5,500 Aircraft Mechanics Gain Wage Increases, More Job Security Protections

(WASHINGTON) – Teamster aircraft mechanics and related workers at United Airlines Inc. [NYSE: UAL] overwhelmingly ratified a contract that provides for significant wage increases, maintenance of health care benefits and enhanced job security protections, the Teamsters Union announced today.
The Teamster contract covers about 5,500 aircraft mechanics and related employees throughout the United States.
“This marks a historic day for Teamster United mechanics,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “They stood united for a better future and for big improvements at United. They should feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
“My congratulations go out to the negotiating committee for their dedication and perseverance in negotiating a strong Teamster contract. These hardworking Teamster mechanics and related workers deserve all the improvements negotiated in this agreement,” said Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne.
Passage of the agreement is a major step toward achieving the ultimate goal of a single combined contract for the 9,000 Teamster mechanics at a merged United Airlines and Continental Airlines.
"Passage of this agreement was a real breakthrough and a major step toward achieving the ultimate goal of a single combined contract for the 9,000 mechanics at the new airline,” said Roger Apana, a mechanic from Honolulu and a member of the negotiating committee. “It feels good that we were able to achieve a $11,500 signing bonus along with restoring many of the items that were conceded in bankruptcy and securing the best job protections we've had in our 70-year history."

UAL Mechanics Ratified Contract

The contract was ratified .
69% Yes
31% No

Vote Count

The ballots are to be picked up at the Post Office at 7:00 am (PST) and counted immediately after.
As soon as I get an official notice, I will post it here or check Bob’s blog Here.

Teamsters Aviation Mechanics License Protection Program

As aviation maintenance professionals, we take safety very seriously. Unfortunately there are times when, due to circumstances we some times cannot control, we find ourselves in a position where we are accused of or have actually violated FARs.

Many of our workplaces have robust ASAP and MSAP programs, but they sometimes are not enough. The FAA is taking a more punitive approach to FAR violations and, in some cases, is denying ASAP and MSAP cases they once accepted. They are now vigorously pursuing license action and fines. For those reasons, the Teamsters Airline Division and the TAMC are proud to present, at no cost to members, legal representation for those who find themselves receiving a letterof investigation (LOI) from the FAA.

For more information, contact the license protectionprogram administrator at your local or contact theTeamsters Airline Division at 202-624-6848. Moreinformation can be found at http://www.teamsterair.org/. Brochure

“Notice of Referendum”

THIS IS TO SERVE NOTICE OF REFERENDUM ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE UNITED AIRLINES MECHANIC AND RELATED CONTRACT PROPOSAL.

THE REFERENDUM IS BEING CONDUCTED BY MAIL BALLOT. BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS ON OR ABOUT December 2, 2011. ALL BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICE BOX IN LANHAM, MARYLAND, BY 10:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011, TO BE COUNTED.

MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A BALLOT BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011, SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL UNION OFFICE TO REQUEST A BALLOT. BALLOTS MAY BE REQUESTED THROUGH Friday, December 16, 2011, 12 NOON EASTERN TIME.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF THE BALLOT ARE ENCLOSED IN THE BALLOT PACKAGE.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR UAL TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

November 29, 2011
The UAL negotiating committee has reached a tentative agreement that addresses the primary concerns of the membership, including:
Medical benefits will remain at status quote (NO Sunset/Default Date) until the membership decides on a change;
Signing bonus of $11,500; and
Early-Out Program based on a cost of $75,000 per employee.
Ballots mailed: December 2, 2011
Ballots counted: December 29, 2011

Read the letter from James Hoffa, Teamsters General President, and Capt. David Bourne, Teamsters Airline Division Director.

Check out the summary of the tentative agreement.

Read the full tentative agreement.

Join The Teletown Hall Call On Dec. 6
Join us on the Teletown Hall call on Tuesday, Dec. 6, to find out more about our UAL tentative agreement. Call on Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. EST or 7 p.m. EST.
11 a.m. EST call: (888) 886-6603, Ext. 17673
7 p.m. EST call: (888) 886-6603, Ext. 17674

AMR AND AMERICAN AIRLINES FILE FOR CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION

American Airlines, American Eagle and All Other Subsidiaries Operating Normal Flight Schedules, Honoring All Tickets and Reservations, Maintaining High Customer Service Levels and AAdvantage Program, and Continuing Employee Pay and Benefits

AMR Has $4.1 Billion in Cash to Ensure Uninterrupted Supply of Goods and Services During Proceedings.

FORT WORTH, Texas – AMR Corporation (“the Company”), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation (“American Eagle”), announced that in order to achieve a cost and debt structure that is industry competitive and thereby assure its long-term viability and ability to continue delivering a world-class travel experience for its customers, the Company and certain of its U.S.-based subsidiaries (including American and American Eagle), today filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
AMR’s Board of Directors determined that a Chapter 11 reorganization is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders. Just as with the Company’s major airline competitors in recent years, the Chapter 11 process enables American Airlines and American Eagle to continue conducting normal business operations while they restructure their debt, costs and other obligations.
American Airlines and American Eagle are operating normal flight schedules today, and their reservations, customer service, AAdvantage® program, Admirals Clubs and all other operations are conducting business as usual.

Source: Security Exchange.

Negoiations Update

Many members have inquired as to when the full text version of the TA will be released.

To date the TA is still in edit format looking for things such as incorrect article references, misspellings and dates. The TA was sent to the printer on Monday and they are formatting the text into a blueline (printer’s software) version that will be edited, based on the noted above corrections, to ensure accuracy prior to mailing out the hard copies with the ballots on December 2nd. Prior to the ballot mailing the electronic version should be available on the web Monday the 28th and additionally will be emailed to those sub UA members for which we have email addresses.

Tentative Agreement

The negotiating committee worked over the last two days to reach an agreement that addresses the primary concerns of the membership. Feed back from the survey helped to guide us during these last two sessions with the company and an agreement has been reached.We are finalizing the documents for the secret ballot ratification process.We anticipate that the ballots will be mailed out in Late November or early December for a vote of the full membership to be completed before the end of the year.The highlights of this new tentative agreement

Tentative Agreement Details

United Airlines and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement

CHICAGO, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
United Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) today announced that they reached a tentative agreement on a labor contract for mechanics at United. "We are pleased we could reach an agreement that recognizes the hard work of our co-workers," said Jim Keenan, senior vice president of technical operations for United. "This agreement is an essential step toward aligning our mechanic employees and getting a joint agreement for both our United and Continental mechanics." The agreement covers approximately 5,500 United mechanics and related employees located throughout the United States. Continental mechanics represented by the IBT ratified their collective bargaining agreement in November of 2010.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

Happy Veterans Day

Election Time

There are two important elections coming up. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Washington State General Election.

For the IBT you should have already received your ballots in the mail. Below is a link to the notification from the Election Supervisor. There you will find directions on how to fill out your ballot also on how to request a duplicate ballot if you have not received one before November 7th. Please get them back in the mail as soon as possible.
Here is the link to the Election Supervisor.

For Washington State General Election, I have posted a link below to Joint Council 28. There you will find a list of endorsements on the local candidates and the issues.
It is everyone’s responsibility to vote if you have and questions on the General elections stop by the office or you can email me.
Click here for Joint Council 28 endorsements.

Jock

United Airlines announces insourcing of B757 landing gear work

UAL management notified the United Mechanics Negotiating Committee that previously outsourced Continental Airlines B757 landing gear work will now be insourced to the SFO landing gear shop.
The work is expected to begin starting in January of 2012.

Negotiations Update

The parties met starting on the 25th and the Union presented their opening proposal. The proposal included the items addressed in the bargaining survey as priorities including maintaining the current medical coverage, retro pay, buyouts, lead ratios, and the inclusion of an EAP LOA.
The Company made their priorities known later in the day and informed the committee that the overall economic package would need to mirror the previous tentative agreement.
The parties passed counters through the week. Minor progress was made but the parties remained far apart on the major issues at the end of the week.
Due to the Union’s proposal regarding buyouts, the Company engaged it’s accountants to cost out the proposal and expect to have an answer for the Union when the parties reconvene on November 10th in Chicago.
The bargaining committee remains committed to achieving the priorities as expressed through membership feedback over the last several months.
In addition, Marcel Delhommeau announced that previously outsourced B757 sub Continental landing gear work is being brought in house to sub United in San Francisco starting during the month of January.

