Tuesday, July 27, 2010

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.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

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

Monday, July 12, 2010

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.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

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