Mechanics Dispatch 2-18-12

Editors Note: In last week’s Dispatch we failed to mention that DENTK Chief Steward Jim Prout participated in the Denver meetings. We apologize for the error.

Merger Amalgamation Progress Report

This new article section will be used to report on the amalgamation progress as steps are taken to complete the process. Items to be discussed will be regulatory milestones, such as a detailed look at SOC and the effects of a single carrier status filing, negotiations updates from the steering and negotiating committees, benefits updates from the benefits committee and seniority integration updates from the seniority integration committee. The first steps taken to begin the process are underway as reported in the below article which was also discussed in the Airline Division’s “Week in Review” newsletter from earlier this week.

Principal Officer – Business Agent Meeting

On Friday February 10^th Principal Officers and Business Agents from around the system met to chart the course forward through the merger for all three represented groups. Items discussed included the size and scope of the rank and file seniority integration, steering and bargaining committees. In addition to the size of the above committees there were discussions of outside experts being retained to assist with the merger process.

Arbitrator Ralph Berger has been retained to assist the seniority integration committee during the process with any questions or concerns. Arbitrator Berger is very accomplished and has a wealth of experience in merging seniority lists. He will be a valuable asset to the process of seniority integration.

The Benefits Review committee is made up of rank and file members from sub-CO and sub- UA has been working with Peter Hardcastle from Cheiron to discuss pension and healthcare.

There were two new committees established at the meeting; Member Communications and Education Committee and the Scope Review Committee. The Education and Communications committee will be responsible for putting out timely and accurate information as the process unfolds. Communications will be done through the Mechanics Dispatch and will be distributed via email and through the various Local and International websites. The scope review committee will be responsible for a detailed review and vetting of scope language for the Joint Collective Agreement.

Of course as the union continues towards the negotiation of the agreement, input from the

membership will be a key component. Members will be asked for feedback through proposals and bargaining surveys. Members are encouraged to also continually share their thoughts with members of the various committees throughout the process. Only through the actions of the membership and the various committees will an acceptable agreement be reached. Members are encouraged to continue to watch for updates and stay informed.

Size of National Seniority Integration Committee Established

Principal Officers and Business Agents determined the number of members to sit on the National Seniority Integration Committee. After much deliberation it was determined that there would be 11 total members; 5 from sub Continental from their respective largest Locals, 5 from sub United from their respective largest Locals, and 1 from sub Continental Micronesia. After the Locals choose their representative the names will be reported in the Dispatch.

EAP Committee Report

It seems that just after the first of the year we tend to make resolutions that sometimes are hard to follow through with. Don’t get down on yourself. It may be that something that is worthwhile may take a little effort to reinforce in our life style to have a long term effect. Wellness is defined as taking charge of your health and recovery to attain optimal health and well being. Do you feel “stressed or “over whelmed” by outside pressures you feel are beyond your control? Such as unhealthy dependencies on Alcohol, Prescription pain medication, smoking or overeating. Have your finances after the holiday’s got you feeling like you’ll never get out from under your bills?

These are just a few of the life events that your Union EAP Coordinator or Field Rep can help with. If you’re stressed or depressed about something in your personal life and it’s affecting your time at work, get in touch with your Teamster EAP to help you get back on the path of recovery from almost any obstacle you may have in your life.

Flight Safety Report

The United Airline IBT Flight Safety Committee held a conference call to discuss the organization of the committee under the new contract. Continental Airlines safety committee also attended.

The committee members discussed involvement in the United Airlines Safety Management Systems (SMS) various programs. Members talked about how training would be done to be effective advisors in partnership with the company.

Several issues discussed were the lack of information published by the company when new policy is enacted, particularly the necessity of requesting inspection when rig pins are removed from airplane systems and subsystems. Also talked about were the differences between United Airlines and Continental Airlines maintenance requirement when pins and other blocking devices are install. Several members mentioned the company allowed inexperienced mechanics to do complicated tasks without oversight.

The committee asked for additional information from NASA ASRS program concerning reports and the use of those reports in FAA hearings. The committee also expressed concern over the recent rejections of MSAP reports and the company’s Insulation Monitoring Program or IMP.

