I would like to continue to encourage you to contact your representatives if you have not done so regarding the moratorium. Many members have already contacted their representatives and have received positive responses. Unfortunately this provision did not make it into House Bill HR-1, but there are still two more chances for it's addition. First the Senate could add it to their version, or it could be added when the House and Senate meet in the Conference Committee. So if you haven't already acted please do so this week. One piece of positive legislative news can be found here.
In MM this week Brian Botje and Jay Koreny volunteered to take the vacant afternoon shift shop stewards spots. All the new mechanics have reported and will be begin working their assigned shifts this week. There was a problem with the way the shakedown occurred and I will be meeting with Nina and Dave Nash early Monday morning to resolve this issue. It looks like this mistake will change about five or so mechanics shift assignments. After talking to the company they are still working on securing the Hangar facility as well as potential outside financial assistance for the new addition.
For both GQ and PV this week the company newsreel addressed possible farming out of this work in nine line stations. Airline Division Director David Bourne wrote a letter that was attached to the Teamsters week in review regarding this matter. If you don't get this important update let me know and I will forward you one so you can sign up. When I know more about this I will pass it on.
In GQ this week the company came up with an idea of providing a truck equipped with a compressor and stocked with fluids for ramp personnel to service equipment instead of the normal user checks. On Friday I left messages with management to let them know I feel this is a violation of Art. II of the contract as this would be performed more than occasionally. Also we have mechanics on layoff that could do this work.
In PV this week I addressed the Lead opening grievance with the manager. Steve thought my interpretation of the language was unfair and would like to research this issue further. Article XI, I is very clear on how this grievance should be resolved and I will continue to pursue it.
Many members had questions regarding the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund. Here is their webpage. Of note is the level of funding from the last auditors report. The WCT was funded at 99.3% in March 2008 up from 95.8% the previous year.
On our conference call this week we addressed several items. The report from TAMC was that they will be starting a regular news letter soon. Recently the TAMC have been involved heavily in lobbying for mechanic issues and organizing mechanic units in the industry. Also the Panasonic greivance will be heard towards the end of February. We were informed the ARSA will be lobbying for expanded overseas outsourcing in the coming months. For those that weren't present last year when this group presented at the Teamsters outsourcing summit, they are the enemy. Here is their website. I would guess if they are on the Hill we will get the call to be there also countering ARSA's positions.
Just a couple of other issues. The first one is, based on member requests, that I will put another jacket order together. If you are interested please e-mail me the size you need as well as the name if any you would like put on it. Then please fill out a check for thirty five dollars made out to the local and I will send them in. For the laid off mebers I am getting ready to send in another batch of withdrawal cards. If you haven't yet filled one out you can do so and give it to someone to bring in and I will send them off. For the previously laid off members have you recieved yours yet? If not please let me know and I will call the local to check your status. As far as Continental news there was a small article on when they will join the Star Alliance. It can be found here.
That's all for this week,
Bob
