TAMC Newsletter is Ready

The new edition of the Teamster Aviation Professional is ready to read. Volume 6, Issue 2 of the newsletter includes detailed reports on recent actions and negotiations at United Airlines, the TAMC role at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, the ongoing push to end unfair subsidies at Gulf nation carriers, and much more! 

Click here to read the newsletter. 

Articles and reports in this edition include:

• Airline Division Board & Staff Meet at Unity
• UAL Mechanics Picket Shareholders' Meeting in Chicago
• TAMC Report on the 2015 Aerospace Maintenance Competition
• Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne Hikes for Wounded Vets
• TAMC Support for Allegiant Pilots Continues Following Investigation
• Teamsters Partner with Industry, Unions in Open Skies Fight
• Airline Division Rep Bob Fisher Speaks to Students at Embry-Riddle
• Negotiations Roundup: ExpressJet, Frontier, NetJets, and United Airlines 

The Teamster Aviation Professional is the official newsletter of the TAMC. Its pages are filled with essential news and information from Teamster airline mechanics and leading TAMC members who are fighting every day for airline safety and the advancement of our craft. 

The TAMC is the voice of airline mechanics - and this is our publication. The newsletter is distributed electronically and is designed to reach mechanics nationwide. It keeps aviation mechanics up to date on the issues that are important to us. In addition to updates from the Airline Division on what the TAMC is doing on Capitol Hill and throughout the industry, the newsletter regularly includes articles from members that deal with topics from ASAP to outsourcing. 

Check out the latest issue of the Teamster Aviation Professional today!

Willis Tower Rally and Picketing

Over 100 IBT members gathered at Willis Tower in Chicago on June 10th in a show of strength and unity to demonstrate frustration with the Company's lack of urgency in negotiating the promised industry-leading contract for United Technicians. The picketers were so loud and boisterous at 233 Wacker Drive that they could be heard in the shareholders meeting being held 10 stories above. They were so raucous that they could be heard all the way to Lake Michigan, according to reports of passersby.

Several of the demonstrators also attended the shareholders meeting. These Teamsters accounted for roughly half of the total attendees at the meeting. Several of the Teamster members in attendance asked questions of Jeff Smisek and the Board of Directors, related to the Company’s finances, governance, and operations. Canned answers were given and were of no meaningful substance. Meeting attendees believed this action by the Company showed blatant disrespect for its technician workforce. Mr. Smisek promised additional time for questions at the end of the meeting but, contrary to that promise, he and the BOD cut short the promised Q&A and unceremoniously walked out of the room to jeers from the IBT represented share owners.

The demonstration and shareholders meeting activities were coordinated; and advice given, by Carin Zalenko and Louis Malizia of the IBT Capital Strategies Division. Carin and Louis held a pre-rally meeting on June 9^th that lasted several hours to prepare those that would be asking questions at the shareholder meeting. Pictures and video were taken by Fred Nye and should be on the Airline Division Page soon.

In a press release prior to the event, rank and file negotiator John Laurin, a 29-year United Airlines maintenance technician; explained the need for the protest by saying, “as employees and shareholders of this company, we have a long-term interest in the success of the airline and it’s time for management to do the right thing and offer us a well-deserved, industry-leading contract.”

“I would like to thank all those who attended the event” said Division Representative Bob Fisher. “In addition, I would like to also thank the Local Principal Officers for doing whatever it took to get their members to the event in such large numbers.”

Future activities and demonstrations are being planned and will be announced when finalized. Rank and file member cell phone videos of the June 10^th demonstration are posted at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7YF9kQqjHVjnmJJLZzuZfA

To view press coverage of this event, click the links below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/06/10/united-airlines-mechanics-pound-the-war-drums-as.html?ana=yahoo

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-united-airlines-protest-0611-biz-20150610-story.html

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/united-airlines-maintenance-workers-warn-shareholders-of-problems-at-airline-2015-06-10

Interviews are ongoing with radio stations and if they are picked up the clips will be linked in the next Dispatch.

Special Update

June 9, 2015

 

UNITED AIRLINES MAINTENANCE WORKERS TO WARN SHAREHOLDERS OF PROBLEMS IN THE FRIENDLY SKIES

Teamsters to Protest Airline Mismanagement at Company’s Annual Meeting  

(CHICAGO) – On Wed., June 10, at 8 a.m., United Airlines [NYSE: UAL] aviation maintenance technicians and related support personnel will rally outside the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting to warn investors and customers of turbulence ahead.

More than 9,000 Teamster aviation maintenance workers who are critical to United’s operations are losing patience as the company drags its feet on reaching a fair collective bargaining agreement five years after the United-Continental merger announcement. The workers’ last contract became amendable in January 2013.  

United-Continental workers, shareholders and customers have been loyal through tough times, shouldering the burden of myriad problems—including integration and customer service issues—that have taken a toll on United’s earnings and reputation.

United Airlines came in last among traditional carriers in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey released in May.  

The company appears willing to risk United’s turnaround by provoking a labor dispute with its large maintenance and related workforce.

WHO: United Airlines maintenance and related workers

WHAT: Rally and march outside United Airlines’ annual shareholders meeting

WHEN: Wed., June 10, 2015 at 8:00 a.m., CDT

WHERE: Willis Tower, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606

VISUALS: United workers chanting, with signs that read, “Turbulence at United.”

Event Planned for Annual Shareholders Meeting

June 5, 2015 

As previously reported in the Dispatch, mediated talks have not been going well. As a result the negotiating committee requested of the Division that all possible legal pressure be brought to bear on the Company to move these talks forward. The first planned event will take place at the annual shareholders meeting at Willis Tower in downtown Chicago on June 10^th at 8am. The event will include a demonstration and hand billing prior to the meeting, followed by attendance of the meeting, to demand an industry-leading contract now. 

There will be a preparation meeting on June 9^th at 6:00pm CST at the Chicago Airport Hilton to discuss the events for the following day. The meeting room will be pointed out to members when they enter the hotel lobby. If you are planning to attend on the 10^th please make every effort to attend the preparation meeting on Tuesday evening. Members that wish to attend the shareholder meeting must bring their proof of ownership of shares. For many of you this came in the mail in and is titled Annual Meeting Notice & Admission Ticket. You will not be able to enter the shareholders meeting without proof of shares. 

ALL members are strongly encouraged to attend to show the Company we are serious about bringing these talks to conclusion. Again, you deserve it, and only an industry-leading contract will bring these talks to an agreement! If you cannot attend, and have not yet voted your shares, please see your Business Agent to discuss how you can help. 

The rank and file negotiating committee is looking forward to your assistance.

The rally address and times follow:

WHEN:            Wed., June 10, 2015 at 8:00 a.m., CST

WHERE:         Willis Tower, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606

In Solidarity,

 

Clacy Griswold

Airline Division Representative

International Brotherhood of Teamsters