The meeting started on May 23 with a review of the previous ratification process. We talked about what went well and what didn't during that time. We had a good discussion where everyone shared their thoughts and ideas. Here are a few of the important things we talked about:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Business agents from all across the United Airlines System and Airline Division Representatives met at IBT headquarters in Washington D.C. today, where they listened to a presentation from Economist Dan Akins that addressed the Industry Reset (LOA 29). The purpose of this meeting was to determine the state of the industry regarding pay and the possibilities of pursuing a pay adjustment for United workers represented by the IBT.
Dear Members,
Several of you from around the system have asked me about the seniority grievance that was just recently arbitrated which would restore company seniority for those S-CAL and S-CMI members who had adjustments made in accordance with their respective agreements for periods of inactive service.
Dear GSE/FAC Brothers and Sisters,
Your review committee met with the company in Chicago on May 31, 2018 to discuss issues concerning both GQ/PV departments. Discussions began with how Core Four would be implemented and how this philosophy would better serve the company as well as creating a working environment for employees that constitutes the basic core four principals.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Many of you have inquired about some of our Letters of Agreements and where we currently stand regarding them; in particular Industry Reset (LOA #29), Offered Positions (LOA #21) and the Labor Management Cooperation (LOA #31).
The reset agreement assures that a measurement of annual wages and benefits of United must remain at least two 2% higher than the average of American and Delta Airlines. The economic model was completed and agreed upon shortly after the ratification of the Agreement. The model is kept on a server at the NMB for security.
Brothers and Sisters,
There has been some frustration over the shrinking amount of profit sharing for this year, especially in light of the profit sharing announcement at Delta.
The reason the committee took this approach was simple. Based upon our goal of protecting your short and long range goals; we determined, based on the economic forecasts of consultant Dan Akins, that profits would drop leading to a substantial loss in your Profit Sharing. This has been borne out as we see that the pilots have taken a stunning 60% reduction in their Profit Sharing.
The Benefits Committee has been successful in obtaining voluntary ancillary benefits from AFLAC. These benefits are in addition to the benefits offered by United and have been made available by the contract language found in Article 16 J. The products that AFLAC will be offering are Whole Life, Critical Illness, Accident and Short-Term Disability. As a voluntary product you may choose any combination of the offered plans or none, the choice is yours.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Benefits Committee at United Airlines has put together an informational and resource package to assist members in understanding retirement benefits. The goal of this guide is to provide a quick-reference guide to help UAL Teamster members with retirement concerns and questions.
On Thursday July 6th, the company invited the Business Agents to Chicago for the purpose of meeting the new HR team for United Airlines. The meeting was primarily introductory and no specific station or member grievances were discussed. The main topic surrounded the new HR structure along with contact information and station assignments for the new team. This was followed by a conversation on the filing of vacancies.
Joint Communication on IBT Lump Sum Hold Back Allocation
As per LOA #28, the Company held back 3.0% of the $185M lump sum pool to correct any errors or omissions in the allocation, calculation and distribution of the lump sum, as determined in the challenge process. All disputed claims have now been finalized and the remaining contingency will be paid pro rata to eligible employees according to the allocation methodology. Hold back payments will be paid to employees in a separate check on June 7, 2017. Regular 401k election rules will apply for domestic US employees.
As per LOA #28, the Company held back 3.0% of the $185M lump sum pool to correct any errors or omissions in the allocation, calculation and distribution of the lump sum, as determined in the challenge process. All disputed claims have now been finalized and the remaining contingency will be paid pro rata to eligible employees according to the allocation methodology. Hold back payments will be paid to employees in a separate check on June 7, 2017. Regular 401k election rules will apply for domestic US employees.
Lump Sum Update
On April 6th, in accordance with LOA #28, an arbitration case was held to hear the lump sum disputes filed by members who believed they were paid incorrectly. Arbitrator Josh Javits was chosen by the parties to hear these cases. The total number of disputes was 39. Four members chose to participate by phone in the hearing. The arbitrator is now in the process of reviewing each dispute to determine the outcome. As soon as the Arbitrator rules we will notify the company so they can finish the process of distribution of the holdback.
Attendance Policy
As most of you know, the Company is instituting a new attendance policy. It is being briefed that this policy will be implemented on March 15th. It was relayed to me that some supervisors across the system are briefing that the IBT has signed off or agreed to this policy. Let me be as clear as possible, that is outright lie. Just as in the working together guidelines, the Company makes policy. It is our policy to fight them all the way through the grievance process to arbitration, if necessary, on rules and policies that we believe are unfair and harmful to the membership. We will attack this new policy in the same fashion. To be clear, this is a United Airlines policy and was not agreed to in any fashion by the IBT.
Transition Items
Monday the 9th there was a call with all the Business Agents around the system and the Division to discuss transition items. The BAs were notified that the company has hired a printer to manufacture the new JCBA for distribution, but that the timeframe for completion is unknown at this time.
New members of the Joint Board of Adjustment were added and announced on the call. These new members are Vincent Graziano from Local 210, Thomas Esposito from Local 769, Javier Lectora from Local 856, and Dave Saucedo from Local 986. A system wide Joint Board is tentatively scheduled for the week of March 9th in Los Angeles. This Board is scheduled to last all week with the purpose of adjudicating the grievances that still remain from the prior CBAs.
