Mechanics' Dispatch -- Sept. 29, 2020

Technicians Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you are aware, various Locals identified a number of issues with the current furlough process and numerous grievances were filed on behalf of the membership. In the last Dispatch it was reported that we were trying to work with management to resolve these issues and make sure that the agreement was followed as intended. 

What wasn't reported was that we were preparing and working towards filing an injunction in Federal Court to halt the Reduction In Force process. Six attorneys from both the IBT Legal department, and the firm of Barkan Meizlish, were coordinating the construction of a major dispute case on our behalf. This step was necessary because if the furlough stood as it was many members would be negatively affected with little recourse to be made whole.  

In a new development, I am happy to report that we've come to an agreement. At this point the lawsuit will not be necessary based on the Company rerunning the furlough using the same data set meaning there will not be a do over of choices. What will happen is the additional vacancies at cities like Tampa, Seattle and a few other impacted cities will be filled after the RIF is complete via the recall process or by article five, Filling of Vacancies if warranted.  

While this will cause an extra step in the reshuffling it will honor seniority and will be conducted as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. A number of other issues were resolved as well, including being displaced to lower paying positions, and bumping into lower rated crafts.  

Two other previously filed grievances (FRD, Audit trail) will be heard as minor disputes using the expedited arbitration process tentatively scheduled for Nov 30, 2020. In addition to these two grievances moving forward any other grievances that have been filed by the locals will continue using the grievance machinery outlined in Article 19. I'm pleased we were able to resolve these problems to the benefit of the membership that had been disenfranchised as a result. 

An update will be sent once these above mentioned cases are heard and adjudicated.

In  Solidarity,

Vincent Graziano

International Representative

Airline Division