In attendance for the Union were Local negotiators Larry Calhoun – NYC, Jay Koreny – IAD, Mike Pecoraro, Scott Baroni – ORD, Mitch Hunt, Scott Brown – DEN, Roger Apana – HNL, Dion Cornelious - LAX, John Lauren, Don Stevens, Mark DesAngeles – SFO, Business Agents, Javier Lectora - 856, Rich Petrovsky, Dave Saucedo, Dave Elmore – 986, John Hennelly – 455, George Graham, Kevin Giegoldt – 781, Ralph Salzano – 210, for the Division Joseph Prisco SFO, Ken Meidinger DEN, Representatives - Clacy Griswold, Paul Alves, Bob Fisher, IBT Legal - Ed Gleason, and Labor Economist - Norman Weintraub.
In attendance for the Company were Doug McKeen, Joe Ferreira, Marcel Delhommeau, Jeff Wall, Anil Khorana, Juan Ruiz, Ray Ames, Anita Davis, Michael O’Dell, Mark Prpich, Kathy Cassley, Gary Kaplan, Kellee Allain

United Mechanic’s Negotiating Team Meets

Last week the negotiating committee convened at local 856 in San Bruno CA. The focus of the meeting was to develop proposals for the upcoming session with the carrier which is scheduled to begin in Chicago on the 24th of October. The work of the Committee will continue on Monday as they finalize their proposal to the Company in order to try and achieve an interim transition agreement prior to entering mediation. As a result of the bargaining survey, the two most important issues the membership would like to see the committee address are maintaining current medical benefits and retroactive pay. The committee discussed other issues that were brought forth from the individual cities. These items largely echoed the results of the bargaining survey and included items regarding lead ratios and buyout packages for those wanting to leave the company.

The rank and file Committee also established their internal method of voting on proposals to be presented by the Union as well as accepting or rejecting proposals from the Company. The committee determined there will be eleven votes using the one person one vote system from the eleven members sent from the Locals. It was further determined by the rank and file committee that Brothers Prisco and Meidinger will serve as full members of the committee in all matters with the exception of voting.

In attendance at this session were Local negotiators Larry Calhoun – NYC, Jay Koreny – IAD, Mike Pecoraro, Scott Baroni – ORD, Mitch Hunt, Scott Brown – DEN, Roger Apana – HNL, Dion Cornelious - LAX, John Lauren, Don Stevens, Mark DesAngeles – SFO for the Division Joseph Prisco SFO, Ken Meidinger DEN, Representatives - Clacy Griswold, Paul Alves, Bob Fisher, IBT Legal - Ed Gleason, and Labor Economist - Norman Weintraub.

United Airlines 787 Roll Out

Facebook Page

American Airlines Plans to Outsource 757 Maintenance

Tulsa, OK (USA Today) -- American Airlines says it plans outsource heavy maintenance on four Boeing 757s by the end of the month, the Tulsa World reports.

American Airlines has notified its Transport Workers Union in Tulsa that the company will outsource heavy maintenance on four Boeing 757 aircraft by Nov. 1, company and union officials said.

The 757 work will be performed by TIMCO Aviation Services, an independent aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in Greensboro, N.C.

The 757 heavy maintenance, or "C checks," normally are performed at American's Maintenance and Engineering Center at Tulsa International Airport, company and union officials said, and the work takes from three to four weeks to complete.

American executives said a backlog of maintenance work at the Tulsa base compels the company to outsource the 757 maintenance as a temporary solution.

Source:

Negotiations Update - October 7, 2011

The Airline Division appointed two additional members to the national negotiating committee this week. These two Brothers are from San Francisco and Denver and Locals 986/856 and 455 support their appointment. Joe Prisco, from San Francisco, was appointed to provide additional input and insight regarding the line mechanics and Ken Meidenger from Denver was appointed to provide additional input and insight regarding the ground equipment and facilities mechanics. Brothers Prisco and Meidenger have both participated in prior national negotiations and, along with their colleagues on the newly constituted negotiating team, are fully committed to reaching a United mechanics’ agreement with the Company. The full committee will be convening on October 18th, and formal negotiations with United resume on October 24th.

Summit Meeting between Airline Division and UAL Addresses Issues

The Airline Division and United Airlines held a summit meeting in Washington, DC on September 29th. Among the items discussed were the carriers plans regarding the SOC and issues the Division had identified as potential contractual violations of the respective United, Continental, and Continental Micronesia agreements.

In addition the parties set dates for future negotiations for the United and Continental Micronesia mechanic agreements. For United mechanics, the parties have agreed to meet in Chicago starting October 24th and for Continental Micronesia mechanics, the parties will meet November 7ththrough November 9th.

Negotiating Committee to meet

The newly formed rank and file committee will meet in San Francisco October 18th and 19th at Local 856.

The committee will discuss the negotiations process as well as the priorities of the membership in preparation for negotiating an agreement. The following members will serve on the Committee; Larry Calhoun, Jay Koreny - Local 210, Mike Pecoraro, Scott Baroni – Local 781, Mitch Hunt, Scott Brown –Local 455, Roger Apana, Dion Cornelious, John Lauren, Don Stevens Mark DesAngeles – Local 856/986

Parties to resume negotiations The parties will return to the table beginning October 24th in Chicago to attempt to reach an agreement prior to the commencement of mediated talks.

Airline Division attends Craft meetings and Steward training for Locals 986 and 856

This week representatives of the Airline Division and TAMC met with members in San Francisco at the monthly craft meetings to discuss issues relating to the recent lobbying effort as well as the current state of negotiations with United. Dave Saucedo relayed to the membership the importance of the passage of a long term FAA reauthorization bill and reported on the efforts made to achieve that goal to this point. Airline Division Representative Bob Fisher related that negotiations are scheduled to resume in October and gave a brief overview of the continuing negotiations process under the Railway Labor Act.

Over the previous weekend, representatives from Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Portland Oregon attended shop steward training sessions which were held by Locals 986 and 856. Local 856 Vice President Peter Finn and Local 986 Principal Officer Chris Griswold opened the training Friday afternoon. Division Deputy Director Steve Nagrotsky thanked both Locals for the invitation to attend and thanked the stewards for their hard work on behalf of the membership. Stewards received information from Ileana Flores on grievance handling, Steve Nagrotsky on the Railway Labor Act and Chris Moore on the mission of the TAMC.

Today in History Sept 23

President Franklin D. Roosevelt defends his dog.

On this day in 1944, during a campaign dinner with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union, President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes a reference to his small dog, Fala, who had recently been the subject of a Republican political attack. The offense prompted Roosevelt to defend his dog's honor and his own reputation.

After addressing pertinent labor issues and America's status in World War II, Roosevelt explained that Republican critics had circulated a story claiming that Roosevelt had accidentally left Fala behind while visiting the Aleutian Islands earlier that year. They went on to accuse the president of sending a Navy destroyer, at a taxpayer expense of up to $20 million, to go back and pick up the dog. Roosevelt said that though he and his family had "suffered malicious falsehoods" in the past, he claimed the right to "object to libelous statements about my dog." Roosevelt went on to say that the desperate Republican opposition knew it could not win the upcoming presidential election and used Fala as an excuse to attack the president. He half-jokingly declared that his critics sullied the reputation of a defenseless dog just to distract Americans from more pressing issues facing the country.

United Airlines First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing sent photos to United and the airline shared them on their FaceBook.

Negotiations Update 9/19/2011

The parties expect to return to the table in mid October to attempt to complete an agreement prior to entering mediated talks which are scheduled to begin in February of next year. A big part of the process prior to re-entering negotiations is membership feedback. To aid in that effort the Division is conducting a United Airlines mechanic’s bargaining survey. There is still time to complete the survey as it is open until September 30th. It is very important that you make your priorities known. The survey can be found at http://surveygoldplus.com/s/2B85473BE6084779/27.htm

TAMC hits the hill in support of FAA Reauthorization

14 Teamsters from the Airline Division descended on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, September 13 for a final push to ensure that a single standard of safety and the new, fair voting rules for RLA elections stay in the FAA Re-authorization bill.

 Eleven Mechanics from seven local unions, Cedric Washington XJT Local 19, Vincent Graziano, Steve Olsen CAL, Tom Reid and Jay Korney UAL Local 210, Mitch Hunt UAL Local 455, Geoffrey Maloney ASA Local 528, Gary Kagel CAL Local 769, Joe Foley UAL Local 781, Dave Saucedo and Fred Wood UAL Local 986 along with TAMC Chairman, Chris Moore and Airline Division Representatives Bob Fisher and Paul Alves attended the meetings. The group met with following Senate and House offices. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sen. Robert Mendez (D-NJ), Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Michael Bennett(D-CO), Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), Sen. Mike Kirk (R-IL), Sen. Richard Durbin(D-IL), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart(R-FL), who took time away from a house vote to meet with the group personally.

