster.org/aamx and www.usairteam.org. Call the AA campaign hotline at 877-589-4951 and the US Airways Fresh Start hotline at 1-800-786-9627.
IMPORTANT PENSION INFORMATION
May 14, 2013With a strong track record of fighting for and winning safe, stable pensions, the Teamsters are our best choice to secure a retirement plan at the new combined carrier. Get the facts on our pension at US Airways. Click here to read the factsheet.
Do the Math: TWU + IAM = Disaster for AA-US Air Mechanics
May 14, 2013Dear AA and US Airways Mechanics and Related Coworkers:
An announcement is expected to be made shortly about a deal between the TWU and the IAM to jointly represent us at the newly-merged American Airlines. Mechanics and related at both airlines have endured years of concessions and devastating setbacks due to the weak representation we have suffered under the TWU and IAM. Now these two failing unions are coming together to force an even more colossal failure upon us.
This match made in desperation between two unions that have a history of fighting each other is a transparent effort to undermine our campaigns at AA and US Airways to change from weak representation to strong Teamster power. We only need to look at what we have lost at both airlines to know what a TWU-IAM alliance will lead to. It will be a combined failure at the new American – a dysfunctional alliance that will bring nothing but chaos and disaster for mechanics and related.
The bottom line is that two wrongs don’t make a right. This cynical move to jointly represent us is a recipe for even greater concessions, outsourcing and falling standards than what we’ve already experienced. The TWU and the IAM have had their chance. We’ve been through enough and this proposed marriage will end badly – not for them, but for us!
One thing is for certain: a TWU-IAM partnership will fail. It will not derail our drive for the strong Teamster representation we need and deserve at AA and US Airways. Let’s stay strong and stick together.
GO TEAMSTERS!
In Solidarity,
AA Mechanics for Teamsters Organizing Committee and US Airways Fresh Start Organizing Committee
For more information, visit us on the web at AA Mechanics for Teamsters and US Airways Fresh Start. Call the campaign hotline for AA at 877-589-4951 and the US Airways Fresh Start hotline at 1-800-786-9627.
TAMC Applauds US Airways Mechanics for Filing for Election
May 13, 2013US Airways mechanics and related created quite a buzz last week after filing at the NMB for their Teamster election. And while there was widespread media coverage of this momentous achievement at US Airways, most of the press missed the point of our story and instead focused on unions fighting each other. That’s why we like the Teamster Aviation Mechanics Coalition report on the US Airways filing. It focuses on what this is really about: US Airways mechanics and AA mechanics standing together to fight for our craft and secure our future.
Click here to read the “Teamster Aviation Professional” Special Edition report from the TAMC.
The TAMC is our voice in the aviation industry. It brings the focus of a craft union for aviation mechanics along with the powerful backing of a 1.4 million strong industrial union. With 18,000 mechanics and related members, the TAMC has been leading the fight against aircraft maintenance outsourcing and giving a strong voice to mechanics throughout the industry.
“I want to congratulate the US Airways mechanics who started this campaign to become Teamsters,” said TAMC Chair Chris Moore. “This has truly been a rank-and-file mechanic-led organizing effort. The workers have been running a phenomenal campaign with the help of the Teamsters Organizing Department, the Airline Division and the TAMC. Today’s filing is a big step toward growing the ranks of the TAMC to over 30,000 mechanics. That gives us huge power to fight for the aviation mechanics craft nationwide.”
Read the TAMC special report on the US Airways mechanics’ filing.
The TIME is NOW: SECURE Our FUTURE As TEAMSTERS!
For more information, visit us on the web at AA Mechanics for Teamsters and US Airways Fresh Start. Call the campaign hotline for AA at 877-589-4951 and the US Airways Fresh Start hotline at 1-800-786-9627.
Airline Division News, Week Ending May 11, 2013
May 13, 2013Teamsters File for Election for USAirways Mechanics
On Tuesday, May 7th, US Airways mechanics and related held a press conference in Charlotte, NC where they announced the Teamsters had filed for a representation election with the National Mediation Board. This is big news for the Teamsters, the Airline Division, the TAMC, and the 4,000 US Airways mechanics and related who have been running a strong campaign since October of last year. After years of weak representation under the IAM, the mechanics are ready to become Teamsters. This filing puts the Teamsters one step closer to representing mechanics at the world’s largest airline as US Airways merges with American Airlines.
