Airline Division Week in Review -- November 12, 2019
Airline Division Director and Representatives attend Expo
Showcasing the varied career fields available in the aviation industry was the goal as Division representatives attended the ProJet Aviation Education and Career Expo in Leesburg VA on Friday, November 11th. Director David Bourne, Deputy Director Allynn Allen, International Representatives Bob Fisher and Chris Moore were joined by Local 210 Shop Steward Blake Silverstein for the event.
Airline Division Director and Representatives attend Expo
Blake Silverstein-UAL-GSE Technician, Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne, TAMC Chairman Chris Moore and International Representative Bob Fisher RCF staffed the booth at the ProJet Aviation and Education Career Expo. Missing is Allyn Allen, Assistant Director of the Airline Division.
Showcasing the varied career fields available in the aviation industry was the goal as Division representatives attended the ProJet Aviation Education and Career Expo in Leesburg VA on Friday, November 11th. Director David Bourne, Deputy Director Allynn Allen, International Representatives Bob Fisher and Chris Moore were joined by Local 210 Shop Steward Blake Silverstein for the event.
750 local high school students were in attendance and had the opportunity to speak with representatives at over 60 booths about careers in aviation and related fields. Law enforcement, Military, Technical Schools, Flight Schools and the Teamsters were among the participants. As the only Union at the event, the Teamsters brought a unique perspective having industry veterans who having been working to solve the industry Pilot and Mechanic shortages.
The students were fascinated by the array of parts at the Teamster table. The biggest hit was a Fan Blade from a GEnx-1b engine that powers the Boeing 787. The parts generated many questions, and these questions led to more in depth conversations about being a mechanic of pilot.
The Teamsters look forward to participation again next year as part of the outreach effort to bring young people into Aviation.
Blake Silverstein-UAL-GSE Technician, Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne, TAMC Chairman Chris Moore and International Representative Bob Fisher RCF staffed the booth at the ProJet Aviation and Education Career Expo. Missing is Allyn Allen, Assistant Director of the Airline Division.
“These students are the future of aviation and they need to know about the careers that are available to them” said Capt. David Bourne. “Showing these students the pathway to a Pilot or Mechanics license is crucial if we are to fill the pipeline which has been all but depleted for both crafts.”
“Explaining to a student the return on investment on the educational dollar for getting an A & P license was eye opening for almost every student we spoke to,” said TAMC Chairman Chris Moore. “We are encouraged by the number of students we talked to that are interested in an Aviation Career.”
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
A Federal Aviation Administration official wrote a memo last month saying that Southwest Airlines Co. should ground 49 of its airliners because repairs were performed that didn’t meet legal standards.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Boeing Co. engineers redesigning software were nearly done on the grounded 737 Max in June when some pilots hopped into a simulator to test a few things. It didn’t go well.
Alaska Air Group announced three key leadership advancements to position Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air for future growth and success: Ben Minicucci, as president of Alaska, will be responsible for all commercial and operational duties including rollout and execution of the company's strategic plan; Gary Beck becomes Alaska's executive vice president and chief operating officer; and Joe Sprague returns to Air Group in the role of president of Horizon.
Airline Division Week in Review -- Veterans Day 2019
Veterans Day 2019
Today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to honor the fallen. Originally known as Armistice Day, on this day WWI officially ended as Germany signed the Armistice with the Allies, ending what became referred to as “The war to end all wars.”
Today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to honor the fallen. Originally known as Armistice Day, on this day WWI officially ended as Germany signed the Armistice with the Allies, ending what became referred to as “The war to end all wars.”
Known here as “Armistice Day” and by our European allies as “Remembrance Day,” the wearing of a single red poppy on the left lapel became a symbol of such remembrance.
It came simply enough from a poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Written by a Canadian physician Lieutenant-ColonelJohn McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. Helmer, a close friend, was killed during the battle on May 2. McCrae performed the burial service himself, at which time he noted how poppies quickly grew around the graves of those who died at Ypres. The next day, he composed the poem while sitting in the back of an ambulance at an Advanced Dressing Station outside Ypres. According to legend, fellow soldiers retrieved the poem after McCrae, initially dissatisfied with his work, discarded it. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8 of that year in the London magazine Punch.
