Insurance Updates
All members should be seeing new insurance cards arriving in the near future. The name and logo were changed and for some plans the group number, which prompted the need for the re-issuance of cards. In addition the company has put out notices to re-certify your dependents on the intranet.
For sub United members that continued the Continental American LTD policy there was some confusion from the new insurance administrator, Hewitt AON. Members were calling the benefits center and were being told they no longer had this coverage. This is not a company provided benefit and will continue. The confusion arose because the deduction is now done monthly instead of bi-weekly. For those members paid weekly the premium will come out on the third check of the month.
For sub Continental members the following is from the CAL benefits review committee:
As mentioned in the last Benefits Review Committee update, the first benefits review committee meeting of 2012 was held in MCO on January 5th at Local 769’s Orlando satellite office.
The Committee was given an overview of a grievance filed, referencing the CAL pilot’s pension & 401(k) contribution changes made when the pilots transitioned from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan during the concessionary negotiations. The information will be passed on to consultant Pete Hardcastle, and the committee believes this information will be valuable in the discussions when negotiations begin.
Hemant Berry, Asst. Director – IBT Benefits, gave an update on his findings pertaining to the 20% CAL medical premium calculations. In previous updates, the committee has informed you that bundles of information were being requested and analyzed.
Mr. Berry found that some of the information requested was not complete. The total breakdown of some costs calculated in the “aggregate amount” was not broken down to specific items. In order to have an accurate calculation, this information is needed. IBT Counsel Nick Manicone will be sending a formal request to the Company, explaining the breakdown of the items needed. In short, the committee is requesting an itemized breakdown of CAL’s total cost for their self insured medical plans.
Union participants were: IBT Counsel Nick Manicone, IBT Assistant Director Benefits- Hemant Berry, Ralph Salzano BA LU 210, Tommy Esposito BA LU 769, Angel Cantu BA LU19, Dave Elmore BA LU 986, Audrey Scates CAL LAX Technician LU 986, Vinny Graziano CAL EWR Technician LU 210, Gary Kagel CAL MCO Technician LU 769, Bob Clever CAL IAH Technician LU 19 (absent), Joe Schwirian UAL SFO Technician LU 986, James J. Johns UAL DEN Technician LU 455, Larry Calhoun UAL EWR Technician LU 210, Roger Apana UAL HNL Technician LU 986
Guests were: Paul Becerra – MCO CAL Chief Shop Steward, Brian Wooley – MCO CAL Chief Shop Steward and George Valletta – MCO pension grievant
Steward Training
Last week IBT Local Representatives met with the SFO steward group. As part of the process of moving forward with the newly ratified agreement, SFO Business Agents along with the Local Grievance and Negotiating committees spent the better part of last week meeting at Local 856 with Teamster representatives from Continental Airlines.
Ralf Salzano from Local 210, Angel Cantu and Dan Stunda from Local 19 and Dave Elmore from Local 986 brought their many years of experience of working under a Teamster Contract to this meeting. The committee was also joined by International Business Representative Clacy Griswold and fellow UAL Teamster representatives Dave Saucedo from Seattle and Dion Cornelius and Tony Ybarra from LAX.
The first two days concentrated on Bid Areas under Article 3 to line up the bid area numbers and experience requirements with the many shops and work areas that make up SFOMM and the Maintenance Base. Once these were established, the committee continued with the execution of the actual contract language. Many scenarios were discussed on several Articles giving the SFO representatives a clear understanding of the actual context of the newly negotiated language.
Thanks go out to Locals 19, 210, 856 and 986 for providing this invaluable experience.
Transition Update
For sub UA members there have been continual questions regarding the holiday pay premium. As was stated in previous editions of the Dispatch members will be paid the correct premium whether done in the check on the 26th or more likely an adjustment in the following pay check.
The no lunch provision continues to be a concern and the company has changed its position with regards to the application of the language. Members affected by the change in the company’s interpretation are advised to file grievances on the matter.
While the IBT works to correct this situation members are advised to utilize the thirty minute lunch period as described in Article 7.
Information for Members on Furlough
There have been many questions to the Division from members on furlough regarding recall rights in the new agreement. There have been no changes to the recall provisions from the last agreement. Members are advised to ensure they continue to keep their addresses updated with the company to make sure they are not bypassed.
Please keep in contact with your Local Representatives as well as they have the most up to date information on individual city openings.
Useful Links
Would you like to see a link added? If so contact either Chris Moore at [email protected] or Bob Fisher at [email protected]
Airline Mechanics Forum: http://airlinemechanics.org/yabb/YaBB.pl