By now most of you should have seen a letter from United Airlines talking about transfer or deposit money into a Roth IRA.
This was a result a law that was signed last December. This new law was “Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act 2008.
Bottom line if you received a letter along with an IRS Form 8935, you can deposit that money into a Roth IRA without penalties.
From my records I received payments on August 18th, 2006, March 8th 2007 and November 7th 2007. These payments were sent to you by check or direct deposit. So we have already received and or spent the money. But if you have a good savings account you can open a Roth IRA and get started with your retirement, Contact your financial person to find out the details…
GQ/PV
Latest update on the ongoing saga with the outsourcing of our Ground Support and Building Maintenance mechanics is that our Teamsters Committee will meet with the company next Thursday April 2nd, 2009. As soon as we get any word on the outcome we will get that information out.
Jock
Thursday, March 26, 2009
IBT negotiations
We have added two new links on the right hand column. One is the IBT and seems that United Airlines have started their own. This will be a good source for the latest news on our IBT negotiations. Negotiations will begin on April 14th in Chicago with a one-day session covering the "State of the Company”.
Teamsters
United Airlines
Teamsters
United Airlines
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Cash Incentive?
If you have not received your latest “A14” check it is coming. For those who do not know United Airlines has started this new program.
A :14 Cash Incentive Program
“Eligible represented employees will receive a monthly payout of $100 if we achieve a first-place DOT ranking in A :14 performance. If we achieve a second-place DOT slot or our stated A :14 goal for the month, a $65 payout will be made. When we are successful in reaching our on-time goals for the month, employees will share in the rewards.”
I received mine today and was surprised, we are still making goal but not the DOT first place ranking. So I got a whole $65. After looking at it I was remembering of a SEC filing that United made on March 20th, 2009 I was really surprised.
I got $65 and paid 16% in federal tax. But in the SEC filing United submitted and I quote “The Company expects an effective tax rate of 0% for the first quarter of 2009.” It appears that if you loose money on fuel hedging the company can write that loses off. But wait, gas has gone up for me and you in the last quarter and I am paying more to get back and forth to work. Why can’t I write that off?
On a local front Charles Wyant stop by the office. He is working midnight shift in SFO but is staying on the ten hour shift. He said he found a place to stay but it is costing him $800 for a room. Yes a room not an apartment but just a room! So much for making a middle class pay and a livable wage.
GQ/PV
Still no news on the bids for GQ and PV, rumor has it that there was three companies that bid on Seattle. But our Teamsters committee has not had a chance to look at the bids or scrutinize them. As you are aware Phil Stewart is our point man and as soon as something comes out we will know. He and his team are well prepared to counter and “funny business” the Company might throw at them.
Last week during the Contract Steering Committee meetings in San Bruno, Ca we were given a presentation on a “Short Term disability Program” if you are interested in the details stop by the office and I have the handout. Basically it's an insurance that would pay out if you are sick or have an off-job accident.
David will be off to Washington DC for a TAMC meeting and training classes this week and Jim Brokaw will be off to a Human Factors training to represent us on the Flight Safety Committee at Love field next week. I hope to get a report as soon as I can from them and I will post it here. So stay tuned…
Lastly there are a lot of rumors and no sold answers so don’t buy into them get the fact.
Jock
A :14 Cash Incentive Program
“Eligible represented employees will receive a monthly payout of $100 if we achieve a first-place DOT ranking in A :14 performance. If we achieve a second-place DOT slot or our stated A :14 goal for the month, a $65 payout will be made. When we are successful in reaching our on-time goals for the month, employees will share in the rewards.”
I received mine today and was surprised, we are still making goal but not the DOT first place ranking. So I got a whole $65. After looking at it I was remembering of a SEC filing that United made on March 20th, 2009 I was really surprised.
I got $65 and paid 16% in federal tax. But in the SEC filing United submitted and I quote “The Company expects an effective tax rate of 0% for the first quarter of 2009.” It appears that if you loose money on fuel hedging the company can write that loses off. But wait, gas has gone up for me and you in the last quarter and I am paying more to get back and forth to work. Why can’t I write that off?
