RAH Pilots Vote to Retain Teamsters
In a vote brought about by the acquisition and merger of MidWest Express, Lynx and Frontier into Republic Holdings, a representational ballot was held to determine what union would represent the merged pilot group. With 85% of eligible members voting, 1,692 pilots, representing 69% of the eligible voters cast ballots for Teamsters representation.
“We’re pleased and honored to have the pilots of Republic show their continued trust in Local 357 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “I welcome the pilots of MidWest, Lynx and Frontier to the Division and especially Local 357, which is headed by a tremendous team and ExCo Chairman Pat Gannon. I’m confident that Pat and the ExCo will work with our newest Teamsters to make them welcome and invite their participation in building an even stronger Local. We also look forward to working with them to negotiate a strong contract that reflects the professionalism and dedication they and their families have made to make RAH Holdings a major player in the industry,” he concluded.
CitationAir Pilots Vote to Join the Airline Division
The pilots of CitationAir have voted this week to join the Airline Division. The company is a subsidiary of Cessna Aircraft that offers fractional corporate jet leasing and flight crew services to private individuals and companies that have the need to access a corporate aircraft without incurring the cost of full ownership.
CitationAir will join Local 1108 which is the home of Flight Options, another of the nation’s largest fractional corporate jet operators. Flight Options ratified their first contract last year.
AAWW Negotiators, Management meet to Refine Language
This week, negotiators and the leadership of the AAWW pilots; comprised of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, (Local 1224) met with company officials in Washington, DC. Discussions were focused on the continuing refinement of a series of documents that are designed to provide both crewmembers and the company with plain language interpretations of various sections of the collective bargaining agreement, in an attempt to prevent incorrect interpretations of the contract language once the contract is implemented. Currently, the parties await the ruling of a Federal mediator on three remaining sections of the single combined CBA which will bring the groups under one contract and seniority list.
The groups are scheduled to meet again in Washington the first week of August.
Community Support is Part of the Culture at Teamsters Local 1224
Teamsters Local 1224 believes in community involvement. One way they demonstrate that belief is in the support of two local baseball teams; the Clinton Massie Rockets and the Clinton Massie Indians, both of which have enjoyed outstanding success during the 2011 baseball season.
With a strong history of success, the Rockets closed their season last week taking the title of District 34 Knothole Class C-1 North Tournament Runner-Up. In 2010, they finished third in the league in 2010 and were league champions in 2009. The 2008 season saw the team finish as league champions and tournament runners up and in 2007 they were the Cincinnati Knothole Association League Division 34 Class D-3 runners up while also winning the District Tournament. The Rockets are a great group of boys that are friends both on and off the field. The majority of the team has played together for the past four or five years.
Teamsters Local 1224 have sponsored the Rockets since the team was formed in 2007.
“I remember one year we played a chief pilot’s team. This member of the company’s management team wasn’t especially union-friendly, so I was proud to report to the Executive Board that the Rockets won the game!” said Jenna Sheeley, Teamsters Local 1224 Office Manager. “The players’ uniforms displayed the Airline Division Logo, so in a way it felt like a victory for the Teamsters.”
“Supporting the local community, events and nonprofit organizations is a part of who we are as Teamsters,” said Local 1224 President, Joe Muckle. “We love to give back to the community in general, but somehow seeing the organizations we support succeed makes it that much more fulfilling.”
Since its inception Teamsters Local 1224 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit worthy causes and organizations throughout the community. The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crew members of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000.
Week in Review Industry News
If elected President, Ron Paul says he will abolish TSA… FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has the temporary position of David Grizzle as ATO COO permanent…Lawmakers have yet to pass a long-term bill reauthorizing the FAA , resulting in lingering uncertainty for the nation's airports…the National Research Council is recommending that the Federal Aviation Administration take commutes into consideration when adjusting pilot work schedules to temper safety risks.
TSA Administrator John Pistole has redefined his vision for the agency…the lawsuit filed by the US Air Transport Assn., American Airlines and United Continental Holdings against the EU's inclusion of aviation in its Emissions Trading Scheme had its first hearing in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg Tuesday…the FAA taking steps that it hopes will reduce fatigue among air traffic controllers.
In a job coup for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, United Continental Holdings announced it will increase its workforce in the city by 2012 with 1,300 more jobs "with no additional subsidies from the city."