Negotiations Update

The Steering Committee concluded the first part of the amalgamation process last week by creating a template to be used as an opener to present to the company. Proposals were submitted through a process that began in late April and ran through June. Members were encouraged to study the agreement and submit suggestions to strengthen our future position. These suggestions were then vetted through a three week process by the members of the steering committee. Lengthy discussions were held regarding each of the member’s submissions, and in some cases the proposals were voted down, and in others they were approved. Member submissions also sparked several discussions by the committee on various applications of the agreement that are either unclear or believed weak by the Committee. The result of these spontaneous discussions should be improved language and clarification for the membership regarding many articles of the agreement.

It should be noted, there were at times very contentious topics discussed during these meetings as a result of three groups who have become very accustomed to habit suddenly being forced to change. Through it all, each member of the committee acted responsibly, respectful, and viewed each other’s concerns with interest and open consideration. This level of professionalism was very appreciated by the leadership, and has been beneficial to the membership.

The next step in the process is to request and submit available dates to meet with the company for face to face talks regarding these new member and Steering Committee proposals. These joint talks will be attended by the Negotiating Committee whose members are still being decided by each of the represented Locals. The Steering Committee, however, still has a major function and will meet again periodically to confer with the Negotiating Committee in an effort to be sure as many stations and work areas as possible are represented in this new agreement.

During the Steering Committee process, we spent time meeting in three different locations; Los Angeles, Houston, and Denver. We would all like to thank the committee members and Locals from each of the host cities for making the long hours and time away from our families more bearable.

Meet the Steering Committee
These following members from various Locals formed the Steering Committee.

Houston Local 19: Bob Clever, Jack Harran, Craig Larson, William Lewis, Michael Nerren, Victor Ruiz,
Phoenix Local 104: Jerome Sanchez
Newark Local 210: Vinny Graziano, Steve Olson
New York Local 210: Larry Calhoun (JFK), Allen Cosides (LGA)
Washington DC Local 210: Jay Koreny
Orlando Local 769: Paul Becerra, Frank Musko, Ryan Rostek
Chicago Local 781: Scott Baroni, Mike Pecoraro, Paul Casper
Denver Local 455: Mitch Hunt, Scott Brown, Don Ramsey, Jim Prout, Ken Meidinger
Cleveland Local 964: Mike Moats
Guam Local 986: John Pangelinan
Hawaii Local 986: Roger Apana, Ken (Moki) Kim,
Seattle Local 986: Jock Creach, Roger Robertson, Phillip Stewart
Portland Local 986: Tom Simmons, Robert Pennell
Los Angeles Local 986: Robert Bishop, Dion Cornelious, Anthony Ybarra
San Francisco Local 856/986: Fred Wood, Dan Johnston, Joe Prisco, John Laurin, Donald Stevens, Leigh Skilling, Greg Sullivan, Mark DeAngles


Assisting the Committee are Business Agents Angel Cantu, Dominic Fierro, John Hennelly, Tommy Esposito, George Graham, Francis Diaz, Justin Muraki, Javier Lectora, David Saucedo, Rich Petrovsky, Charlie Alferio, and Dave Elmore.
Overseeing the process are Airline Division Representatives Clacy Griswold, Paul Alves, and Bob Fisher.

Pilots at United Reach an Agreement in Principal

After more than two years of negotiating with the company for a joint collective bargaining agreement, the combined group of United Pilots represented by ALPA has reached an agreement-in-principle. The agreement talks with the roughly 7000 UA and 5000 CO Pilots have been moving forward with the assistance of the National Mediation Board.

Terms were not disclosed with the announcement, but according to various news sources, ALPA leaders said the agreement would help make economic amends to pilots who had made concessions during difficult years for the airline industry. The pact would provide gains in pay, work rules, job protection and benefits.

Captain Jay Pierce, chairman of the ALPA unit for Continental pilots said, "After many years of enduring the hardships of concessionary and bankruptcy-era contracts, we are pleased to have finally reached an agreement that will allow our pilots and their families to see gains in compensation, work rules, job protections, and retirement and benefits.”

Captain Jay Heppner, chairman of the United Master Executive Council added, "After working under a bankruptcy contract for nearly 10 years, the substantial contributions of the pilots in helping United Airlines survive its darkest economic days and make the United/Continental merger possible will, at last, be respected and rewarded."

The agreement in principal was achieved on most major economic issues. While some details of an agreement still remain open, the pilots are confident a final AIP can be worked out in the coming days, and then submitted to the Pilot members for voting.

While we are very pleased with this announcement, we should point out it will have no significant impact as to the status of the mechanic and related negotiations.