Mechanics Dispatch

June 10, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

Reminder Survey and Contract Proposals  Brothers and Sisters,  This is a reminder to complete the survey regarding the direction your Rank and File Negotiating Committee will take on your behalf. The survey will close on June 24th.  The link for the survey is:

Take the Survey

Additionally, contract proposal form remains open until notice is sent out closing this part of the process. The link for the proposal form is: 

Contract Proposal Form

 Fraternally,

Vinny Graziano
Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

UAL Survey and Contract Proposals

June 3, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

This is a reminder to complete the survey regarding the direction your Rank and File Negotiating Committee will take on your behalf. 

The link for the survey is, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XMPH2W

Additionally, contract proposal form remains open until notice is sent out closing this part of the process. The link for the proposal form is, https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAN__sP246RUNEI5VFNLTzZLVzdTR0VOTU84SEM4TEhPVC4u

Fraternally,

Vinny Graziano

Airline Division

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Visit to SFO

May 17, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

Last week representatives from the Airline Division met with representatives and members at the SFO Base. This a first opportunity for our new Director Joe Ferreira and Deputy Director Greg Unterseher to meet with United Airlines Technicians and Related in their new roles. Also, in attendance besides myself, were Mike Moats Division Representative in charge of Benefits at UA, Eastern Region Rep Bob Fisher, Central Region Rep Chris Moore, and staff Attorney Stephanie Spanja. On Tuesday the 10th we first met with the Business Agents, the Grievance Committee, as well as Safety and TMAP Reps, before heading out to the Base to talk with stewards and members assigned to swing shift. On the 11th we met with stewards and members assigned to both the midnight and day shifts. 

Unfortunately, there was an incident in South San Francisco on the evening of the 10th that meant a couple members of the team couldn't join the walk around on the 11th while they dealt with the aftermath of the prior evening's event. We will try to get back to SFO as the schedule permits so that those Reps can meet with those they missed. 

There were questions about upcoming negotiations as well as feedback on areas of concern expressed by representatives and members alike. We relayed that we had no concrete information on the upcoming negotiations as plans are still being formed but we let everyone know that as soon as clear direction was given, we would report to the membership as a whole. We discussed communications and how we were attempting to change both the delivery method and content for future updates. Look for more on that in the coming months.

We discussed with everyone the need for a two-question survey regarding limited issue bargaining versus opening the whole Agreement as the answer in the last survey was unclear. At this point the company is in receipt of our Section Six notice which states that all provisions are open. This was done to ensure your rights were protected regardless of which path you ultimately choose to pursue. After that question is answered, and the Principal Officers meet, we'll enter a protocol agreement with the carrier that spells out broadly how bargaining will work. This agreement will address things such as scheduling dates and which expenses are shared as well as other structural issues to be covered surrounding the bargaining process.

Look for further updates as developments occur.

Fraternally, 

Vinny Graziano

Airline Division

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

UAL Airbus Update

Dear Members,

Representatives from the Airline Division were notified on Friday, April 8 that United Airlines has finalized plans for outsourcing narrow-body heavy maintenance work to MRO facilities in Columbia and El Salvador. Thirty-two Airbus Aircraft remain parked due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. 

All of them must be up to date with the required FAA maintenance checks before they can be returned to service. All but five aircraft are scheduled to undergo maintenance in the US in later months this year and the following year, however, the carrier wants this equipment back in service as soon as possible. For that purpose, the carrier determined they would send the first five of these aircraft to facilities outside of the United States. 

This is a direct violation of Article 1 B. 11: The Company shall not perform any regularly scheduled heavy maintenance, with the exception of only B767, B777, B787, B747 and A350 fleets, in a non-U.S. location without the Union’s approval. 

The language is clear and unambiguous, narrow body aircraft heavy checks MUST be done within the US!

During a meeting in Houston in the last week in March, United Airlines Tech Ops advised the Airline Division of the challenges it was confronting regarding current capacity within the United States and the time constraints to meet the needed demand. 

