Business Agents meet with Mediator Ralph Berger
The Business Agents met in Newark, NJ with representatives from the Airline Division and Arbitrator Ralph Berger to further discuss the seniority integration issues for the three subsidiary airlines. The IBT retained independent counsel from the firm of Spivak Lipton, a law firm specializing in union-side labor and employment benefits, to review the effect of the sub UA consent decree on the overall integration. After reviewing the opinion from Spivak Lipton, the BAs requested further clarifying information. An additional BA meeting is scheduled for June 12th to accomplish this goal. Following that meeting, the national seniority integration committee will meet on June 20th. Both meetings will be held in Newark. Look for updates in the Dispatch as well as from your respective Locals as the process continues.
Benefits Committee Holds Conference Call
As previously noted in past editions of the Dispatch, the IBT retained consultant Pete Hardcastle from “Cheiron,” a benefits advising firm in McLean, VA to run different pension plan scenarios so that the committee can inform the membership of available options. This important work will continue as the committee prepares for joint negotiations.
On Friday, May 18, 2012, the committee held a conference call with Mr. Hardcastle to review the requests for information made in earlier meetings. The benefits committee will meet again in DC on Tuesday June 5, 2012 to receive a briefing of different types of pension plans that could be available to the members based on Mr. Hardcastle’s recommendations.
The committee will also continue identifying the differences of the three sub companies current, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life plans and decide the best way to survey the membership to identify any problems that need to be addressed during negotiations.
Further updates will be published in the Dispatch after every meeting to keep everyone up to date on this important topic.
Sub UA Business Agents Visit IAH Facility
Last week BA’s Rich Petrovsky and Javier Lectora from Locals 986 and 856 respectively, visited the maintenance facilities in Houston and were hosted by BAs Angel Cantu, Dominic Fierro, and Chief Steward Michael Nerren of Local 19. This visit is part of a broader effort to learn the ways each subsidiary applies the provisions of their respective CBAs as well as to build solidarity. Previously, Cantu along with Chief Steward Dan Stunda of Local 19 visited the SFO facility for the same purpose. During both the IAH and the SFO visit, all Representatives were able to meet with members to discuss concerns, as well as meet with management to get a better understanding of the processes used at each subsidiary. After the visits, each of the participating Representatives expressed a desire to continue the very important work of continuing to build a network of communication that will ensure the membership is protected in the best way possible.
Contract Proposals Reminder
Locals are currently accepting proposals for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please see your Steward or Business Agent to receive a proposal form. The Airline Division has a proposal form available online as a backup which can be accessed at http://surveygoldplus.com/s/2B85473BE6084779/33.htm. Proposals must be completed by June 15th so that the Steering Committee has time to prepare for their meeting July 9th. The System Steering Committee is scheduled to meet in SFO the week of July 9th, in IAH the week of July 16th and in DEN the week of July 30th. During these sessions, your System Steering Committee will be taking members’ proposals and incorporating them into an opening proposal format.
Recall list Exhausted for Aircraft Maintenance in LAX
Business Agent Dave Elmore reported that the recall list for sub UA aircraft mechanics in Los Angeles was recently exhausted. LAX joins a list of cities that includes Chicago, Denver, Charleston SC, and Washington Dulles. In addition many cities have exhausted the sub UA recall list for ground equipment and facilities maintenance. While there are still many more members on furlough in San Francisco, Indianapolis and New York as well as some of the smaller line stations, what Dave reported is part of an overall trend towards recall. Members on furlough are urged to keep their addresses updated as stated below.
