IBT Negotiating Team, RAH Representatives Meet
Representatives of the IBT Airline Division’s Negotiating Team met with RAH Representatives in Indianapolis, Indiana November 18th through the 20th at the Embassy Suites near RAH headquarters.
The re-started negotiations are progressing steadily with the assistance of private mediator Margaret Leibowitz, who was retained by the parties and whose presence helped the parties move through the process.
The focus of the meetings was on Article 7 – (Vacancies). Substantial forward progress was made, but there are still a number of outstanding issues.
Attending for the Airline Division were International Representative Rick Dubinsky, Local 1224 VP Mark Niles, IBT Attorney Nick Manicone and IBT International Representative Paul Alves. Present for Local 357 were Executive Board VP Gary Czachowski, Business Agent Doug Turner, Scheduling Committee Chairman Matthew Markillie, Negotiating Committee Chairman Dan Sneddon, and Negotiating Committee Vice-Chairman Eve Grauer.
On behalf of the company were RAH Chief Operating Officer Wayne Heller, VP of Flight Operations Paul Kinstedt, VP of SOC Pat Gannon, VP of Labor Relations Rose Doria, Labor Associate and former VP of Labor Relations Ron Henson, and Seabury Analyst Erin Jakupciak.
The Negotiating Team and Company will meet again December 5th-11th in Indianapolis.
Combined ASA / XJT Stock Clerk Negotiations Resume
Negotiations for a combined ASA/XJT Stock Clerk contract resumed this week in Atlanta. The Union made passes on Section 7 – (Hours of Service) and Section 22 – (General and Miscellaneous). The Company made a pass on Section 12 – (Field Trips) and Section 7 – (Hours of Service), with the parties reaching a TA (Tentative Agreement) Section 12. To date, the parties have reached Tentative Agreement on eleven contract sections.
The committee is working with the company to schedule additional meetings with the Company for the beginning of the New Year, and while no firm dates are yet set, the membership will be notified as soon as they are confirmed.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., are negotiating a budget deal to avoid the automatic cuts of sequestration. The deal includes an increase in user fees that airline passengers pay to the Transportation Security Administration.
Airlines are preparing for a wintry storm system approaching the East Coast that could lead to travel disruptions during the busy Thanksgiving week. The National Weather Service predicts heavy rain on the East Coast and Central Plains on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Airlines, Labor and Industry
United Continental Holdings is considering purchasing Boeing 777X jets to compete with Middle Eastern carriers. "We’re going to look at it. We haven’t made a decision," CFO John Rainey said.
Aircraft manufacturers garnered $200 billion in orders at the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates. "We are starting here but we see broad worldwide demand for the 777," said Jim McNerney, chairman and CEO of Boeing.
American Airlines said they could close the merger with US Airways before 60 days. The carrier said in a court filing that federal law does not require them to wait 60 days.
Boeing announced it has completed a test flight of its first 787-9 Dreamliner equipped with GEnx-powered engines produced by General Electric.
United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek said the amount of debt carried by Dulles airport interferes with the carrier's ability to expand at the airport near Washington, D.C.
Boeing has forecast demand for more than 100,000 new pilots and maintenance technicians in the Middle East over the next two decades.
Bill Logue, CEO of FedEx Freight, said the transportation infrastructure in the U.S. needs to be updated. "We must begin to address aging infrastructure across every mode of transportation," Logue said.
In honor of Thanksgiving, the offices of the Airline Division will be closed on Thursday, November 28th. On behalf of the entire staff of the Division, we wish you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving.