Thursday, March 29, 2012
An interview with Mr. Parker
Here is an interesting interview with USAir CEO Doug Parker on industry consolidation. It's not a new thought but he is definitely still in the hunt. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304177104577307501383382094.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Merger Update;
Single Operating Certificate Effects
Many changes are occurring since the company received its single operating certificate last November. The FAA now regards the three carriers, namely, sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-Air Micronesia as one combined carrier for regulatory purposes. This authority was granted without regard to the collective bargaining agreements in place at sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-Air Micronesia. A copy of the certificate from the FAA can be found here: http://av‑info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN CODE=CALA&OPER FAR=121&OPER NAME=UNITED+AIR+LINES+INC+- +CONTINENTAL+AIRLINES+INC
This past week the company sent out notices issuing new numbers to passengers enrolled in Mileage Plus and merged the reservation systems over the weekend. This is another step towards combining the operations at the three carriers to streamline the experience for passengers. For the membership, the three collective bargaining agreements' scope and successorship provisions dictate when the carrier can combine maintenance operations. The contracts also state that the Union and company shall meet to discuss the implementation of the maintenance operation. This is a collective bargaining issue and it is separate from the company’s regulatory achievement of obtaining the single operating certificate.
The granting of the single operating certificate and the move to the single reservation system certainly provides the company more flexibility in the deployment of its aircraft. With this transition to the single reservation system, the company will start to redeploy its equipment on routes based on input from marketing. In other words, the company will utilize the equipment they deem the most efficient on the routes they fly. This change will affect the narrow body fleet in the short term and the entire fleet at some point in the future. This will mean, what used to be sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-CMI aircraft will be treated as one “operating carriers” aircraft.
For the Mechanics and related groups at all the sub carriers, this means very soon, same as for the whole system as well as the passengers, there will no longer be three “brands” of aircraft, making them all the “new” United.
Not long after the beginning of the year company leadership approached leadership of the Airline Division stating that they understood the separation of maintenance operations may well put the parties in a position where mechanics would have to follow the aircraft of the old subsidiary ompanies. The company explained that even if there was an understanding regarding working on metal aircraft regardless of which subsidiary, there would be a significant training cost to the company.
With this information in hand, the IBT undertook a process with the intention of accomplishing three goals to protect the membership. First, the Airline Division believes it is imperative that mechanics are protected at their station through the duration of any letter of interpretation. Next, that any letter of interpretation must not dilute scope provision protections and finally that there is a duration limit to any such letter so that amalgamation talks do not drag on for an interminable period of time. As reported in the February 2nd Mechanics Dispatch, the parties continue to work towards just such a resolution.
Stay tuned for future developments
New Travel Cards
Chief Steward Dan Stunda from IAH passed on this information that he received via email. Hopefully this will help for those that participate in Field Trips.
If you are interested in applying for a corporate travel card, the process is now available on line. Please go to the “Flying Together” page, and under “Employee Services,” look under “Information for all coworkers” and select “Corporate Travel Card Agreement” and then follow the instructions.
For those employees with the American Express card, these cards will be phased out sometime in the future. You will be notified of when, and you will then have to request the Citi Card.
Division Attends Early Out Seminar
Representative Bob Fisher attended an early out seminar in Chicago last week to listen to the presentation and help answer questions. Tom Reardon from Chicago HR led the seminar and it was well attended with about 40 participants. There were various questions with the big concern dealing with benefits. In a previous FAQ the company put out it was stated after an employee’s death spousal benefits would not continue. This information was only for those leaving prior to age 55. Those leaving that are retirement eligible would have the same medical benefits as spelled out in Article 16 of the new CBA and the employee’s spouse and dependents would continue as described. Additionally that is what is called out in LOA 32, on page 2. Also attending the seminar from Chicago were: BA George Graham, Chief Stewards Mike Pecoraro and Ronny Lunt, and from Denver Grievance Committee Chairman Mitch Hunt and Grievance Secretary Scott Brown.
Sub UA Members Advised to Check Life Insurance
Members; especially those recently returning are advised to check that they are insured for the correct amount per the CBA. There have been some discrepancies in the formula used to determine the correct amounts. If you are affected please see your Steward so they can pass on your information for resolution.