The IBT Airline Division representatives identified alternative ideas that would allow the work to be brought back in house for all 32 of these aircraft and more. The counter-proposal was for the carrier to examine the long-term benefits of restarting an Airbus Heavy-check line staffed by UAL Teamster Technicians at any one of the current base maintenance stations. Rather than respond to this reasonable and favorable counter proposal, the carrier opted to willfully violate the agreement. 

To say we are disappointed is an understatement. The Airline Division has officially objected to this, and we will appeal the Carrier’s decision to expedited arbitration as provided for in Article 1. 

In Solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano
National Mechanic and Technician Coordinator
Teamsters Airline Division

Mechanics' Dispatch 3-21-2022

Brothers and Sisters, 

By now you’ve all seen the news that Delta Tech Ops employees are receiving 4% raises in May along with increases to premiums and a reduction in the length of time to reach the top of the scale.

This is good news for a several reasons, including that the announced increase will help during bargaining for the amended CBA and the increases will be captured as part of the formula of the reset language in December. Also, it will help to address the Technician shortage that is unfolding along similar lines industry wide, to what transpired with the Pilots just a few years ago.  

The Delta announcement was shared with our economist for review in tabulating the reset. When the numbers are finalized, closer to December, the results will be released in a Dispatch. 

Fraternally, 
Vinny Graziano 
Coordinator Maintenance and Related  
Airline Division 
International Brotherhood of Teamsters 

UAL Technicians Update

UAL Technicians Update

January 10, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

The bargaining survey and contract proposal forms are live now. It is especially important that a high percentage of members complete the survey. The higher the percentage that takes the time to complete this survey does two things. First it helps your rank-and-file committee better determine your priorities and second an overwhelming response shows the company, as a group, we are ready to enter bargaining solidly together.

The survey can be found here and will be open until January 31st. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TXTGFJP

The contract proposal form will likewise be open to January 31st and can be found here. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAN__sP246RUNEI5VFNLTzZLVzdTR0VOTU84SEM4TEhPVC4u

Thank you for taking the time to engage in this critical aspect of bargaining.

Fraternally,

Vinny Graziano
Coordinator Maintenance and Related
Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Technicians Update

Brothers and Sisters,

As you are aware, in accordance with the CBA provision we sent notice to the company of our intent to bargain a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The company acknowledged receipt and set up a call with me and Bob Fisher from the Airline Division this afternoon. During this preliminary discussion we talked about the need for a protocol agreement to be in place before any exchange of proposals takes place. We also informed the company that we would be fielding a survey and contract proposal forms over the next several weeks. We hope to have the survey and proposal forms out early next week. While those two items are taking place, we will be working on the protocol agreement with input from our legal counsel and Business Agents. These first steps are required for every negotiation, and it means that bargaining has begun. Please watch for notices for the survey and contract proposal forms to be out shortly.

Fraternally,

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Maintenance and Related

Airline Division

Update to United Airlines Technicians and Related

                                                                December 7, 2021

                                Update to United Airlines Technicians and Related

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last week Business Agents from around the system met at Local 19 in Houston to discuss the current state of the grievance docket and the upcoming negotiations. The Agents brought up a few areas of significant concern regarding the current CBA and made suggestions on how to fix those items.

Brother Chris Moore form the Airline Division, and chairman of the TAMC, updated the group on the workforce grant of $450,000 that was just received and how it will be used to help our veterans matriculate into civilian maintenance jobs as well as to help underserved communities realize the potential of careers in aviation maintenance.

In accordance with the provision of the duration of the Agreement, today a Section 6 notice was sent to the company expressing that we are exercising our right to open the negotiations early. This will now trigger a need to discuss protocol with the company on the process of bargaining. In the meantime, electronic contract proposals and a membership survey will be launched to understand the priorities of the membership, as well as how you would like to receive updates.

Continue to look for updates as negotiations unfold. 

In Solidarity 

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Technician and Related

Airline Division 

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

UAL Reset Analysis

Brothers and Sisters, 

As a reminder the industry reset took place last year providing a 7.2% increase. The next reset analysis will take place in December of 2022 and a reset analysis will occur annually thereafter. New rates were provided last year which became effective December 6, 2020. Per paragraph 2 of the LOA, since the basic hourly rates/scales from the one-time adjustment exceed the basic hourly rates in Appendix A planned for December 5, 2021, these adjusted scales supersede. In other words, the new scale that we received last year remains in effect and there will not be an additional 1% increase on December 5th of this year. 

In solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano 

Coordinator Technician and Related 

Airline Division 

International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

UAL Technicians Update N95 mask letter

Please click on the link below to read the letter to UAL management regarding N95 mask usage.

https://teamsterair.org/sites/default/files/uploads/letter_re_n95_respirator_requirements.pdf

Update on the UA RAP Process

September 25th, 2021

Brothers and Sisters,

Due to the charge levied against it by the IBT, United Airlines is reviewing the fairness of the RAP process. If you've been accepted into the RAP, you will now have until October 15th until personal leaves begin. In addition, we are hopeful that the time on leave will be drastically reduced or eliminated, and that you will be able to retire from a RAP without penalty. As this develops further, including any outcome on several different lawsuits, we will update you.

In solidarity,

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Maintenance and Related, Airline Division

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Teamsters File EEOC Charge Against United Airlines

Dear IBT Members: 

As reported late last week, yesterday evening we filed charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of the membership that applied for religious or medical exemptions to the mandatory vaccination policy. You can read the charges here.

We still encourage you to file individual complaints on your own behalf at https://www.eeoc.gov./how-file-charge-employment-discrimination. 

The Airline Division still strongly objects to United Airlines’ spiteful policy towards members that have legitimate reasons to seek exemptions. We will vigorously defend your rights to receive an exemption without being punished for the company’s failure to establish a protocol to ensure safety more than 18 months into a worldwide pandemic. 

The EEOC charge will be posted to the Airline Division website where you can track its progress. Please reach out to your business agents with any questions. 

With Solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano
National Coordinator, Technicians and Related
Teamsters Airline Division

Update on the UA Vaccine Mandate

Dear IBT Members:

Many Teamster members have applied for medical or religious exemptions from United Airlines (UA) vaccine mandate. If you are one of them, you may have already been contacted by UA about its offer of accommodations. Others may be contacted by the company in upcoming days.

Workers who have been approved for a religious accommodation are being required to take involuntary unpaid leave effective October 2, 2021. Workers approved for a medical exemption must first use sick leave and then transition to unpaid EIS. Workers on leave due to their application for a religious accommodation will not receive medical coverage during their leave and they will stop accruing seniority after ninety days of leave.

The Airline Division strongly objects to UA’s policy, and will be filing an EEOC charge on behalf of all affected IBT-represented United Airlines workers on the ground of religious or disability discrimination. The IBT will also seek to challenge the company’s stated rule that those on a religious leave of absence will not be able to retire from their personal leave status.

Individual IBT members may still file EEOC complaints on their own behalf, if they so choose. Instructions about filing an EEOC charge can be found at the following link: https://www.eeoc.gov./how-file-charge-employment-discrimination

The Airline Division expects to file its EEOC charge early next week. We will post a copy of the charge and a link where you can track its progress at teamsterair.org. Please reach out to your business agents with any questions.

In Solidarity,

David Bourne
Director, IBT Airline Division

Unpaid Leave at United Airlines

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

United Airlines announced that tech ops employees who are granted exceptions from the vaccine mandate for medical or religious reasons may be required to take unpaid leaves of absence of up to twelve months and be subject to a number of other terms that were not negotiated by the parties. 

The IBT does not believe these or the other terms United Airlines plans to impose are "reasonable accommodations" under the law. Other components of the company's unilateral plan may also violate the Railway Labor Act (RLA), as well as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law governing retirement plans. The IBT is preparing a legal response and we will update you very shortly on the actions we plan to take to stop the company from implementing potentially unlawful aspects of its policy. 

