Merger Amalgamation Progress Report
This new article section will be used to report on the amalgamation progress as steps are taken to complete the process. Items to be discussed will be regulatory milestones, such as a detailed look at SOC and the effects of a single carrier status filing, negotiations updates from the steering and negotiating committees, benefits updates from the benefits committee and seniority integration updates from the seniority integration committee. The first steps taken to begin the process are underway as reported in the below article which was also discussed in the Airline Division’s “Week in Review” newsletter from earlier this week.
Principal Officer – Business Agent Meeting
On Friday February 10th Principal Officers and Business Agents from around the system met to chart the course forward through the merger for all three represented groups. Items discussed included the size and scope of the rank and file seniority integration, steering and bargaining committees. In addition to the size of the above committees there were discussions of outside experts being retained to assist with the merger process.
Arbitrator Ralph Berger has been retained to assist the seniority integration committee during the process with any questions or concerns. Arbitrator Berger is very accomplished and has a wealth of experience in merging seniority lists. He will be a valuable asset to the process of seniority integration.
The Benefits Review committee made up of rank and file members from sub-CO and sub- UA has been working with Peter Hardcastle from Cheiron to discuss pension and healthcare.
There were two new committees established at the meeting; Member Communications and Education Committee and the Scope Review Committee. The Education and Communications committee will be responsible for putting out timely and accurate information as the process unfolds. Communications will be done through the Mechanics Dispatch and will be distributed via email and through the various Local and International websites. The scope review committee will be responsible for a detailed review and vetting of scope language for the Joint Collective Agreement.
Of course as the union continues towards the negotiation of the agreement, input from the membership will be a key component. Members will be asked for feedback through proposals and bargaining surveys. Members are encouraged to also continually share their thoughts with members of the various committees throughout the process. Only through the actions of the membership and the various committees will an acceptable agreement be reached. Members are encouraged to continue to watch for updates and stay informed.
EAP Committee Report
It seems that just after the first of the year we tend to make resolutions that sometimes are hard to follow through with. Don’t get down on yourself. It may be that something that is worthwhile may take a little effort to reinforce in our life style to have a long term effect. Wellness is defined as taking charge of your health and recovery to attain optimal health and well being. Do you feel “stressed or “over whelmed” by outside pressures you feel are beyond your control? Such as unhealthy dependencies on Alcohol, Prescription pain medication, smoking or overeating. Have your finances after the holiday’s got you feeling like you’ll never get out from under your bills?
These are just a few of the life events that your Union EAP Coordinator or Field Rep can help with. If you’re stressed or depressed about something in your personal life and it’s affecting your time at work, get in touch with your Teamster EAP to help you get back on the path of recovery from almost any obstacle you may have in your life.
Flight Safety Report
The United Airline IBT Flight Safety Committee held a conference call to discuss the organization of the committee under the new contract. Continental Airlines safety committee also attended.
The committee members discussed involvement in the United Airlines Safety Management Systems (SMS) various programs. Members talked about how training would be done to be effective advisers in partnership with the company.
Several issues discussed were the lack of information published by the company when new policy is enacted, particularly the necessity of requesting inspection when rig pins are removed from airplane systems and subsystems. Also talked about were the differences between United Airlines and Continental Airlines maintenance requirement when pins and other blocking devices are install. Several members mentioned the company allowed inexperienced mechanics to do complicated tasks without oversight.
The committee asked for additional information from NASA ASRS program concerning reports and the use of those reports in FAA hearings. The committee also expressed concern over the recent rejections of MSAP reports and the company’s Insulation Monitoring Program or IMP.
The committee will meet again next month.