On a local front Charles Wyant stop by the office. He is working midnight shift in SFO but is staying on the ten hour shift. He said he found a place to stay but it is costing him $800 for a room. Yes a room not an apartment but just a room! So much for making a middle class pay and a livable wage.
GQ/PV
Still no news on the bids for GQ and PV, rumor has it that there was three companies that bid on Seattle. But our Teamsters committee has not had a chance to look at the bids or scrutinize them. As you are aware Phil Stewart is our point man and as soon as something comes out we will know. He and his team are well prepared to counter and “funny business” the Company might throw at them.
Last week during the Contract Steering Committee meetings in San Bruno, Ca we were given a presentation on a “Short Term disability Program” if you are interested in the details stop by the office and I have the handout. Basically it's an insurance that would pay out if you are sick or have an off-job accident.
David will be off to Washington DC for a TAMC meeting and training classes this week and Jim Brokaw will be off to a Human Factors training to represent us on the Flight Safety Committee at Love field next week. I hope to get a report as soon as I can from them and I will post it here. So stay tuned…
Lastly there are a lot of rumors and no sold answers so don’t buy into them get the fact.
Jock
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Contract Negotiations
On March 10th, the I.B.T. Airline Division notified the Company of its intent to open negotiations in accordance with Section 6, Title I of the Railway Labor Act, as amended. Click here to read the letter.
Negotiations will begin on April 14th in Chicago with a one-day session covering the "State of the Company."
The Negotiations Steering Committee, made up of Chief Stewards and Business Agents from across the System, is meeting here at Local 856 for the entire week.
By Friday the Steering Committee will have completed the process of reviewing non-economic proposals submitted from the membership and will be prepared to submit the Union's comprehensive non-economic proposals to the Company.
Negotiations will begin on April 14th in Chicago with a one-day session covering the "State of the Company."
The Negotiations Steering Committee, made up of Chief Stewards and Business Agents from across the System, is meeting here at Local 856 for the entire week.
By Friday the Steering Committee will have completed the process of reviewing non-economic proposals submitted from the membership and will be prepared to submit the Union's comprehensive non-economic proposals to the Company.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Contract Steering Committee
Crunch time
Day 2 of the steering committee has come to an ended. We have come along way from the very first meeting in January. The members of the committee are more focused and determined to complete the processed this week. We still have those times where we are discussing what the “meaning of is is” to quote a former President. Yes it does seem like we are trying to heard cats at times but this is a very important process and needs to be done.
For years we have all looked at the contract and had different opinions on the meaning of a particular section. My hope is that we look at it next year and we all know what the intent is and there are no questions.
On a side note this is day ten of the Iditarod and last years winner is still in the lead. This is a fascinating race if you have never checked it out you really need to. It is 1,161 miles from Willow to Nome Alaska with 16 dogs dragging you through the rough and ice cold back country of Alaska. The sad note is that there are losses. As of today they have lost three dogs and had to be airlifted out. Currently there are 67 mushers The Race
That is it for now but stay tune for more.
Jock
Day 2 of the steering committee has come to an ended. We have come along way from the very first meeting in January. The members of the committee are more focused and determined to complete the processed this week. We still have those times where we are discussing what the “meaning of is is” to quote a former President. Yes it does seem like we are trying to heard cats at times but this is a very important process and needs to be done.
For years we have all looked at the contract and had different opinions on the meaning of a particular section. My hope is that we look at it next year and we all know what the intent is and there are no questions.
On a side note this is day ten of the Iditarod and last years winner is still in the lead. This is a fascinating race if you have never checked it out you really need to. It is 1,161 miles from Willow to Nome Alaska with 16 dogs dragging you through the rough and ice cold back country of Alaska. The sad note is that there are losses. As of today they have lost three dogs and had to be airlifted out. Currently there are 67 mushers The Race
That is it for now but stay tune for more.
Jock
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Notifcation to United Airlines
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
Mr. Doug McKeen, Vice President
Labor and Employee Relations
United Airlines, Inc.
1200 E. Algonquin Road
Elk Grove, IL 60007
Dear Mr. McKeen,
You are hereby notified of the intent of the Intemational Brotherhood of Teamsters ("'Union") to open negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement ("Agreement") between the Union and United Airlines, covering the mechanics and related employees.
