Happy New Years

What is wrong with our schools these days? They don’t teach physics in college? This is my nephew Andy and he has no idea what gravity is..
Happy New Years!!
Jock

2009 Profits VS. Taxes

ExonMobil made $$37.3 Billion in profits and paid no taxes in the US.
Bank of America made $4.4 Billion in profits paid no taxes in the US.
GE $10.3 Billion in profits and paid no taxes in the US.

To top that the US owes the GE $1.1 Billion dollors in tax credits!!

Yes, in 2009 you did pay more taxes then United Airlines. Take a look at thier 10k report on the SEC.

This is just wrong!! Sorry about the rant but something needs to change.
Did you know that everyone that makes over $106,000 stops paying into Social Seceurity ? Everyone needs to pay thier fair share!

Jock

Repair Station Oversight Again

The Department of Transportation has called for a follow up review of the FAA outsight of foreign and domestic repair stations at the request of Congressman Costello (Illinois). The Office of the Inspectors General will audit changes the FAA has made to its repair station oversight. The review is scheduled to begin the week of Jan 3rd.

Here is the story from Bloomberg.

Negotiations Conclude for the Year

After another week of substantive discussions, the union and company concluded this week’s round negotiations late Saturday afternoon. Progress has been made and the parties have agreed to continue discussions for the collective bargaining agreement in January 2011.

“The local union negotiators have worked many long hours and well into the late evenings to ensure that the memberships concerns are addressed. I’m very impressed with their dedication and focus our members’ behalf,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “They are a credit to the Teamsters and the men and women they represent,” he concluded.

Horizon Air Mechanics Ratify New Contract

Horizon Airline Mechanics and related voted to ratify the new Agreement by the following count:

Ballots sent out, 312
Ballots cast,247 79%
Voting to ratify, 159 65%
Voting against, 84 35%
Voided ballots, 3
Ineligible ballots, 1

Contract Overview

Senate passes Tax Cuts.

Now take a look at the "Tax" cuts and who gets the money. Really, does NASCAR need more money. Guessing they were wanting to get some southern Senator. Don't get me wrong there are some good things in the bill.

Jock

* New Payroll Tax Cut for 2011: $111 Billion

* Business, Investment and Other Tax Extensions: $77.2 Billion
Includes:
– Depreciation and other business incentives, through 2012: $22 Billion
– Research and experimentation tax credit, through 2011: $13.3 Billion
– State and local sales tax deduction, through 2011: $5.5 Billion
– Ethanol tax credit extension, through 2011: $4.8 Billion
– Restaurant and retail tax credit for capital improvement, through 2011: $3.6 Billion
– Biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credit, through 2011: $2 Billion
– Tuition tax deduction, through 2011: $1.2 Billion
– Railroad track maintenance tax credit, through 2011: $330 Million
– Rum excise tax change, to increase the tax floor on rum from Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands:
$262 Million
– Washington DC investment tax credit, through 2011: $138 Million
– NASCAR and other race tracks, credit for capital improvement. Through 2011: $36 Million
– Mine rescue team training credit, extend through 2011: $5 Million

* Estate Tax Change/Cut for 2011: $68 Billion

* Unemployment Extension for 2011: $57 Billion (NOTE: this estimate is from the Congressional Budget Office)

Negotiations Update

Last week a negotiations summit was held in Chicago. The summit was attended by senior leadership of the Airline Division of the IBT, as well as senior leadership representatives from the Company. The parties discussed the resolution of the outstanding work rule items in an effort to move negotiations forward. Both sides felt this summit was productive and as a result of this collaborative effort, full committee negotiations will resume Wednesday the 15th in Chicago.

In addition to negotiations, at the beginning of the week a meeting between the Union, the Company and the outside Auditors was held. The substance of this meeting was to discuss the outstanding information requests by the auditor regarding the 20% outsourcing audit. A follow up leadership summit was held Friday and the parties worked towards resolution of the outstanding requests.

During the week there was also a leadership summit of the parties to attempt final resolution regarding the EWR/PHL station closing grievance.

In attendance for the Union; Captain David - Bourne Airline Division Director, Ed Gleason - IBT Attorney, Clacy Griswold - Chief Negotiator, Paul Alves - Airline Division Representative

In attendance for the Company; Mike Bonds - Executive Vice President Human Resources and Labor Relations, Doug McKeen - Senior Vice President Labor Relations, Jim Keenan - Senior Vice President Technical Operations, Marcel Delhommeau - Managing Director Labor Strategy, Gary Kaplan - Attorney Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Joe Ferreira
Vice President, Line Maintenance
United Technical Operations
The United Building, 77 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
December 10, 2010
I’ve completed the next step in the process to ensure our Line Maintenance network has the right talent in the right positions in the right locations. Therefore, I’m pleased to announce the Managing Director leadership team for Line Maintenance.

• Don Wright will be Managing Director, responsible for LAX and Asia Pacific operations.
• Chris Carrick will be Managing Director, responsible for SFO and the Western Region, including
AUS, DFW, LAS, PDX, PHX, SAN, SEA, SNA, and SAT.
• Jim Montgomery will be Managing Director, responsible for ORD and DEN.
• Randy Ramdass will be Managing Director, responsible for IAH and Latin America.
• Dave Shotsberger will be Managing Director, responsible for MCO and the Southeast Region,
including FLL, MIA, MSY and TPA.
• Bob Ruzich will be Managing Director, responsible for EWR, JFK, LGA and Europe.
• Ron Sims will be Managing Director, responsible for IAD, CLE and Northeast Region, including CA and BOS.
• Don Burbank, currently General Manager Aircraft maintenance IAD, Europe & Latin America will remain on to assist with the international integration until Single Operating Certificate is complete. As reference, I will shortly post an organization chart reflecting the new team leaders on both Tech Ops sites on InsideCoair and SkyNet. I thank all the leaders who have helped to keep our Line Maintenance stations performing smoothly through the merger transition. Their focus, availability and dedication is appreciated and we are poised to take the next step to becoming the world’s leading Tech Ops team, supporting the world’s leading airline.

The Line Maintenance leadership team will report directly to me and be in place on January 3rd 2011, after which they will begin the talent selection process to fill out their respective organizations. I look forward
to sharing our progress as we integrate our operations, fleets and networks throughout the coming year.

The Filibuster

Saying he was prepared to speak "as long as possible" against a tax deal between the White House and congressional Republicans, Sen. Bernie Sanders took to the Senate floor to make the case against deepening the deficit and widening the income gap in America by extending Bush-era tax breaks for the very wealthy. "I think we can do better, and I am here today to take a strong stand against this bill, and I intend to tell my colleagues and the nation exactly why I am in opposition to this bill. You can call what I am doing today whatever you want, you it call it a filibuster, you can call it a very long speech. I'm not here to set any great records or to make a spectacle. I am simply here today to take as long as I can to explain to the American people the fact that we have got to do a lot better than this agreement provides."

Senator Sanders took to the floor at 10:25AM EST and is still talking. The question is do you give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires? The President said he was being held hostage well at least there are some in Congress that can stand up and say NO! Thank you Senator Sanders..
Jock

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Every December 7th, our nation remembers the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred 69 years ago, the thousands of lives lost and those who continued the fight to victory. Read the story of one surviving Pearl Harbor Veteran at VA’s blog VAntage Point.

Continental Airlines and mechanic guilty in deadly Concorde crash

Paris, France (CNN) -- Continental Airlines and a mechanic were found criminally responsible Monday for the Concorde crash that killed 113 people in 2000.

John Taylor received a fine of 2,000 euros ($2,656) and a 15-month suspended prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Continental Airlines was fined 202,000 euros ($268,400).

The mechanic was the only person found guilty in the trial before a judicial panel in the Paris suburb of Pontoise. He was not present for the verdict.

His former supervisor, Stanley Ford, and three French officials were found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Earlier this week United released the long anticipated Pass Travel Survey. This is an excellent opportunity to let your thoughts and opinions be heard. To find the Survey, log on to your respective United or Continental web site and on the Flying Together home page, find the survey link on the left hand side below Travel Tools and under the All Employees heading. The title is Pass Travel Survey.

• All Employees
• Interim Travel Policy
• Pass Travel Dress Code
• Pass Travel Survey

Once you click on the Survey link, you will get the following message:

Let's Fly Together

We want to hear from you about what you value most as elements of pass travel. Please take a moment to complete this survey about the Pass Travel Program. Although this is a survey, not a vote, your feedback will be used to help us fashion the Pass Travel Program for the combined airline.

The Pass Travel survey will be open until Dec. 8, 11:59 P.M. Central Time. Once responses have been submitted, reentry to this site will not be permitted.

Please notice the deadline, and once you fill out the survey, your answers can not be changed. You will not be allowed back in to fill out another survey.

For your convenience, the difference between the two travel programs boarding priority are listed below. There are many other differences in travel benefits, so please take the time to read all the pages of the in the side by side comparison carefully. You will see this information at the start of the survey.

UNITED

Category	Count
BP6B retirees* 25+	27,032
BP8A retirees* less than 25	12,252
BP8A employees	46,265
*Retirees include Early Out

BOARDING PRIORITY – Definitions in Boarding Order

All board by seniority within category

BP6B (27,032 Retirees > 25 years)
Retirees with 25 or more years of service when traveling on Domestic flights (50 U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada) and their accompanied or unaccompanied spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend, and their dependent children through age 24.

Parents must be accompanied by retiree, spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend.

BP8A (12,252 Retirees < class="text-red-font">(46,265 employees)

Employee and Retirees with less than 25 years of service, their accompanied or unaccompanied spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend and children under age 22.

Accompanied dependents age 22 – 24 and accompanied parents.

Employee, retiree or spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend and children under age 22 traveling with one companion.

Retirees with more than 25 years of service and their accompanied or unaccompanied spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend, and their dependent children through age 24 on international flights. Parents must be accompanied by retiree or spouse, domestic partner or, enrolled friend.

BP8B
Employee, retiree or spouse, domestic partner or enrolled friend, parent, and dependent children through age 24 with 2 or more companions.

Unaccompanied dependent children age 22 – 24 of employees or retirees with less than 25 years of service.

All unaccompanied parents.

BP8C Unaccompanied companions
Companions are any friend or relative of the employee or retiree’s choosing, including their adult children.

CONTINENTAL

Category	Count
SA2P and above	4,174
SA3P Employees	39,297
SA4R retirees 25+	1,541
SA4R retirees less than 25	9,269
SA5A early out	4,470

BOARDING PRIORITY – Definitions in Boarding Order

All board by seniority within category

SA2P and above (4,174 employees)
Supervisors, Managers and above with direct reports and with a minimum of three years company service.

SA3P (39,297 employees)
Front line employees, clerical and management below supervisor level and their accompanied spouse, domestic partner or travel companion and children through age 20 or through 25 if a full time student and parents.

SA4R (10,810 retirees)
Retirees and their accompanied spouse or domestic partner and children through age 20 or through 25 if a full time student.

SA4P
Employee’s unaccompanied eligible pass riders which include spouse, domestic partner or travel companion and children through age 20 or through 25 if a full time student, children age 21 and above and not a full time student and parents.

Retiree’s unaccompanied eligible pass riders which include spouse or domestic partner and children under the age of 20 or through 25 if a full time student.

SA5A (4,470 Early Out participants)
Early Out participants and their accompanied or unaccompanied spouse or domestic partner and children through age 20 or through 25 if a full time student.

SA5E Extended Family Buddies
Extended Family Buddies are employees’ parent-in-laws, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.

SA5C Unaccompanied Buddies
Friends and family not included above.

Vacation Pass Boarding Employees receive a higher boarding priority when traveling on a vacation pass i.e. … SA2P and SA3P employees traveling on a vacation pass will board at same priority as SA1P. See Vacation Pass program below.

Radioactive mouse hunt

RICHLAND, Wash. —
After catching a radioactive rabbit just north of Richland, Hanford workers now are on the hunt for a radioactive mouse.

Radioactive mouse droppings have been found in the same area where radioactive rabbit droppings were found earlier this month. About 60 mouse traps have been set, but the two mice caught so far have not been contaminated.

The Washington State Department of Health is monitoring the situation, but does not believe there is a danger to the public, said Earl Fordham, the department's regional director of the Office of Radiation Protection.

No contaminated droppings have been found near areas that are open to the public, said Todd Nelson, Washington Closure Hanford spokesman.

Because the mouse and rabbit droppings were found in the same area, Washington Closure Hanford believes the animals ate or drank a common source of radioactive cesium contamination. Another theory is that a mouse may have gotten into contaminated rabbit droppings.

When Hanford workers began finding radioactive rabbit droppings, they checked 18 rabbits that were trapped or shot with pellet guns. Just one was contaminated, and it was killed and disposed of as radioactive waste.
By ANNETTE CARY
Tri-City Herald

Click here for the rest of the story.

The story for the day.
Jock

Negotiations Update

The Union Bargaining Committee came to San Francisco this week to reach an agreement with United Airlines over the last remaining and very important work-rule related items at issue in the negotiations. The two most significant remaining issues relate to classifications (including the Company’s demand to eliminate lead ratios), and hours of service (including the Company’s demand to significantly extend 7-day coverage at the San Francisco Base).
The Union Bargaining Committee has made several attempts to resolve both of these issues, but the Company has barely budged. This week, the Company rejected the Union’s latest attempt to resolve the lead ratio issue and refused to provide any assurance of job and scope protections related to the leads. The Union Bargaining Committee was extremely disappointed with the Company’s response and unanimously believes that any further attempts to bargain directly with the Company over this and the remaining contract issues will be a waste of time. The negotiations therefore ended on a sour note for the Committee.
At this point, the Union Negotiating Committee is considering its options, and will discuss whether it is time to invoke NMB mediation. Although the Union Bargaining Committee believes that the parties ultimately can still reach an agreement with the Company – and remains firmly committed to reaching such an agreement – it is not certain whether the Company’s post-bankruptcy leadership and its bargaining team can overcome the Company’s history of poisoned and regressive labor relations.

Veterans Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

Loss by Oberstar Will Leave a Void For Labor

The loss in this week’s midterm elections by Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) silences a long time champion of labor and airline passengers’ rights.

Oberstar, a senior member of the House of Representatives was the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee had served for 18 consecutive terms. Long seen as a champion of passenger rights and a strong friend of labor who has fought to keep airlines from outsourcing maintenance work offshore, he was also very cautious when it came to airline mergers and how they might affect passenger rights.

“In this election season where vicious, abusive attacks on elected officials who stood up for the American worker and the public became the standard; Congressman Oberstar’s defeat is a tremendous loss for Minnesota, the travelling public and American workers is profound,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “Congressman Oberstar’s concern for the travelling public and labor often put him at odds with management, yet he never wavered in his concern and support of the citizens of our country. The shoes he leaves behind will be very hard to fill.”

Seattle Upddate

To all SEA Mechanics,

If you have not heard, Continental Mechanics approved their contract 2250 to 860 against with 84% of the membership voting. Overall good numbers, and we hope with this, UAL can get back to the bargaining table.

On th parkng lot issue; we had a meeting with SEA General Manager Jim Witzman and I think we were able to prove a valid point that this does not really save the money he pretends to save. In the end, I am hopeful that we can find a solution that will be favorable to all SEA mehanics including GQ/PV. This means ALL of us staying at the maintenance facility.

I will let you know.

Dave

Negotiation Update

Negotiations continued this week at United’s headquarters in Elk Grove. Negotiations focused on Article IV (Classifications) and Article V (Progression, Examinations, and License Requirements).
Your Union negotiating team held extensive discussions prior to submitting proposals to the Company negotiating team. The bulk of the discussions involved lead mechanics as well as testing/training. The Company did not have a response prior to the conclusion of the negotiations on Thursday.
Negotiations will continue the week of November 1st in Chicago and the week of November 8th, location to be determined.

In Attendance for the IBT: Clacy Griswold ‐ Airline Div. Rep., Ed Gleason‐ IBT Attorney, Paul Alves – Airline Div. Rep.
Negotiating Team: Roger Apana, Larry Calhoun, Dion Cornelious, Bob Fisher, Ramon Gonzalez, George Graham, Dominic Gulley, Javier Lectora, Ken Meidinger, and Harvey Wright. Business Agents: Dave Elmore, Paul Molenberg, Paul Stripling

In Attendance for the Company:
Marcel Delhommeau, Gary Kaplan, Kellee Allain, Anita Davis,
Mark Prpich, Kathryn Cassley, Paul Darrow

Atlantic Southeast Airlines Mechanics Join Teamsters

Nearly 600 mechanics and related workers at Atlantic Southeast Airlines voted to join the Teamsters by a 2-to-1 margin, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa announced today.

