Mechanics Dispatch 10-3-11

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.

SFO visit

Over the last four days I got to see many members at SFO in both the craft meetings as well as the steward training over the weekend. I would like to thank the members for their hospitality and great questions during the visit. The feedback received regarding what was needed for communications tools moving forward was invaluable. In addition the energy and focus of the stewards during the training session was inspiring.

The local action committee in SFO relayed that last Monday they passed out 4000 flyers to passengers at the airport. Their facebook page can be found here.

Lobbying effort

As previously posted, on Tuesday several members along with representatives from the International and our lobbyists the Albertiens' lobbied on behalf of passage of the FAA reauthorization bill. We met with both Democrats and Republicans. There are several items of importance in passing a bill but it looks like congress will pass the 22nd continuing resolution for short term funding if Senator Coburn allows it to come to a vote. Otherwise we will see another partial shutdown of the FAA on Friday. Here is the article describing the current blockage to short term funding.

Why is it important for us that this bill passes? For us there are two key provisions, one that we need, and one that we oppose in the bill. A change in NMB voting procedures was instituted by the agency last year which Delta, JetBlue and the ATA oppose. As a favor to these entities Congressman Mica attached a rider to the House version of the bill which would force the NMB to use the old voting rules. If congress had to run under these conditions there would be few in elected office right now. This rider has no place in a funding bill for the FAA. If the Congressman would like to amend the Railway Labor Act then perhaps that's the direction he should go. If that law is opened I could think of several elements that should be changed. Of course this has nothing to do with actual governing and is only an attack on organized labor.

The piece of this bill that we need adopted is the single standard of maintenance which is found in the Senate version of the bill. To provide a worldwide standard for training, background checks, drug testing, and oversight would help the nation as well as our profession. If overseas facilities were subject to the same level of training and scrutiny it would be difficult for those MRO's to provide such cut rate maintenance plans. Once passed this standard would provide equal footing for us to compete. So this single standard of maintenance would provide much needed jobs at a time when we have 3300 people on the recall list, piece of mind that the work is being done correctly, and dramatically reduce the threat of some nefarious device being planted by a terrorist while an aircraft is wide open in overhaul. That seems like a pretty common sense idea. Even Republicans agree this would be good for the country. So why don't we have a bill? See the above paragraph. The fact that politicians are willing to put at risk the lives of their constituents and the American people, as well as returning good paying jobs to America, over partisan politics is DISGUSTING! Please take the time today to ask your Congressmen and Senators to pass the Senate version of the reauthorization bill.

EDIT: President Obama signed the extension today. Here is the article.

Facebook

Are you on facebook? If so here is a suggested page to like. The page appears to have the purpose of educating the public about United's policy of outsourcing aircraft maintenance.

EDIT: link updated to reflect correct page instead of general facebook page

FAA Reauthorization Bill

As I watched the President's speech tonight with its focus on jobs, including those in transportation, it really made me think about the FAA reauthorization bill. Here is a bill which would provide the stimulus for thousands of jobs with spending on projects that will upgrade many aspects of aviation and the air traffic control system. Funding on this the 21^st continuing resolution expires on September 16^th. The last amendment holding up passage looks to be Congressman Mica's
provision to change voting rules at the NMB for employees to unionize. I would urge you to call and write your members of Congress and ask them to pass the Senate version of the bill which does not include Congressman Mica's amendment.

Next week the TAMC along with several Chief Stewards and Safety Reps, as well as Reps from the Airline Division, the TWU, and our Lobbyists will spend time on the hill urging support for passage of this much needed overhaul. There is no reason for a 22^nd Continuing Resolution. Now is the time to get this bill passed.

The fact that members of Congress would hold up important legislation in order to make it more difficult to unionize shouldn't be shocking. We've seen it all over the country recently. The thing that surprises me is that they are so blatantly trying to destroy the middle class for a few sheckels from their sponsors. I will give a quick update after our meetings here on the blog.