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
Single Operating Certificate Effects
Many changes are occurring since the company received its single operating certificate last November. The FAA now regards the three carriers, namely, sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-Air Micronesia as one combined carrier for regulatory purposes. This authority was granted without regard to the collective bargaining agreements in place at sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-Air Micronesia. A copy of the certificate from the FAA can be found here: http://av‑info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN CODE=CALA&OPER FAR=121&OPER NAME=UNITED+AIR+LINES+INC+- +CONTINENTAL+AIRLINES+INC
This past week the company sent out notices issuing new numbers to passengers enrolled in Mileage Plus and merged the reservation systems over the weekend. This is another step towards combining the operations at the three carriers to streamline the experience for passengers. For the membership, the three collective bargaining agreements' scope and successorship provisions dictate when the carrier can combine maintenance operations. The contracts also state that the Union and company shall meet to discuss the implementation of the maintenance operation. This is a collective bargaining issue and it is separate from the company’s regulatory achievement of obtaining the single operating certificate.
The granting of the single operating certificate and the move to the single reservation system certainly provides the company more flexibility in the deployment of its aircraft. With this transition to the single reservation system, the company will start to redeploy its equipment on routes based on input from marketing. In other words, the company will utilize the equipment they deem the most efficient on the routes they fly. This change will affect the narrow body fleet in the short term and the entire fleet at some point in the future. This will mean, what used to be sub-UAL, sub-CAL and sub-CMI aircraft will be treated as one “operating carriers” aircraft.
For the Mechanics and related groups at all the sub carriers, this means very soon, same as for the whole system as well as the passengers, there will no longer be three “brands” of aircraft, making them all the “new” United.
Not long after the beginning of the year company leadership approached leadership of the Airline Division stating that they understood the separation of maintenance operations may well put the parties in a position where mechanics would have to follow the aircraft of the old subsidiary ompanies. The company explained that even if there was an understanding regarding working on metal aircraft regardless of which subsidiary, there would be a significant training cost to the company.
With this information in hand, the IBT undertook a process with the intention of accomplishing three goals to protect the membership. First, the Airline Division believes it is imperative that mechanics are protected at their station through the duration of any letter of interpretation. Next, that any letter of interpretation must not dilute scope provision protections and finally that there is a duration limit to any such letter so that amalgamation talks do not drag on for an interminable period of time. As reported in the February 2nd Mechanics Dispatch, the parties continue to work towards just such a resolution.
Stay tuned for future developments
New Travel Cards
Chief Steward Dan Stunda from IAH passed on this information that he received via email. Hopefully this will help for those that participate in Field Trips.
If you are interested in applying for a corporate travel card, the process is now available on line. Please go to the “Flying Together” page, and under “Employee Services,” look under “Information for all coworkers” and select “Corporate Travel Card Agreement” and then follow the instructions.
For those employees with the American Express card, these cards will be phased out sometime in the future. You will be notified of when, and you will then have to request the Citi Card.
Division Attends Early Out Seminar
Representative Bob Fisher attended an early out seminar in Chicago last week to listen to the presentation and help answer questions. Tom Reardon from Chicago HR led the seminar and it was well attended with about 40 participants. There were various questions with the big concern dealing with benefits. In a previous FAQ the company put out it was stated after an employee’s death spousal benefits would not continue. This information was only for those leaving prior to age 55. Those leaving that are retirement eligible would have the same medical benefits as spelled out in Article 16 of the new CBA and the employee’s spouse and dependents would continue as described. Additionally that is what is called out in LOA 32, on page 2. Also attending the seminar from Chicago were: BA George Graham, Chief Stewards Mike Pecoraro and Ronny Lunt, and from Denver Grievance Committee Chairman Mitch Hunt and Grievance Secretary Scott Brown.
Sub UA Members Advised to Check Life Insurance
Members; especially those recently returning are advised to check that they are insured for the correct amount per the CBA. There have been some discrepancies in the formula used to determine the correct amounts. If you are affected please see your Steward so they can pass on your information for resolution.
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
Useful links
Several members, including those on furlough status, have requested links to Local websites be added to this section. The following Locals represent these respective cities:
Airline Mechanics Forum Airline Mechanics forum
(This is a good place to discuss merger related items)
Boston Local 25
New York & Washington Local 210
Charleston & Atlanta Local 528
Miami & Orlando Local 769
Cleveland Local 964 Chicago Local 781
Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19
Phoenix Local 104
Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam San Francisco Local 856/986
Denver Local 455
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