Seniority Integration Committee Update
The Seniority Committee met this week to discuss the remaining aspects of combining the three company seniority lists. The task before the committee is to create recommendations regarding seniority integration and its impact on the various contract articles of a Joint CBA.
The committee decided on 2 representatives, (1 sUA and 1 sCO), who will assist the negotiating committee by clarifying the intent of the SIC recommendations.
The different scenarios regarding lead and inspector seniority was discussed at length and it was determined that there would be a resounding impact to either group no matter which path was followed. Various ways to reduce that impact were discussed but in the end the group determined that following basic craft seniority principles (rather than a premium system) would be the most consistent and cleanest method. It was also determined that following craft seniority could provide more protections and allow for greater mobility by using a single craft seniority method.
Two of the more simple resolutions included an agreement to take a position to retain lifetime recall rights, and a method to settle ties in seniority. While the three previous topics were discussed and settled, there were other subjects that were not decided on. These include discussions surrounding such issues as breaks in seniority affecting CO and MCI mechanics but not UA. How to level this point will require further discussion as well as more detailed information from the company.
Other points that require further consideration include former management seniority adjustments, and Furloughed UA technicians currently working for CO. The committee felt more information and time was required to resolve differences and reach a consensus. An important item for the committee is maintaining adequate furlough protection language in a Joint CBA. A list of information needed to proceed was compiled and will be delivered to the company.
The next meeting will be during the second week of December. Along with continued discussions on open issues, the committee will review information supplied by the company and continue the arduous task of reviewing the seniority lists for errors or changes.
Airline Division working on Merger Policy
The Airline Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting on November 27th and 28th. A primary topic of discussion was the creation of a Division-wide merger policy. The Board members were given examples of how other unions have approached seniority list integrations in the past. These examples included integrations that have worked and others that have failed horribly. There was discussion also of the recent integrations that have occurred and which are occurring within the Division. It was also noted that the USAir pilots group currently represented by USAPA has been without a new agreement for 8 years trying to achieve a mutually acceptable solution for seniority integration. Their internal dispute regarding seniority integration has cost that pilot group millions of dollars in the form of lost opportunity costs, including wages not earned.
The Division’s Board members agreed that a Division-wide policy needed to be adopted by the Division because consolidation of the industry will continue. The Board discussed that a policy based on “date of hire” or “date of entering the craft” has considerable merit and should be included in the policy of the Airline Division.
To that end, subcommittees of representatives from the IBT-represented crafts are now assigned to begin the construction of a merger policy based on the “date of hire” and/or “date of entering the craft” approach. These sub committees will work towards preparing a draft that can be reviewed at the next Board of Directors meeting in March for possible adoption.
Paper FAA Certificates Will Expire
For those of you who still hold a paper license, stop procrastinating. Your paper license will no longer be valid on March 31, 2013. That means you can’t work! The good news is that it’s easy and painless to replace and it only costs $2.00.
Just go to this link:
Or search Google for “FAA Paper License Replacement.”
All paper certificate holders cannot exercise the privileges of their PAPER certificates after March 31, 2013. This includes all certificates that are issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65.
14 CFR 63.15(d) and 65.15(d) reads:
Duration of certificates. Except for temporary certificates issued under §63.15 and 65.15, the holder of a paper certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2013.
If your airman certificate was issued after July 2003 and is a plastic certificate, it already meets the paper-to plastic rule as specified in 14 CFR Parts 63 and 65 and you may disregard this notification.
Inspection Compliance
Please be sure if you are upgrading to inspection on the sUA side that you follow the proper procedures. Until bid area 301 is established in the hubs upgrades will continue. Don’t get into trouble with the FAA during this transition period; if you’re not sure call the inspection management group. Look for a more in
depth report in a future issue of the Dispatch.
Mechanic Contract Books
Many members have asked when the company will print the new agreement. A grievance has been filed out of SFO on the matter. However given the timing of the expedited negotiations there will most likely be a new agreement in place prior to the printing of the transition agreement. To be clear, the printed copy that each member received in the mail prior to ratification is the agreement in place currently. If anyone would like an electronic copy of the agreement it can be found here:
