TAMC hits the hill in support of FAA Reauthorization
14 Teamsters from the Airline Division descended on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, September 13 for a final push to ensure that a single standard of safety and the new, fair voting rules for RLA elections stay in the FAA Re-authorization bill.
Eleven Mechanics from seven local unions, Cedric Washington XJT Local 19, Vincent Graziano, Steve Olsen CAL, Tom Reid and Jay Korney UAL Local 210, Mitch Hunt UAL Local 455, Geoffrey Maloney ASA Local 528, Gary Kagel CAL Local 769, Joe Foley UAL Local 781, Dave Saucedo and Fred Wood UAL Local 986 along with TAMC Chairman, Chris Moore and Airline Division Representatives Bob Fisher and Paul Alves attended the meetings. The group met with following Senate and House offices. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sen. Robert Mendez (D-NJ), Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Michael Bennett(D-CO), Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), Sen. Mike Kirk (R-IL), Sen. Richard Durbin(D-IL), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart(R-FL), who took time away from a house vote to meet with the group personally.
“All of the meetings were successful as Democrats and Republicans alike agree with the position on both the single standard for Aircraft Maintenance Safety and keeping the new NMB voting rules; which only consider votes cast in a union election,” said Chris Moore of the TAMC.
“With the 22nd extension of FAA funding now in place and signed by President Obama, we still face a Republican Congress that has an anti-labor agenda,” said Bob Fisher, IBT International Representative. “We will continue to fight to make sure that our language stays in the bill when it is finally passed.”
Airline Division Representatives speak at Local 19 CALMX Class and Craft Meetings in Houston
On Wednesday September 14 and Thursday September 15, Airline Division Representative Clacy Griswold and TAMC Chairman Chris Moore, joined Local 19 Executive Board Members for Continental Airlines Maintenance Class and Craft meetings in Houston. The meetings were attended by over 150 local 19 members.
Griswold updated the members on the current status of negotiations for the UAL mechanics and explained seniority integration,contract amalgamation and answered questions about what to expect as the process unfolds. He also spoke about continued improvements in communications between the International Union the Locals and the Members.
In addition to marking the fourth anniversary of the formation of the TAMC, Chris Moore updated the members on the recent TAMC’s lobbying efforts on their behalf on Capitol Hill as well as an update on ongoing programs the TAMC has, including the License Protection Program, the TAMC Newsletter and the Teamster Outsourcing Defect Report (T.O.D.R.).
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
After an unexpected second round of congressional squabbling over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and highway programs, President Obama has signed the bill passed by lawmakers this week to extend both through next year…The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fining Aviation Technical Services$1.1 million for allegedly using ineffective maintenance procedures to prevent damage and detect cracks to the fuselages of dozens of Southwest Airlines planes…Alaska Airlines is facing a $59,000 fine over maintenance issues…Pinnacle Airlines subsidiary,Colgan Airways is facing a $1.89 million dollar fine for allowing flight attendants to operate on flight s where they had not been trained on safety equipment…The Department of Transportation has proposed a rule that would prohibit airline passengers from smoking electronic cigarettes on flights. According to Air Transport Association spokesman Steve Lott, some airlines have already banned e-cigarettes.
Industry and Labor
The families of Colgan 3407 are among those who are fighting the airline industry and lobbyists who are protesting government attempts to prevent pilot fatigue… Ed Bastian, president of Delta Air Lines, says the carrier is not planning to order any more jets in "the near to medium term." Delta recently ordered 100 737-900ERs from Boeing…Scott Kirby, president of US Airways Group,said the carrier has put itself in a better position to cope with high fuel costs by reducing capacity and making other changes. Robust demand has also helped the airline, which expects to post a modest 2011 profit…The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents thousands of flight attendants at Air Canada, said that if a deal isn't reached with the airline next week, a >strike is possible. Flight attendants could walk off the job as early as Sept. 21st, according to the union.