In case you have not heard, Terry Chura's dad passed away and I'm sure all of our thoughts and prayers are with Terry and his family at this time. Here is a link to the guest book if you would like to send your condolences you can do that here. Also last week Gary Berrian's mom passed away. You can find Gary's mom's information here to send condolences.
Just a reminder that the open enrollment period for benefits closes on November 19th.
This week a round of surprise layoffs occurred. This is due to the north american division not coordinating it's reductions with united services for the January 11th system layoff date. There are a couple of issues with this reduction and the application of the Washington Area Seniority Agreement. I spoke with labor relations in San Francisco late Thursday night and will try to resolve these issues this week. This affects the BAL shop as well as the IAD GQ and PV departments.
There have been many questions regarding the testing committee. The committee is working on a fair way to ensure all members are allowed to excercise their rights under the agreement. I know this is a very serious issue and there are many opinions on how members are selected to take the test as well as what the test should look like. If you would like your concerns addressed let me know and I will pass them forward to the committee.
For MM this week it still apears the company is serious about the hangar. There are a couple of different scenarios they are looking at including a complete new hangar. Also I met with Ron and Stuart regarding vacation selection for the upcoming year. We are going to try to finalize them this week.
For PV a meeting is scheduled tomorrow for vacation rules. Also the second step for the lead opening has been processed. This grievance has not been heard but I will pass on the results when it is.
For GQ the ten hour schedule has been delayed to the first of the year due to concerns from several members regarding holiday plans. This will make for a smooth transition at the beginning of the year to the new codes.
I have begun working on contract proposals. There is much that needs to be addressed in the upcoming negotiations. I have sent most of the industry contracts to the Stewards for review to see if there is some language from those agreements that would be a benefit to us. If you would like copies of these contracts let me know and I will send them to you. There are several CBA's and the files are large so they will be sent in three e-mails. Thanks to Bob Luciano for providing the agreements I didn't have.
There was a conference call on Friday and we discussed several things. Among them was our responsibility to diligently look for items completed by outside vendors which are a violation of our Agreement. This includes work accomplished in the New York point as well as Philadelphia.The reducing of work from our one and three service was also discussed. Remember even though the forms do not say to look at things such as tires and brakes if you see something that is out of maintenance manual limits it needs to be addressed. The FAA will not ask United Airlines why an obvious defect was missed. They will ask YOU! And when they ask more than likley they will incude a citation for not performing your duty. Don't fall into this trap.
That's all for this week,
Bob
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Weekly report 11-08-08
Now that the election is behind us the real work begins. Many Legislators are listening to the Teamsters about outsourcing, but the IBT needs our help in this fight for our jobs. They are going to need us to show up when called upon to speak to members of congress. If you are interested in lobbying on Capitol Hill please let me know and I will add your name to the list. Because of our proximity to DC I expect we will be called many times with requests for people to lobby. In addition and just as important we need to fill out the outsourcing reports found here. These reports are for any item you find where an outside vendor has performed substandard maintenance.
This week I attended the meeting in Chicago of BA's and Coordinators. One of the things discussed that was not touched on in the weekly flyer was that the IBT has hired a lobbying firm to lobby for us regarding outsourcing issue. I was impressed with the amount of money the IBT is spending and time the time they are devoting to secure and return our work.
It appears the membership desires and the leadership supports the early opening of negotiations. With that said it will still take some time to prepare including training the negotiating committee and collecting contract proposal forms. The forms should be out in approximately three weeks. I have e-mailed each steward a copy of the agreement in MS Word format to begin editing in the changes they would like to see. If you have an issue you would like addressed please see a Steward or myself so we can get your idea down. This is a good way to get ready prior to the proposal forms coming out and we will be ready when they get to the station.
For BAL this week I was informed the station will close. I have not heard whether they will be rotated out with the Jan 11th group or it will be earlier. Neither the station manager nor the area manager have called me to let me know when it will be. Since neither would engage in talks to save this shop their lack of professionalism in this matter is not shocking.
For MM this week it appears the company is very interested in the old Independence Air hangar and are moving quickly to acquire it. There are still some obstacles so it may not happen. For those of you have been here for a while we have heard this all before, but it does appear a little more serious this time.
For GQ/PV a testing committee was formed this week to determine ability to bump into or bid between these work areas. I am not on this committee, however I feel confident after meeting the members of this committee that it will be done fairly. The committee consists of one GQ one PV and one MM member from around the system. When I have more info I will pass it on.
There is a new BA update from SFO on their website. It talks about the 20% outsourcing grievance, and several other issues including their application for a DOL program that would provide for an extended period of unemployment and money for retraining. I have reported this to the members already laid off and when I hear more about this I will pass it on.
