August 8, 2022
Re: MCO Visit
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Representatives from the Airline Division along with representatives from Local 769 met with members in MCO for two days last week. Craft meetings were held on August 2nd and floor visits occurred on August 3rd. In attendance for the Local were President Josh Zivalich, Secretary Treasurer Roly Piña and Business Agent Tommy Esposito. In attendance for the Division were Director Joe Ferreira, me, Chris Moore, Bob Fisher, and Mike Moats.
During all three craft meetings, discussions of local issues led, followed by briefings on national level concerns. The meetings were well attended and each meeting lasted over two hours.
Walking the hangars the next day we spoke to members on midnight and day shifts. We visited the north hangar first, followed by the south hangar. Briefings were held in breakrooms at both hangars and lasted for some time.
During all of the meetings I discussed the make-up of the rank-and-file committee along with how the committee will have the responsibility of reaching a tentative agreement. The feedback from the first survey showed an overwhelming response to the membership wanting to hear from these nine members. This is completely understandable because no paragraph, article or agreement is finalized until the rank-and-file votes and agrees to include, or exclude, the changes in any tentative agreement. It was also explained that social media, such as rank and file reports on YouTube, will be used in addition to the written updates to share progress during negotiations.
Chris Moore discussed the proposed changes to the CBA surrounding Article 23 which contains the apprenticeship program. Article 23 “Apprentice Mechanics” is a carry-over from old sub–United CBAs and outlines how the program works but doesn’t clearly explain how certain items of the contract will be implemented nor does it plainly explain how current technicians are protected. In LOA 34 it was anticipated that this decades old language may need to be updated. Chris described the process of reviewing the entire Agreement as laid out in the LOA to make sure current members are safe for when the company implements this program. Talks on the added language are close to completion and will be out for ratification in the coming weeks, along with frequently asked questions “FAQ” to explain how this program will be implemented and to eliminate any concerns that I’ve heard during station visits.
One item of concern brought up both at the craft meetings and the hangar visits, was the awarding of two years seniority for those that complete the entire program and what effects that would have. As the CBA language in Article 23 states, members that complete the program are given two years of craft seniority. The Consent Decree, that came after this provision was originally bargained, grants all three years in the program as furlough recall time. Several asked if the Consent Decree could be removed. We explained that we would have our legal department look at the matter to see if it was feasible. As you may remember, the subject was reviewed in 2013 and it was determined that the parties would most likely not be able to have the Decree removed. At any rate, this would be a lengthy legal fight and any Decree modification would not be accomplished right away, even if it is feasible to remove it.
Look for updates to be shared in upcoming Dispatches as the negotiation process continues.
Fraternally,
Vinny Graziano
Airline Division Rep
International Brotherhood of Teamsters