This notice is served in accordance with Section 6, Title I, of the Railway Labor Act, as amended. The negotiations will include matters relating to rates of pay, rules, working conditions, supplemental agreements, side letters, benefit plans, and the like. The Union reserves the right to amend, change, add to, or to delete its proposals during the course of the negotiations. In my absence, Mr. Clacy Griswold, Intemational Airline Division Representative and Business Agent of Teamsters Local Union 986, or his designee, will act as principal spokesperson for the Union.
Your cooperation with Mr. Griswold and the entire Union Negotiating Committee in bringing these negotiations to an early and successful completion will be greatly appreciated.
DAVID P. BOURNE,
Director, Airline Division 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001 phone (202) 624-6848 fax (202) 624-7494
The official notification
Mr. Doug McKeen, Vice President
Labor and Employee Relations
United Airlines, Inc.
1200 E. Algonquin Road
Elk Grove, IL 60007
Dear Mr. McKeen,
You are hereby notified of the intent of the Intemational Brotherhood of Teamsters ("'Union") to open negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement ("Agreement") between the Union and United Airlines, covering the mechanics and related employees.
This notice is served in accordance with Section 6, Title I, of the Railway Labor Act, as amended. The negotiations will include matters relating to rates of pay, rules, working conditions, supplemental agreements, side letters, benefit plans, and the like. The Union reserves the right to amend, change, add to, or to delete its proposals during the course of the negotiations. In my absence, Mr. Clacy Griswold, Intemational Airline Division Representative and Business Agent of Teamsters Local Union 986, or his designee, will act as principal spokesperson for the Union.
Your cooperation with Mr. Griswold and the entire Union Negotiating Committee in bringing these negotiations to an early and successful completion will be greatly appreciated.
DAVID P. BOURNE,
Director, Airline Division 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001 phone (202) 624-6848 fax (202) 624-7494
The official notification
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
History
With the upcoming steering committee meeting on contract negotiations, and with our Union weeks away from filing section 6 (which is actually 156, see the link below for more details on the Railway Labor Act), I thought I would give you a little history on the first strike and the first PEB (Presidential Emergency Board) for the mechanics at United Airlines.
United Airlines has been on strike nine times since June 1951. The mechanics have been involved with five of those strikes for a total of 120 days.Oddly, in 1963 there were two strikes: one in August (two days), and another in September (one day). These strikes were born out of frustration from negotiations that started on March 1, 1962 and from the merger with Capital Airlines.
A Union bulletin dated August 1963 reported that the membership had voted to reject the agreement by a vote of 7,828 to 2,068. The National Mediation Board proffered arbitration to the parties. On the same day, the Union declined to accept the proffer of arbitration, and on September 9, 1963, the Board terminated its services under the Railway Labor Act. Subsequently, the Union set a strike date for midnight, October 9, 1963. On October 9th, President Kennedy issued an Executive Order establishing an Emergency Board. After review of the company's and Union's issues, the Board recommended that the mechanics receive a total of thirty six cents ($0.36) an hour pay increase from June 1962 to June 1966 starting with $0.12 retroactively on June 1, 1962.
Our goal is to negotiate a fair and equitable contract that provides for job security. We have gone from 15,596 mechanic's jobs in January 2000 to 4,721 in March 2009. We cannot afford to see these jobs outsourced to foreign countries. We need to do the American thing and create good middle class jobs here in the United States and help stimulate the US economy.
After being employed for almost twenty-one years, I still feel like I am on a roller coaster ride. It has been nonstop from the day I interviewed and the interviewer asked me what I might do if United mechanics went on strike back in August 1987. I gave him one answer. I would walk. Then in the 1989 contract, we got modest pay increases and no retroactive checks. Then in 1994, we began the ESOP where we finally got some job protections, but they cost us dearly. Then, in 2000, we got an industry leading contract through the PEB. Finally, we got the bankruptcy contract in 2006 where we were stripped of our contractual obligated pension. We need to band together to support our Union and stop this blood-letting. "Doug, Steve, Pete, Chuck-O,David, Monica, and Rabbit, some call him Pat, are counting on us" (to quote Dave's last blog). Again, it is about jobs, and enough is enough!
