Arbitrator Issues Ruling, Paving the Way for AAWW Contract Implementation
After several months of waiting, the Transition Executive Council and crewmembers of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo (Local 1224) have finally received what they have long awaited: a ruling from the Federal arbitrator on the open sections of their amalgamated contract. In a message to crewmembers this weekend, the Negotiating Committee said in part:
“On September 3, 2011, Arbitrator Richard R. Kasher entered his longawaited Award in the interest arbitration of our dispute with Atlas/Polar over what scope and job protection language is to be included in Section 1 and other subsections of the Crewmembers’ new collective bargaining agreement. We now have a single SCBA.
In Section 1, the Arbitrator largely chose to confine himself to selecting between provisions already contained in the existing Atlas or Polar agreements. The Arbitrator did agree to adopt new language proposed by the IBT, affording the Union a legally enforceable right to obtain “documents and information from the Company reasonably necessary to determine compliance with Section 1.”
He also adopted the Union’s proposals for Section 20 and 21 concerning “Information Production associated with the Grievance Procedure and System Board of Adjustment investigations, proceedings and hearings.”
With the ruling now completed, implementation of the new contract; with pay increases, work rule improvements and quality of life improvements, will now begin under an already agreed to timeline.
Mechanics, TAMC Head to Capitol Hill to Keep Focus on FAA Funding
Despite the announcement late this week of a Congressional deal to continue providing funding for the FAA, mechanics from several Teamster locals and representatives of the TAMC will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with key lawmakers. While short term funding has been agreed to that will run through December 31st, the group intends to focus not just on ensuring that attempts by Republicans to force a repeal of recently introduced voting procedure changes by the NMB for airline employee unions; they also intend to push lawmakers to ensure that one single standard of safety remains a cornerstone of FAA policy to ensure that aircraft are properly maintained by properly certificated individuals who have had specific training and have passed the same rigorous security and background checks as their counterparts in the US.
“Airlines should never be allowed to compromise the safety of flight and cabin crews or the travelling public by using cheaper cost maintenance facilities whose employees may not have the necessary training or oversight to repair the aircraft,” said Chris Moore of the TAMC. “Additionally, when you consider the security concerns we face on a daily basis, it is unconscionable for anyone to allow people to work on aircraft without proper security and background checks being completed on not just the individuals, but the facilities as well,” he concluded.
“In America; we have a rule in elections; one man, one vote,” said Bob Fisher, International representative for the Airline Division. “Only in the airline and rail industries have managements for decades been able to count people who don’t vote as a “no” vote for representation. The NMB rule change has brought our industry in line with the rest of America. It’s time that certain airline managements and those they contribute to in Washington follow the same rules that all Americans follow,” he concluded.
Continued Growth by AAWW Drives Continued Hiring
Atlas Air pilots and flight engineers, members of Local 1224 are seeing increased job opportunities as the carrier continues to grow. So far in 2011 they have seen increases in customers, a new contract flying troops for the Air Mobility Command that has added Boeing 767’s to their fleet and other business resulting in new hiring for the carrier. In addition, along with acquiring Boeing 767’s for the AMC operations, Germany based freight integrator DHL has signed an agreement will have to Atlas operate 5 additional 767’s for their domestic U.S. operations beginning in early 2012.
Division Director Meets with Air Canada Members
Continuing with his policy of meeting with members from around the nation, Airline Division Director David Bourne met with South Florida Teamsters of Local 769 who work for Air Canada, this past week in Miami. Next week he will travel to Newark to meet with Air Canada members in the New York area.
Airline Industry News
Regulatory and Governmental
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in trouble with the US government for shipping a package that burned up before being loaded on a cargo jet. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday said it plans to fine M.I.T. $175,000 for improperly marking and shipping electronic devices that caught fire on a conveyor at a FedEx sorting facility near Boston in August 2009.
Airline and Industry
Atlas Air Worldwide (AAWW) has announced an agreement with DHL to operate five B767 aircraft domestically beginning in early 2012…While Southwest no longer enjoys the financial advantage they once did from fuel hedging, the carrier believes that the delivery of 25 of 100 new 737-800's next year will help reduce operating costs and improve schedule flexibility.
According to Boeing estimates, China will need over 5,000 commercial aircraft over the next 20 years worth over $600 billion dollars…Although a decision may be delayed due to concerns about weak economic outlook and potential loss of US Postal Service business, FedEx is considering updating its freighter fleet…DHL has signed an agreement with Southern Air to have the carrier operate three Boeing 777 freighters for the Germany based freight integrator.