As the Teamster Aviation Professional reports, this has been a months-long effort by rank-and-file USAirways mechanics who have suffered years of weak IAM representation and are ready to become Teamsters. “Because of the Teamsters’ solid, documented track record of excellent representation, the Teamsters Union is the best and most logical choice to represent us for the future as professionals in the airline industry,” Jim Blanton, a 25-year USAirways mechanic, announced at the press event in Charlotte with mechanics and related workers from other airports across the country.
The TAMC has been supporting the USAirways mechanics Teamster drive since the beginning. “Today’s filing is a big step toward growing the ranks for the TAMC to over 30,000 mechanics. That gives us huge power to fight for the aviation mechanics craft nationwide,” said TAMC Chair Chris Moore.
“We have seen what the Teamsters have achieved at other airlines, including United and Continental,” said Ted Vallandingham, an inspector at USAirways in Pittsburgh and 29-year employee. “We want a strong union backing us up so that we have a strong voice at work, at the bargaining table and when we have to face off with management.”
“I want to congratulate the US Airways mechanics who started this campaign to become Teamsters,” said TAMC Chair Chris Moore. “This has truly been a rank-and-file mechanic-led organizing effort. The workers have been running a phenomenal campaign with the help of the Teamsters Organizing Department, the Airline Division and the TAMC.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing Teamster campaign by mechanics at American Airlines continues on track and the 11,000 American Airlines mechanics organizing to become Teamsters will soon be joining their brothers and sisters at US Airways by filing for their Teamster election as well. American mechanics, who have endured years of concessions under the TWU, have been organizing since June of last year.
Teamsters Airline Division Director David Bourne also congratulated the US Airways mechanics who launched their campaign last year to seek industry-leading representation with the Teamsters.
“With more than 4,000 mechanics and related across the country, the workers have been building toward majority support to change their representation from the IAM to the Teamsters. They now have a substantial majority of Teamster cards signed among both active and furloughed mechanics,” Bourne commented. “Just as we proud of the mechanics and are confident of our victory at USAirways; I am confident of the dedication and hard work of the mechanics at American and I am sure we will win there as well,” he concluded.
It is expected that the NMB will hold an election at USAirways within the next 90 days.
ExpressJet Mechanics Raise Questions at Shareholders Meeting
Earlier this week, three ExpressJet Teamsters and a representative from the IBT Capital Strategies Department attended the SkyWest annual shareholder meeting. “We confronted the Board of Directors about our concerns,” said Alan Moritz, a mechanic from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Moritz distributed to the Board the results of a recent mechanics safety survey in which 67% of ExpressJet mechanics reported that they have witnessed problems caused by maintenance being outsourced. Nearly fifty percent of mechanics reported that they do not have the equipment needed to do their jobs properly and efficiently.
The results seemed to be of great interest and concern to the SkyWest Board, most of all to the Chair of the Safety & Compliance Committee. The Teamsters also asked questions at the meeting about integrating ExpressJet and ASA into SkyWest and about compensating employees fairly.
Mechanics Mike Wilson (IAH), Luis Plazas (IAH) and Alan Moritz (BTR) voiced their concerns at the SkyWest annual meeting on Tuesday.
"Our intent in presenting facts to the board was to bring to light serious concerns our members have about safety and the inability to properly do the most important job they are tasked with; ensuring aircraft are properly maintained and safe for the traveling public,” said Chris Moore, Chair of the TAMC. “The mechanics felt that their concerns have been dismissed at the airline level and felt the only way to make sure the concerns were heard was to address the meeting. We are hopeful, based on what we saw, that the issues will now be addressed. We look forward to meeting with the Board's Safety and Compliance Committee Chairman at anytime," he concluded.
UAL Discussions Continue, with Medical, Pensions and Seniority
This past week was very busy for the UAL subcommittees, who held meetings involving benefits including medical and pensions. Discussions between the parties that began last week continued into this week’s round of meetings. While talks progressed and came closer in some areas, there are still many yet to be agreed to. The union subcommittee meetings were assisted by Cheiron actuaries Gaelle Gravot and Jim Holland and were facilitated by Pat Sims from the NMB. Discussions will continue the week of May 13th in Chicago.
Representatives from the Seniority Committee met with the company on Wednesday to discuss plans to create the new seniority list. Julianne Cooney, UA Senior Analyst - Labor Relations, and Mark Prpich – UA Labor Relations were on hand to discuss the many issues and concerns in combining the three lists in to one. The two member union committee will assist the company next week in creating a comprehensive accurate list which will be available for review should the negotiating committee reach a tentative agreement.
NetJets Discussions Update
Discussions for the NetJets contract continued with the company on May 9th. The session consisted of discussions surrounding Article 22, (Job Classification) with the company responding to the Unions last proposal. The Union and the Company were able to reach Tentative Agreements on Article 11, (Separability and Savings Clause) and Article 15, (Non-Discrimination).
The Union also provided the Company with proposals on Article 8, (Grievance Procedure) and Article 9, (Board of Arbitration).
In attendance for the Union at the meetings were Chris Moore and IBT Attorney Nick Manicone for the Airline Division and negotiating team members Paul Suffoletto, John Wolfe, Isaac Thielman and Carl Rollins.
In attendance for the Company were Dave Makowski, Myron Becker, Brian Buehrer, Anthony Mosso, Jennifer Biele and Julie Grenenwald.
The Union and the Company will be talking next week to set dates for the next round of talks.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The Federal Aviation Administration could pay air traffic controllers who were forced to take unpaid leave for a furlough day.
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking for a company to perform computed tomography (CT) scans on selected Boeing 787 lithium-ion batteries.
The Department of Transportation's inspector general found that the Federal Aviation Administration should re-evaluate its oversight process to focus on the greatest risks at repair stations for U.S. airlines.
Industry, Airlines and Labor
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to pitch Boeing on a proposal to build the 777X in Everett, Wash. He also plans to unveil an aerospace strategy for the state.
American Airlines and US Airways said the carriers plan to announce the senior executives for the merged company by late May or early June.
United Airlines plans to restart Boeing 787 Dreamliner service on May 20, which would be 11 days earlier than previously scheduled. United will fly its first 787 flight from Houston to Chicago; with Houston-to-Denver service starting on May 21.
AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, received approval from bankruptcy court for up to $3.25 billion in loans.
Many airlines reported revenue growth during the first quarter, typically a slow quarter for the airline industry.
UAL/CAL/CMI Mechanics Update - May 10, 2013
May 11, 2013
Update
The week was very busy for the subcommittee meetings involving benefits including medical and pensions. J.J. Johns from the Benefits committee was brought in to assist in the benefits talks between the parties last week and continued assistance in this week’s round. His history, experience, and knowledge in medical and other benefits related issues were welcomed by the committee. Meetings over all this week progressed closer to some agreements, but there are still many unresolved areas. These union subcommittee meetings were assisted by Cheiron actuaries Gaelle Gravot and Jim Holland and were facilitated by Pat Sims from the NMB.
The parties continue to make progress and the discussions will continue the week of May 13th in Chicago.
Seniority Committee
Representatives from the Seniority Committee met with the company on Wednesday to discuss plans to create the new seniority list. Julianne Cooney, UA Senior Analyst - Labor Relations, and Mark Prpich – UA Labor Relations were on hand to discuss the many issues and concerns in combining the three lists in to one. The two member union committee will assist Julianne next week in creating a comprehensive accurate list which will be available for review should the negotiating committee reach a tentative agreement.
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent.
If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: ESC@united.com . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.
Useful links
If you would like to see a link added to this list please contact Bob Fisher at: rcfisher7@yahoo.com
Airline Mechanics Forum Airline Mechanics forum (This is a good place to discuss merger related items)
The following Locals represent these respective cities:
Boston Local 25
New York & Washington Local 210
Charleston & Atlanta Local 528
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Tampa & Orlando Local 769
Cleveland Local 964
Chicago Local 781
Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19
Phoenix Local 104
Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 986
San Francisco Local 856/986
Denver Local 455
Say No to AMFA’s Sellout Representation
May 1, 2013In 2005, the Northwest Airlines mechanic workforce had been gutted because of bad contract language negotiated by AMFA. As negotiations for a new contract stalled, AMFA put the mechanics out on strike with no preparation. The result? It was an absolute disaster for the mechanics.
Click here to read a full report written in 2008 about AMFA’s suicide strike at Northwest.
As the report points out, AMFA consistently misled its members throughout negotiations and the subsequent strike. AMFA told mechanics it would have the upper hand in a strike against the company. In fact, the union was in a strategically weak position. NWA was well-prepared with scabs ready to move in prior to the strike. AMFA knew this and still decided to put hundreds of mechanic and related workers’ jobs on the line.
When the dust settled, the mechanics ended up with a contract that was worse than what the company was proposing before the strike. At the time, there were 2,500 mechanics at NWA. Three years later, that number was down to 950 – 95 percent of whom were scabs who joined AMFA but refused to pay dues.
The report is damning indictment of AMFA’s record. We’ve been through enough at AA. The last thing we need is a small scab association like AMFA selling us out like they did to mechanics at Northwest! We need a REAL union, not the sellout representation we’ve been getting under the TWU and not AMFA’s fake scab representation.
Read the report here and talk to your coworkers. Sign a Teamster card and get more of your coworkers to sign cards!
With the TEAMSTERS We Will WIN!
For more information, visit the AA Mechanics for Teamsters campaign website or call the campaign hotline at 877-589-4951.
Airline Division News, Week Ending April 28, 2013
April 28, 2013
UAL Negotiations Update
The parties met in Phoenix this week, aided by Senior Mediator Pat Sims and Mediator Michael Kelleher of the NMB. Comprehensive proposals were exchanged that included wages, benefits, retirement security and scope.
After the initial proposals were made, subcommittees worked towards understanding the basis of the proposals. In addition the continued work of finalizing language continued.
The beginning of the week found the parties far apart in their positions. Progress was made in subcommittee work through the week and it is expected that further comprehensive proposals will be made the week of the 29th when the parties reconvene in Chicago.
Seniority integration committee discussions also continued this week in Phoenix. The committee worked on the craft seniority list identifying ties between the three lists. Several discrepancies were found and the committee has requested further information from the company. The committee will continue its work on the list in an effort to finish before the end of May.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The Federal Aviation Administration said that the U.S. air traffic system will resume normal operations by Sunday evening after lawmakers rushed a bill through Congress allowing the agency to withdraw furloughs of air traffic controllers and other workers.
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its grounding order for Boeing 787s, including for United Airlines. The FAA also estimated the cost of fixing the 787 battery issue at $464,678 per aircraft. However, Boeing may cover the cost of the battery fix under warranty.
Airlines and Industry
The CEO of FedEx says the FAA should adopt satellite based air traffic control.
In this editorial, the Wall Street Journal decries the Federal Aviation Administration's decision to furlough air traffic controllers.
Delta Air Lines reported a $22 million loss in the first quarter for its oil refinery in Trainer, Pennsylvania. Delta purchased the refinery in June and reported a $63 million loss in the fourth quarter of last year.
UAL/CAL/CMI Negotiations Update - April 28, 2013
April 28, 2013
Negotiations Update
The parties met in Phoenix this week, aided by Senior Mediator Pat Sims and Mediator Michael Kelleher of the NMB. Comprehensive proposals were exchanged that included wages, benefits, retirement security and scope.
After the initial proposals were made, subcommittees worked towards understanding the basis of the proposals. In addition the continued work of finalizing language continued.
The beginning of the week found the parties far apart in their positions. Progress was made in subcommittee work through the week and it is expected that further comprehensive proposals will be made the week of the 29th when the parties reconvene in Chicago.
Seniority Integration Update
The seniority integration committee met this week in Phoenix. The committee worked on the craft seniority list identifying ties between the three lists. Several discrepancies were found and the committee requested further information from the company. The committee will continue its work on the list in an effort to finish before the end of May.
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent.
If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: ESC@united.com . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.
Useful links
If you would like to see a link added to this list please contact Bob Fisher at: rcfisher7@yahoo.com
Airline Mechanics Forum Airline Mechanics forum (This is a good place to discuss merger related items)
The following Locals represent these respective cities:
Boston Local 25
New York & Washington Local 210
Charleston & Atlanta Local 528
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Tampa & Orlando Local 769
Cleveland Local 964
Chicago Local 781
Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19
Phoenix Local 104
Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 986
San Francisco Local 856/986
Denver Local 455
Airline Division News, Week Ending April 21, 2013
April 21, 2013
Global Aviation Sued, Teamsters Demand Contract be Honored and Experienced Management Named to Save Airline and Employees
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents approximately 340 pilots and flight attendants for Global Aviation’s two airlines World Airways and North American Airlines, are calling on the company’s board of directors to take swift and decisive action in selecting a chief executive officer with a proven track record of turning an airline around.
Global Aviation emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 13, 2013 after pilots and flight attendants made significant sacrifices to save what had been the biggest charter-flight company for the U.S. military.
Since then, Global’s CEO Robert Binns – who pocketed a seven-figure “retention payment” shortly after Global emerged from bankruptcy – abruptly quit. The current interim CEO, Charles McDonald, President of Global Aero Logistics, is part of the past management team that brought this company from financial solvency in 2007 to bankruptcy in 2012.
Previously, McDonald was teamed up with Robert Binns at the now defunct Transmeridian Airlines and with the current chief financial officer, Bill Garrett, who served Gemini Air Cargo and Vanguard Airlines – both companies that have since ceased operations. The company also brought aboard a new chief operating officer and director of operations for World Airways; both come from ASTAR Air Cargo which shuttered operations in June 2012.
Not surprisingly, amid this chaos, the company has lost yet another important customer and has failed to attract any new long term customers since emerging from bankruptcy. Management has also failed to honor and abide by the terms of its labor agreements, further undermining the interests of pilots and flight attendants – key stakeholders in the company. The Teamsters Union filed suit today in federal court to enjoin the company from further abuses.
"Global's employees accepted significant concessions to help the company emerge from bankruptcy including a nearly 27 percent reduction in wages and far more flexible work rules in exchange for an equity stake," said Captain David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "Global’s management team has no excuses to not follow the contract that they agreed to. Instead the pilot group finds itself with a record number of grievances and an apathetic Flight Operations team and flight attendants face a very uncertain future.”
Through their ownership equity stake, employees appointed an airline executive with a successful record of navigating airlines through and out of bankruptcy to serve on our board of directors.
“There is no time for a prolonged, costly executive search," Bourne said. "What this company needs is a new CEO that has a proven track record of successfully turning around airlines; bringing companies out of bankruptcy and working cooperatively with front line employees to bring stability and profitability to the company, its investors and stakeholders.
"Global's mismanagement is alienating the largest single stakeholder of the company – labor. Our members are devastated to see their company squander opportunities created by our new competitive and flexible working agreement. We want to see the company thrive. Management must honor its obligations to employees and aggressively pursue new business."
Teamster Aviation Professional Newsletter highlights fight to protect profession
The Teamster Aviation Professional is the official newsletter of the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC). The newsletter includes useful information and insights from Teamster airline mechanics and TAMC members fighting every day for airline safety and the advancement of our craft.
Teamster Aviation Professional features some of the best news and analysis in the industry on aviation maintenance issues. The articles in this newsletter are essential reading not only for Teamster aviation mechanics but for all airline mechanics and related professionals in our industry. The latest issue includes articles on:
A recent action by ASA/ExpressJet mechanics demanding a fair contract;
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Another UPS Airline mechanics victory against subcontracting;
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TAMC Chair Chris Moore’s recent visit to Capitol Hill to lobby against outsourcing;
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The huge movement among 11,000 AA mechanics and over 4,000 US Airways mechanics
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Organizing to become Teamsters
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The Aviation Safety Action Program InfoShare event held in March
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Negotiations at United Airlines
The TAMC is unified voice for professional mechanics in the aviation industry. And the Teamster Aviation Professional is their publication. The newsletter is distributed electronically and is designed to reach mechanics around the world and keeps us up to date on the issues that are important not just to mechanics, but also the men and women of our the aviation industry who look to them to maintain the aircraft they fly. In addition to updates from the Airline Division on what the TAMC is doing on Capitol Hill and throughout the industry, the newsletter features articles from members that deal with topics from ASAP to outsourcing.
