This week I learned that laid-off service sector employees will be added to the TAA through the Stimulus Package. I contacted the Department of Labor regional office on Friday about this development. From what I have been told no rules are out on this yet, but it appears only people laid-off after May of this year, when the legislation goes into effect, will be eligible. In other words it most likely will not be retroactive. I am waiting on a return call from DOL in DC for clarification.
For members that are still looking for work Monster is holding a large job fair on March 9th in Crystal City. Here is a link to pre-register for the event.
The big Labor Unions are continuing to work towards unification.
For MM this week one second step was heard and two more were advanced for a total of three outstanding second steps. I'm still waiting on answers for several outstanding first steps. Regarding hangar news I'm told the company is working on the lease for the old ACA facility and we should know about the addition in 60 days. According to the Airline Division Week in Review the agreed upon expedited arbitration for the station closings will be heard in April.
For PV this week I was informed the Jetway floors will be done in-house. There was a discussion on lead assignments between the main and midfield terminal areas on the weekends. It is my opinion that the two areas are treated the same for purposes of upgrades. It should be done by seniority.
For both GQ and PV there is still no new news on the potential outsourcing at the nine stations. I do know the company is in the process of seeking bids from outside vendors. When I have more information I will pass it on.
Here is a youtube clip of Mayor Virg Bernero on Fox News with Gregg Jarrett. This guy gets the middle class and I would vote for him in a heartbeat.
There is an RLA page on the website now.
That's all for this week,
Bob
Saturday, February 28, 2009
More Unity News
Another article is out on the progress of the Labor Unions' Unity movement. Here is a link to the article on Yahoo.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hilda Solis
Here is a piece of good news. Today Hilda Solis was confirmed by the Senate as Labor Secretary.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Employee Free Choice Act
While surfing the net I came across an ad describing the destructiveness of the EFCA. Here is a link to where the ad led. It really made my blood boil when I read that website. Basically the site deals with how to keep your workplace union free, the problems that will ensue if the EFCA is passed, and sells kits and information for companies to use during union campaigns.
For those that feel the EFCA legislation does not pertain to them, I would ask are the MRO's that the company outsources our work to non-union? The answer is of course. We have to be allowed the opportunity to organize the unorganized in this industry or we will eventually be totally crushed. I understand that many of you feel we already are destroyed as a profession. While I understand that feeling I think we can return to better times.
This legislation is a huge step in re-securing our former status and I would ask that you support it. An action item has been put on the "Teamsters Take Action" page. All you have to do is fill out your name and address, hit send, and your legislators are notified of your position instantly. Please take the time to do this for yours as well as the rest of the labor forces' future.
Bob
For those that feel the EFCA legislation does not pertain to them, I would ask are the MRO's that the company outsources our work to non-union? The answer is of course. We have to be allowed the opportunity to organize the unorganized in this industry or we will eventually be totally crushed. I understand that many of you feel we already are destroyed as a profession. While I understand that feeling I think we can return to better times.
This legislation is a huge step in re-securing our former status and I would ask that you support it. An action item has been put on the "Teamsters Take Action" page. All you have to do is fill out your name and address, hit send, and your legislators are notified of your position instantly. Please take the time to do this for yours as well as the rest of the labor forces' future.
Bob
Friday, February 20, 2009
Weekly report 2-20-09
This week for MM there were several issues.
The first concern seems to be Kevin Harte. Kevin sat with a group of us about two weeks ago and described his function as a mechanic performing safety audits for the company. Kevin assured us that he informed management that he would not participate in any program that would lead to discipline for any of our members. I previously discussed this with the management team and they confirmed that was what transpired. I again discussed this with Ron and Stuart this week and they described Kevin as an in house MSAP style program. Both of these managers said they spoke for Don Burbank in this matter and that anything Kevin finds will be ignored as far as discipline is concerned.
