NMB Rules In Favor of Airline Division,
Citing a lack of evidence to support the claim of interference, the National Mediation Board has found no merit in the complaint filed by Cape Air Pilots Association against the Airline Division of the Teamsters over the recent revote that removed them and returned the Teamsters as the legal bargaining agent for the Cape Air Pilots. In their complaint, it was alleged that actions taken by both management and the Teamsters during the election process had tainted the election. In its ruling and notice of no further investigation, the NMB noted that the former union had put forth no evidence to support their charges.
“On behalf of all
“We’re grateful for the diligence that the Board devoted to this matter,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “We believe the ruling speaks for itself. It is time now for all parties to come together and move forward towards the goal of a strong
Senate Approves Short Term Extension of FAA Funding
Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate approved by unanimous vote, H.R. 4853, to provide continued funding for the FAA until July 3, 2010. Included in the bill is over $153 million in funding to cover areas ranging from engineering and development to facilities and equipment, as well as daily FAA operations and airport improvements. While the House and Senate will meet at a later time to resolve their differences over the longer term funding, the current legislation mirrors previous funding levels for the agency.
A second successful week meetings and mediation under the auspices of Federal Mediator Marvin Sandrin concluded this week in
Continental to Close Stations, Outsource Jobs
Continental Airlines plans to close seven stations will affect about 150 Fleet Service employees, represented by the Airline Division. In notifying the union on Thursday, they indicated that staff in
“While Continental management has confirmed to us that the company would be offering furlough benefits and early retirement options to affected employees, we are disappointed by this action. Replacing hard working, loyal employees in these stations not only hurts the employees and their families, but the communities as well. It also sends a message to other employees that loyalty does not matter,” said David Bourne, Airline Division Director of the Teamsters.
The IBT requested to discuss the furlough benefits and transfer options to employees as soon as possible, and the company agreed. Explanations of the benefits to be afforded affected employees should be announced early next week.
Week In Review News Items
Labor Developments
The Obama administration's second nominee to head TSA clarified his position on collective bargaining rights for airport screeners Thursday, telling his second Senate confirmation hearing that he would implement bargaining for screeners in a way consistent with aviation security needs…four pilot unions under Republic Airways' umbrella have begun what experts say may be the most-complex arbitration of seniority integration…it’s hard to imagine that American and its largest union, TWU, will be unable to reach a deal without a strike, because the relationship has been good for so long.
Legislative, Regulatory & Safety
Transforming the nation's air traffic system by replacing World War II-era radar with 21st century GPS technology would be accelerated under a bill approved Monday by the Senate…the government wants to fine Northwest Airlines almost $1.5 million after it failed to inspect wires near the cockpit windows in some of its planes for 17 years…QANTAS pilot suffering from a mental illness was allowed to keep flying for three years despite complaining of his urges to crash his planes…and if an enterprise walks like a trust and quacks like a trust, it's reasonable to assume it must be in violation of U.S. antitrust laws. Or maybe it's just one of the airline joint ventures operated by the SkyTeam and Star alliances — and soon to be rolled out by OneWorld.
Aviation Security
President Obama's nominee to head TSA told Congress on Tuesday he wants U.S. airport security to more closely resemble security at Israeli airports, where officers engage travelers in conversations and questions to determine whether they are a threat to aircraft…today's smartphones and PDAs could have a new use in the nation's airports: helping passengers avoid long lines at security checkpoints. TSA is looking at installing devices in airports that home in and detect personal electronic equipment. The aim is to track how long people are stuck in security lines. Information about wait times could then be posted on websites and in airports across the country.
Airline Industry Finances & Structure
While a deal in 2007 produced an "open skies" framework for flights between the EU and US, it made no progress on tackling restrictive ownership rules. Yesterday Siim Kallas, the European transport commissioner, said the EU had reached a "provisional agreement" with American negotiators "to engage in a process towards such reform”…every setback opens new opportunities. The early retirement of a substantial number of JAL pilots this year under the airline’s restructuring plan could change the landscape of the air transport industry in
Miscellaneous
ATA spent $1.44 million lobbying federal officials in the fourth quarter on passenger rights, taxes and other issues, according to a recent disclosure filing…add travel agents to the list of people annoyed at the ever-growing list of ancillary fees being charged by airlines. In their case, they are annoyed about the amount of work required to add ancillary services to the tickets they’re booking for clients. Plus, they’re not getting paid for providing these often time-consuming services.