Progress Reported in Republic Negotiations
Negotiations resumed on behalf of the Republic Pilot Group January 28th in Pittsburgh, PA. The major topics of the negotiations covered during the session were Article 3 (Compensation) and Article 7 (Vacancies). Substantial progress was made, but the time allotted during the week expired before a Tentative Agreement (TA) on an entire Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) could be reached. Formal bargaining resumed in Indianapolis, IN on Tuesday, February 4th. After a lot of hard work on the part of everyone involved, by the close of business on Thursday, February 6th, TAs were reached on Article 3 (Compensation) and Article 7 (Vacancies), as well as on the Letters of Agreement (“LOA”) that supplement the understandings reached during the last few months.
The IBT and Company are still working on finalizing Article 2 (Definitions), as well as developing clear examples and explanations of how the scheduling and other provisions work. There are numerous changes in work rules that were incorporated in the TAs reached so far in response to the Republic Pilots’ expectations, as well as those necessitated by FAR 117. Because of the complexity of some of these changes, the IBT and the Company must also reach agreement on an implementation schedule for a number of these provisions before a comprehensive TA on a complete CBA has been achieved.
NetJets Dispatchers
The NetJets Dispatchers Negotiating Committee met at Local 284 with International Representative Paul Alves and Paul Suffoletto on Feb 4th through 6th for extensive work sessions. Article 11 (Sick Leave and OJI), Article 12 (Leaves of Absences), and Article 13 (Training), were prepared for counter offers. The Articles were all vetted from the IBT Airline Division legal counsel, and Articles 12 and 13 were sent to the company for their review.
The Profit Sharing and Merit raises were also discussed with counsel, and the hardships that many members have to endure due to the company's position. This is a great concern to the Committee and all avenues are being explored.
Work and negotiation sessions are once again scheduled for the week of February 17th.
Airline Division, Local 986 and Horizon Mechanics Fight to Stop Outsourcing of Work
With stated plans by Horizon Air to move three aircraft to Alaska and have IBT represented mechanics at Horizon train other, higher paid mechanics at Alaska Airlines to service the aircraft; in a clear violation of the IBT/Horizon Air contract, Airline Division Director David Bourne has sent a letter to Chris Lewless, Managing Director of People and Labor Relations at Horizon Airlines about the issue. In the letter, Division Director Bourne wrote:
“It has come to my attention that Horizon Air and Alaska Air Group intend to outsource maintenance customarily performed by the mechanics at Horizon. It is also my understanding this will be done on aircraft that are being moved to, and operated in the State of Alaska. I am writing you today to urge you to reconsider your decision.
As you know, regular scheduled maintenance has customarily been accomplished by mechanics on the Horizon seniority list that are represented by the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. It is my understanding that you have laid plans to use Horizon mechanics to temporarily assist in the start up of this operation. These mechanics will; among other duties, be assigned the task of training those higher paid, Alaska Air mechanics.
I would like to be extremely clear that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Airline Division view this action by Horizon Air and Alaska Air Group to outsource this work as a major violation of the Article 2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement of which both parties are signatories.
Inasmuch as we fundamentally object to this type of outsourcing as violation of the basic tenets of the working agreement; we consider this plan to have our members train their replacements as a contemptuous disregard of our members, their families, the collective bargaining agreement and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We also note that you have worked to facilitate the placement of both pilots and flight attendants in this matter, yet have made no attempt whatsoever to do so with mechanics.
It is my opinion that the best interests of both our membership and Horizon would be better served if we can find a mutually agreeable solution to this issue. To that end, I welcome the opportunity to join the leadership of the Local and you to discuss this matter. While it is my hope that we can come to a mutually agreeable resolution to this matter; should we be unsuccessful, I would ask that you join us in agreeing to proceeding directly to arbitration. Should this become necessary, you have my commitment that the Airline Division and the International will fully support the process and I will place the full resources of the Airline Division at the disposal of the Local union.
I again urge you to reconsider this decision and I look forward to speaking with you so that we can discuss this matter. Please feel free to contact my office at 202-624-6848.”
“We will monitor this situation very closely,” said Bourne. “While I am hopeful that Horizon will work with us to resolve this matter, we will not stand by as see our members jobs outsourced to another group,” he concluded.
Remaining Arbitration Dates for UAL to be Set Next Week, No Reductions for Mechanics in CLE
With grievances pending on several issues, union and management teams will work this coming week to firm up the remaining dates and select arbitrators. The remaining expedited system wide scope and benefits grievances include the sub CO and sub UA medical, Chicago Data Center outsourcing, Tool Room process integration, Newark De-Icing equipment outsourcing, and the APU crew cases. As soon as the dates are finalized the members will be notified and when decisions are rendered they will be posted on the Airline Division website and links will be provided in the UAL Mechanics Dispatch newsletter.
With recent press reports and the company announcement of service reductions at the Cleveland hub, questions were raised about reductions at the base. The company has advised that there are no planned reductions for mechanics.
Editors Note: Last week, we referred to Dave Saucedo as an International Representative. In fact, he is a Business Agent for Local 986. We regret the confusion caused by this error.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The Federal Aviation Administration will not be able to meet its deadline to mandate ADS-B technology by 2020, according to congressional testimony from Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin Scovel III.
The Federal Aviation Administration chief told a House panel Wednesday that the agency pursued greater safety in requiring more pilot training, a move that some airlines blamed for reducing flight service across the Midwest.
Congress is preparing for a hearing on reforms implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2012, and some lawmakers say now is the time to start on the 2015 reauthorization.
Airline, Industry and Labor
American Airlines and U.S. Airways have now linked most of their global network through code-sharing that will become effective to travelers who book travel starting Thursday.
Thousands of pilots are nearing the mandatory retirement age of 65, just as it is becoming harder to be a commercial airline pilot.
John Kemp, a market analyst for Reuters, writes that U.S. airlines have trimmed fuel consumption by around 1.4 million barrels per day. "Fuel is now the largest single item of expenditure for most U.S. and international airlines," he writes.