NetJets Technicians and Related
The NetJets Technicians and Related Negotiating Committee met with the Company on December 5, 2013. This Negotiating session consisted the Union making counter proposals on Articles 7 – (Union Representation), 12 – (Jury Duty), 13 – (Funeral Leave), and 35 – (Tuition Assistance). The Union and the Company were able to reach a Tentative Agreement on Article 12 – (Jury Duty).
Additionally, the Committee met outside of negotiations the week of November 11th to work on counter proposals to Articles 7 – (Union Representation), 12 – (Jury Duty), 13 – (Funeral Leave), 16 – (Holidays), 18 – (401K), 27 – (Shifts and Days Off) and Article 32 – (Hours of Service).
The Union and the Company will be working to set dates for the next round of talks.
GoJets Pilot Negotiations Continue
The Negotiation Committee met with the Company on Wednesday, December 4th and Thursday December 5th.
On Wednesday the IBT passed counters on Section 14 – (Sick Leave), and Section 15 – (Leaves of Absence). The Company passed counters on Section 23 – (Discipline and Discharge), 24 – (Grievances), and 25 – (System Board of Adjustment). After discussion, Section 15 was tentatively agreed to by the parties.
On Thursday, the IBT passed counters Section 7 – (Hours of Service) and Section 8 – (Scheduling). The Company passed counters on Section 13 – (Vacation), and Section 14 – (Sick Leave), with the section being tentatively agreed to by the parties.
The Local IBT Negotiating Team met in November for prep work, while the IBT Negotiating Team continued prep work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday working on multiple sections.
The next negotiating session is scheduled in the week of January 13th through 17th.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The House aviation subcommittee cleared legislation that would force the FAA to follow established rulemaking processes before implementing a new requirement that some pilots be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before receiving a medical certificate. The bill, H.R. 3578, was introduced on November 21 by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), chairman of the Transportation Committee’s aviation subcommittee. Last month, the FAA said it planned to implement a new policy in which the agency would soon begin subjecting pilots with a body mass index of 40 or greater to OSA screening.
The NTSB is concerned that overreliance on automation may leave pilots unprepared in an emergency.
When a judge ruled against the request to block the merger of American and USAirways, the plaintiffs and their attorneys, Joseph Alioto and David Cook, didn't just lose their effort to obtain a temporary restraining order to block the American Airlines-US Airways merger. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane is making them pay the airlines legal fees.
Airlines, Labor and Industry
Although Boeing is soliciting bids from 15 locations for building its 777X, analysts say the best choice could reside in Everett, Wash. "To meet customer requirements and minimize risk, Everett (WA) is the logical and best location -– new IAM contract or not," analyst Scott Hamilton writes.
Airbus and Boeing have both exceeded 1,200 orders so far this year. Airbus has booked 1,373 orders since January, while Boeing has secured 1,212 orders in the same time period. Meanwhile, Boeing delivered 580 aircraft this year, compared to Airbus' delivery of 562 planes.
Doug Parker, who will take over as the CEO of the merged US Airways-American Airlines, said he wants to surpass $1 billion in revenue and savings at the merged airline. "I'm hoping it's a number we can exceed," Parker said. "It’s not easy. It’s not a given by any means."
Indigo Partners has completed its purchase of Frontier Airlines. Indigo plans to transform the Denver-based airline into an ultra-low-cost carrier.