Atlas Air & Polar Air Cargo Dispatchers Announce Tentative Agreement for First Contract
On Friday, negotiators for the flight dispatchers of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, represented by the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, announced that a tentative agreement has been reached on a first contract for the members.
The FAA-licensed flight dispatchers, who are members of Local 210, are responsible for coordination with aircraft flight crews to ensure the safe dispatch and in-flight monitoring of all flights around the world for Atlas Air, Inc., and Polar Air Cargo, the world’s largest all-Boeing 747 cargo airline. Atlas and Polar conduct cargo operations for many airlines and provide important airlift of cargo and troops for the U.S. military.
The dispatchers voted for Teamster representation four years ago and negotiations began in October 2009. The tentative agreement includes extensive economic improvements as wellas multiple positive work rule changes.
“I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached,” said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Local 210. “ The Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo flight dispatchers are best in the industry. “This agreement recognizes that and, more importantly, it takes them from being at-will employees to contractual employees with security and job protection benefits. Discussions with the company were very businesslike and I believe we have an agreement that recognizes the value of our members and acknowledges the responsibility they bring to the job daily.”
“I’m very happy that we have been able to conclude this agreement with the company,” said Dennis Gerber, a steward and member of the Negotiations Committee. “The agreement recognizes the needs of our members and the company, and further helps position them to continue a record of growth and its preeminent position as a world-class airline.”
Upon being notified of the tentative agreement, Teamsters Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne said, “I would like to commend the leadership and negotiators, especially George Miranda, president of Teamsters Local 210, and International Vice President, Cynthia DeFigueiredo, representative; Dennis Gerber, steward; Paul Alves, International Representative, and Steven Nagrotsky, Deputy Division Director, as well as Atlas Air management for their professionalism and diligence in the negotiations,” he concluded.
A vote on the agreement has not yet been scheduled, but is anticipated very soon.
UAL Mechanics Survey to assist the National Seniority Integration Committee
To assist the process of seniority integration for the UAL/CAL/CMI mechanics, the Airline Division has prepared a survey for the members. The survey is intended to offer the membership the chance to weigh in on the different ideas suggested by rank and file members of the national seniority integration committee. Information gathered will help the committee respond to the desires of the members in regards to the different proposals.
Results will be tabulated by each subsidiary group in order to properly gauge the will of each group moving forward. The outcome could lead to either continuing the process of expedited bargaining or spending years in court as the issues are litigated and or arbitrated. The rank and file seniority integration team meets again the last week of October so it is imperative that members complete as soon as possible. The survey will close on October 28th.
Members may access the survey by clicking the following link: http://surveygoldplus.com/s/2B85473BE6084779/35.htm.
ExpressJet Negotiations Continue
Negotiations for ExpressJet continued this past week in Baltimore, Maryland, with tentative agreements reached on Section 3, Classifications, Descriptions and Work Areas.
Discussions on Reduction in Force, Moving Expenses and Hours of Service, with the parties made time to discuss the company notification of its intent to outsource heavy check work. The company is still compiling information in response to the negotiators request and will discuss the subject further when negotiations resume in Philadelphia on November 7th.
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