Clarification

I reported in the previous weekly report that there was a third step settlement under AMFA from Denver. This is incorrect as the settlement came from Chicago and dealt with a persons right to recall depending on their physical status, IE whether they were on occupational or non occupational leave. The reason I thought it was from Denver is that one of the conscientious Reps from Denver kept a copy of this decision and told me he would forward the decision to me as soon as possible. He did just that and I have now had an opportunity to review the decision. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

That's all for now,
Bob

No weekly report this week

I took some vacation time last week and because of that the report will be issued next week.

Weekly report 6-21-09

General Items

Negotiations went ok this week with the company choosing two very difficult articles to start with. They were the grievance procedure and the new layoff and recall article. The official report can be found here.

I had the opportunity to meet with Labor Relations to discuss some open issues and resolution was reached on testing for bumping into the MM side.

Chris Moore from the TAMC (Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition) walked the floor on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Chris met with several members to discuss how the IBT could better represent us. I felt this was a productive visit and several ideas were passed to Chris.

Tom Reid and Jeff Conley lobbied this week with the TAMC to address three issues. The issues were Outsourcing, the Express Carrier language, and the Employee Free Choice Act. According to both of them the meetings went well. The objective was to reach Republican Senators to explain our stance on these issues. For the outsourcing everyone understood that foreign MRO's need to operate in the same manner as domestic facilities, and this apparently got a lot of traction. Also the Express Carrier legislation was received well. However the EFCA was met with a resounding no from Republican members of the Senate.

MM

As stated above the testing issue has been resolved. There will be tests but they are to evaluate training liabilities only. One member that had been denied entry will be reporting on Monday as well as all the recalls. I do not yet know the report dates for the GQ/PV personnel transferring into MM.

I am working on resolution of an outstanding third step which dealt with an incorrect recall and subsequent bump of one of our members. This issue would have been resolved already but apparently a previous third step decision may have changed the recall process. This decision came from Denver under AMFA and I am waiting to get the file for review.

The cabin crew eight hour day has been given to the local Managers from what Ron Buettenmuller told me on Friday. I pressed Ron to review a possible plan for a ten hour schedule for this group, and Ron's answer was no. I explained that the IBT wanted the cabin crew to work every bit as much as the Company did, but that it was unlikely this goal could be achieved on a 6 & 2 schedule. Ron reiterated that the Company did not want to expand the ten hour schedule as they were looking to remove it for the rest of the station minus the late days crew.

GQ

Eric Harger has volunteered to help with the TAMC by writing articles for "Nuts and Bolts". If there is an issue you would like addressed in this publication please see Eric.

A perception that the Union made a deal to bring in a mechanic from Boston was brought to my attention this week. As I am responsible for ensuring the contract is enforced here at Dulles I can assure you this is not true. I found the answer to the recall question in an older version of series 75-2 on page 118 and the Company performed the action correctly. The timing of the opening is the only open question and I will pursue this if the member bidding MM declines that position. I agree it would have been better if the Company actually put paper in the local bidders hand prior to declaring a vacancy, but again this was no deal on my part.

PV

The Labor Management meeting will be held on Wednesday at 2:15pm. We will discuss open grievances as well as the outsourcing in the shop.

There were several questions regarding the 59 day assignment for HVAC as well as the bidding procedure for the shop. I will bring both of these issues up at Wednesday's meeting. Our language is not the best for both of these issues but they are being addressed in negotiations. Both can be reviewed in the Union's opener found here.

If anyone is interested in contributing to "Nuts and Bolts" please let me know and I will pass your information on to Chris.

That's all for now,

Bob

Weekly report 6-14-09

General Items

This week I attended a third step discharge hearing with JFK Coordinator Larry Calhoun in New York. Larry represented the Union and did a fantastic job. The case itself has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese and Larry found every one of them. I rarely speak in absolutes regarding these procedures because of the unknown when going before an Arbitrator, but I am absolutely convinced the Grievant will be returned to work even if the Company decides to take the case that far.

Negotiations continue next week in San Francisco on Tuesday and Wednesday. The official update will be found here when released.

Upon my return Thursday Chris Moore from the TAMC is tentatively scheduled to walk the property to report on the Teamsters Airline Mechanics Coalition and ask for your input. Also two mechanics from Dulles will be Lobbying on Capitol Hill with the TAMC on Wednesday.

MM

The van for transportation into and out of work was taken away again because of a decision made by Station Manager Sharri Kawell. Knowing this was a possibility a contract proposal was included in the Union's opener. The proposal can be found here on page 69 new paragraph P.

The Company has informed me that they will be testing any members bumping or transferring into the shop without a current license (current defined as exercised within the last 24 months). The Company claims they can do this because of the FAR's and the MOP. I am still researching this issue as it has never been done before and it doesn't seem to be happening at any other station.

I got a verbal on one of the second steps for an overtime bypass and it was sustained, and another OT bypass was still being considered. The other answers which are denials are promised in written form for Monday as I have a meeting with Labor Relations to discuss them next week. I will also be discussing our open third steps at this meeting.

There was a question of seniority usage on the Afternoon shift this week. There is a practice of using seniority for work areas as evidenced by the ESS sheet, and a grievance was filed. Like the van above the best way to eliminate questions is to memorialize this practice in the Agreement. As such there is a proposal in Article VI to further clarify this.

GQ

I believe I found the answer to the recall question when researching another item. As stated above I have a meeting scheduled with LR and will discuss this issue next week.

PV

Grievances continue to be filed on the PV outsourcing and there are currently two slated to be presented in the second step during the Labor Management meeting at the end of the month.

That's all for now,

Bob

PENS WIN!!!!!!!!!

Title says it all! WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!