“All of the meetings were successful as Democrats and Republicans alike agree with the position on both the single standard for Aircraft Maintenance Safety and keeping the new NMB voting rules; which only consider votes cast in a union election,” said Chris Moore of the TAMC.

“With the 22nd extension of FAA funding now in place and signed by President Obama, we still face a Republican Congress that has an anti-labor agenda,” said Bob Fisher, IBT International Representative. “We will continue to fight to make sure that our language stays in the bill when it is finally passed.”

FAA Proposes $1.1 Million Civil Penalty Against Aviation Technical Services

SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $1.1 million civil penalty against Aviation Technical Services, Inc. (ATS), of Everett, Wash., for allegedly making improper repairs to 44 Southwest Airlines B-737-300s.
“Safety is our highest priority and improper work that compromises safety is not acceptable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Passengers have the right to expect the nation’s airlines to operate properly-maintained airplanes.”
The FAA alleges that ATS failed to accomplish all the work required by three FAA airworthiness directives calling for five repetitive inspections and a one-time inspection to find and repair fatigue cracks in the fuselage skins of the planes. The inspections are part of Southwest’s Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program.
After the inspections, ATS allegedly failed to install fasteners in all the rivet holes within the time specified for the task. The drying time of the required sealant dictates the window available to complete installation of the fasteners.
The aircraft involved returned to service between Dec. 1, 2006 and Sept.18, 2009.
The Southwest Airlines B-737-300 that suffered a fuselage crown failure in April 2011 is not one of the aircraft listed in the proposed civil penalty. ATS did not perform inspection and repair work on that aircraft prior to the April fuselage failure.
“Aircraft can be operated safely for many years if all the maintenance work is performed properly,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “It is critical to follow all the required steps.”
Aviation Technical Services has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

Sourse FAA

Mechanics, TAMC Head to Capitol Hill to Keep Focus on FAA Funding

Despite the announcement late this week of a Congressional deal to continue providing funding for the FAA, mechanics from several Teamster locals and representatives of the TAMC will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with key lawmakers. While short term funding has been agreed to that will run through December 31st, the group intends to focus not just on ensuring that attempts by Republicans to force a repeal of recently introduced voting procedure changes by the NMB for airline employee unions; they also intend to push lawmakers to ensure that one single standard of safety remains a cornerstone of FAA policy to ensure that aircraft are properly maintained by properly certificated individuals who have had specific training and have passed the same rigorous security and background checks as their counterparts in the US.

“Airlines should never be allowed to compromise the safety of flight and cabin crews or the travelling public by using cheaper cost maintenance facilities whose employees may not have the necessary training or oversight to repair the aircraft,” said Chris Moore of the TAMC. “Additionally, when you consider the security concerns we face on a daily basis, it is unconscionable for anyone to allow people to work on aircraft without proper security and background checks being completed on not just the individuals, but the facilities as well,” he concluded.

“In America; we have a rule in elections; one man, one vote,” said Bob Fisher, International representative for the Airline Division. “Only in the airline and rail industries have managements for decades been able to count people who don’t vote as a “no” vote for representation. The NMB rule change has brought our industry in line with the rest of America. It’s time that certain airline managements and those they contribute to in Washington follow the same rules that all Americans follow,” he concluded.

NMB Agrees with IBT, Denies UAL Request for Immediate Amalgamation Talks

The Airline Division was notified this week that the NMB has agreed with the merits in the filing by the Teamsters against proceeding with United's request to immediately moving into amalgamated talks between the United, Continental, and Continental Micronesia mechanic and related work groups.

The NMB originally made the decision at the end of June; however due to a clerical error at the NMB, the Airline Division didn't receive a copy of it until this week. Several requests had made by the Division over the summer for the NMB to issue a ruling and the NMB believed the requests had been answered.

While investigating why the Division hadn't received notice from the NMB in a timely manner it was determined that the NMB sent the notice to the wrong address. In a letter dated September 1, 2011, NMB Director Gibbons issued an apology to the Division for the error.

Copies of the letter and rulings may be found at: http://teamsterair.org/nmb-agrees-ibt-denies-ual-request-immediate-amalgamation-talks

United and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Return to Negotiations

CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) today are announcing an agreement to return to negotiations in advance of mediation scheduled with the National Mediation Board in November.
During these negotiations the company and IBT will focus on reaching an agreement covering the approximately 4,700 technicians at the United Airlines subsidiary.
United and Continental employ more than 8,300 technicians who are represented by the Teamsters. Continental technicians ratified their collective bargaining agreement in November 2010.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc

Nominations for Seattle Grievance Committee.

Nominations for the local Grievance Committee will begin on August 31, 2011 and last through September 9, 2011. Nominees must sign the nomination form at the Union office, or provide a letter of acceptance to the Union office in person or via an email addressed toTeamsters986@Gmail.com

Ballots and voting will be at the Union office located at the Maintenance Facility September 20th thru September 27th.

Positions:

1. Grievance Committee Coordinator
2. Chief Steward SEAMM
3. Chief Steward SEAPV-GQ


Teller Committee Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering to be one of the teller committee members to run the election, maintain custody of the ballot box and count the votes, stop by the Union off and sign up. There will be three members on the board. Anyone running for a position is not eligible to be on the teller committee.

Airline Division, UAL Management to Meet On Company Hangar Plans

Leadership of the Airline Division and leadership from both Teamster units at UAL and CAL will meet on September 1st with the leadership of United Airlines to discuss the company's hangar plan as they come closer to achieving their single operating certificate. The company has expressed a desire to have the ability to cross utilize aircraft and facilities to take advantage of merger synergies.

The Airline Division has made clear its position that in order for the company to do this they need to complete an amalgamated agreement, and the first step to achieving that goal is to finalize a stand alone agreement for the United mechanics and related. To that end, the Division intends to press the point at this meeting and insist that the company return to the table prior to the upcoming mediated talks to finish the United mechanics agreement.

Survey For United Airlines Mechanics

Please take a moment and take a survey regarding are current negotiations with United Airlines. This will take a few minutes and will be valuable for our Negotiations Committee. The survey will be active until September 30th 2011.

Click Here to take the Survey.

United puts iPads in cockpits for 'paperless flight deck

United Airlines is joining the “paperless flight deck” revolution, announcing Tuesday that it is distributing 11,000 iPads to United and Continental pilots to replace bulky paper navigation charts in the cockpit.

The announcement gives further momentum to a movement underway since spring, when the Federal Aviation Administration authorized pilots to use iPads running the Jeppesen Mobile TC navigation app instead of paper maps. FAA spokesman Les Dorr told Macworld on Tuesday that about a dozen airlines—including, perhaps most famously, Alaska Airlines—have made the switch to iPad-based charts.

United and Continental will use a different app—the new Jeppesen Mobile FD application. United said that pilots typically carry 12,000 sheets of paper to chart their course during flights; the introduction of the iPad should save the airline 16 million sheets of paper and, thanks to the reduction in weight, 326,000 gallons of jet fuel per year.

Source:

Dog 'Totaled' After Hit By Minivan In Crosswalk

If a car gets "totaled" by an insurance company, that means the cost to repair the car exceeds the value of the car itself. Insurance companies typically then cut the car's owner a check for the value of the car and call it good.

But what if a dog gets "totaled?" That's the question a Parker, Colorado, woman had to ask late last week after her dog Sasha was hit in a crosswalk by a minivan. "She didn't see us and she hit Sasha, very, very hard," Marcia Pinkstaff, Sasha's owner told The Denver Channel.

According to ABC11, the driver's insurance company offered to pay for one or two trips to the vet, after which the dog would be 'totaled.' The company offered to buy Pinkstaff a replacement puppy.

source:

This one is for you Tom (PDX)

14,100 United Airlines Ramp/Fleet Workers Win IAM Union Representation

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) emerged as the winner today in an election to determine union representation for more than 14,100 Fleet/Ramp workers at the carrier formed by the merger of United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia.

The election, which was conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), was between the IAM, which represented 6,800 United Airlines Ramp/Fleet employees and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) which represented 7,300 Flight Ramp/Fleet workers at Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia.

Reuters

Teamsters President Condemns Republicans For Hostage Taking

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today praised the Senate and administration officials for acting responsibly and ending the impasse over Federal Aviation Administration spending.