“Mechanics and related workers at Atlantic Southeast Airlines have shown great courage throughout the entirety of their organizing campaign,” Hoffa said. “I applaud them for their historic victory and for moving forward to join our Teamster ExpressJet mechanics once the two carriers merge.” For more information click here.

What Would a Teamster Do with the 2010 Ballot?

The confusing, long list of initiatives on this year’s ballot is enough to make anyone nervous.

What Would a Teamster Do on this year’s initiatives? Here’s the answer, in numerical order:

NO on I-1053 because it hurts Teamsters working in the public sector or who depend on state revenues to fund health care, schools, and other public services. Learn more.


YES on I-1098 because it helps Teamsters who depend on public sector jobs or public services. Stimulates the economy by cutting taxes for small businesses. Learn more.


NO on I-1082 because it hurts Teamsters in every sector who might be injured or disabled on the job. Slashes help for injured workers, eliminates oversight, and turns workers’ compensation system over to Wall Street insurance giants like AIG. Learn more.

NO on I-1100 and I-1105 because they hurt hundreds of Teamsters working for beer distributors in WA. Increases risks and demands on first responders by increasing minors’ access to hard liquor. Cuts revenue by y$750 million. Learn more.

YES on R-52 because it funds Teamster and other working family jobs to clean up toxins, asbestos, and energy leaks in our schools, protecting kids and saving and saving money. Learn more.

The list is from our freinds at IBT Joint Council 28. Now don't forget to vote!

Negotiations Update

Negotiations continued on October 4th, 5th, and 6th at Local 856 in San Bruno, CA. The first day involved discussions with the Company on Article IV (Classifications), and Article VI (Hours of Service).

While the Company representatives had discussions among themselves on the second day, the Union Negotiating Team took the opportunity to visit with the membership at the SFO Maintenance Base. The team was able to visit the engine shop, the machine shop, the landing gear shop, the narrow body docks, and some of the back shops. Additionally, the team was able to talk with the swing shift Shop Stewards in the Union Committee Office. Clacy Griswold, the Chief Negotiator for the IBT, briefed the membership at several of these areas about the ongoing negotiations. There were many very good questions brought forth, including two big questions regarding job protections and pension. Clacy answered by stating that these were both high priorities for the negotiating committee, in fact, these items are two of the five cornerstones previously reported as requirements to achieve an agreement with the carrier. There were also questions around how the economic package would look in the final agreement. Clacy responded that we are not currently in the economic section of negotiations, but he gave his opinion on what was needed to get a ratified agreement.

The third day involved further discussions with the Company over new work rules, including the topics of vacancies, bidding, bid areas, qualifications, training, testing, and leads.

"One Nation Working Together Rally -Seattle"

Support the national call for Jobs, Justice & Education, Demanding the Change we voted for as a part of the national march and rally taking place in Washington D.C. at the Nation’s Capitol on October 2nd (10-2-10) From 10:00 A.M. To 1:00 P.M.Downtown Henry M. Jackson Federal Bldg. (JFB)915 2nd Avenue, Seattle Washington Putting America Back To Work; Pulling America Back Together Information:
Call (206) 854-3684 or Visit http://www.naacpaowsac.org/
http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main

United Daily

Employee Bulletin: United and Continental Close Merger.

Welcome to the first day of the new United Airlines. With the legal merger now closed, United and Continental are operating as separate subsidiaries of a holding company called United Continental Holdings, Inc.

We’re one team of more than 80,000 people, working at two carriers, on a path to becoming the world’s leading airline. Employees across the system will be attending mixers today to commemorate the occasion and meet their new co-workers. See your manager for information about the mixer at your location.

Below is a letter to all employees from Jeff Smisek, the new president and CEO of United.

More information is available on the new intranet site for all employees -- FlyingTogether.ual.com. On the intranet you will find the news release officially announcing the merger closing, a Q&A, and “Jeff’s Journal” -- a blog where Jeff has posted a special welcome video to share his vision for the new company.

For all the links you will have to Log into Skynet or what was Skynet. Or https://flyingtogether.ual.com/combined/home.jsp
Jock

Negotiations Update

This week’s negotiations focused on Article VI, Hours of Service. Much discussion was held on this article but more work needs to be done in order to reach an agreement.
Negotiations will continue in San Francisco on October 4th, 5th, and 6th.

In Attendance for the IBT: Clacy Griswold ‐ Airline Div. Rep., Ed Gleason‐ IBT Attorney, Paul Alves – Airline Div. Rep. Negotiating Team: Roger Apana, Larry Calhoun, Dion Cornelious, Bob Fisher, Ramon Gonzalez, George Graham, Dominic Gulley, Javier Lectora, Ken Meidinger, and Harvey Wright. Business Agents: Dave Elmore, Paul Molenberg

In Attendance for the Company: Marcel Delhommeau, Gary Kaplan, Kellee Allain, Anita Davis, Mark Prpich, Kathryn Cassley, Paul Darrow

Senate Blocks Republican Attempt to Stop NMB Rule Change on Union Voting

This Thursday in a 56-43 vote, the Senate blocked a resolution designed to stop the Obama administration from implementing a reform instituted by the NMB about how employees can gain union representation. The NMB change allows a union be certified if a majority of the employees who vote support it. The rule previously required majority support of all airline or rail workers eligible to vote to be certified as a union.
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today praised the Senate for upholding the National Mediation Board’s reform of union elections at airlines and railroads.
“The NMB reform finally lets airline and railroad workers’ votes be counted according to today’s election standards in the United States,” Hoffa said. “Whichever side gets the most votes wins. I’m pleased that the majority party in the Senate defeated an attempt by anti-union groups to undermine a fairer system for workers who want to join a union.”
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., introduced a joint resolution of disapproval today in an attempt to overturn the NMB rule. "There is no sound legal or policy basis for hastily changing a rule that has been in place and upheld repeatedly for over 75 years," he was quoted as saying.
Senator Tom Harkin (D), of Iowa disagreed, saying the 75-year history of the old rule was “irrelevant in evaluating its fairness.”
“The deck is stacked against workers who want to form a union,” Hoffa said. “Those who voted in the Senate to proceed to the joint resolution were deliberately trying to undermine workers’ right to form a union.”

United fined for reporting tarmac violation that wasn't

The quick background is that United reported four flights as having been on the tarmac away from the gate for more than the new three-hour limit. So the DOT investigated and found out that, on all four flights, United offered passengers food, beverages, working lavatories and an opportunity to get off the planes.

This means that the airline did not, in fact, violate the new rule.

"United's misreporting of this data wasted valuable Department resources, since only after the Enforcement Office initiated its investigation did it learn that United improperly filed the data," the DOT said.

United and the DOT agreed to settle the issue with a $12,000 fine, half of which would only be payable if the airline messes up again within the next year.

Click here for the rest of the story.


Thanks Seattle PI I wished you were still in print all of your reporters did a great job of digging at the Truth..

Jock

Teamsters Applaud Major Win for Labor, Airline Employees, Taxpayers

In a major victory for organized labor, airline employees and American taxpayers, the House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law has adopted language of an amendment into H.R. 4677 that will preclude U.S. airlines that are in bankruptcy from abrogating labor agreements and dumping pensions onto the Pension Benefit and Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) and ultimately the U.S. taxpayers.

Click here for the rest of the story.

UAL Discussions Continue

Negotiations continued this week at the WHQ training center in Chicago, with the first day devoted to Joint Board of Adjustment (JBA) hearings.

Contract discussions commenced on the 14th with the Company passing a counter proposed Training article to the Union, and following additional discussions, the parties reached agreement. With the inclusion of language from the Continental Agreement, this article represented a positive fundamental shift in the way training will be administered. In addition to the T/A, a new Letter of Agreement, “Covered Employees Working as Full Time Trainers” was signed by both parties.

The remainder of the week’s negotiations focused on Article VI, Hours of Service. Extensive discussions were held on this article which covers all aspects of shift work, including hours and bids.

Negotiations will continue next week in San Francisco, beginning on September 21st.

Continenatal & Mechanics Tentative

The Mechanics at Continental Airlines have reached a tentative agreement. The votes will be counted in mid October. Click here to read the T/A


Airline Division Website

Teamsters, Continental Reach Tentative Agreement On Contract

(WASHINGTON) –The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced today that the mechanics it represents at Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the company.
The Teamsters represent 3,700 Continental aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees who work in the United States.
“This is a good agreement, with healthy raises and signing bonuses,” said Teamsters Airline Division Director David Bourne. “It recognizes the contribution that our hard-working mechanics make to the success of Continental Airlines.”
A date for the ratification vote has not yet been set, but it is expected within the coming weeks. The count is expected in mid-October.

http://teamsterair.org

Negotiation Update

As you know, the United States Department of Justice recently determined that it had no objection to the merger between United and Continental. The two carriers now anticipate that the legal aspects of the merger will be completed shortly after the September 17, 2010 shareholder's meetings where it is expected that the shareholders of both carriers will vote in favor of the merger by a large margin. United and Continental also announced its top-tier leadership team and stated their intention to combine the FAA part 121 certificates of Continental and Continental's subsidiary, Air Micronesia. In addition to the flurry of corporate and legal activity, the United negotiators came to the table this week focused and prepared to negotiate. It was a productive week.

The parties focused on finishing two brand new Articles to the Agreement, which were Field Service and Training. The Field Service Article was TA’d and much of the work was completed to facilitate a TA on the Training Article when the Parties reconvene on September 13th.

Using the Continental language as a template for these Articles was helpful to the process. However, there are several definitional pieces of each Article that required a complete understanding by both parties due to the different nomenclature used by the two different Carriers. Both Articles represent a positive fundamental shift in the way these issues are administered. These Articles required extraordinary amounts of work from each side, using both the full committee, as well as several subcommittees, to achieve the required understanding.

The next session of negotiations will be held the week of September 13th in Chicago followed by the week of the 21st in San Francisco.

U.S. approves United, Continental merger

The U.S. Justice Department said Friday it has approved the proposed merger of United Airlines Inc. and Continental Airlines Inc.

In a statement posted on its Web site, the department said approval of the $3 billion merger came after United and Continental agreed to transfer takeoff and landing rights "and other assets at Newark (N.J.) Liberty Airport to Southwest Airlines Co."

The decision clears the way for the merger to be completed within a few weeks, The New York Times reported. United and Continental shareholders are to vote on the merger Sept. 17.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Coke Provokes Strike

August 24 -
More than 500 Teamsters went on strike in Western Washington over a proposed 800% increase in health care costs by their employer Coca-Cola.

Washington Teamsters United, which includes Teamsters Local Unions 38, 117, 174, 252, 313, and 589, represents approximately 500 Coke employees at six Western Washington area locations, in Bellevue, Marysville, Fife, Tacoma, Aberdeen and Bremerton.

For more info visit IBT Local 117

Negotiatios Update

Negotiations continued August 17th, 18th, and 19th at Teamsters Local 856 offices in San Bruno, CA. Over the course of the meetings a new article, Emergency Field Service, was discussed extensively. This article is being constructed uses the current Continental contract language as a model, with modifications to best serve the United membership.



Negotiations are scheduled for the week of August 30th in Chicago

FAA Proposes $580,000 Civil Penalty Against Hillsboro Aviation

SEATTLE — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $580,000 civil penalty against Hillsboro Aviation, Inc., of Hillsboro, Ore., for allegedly performing improper repairs, deliberately falsifying maintenance records and operating a helicopter in a reckless manner.

The FAA alleges that Hillsboro mechanics used incorrect parts and an unqualified individual to make repairs to a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter. The FAA also alleges the company made no record in the aircraft maintenance logs of work performed, and deliberately falsified maintenance documents claiming an airworthiness directive had been completed when the work had not been done.

In all, the company operated the helicopter on at least 103 flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations between June 29 and Sept. 9, 2008. At least four of these operations were conducted under Part 135 (Commuter and On-Demand Operations) of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA also alleges that Hillsboro mechanics failed to perform the required inspections after specified flight intervals on another Jet Ranger helicopter when the aircraft returned to service after maintenance. Hillsboro operated the aircraft on at least 430 flights, including at least 349 revenue flights under Part 135 between Jan. 13 and Sept. 7, 2008.

The third violation involved the operation of another Jet Ranger on a passenger-carrying flight, July 8, 2008. The pilot flew under the Interstate 5 and 205 highway bridges over the Columbia River in Portland, Ore. The FAA alleged the flight endangered the lives and property of others, because it was conducted within 500 feet of a structure, and at a low altitude where a safe emergency landing might not have been possible.

Hillsboro Aviation has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.


OK the third violation sounds fun..
Jock

Must Read

A JetBlue flight attendant left his job in dramatic fashion yesterday, allegedly cursing out passengers on his flight before exiting via the plane's emergency exit -- beer in hand -- and eventually driving off in a car he had parked at the airport.
Click here for the rest of the story.

New Grandkids and the Dog

Just a slow day for news. Have a good weekend.
Jock

Today in History

August 5th 1981 after a two day strike of the Air Traffic Controllers represented by the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, known as PATCO. President Ronald Regean fired 11,500 of the striking workers, stating that the strike was a violation of federal law.

PATCO workers were then replaced with non-unionized employees. President Reagan through an Executive Order in 1982, prevented any of the fired air traffic controllers from being rehired in the future by the Federal Aviation Agency.

In 1993, also by Executive Order, President Bill Clinton rescinded Reagan’s Order, allowing previously fired PATCO workers to be hired again by the FAA, which presently includes several hundred of the previously dismissed.

Voter registration deadline

If you are not registered to vote but want to vote in the August 17 Primary, you still have time. Monday, August 9 is the deadline for in-person registration at your county elections office.

July 19 was the deadline to register via online or mail for the upcoming Primary.

Go here to visit a county Web site to get more information about the upcoming Primary Election and candidates listed on the ballot. Click here to see a list of candidates who have filed with the Office of Secretary of State.

Remember to vote and if you need more information on the candidates please contact me.

Washington State Teamsters Political Endorsements Click here


In the last Senate Primary election you may remember that one Candidate "Goodspaceguy" ran and got 9454 votes, well he is back again along with "Mike the Mover". Do a little homework before you vote. The top two candidates regardless of party advance to the general election.

"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government. "
Thomas Jefferson

Jock

FAA Finds Mexico Does Not Meet ICAO Safety Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the United States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating.

As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations. With the IASA Category 2 rating, Mexican air carriers cannot establish new service to the United States, although they are allowed to maintain existing service.

While Mexico has been responsive to the FAA’s findings and has made significant improvements in recent months, it was unable to fully comply with all of the international safety standards. However, under the leadership of Director General Hector Gonzalez Weeks, Mexico continues to make progress. The FAA is committed to working closely with the Mexican government and providing technical assistance to help Mexico regain its Category 1 rating.

A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.

Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

IASA information is at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/.

Negotiations Update

Negotiations continued July 27th, 28th, and 29th at Teamsters Local 856 in San Bruno, CA.
Tentative agreements were reached on Articles 1(Purpose of Agreement), 3 (Status of Agreement), 19 (Apprentice Mechanics), and 26 (Savings Clause). These articles had no proposed changes.
Your Negotiating Committee has revised several of the originally proposed articles to include more Continental contract language, the amount of which varied from article to article based on what which provisions best help the Membership.
These articles included Article 6 (Hours of Service), Article 10 (Seniority), and Article 12 (Leave of Absence); as well as two of the new articles, Field Trips and Layoff & Recall.
Over the course of this week’s negotiations, these articles were individually presented to the Company with explanations on the changes. On July 29th, the Union received a counterproposal from the Company on Article 12 (Leave of Absence). After some discussions, the parties have come close to an agreement on this article.
Upcoming Negotiations
Negotiations will continue the week of August 16th in San Francisco and again during the week of August 30th in Chicago.

American Aviation Labor Alliance

Three transportation organizations announced today the creation of a large aviation labor alliance to combine and coordinate lobbying efforts on airline safety and security. The American Aviation Labor Alliance (AALA) is a formal partnership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA), which represent more than 140,000 aviation workers.

Unions Agree To Coordinate Aggressive Lobbying Program On Legislative Priorities Including Tightening Aircraft Maintenance Standards, Increased Pilot Training, Protecting Workers During Airline Bankruptcies

Management Team/ New Uniforms

United names the new companies top management team.