It is one of the most quoted poems from the war. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where "In Flanders Fields" is one of the nation's best-known literary works. (source: Wikipedia)
After the losses in both WWII and Korea, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of the day to “Veterans Day” in 1954 to honor of all who have been lost in war.
In remembrance of all who have fallen and are buried on distant shores and here, the offices of the Airline Division will be closed today. We will reopen for regular business tomorrow morning at 9am. We ask that each of you take a moment to remember those; family and friends, who have been lost, and speak their names aloud today lest they never be forgotten.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae - 1872-1918
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Airline Division Week in Review -- October 26, 2019
Growing in Numbers, a new Local is created for Atlas Air Pilots
At the request of the pilots at Atlas Air, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and the Teamsters General Executive Board has approved the formation of Teamsters Local 2750, a newly created local union dedicated to the pilots.
Growing in Numbers, a new Local is created for Atlas Air Pilots
At the request of the pilots at Atlas Air, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and the Teamsters General Executive Board has approved the formation of Teamsters Local 2750, a newly created local union dedicated to the pilots.
There are about 2,000 pilots who will be members of the union which will be headquartered in Ohio.
“We’re excited about this great opportunity, which is part of our natural journey through unionism as we grow in numbers,” said Bob Kirchner, chairman of the pilots’ seven-member Executive Council and an Atlas Air pilot. “We have a great relationship with Local 1224 and we’re grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the local. It’s because we’ve come together and grown over the years that we have this opportunity to form Local 2750 and we look forward to what is to come.”
Atlas Air services customers in e-commerce, including Amazon and DHL, as well as the U.S. Military.
“As our negotiations with Atlas for a collective bargaining agreement continue, we expect to make progress with our motivated group of Local 2750 pilots. Over the coming weeks, we will keep the pilots group informed on developments with our local and more ways they can get involved in their union,” Kirchner said.
Teamsters and Airline Division ratify new contract for Air Canada employees
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters have ratified their newest ten-year collective bargaining agreement with Air Canada. The agreement covers over 700 customer service representatives, concierge and premium agents, reservation agents, air cargo workers and other workers at the company’s U.S. base of operations.
“I’m extremely proud of our members at Air Canada and very pleased with the outcome of this process,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “Our membership was engaged, enthusiastic and united throughout collective bargaining, and they worked productively with the company to reach an agreement that everyone is happy with.”
“I’d like to thank the negotiating committee for all of their hard work on this agreement,” said Bob Fisher, Airline Division International Representative. “They were able to draft a contract that improves compensation and working conditions while also ensuring that the company will maintain the impeccable safety standards and customer service it has become known for as the flag carrier of Canada.”
The contract was negotiated and ratified in less than six months, a remarkably quick turnaround for a union contract in the aviation industry. The 10-year agreement includes a number of new benefits, including signing bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, guaranteed protection for medical rates and job security, annual raises and the elimination of black-out periods for vacation. The airline is the largest domestic and international passenger carrier in Canada.
Airline Division/TAMC participate in American Legion Summit
The American Legion held its annual Credentialing Summit on August 28th and 29th in Indianapolis Indiana.
Teamster Airline Division Representatives Paul Alves and Chris Moore participated as the only aviation labor representatives.
Paul Alves moderated the Aeronautics Best Practices Panel. The Panel consisted of representatives from the FAA, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Dan Akins, Flightpath Economics and TAMC Chairman Chris Moore. The discussion centered around efforts to help Separating Service Men and Women find a pathway to get their A&P License.
Dan Akin set the stage by explaining the Aircraft Maintenance Technician shortage and the panel discussed various pathways that will allow service members to acquire an A&P license. The Panel found that although the military has multiple avenues for active duty member to acquire the license many choose not to pursue it until they get to close to separation. The two best options other than an accredited school are meeting the time requirement of 30 months or getting into an apprenticeship program either while in or just after separation. Some have been in an Aviation Maintenance MOS and the panel discussed ways to capture that information for use towards the 30-month FAA requirement. Embry Riddle explained their apprenticeship program that will allow people to enter the MRO system as repairmen and the Teamsters Chris Moore described the development of a supplemental on-line program designed to get folks the education they need to combine with their work experience so they can successfully pass the FAA exam.
The on-line program is being developed for use with apprenticeship programs as well.
The Assistant Secretary of Defense sat in on the session and expressed his appreciation for the work being done for our behalf of service members who are separating from active service and moving to the private sector.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
Indonesian investigators have concluded that a series of factors, primarily the design of the Boeing 737 MAX maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS) system, pilot training and maintenance practices,combined to cause the crash of Lion Air flight 610 a year ago.
Atlas Air won $287M in defense contracts, more than half of the total awarded to 12 US airlines. The contracts are to provide international long- and short-range charter services for the Department of Defense over the next year.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
UPS’ Flight Forward subsidiary has received the first FAA Part 134 Standard certification to use unmanned aircraft for package deliveries nationwide, allowing it to operate a “drone airline.”
UPS Chief Operating Officer Jim Barber will retire at the end of the year. Barber, who was named COO last year, has worked for UPS since 1985, starting as a delivery driver.
It’s legitimate to wonder whether FedEx is on the road to a break-up, whatever the scale of change to its corporate tree might be.
UPS will be increasing its hub operation in Louisville, Ky., with a "series of construction projects around Worldport that could reach $750 million" in the next 15 years and add 1,000 new jobs. Kentucky offered $40 million in development incentives for the construction initiative, which will begin in 2020 with a hangar that can accommodate two 747-8F aircraft, the largest in the UPS fleet, and may also encompass taxiway improvements, renovated office buildings, training facility expansions and new operations offices.
The growth in air cargo tonnage in the second quarter of the year was down 5% compared with the first quarter of 2019.
A shareholder lawsuit has been launched against FedEx, claiming “tens of millions of dollars in damages”. The claim highlights the accuracy of corporate earnings calls and the responsibility of executives to ensure transparency.
Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition Newsletter
Fall 2019 | Volume 10, Issue 3
Check out the Fall 2019 edition of the TAMC Newsletter! In this edition, we cover the American Legion Credentialing Summit, benefit improvements for United Airlines mechanics, the increasing demand for aviation mechanics and much more!
Fall 2019 | Volume 10, Issue 3
Check out the Fall 2019 edition of the TAMC Newsletter! In this edition, we cover the American Legion Credentialing Summit, benefit improvements for United Airlines mechanics, the increasing demand for aviation mechanics and much more!
October 2019 Business Agents' Report
Ralph Ortiz and Mike Valladares Receive NSC Labor Division Awards
On September 6th, the TeamstersSFO Committee traveled to San Diego to attend the National Safety Council Labor Division Awards Luncheon.
We made the trip to show our appreciation and support for TeamstersSFO Safety Committee Chairman Ralph Ortiz and Components Safety Committeeman Mike Valladares who were honored at the luncheon for their exemplary work and dedication to workplace safety.
Ralph Ortiz and Mike Valladares Receive NSC Labor Division Awards
On September 6th, the TeamstersSFO Committee traveled to San Diego to attend the National Safety Council Labor Division Awards Luncheon.
We made the trip to show our appreciation and support for TeamstersSFO Safety Committee Chairman Ralph Ortiz and Components Safety Committeeman Mike Valladares who were honored at the luncheon for their exemplary work and dedication to workplace safety.
The Labor Division of the NSC consists of government regulators and union safety professionals, such as our TeamstersSFO Safety Committee, who are interested in advancing the cause of workplace safety.
Ralph, who has been involved with Safety since the 90's, received the Labor Division's highest honor: the Edward Egan Soldier of Safety Award.
Mike, who has been at United for 35 years and has been a member of the Safety Committee since 2008, received the Meritorious Service to Safety Award. The awards were presented by National Security Council President Lorraine M. Martin and NSC Labor Division Chair Joe Grabinski.
We are extremely proud of Ralph and Mike for their longtime commitment to the goal of ensuring that the safety policies and practices at United are in the best interest of our members.
SFO Safety Committee Chairman Ralph Ortiz
Components Safety Rep Mike Valladares
Returning to Work from Illnesses of Short Duration
We have been getting questions from our members about the process for returning to work after time off for a personal illness of short duration so we thought it would be a good idea to go over the relevant contract language and explain what it means in terms of your rights.
First, this information does not pertain to those members that are on Extended Illness or some other Authorized Leave. This information is strictly for those members who have taken sick time for an illness of short duration. For Return to Work in these circumstances, the relevant contract language is as follows:
Article 10.D.3 - The Company has the right to verify the fitness of an employee to return to work after any absence by having the employee examined by a Company approved physician.
Article 11.H.1 - United may require an employee to submit to a physical examination by a Company approved physician. This may be requested to verify the employee's illness, disability, occupational injury, fitness for duty or release to duty. The cost of the examination will be borne at Company expense. In addition, an employee will be pay protected for time lost because of said examination if he is at work.
We have been asked whether or not you are required to bring a note from the doctor if you are off sick from work for a period of short duration and you were not under a doctor's care. The simple answer is 'No'. Based on the contract language above, when you return to work, the Company can send you to Concentra or another Company paid physician for a release to duty examination. You are not required, nor can you be compelled, to go to your own doctor to get a note after the fact.
Additionally, if you come to work after an illness for which you were under a doctor's care and you are in possession of a doctor's note, the Company cannot hold you out from work until they get clearance from OPCMD. Once your doctor releases you and you come to work, the Company has no right to hold you out. If they do hold you out until they get OPCMD clearance, you will be pay protected for the duration of time between when you were sent home and you are cleared by OPCMD. Hope this helps.
The MEALP/LUCA Issue
As we first mentioned in the June BA Report, due to the California meal period penalty language in California Labor Code Section 512, the Company changed its policy so that folks working an overtime shift after a regular shift are no longer allowed to leave a half-hour early and receive pay in lieu of taking a 2nd lunch. The Company is basing this policy decision on the 'needs of service' language in Article 17.E. There have been ongoing discussions between the IBT and the Company, but the issue remains unresolved.
As a result, if you are working a 4-over in conjunction with your regular shift, you should take your full half-hour lunch 2 hours into the overtime.
If you are working 8-hour Hold Over overtime after your regular shift, you should be taking a half-hour lunch after two hours, 10-minute break after 4 hours, and another half-hour lunch after 6 hours of overtime.
Those of you working an 8-hour Early Start overtime prior to your regular shift should be taking a half-hour lunch two hours into the overtime shift, a 10-minute break after 4 hours, a half-hour lunch after six hours, and a ten- minute break prior to the beginning of your regular shift.
If anyone tries to deny you any of these lunches or breaks, which conform precisely to Article 17.E, we want you to immediately contact your Shop Steward or Chief Steward.
Annual Teamsters Member Assistance Program (TMAP) Training Held
The Annual TMAP Training was held at the Los Altos Retreat Center from October 2nd thru October 4th. It was attended by 22 TMAP Volunteer Coordinators from around the system including from Orlando, Newark, Dulles, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. The event was organized by TMAP Regional Coordinators Caleb Good (ORD), Dominic Fiero (IAH), Mike Brooks (DEN), Steve Crummey (SFO), and Steve Loone (SFO). The speakers included Dr. Abby Metcalf (Motivational Interviewing), Carl Crayton (UAL Drug Abatement), Kip Bowen (UAL EAP), Anthony Cozzi (UAL Help Hub), and Carlos Rivera (UAL FMLA) who each presented training seminars designed to guide TMAP representatives as they assist our members with various issues. Additionally, TMAP Regional Coordinator Mike Brooks (DEN) gave a presentation on EAP Ethics. Thanks to all for their participation and dedication to our membership.
If you are interested in becoming a TMAP Volunteer Coordinator, please contact Steve Loone or Steve Crummey.
Kincare Complaint Update
We have been informed by an attorney for the State of California that our complaint is being reviewed by the state. We had been asked to submit a revised complaint and did so a few weeks ago. The complaint is based on the Union's assertion that the Company's policy of auto-designating Kincare when a member calls in sick for a personal illness is a violation of California Labor Code Section 233. We will be sure to update you once we receive any further information.
Union History
October 30th,1912 - Little Falls, New York, mounted police attack striking textile workers – mostly immigrant women and girls – beating some of them unconscious. The police chased the fleeing workers to their strike headquarters, continuing their assault, ransacking the building, destroying their union charter, and arresting the entire strike committee. Despite this, the workers saw the strike through until January 1913, when they won an agreement that included reinstatements, wage increases, and other demands.
October 3rd, 1932 - State troopers march into Kincaid, Illinois, to guard against a sympathy strike by more than 160 of the town’s 180 high school students, protesting the use by their school of scab-produced coal from the Peabody Coal Company while their fathers are on strike over wages.
October 25th, 2011 - Car wash workers at Bonus Car Wash in Santa Monica, California, become the first to unionize in an industry where workers are often exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals without adequate protections, work for extended periods in the sun without rest or shade, and are paid a daily rate that is far less than the minimum wage. The contract provided a wage increase, health and safety protections, grievance and arbitration procedures, and prohibited the employer from firing workers without just cause.
We must never forget!
Union Quotes
Management doesn't seem to understand the importance of the human factor. -Charles, Prince of Wales
When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses. -Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
Corporate power lies behind nearly every major problem we face--from stagnant wages and unaffordable health care to overconsumption and global warming.... With all this happening, why do we not read more about the pervasiveness of corporate power? In large part because even the "Fourth Estate," our media establishment, is majority owned by a handful of mega-corporations. -Marjorie Kelly, journalist and corporate reformer
Our Commitment to Communication
The communication process is an extremely important part of what we do to represent our folks here at SFO and, as we have been outlining for quite some time, we have been blasting out the BA Report along with any other communication we get from the Airline Division or the International to anyone who registers at the TeamstersSFO website. We feel that it is essential for all of our members to be engaged and informed at all times. Therefore, we encourage all of you to spread the word to your fellow technicians to go to the TeamstersSFO website and click on the ‘email signup’ tab to get on the list.
Additionally, the Chief Stewards hold weekly meetings with the Shop Stewards to pass on any important informational items that may come up during the month. It is crucial to our process that every work area on every shift have Shop Steward representation and that the Shop Steward give, at a minimum, weekly briefings to his/her crew so that all the information gets to our members and members have the opportunity to ask questions.
Most importantly, we urge you to also consider getting more involved. Every month, on the last Thursday, we hold Craft Meetings at Local 856. At these meetings, the membership hears reports from the Business Agents and other members of the SFO Committee on Grievances, Safety, Member Assistance, and the TSAP program. Additionally, all members have an opportunity to ask questions and to bring up topics for discussion. Check your IBT Bulletin Board for dates and times and make it a point to stop by whenever you can.
As always, stay informed!
In Solidarity
Mark DesAngles Javier Lectora
Business Agent Business Agent
Local 986 Local 856
Mechanics Dispatch - October 7, 2019
SFO Teamsters
Be on the lookout for the Aflac reps for the next couple of weeks. Contact your shop stewards for more info.
SFO Teamsters:
Be on the lookout for the Aflac reps for the next couple of weeks. Contact your shop stewards for more info.
BENEFIT UPDATE
Dear Members:
As many of you are aware the Airline Division has built a mutually beneficial relationship with Aflac Insurance in this last few years and this relationship has helped our membership with affordable coverage for their families that offers whole life, accident, critical illness and short-term disability coverage. We are pleased to announce that as a result of the Airline Division and AFLAC we have added a Hospital Indemnity Program (HIP) as part of this program which will be available starting January 1, 2020.