According to news reports, the Senate has agreed to a compromise with House Republicans. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood agreed to waive cuts to Essential Air Service, a sticking point in the standoff. A vote is expected tomorrow.

“I applaud the Senate and Secretary LaHood for their willingness to put the public interest first,” Hoffa said. “But this hostage-taking has to stop. House Republicans can’t continue to threaten the well-being of our country for petty partisan advantage. Our elected officials should not be forcing Americans out of work to settle political scores.”

The dispute between the House and Senate over air service for small communities masked the real reason lawmakers couldn’t agree on funding the FAA. Republicans want to repeal a commonsense change in the union election rule implemented by the National Mediation Board last year. The rule no longer counts absent voters as “no” votes. As a result, union elections are now just like every other election in a democracy. But because Republican leaders oppose workers’ rights, safety and modernization projects are halted and people are losing their jobs.

“I’m also pleased that the Senate is standing firm on the basic democratic principle that the majority rules in a union election for airline workers,” Hoffa said. “If House members were elected by the same system they want to impose on airline workers, none of them would be in office today.”

An estimated 74,000 construction and agency workers were idled because of the partial FAA shutdown.

"Stop Work Orders"

Last week, contractors across the country were told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects after Congress failed to pass legislation giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Dozens of “stop work orders” were issued for major projects designed to build and modernize control towers and other aviation infrastructure from coast to coast. Construction workers, engineers and planners were told not to come to worksites across the country after the FAA was forced to issue stop work orders on projects ranging from the construction of new air traffic control towers to the rehabilitation and modernization of air traffic facilities. Nearly 4,000 FAA personnel, many needed to oversee various aspects of these projects, were furloughed beginning on July 23. The Association of General Contractors estimates that as many as 70,000 construction workers are unable to work because of Congress’ inaction. Stopping work on these projects could significantly increase the ultimate costs of construction for taxpayers.

“Since 2007, lawmakers have been unable to reach agreement on a broad measure to finance the Federal Aviation Administration, so they have passed 20 temporary ‘extensions.’ Yes, you read that correctly. Twenty. But, as of 10 days ago, Congress couldn't even agree on another extension. Compromise […] can't come soon enough. Like spoiled children, members of Congress have stamped their feet and scored their points while other people pay for their inaction. If the lawmakers were back in school, they'd deserve to be in the time-out corner.”
--USA Today, August 2, 2011

Chicken and Dumplings for Dinner or Hospital Food?

CHESHIRE, Ore. -- A woman shot her husband in the back after he killed her pet chicken, the Lane County sheriff's deputies said.
Deputies said they were sure that Mary Gray, 58, intended to shoot her husband, Stephen Gray, 43. They weren't certain if the husband meant to fire at the chicken.
"We don't know if it was an accident or if it was on purpose," Sgt. Clint Riley said. "It depends who you ask."
Riley said the couple had been drinking for much of Monday while they did yard work at their rented home in the town northwest of Eugene, and they began arguing after Stephen Gray shot the chicken with a .44-caliber handgun.
Deputies said he was then hit with a shot from a .22-caliber rifle, and is recovering. Mary Gray was arraigned Tuesday on an assault charge.

Seattle PI

Gary Locke confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China

WASHINGTON–The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gary Locke, the former Commerce Department secretary, as ambassador to China.

Mr. Locke, a former governor of Washington state, will be the first Chinese-American to serve as ambassador to China, a major trading partner. He succeeds Jon Huntsman, who resigned to run for the U.S. presidency in 2012.

As Commerce Secretary. Mr. Locke has asked Beijing to open its economy further to foreign investment.

The Senate confirmed President Barack Obama's nominee by voice vote without debate.

Rockefeller Calls on Chairman Mica to Convene Conference on FAA Bil

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today as furlough notices began going out to more than 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers who are going without pay because of the House refusal to vote on a clean funding resolution last week:

“I was appalled that the House went through on its dangerous threats last week to hold the entire FAA bill hostage to their politics. This issue is too serious for a stalemate because the House leadership is insisting on a provision pushed primarily by Delta Airlines to benefit their anti-worker agenda. That provision has already been rejected by the Senate, and the President says he'll veto it, so it is a non-starter. I am calling upon House Speaker John Boehner to work with House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica to immediately convene a conference meeting by Wednesday of this week. The Senate named conferees back in May, and we remain eager to solve the differences in this bill and reopen the FAA. Mr. Mica testified before the House Rules Committee that he and Speaker Boehner could begin a conference in ‘an hour,’ so I am hopeful that he will finally make a good faith effort to get going here in order to restart funding for the FAA, help the thousands of workers around the country who are going without a paycheck, and keep vital airport renovation projects moving forward.”

FAA Furlough Information

Congressional authorization for several FAA programs expired at 12:01 a.m. on July 23. As a result, nearly 4,000 FAA employees are now furloughed without pay. Those employees affected by the lapse in authorization have been notified by their managers and will receive a furlough notice via FAA email.

Read more on the furloughs.

Aviation Projects Come to a Halt Due to Congressional Inaction

WASHINGTON – Contractors have been told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass legislation on Friday giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Dozens of “stop work orders” have been issued for major projects designed to build and modernize control towers and other aviation infrastructure from coast to coast.

“Construction workers across America will lose their jobs and local communities will be hurt the longer this goes on. Congress needs to pass an FAA bill to prevent further economic damage,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world.”

“Unless Congress acts quickly, more work on projects critical to our nation’s aviation system will come to a halt. Work is stopping on construction and planning projects, NextGen system testing, and airport certification. The list goes on and on and this is just the beginning,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

Construction workers, engineers and planners were told not to come to worksites across the country after the FAA was forced to issue stop work orders on projects ranging from the construction of new air traffic control towers to the rehabilitation and modernization of air traffic facilities. Nearly 4,000 FAA personnel, many needed to oversee various aspects of these projects, were furloughed on Saturday. Stopping work on these projects could significantly increase the ultimate costs of construction for taxpayers.

Read more click here.

Boeing 787 Over Seattle

A Light Bulb Really??

HR 2417 (House Resolution) “Better Use of Light Bulbs Act” why is this bill so important?

After an all day session of the House of Representatives this last Tuesday, the house once again was not concerned with the economy, jobs or the country. Their main concern yesterday was to overturn a law that was voted on in 2007 and signed into law by President Bush. “Better Use of Light Bulbs Act”. This law states “direct the Secretary to carry out a proactive national program of consumer awareness, information, and education about lamp labels and energy-efficient lighting choices”

So, let me get this straight, our Congress would like us to use more energy and bring back the incandescent light bulb. The vote was surprisingly down party lines. Yeas 228 (R) 10 (D), and Nays 183 (D) and 10 (R) 3, Yes it failed.

Does anyone know what is going on with Speaker Boehner? He talks about the economy and jobs but he brings a bill to the floor on the light bulb? Oh ya, General Electric gave Speaker Boehner $16,200 last election and the main cosponsor Roy Blunt (R-MO) received $25,900 from GE. Well at least my Congressman (Dave Reichert R-WA) who received $4,000 from GE last year had enough sense to vote no on this bill.

Mr. John Boehner, you make $216,100 a year with built in COLA. Stop wasting our taxpayer dollars and get to work on jobs and the economy.

Jock

United Airlines Frequent Flyer Hits 10 Million Miles

United uber frequent flyer, Tom Stuker, gets a custom labeled bottle of wine from United President and CEO Jeff Smisek.

Today in History July 8,1776

Liberty Bell tolls to announce Declaration of Independence

On this day in 1776, a 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell now known as the “Liberty Bell” rings out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Four days earlier, the historic document had been adopted by delegates to the Continental Congress, but the bell did not ring to announce the issuing of the document until the Declaration of Independence returned from the printer on July 8.

FAA Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Air Traffic Control

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today marked the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control as American aviation experiences its safest period ever. Since its inception with 15 workers operating in just three control centers in 1936, the agency has become a world leader, pioneering safety improvements and developing new technology to speed up flights, save fuel and improve safety.

Source

Flight Attendants at New United Airlines Unify in World's Largest Flight Attendant Union

Flight Attendants from United, Continental and Continental Micronesia airlines today elected the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) to be their union at the new United. The merger brings new opportunities and the conclusion of this election sets the stage for Flight Attendants to unify and become full participants in the benefits of the merger.

“United Airlines Flight Attendants built our profession starting with the first union contract 65 years ago and they will once again lead the industry,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “This election is an historic moment for AFA and our profession. As we welcome our colleagues from Continental and Continental Micronesia, our combined strength is greater than ever and we are poised to make significant strides for Flight Attendants and their families.”

