sUAL GSE/Facilities Maintenance Committee Meets
On Tuesday, July 15th the national GSE and Facilities committee representing sub United mechanics met in Houston. The meeting started at 8am and continued through the day with a working lunch as there were many topics discussed.
The committee sat down with Rob Walker of Corporate Real Estate to discuss what has transpired with the awarding of contracts around the system. The committee pressed Walker with the need to be involved early in the process of facility overhauls to ensure the scope of the projects does not violate the scope of the collective bargaining agreement. The company agreed that using LOA 25 of the sUAL agreement would be an effective tool in overseeing this work. As a result the local committees will be working with the local CRE contacts to ensure the CBA is adhered to properly.
The committee also discussed the current state of facilities maintenance and the challenges that lie ahead. Due to reporting to airport operations for a very long time, many things were neglected including training and staffing. The company shared its plan with the committee to move the facilities maintenance group forward. The company plans to increase training and implement tools similar to fleet focus that is currently used in the GSE shops. Fleet focus led to an increase in manpower at many stations and has also shown areas that the company needed to improve. It is believed that using this approach will be a benefit to the membership.
Other items discussed were the Chelsea facilities, Field Trips, LAX and EWR facilities reviews as well as the BAQ list.
At the end of the meeting it was determined that the sCO GSE/Facilities group should join in the next session. The next meeting should occur in the fall of this year. The committee members in attendance for this session were Ken Meidinger- Local 455, Allen Cosides – Local 210, Scott Baroni – Local 781, Greg Sullivan – Local 986 (SFO) and Dion Cornelious – Local 986 (LAX).
Joining the committee were Jay Koreny – Local 210 and Bob Fisher from the IBT.
TAMC Submits Comments on FAA Drug Testing Requirements at Foreign MRO’s
In comments submitted to the FAA today, the TAMC called for a single standard for drug testing programs for both foreign and domestic repair stations. The TAMC is recommending that all authorized individuals that perform safety-sensitive maintenance on commercial carriers at both foreign and domestic repair stations be subject to a single standard of drug and alcohol testing.
“The TAMC has taken the position that in order to maintain consistent safety standards in a global economy and regardless of where safety-sensitive maintenance functions are performed, a single standard of aviation maintenance safety must be achieved,” said Chris Moore, chairman of TAMC, in the comments.
“If we in the United States believe that certain drugs and the use of alcohol are a threat to aviation safety, we must ensure that anyone performing safety-sensitive maintenance is held to the same standards,” said Moore.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to read the full comments submitted to the FAA.
Chris Moore interviewed on “The Union Edge”
Following the release of the comments to the FAA, International Rep Chris Moore was interviewed by Charles Showalter on The Union Edge on July 17th. The complete interview can be found here https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-union-edge/id330657619 under the title Teamsters Push FAA To Drug Test. The interview starts at the 5:10 minute mark and ends at the 14:45 minute mark. Please take the time to listen to this interview and share it with your friends and family.
More information about The Union Edge can be found at www.theunionedge.com
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent.
If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: [email protected] . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.