RIF Memo - Home

During this week’s first round of mediation the parties took time to discuss the Company’s recently announced Reduction in Force (RIF). The Union has made clear its’ position regarding Article 6.B.4. We believe the paragraph applies and the “follow the work” provisions should be utilized prior to exercising any RIF options pursuant to Article 6.B.1&2.

The Company’s position is the “follow the work” provisions do not apply as there are no vacancies in MCO, rather the need to fill hangar work that is being lost due to classic aircraft exiting the fleet. In other words the manpower to handle the work moving from EWR to MCO already exists.

We will be filing a grievance if the Company administers the RIF in violation of the Agreement. The Company claims that due to vacancies in the system (EWR included) there may not be a need for anyone to have to move from EWR due to a RIF. They said they have plans to revisit staffing levels throughout the system over the next week or two.

In the interim, we urge all those who have received a RIF notice, along with any option forms to fill out every possible choice in order of preference if you wish to remain employed in the event the Company carries out any reductions. Article 6.B.1 of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows employees to exercise seniority to bump into any Bid Area for which he is qualified under Article 3, within his Craft/classification at his station/Point or the employee may choose to displace the system in any station/Point in the Bid Area from which he was reduced.

Options selected pursuant to Article 6.B.1 may overlap: for example, an employee may designate as his first three choices to displace within three different Bid Areas in his home station, designate as his fourth choice displacing within his Bid Area at another station, and his fifth choice displacing to another Bid Area within his home station, and so on.

If the affected employee is unable to displace in any of the Bid Areas in his home station for which he is qualified under Article 3 and any of his selected bids on the system in his current Bid Area in a manner that would allow him to remain at his current base rate or higher (excluding shift premiums), he will then be permitted to displace the system pursuant to Article 6.B.2. Therefore, it is extremely important that you exercise all of the options at your home station/Point that you are qualified for. Failure to exercise all options at home may result in being laid off at the point (LOAP). Please make sure your Bid Area Qualifications (BAQ’s) are updated pursuant to Article 3.

The Union will continue to monitor any RIF process and make sure the Collective Bargaining Agreement is adhered to. If you have any questions please call the Union immediately.

In Solidarity,

Local 210-IBT

973-681-2750/51 (Office)

973-681-2752 (FAX)