For more information and to read the latest issue, go to:
http://teamsterair.org/sites/teamsterair.org/files/file-attachments/vol_4_issue_1.pdf
This Week in Air Safety
Recently, Local 1224 Aviation Safety Coordinator, Russ Leighton, attended the “NTSB Forum on Lithium Ion Batteries in Transportation”. The forum was a two-day event held at NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC. and consisted of discussion panels made-up from different sectors of the battery industry, as well as governmental agencies, and trade organizations. The three panels were: Design, Development, and Use of Lithium Ion Battery Technology, Regulations & Standards for Lithium Ion Batteries, and Lithium Ion Battery Applications & Safety in Transportation.
The highlights from what was a very technical series of panels are these: Lithium batteries have been in use for approximately thirty years. They are in most of the devices commonly used today – phones, cameras, laptops, tablets, power tools, cars, etc. Billions are shipped yearly on aircraft. There are few, and inconsistent regulations regarding the shipping of these batteries and devices, especially on cargo aircraft. The batteries are inherently unstable. When they catch fire, the fire is extremely difficult to extinguish. The failure rate of small scale batteries (cell phone) is one in ten million. Last year 4.46 billion batteries were produced. An FAA study predicts that two aircraft per year will be destroyed by lithium battery associated fires.
What is the IBT doing to assure our members’ airlines are as safe as possible with regard to lithium batteries? Through our own lobbying efforts, meetings with the DOT, FAA, PHMSA, and the NTSB, and in conjunction with CAPA, the IBT is demanding the following: 1) Common sense regulations regarding how, where, and in what quantities lithium batteries are carried. 2) Require fire suppression in all cargo holds of freight and passenger aircraft, and 3) Require that EVAS (Emergency Vision Assurance Systems) be installed in all transport category aircraft.
The fact is that lithium batteries are an integral part of modern living. Being able to safely ship them by air is essential. Current shipping regulations are not sufficient in accomplishing this goal. IBT is committed to working with regulators until our goals are achieved.
Airline Division / Local 1224 to offer Go Team Training
APA Teamsters Local 1224 has announced that they will be holding GoTeam training May 7-8 at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters in Washington, DC.
The invitation to participate in the training course is open to any member within the Teamsters Airline Division and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA).
As an “accepted party” to an NTSB investigation, GoTeam members assist the Investigator in Charge (IIC) by placing members on any working groups that develop, and where a particular member can offer expertise. The working groups formed depend upon the circumstances of the accident as determined by the IIC. Examples of common working groups in a major investigation are: on scene, fire, survivability, CVR, FDR, maintenance records, engineering, weather and ATC. As members of these working groups, the union is able to give input into all phases of the investigation. It is extremely important for the union to have members to be trained to participate in what could be one of the most serious events that will ever occur at an airline.
Enjoli Degrasse, an industrial hygienist for Teamsters International, will conduct the blood borne pathogen segment at this year’s event. The GoTeam training segment will be conducted by Greg Feith, safety consultant to Local 1224 who spent many years as an NTSB investigator.
This training is sponsored by Teamsters Local 1224 and the Teamsters Airline Division.
To Register:
1) Click on the following link.
www.apa1224.org/Public_ConferenceRegistration_Safety.asp?ID=1715.
2) Click on the blue “Click Here to Register now” banner below the GoTeam Training listing to expand the registration form.
3) Class size is limited to 40 seats. Registration will be closed when the class is full.
4) View complete details here.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The FAA plans to proceed with furloughs beginning today, possibly affecting air travel across the U.S.
With changes to the battery system now approved by the FAA, a path to return the 787 Dreamliner to the skies is taking shape.
Airlines and Industry
A4A has filed a lawsuit in federal court to block the furlough of FAA air traffic controllers.
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