That's all for this week,
Bob
This week I attended the meeting in Chicago of BA's and Coordinators. One of the things discussed that was not touched on in the weekly flyer was that the IBT has hired a lobbying firm to lobby for us regarding outsourcing issue. I was impressed with the amount of money the IBT is spending and time the time they are devoting to secure and return our work.
It appears the membership desires and the leadership supports the early opening of negotiations. With that said it will still take some time to prepare including training the negotiating committee and collecting contract proposal forms. The forms should be out in approximately three weeks. I have e-mailed each steward a copy of the agreement in MS Word format to begin editing in the changes they would like to see. If you have an issue you would like addressed please see a Steward or myself so we can get your idea down. This is a good way to get ready prior to the proposal forms coming out and we will be ready when they get to the station.
For BAL this week I was informed the station will close. I have not heard whether they will be rotated out with the Jan 11th group or it will be earlier. Neither the station manager nor the area manager have called me to let me know when it will be. Since neither would engage in talks to save this shop their lack of professionalism in this matter is not shocking.
For MM this week it appears the company is very interested in the old Independence Air hangar and are moving quickly to acquire it. There are still some obstacles so it may not happen. For those of you have been here for a while we have heard this all before, but it does appear a little more serious this time.
For GQ/PV a testing committee was formed this week to determine ability to bump into or bid between these work areas. I am not on this committee, however I feel confident after meeting the members of this committee that it will be done fairly. The committee consists of one GQ one PV and one MM member from around the system. When I have more info I will pass it on.
There is a new BA update from SFO on their website. It talks about the 20% outsourcing grievance, and several other issues including their application for a DOL program that would provide for an extended period of unemployment and money for retraining. I have reported this to the members already laid off and when I hear more about this I will pass it on.
That's all for this week,
Bob
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Weekly report 10-31-08
As many of you know I was in India last week so there was no report.
Weekly conference calls of BA's and Coordinators began last Friday. Several points were brought up on the call. The New York point is a big issue as it appears United is contracting work to Timco in the area. Legal is involved with this as well as the Local. A grievance has already been filed due to work being performed by an outside vendor at the point. Also it was requested that everyone continue to fill out the surveys regarding outsourcing. The survey can be found at "http://www.teamster.org/landing.aspx?id=454" about halfway down the page. A weekly newsletter with updates from the Airline Division will be going out to everyone that has their e-mail on file with the Teamsters. Next week in ORD there will be a meeting of BA's and Coordinators on Wednesday. We were also reminded to let you know of the physician of choice letter. Article XX J. on page 79 describes what you need to do. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Because the layoff date has been moved back one month new WARN notices will be given out. For us that will affect the guys in BAL. That was about it for the call.
The GQ/PV manager approached me today to let me know there was a theft in the autoshop. Because of that they are going to start cracking down on access to the shop. He informed me anyone parking there without a pass would be towed.
On a positive note it appears the company is serious about the possibility of moving into the old ACA hangar. The hangar needs some improvement and they have contractors giving bids now. As far as the annual rent it looks like it would be close to cost neutral. We have all seen this before but it does look somewhat better because the new VP is very interested in doing the 767 a-check work here.
For MM I met with Ron Buetenmuller this week and we began discussions on vacation rules for the upcoming year. As you know with people coming in after the beginning of the year the liability will change and we need a common sense way to deal with the increase.
For GQ the ten hour day bid has begun according to Greg Pinelli. Also vacations will be bid beginning on Nov 15th. According to Joe Filice because of the ten hour schedule coming into play for next year the company has agreed to continue the rule from last year to move days to wrap around your vacation.
For PV I talked to Mark on Friday and we are tentatively going to sit down on Monday to discuss vacation rules. I also plan to address the discussed use of emergency overtime in the shop.
For BAL the company has refused to listen to any suggestions regarding keeping our members employed there. I am very disappointed but not suprised. This is the way they are dealing with us systemwide.
With that said we need some relief. The only way I see to get that is with a change in our government. The company is not listening because frankly they don't have to. So please on November 4th exercise your right to vote. My suggestion is to choose the candidates that have pledged to bring outsourced work back and strengthen the labor movement. For President only one candidate has made those promises and that is Barack Obama.
That's all for this week,
Bob
Weekly conference calls of BA's and Coordinators began last Friday. Several points were brought up on the call. The New York point is a big issue as it appears United is contracting work to Timco in the area. Legal is involved with this as well as the Local. A grievance has already been filed due to work being performed by an outside vendor at the point. Also it was requested that everyone continue to fill out the surveys regarding outsourcing. The survey can be found at "http://www.teamster.org/landing.aspx?id=454" about halfway down the page. A weekly newsletter with updates from the Airline Division will be going out to everyone that has their e-mail on file with the Teamsters. Next week in ORD there will be a meeting of BA's and Coordinators on Wednesday. We were also reminded to let you know of the physician of choice letter. Article XX J. on page 79 describes what you need to do. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Because the layoff date has been moved back one month new WARN notices will be given out. For us that will affect the guys in BAL. That was about it for the call.
