NetJets Vice President fired for Anti Union activities against Pilots
After discovering that a NetJets Vice President was engaged in anti union activities; discovered as a consequence of the lawsuit filed by NetJets pilots in December 2014, the company has fired the individual and the President and COO have also left the company. According to an article in AIN, “In the course of investigating union-interference claims that the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) raised in a lawsuit against NetJets, “We discovered that—without the knowledge or approval of NetJets—a team member undertook efforts on his own to blog and Tweet about the pilots’ union activities and positions,” a NetJets spokeswoman told AIN. “This situation, which involved a single manager acting alone, is the only episode of inappropriate conduct we have discovered in this ongoing investigation.”
Decision reached in subUAL Med/Arb case
A decision has been reached in the sub UA medical arbitration case. The Board ruled that the institution of a 90-10 coinsurance violated Art 16 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. With respect to the other increases such as co pays and out of pocket maximums the Board ruled that those elements were not in violation of Article 16. According to the decision; “The remedy is remanded to the parties for a period of 60 days, after which the remedy will be returned to the Board for resolution. The Board maintains jurisdiction of the remedy portion of this Award.”
The full decision and transcripts may be read here: http://teamsterair.org/sites/teamsterair.org/files/uploads/arbtranscriptday1-3.pdf
http://teamsterair.org/sites/teamsterair.org/files/uploads/arbitrationtranscriptday2.pdf
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle were quick to praise President Barack Obama's nomination of U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that air traffic control centers across the U.S. are no longer using old radar tracking systems. Radar-based systems at the centers have been replaced with a $2.5 billion satellite-based En Route Automation Modernization, or ERAM, system. Officials say the new system will improve fuel efficiency and reduce delays.
Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., and Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., have proposed a bill that would prohibit the Transportation Security Administration from allowing travelers who have not submitted to background checks to receive expedited airport screening.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings reported net income of $29.23 million for the first quarter, an increase from the $7.9 million reported in the same quarter of 2014. First-quarter total revenue also increased to $444.85 million from $403.36 million in the first quarter of last year.
Strength in the air cargo market has led to a boost in demand for the Boeing 747-8, according to the aircraft manufacturer.