Negotiation update

April 29, 2009
The Teamsters Negotiating Committee and officials from United Airlines formally launched contract negotiations yesterday, April 28th, 2009 in Chicago.
This first session was largely introductory, with both parties providing opening comments and outlining general themes and objectives. The Union will present its official non‐economic proposals to the Company when the parties meet again on May 26th and 27th in San Francisco.
After the IBT presents the non‐economic proposals to the Company at the May meetings, those proposals will be posted on Negotiations Update.

GQ/PV shop

Seattle and Portland will maintain its GQ/PV shop but there will some changes such as combining the two shops, eliminating the 10-hour shift and there will be some reductions. The company was not willing to give the exact number. My belief is that there might be ways to mitigate some of the layoffs.

The other factor is that the shops must maintain their current production levels for a ninety-day trial this is not unlike what the Check Crew in Aircraft Maintenance did last year and they were able to step up the pace.

Thanks to our Teamsters GQ/PV committee and especially Phil Stewart, Rob Pennell and Clacy Griswold for doing an outstanding job. Out of the nine stations that were going to be cut only two will be outsourced. The Seattle Station manager had told us that HNL and BOS would be the two cut.

Currently the company is saying that June 7th will be the common furlough date. The mechanics will stay on their current shift up until the furlough date.

As more information comes out, we will update the blog.

Jock Creach
IBT Coordinator.

PV/GQ Update

Phil and I have a meeting with the company this morning at 10:30AM. As soon as I can I will be back and update the Blog.

Jock

No news yet on PV and GQ. Sorry 'bout that. The company is having some kind of meeting or conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, and are supposed to make an announcement sometime after that.

Hmmmm. Didn't we hear that yesterday? I think maybe we did, but hey, when the time comes to ruin and disrupt peoples lives, you want to savor that. Don't do it all at once, take your time, watch em squirm. Or maybe they are just cautiously and carefully moving forward? You decide. I know my opinion. Anyway, the new promise is a decision tomorrow. Uh, your turning blue......... Dave.

News

New source of information please check out the new Teamsters Magazine. Especially the article on Teamsters Aviation Update. You might know the author.

Jock

HORIZON AIR MECHANICS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO BECOME TEAMSTERS

Sorry, no news on the GSE issue. I do know that the Union met with the Company and talked again early today, but have no details. Last word, was the company would release info on Tuesday. I'll keep nosing around and see if I can learn any more over the weekend. If I find something out, I'll post it here, and send it to the Stewards.

The IBT has a new communication site. It is a bit less formal and has some good articles. Check it out at www.teamstermagazine.com

Dave

For all of you following, the opening session for Contract negotiations has been rescheduled to April 28 in Chicago. I still have no word on the PV/GQ issue, but will pass on what I am able to find out.

Dave

Due to a family emergency with the Union Lead negotiator, the first meeting with UAL on the 14th has been postponed. I will let you know what details I can as I lean them.

Dave

News of the Day

Looks like United Airlines and Continental Airlines are closer to a virtual merger. US transportation officials plan to issue a show-cause this week that will clear the way for final approval by the end of May. This will bring Continental into the Star Alliance forming closer ties through their transcontinental venture.

Fridays UAL Board watch and bonuses.
Glenn Tilton 675,000 shares issued April 3, 2009 = $3,955,500
John Tague 245,000 Share issued April 3,2009 = $1,435,700
Kathy Mikells 155,000 Share issued April 3,2009 = $908,300
Pete McDonald 155,000 Share issued April 3,2009 = $908,300

*Dollar values are based on today’s opening

GQ/PV update.

Last Thursday our Teamsters committee met with the company on the review on the 9 non-hub stations there has been no decisions made. There is more on going talks. We have been told to expect a decision around April 20th. Ignore the rumors and as soon as we hear we will get the word out.

Congressman Oberstar

Capt. Bourne Met with Congressman Oberstar last week Airline Division Director David Bourne met with Congressman James Oberstar, Chairmen of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees air transportation in Congress. A full agenda of issues were discussed including, FAA Reauthorization, outsourcing, anti-trust immunity for airline alliances, and proposed Express Carrier legislation. Congressman Oberstar was told the IBT likes the outsourcing language in the FAA reauthorization bill, but we believe stronger language is needed including a moratorium on new outsourcing. Also, the FAA language gives three years for implementation, which if far too long in the IBT's view. A follow up visit was made to Cong. Oberstar's Chief of Staff, to reiterate the points made with the Congressman.