“United Flight Attendants are energized and ready for our future,” stated Greg Davidowitch, AFA president at United Airlines. “We will negotiate for the priorities set by today’s Flight Attendant as we maximize our leverage to set the highest standards at the world’s leading airline. Flight Attendants are dedicated to ensuring a successful merger and fully participating in its benefits.”

“Our profession is unique and I am proud to become a member of the union that is responsible for shaping the career I love,” said Frank Brown, Continental Flight Attendant. “From this moment forward, we are no longer Flight Attendants from different unions, we are Flight Attendants in AFA, the Flight Attendant’s union. There is no limit to what we can accomplish by standing together.”

AFA was elected with 55.1% of the vote. While waiting for the election results to be certified by the NMB, AFA has initiated transition plans for representing Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants. A temporary representation structure for Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants will be put in place as AFA immediately initiates the process for membership election of union officers.
Source:

Turtles Invade JFK (Slow News Day)

NEW YORK (AP) -- A runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport was shut down briefly Wednesday morning after at least 78 turtles emerged from a nearby bay and crawled onto the tarmac.

Ground crews eventually rounded up the wayward reptiles and deposited them back in the brackish water farther from airport property, but not before the incident disrupted JFK's flight schedule and contributed to delays that reached nearly 1 1/2 hours.

"Apparently, this is something the tower has experienced before," said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters. "I guess it's the season for spawning."

The invasion began unfolding, slowly, at around 8:30 a.m., when an American Eagle flight crew reported seeing three turtles while taxiing out for departure. Before long, a chorus of pilots was radioing the tower to report turtles either on the end of a runway that juts out into the water, or approaching on the grass.

The FAA halted flights for about 12 minutes shortly before 9 a.m. while some of the turtles were cleared away, then quit using the runway entirely after getting new reports of "massive numbers" of turtles on the tarmac, Peters said.

Source.

NMB Update

The Mediation Board has assigned Jim Mackenzie as the mediator for United Airlines and the IBT that represent the mechanics and related. Case number A-13605, here is MR. Mackenzie’s bio.
Jock

Jim Mackenzie joined the National Mediation Board as a Mediator in March, 2009. In this capacity, he serves as a mediator in Airline and Railroad cases.
Prior to joining the NMB, Jim completed 31 years as a commercial pilot for a number of major airlines, retiring from Northwest Airlines in 2006 as an Airbus Captain. Following retirement, Jim was a Captain B-777/787 Instructor pilot for Alteon, a Boeing Company and an aviation consultant.
Jim’s labor relations experience included 30 years working in various positions for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). During his career with the airlines, Jim served as Chairman of the NWA Pilot Retirement and Insurance Committee and was successful in maintaining the pilots defined benefit plan though Congressional legislation. In addition, he gained bankruptcy and workout experience serving as a member of the NWA Unsecured Creditors Committee. His extensive labor relations experience also includes being elected to the Master Executive Council of Braniff International Airlines, Co-Chairman of the Peoplexpress Pilot Merger Committee and serving on various ALPA committees at the local and national level. In addition, he served as President of the Board of Directors of the Air Line Pilots Mutual Aid Association, which provided disability benefits for all ALPA pilots.
Jim’s military career with the United States Navy included 5 years flying the A-4 Skyhawk on active duty in the Western Pacific and 9 years in the Reserves as an adversary pilot.
Jim is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Source:
http://www.nmb.gov/activ-rpts/od.html#1
http://www.nmb.gov/directory/dirmed.html

Stewards,

A football player visiting from the University of New Mexico last Thursday was taken into custody at SFO after refusing to pull up his sagging pants. According to news sources, "There was a passenger on the aircraft that had boarded with his pants down around his knees showing his underwear." SF Police Sgt. Michael Rodriguez, "One of the flight attendants on that aircraft was offended by the fact that she could see the outline of his private area."

The US Airways flight attendant asked the passenger to pull up his pants but he refused, then the plane's Captain got involved, and finally the police. In the process of removing him from the aircraft a scuffle with police ensued, and the matter was escalated. I don’t know about you, but I already have a hard enough time blocking out the thoughts of what I know about the seats without having to imagine passengers rubbing their Calvin Klein’s all over them. Some people just will not do what is best for them, even when it is the simple act of pulling up their pants. Moving on….

The big move now is in getting back to the table as soon as possible. The unfortunate news flash for some is we find ourselves in a merger situation and the mechanics from the other airline have an active rewarding contract that continues until December 31, 2012. For many of us it is a no brainer that the company saves money each and every day we are without improvements to our own contract. The others need to get a clue.

United, as was expected, is doing everything possible to take advantage of this “green time” and will not enter talks until they absolutely have too. With this in mind, UAL exercised their lawful right to invoke mediation. This move seriously stalls our negotiating process and was the main reason we side stepped mediation as long as we did. Regardless of how you voted, the fact remains we were able to return a tentative agreement to the membership well in advance of any of the other group at UAL that have been stuck in mediation for nearly two years.

In an effort to help eat up time on the CAL agreement, the company has also petitioned that when we do meet in mediation, we proceed directly to formal discussions to combine the two agreements. United’s open agreement and Continentals active. To do what the company wants is known as the amalgamation process. The two contracts differ greatly, and under this scenario of amalgamation talks, we would be forced to create a combined committee of UAL and CAL Mechanics. We would then have to come to an agreement within ourselves, and finally sit down with the company and start again with page one for a brand new contract. Our guess is the company will use CAL language as the maximum ceiling for those negotiations and the prediction here is for a very lengthy process.

Our rejection of the contract puts us squarely in to the grasp of the Company as explained by a Reuters news article released yesterday. This article ran with the sub title; U.S. airlines, determined to keep their grip on recovery, will at best allow unions in contract negotiations to take back only part of what they gave up in concessions during restructuring. The basis of the piece as the article states, “carriers are relentless about cost control, capacity reduction, and liquidity.” They are tightening their rule to see that it does not get away. You can read the article for yourself by going to Reuters.com or http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/17/uk-airlines-labor-idUSLNE75G03Q20110617

What now? The IBT leadership has always acted in the unselfish and best interest of our members and we will continue to do so. The Union has opposed the Company’s request that the UAL mediation take place on an amalgamated foundation, and has argued that the agency must proceed with mediation on a single contract basis involving only the UAL mechanics. We are also urging the company, and the NMB to address only those differences that we believe resulted in a failed contract. Our hope is to enter into an agreement providing reasonable and interim improvements before the expected lengthy amalgamation process really has to begin.

Our Achilles heel is in the members among our ranks who support and act on behalf of the other two failed groups who will not let go of the past and who will do anything to acquire personal gains. The distorted and misinformation being put out by them does nothing other than spread fear and doubt in the minds of those members who refuse to take a more careful approach and interest in their own future. Any member who spent just a little bit of time comparing our old contract with the new, as it applies in today’s reality in the economic market, would have seen the extreme risks in voting this down. Unfortunately, you have groups and individuals like Joe Prisco with the mechanics for change, and GT Davis who at every turn deceive and mislead our group. Why?

I wrote a while back about the dangers of selfishly and irresponsibly posting premature reports, and adding personal judgment to this information. I generically accused that person of being a dumb ass. I need to apologize to the generality of my remark; I learned from Denver Mechanics that the dumbass I described in my editorial was none other than GT Davis. It is my thought that GT conspired with one of the former negotiators (Ramon) from Denver to see this contract, and Union fail at any and all cost. Even if it meant putting members once again on the shelf, and stalling a much needed raise in pay.

We all need to remember that bigots like GT have interest only in disrupting and causing unbalance to any organization. He did the same to the last two groups, and will continue with this one without ever standing up and taking responsibility for his actions. It is a fool that follows his cue, and who will not exercise free thought and simple reasoning.

This was not supposed to end with GT, but quite frankly I am done puking in a bag. I am tired of being sick about the ignorance of some of our membership and the agony they create. It is time to fight back and hold those who cause dissention and hatred in our jobs accountable for their trickery. GT, pull your pants up, quite playing your game at self importance, and let us get back to work. We have all spent way too much time on you and your antics. Your attempt at self amusement is hurting all UAL Mechanics.

~Dave Saucedo – Chief Steward, Seattle MM

UAL Mechanics and Related Update: NMB Mediation

The Airline Division reached out to the NMB today and learned that the NMB has taken the Company’s and the Union’s positions regarding amalgamated mediation under advisement, and that it will provide the parties with an answer once it makes a decision. The Union has opposed the Company’s request that the UAL mediation take place on an amalgamated basis, and has argued that the agency must proceed with the mediation on a single contract basis involving only the UAL mechanics and related.