The next issue is engine change field services. This week there was a GEM mission to San Antonio. Domestically the company has to use the overtime list and qualifications to determine who is to go on each trip. We also have the Furline grievance which specifies how planned trips are to be called. Shop Steward Howard Hawthorne on dayshift has been tasked with researching the grievance for all shifts. Internationally there is a different process. A grievance in 2007, the Mayerhoffer decision, was lost in arbitration based on some very weak language regarding the selection process for international EFS. Many members have brought to my attention that a local agreement was made in New York and the company should follow that proceedure. Unfortunately the company is not willing to concede something they won in arbitration, and the New York agreement was made prior to the Mayerhofer decision.
Also in MM there are several grievances advancing to the second step next week. Hearings will be scheduled for two outstanding second steps either Tuesday or Wednesday. There are two lead openings and there are three laid off leads at the point. The hangar is still being discussed by the company with UAL Services justifying it financially and corporate real estate reviewing the proposal.
In GQ/PV there are many concerns regarding the nine line stations currently being reviewed for potential outsourcing. I understand from the conference call today further meetings took place in Chicago this week but I have no additional information. Here is a link to the Seattle blog with Phil Stewards report.
In PV there was a question about the potential outsourcing of the replacement of Jetway floors. This is our work, it is not normally contracted out, and grievances will be filed if the company proceeds with the awarding of this contract to an outside vendor.
According to Chris Moore the TAMC newsletter will begin soon. The newsletter will be in electronic format similar to the Teamsters week in review. TAMC continues to work on overseas outsourcing and they were meeting with Jack Albertine from the Albertine lobbying firm today to discuss strategy
Thanks to Rick Barnes from SFO there will be some RLA question and answers posted on the website.
That's all for this week,
Bob
The first concern seems to be Kevin Harte. Kevin sat with a group of us about two weeks ago and described his function as a mechanic performing safety audits for the company. Kevin assured us that he informed management that he would not participate in any program that would lead to discipline for any of our members. I previously discussed this with the management team and they confirmed that was what transpired. I again discussed this with Ron and Stuart this week and they described Kevin as an in house MSAP style program. Both of these managers said they spoke for Don Burbank in this matter and that anything Kevin finds will be ignored as far as discipline is concerned.
The next issue is engine change field services. This week there was a GEM mission to San Antonio. Domestically the company has to use the overtime list and qualifications to determine who is to go on each trip. We also have the Furline grievance which specifies how planned trips are to be called. Shop Steward Howard Hawthorne on dayshift has been tasked with researching the grievance for all shifts. Internationally there is a different process. A grievance in 2007, the Mayerhoffer decision, was lost in arbitration based on some very weak language regarding the selection process for international EFS. Many members have brought to my attention that a local agreement was made in New York and the company should follow that proceedure. Unfortunately the company is not willing to concede something they won in arbitration, and the New York agreement was made prior to the Mayerhofer decision.
Also in MM there are several grievances advancing to the second step next week. Hearings will be scheduled for two outstanding second steps either Tuesday or Wednesday. There are two lead openings and there are three laid off leads at the point. The hangar is still being discussed by the company with UAL Services justifying it financially and corporate real estate reviewing the proposal.
In GQ/PV there are many concerns regarding the nine line stations currently being reviewed for potential outsourcing. I understand from the conference call today further meetings took place in Chicago this week but I have no additional information. Here is a link to the Seattle blog with Phil Stewards report.
In PV there was a question about the potential outsourcing of the replacement of Jetway floors. This is our work, it is not normally contracted out, and grievances will be filed if the company proceeds with the awarding of this contract to an outside vendor.
According to Chris Moore the TAMC newsletter will begin soon. The newsletter will be in electronic format similar to the Teamsters week in review. TAMC continues to work on overseas outsourcing and they were meeting with Jack Albertine from the Albertine lobbying firm today to discuss strategy
Thanks to Rick Barnes from SFO there will be some RLA question and answers posted on the website.
That's all for this week,
Bob
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