NetJets Technicians and Related Negotiations Continue
Negotiations resumed this past week with the Company passing a counter proposal to the union on Article 27 (Shifts and Days Off). The Company also passed opening proposals on Articles 28 (Overtime) and 29 (Field Service).
The union Negotiating Committee began work on Article 31 (Seniority). No Tentative Agreements reached in the weeks discussions.
The Union and the Company will be working to set dates for the next round of talks.
Organizing Drive Begins at Florida West International
Florida West International, an all cargo airline based at Miami International airport is the latest group to understand the value of membership with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. A membership drive, headed by the Airline Division was recently initiated.
Florida West operates Boeing 767 equipment in scheduled and charter services worldwide, with its main markets in Latin America, the Caribbean and the USA.
Airline Division Attends Annual UNITY Conference
Airline Division Director David Bourne and members of the Airline Division attended the Teamster UNITY conference in Las Vegas. The annual meeting allows Teamsters from all divisions, classes and crafts to meet, develop policy and gain an even greater understanding of each other’s jobs and importance in the American workplace.
Groups from many Locals within the Division were present and had the opportunity to discuss issues affecting them. A more complete report may be found on the www.teamster.org website.
Airline Division, Member Airlines Attend RAA Conference
Last week, Airline Division David Bourne and many Airline Division pilot groups attended the Regional Airline Conference. Sponsored by industry manufacturers and others, the conference gave the pilot groups the opportunity to hear from industry management, experts and others regarding their views on the Regional industry.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
Year-over-year March employment figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics showed an increase in the number of people employed by U.S. airlines. All carriers employed 585,864 people in March, compared with 584,784 in February and 584,285 in March 2013.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Republic Airlines, based in Indianapolis, is delaying a decision on ordering Bombardier CSeries aircraft. "We're not talking about cancelling the order," said Republic CEO Bryan Bedford.
The end of an era came at American Airlines as the wide-body jets serving its flagship transcon routes made their last flights, replaced by smaller, narrow-body Airbus A321Ts.
Eastern Air Lines Group, the company that is planning to revive Eastern Air Lines, announced that it has placed an order for ten Boeing 737-800 aircraft, a short- to medium-range narrow-body jet. It also said it secured purchase rights for ten Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, an aircraft that is being developed as a successor to the third-generation 737.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly announced the carrier plans to add up to 50 destinations in the coming years and will complete its integration with AirTran Airways next year.
American Airlines is slated to receive delivery of the first Bombardier CRJ900 with 5.5% improved fuel efficiency. The CRJ900 also includes NextGen features and other improvements. American will accept delivery of the CRJ900 in June.
Airbus has tested four of its initial A350s and will test the fifth next month. The company is looking to acquire its certification for the airplane during the third quarter of this year.
Extreme winter weather, including two of the worst winter weather days for aviation ever recorded, had a tremendous effect on U.S. airline operation in the first quarter of 2014. Commenting on the historically bad weather conditions, Airlines for America Senior Vice President Jean Medina said, "there's times when it's simply not safe to fly. Airlines did they best they could to get customers where they needed to be and reaccommodate them quickly."
Boeing is picking and choosing the best features from two successful flight decks for the hybrid design it will incorporate into the 777X.
The merger between American Airlines and US Airways has led to a successful turnaround at the carrier. Five months after the merger was completed, shares of American Airlines Group are trading at 40% more than the day the merger concluded.