In Solidarity,

Capt. David Bourne
Director, IBT Airline Division

Follow-up Call on Mandatory Vaccine Policy

August 21, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday we, the Airline Division leadership and legal counsel, requested a follow-up call with leadership from United Airlines Labor Relations Department. We set this call up to discuss the August 31st date being communicated for the deadline for RAP accommodations. The company informed us that members only need to apply by that date, and that RAP meetings and decisions on those applications would take some time. That was the only semi-positive portion of the call.

We asked if the company was prepared to present answers to the questions we posed on the last call. They informed us that, as discussed on the previous call, the answers would be forthcoming next week. That led to a conversation regarding exceptions or workarounds to the policy such as another VSL type program, extension of bridge medical, vaccination leave of absence given that this membership has sacrificed so much both recently and in the past for this company. We were told that at this time there would be no changes to the policy and no alternatives for those that do not have medical or religious exemptions – nothing but “thank you for your service.”

Given that answer, we told the company that the very members who brought this carrier through the pandemic, the frontline essential workers, were going to now be cast to the side and terminated. After all your sacrifices, and many with long distinguished impeccable careers, to now be cast aside as refuse is entirely deplorable. To that end, we are continuing to pursue every legal and contractual remedy we can to protect you from this obscenely draconian policy.

In solidarity,

Vinny Graziano
Coordinator Technician and Related Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Letter to United Airlines Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Brothers and Sisters,

I'm writing to update you regarding the recent announcement at United Airlines regarding vaccines. Earlier today, I sent a letter to United Airlines Vice President of Labor Relations Zachery Jones regarding the new COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees. The text of that letter is as follows:

August 13, 2021

Mr. Zachery Jones
Vice President of Labor Relations
United Airlines
233 South Wacker Drive
HDQPO
Chicago, Illinois 60606 

Dear Zach:

Since United Airlines announced its new COVID-19 policy last week, the IBT Airline Division is fielding calls and emails from many concerned members, as well as union officers and representatives across the system.  Given that no other major carrier has instituted a similar mandate, we believe that the policy, as proposed, is unreasonable. 

Although we agree, and strongly encourage, our members to become vaccinated, we believe that this approach - when there is no federal mandate - is one that crosses the line of reasonableness. We request that alternatives (such as frequent testing and incentives, etc.) are offered instead of an economic capital punishment approach where one loses a career for an inability to comply.

Because no meeting took place prior to the implementation of this policy and like other unions on the property our input was not requested, we now request a meeting with your team to discuss the company’s policy. We know there are alternatives (as discussed above) that other carriers have employed and we seek similar relief to mitigate the effects of this policy. 

Because we need to act quickly, we ask that the meeting take place remotely, via zoom or teams, sometime within the next week.  

Looking forward to a prompt reply.

Regards,

David P. Bourne
Director, Teamsters Airline Division

Update on the UA Vaccine Mandate

Last Friday, August 6, the Airline Division was notified by United Airlines (UA) only a few minutes before its announcement to the public that it would be requiring all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Although we were caught off guard by the timing of the announcement, there had been hints for many months in the press that UA and other employers were considering this step. We had researched this matter accordingly. After conferring with labor and employment attorneys, and Teamsters Safety and Health Department, we believe that the company has the ability to mandate vaccinations upon notice and with some restrictions. 

Most of our members have greeted the UA announcement favorably, although some are concerned, so we want to make our position clear. While the IBT supports and encourages everyone to get the COVID-19 based upon our core ethic of union members protecting each other, as well as the advice of medical professionals – including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Nursing (AAN), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Nurses Association (ANA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and Texas Nurses Association (TNA), among many others) – we also understand that some may be hesitant or unable to receive the vaccine for medical, religious or other reasons. 

Accordingly, the IBT will ask to meet with UA to explore whether there may be alternatives to mandatory vaccination that still provide for adequate workplace safety, as well as to discuss how the company will address those who can’t or won’t take the vaccine. We expect discussions to take place on an expedited basis, and we will keep all of our members posted. 

