We are extremely disappointed to see that the company has chosen to engage in the age old, worn out practice of accusing the union of contemplating illegal job actions when things don’t go their way. This began when talks broke off and now we are beginning to see them “monitoring the membership,” hoping that we might do something illegal. You don’t have to take our word for it, just click on the link below:
http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/UnitedLettertoDavidBourne11-7-13.pdf
Wouldn’t it be much more productive and even show some good faith if the company did the right thing and offered a package that was not concessionary to a large group of our technicians? Wouldn’t it make more sense to respect the dedication and hard work of the very people they are so concerned about who are offended by the way management treats them for the loyalty and hard work they have shown?
Of course it would.
Instead they waste time and valuable resources concerning themselves with what you the membership may do to retaliate. Obviously the companies wasting of time and energy; explaining to the membership on why they felt their offer was a “good agreement” and then bracing for fallout that it appears they planned; has been completely unproductive.
Attached are copies of correspondence they have sent. We have redacted names where necessary:
DSPNOT TITLE:/ FENCE AGREEMENT /LET TYPE/ / EFFDTE:/ 111413
AUTHOR: /XXXXXXX /ADDRS /XXXXM /EXPDTE:/ 112813
GUYS I AM HEARING THAT RUMORS HAVE IT THAT THE FENCE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN PULLED. WELL I WAS ON A CONF CALL AT 1330 AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE UNION AND THE COMPANY HAVE AGREED TO TAKE THE DISPUTE OVER THIS LETTER TO EXPEDITED ARBITRATION, MY FEELING IS
THAT THIS PROCESS WILL TAKE AWHILE. EA HAS TO SELECT AND AGREE ON AN ARBITRATOR AND THAT PERSON HAS TO SCHEDULE IT. WHAT THIS MEANS IS NOTHING HAS CHANGED AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH HOW THE OPERATION IS MANAGED UNTIL THIS PROCESS FOLLOWS ITS COURSE. IF SUCH AN EVENT WERE TO OCCUR, I AM SURE WE WILL KNOW AND IT WONT BE A RUMOR. PLEASE KEEP DENMM WHERE IT IS AND ALLOW THE PROCESS TO FOLLOW TO A DECISION
THANK YOU XXXXX
DELNOT/025 PRTNOT/025 RPLNOT/025 FWDNOT/025 LSTADR/025
And then we have this:
"United management has received credible information from numerous technicians and IBT
representatives indicating that the IBT is seriously considering unilateral withdrawal from the 2012
Cross-Utilization letters between the IBT and Company. The main purpose of these letters is to permit
the Company to work on the metal of each the other subsidiaries' aircraft. This is clearly an unlawful
violation of the terms of the letters themselves as well as the Railway Labor Act and we will take all
steps to prevent this from happening including a letter we sent to IBT leadership today putting them on
notice that we will go to court to stop this unlawful conduct (letter attached).
Below is the relevant paragraph from the 2012 Cross-Utilization letter which clearly shows there is no
ability to unilaterally withdraw.
5. This Letter will remain in effect until December 31, 2012, and will continue in effect
thereafter subject to such amendments and modifications as may be agreed to in conference
at the request of either party. Either party may serve notice of its desire for such conference
upon the other party no earlier than October 31,2012.
Please immediately inform your leadership of any related briefings, behavior or action by technicians or the union immediately.(emphasis added)"
We believe, and hope the company will soon acknowledge, that returning to the table and providing an agreement that addresses the memberships concerns would definitely be a more productive use of their time and energy.
Download Mechanics Dispatch 63 112513
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As you can see below, the Union and its' membership, contrary to Company propaganda, will not engage in any unlawful activity.We are a group of highly skilled professionals and will continue to act in such a manner.
On Monday, November 25, 2013, in a show of solidarity, IBT Mechanic and Related across the system legally joined together in informational picketing and hand billing. Below are just a handful of photos and videos from the day, thanks to all who helped out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21888551@N06/sets/72157638049089884/