Additionally, as Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne had predicted, the NMB has set a mediation schedule that will not commence until much later this year. The NMB has advised that it will conduct its initial conference with the parties in November, 2011, and will set formal mediation dates to start thereafter. The Airline Division is extremely disappointed but not at all surprised with the NMB’s scheduling order, and will be using all means necessary to accelerate this schedule. To that end, the Airline Division and the UAL Local Union Principal Officers are establishing, an action committee to develop strategies in coordination with the membership to persuade the NMB to set an expedited mediation schedule.

Fatigue Study

In an ongoing effort to continue to improve our safety, working conditions and quality of life, the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition, (TAMC) is urging you to participate in the Aviation Maintenance Industry Fatigue Benchmark Study. The anonymous online survey is hosted by the University of Illinois to collect data on maintenance technician work practices and operational conditions related to work and duty patterns across the industry. This information is being collected as part of an ongoing effort by the FAA/Industry Maintenance Fatigue Working Group. The TAMC and Airline Division are working to ensure that we are a part of this Working Group.

Your responses will be anonymous and confidential. Neither your organization nor the FAA will see your individual responses. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

To enter the survey, please click here: http://surveys.scisms.com/s3/tm060u2f

If the above link is not highlighted in your email client, please cut and paste the address into your web browser.

If you have any questions about this study, please feel free to contact:

Russ Leighton
Aviation Safety Coordinator
Teamsters Airline Division
Office: (800) 294-1224 ext. 6615

OR

TAMC Steering Committee, UAL

Dave Saucedo
Email: dsaucedo@teamsters986.org

Mediation Board Update, June 13,2011

Click here is see the letter that was sent from Captain Bourne to the National Mediation Board in response to United Airlines' application for mediation service.

Request for Federal Mediation

Attached is a copy of the letter I received yesterday from Doug McKeen, on behalf of UAL. As you will note, upon notice of the vote results that rejected the transition Tentative Agreement, UAL filed a request for Federal Mediation and has opted to proceed directly to mediated talks for a single, combined contract for UAL and CAL mechanics. The letter requesting mediation is also attached.

This morning we were notified that the NMB has agreed to UAL’s request and placed us in mediation. While we are disappointed that UAL has chosen to move directly to mediation instead of returning to the bargaining table, it is a reality that we have no choice but to accept mediation. Under the RLA, both the union and management have the right unilaterally to request mediation at any time in the process and based upon the rejection of the Tentative Agreement, UAL made the determination to move to that process.

I want to be perfectly clear here. We do not have the option to reject mediation; we are legally required to participate. Because mediation has no specific time limits, there is no way to determine how long the process will take to complete. This does not mean, however, that we agree with the Company’s effort to push for an immediate amalgamation of the United and Continental contracts. As we explained during the road shows, the company has pushed hard for an immediate amalgamation since the merger became effective last fall. We have resisted that effort. The fact that the company has invoked mediation, however, will make our efforts to resist an all-in-one amalgamation much more difficult and, all likelihood, time consuming.

As you know from our communications, meetings and road shows, this was the situation we wanted to avoid at all cost, because we were aware of the risk of mediation. While the goal of the tentative agreement was to provide you pay raises, job security and a higher starting point for an improved amalgamated agreement; under mediation your current agreement will remain effective until a new agreement is reached. The timeline for this process as I noted above is unknown; past history tells us we are looking at an extended period of time, possibly three to five years.

While we believe that the outcome of the vote was not in our collective best interest, we will continue to work diligently with the negotiators to craft the best contract possible for you and, in the shortest time possible.

Sincerely,

David P. Bourne, Director

Teamsters Airline Division

United Airlines Files for Mediation

Here is United's response to the letter David Bourne sent last week requesting to return to the table.

P. Douglas McKeen
Senior Vice President
Labor Relations
The United Building, 77 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
June 7, 2011


David D. Bourne
Director, Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
25 Louisiana, NW
Washington, DC 20001


Dear David:
Thank you for your letter of June 3. I regret to hear that the Tentative Agreement reached by the union negotiating committee and United has not been ratified. I, too, believe that it is in the best interests of all involved to resolve the labor agreement issues on an expedited basis.

To that end, the Company has decided to request the mediation services of the National Mediation Board for a single amalgamated collective bargaining agreement covering the IBT-represented mechanics at both subsidiaries, United and Continental (including CMI). We believe that use of the NMB's services in this manner is the best way to achieve a mutually acceptable agreement on a fair and expedited basis. We particularly believe that seeking an amalgamated agreement will be a constructive and positive approach, given the completion of the merger and integration of the subsidiaries that has occurred and will continue.

We intend to ask the NMB to set mediation dates as soon as possible. We hope to hear from the NMB soon regarding available dates.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
P. Douglas McKeen

Official Letter Click Here

Proposed Contract for United Airlines Mechanics and Related Rejected

MEMORANDUM
TO: All Local Unions with Members Employed as Mechanics and Related at
United Airlines
FROM: Captain David Bourne, Director, Teamsters Airline Division
DATE: June 2, 2011

Proposed Contract for United Airlines Mechanics and Related Rejected
The mechanics and related working at United Airlines have rejected the tentative agreement reached earlier this spring with the company. More than 87 percent of the members voted in the secret ballot vote. The members have directed us to return to the bargaining table with the company. We will discuss the vote results with the local leadership shortly and will indeed return to the negotiating table to attempt to secure even greater improvements than what were contained in this tentative agreement. We anticipate getting back to the table within the next several weeks.

Official Letter Click Here

Health Care

You ever wonder why health care goes up every year.

President and Chief Executive Officer
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC (UNH)
Headquarters: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
In 2010, Stephen J. Hemsley received $10,810,131 in total compensation. By comparison, the median worker made $33,190 in 2010. Stephen J. Hemsley made 325 times the median worker's pay.

Chairman Chief Executive Officer and President
AETNA INC (AET)
Headquarters: HARTFORD, CT
In 2010, Mark Bertolini received $8,808,852 in total compensation. By comparison, the median worker made $33,190 in 2010. Mark Bertolini made 265 times the median worker's pay.

Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer
METLIFE INC (MET)
Headquarters: NEW YORK, NY
In 2010, C. Robert Henrikson received $13,867,854 in total compensation. By comparison, the median worker made $33,190 in 2010. C. Robert Henrikson made 417 times the median worker's pay.

Just a thought. (Source AFLCIO)
Jock

Happy Memorial Day

Alaska Airlines replaces paper manuals with iPads

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is giving pilots Apple iPads to replace paper flight manuals, it announced Friday.

Pilots typically carry a ‘flight bag’ with up to 25 pounds of paper manuals.

‘We’ve been exploring the idea of an electronic flight bag for several years, but never found a device we really liked,’ Gary Beck, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of flight operations, said in a news release. ‘When the iPad hit the market, we took one look at it and said this is the perfect fit.’

The iPads use an app called GoodReader, which has PDF versions of 41 flight, systems and performance manuals, reference cards and other materials, complete with links and color graphics. This lets pilots find information faster and more easily, Alaska said, adding that the materials also can be updated with a tap on the screen.

The airline evaluated iPads this past winter and spring with 100 line and instructor pilots and representatives from the Air Line Pilots Association union. It plans to give them to all pilots by mid-June.

Alaska also is looking to replacing paper aeronautical navigation charts with electronic versions on the iPad. These two initiatives, dubbed “Bye, Bye, Flight Bag,” should save about 2.4 million pieces of paper, the airline said.

The airline expects lower paper, printing and distribution expenses and reduced fuel consumption thanks to weight removed from the aircraft to offset the cost. It also expects fewer back and muscle injuries from pilots carrying flight bags that weight 50 pounds, saving more money.

Of course, Federal Aviation Administration regulations still require the iPad to be stowed during takeoff and landing.

Read more aerospace news. Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news.

Investigators detail events in Qantas Airbus A380 engine explosion

Click here for more on the Australian investigation.

Sen. Sanders' 10 worst corporate income tax avoiders.

Exxon Mobil, Bank of America, GE and other giant corporations paid no U.S. taxes despite billions in profits. In fact, they pocketed big IRS refunds. It's a scandal, Sen. Bernie Sanders told colleagues on Wednesday. As congressional leaders and the White House haggled over how many billions of dollars to cut spending on programs for working families, Bernie tried to broaden the debate. He compiled a top-10 list of tax-dodging corporations. "Maybe we have to reduce that deficit not simply on the backs of working families, low-income people, the children, the sick, the elderly. Maybe, maybe we might want to call for shared sacrifice. Maybe Exxon-Mobil and some of the large oil companies might be asked to pay something in taxes."
Sen. Sanders' 10 worst corporate income tax avoiders.

