NMB Sets Election Dates for Allegiant Pilots, Division Confirms Local Affiliation
After being informed by the NMB that the voting dates for the allegiant pilots have been set for August 2nd through 23rd, Airline Division Director David Bourne also announced that should the pilots of Allegiant choose to be represented by the Airline Division, they will become members of Local 1224. “This decision is based upon the request of the Allegiant Organizing Committee and their expressed desire to be affiliated with Local 1224,” said Bourne. “After consultation with Local 1224 President Dan Wells and the International representatives who have been working with the committee, I am pleased to honor their request. Local President Wells and the organizing committee will have our full support as they go forward, should they choose membership with the Teamsters. We look forward to providing them additional information on the merits of Teamster membership and look forward to welcoming them as our newest members,” Bourne concluded.
“The Drive Is Real!” Airline Division Refutes Rumors about Campaign at American
In a video message to the American Airlines Mechanics and Related, Airline Division Director David Bourne put to rest the false rumors being spread by that the Teamster drive at American Airlines is not real.
“Despite what some want you to believe, our organizing drive is real,” said Bourne in the video message. “There is no “secret” deal with the TWU that would have us refuse to file for election. We intend to organize mechanics and related at American and we intend to and win,” he continued.
Bourne went on to explain why the American Airlines mechanics and related need more than a single craft association to protect their jobs and fight for the improvements they deserve.
“We know that some of you wish to form a craft union. But the reality is that ever since airline deregulation in 1978, single craft unions in the industry have been unable to compete and win against management,” he said.
Information on the organizing drive can be found here: www.teamster.org/aamx
Alternately the video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWSVTbZYCew
ExpressJet Negotiations Update
Negotiations were held in Baltimore, July 16th through 19th with the Federal Mediator.
The week was spent in discussion and exchange of proposals on Section 3 (Classifications); however no tentative agreement was reached. Negotiations are scheduled to continue on August 27th in Providence, R.I.
When negotiations resume they will continue on Classifications with the company intending to discuss changes in two other sections that were previously agreed to before the merger.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
U.S. airlines transported 1.6% more passengers in April, compared with the same month last year…Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., says he will file a bill to close a loophole that allowed people on the national No Fly List to enroll in flight training…The Department of Transportation says it will follow the scheduled end of a six-month enforcement moratorium on new airline consumer rules amid appeals by airlines. The new regulations govern the disclosure of fees and baggage allowances.
Airlines and Labor
AMR
Corp. CEO Tom Horton says he and American Airlines will not be pressured into a merger by US Airways…US Airways CEO Doug Parker says his airline would like to replace some of its 50-seat regional jets with larger regional jets.
The CEO's of AMR and US Airways met this morning for breakfast in Washington (7/19) and talked about a possible merger. The meeting between Tom Horton, the CEO of AMR and American Airlines, and Doug Parker, the CEO of US Airways, marked the first time the CEOs had met face-to-face to discuss the proposed merger.
Airline pilots at United Airlines have voted to authorize a strike after negotiations with the carrier stalled…US Airways and the Association of Flight Attendants will resume negotiations this week on a labor contract. "We're headed to Philadelphia this week to make a deal with our flight attendants' union," said Al Hemenway, the airline's vice president of labor relations. Negotiations are scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.