Welcome!
In order to better keep the mechanics at United, Continental, and Continental Micronesia informed as the merger progresses, this e-newsletter has been developed by the Airline Division and will include updates from the Division as well as Locals.
BA and Chief Steward Calls Established
Systemwide; from Guam to Boston, Business Agents from ten Local Unions have been participating in conference calls with the Division for the last three weeks. Many merger related issues have been discussed including; communications, SOC concerns surrounding attempts by the company to cross utilize the membership in several areas, ensuring that the respective seniority lists are accurate, and station reports from each Local.
Two results from the communications discussions are this Mechanic’s Dispatch and the establishment of weekly systemwide Chief Steward calls. The first Chief Steward call was held on September 29th. The main focus of the call was an overhaul of the way information is distributed to the membership. Similar to the BA calls, the Chiefs requested a single website to distribute relevant information to the membership as well as this ongoing e-blast.
UAL Bargaining to Resume
The parties will return to the table October 24th to attempt to reach an agreement before entering mediated talks in February.
Continental Micronesia Talks Scheduled
The parties will convene November 7th through the 9th to attempt to reach a transition agreement.
License Protection Program
On September 30th, the Airline Division and the TAMC announced the implementation of the Teamster Aircraft Mechanic License Protection Program.
As aviation maintenance professionals we take safety very seriously. Unfortunately there are times when; due to circumstances we sometimes cannot control, we find ourselves in a position where we are accused of violating the FAR’s, or have unfortunately actuallyviolated the FAR’s. And despite the fact that many of our workplaces do have robust ASAP and MSAP programs, they sometimes are not enough.
In recent months the FAA is taking a more punitive approach to FAR violations and in some cases denying ASAP and MSAP cases they once accepted. They are now also vigorously pursuing License Action and fines.
For that reason, the Teamsters Airline Division and the TAMC are proud to present, at no cost to the members, Legal Representation for those who find themselves receiving a LOI (letter of investigation) from the FAA.
Here’s how it works:
When a mechanic (licensed or not) receives a LOI from the FAA he or she should immediately contact their Business Agent. If this is the first time they have become aware of the violation they should fill out the MSAP/ASAP form. If the MSAP/ASAP program does not automatically refer your filing to ASRS/NASA; or if your airline does not have such a program, you should make that filing immediately. (It must be done within 10 days of your
knowledge ofthe incident)
You and your Business agent will discuss the circumstances surrounding the LOI and then a decision will be as to whether or not to contact attorney Richard Edelman from O’Donnell, Schwartz and Anderson. Only the Business Agent should contact Mr. Edelman at first. If the case is to be referred to the attorney, you should draft a response, explanation or justification for the work the FAA is investigating which will be sent to the attorney for him to use as a basis to answer the LOI. (If possible the draft response should be sent by e-mail) The attorney may have questions or need additional information that he may request by phone or e-mail. You will also get a letter explaining the arrangements for the attorney to represent you through the Union.
Mr. Edelman will help you craft your response to the FAA to make sure that the situation is clearly explained.In many cases the LOI responseends the investigation. Should the FAA decide to continue to the next step, you and your BA or Program Administrator will discuss next steps with the attorney. If the decision is be made by your Program Administrator to proceed to the Informal Conference step with the FAA, the Attorney will help to prep you for the meeting and he will be present in person or via conference call for the meeting.
If the matter cannot be resolved at the Informal Conference and the FAA proceeds with a certificate action before the NTSB; you, your Program Administrator and Attorney Edelman will decide the best course of action, and should the parties decide to go in front of the Administrative Law Judge for a hearing, Attorney Edelman will represent you.
This program is open to mechanics whether you are licensed or not and is at no cost to the employee. The Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC) and the Airline Division are committed to providing the best representation in the Airline Industry and we will continue to develop programs like this.
SMC, MOR, MOC Update
As a result of the BA calls it was brought to the Divisions attention that the mechanics on the United side who answer the crew radios in their respective city control center were still scheduled for elimination. Representatives of the Division met with the Company on September 29th and this issue is now resolved. While there will be an addition of supervisors to these positions, all current mechanic positions will be grandfathered to keep these jobs. As supervisors are hired they will be responsible for the delay reporting and handling station budget resources as well as any discipline related issues that may arise.
Cross Utilization of Training
Local 210 was notified that the company intended to use DST’s to cross train United and Continental mechanics in the New York point. Business Agent Ralph Salzano notified the company this would be a violation of both agreements. The company agreed with Ralph and the issue is now resolved.
Cross Utilization of Ground Radio and Facilities Maintenance
There is an ongoing issue with the cross utilization of the members that service the ground radios across the system. In addition through the BA calls the Division learned that field service work on Continental facilities was being performed by United mechanics. At the September 29th meeting Representatives of the Division informed the company that using the membership in this manner was a violation of the respective agreements.