In Solidarity,

Vinny Graziano
Maintenance and Related Coordinator, Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Technicians Update: Summit and Follow Up BA Meeting

Brothers and Sisters, 

As discussed in a previous dispatch, a summit with United Airlines (UA) Labor Relations leadership was held in Washington DC on July 21 at the IBT Headquarters. Several issues were discussed during that meeting. These issues included the UA System Board, the growing backlog of grievances due to the pandemic (especially regarding RIF and recall) and the scheduling of arbitration cases. Commitments were made to reduce the docket and to settle grievances at the lowest possible level as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the meeting a call with the business agents from around the system took place. It was decided on that call that a face-to-face meeting of UA Business Agents was warranted. That meeting took place in Houston on Tuesday, August 3 at the Local 19 union hall. 

After the call with the business agents and the in-person meeting, the IBT filed a lawsuit in federal court regarding the refusal of the company to participate in an arbitration case that was scheduled to be heard earlier this summer. The matter involved management performing bargaining unit work overseas. As of the writing of this dispatch, the lawsuit is moving forward. We will keep you apprised of the process as it unfolds. 

During the meeting in Houston all of the above issues were discussed. Some other items discussed included the order of awards when vacancies were open concurrently and SIDA badge issues involving loss of pay for members. These issues needed to be addressed in the very short term. The rest of the meeting focused on the upcoming negotiations and identified areas of the agreement that would need clarification. It was decided that these in-person meetings were beneficial for the business agents in policing the agreement and will be held quarterly. At the end of the meeting the scope committee chair let the group know he is working on dates for the next meeting with the company and will notify everyone when the next date is set. 

In attendance at the summit meeting in DC from the company were: Zachary Jones, Tom Reardon and Julianne Cooney. Attending for the union were: Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne; International Representatives Paul Alves, Clacy Griswold, Bob Clever, and Bob Fisher; IBT Staff Attorneys Deirdre Hamilton and Nick Manicone; Director of Economics Jim Kimball and myself. 

In attendance at the meeting in Houston were: Bob Clever and David Watford, Local 19; Andy Walsh, Local 25; Gregg Vandagriff, Local 104; Don Ramsey, Local 455; Thomas Esposito, Local 769; Hernan Gomez, Local 781; Javier Lectora, Local 856; Mike Moats, Local 964; Dave Elmore, Mark DesAngles and Dave Saucedo, Local 986; International Representatives Chris Moore, Bob Fisher and myself. 

In Solidarity, 

Vincent Graziano
Maintenance and Related Coordinator, Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Summit with UAL

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

As reported in the last Dispatch, we’ve been advocating for a summit to address the outstanding issues at United Airlines. I’m pleased to report that last Friday the meeting date was agreed upon. We will be meeting in DC on July 21. In advance of that meeting we will have a call with business agents from every local union to discuss strategy. Shortly after the meeting is complete, an overview will be sent out. 

In Solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano
Maintenance and Related Coordinator
Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

UAL Technicians Dispatch Update - June 30, 2021

Technicians Update

June 29, 2021

United Airlines Future Planning

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday Airline Division Director David Bourne, Representative Bob Fisher and I attended the presentation by United Airlines to its investors. We are all very excited about the opportunities for this membership that the new aircraft order presents.  

There was a bit of a sour note to the rollout, however. For months we’ve been requesting a summit with leadership to discuss a myriad of scheduling and language abuses. We’ve been promised these meetings to get us back on track, but have up until this point, been unable to get a commitment to a date. Therefore, when the company asked us to get up on stage with the other Unions, we were disinclined to accept the offer. To be blunt, we are not here for a show, to be rolled out when needed, and then shoved aside afterwards. We expressed our displeasure yesterday again. As a result, this morning the company has promised we will receive a list of offered dates for a summit by the end of this week. 

I will keep you informed as we move forward.

In solidarity,

 
Vincent Graziano
Coordinator, Maintenance and Related
Airline Division
International Brotherhood of Teamsters