The committee will meet again next month. John Fischbach IBT FSC Chair (UAL) 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

Just Cause

I was reading an article today titled “10 Shattered Myths About Workplace Rights” The article in its entirety can be found here http://news.yahoo.com/10-shattered-myths-workplace-rights-154531786.html10. Number 10 jumped out at me. Every now and again I get the question why should I pay dues? Most of us go about our business on a regular basis and never consider the “Just Cause” provisions of our contract. Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever had a personality conflict with the boss? Have you ever stood your ground and refused to sign off an airplane? Like most of you all of the above have applied to me. What if you didn’t have “Just Cause” protections when those issues arise? Read the following excerpt and when someone asks you why you are in a Union you can now point to one huge reason, “Just Cause”.

"10. Myth: Your boss must have a justifiable reason for firing you.

Fact: Your employer can fire you for any reason at all or for no reason, as long as you're not being fired because of your membership in a legally protected class (race, religion, nationality, sex, marital status, disability, and so forth). You can even be fired because your boss doesn't like your laugh or the color of your shirt.

There are two exceptions: one, if you have a contract, which most people in the United States do not; or two, if your company has an employee manual that commits to always using specific disciplinary procedures before firing someone. In the later case, your company is generally obligated to follow those procedures first.

Alison Green writes the popular Ask a Manager blog where she dispenses advice on career, job search, and management issues. She's also the author of Managing to Change the World: The Nonprofit Leader's Guide to Getting Results and former chief of staff of a successful nonprofit organization, where she oversaw day-to-day staff management, hiring, firing, and employee development. She now teaches other managers how to manage for results."

Mechanics Dispatch 2-2-12

February 2, 2012

PHLMM Reopening

Twelve sub-United mechanics will soon be headed home as a result of the new agreement. It is expected that these members will be back in Philadelphia by April 1^st. Ralph Salzano; Business Agent from Local 210 has been working with Mark Prpich from Labor Relations to ensure that the recalls are processed properly. Philadelphia and Newark were opened for sub-United mechanics as a result of LOA 30 which was a settlement to the line closing arbitration case.

Fleet Plan Released

In a recent SEC 8K filing, United has indicated that it will add four 787 aircraft by the end of the year and retire four 767 aircraft. There will be several 757 aircraft retired as well. Thanks to Seattle Chief Steward Jock Creach for passing on this information.

The filing may be read by clicking on the following link: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/100517/000119312512024301/d290195dex992.htm

Payroll and Benefit Issues Continue

While the company is working to implement the new changes on the sub-United side of the house, issues continue to be reported. If you notice an error in your pay or are having difficulties with benefits please report them to Airline Division Rep Bob Fisher at rcfisher7@yahoo.com. Bob has been working with members of management to bring these issues to quick resolution.

Principal Officers and Business Agents Conference Moved

The meeting that was scheduled for February 9^th has been moved to the 10^thdue to some scheduling conflicts. As previously reported the meeting will be used to establish steering, negotiating and seniority integration committees.

Resource Utilization

A meeting was held in downtown Chicago last Friday to discuss the companys plan for narrow body resource utilization. The company focused on what they envision will happen after they merge the reservations systems in March. The parties discussed how mechanics will be utilized when the company starts changing cities to which aircraft fly. While no agreement was reached at this meeting, significant progress was made. In attendance for the Union were Division Director Bourne, International Representatives Clacy Griswold, Paul Alves and Bob Fisher, IBT Legal counsel Ed Gleason and Local 19 Principal Officer Robert Rasch. In attendance for the Company were Doug McKeen, Jim Keenan, Joe Ferreira, Mark Mounsey, Marcel Delhommeau, Cathy Kassley, Don Wright, and Jeff Wall.

Local 210 Puts Out a Call for Proposals

To begin the process of negotiating a new joint collective bargaining agreement Local 210 has issued a call for proposals. A link to the notice can be found here: www.ibt210mx.typepad.com

JBA/SBA Process Discussed

On the Business Agents call International Representative Paul Alves talked about the work required to integrate these third step processes in the future. Paul pointed out where he noticed areas of strength in each system and emphasized the need to take the best of both of these programs for the final product.

Legislative Update

On January 31^st, rank and file members from IAD attended the Aero Club lunch in DC. The keynote speaker was Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The Secretary discussed the importance of the passage of a new FAA Authorization Bill. Audience members were encouraged to ask questions and there was a discussion of Next Gen items that are already in place. Secretary LaHood emphasized the need for infrastructure spending to update the antiquated air transport system in this country. Members in attendance were Tom Reid and Jay Koreny of IAD and they were joined by Division Director David Bourne, Assistant Director Steve Nagrotsky, International Representative Bob Fisher and Jack Albertine from the Albertine Group.

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

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,San Francisco

Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 856/986

Denver Local 455