Total job losses at United Airlines January 2000-March 2009: 50,003
Total PEB's from 1934-2008: 35
Longest airline strike: 2,273 days (Alitalia IAM 9/3/93 -11/24/99)
Shortest airline strike: 24 minutes (American Airlines APA 2/15/97)
Jock
PEB Decision October 1963
PEB Decision December 2001
Railway Labor Act
United Airlines has been on strike nine times since June 1951. The mechanics have been involved with five of those strikes for a total of 120 days.Oddly, in 1963 there were two strikes: one in August (two days), and another in September (one day). These strikes were born out of frustration from negotiations that started on March 1, 1962 and from the merger with Capital Airlines.
A Union bulletin dated August 1963 reported that the membership had voted to reject the agreement by a vote of 7,828 to 2,068. The National Mediation Board proffered arbitration to the parties. On the same day, the Union declined to accept the proffer of arbitration, and on September 9, 1963, the Board terminated its services under the Railway Labor Act. Subsequently, the Union set a strike date for midnight, October 9, 1963. On October 9th, President Kennedy issued an Executive Order establishing an Emergency Board. After review of the company's and Union's issues, the Board recommended that the mechanics receive a total of thirty six cents ($0.36) an hour pay increase from June 1962 to June 1966 starting with $0.12 retroactively on June 1, 1962.
Our goal is to negotiate a fair and equitable contract that provides for job security. We have gone from 15,596 mechanic's jobs in January 2000 to 4,721 in March 2009. We cannot afford to see these jobs outsourced to foreign countries. We need to do the American thing and create good middle class jobs here in the United States and help stimulate the US economy.
After being employed for almost twenty-one years, I still feel like I am on a roller coaster ride. It has been nonstop from the day I interviewed and the interviewer asked me what I might do if United mechanics went on strike back in August 1987. I gave him one answer. I would walk. Then in the 1989 contract, we got modest pay increases and no retroactive checks. Then in 1994, we began the ESOP where we finally got some job protections, but they cost us dearly. Then, in 2000, we got an industry leading contract through the PEB. Finally, we got the bankruptcy contract in 2006 where we were stripped of our contractual obligated pension. We need to band together to support our Union and stop this blood-letting. "Doug, Steve, Pete, Chuck-O,David, Monica, and Rabbit, some call him Pat, are counting on us" (to quote Dave's last blog). Again, it is about jobs, and enough is enough!
Total job losses at United Airlines January 2000-March 2009: 50,003
Total PEB's from 1934-2008: 35
Longest airline strike: 2,273 days (Alitalia IAM 9/3/93 -11/24/99)
Shortest airline strike: 24 minutes (American Airlines APA 2/15/97)
Jock
PEB Decision October 1963
PEB Decision December 2001
Railway Labor Act
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Enough
With the economy in the tank and jobs are disappearing will we have a middle class? In the last nine years, United Airlines has cut as much as 10,875 mechanic and related jobs. In January 2000, United had 15,596 mechanics and related jobs and as March 4th we are now at 4721. How much is enough?
Facts: according to UAL SEC filing in 1998 United Airlines had 577 aircraft, and shows “Salaries and Related cost” $5.3 billion. In 2008 United fleet had shrank to 409 and in the latest SEC filing it shows “Salaries and Related” cost to $4.3 billion.
With the major cuts in employees and their salaries you could deduct that the salary cost would go down more then $1 billion. Oh wait I just found the United’s” Organization Chart”. Did you know there are 45 Vice Presidents???
Employee head count at United Airlines:
January 2000 98,544
February 2009 48,541
Total employees who lost their job: 50,003
Facts: according to UAL SEC filing in 1998 United Airlines had 577 aircraft, and shows “Salaries and Related cost” $5.3 billion. In 2008 United fleet had shrank to 409 and in the latest SEC filing it shows “Salaries and Related” cost to $4.3 billion.
With the major cuts in employees and their salaries you could deduct that the salary cost would go down more then $1 billion. Oh wait I just found the United’s” Organization Chart”. Did you know there are 45 Vice Presidents???