The GQ/PV manager approached me today to let me know there was a theft in the autoshop. Because of that they are going to start cracking down on access to the shop. He informed me anyone parking there without a pass would be towed.
On a positive note it appears the company is serious about the possibility of moving into the old ACA hangar. The hangar needs some improvement and they have contractors giving bids now. As far as the annual rent it looks like it would be close to cost neutral. We have all seen this before but it does look somewhat better because the new VP is very interested in doing the 767 a-check work here.
For MM I met with Ron Buetenmuller this week and we began discussions on vacation rules for the upcoming year. As you know with people coming in after the beginning of the year the liability will change and we need a common sense way to deal with the increase.
For GQ the ten hour day bid has begun according to Greg Pinelli. Also vacations will be bid beginning on Nov 15th. According to Joe Filice because of the ten hour schedule coming into play for next year the company has agreed to continue the rule from last year to move days to wrap around your vacation.
For PV I talked to Mark on Friday and we are tentatively going to sit down on Monday to discuss vacation rules. I also plan to address the discussed use of emergency overtime in the shop.
For BAL the company has refused to listen to any suggestions regarding keeping our members employed there. I am very disappointed but not suprised. This is the way they are dealing with us systemwide.
With that said we need some relief. The only way I see to get that is with a change in our government. The company is not listening because frankly they don't have to. So please on November 4th exercise your right to vote. My suggestion is to choose the candidates that have pledged to bring outsourced work back and strengthen the labor movement. For President only one candidate has made those promises and that is Barack Obama.
That's all for this week,
Bob
Friday, October 31, 2008
Interesting article
Today Victoria Gray from the IBT sent an article from the Chicago Tribune which talks about a possible UAL/CAL merger. This is consistent with what we have been seeing and hearing lately.
Here is the link
Here is the link
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Weekly update 10-18-08
This week marks the last day of work for the mechanics being bumped in the secondary layoffs. Of the five being bumped three stayed because of either voluntary layoff or moving to another shop. I expect the next round to go much deeper due to the scale of the December round. The IBT is reviewing the current round with regards to possible violations of the CBA.
There have been two third step grievances filed this week for the two mechanics unable to hold the point. One of the mechanics that was bumped has the opportunity to take a test for another shop so one of these may be withdrawn if the mechanic is successful.
At Bob Luciano's suggestion I have written a letter to the station manager at IAD regarding the shop in BAL. She has responsibility for the BAL station and I informed her that there was an opportunity to make money with this shop utilizing the paint spray booth. She was on vacation this week and I asked her to call Bob next week to discuss this.
In GQ the management team has still not finalized the ten hour day schedule.
In PV a grievance was filed for an Art. XI I violation.
I will be out of the office for approximately 10 or 11 days so if you need assistance Tom will be in the office. An agreement was reached with both the MM and GQ/PV management that time limits for second steps will be extended until I get back.
Also vacation rules will be discussed in MM on my return but I was told unless I agreed to shift vacation bidding there would be no changes. If you believe this to be an unfair way to negotiate rules please let management know.
Early voting has started in both WV and VA. These states are considered battleground states and it is important we vote to install a labor friendly government moving forward. Early voting is quick and easy especially considering the record turnout expected on election day.
That's all for this week,
Bob
There have been two third step grievances filed this week for the two mechanics unable to hold the point. One of the mechanics that was bumped has the opportunity to take a test for another shop so one of these may be withdrawn if the mechanic is successful.
At Bob Luciano's suggestion I have written a letter to the station manager at IAD regarding the shop in BAL. She has responsibility for the BAL station and I informed her that there was an opportunity to make money with this shop utilizing the paint spray booth. She was on vacation this week and I asked her to call Bob next week to discuss this.
In GQ the management team has still not finalized the ten hour day schedule.
In PV a grievance was filed for an Art. XI I violation.
I will be out of the office for approximately 10 or 11 days so if you need assistance Tom will be in the office. An agreement was reached with both the MM and GQ/PV management that time limits for second steps will be extended until I get back.
Also vacation rules will be discussed in MM on my return but I was told unless I agreed to shift vacation bidding there would be no changes. If you believe this to be an unfair way to negotiate rules please let management know.
Early voting has started in both WV and VA. These states are considered battleground states and it is important we vote to install a labor friendly government moving forward. Early voting is quick and easy especially considering the record turnout expected on election day.
That's all for this week,
Bob
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