* Mike Bonds, who joined Continental in 1995, will be responsible for human resources and labor relations.
* Jim Compton, who joined Continental in 1995, will serve as chief marketing officer.
* Jeffrey Foland, who joined United in 2005, will lead the combined carrier's loyalty program.
* Nene Foxhall, who joined Continental in 1995, will oversee the communications and government affairs functions.
* Keith Halbert, who joined United in 2008, will be chief information officer.
* Pete McDonald, who joined United in 1969, will be chief operations officer.
* Zane Rowe, who joined Continental in 1993, will be chief financial officer.
* Tom Sabatino, who joined United in 2010, will be general counsel.
Glenn will stay on as non-executive chairman.

New Uniforms
United and Continental have made a decision to move forward with a joint uniform design for the new airline. Cynthia Rowley will be the designer for the combined airline's new uniform and will be responsible for the overall design vision and feel for our uniforms, giving all of our employees a unified look. The new uniforms will be a highly visible part of the new United Airlines brand for the combined company's customers and employees.

Happy Birthday Boeing

July 15, 1916 a company by the name of Pacic Areo Products was incorporated in Seattle. The following year the name was changed to Boeing Airplane Company.

After merging with Pacific Air Transport, Boeing again changed its name to United Aircraft Transportation. This fast growing company then acquired Pratt & Whitney and Hamilton Standards Propeller.

Then in 1934, a new law was enacted the prohibited airlines and manufactures from being under the same corporation. That forced United Aircraft Transportation to split up into three companies. They became Boeing Company, United Airlines and United Technologies.

So today, Boeing turns 94 years old, Happy Birthday Boeing.

Jock

Negotiations Update

Talks focus on Article 4 (Classifications)
egotiations reconvened at Teamsters Local 856 in San Bruno,CA on July 6th,7th,8th, and 9th. Prior to meeting with the Company, the Teamsters negotiating team had revised Article 4, Classifications, which now incorporates the best language from both the UAL and CAL contracts. This newly revised proposal is comprised of approximately 50% UAL language, 25% CAL language, and 25% new language from the previously submitted proposals. The percentages are not as important as the fact that the Committee is focused on protecting existing UAL language where such provisions help the membership and using CAL provisions to enhance or supplement those provisions where appropriate. Formatting was used from the respective articles in both the UAL and CAL contracts. These three and a half days of negotiations involved extensive discussions on this article of the contract. Good progress was made, but more work remains in order to reach an agreement on this article.
Other articles The Union negotiating committee also worked extensively on preparing additional articles for presentation to the Company later this month.
Upcoming Negotiations Negotiations will continue the week of July 26th in San Francisco.

2009 Airline Employment

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Statistics reported that there were 7.2 percent fewer aircraft maintenance workers in 2009 then in 2008.

Over all the airlines had 7.9 maintenance workers per aircraft in 2009, which is down from 8.9 per aircraft in 2008. The network airlines had 12.4 maintenance workers per aircraft as the low cost airlines had 3.2 per aircraft. United Airlines had the most reduction of maintenance workers from 2008 to 2009 at -38.2 percent were as Continental had -0.3 percent and the low cost airlines all except AirTrans had in increase in workers.

According to the report, United Airlines had 16.3 percent of outsourced maintenance spending in 2000 and 44.5 in 2009. Continental went from 46.6 in 2000 to 44.5 in 2009. Leading the pack for the most spending on outsourced maintenance was Southwest Airlines with 61.7 and the least was American Airlines with only 23.3 percent.

To read more of this report click here.

Jock

Judge Upholds Airline-Unionization Rule Change

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., Friday upheld a federal agency's rule change that would allow a union to be created by a majority of worker votes cast, instead of a majority of the entire work group casting ballots in favor of collective bargaining. The rule goes into effect July 1.

You can read the full rule change by click here.

United Negotiations Continue

The UAL Mechanics Negotiating Committee met this week with the company in San Francisco, holding the first negotiation session between the parties since UAL and Continental announced their merger. Anticipating that the merger will eventually be approved, the bargaining parties have agreed to continue their negotiations for a UAL-IBT Mechanics agreement using the IBT-Continental Mechanics agreement as a template. (including the Tentative Agreements achieved during the current negotiations/mediation) In so doing, they are also including the Tentative Agreements already reached in the current negotiations. This should allow the parties to “match up” and align the UAL-IBT and CAL-IBT agreements as much as possible now, in an effort to facilitate future amalgamation negotiations in the event that the UAL-CAL merger is completed. While engaging in this process this week, the parties reached two Tentative Agreements, involving Grievances and Board of Arbitration. The parties will return to the bargaining table soon after the July 4th holiday.

House subcommittee hearing

Click on the link below to watch the House subcommittee hearing on the proposed merger of United and Continental.

June 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m PDT
Subcommittee on Aviation:
The Proposed United-Continental Merger: Possible Effects for Consumers and the Industry

Airline Mechanics, Community Activists Take Protest to Portland Rose Festival

(Portland, OR) -- Hundreds of Teamsters, with support from Portland Jobs With Justice, protested today against Horizon Air’s plans to fire nearly 100 experienced aircraft maintenance workers at the Rose Festival's annual Grand Floral Parade. The company plans to outsource heavy maintenance work in Portland to an out-of-state subcontractor.

Click here for the article

Press Conference with Congressman Gutierrez

As some of you know, there was a press conference yesterday (June 7th) by Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D Ill) in Chicago at which UAL labor groups, including ours, were participants. United Airlines employees were represented by Herb Hunter (LEC Chairman) for the ALPA, Christine Schlegel for the AFA and Rich Petrovsky (Business Agent) for the IBT. Each spokesperson had an opportunity to speak on their organization’s behalf and about their specific issues.
The issues were twofold: the Congressman and speakers addressed the way airlines mistreat their customers, and the sacrifices made by their employees! Congressman Gutierrez is a mileage plus (and frequent flier) customer of UAL and is angry with the way airlines make it virtually impossible to collect on frequent flier points (which he is a victim of). He also pointed out the vast number of sacrifices the employees have made to keep the airlines profitable over the years, only to be “rewarded” with reductions in benefits, wages and the outsourcing of our work resulting in furloughs.
Congressman Gutierrez also noted the obscene profits realized by the companies and top airline executives including “extra fee” programs such as the checked baggage fees. Through investigations by his Staff, it was learned that the profits made between UAL and Continental last year alone equaled $523,500,000.00 from these fees. He also mentioned that top officers of the merged carriers who do not accept new positions in Chicago will be entitled to multi million dollar severance packages, while the employees have given so much back to the carriers.
The Illinois Congressman will be requesting an invitation to the upcoming merger hearings between the two carriers in an effort to bring these concerns forward. This will happen while the executive officers of the two airlines continue to ask for support from all people having any influence over the success of the merger. His message will be very clear: NO UNION EMPLOYEES should lose their jobs because of this merger along with voicing his concerns for better oversight of customer service and flight safety issues!
The pilots touched on their concerns for flight safety focusing on training and hours of service issues, as well as the outsourcing of maintenance on our aircraft and their concerns over the RJ’s (Regional Jets) not being a part of United Airlines. Their focus here was on the lack of oversight during maintenance on those aircraft and the level of experience of the crews who fly them.
The flight attendants touched on the personal burdens our sacrifices have placed on our families with reduced medical benefits (and higher premiums) and the financial hardships we are faced with over inabilities to finance our children’s education, make the rent, pay utilities or feed our families!
I spoke on the outsourcing of our jobs to the lowest bidders and the lack of oversight for those employees who work on our aircraft. (The same issues we have been fighting for on Capitol Hill over unqualified mechanics, no drug/alcohol testing, no background searches, no A&P licenses…etc. for those employees working on our aircraft).
I also pointed out that between the years 2000 and 2010 our mechanic rank and file has been reduced from over 15,000 to fewer than 5,000 system wide!
I stated that this work has not been eliminated from the maintenance plan, but is work that has been removed from our highly skilled and qualified mechanics and outsourced to the lowest bidders to accomplish.
All in all this press conference from Congressman Gutierrez was another opportunity to express our concerns to the flying public about our efforts to recover American jobs and address flight safety and homeland security issues that the flying public should be made aware of.

Regards,

Rich

Editorial:
Rich is our Business agent from Local 986, who I have know for almost 23 years. Also one of the mechanics that started the Teamsters organization of United. I would like to give him some credit for all he has done for the mechanics at United Airlines. I believe we are much stronger and better off with the Teamsters.. Thank you for what you do!

Jock

Negotiations Update

Tentative dates have been scheduled for resumed contract negotiations with United Airlines. The Negotiating Committee is scheduled to meet in San Francisco on Monday, June 14th for a committee caucus, followed by full‐day meetings with the company Tuesday, June 15th through Thursday June 17th.

Panel seeks more answers from UAL/CAL on merger

Editorial:
This last Thursday Congress had a hearing on the merger with United Airlines and Continental Airlines. A few of Congressman’s concerns are job loss, higher prices and loss of service.

As I was watching this hearing I just fell on the floor laughing at how some in Congress can take a merger and spin it to President Obama . Senator Cornyn was asking why the head quarters for the new company will be based in Chicago and pointed the blame at President Obama.

Well if he had any insight he have would know that the city of Chicago gave United Airlines $37 million to move to down town. The local government claims the use of tax payers dollars would bring in more revenue and that the employees of United would spend more then $6000 a year. Corporate welfare?? (Mayor Daley is a Democrat; I am an equal opportunity critic.)

If you would like to watch the hearing, Bob the IBT Coordinator out of IAD found the link. Click here (fast fwd to 15 minutes). One thing I would ask is you listen to MR. Tilton and MR. Smisek, MR. Tilton, one word "profit", MR. Smisek, "employees". Tell me what you think, you can email me by clicking on the link on the right hand side of our Blog.

If you would like to read more on the correspondence click here to read the companies response to the Judiciary Committee

Jock

Airline Division Director Meets with UAL and CAL Management

In Washington this week, Airline Division Director David Bourne and IBT Staff Attorney Ed Gleason held meetings with Doug McKeen Vice President of Labor Relations for United Airlines, and Mike Bonds,Vice President of Human Relations and Labor Relations for Continental. The Company officials were in Washington for meetings with the National Mediation Board regarding ongoing contract discussions at their respective properties and the pending merger of UAL and of CAL. Bourne also discussed with McKeen and Bonds, the ongoing negotiations involving the mechanics and related workgroups. They all expressed a desire and a commitment to reach agreements in a timely fashion. In speaking about the meetings, Director Bourne said, “The meetings were very positive and I appreciate both gentlemen taking time to sit down and discuss the negotiations and the merger. I reiterated to both that during the process, we will maintain our neutrality in terms of the merger, however, we intend to monitor both companies very closely regarding the treatment of their employees and their approaches and attitudes both in terms of contract discussions and employee treatment and respect. As is the case in all airline mergers, good, solid working relationships between management and labor are an essential component to success. I am very pleased that we have such relationships with both United and Continental and I am equally pleased that the carriers are as committed as the Teamsters are in strengthening those relationship even more.”

Teamsters Demand Transparency On Maintenance Safety, Security Standards

At today’s Alaska Air Group [NYSE: ALK] shareholder meeting, Teamster-represented Horizon Air mechanics and pilots will demand the company disclose the standards used for outsourced aircraft maintenance and how the company enforces those standards.

“Alaska Air Group shareholders know all too well the devastating impact an airline tragedy can have on the security of our nation, the safety of our passengers and the bottom line of business,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “That’s why the company’s increased reliance on contract repair facilities, which are not subject to the same regulatory standards as the company’s in-house maintenance operations, is of such great concern to all of the company’s stakeholders.”

This year, Alaska Air Group blocked shareholders from voting on whether the company should disclose its policies related to maintenance standards and oversight procedures, arguing to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it is not a significant public policy issue and therefore not an appropriate issue for investors to consider.

The Transportation Department’s Inspector General has warned that mistakes can be made by untrained and ill-equipped personnel at aircraft repair shops in the U.S. and abroad. It also has found there to be “security vulnerabilities” – including susceptibility to sabotage – at airport and off-airport repair stations.

In fact, according to a Feb. 2 USA Today article, Congress has barred the Federal Aviation Administration from certifying any new foreign repair station until the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issues a rule to improve security.

Still, Alaska Air Group outsources all of its Alaska Airline’s heavy maintenance and now seeks to outsource all of the heavy checks for its regional carrier, Horizon Air.

“I don’t want the plane I fly to be maintained by the lowest bidder who is not subject to the same regulatory standards as our own mechanics,” said Capt. Trevor Bulger, a 10-year Horizon Air pilot. “Aircraft maintenance is not the place to cut corners.”

“It’s time that Alaska Air Group adopt and disclose a single, enforceable standard for all aircraft maintenance operations to protect the security of our country, the safety of our passengers, and the best interests of our company,” Bourne said.

Teamsters

No WSP Grace Period on Cell Phone Enforcement

(Olympia)—The Washington State Patrol announced today that it will not offer a grace period when texting while driving and failure to use a hands-free device become primary traffic offenses on June 10.

It is common for the state patrol to offer an educational grace period when a new law requires drivers to change long-standing behavior.

“Drivers have already had nearly two years to adjust their driving habits,” said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “We will fully enforce this law from day one.”

Laws prohibiting texting and requiring hands-free devices took effect in 2008, but have been considered secondary violations. Officers had to witness some other infraction in order to make a traffic stop. The new designation as primary offenses mean police can stop drivers for a texting or cell phone violation alone.

Batiste is disappointed that the laws’ previous status didn’t win more voluntary compliance. In some cases there was outright defiance.

“They would look right at our troopers with phones held to their ears,” Batiste said. “They knew that without another violation we couldn’t do anything.”

The texting and cell phone requirements are intended to save lives and reduce injuries by eliminating these two major sources of driver distraction.

Since the laws went into effect in 2008, WSP has written approximately 3,000 tickets and given about 5,900 warnings. The patrol believes the number of collisions caused by inappropriate use of mobile devices is greatly under-reported.

“Few drivers are going to admit they were on a cell phone, or texting, after a crash,” Batiste said. “We are choosing to take action before a collision occurs in hopes of preventing these needless tragedies.”

The fine for a violation is $124.

Interesting Article

SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--The company arising from the proposed merger of Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL) and UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines will initially focus on integration and it is premature to talk about the possibility of taking stake in Brazilian airlines, Jeff Smisek, the chief executive of Continental and the planned CEO of the merged company, said Thursday.

"We plan to work with our new partner (Brazil's leading airline) TAM in the region," he told Dow Jones Newswires at an event in Sao Paulo.

On Thursday, TAM S.A. (TAM, TAMM4.BR) joined the Star Alliance group of global carriers of which both United and Continental are members.

Brazilian lawmakers are considering proposals to raise the limit on foreign shareholdings in Brazilian airlines to 49% from 20%, widening the scope for strategic alliances with international carriers.

According to Glenn Tilton, chief executive at United Airlines, the merged airline, which would be the world's largest, will focus on cementing the alliance formed with TAM as means of expanding coverage in South America.

Newswires


-By Alastair Stewart; Dow Jones Newswires; 5511 3544-7072; alastair.stewart@dowjones.com

Teamsters Applaud Federal Rule Change

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today applauded the National Mediation Board for changing a federal rule that now makes it fairer for airline and railway employees to form unions.

The rule change was published online today in the Federal Register and affects more than 570,000 airline and railway employees. The rule change allows workers to form a union if a majority of the employees who vote support it.

Click here for the rest of the story

UAL-CAL Proposed Merger – IBT Update

"Updated" As you know, on May 3, 2010, UAL Corporation (UAL) and Continental Airlines (CAL) announced their agreement to merge “as equals.” As is the case with all airline mergers, the UAL-CAL merger and all of its details are complex, will require many layers of United States and foreign government approval, and will take quite some time before it actually is completed. That said, however, UAL and CAL have stated that they expect these approvals to be concluded and the transaction to be closed by the end of 2010. Additionally, while UAL and CAL work towards completing the transaction, they have committed in their merger agreement to honor their existing collective bargaining agreements.

The UAL-CAL proposed merger raises a number of labor-related questions that affect you as Teamster-represented employees at both carriers. Mergers also tend to create a large number of rumors, some of which have some basis is fact and reality, and others which don’t.

In order to provide you with hard facts relating to the merger and in an effort to minimize the disruption caused by ill-founded rumors, we will periodically post “Q&A” Updates. This is the first such Update, and addresses some of the important, basic issues and questions relating to the proposed UAL-CAL merger.