1)Exxon Mobil made $19 billion in profits in 2009. Exxon not only paid no federal income taxes, it actually received a $156 million rebate from the IRS, according to its SEC filings. (Source: Exxon Mobil's 2009 shareholder report filed with the SEC here.)

2) Bank of America received a $1.9 billion tax refund from the IRS last year, although it made $4.4 billion in profits and received a bailout from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department of nearly $1 trillion. (Source: Forbes.com here, ProPublica here and Treasury here.)


3) Over the past five years, while General Electric made $26 billion in profits in the United States, it received a $4.1 billion refund from the IRS. (Source: Citizens for Tax Justice here and The New York Times . Note: despite rumors to the contrary, the Times has stood by its story.)

4) Chevron received a $19 million refund from the IRS last year after it made $10 billion in profits in 2009. (Source: See 2009 Chevron annual report here. Note 15 on page FS-46 of this report shows a U.S. federal income tax liability of $128 million, but that it was able to defer $147 million for a U.S. federal income tax liability of $-19 million)

5) Boeing, which received a $30 billion contract from the Pentagon to build 179 airborne tankers, got a $124 million refund from the IRS last year. . (Source: Paul Buchheit, professor, DePaul University, here and Citizens for Tax Justice here.)

6) Valero Energy, the 25th largest company in America with $68 billion in sales last year received a $157 million tax refund check from the IRS and, over the past three years, it received a $134 million tax break from the oil and gas manufacturing tax deduction. (Source: the company's 2009 annual report, pg. 112, here.)

7) Goldman Sachs in 2008 only paid 1.1 percent of its income in taxes even though it earned a profit of $2.3 billion and received an almost $800 billion from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Department. (Source: Bloomberg News here, ProPublica here, Treasury Department here.)

8) Citigroup last year made more than $4 billion in profits but paid no federal income taxes. It received a $2.5 trillion bailout from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury. (Source: Paul Buchheit, professor, DePaul University, here, ProPublica here, Treasury Department here.)

9) ConocoPhillips, the fifth largest oil company in the United States, made $16 billion in profits from 2006 through 2009, but received $451 million in tax breaks through the oil and gas manufacturing deduction. (Sources: Profits can be found here. The deduction can be found on the company's 2010 SEC 10-K report to shareholders on 2009 finances, pg. 127, here)

10) Over the past five years, Carnival Cruise Lines made more than $11 billion in profits, but its federal income tax rate during those years was just 1.1 percent. (Source: The New York Times here.


I found this article on Senator Sanders web site. It's very good read take time and follow the links.
Here is Senater Sanders web site with a lot more information. Here
Jock

Voting Yes to Our TA Means

Voting “yes” to our transitional tentative agreement (TA) at UAL means voting to improve our wages and gain real job protections. Once we’ve voted to ratify this TA, we will immediately go into combined negotiations with UAL-CAL, where we intend to make more gains. Under this transitional TA we will make the following improvements to wages and benefits; scope language and job protections; and health care.

Wages & Benefits:
• The average mechanic will receive $27,000 in wage increases over the 30-month contract.
• Mechanics receiving an additional (second) license during the period of the agreement will earn approximately $11,000 more than the above stated $27,000 for an increase of about $38,000.
• Double time will be restored, as will two holidays and double time-and-a-half on holidays.
• All employees on the active payroll list will receive a $3,000 past wage credit upon ratification of the TA.

Scope Language & Job Protections:
• The TA establishes that “the Company shall not contract out work.”
• Strong scope language mirrors the language in the Teamster Continental contract which resulted in an increase in the mechanic force when UAL was outsourcing jobs.
• No more “blended work.”
• Furlough protection will apply to all mechanics, not just those with October 1989 or earlier seniority dates.
• Explicit protection has been negotiated for the SFO Maintenance Center.
• System bumping rights will be based on seniority, substantially reducing the possibility of furloughs.

Health Care:
• The TA provides for maintenance of benefits until 2013.
• A committee will be established within 30 days of ratification to explore options for health care.
• If there is no new combined agreement by January 1, 2013, we will have the CAL health plan and will receive a 2.5 percent wage increase to offset additional costs.

For all the details about the TA, go to www.teamster.org/ual
You should receive a ballot this week. If you do not receive a ballot by May 13th, contact your local union to obtain one by the May 18th deadline. Ballots must reach the Lanham, Md. post office by 10:00 a.m., June 2. Counting will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Your Negotiating Committee

Join the Call and Participate

Join your negotiating committee and Teamsters representatives for a
“Tele Town Hall” to review our tentative agreement (TA) at UAL.

What: Tele Town Hall to learn more about our TA
When:Wednesday, May 4, 2011
at 11:00 a.m. ET or 7:00 pm. ET.
How: Dial 877-229-8493 and access code 14111

To learn more about this transitional
agreement and future negotiations.
Ballots will be mailed to homes on Tuesday, May 3 and will be counted
on9Thursday, June 2 at 11 a.m. ET.

If you received a prior notice with different dates, please note this
change to the balloting schedule. Opening the ballots on June 2 will
allow any interested members, business agents and officers to attend
the count in Washington, D.C. after the Memorial Day weekend. If you
are interested in attending the count, please contact your local union.
We look forward to having you on the call on May 4th.
Your Negotiating Committee

Director of Teamsters Airline Division Address to UAL-CAL members

Below is a link to a video of Teamster Airline Division Director David Bourne explaining the TA and what it means to the future of mechanics at United.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngBat1AAjp4

Seattle Road Show Meeting

Please join us at the Joint Council 28 of Teamsters building in Tukwila.

14675 Interurban Ave
Tukwila,Wa

Friday April 29th
11:00 am and 2:45pm

Meeting will be held in the training room on the ground floor left after entering the main doors to Joint Council 28.

Lunch will be provided.

This is a guest post from the Honolulu Chief Steward, Roger Apana.

THE MAIN EVENT

Mechanics at UAL are in a position along with their CAL brothers in getting the very best contract of all legacy airlines. The way to achieve this goal is to get to the Main Event in the shortest way possible right after a YES vote on this UAL TA. The Main Event I am talking about would be our final negotiation in which both UAL and CAL would be joined under a single carrier contract. By getting to the Main Event, we would have been the only labor group at UAL to be in position to move into amalgamation with 75% of our contract already resolved.

In the past couple of weeks, the UAL negotiating team traveled across the system to explain our Tentative Agreement. We faced very emotional crowds and listened to their complaints of what this TA lacked. The list in order of priority was all the same, Medical, Wages, Retirement and Retro. These items are also very important to your negotiators and we will continue to fight for all of this in the Main Event.

The fact of the matter is that we cannot work under Continental’s agreement as well as they cannot work under our United TA. We need to have one contract that would combine both mechanic groups into single carrier status.

VERY IMPORTANT! When this UAL TA passes, CAL would team up with us and go IMMEDIATELY to the MAIN EVENT.

This is where the big fight begins; Medical, Wages, Retirement and Retro. These are the items that we need to focus on without being distracted by the other 200 pages of articles and letters of agreement. Those other non main issue items have already been settled in this TA. The reason for a YES vote on this TA is to move forward with a big portion of our contract in our pocket. Never in my 40yrs with UAL have we ever been able to reap benefits while still continuing to negotiate. This is an opportunity that should not be squandered.

We understand there is a lot of negative talk coming from a person who once headed AMFA and now is pushing the IAM. The IAM with its weak scope left us with just under 5000 mechanics from 15000. They allowed the use of our pension surplus to buy Pan Am yet never increased the pension plan while the Pacific route was so lucrative. They pushed for and gave us the failed ESOP. Finally they assigned someone from US Air to a seat on the board of UAL who later was the swing vote in favor of a failed merger which probably helped UAL go into bankruptcy. These new IAM people have never sat in our negotiations but declare themselves the authority on this contract. I have sat in these negotiations from the start and the #1 proposal was job security. We got the strongest job security and scope in the industry. Also we had to start from scratch because the previous contract out of bankruptcy had no snapback clause. The company was not going to give any of it back but we got most of it, plus more.