Employee head count at United Airlines:
January 2000 98,544
February 2009 48,541
Total employees who lost their job: 50,003
Monday, March 2, 2009
PV/GQ
Hello Everybody,
Today various representatives of the “Vendors” did a walk through of the SEAGQ and SEAPV facilities. These types of walk troughs’ have been going on at stations across the system. One look at our lavender break rooms and partial diamond plate walls, and “they” hit the bricks. So much for fixing it up for the new guys…………..You know, nobody appreciates hard work these days.
I do not know the outcome of the visit yet, but I will. Phil spent the day and afternoon monitoring the situation, and will undoubtedly update us all. He really is the right pick for this, and I am more secure with him on our side.
In case you missed it, or the significance, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was invited to meet with Speaker of the House and California Congresswoman Nancy Peloci.
I need to digress for a few comments- First of all, have you ever Googled Nancy Pelosi? Guys you might wanna. Yea I know, but trust me. No Way.
Second, I have come to determine that the final shaping factoid that distinguishes ones worth in life is the ability to be listed by Wikipedia. According to this reference tool of pure genius, Captain Sully, is of course the famous US Air Pilot who successfully landed an Airbus A320, my least favorite airplane, in the Hudson River. For those of you keeping track, Wikipedia had him on their site the very NEXT day. I checked. This is my new life’s aspiration, to be mentioned by this reference in some way, positive if possible, but a negative mention still counts.
Back to the subject….Nancy Pelosi had a meeting with Capt. Sully. This guy, who has the biggest soap box of all, brought our own David Bourne, Director of the IBT Airline Division, along with him to share concerns over aircraft maintenance outsourcing. We really are getting good press and finally, it seems people are listening. Other subjects worth noting brought up at that meeting were pension reform, and bankruptcy reform, meaning stop using this as a tool to break Unions and lower wages. After Capt Sully finished speaking, Speaker Pelosi went to Capt Bourne and said "Capt Bourne, we know the Teamsters position, we hear you, we hear you, we hear you. We are going to take great interest in those items".
I really feel we are making some headway in our struggles, and will continue on. We have too. Doug, Steve, Pete, Chuck-O, David, Monica, and Rabbit, some call him Pat, are counting on us.
I’ll tell you how you can all help………………….next time,
Dave
Today various representatives of the “Vendors” did a walk through of the SEAGQ and SEAPV facilities. These types of walk troughs’ have been going on at stations across the system. One look at our lavender break rooms and partial diamond plate walls, and “they” hit the bricks. So much for fixing it up for the new guys…………..You know, nobody appreciates hard work these days.
I do not know the outcome of the visit yet, but I will. Phil spent the day and afternoon monitoring the situation, and will undoubtedly update us all. He really is the right pick for this, and I am more secure with him on our side.
In case you missed it, or the significance, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was invited to meet with Speaker of the House and California Congresswoman Nancy Peloci.
I need to digress for a few comments- First of all, have you ever Googled Nancy Pelosi? Guys you might wanna. Yea I know, but trust me. No Way.
Second, I have come to determine that the final shaping factoid that distinguishes ones worth in life is the ability to be listed by Wikipedia. According to this reference tool of pure genius, Captain Sully, is of course the famous US Air Pilot who successfully landed an Airbus A320, my least favorite airplane, in the Hudson River. For those of you keeping track, Wikipedia had him on their site the very NEXT day. I checked. This is my new life’s aspiration, to be mentioned by this reference in some way, positive if possible, but a negative mention still counts.
Back to the subject….Nancy Pelosi had a meeting with Capt. Sully. This guy, who has the biggest soap box of all, brought our own David Bourne, Director of the IBT Airline Division, along with him to share concerns over aircraft maintenance outsourcing. We really are getting good press and finally, it seems people are listening. Other subjects worth noting brought up at that meeting were pension reform, and bankruptcy reform, meaning stop using this as a tool to break Unions and lower wages. After Capt Sully finished speaking, Speaker Pelosi went to Capt Bourne and said "Capt Bourne, we know the Teamsters position, we hear you, we hear you, we hear you. We are going to take great interest in those items".
I really feel we are making some headway in our struggles, and will continue on. We have too. Doug, Steve, Pete, Chuck-O, David, Monica, and Rabbit, some call him Pat, are counting on us.
I’ll tell you how you can all help………………….next time,
Dave
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