Click here to view the Q&A from Continental Airlines.
New Q&A from the Airline Division

Special Edition TAMC Newsletter Out

Dave has a very good articles on Airlines and bankruptcy, aslo an arbitriation win for the mechanics at Frontier Airlines. Lastly a joint venture between Chris Moore, TAMC Chair and Tim McAninley, TWU-ATD Communications Coordinator on "Professional Responsibility".
Click here to view it.

Jock

Annual Hearing Testing

Attn: United Seattle Employees,

On June 1st and 2nd, 2010. There will be a mobile hearing test vehicle in Seattle to perform annual hearing tests for all employees.
It will be at the GSE building:
June 1st – 06:00 until 17:00
June 2nd – 14:00 until 22:00
Before you show up for your hearing exam, you need to fill out two forms in advance.
1. Audiometric Examination Record
2. Patient Consent: Audiogram testing
Both are available from your Supervisor.
If you do not elect to have your hearing tested, you need to sign the “Audiometric Testing Refusal Form”, also available from your Supervisor, and it will be put into your personal file.
If you are not at work on these dates, you can go to US Healthworks and have you hearing test accomplished.

AA and the TWU

AA and the TWU reached a Tentative Agreement for the Mechanic & Related Contract, May 5, 2010. You can read a summary of changes here.

Merger Process

To see the process for the merger between United and Continental click here for a flow chart

Merger is Discussed

The Union negotiating committee met in Chicago on May 3rd and May 4th to discuss the many aspects of the merger announced by United and Continental on May 3rd. The committee discussed the impact that such a merger will have on seniority issues, including the legal process and practical matters relating to seniority integration and NMB “single carrier” determinations.” The committee also discussed various negotiating scenarios and tactics now that the merger has been announced. The committee also developed questions for inclusion in a “Q &A” memo that the Airline Division will distribute to both the United and Continental mechanics’ groups. The Continental mechanics are also developing questions for inclusion in the memo.
According to press reports, if the Government approves the merger, such approval will not come until late this year or early next. In the meantime, independent United and Continental negotiations are continuing. We are working with UAL to secure future negotiation dates and expect that we will be back at the table shortly. Continental negotiations are set for the week of May 24th to the 28th.
Concerning the possible merger with United, the negotiating committee is working in conjunction with the IBT Airline Division and the IBT Legal department to address the membership’s concerns with a memorandum. The current UAL collective bargaining agreement does address Successorship and Mergers in Article III. In addition to the information found there we have included Sections 3 and 13 of the Allegheny Mohawk LPP’s.
Section 3. Insofar as the merger affects the seniority rights of the carrier’s employees, provisions shall be made for the integration of seniority lists in a fair and equitable manner, including, where applicable, agreement through collective bargaining between the carriers and the representatives of the employees affected. In the event of failure to agree, the dispute may be submitted by either party for adjustment in accordance with section 13.
Section 13. (a) In the event that any dispute or controversy (except as to matters arising under section 9) arises with respect to the protections provided herein which cannot be settle by the parties within 20 days after the controversy arises, it may be referred by any party to an arbitrator selected from a panel of seven names furnished by the National Mediation Board for consideration and determination. The parties shall select the arbitrator from such panel by alternatively striking names until only one remains, and he shall serve as arbitrator. Expedited hearings and decisions will be expected, and a decision shall be rendered within 90 days after the controversy arises, unless an extension of time it is mutually agreeable to all parties. The salary and expenses of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the carrier and (i) the organization or organizations representing employee or employees or (ii) if unrepresented, the employee or employees or group or groups of employees. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties.
(b.) The above condition shall not apply if the parties by mutual agreement determine that an alternative method for dispute settlement or an alternative procedure for selection of an arbitrator is appropriate in their particular dispute. No party shall be excused from complying with the above condition by reason of having suggested an alternative method or procedure unless and until that alternative method or procedure shall have been agreed to by all parties.

IBT Press Release about the proposed United-Continental Merger

Here is a link to the Press Release. Here

Also if you would like to see both United's and Continental's mechanics agreement. Thanks to Bob Fisher out of IAD was kind enough to provide some server space.
United
Continental

Daily Hub Capacity.

Departures
Huston: CAL 662 UAL 12
Chicago: CAL 23 UAL 615
Newark: CAL 409 UAL 18
Denver: CAL 13 UAL 424
San Francisco: CAL 15 UAL 424
Wash-Dulles: CAL 10 UAL 294
Los Angeles: CAL 26 UAL 197
Cleveland: CAL 178 UAL 14

Source Aviation Daily

"Let's Fly Together"

For more information on the up coming merger the companies have put together a web sit. Here is the link. www.unitedcontinentalmerger.com

Continental, United airlines agree to merge

The deal is done: Continental and United airlines have agreed to merge.
Both company's boards met on Sunday and approved the merger, according to sources familiar with the proceedings. A formal announcement comes early Monday.
The carrier will be based in United's home of Chicago and take United's name, the sources said. Jeff Smisek, chairman, CEO and president of Houston-based Continental, will be CEO of the merged carrier and he will have offices in Houston and Chicago, they said.
United's CEO Glenn Tilton will become non-executive chairman until Dec. 31, 2012, or on the second anniversary of the closing of the deal, whichever is later. Then Smisek takes the helm as chairman.
The deal — which had earlier bogged down over price — will be an all-stock swap. Continental shareholders get 1.05 United shares for each Continental share they own.

Full Article Click Here

Continental Airlines' board of directors is meeting Wednesday

Continental Airlines' board of directors is meeting Wednesday to review a potential merger with United Airlines, and the carriers are expected to decide within a matter of days whether to combine operations, say people close to the situation.

As in 2008, when the carriers came close to completing a deal, United's quarterly financial results may sway the deliberations, observers said. Spokeswomen for United and Continental declined to comment on any aspect of the merger reports.

United likely bolstered its case for a merger by posting its strongest first-quarter results in a decade Tuesday, topping most of its peers and beating analysts' estimates, though the company reported a net loss. That result is in contrast to two years ago, when directors of Houston-based Continental decided to end talks after United posted poor financial results, sources said.
Advertisement

But United's robust showing may complicate the carriers' efforts to wrap up a deal. United's shareholders could balk at any transaction that doesn't pay a hefty premium for the Chicago-based carrier, said analyst Hunter Keay of Stifel Nicolaus.

"We believe shares of United are undervalued, and we envision pushback from United equity holders should management propose a no-premium stock-swap transaction below $27 per share," Keay wrote in a research report Tuesday. United's stock closed at $20.51 Tuesday, down 8 percent on a day when Wall Street saw a broad decline. Keay said he thinks United shares are worth $33, with or without a merger.

Complete Story

Horizon Mechanic Talks Continue

Talks between Horizon mechanics, represented by the Teamsters and Horizon management continued this week in Portland, Oregon. Among areas discussed were Sections 13, 18, 20 with progress reported in all areas discussed and a Tentative Agreement reached on Article 21.
The next scheduled meeting with management will be June 1st through 4th in Portland.

US Airways breaks off merger talks with United

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- US Airways Group Inc. said Thursday it has broken off merger talks with UAL Corp., an announcement that led shares of United Airlines to a strong rebound from session lows.

Article

Strong Language is Key

We all are waiting on the day when we get that pay raise but if there is no job protection language, then that raise might not help in the unemployment line.

Teamsters have won a big decision out of Wisconsin all based on strong “Scope” language. Pease read the article and check out the Judges ruling..
__________________________________________________

Judge rules Frontier jobs must stay with union workers

A federal judge in Milwaukee ruled Tuesday that Frontier Airlines and its parent company must restore all mechanic and stock-clerk work to union- covered employees.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters filed a request for an injunction against Frontier and Republic Airways in March, claiming Republic officials abrogated a collective-bargaining contract with Frontier mechanics and stock clerks.

Rest of the article click here and here is the Decision.