This a critical time in our careers where we must all take the initiative in gathering factual information. If you look at Northwest and Delta or US Air and America West, you will see the mediation process can really drag on. Also here at UAL our Flight Attendants, Pilots and Ramp are all under mediation and not moving. I really do believe that our position to vote YES and take advantage of 75% of our completed contract now would strengthen our position to move forward.

TIME is on the company’s side and is the reason why the other groups that chose mediation are not talking. The longer they make them wait the longer UAL gets to use their money. Our contract is worth millions and you can believe me they will make us wait if this contract fails.

I cannot emphasize more; it is easier to move forward and focus on Medical, Wages, and Retirement alone than it is with 200 plus pages of articles and LOAs. Please vote YES

Mahalo, Roger Apana

Ballots go out April 27, 2011

The IBT steering committee began these negotiations with the hope of updating and changing many parts of our old and vulnerable collective bargaining agreement. The merger between United and Continental has added even more need to improve virtually all areas of the contract, which has resulted in a Tentative Agreement with a large amount of new language.

As a result of the many changes and the feedback we received during the informational meetings, it quickly became evident that the membership would need more time than usual to study and familiarize themselves to the important modifications to this Tentative Agreement. It is our intent to give the membership enough time to look over all the changes, ask questions, receive answers, and finally vote this contract in a manner that will best benefit each of them and their families.

A third party company will manage all aspects of the printing and distribution process. They will be assisted by another independent election services firm that will oversee the actual mail out, collection, distribution and tallying of the ballots.

The mailing of the ballots and information should begin by April 27, 2011, and the count will take place on May 26, 2011.

The negotiation committee urges each of you to look closely at your ballots, study allthe considerable changes, and most importantly, VOTE.

Sincerely,
Your Negotiating Committee

Summaries of CAL's Various Plans

There have been many inquiries from the membership regarding the details of Continental Airlines Medical and Dental Plans. Attached are the summaries of CAL's various plans. Please click on each link to view the attachment.

CO 2011 Benefits Decision Guide September 28, 2010

CO Dental Program January 31, 2011

CO Health Care Program January 31, 2011

CO Long Term Disability Program January 31, 2011

CO Personal Accident Insurance Program January 31, 2011

This was emailed out from the Airline Division communications department.

I am reposting Bob's Blogs from DIA because I believe everyone should read them. The first is on the recommendation on the T/A. My opinion: to read the bullet points does not tell the whole story (Please Read the T/A), also when you have the Negotiation Team at your road shows ask them a little about how negotiations goes. It is interesting and I am glad we had a good team on it.

I have seen and been a Union Rep. with the 1989 contract, ESOP 1994, and the 2000 negotiations and this was by for the shortest time ever taken to reach a T/A. We have never reach this high of a pay increase, except for the PEB (Presidents Emergency Board and that as you know did not live long). To quote a Friend "If I got you a big pay increase and you were lay off tomorrow am I a good Union Rep?".

Negotiate smartly is the key. This is an intern agreement and needs to be look at it that way. Please take time to ask questions and read the full T/A. The second is on MRO and how the Teamsters watch for the trends and how we need to stay involved to keep our jobs from being shipped overseas.

Jock




Committee Recommendation
The Tentative Agreement that is now before you comes after two years of negotiations, both pre and post merger announcement. During this process we made a couple of major strategic decisions that were beneficial to the process.
The first decision was not to invoke federal mediation. This decision enabled us to continue the negotiations at a pace that we had more control of. While the other Unions made an early decision to invoke mediation, in our view, mediation is a process that you invoke only when nothing is being accomplished through direct negotiations. This was not the environment we were in, and that led to our determination that mediation would not be beneficial for us. That decision paid off by enabling us to freely schedule the negotiation dates and continue to make progress. While we wish our colleagues at the other Unions the best in their mediation sessions, we do not envy the current pace of their mediated negotiations.

The second decision was to not go into amalgamated negotiations without first completing our "Section 6" negotiations for a "stand‐alone" UAL contract. Last year, after the merger was announced and then again when the merger was approved by the government, the Company very strongly expressed its desire to enter into formal amalgamation negotiations to combine the UAL and CAL Mechanic contracts. The Company wanted to do this because it wants to set the upper bar or standard for a long‐term, amalgamated contract at the current CAL mechanics' agreement. We opposed the company's effort in part because of the large number of changes that needed to be improved in the current UAL CBA and because we fully intend to obtain economic and work‐rule improvements in amalgamation that are higher and greater than the current CAL mechanics' contract. There are so many differences between current CAL and UAL contracts that it was far better to fix a good portion of the contractual provisions and language in these pre‐amalgamation Section 6 negotiations, and then focus on the remaining, very important but uncompleted items when we are in amalgamated negotiations.

The TA immediately recovers many of the contractual rights and protections that were conceded and lost in the existing and prior contracts. The TA also has many improvements that will be beneficial to all of our UAL members. We have lived far too long under the existing wages that were a result of bankruptcy concessions, and we have seen too many of our coworkers laid off while our work has been outsourced due to the current weak scope language. But this TA is not the end of the road. It takes care of the more immediate need to raise our incomes and protect our work and our jobs as we go through this merger, while giving us an advantage going into the amalgamated negotiations, our second bite of the apple.

The decision that is now before you ‐‐ to either vote yes or no on this TA – comes during an extremely unusual situation that will not likely be repeated in our careers: both options will result in further negotiations. A yes vote means that we will immediately enter into the amalgamated negotiation process, and within 30 days, a joint committee will be established to work on alternative Health and Welfare options. Ultimately, a yes vote will allow the joint negotiating committee to focus on the core items – the compensation and benefits that we intend to obtain in amalgamation.

A no vote will also mean a return to negotiations, but the Company will almost certainly move those negotiations into NMB mediation, and those mediated negotiations will start at the existing UAL contract terms and will therefore be without any of the wage and work‐rule recoveries and improvements that are contained in the TA. In that no‐vote scenario, the Company will most likely slow the process down for what could be a very long time because the existing UAL contract is far cheaper for the Company than the CAL contract and the TA (in spite of the fact that the TA does not provide all of the compensation and benefit items that we want and deserve); and that savings could outweigh the Company's benefits of completing the amalgamation process.

In our view, if the TA is ratified, the Company will not be able to slow the process down nearly as long as it otherwise could. That's because the TA forces the Company to enter into amalgamation negotiations from a higher economic starting point. The Company therefore cannot stop or delay the amalgamation because the TA imposes additional costs without providing it with any of the benefits of a fully integrated operation. For the same reason, Wall Street will also push it to complete the amalgamation. The TA is, quite simply, a necessary, short‐term transitional step toward achieving an industry leading, long term contract. With its scope and other job‐related improvements, the TA places us solidly at the top of the legacy passenger airline industry and allows us to finish the job of amalgamating the contract from a higher level of wages, better work rules and much stronger job protections.

It's important to have a good understanding of the meaning and the benefits of the new language in this TA as you make your decision. We will be communicating through membership meetings, an online teleconference, and written publications in order to properly disseminate the information. Please take the time to learn all you can as we enter the voting process.
For all the above reasons, your negotiating committee strongly recommends a YES vote.
Sincerely,
Your Negotiating Committee
Posted by Bob Fisher



MRO America’s Conference.
This week as part of my duties with the Airline Division, I attended the MRO America's Conference in Miami. I am working on a detailed report but would like to quickly share some items with you.

My first initial thought upon entering the trade show was that the amount of vendors and the scope of work they perform were truly overwhelming. Literally every part or aspect of any aircraft had some provider offering maintenance services or repair to the operators. I say this not to scare anyone; rather this is to inform because we need to know the competition we face so we can develop sound strategies on how best to counter these potential outsourcing attempts.
This was the 16th year of this conference and there were over 400 vendors with over 8000 attendees. By all accounts, worldwide, annually this is an over $50 billion dollar industry. Most MRO providers were expecting an increased workload over the course of the next five and ten years. The one caveat was oil and a speaker from Aerostrategies stated that with oil at $110/bbl airlines would remain flat as far as profit was concerned however the losses would accelerate exponentially the higher oil climbed. The purpose of his report was to outline the potential challenges MRO providers may face and should take into account. The speaker told the audience with oil over $120/bbl in his opinion "all bets were off".

As far as the MRO providers were concerned they were encouraged as several airlines indicated they were willing to entertain nose to tail airframe maintenance contracts. This trend could lead to a windfall for the OEM group. That trend could also work to the benefit of other MRO providers as they work to become contractors for the OEM manufacturers. For us this means we have to be very careful with the scope clauses of our agreements as we move forward.
When my detailed report is complete I will post it here.

Bob