Airline Division News Items
When It Rains It Pours
The Airline Division has 22 major Section 6 collective bargaining agreements to negotiate this year. This is an unprecedented number. Our IBT attorneys and negotiators have a full load and we have assigned some cases to our regular outside attorneys for their assistance. This will be a busy year.
Section 6 Negotiations for United Mechanics is Underway
The Teamsters Negotiating Committee and officials from United Airlines formally launched contract negotiations on Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 in Chicago. This first session was largely introductory, with both parties providing opening comments and outlining general themes and objectives. The Union will present its official non economic proposals to the Company when the parties meet again on May 26th and 27th in San Francisco. After the IBT presents the non economic proposals to the Company at the May meetings, those proposals will be posted on www.IBTUALNegotiations.com
Opening Statements
The April 28th negotiation session began with an opening statement by the Company, followed by a power point presentation detailing the Company's perspective on the economic climate, the Airline Industry in general, and UAL's position within the Industry. The Unionopened with a statement presented by Negotiating Committee Chair Clacy Griswold. Chairman Griswold outlined some of the areas of focus for the Unionduring Phase 1 of bargaining, which will center on non?]economic items. Chairman Griswold noted that one area the Unionwill be focusing on is reworking the grievance procedure in order to make the process of resolving grievances more efficient and effective.
Pension Discussion
David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, concluded the meeting by proposing to the Company that it consider participating in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund (www.wctpension.org). The Company responded with a willingness to analyze and seriously consider the idea. The Union and the Company then agreed to form a Joint Pension Sub Committee to explore theWestern Conference of Teamsters Pension option. Stay tuned for further updates on the Pension issue as discussions with the Company progress. Rest assured, the IBT is committed to fully educating the membership on the Pension issue. Ultimately, if the parties can agree at the bargaining table, you will make the final decision through a vote of the membership.
National Mediation Board Will Meet With IBT This Month
The Airline Division will meet late this month with the NMB on the issue of negotiations with Local 2727 which represents the United Parcel Air Maintenance and Related workers.
Steve Nagrotski Joins Airline Division Staff
The Teamsters Airline Division had added Steve Nagrotski to its staff in an administrative position. Steve was an attorney with ALPA for 26 years and is an expert on the Railway Labor Act and Federal Air Regulations. He will be a major help in the heavy negotiations that will take place this year.
Swine Flu Fact Sheet
The Safety and Health Department of the IBT has issued a fact sheet on the swine flu outbreak for airline flight deck and cabin crews. The fact sheet is attached.
Week in Review News Items
Labor Developments
After two years of head-spinning union politics, legal wrangling and almost-daily rhetoric, the feuding pilots of the "new" US Airways will soon face off on the ultimate battlefield: federal court. Meanwhile, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey has agreed to oversee two mediators working to resolve the contract dispute between FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. that has simmered since the agency imposed a contract on the union in 2006 after it declared an impasse in negotiations.
Delta Air Lines is adding as many as 500 jobs in Atlanta as a result of its merger with Northwest Airlines, even as it cuts thousands of positions throughout its system through buyouts. And with a pro-union president and Congress, what labor policy changes are we likely to see that will affect the transportation industries? Will those new policies be good for the sector and/or for transportation users? Read the views of James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Jeff Rosen, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Terry O'Sullivan, General President, Laborers' International Union of North America.World stock markets fell Monday as investors worried that a deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico could go global and derail any global economic recovery. Airlines took the brunt of the selling amid concerns passengers could hold back from flying for fear of catching the virus. Swine flu could have a significant impact on air traffic, the International Air Transport Association warned Tuesday. The World Health Organization warned countries Wednesday that a global pandemic from a new strain of flu appeared imminent, as the number of ill continued to grow and the first death outside Mexico was reported in Texas. The United Nations public-health agency raised its global pandemic alert level to phase 5 from phase 4, indicating the A/H1N1 virus has caused outbreaks in at least two countries in one region. "All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparation plans" and be on "high alert" for outbreaks, said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.
A national flight attendants union wants the Federal Aviation Administration to require U.S. airlines to develop and implement passenger-screening standards because of the swine flu scare. The request, if granted, could be costly to an industry already reeling from a drop-off in demand due to the weak economy. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA also asked the FAA in a letter Monday to order airlines to provide flight attendants with non-latex gloves and masks and to allow flight attendants with flu-like symptoms to call in sick but not have the absence counted against their allotted sick leave. And Business Travel Coalition, is seeing "no panic yet, but everyone's getting up to speed." It has launched a constantly updated online compendium of flu news updates and useful websites (www.netvibes.com/btc#Flu).