By Ann Schrader
The Denver Post

Meger Mania

Hubs
Continental: Newark, Houston, Cleveland,
United Airlines: Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington Dulles
US Airways: Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington National


Mechanics
CAL 4,090
UAL 4,678
USA 2,900

Fleet Size
Continental 343
United Airlines 365
US Airway 348

Negotiations Update

April 15, 2010
Bargaining continued on April 13th, 14th, and 15th. The Teamsters Negotiating Team met with the Company officials at Teamsters Local 856 in San Bruno, CA. The parties began the week by clarifying and consolidating into one list “tentatively agreed upon” “conceptually agreed upon” and “open” items. This was a productive process, as it gave both sides gave a good overview of where things stand at this point in the negotiations.

Transportation
The parties reached a tentative agreement on the Transportation Article (Art. XVI), which covers pleasure pass travel as well as passes for Union representatives travelling on Union business.

Payroll Practices
The bargaining parties also discussed various issues relating to payroll practices and reached agreement on several of them.

Inspection
The bargaining parties also discussed Article IV – Classifications of Work, specifically Inspector issues. SFO Inspector Kevin Sloan participated in the discussions and provided valuable assistance to the Union Negotiating Team. The entire Union Negotiating team would like to thank him for providing his expertise in these talks.

Upcoming Negotiatings:
Negotiations will continue the week of May 3rd at a location as yet to be determined.

In Attendance for the IBT: Clacy Griswold - Airline Div. Rep., Ed Gleason- IBT Attorney. Negotiating Team: Roger Apana, Rick Barnes, Dion Cornelious, Kevin Giegoldt, Ramon Gonzalez, George Graham, Dominic Gulley, Ken Meidinger, and Harvey Wright. Business Agents: John Hennelly, Paul Molenberg, and Richard Petrovsky.

Field Service Sub-Committee Meets in Chicago

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the United Negotiations Team, “Field Service” sub-committee, convened at the United Airlines Operations Center, in Elk Grove Village, IL. The Sub-Committee continued the process of bargaining in a joint session with the Company laying out the conceptual framework for what will become the new “Field Service” article in the next contract. The areas of “Field Service” lists, selection process, eligibility, charging of overtime, military charters, CRAF, and Global Emergency Maintenance (GEM), were among the areas discussed. Much progress was made and positive steps were taken in the development of the new article, but some work still remains to reach tentative agreement with the Company. The “Scope” sub-committee meeting was postponed, due to Company Negotiations Team availability, but scope discussions will continue next week.

Upcoming Negotiation Dates

The next bargaining session will be held next week in San Francisco; April 13th, 14th and 15th.

Negotiations Update April 1st, 2010

SCOPE Discussions
Airline Division Director David Bourne, Clacy Griswold and Ed Gleason met with UAL senior management last week in Chicago to further discuss the Union’s scope proposal. After several hours of candid discussion, both sides recognized that the new contract’s scope proposal must include provisions that address three critical issues: (1) work and job preservation; (2) work recovery; and (3) new work opportunities. Both sides agreed to prepare bullet-point proposals for use in refining these concepts and for eventual incorporation into a new contract.

Upcoming Negotiation Dates
The Field Service and SCOPE sub committees will engage the Company in discussion on those issues next week in Chicago. Talks with the Company are expected to continue during the week of April 12th in San Francisco.

United Airlines, Ameco Sign 5-Year Maintenance Deal

BEIJING -(Dow Jones)- United Airlines and Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering Corp. have signed a five-year maintenance contract for heavy maintenance, the companies said in a joint statement Monday.

Ameco will perform maintenance on United's fleet of Boeing 747s and 777s beginning in June, the statement said. United previously had an agreement with Ameco for heavy maintenance of its B777 fleet that expired last year.

United operates 52 Boeing 777s and 24 Boeing 747s. Ameco is a joint venture between Air China Ltd. (0753.HK) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLAKY) established in August 1989.

NASDAQ Story

Senate Approves Short Term Extension of FAA Funding

Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate approved by unanimous vote, H.R. 4853, to provide continued funding for the FAA until July 3, 2010. Included in the bill is over $153 million in funding to cover areas ranging from engineering and development to facilities and equipment, as well as daily FAA operations and airport improvements. While the House and Senate will meet at a later time to resolve their differences over the longer term funding, the current legislation mirrors previous funding levels for the agency.

Airline transport workers forced to plan for picket lines

A few days ago, the Transport Workers Union of America filed for release from mediation for 28,000 members at American Airlines and American Eagle. In other words, we asked the federal government for permission to go on strike. Under the Railroad Labor Act, strikes for workers employed by airlines and railroads are not guaranteed as they are for most other private-sector workers, who fall under a different set of labor laws.
Some people must think we're out of our minds. Why would anyone go on strike now? Why would anyone risk job security? The nation is suffering from a terrible economic downturn and high unemployment, and the aviation industry has been in a tailspin since even before the recession. What are union members thinking?
What are we thinking? Let's start by saying that going on strike certainly wasn't our first or second thought. Our first choice was to partner with the company, to improve it and make it more competitive.
We worked hard at being a full partner. Together, the union and AMR Corp., parent of American, developed hundreds of millions of dollars in productivity gains and brought in new revenue from outside maintenance work.
Read more: Click here

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The final print edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was published a year ago this week, on March 17, 2009.

Pilots: United Airlines bankruptcy never should have happened

The single largest pension default in U.S. history should never have happened, say former pilots who lost stock and the bulk of their pensions in the United Airlines bankruptcy. The pilots say they are in the early stages of preparing to file a RICO lawsuit based on what they claim was the airline’s fraudulent listing of its frequent flyer Mileage Plus asset – worth an estimated $15 billion at the time - as a liability in documents submitted to a Chicago bankruptcy court and the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), which took over all of the airline’s pension obligations. Jerry Summers, a former United pilot who involuntarily retired after 36 years of.

Read more at the Washington Examiner:

TWU Files with Federal Authorities Seeking Release and "Self Help"

After four years of contract talks and little progress, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today presented a letter to the National Mediation Board (NMB) requesting that the union, which represents 28,000 workers at American Airlines and American Eagle, be released from federal mediation. TWU’s action now starts a process where the NMB will determine if the union will be granted “self-help” -- essentially the right to strike.

“While we have reached tentative agreements for some workers at American Eagle and significant progress has been made in recent days for Fleet Service workers at American, overall AMR has not sufficiently demonstrated that they value the sacrifices and hard work of our members,” said TWU Air Transport Division Director John M. Conley. “We have been at the bargaining table for years and will continue to work toward agreements, but it’s time that we moved the settlement process to the next step.” TWU represents11 bargaining units at American and American Eagle.

Full News Release chick here.

FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Totaling $787,500 Against American Airlines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking to collect three proposed civil penalties totaling $787,500 from American Airlines for maintenance violations.

In the first case, which occurred in April 2008, the FAA alleges American Airlines mechanics diagnosed problems with one of two Central Air Data Computers (CADCs) on a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliner. Instead of replacing the computer, mechanics improperly deferred this maintenance under the airline’s DC-9 Minimum Equipment List (MEL) by noting that the auto-throttles were inoperative. The MEL, however, does not allow deferral of an inoperative CADC.

The airline subsequently flew the plane on 10 passenger flights before the computer was replaced. During this time, flight crews were led to believe that both computers were working properly.

The FAA proposes a civil penalty of $625,000 in this case.

In the second case, the FAA found that in March 2008, American failed to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the inspection of rudder components on certain Boeing 757 aircraft. As a result, four 757s operated by American Airlines did not comply with the requirements of the Airworthiness Directive.

The FAA alleges that after American was advised of the situation, the company said it would cease flying the planes until they were repaired. However, during the following two days, the airline flew two of the planes on a total of three passenger flights. The FAA is seeking a penalty of $75,000 in this case.

FAA Proposes $1.2 Million Civil Penalty for GE Caledonian

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has proposed a civil penalty of $1,225,000 for GE Caledonian, an FAA-certificated foreign repair station based in Scotland, for improper maintenance procedures involving 101 engines over a three and one-half year period.

“We hold certificated foreign repair stations to the same high standards as the repair stations here in the U.S.,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “When necessary, we will issue civil penalties and ensure that companies take corrective action.”

Between January 2005 and May 2008, GE Caledonian used a procedure to remove the thrust pins from the forward engine mounts of 101 CF6 engines that was different than the one required by the manufacturer’s maintenance manuals. When it removed the thrust pins, GE Caledonian welded the locking screw to the thrust pin instead of drilling and tapping a hole in the thrust pin, as required in the manual.

“Our safety regulations are the core of our aviation system and we take them seriously,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

GE Caledonian has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.