Weekly Report 7-11-2008

This has been a bad week for oil. At the writing of this update oil is at $146 a barrel. The ATA has now started a website to curb speculation. Here is the link, http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/ . I again urge you to write you’re Senators and ask for support of S. 3183 and S. 3205.

In MM issues of parking lot transportation and mobile lounge issues were discussed with the company. This was primarily for the swing shift finishing at 1am. We will continue to discuss options next week. Also a “RUMOR” of about 325 line mechanics being laid off has been circulating. I can’t confirm this to be true, but with the announced numbers in Management, Pilots and Flight Attendants, this number could be close.

In GQ and PV after visiting with both groups over this last week vacations and time off continue to be an issue. I will work on this more next week.

There is nothing to report from BWI again this week.

For all, the ballots have gone out for the letter of agreement regarding the 1% instead of the PIP. Two questions surfaced regarding this letter. The first question was if we accept this do we only get ½% for our next scheduled increase? The second question was does this constitute a full-blown opening of the contract? In answer to the first question bullet point number 1 stated that all pay rates in effect on or after May 1st in Exhibit A will increase by 1 percent. So the answer is no. It will not reduce the upcoming scheduled increase. The answer to the second question is also no. This is stated in bullet number 4.

The IAM announced this evening a buyout package for ramp and customer service. It looks similar to the flight attendants offer.

Steward training has been finalized with both managers agreeing to the time off for stewards. The training will be held on July 16th from 8am until 5pm. This will occur at the Comfort Suites in Chantilly.

That’s all for this week,
Bob