The hospital indemnity policy will pay you cash for any hospitalization with at least one overnight stay, including those related to workers’ compensation claims. You will have a choice of two plans, a high or low option based upon the medical plan you have, so that you can select a plan you can comfortably afford.
The HIP will have guarantee issue, including:
no exclusions for pre-existing conditions (including pregnancy);
guaranteed issue coverage for all family members, including children up to age 26;
a policy that is fully portable when you leave United Airlines
I am also pleased to announce that because of the relationship we have built with Aflac all four of the current policies rates will remain unchanged through 2022. This is your union working for you and giving you choices of coverage that meet you and your family's individual needs.
The Airline Division will continue explore different areas of volunteer benefits that meet the members’ needs at a reasonable cost.
Open enrollment
With open enrollment right around the corner, October 7th-27th for employees and October 28th -November 8th for retirees, it is important that you are aware of changes to your benefit choices. The Company flyer is in the mail or you have already received it.
If you have vision coverage this year and you do not actively enroll, you will be automatically enrolled into one of the new plans as shown below:
IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR HEALTHY REWARDS PPO PARTICIPANTS:
$4,800 cap on hopw much you can accumulate in your HRA goes into effect January 1, 2020 - be sure your HRA balance is below $4,800 so you don't miss out on wellness incentive dollars from United Airlines.
As announced during last year’s Annual Enrollment, starting on January 1, 2020, there will be a limit on how much you can accumulate in your Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) — $4,800.
If you participate in the Healthy Rewards PPO plan, you can earn wellness incentive dollars from United in the form of an HRA contribution when you complete your annual physical prior to the end of the year. HRA funds carry over year after year, as long as you remain enrolled in the Healthy Rewards PPO plan.
However, beginning on January 1, 2020, the amount that you can accumulate in the Healthy Rewards HRA will be capped at $4,800. If your HRA balance is at or above the $4,800 cap on January 1, 2020, you will not be eligible to earn your wellness dollars from United for 2020 (even if you complete your physical by year‑end). Eligibility for the wellness incentive will be determined in December for the upcoming incentive year.
In order to earn the full incentive amount from United in 2020, you will need to ensure you have completed your annual physical and your HRA balance is at or below the following amount by December 31, 2019:
The Healthy Rewards Program, HRA, should not be confused with the Health Reimbursement account, VEBA HRA. These are two separate programs with no relationship to each other. There is no cap on the VEBA
Fraternally,
Ken Meidinger
International Representative
Airline Division
UAL Benefits Coordinator
Look for this new coverage the next time the Aflac team visits your station in 2020. For more information, click here or contact Ken Meidinger at kenmeidinger@aol.com.
Mechanics Dispatch - October 1, 2019
News & Updates
The IBT Airline Division has built a mutually beneficial relationship with Aflac Insurance. This relationship has helped our membership with affordable coverage that offers whole life, accident, critical illness and short-term disability coverage. We are pleased to announce that we have added a Hospital Indemnity Program (HIP). This program will be available starting January 1, 2020.
The IBT Airline Division has built a mutually beneficial relationship with Aflac Insurance. This relationship has helped our membership with affordable coverage that offers whole life, accident, critical illness and short-term disability coverage. We are pleased to announce that we have added a Hospital Indemnity Program (HIP). This program will be available starting January 1, 2020.
The hospital indemnity policy will pay you cash for any hospitalization with at least one overnight stay, including those related to workers’ compensation claims. You will have a choice of two plans, a high or low option based upon the medical plan you have, so that you can select a plan you can comfortably afford.
The HIP will have guarantee issue, including:
no exclusions for pre-existing conditions (including pregnancy);
guaranteed issue coverage for all family members, including children up to age 26;
a policy that is fully portable when you leave United Airlines, and
benefits paid that are never treated as taxable income.
I am also pleased to announce that because of the relationship we have built with Aflac all four of the current policies rates will remain unchanged through 2022. This is your union working for you and giving you choices of coverage that meets you and your family's individual needs.
Look for this new coverage the next time the Aflac team visits your station in 2020. For more information, click here or contact Ken Meidinger at kenmeidinger@aol.com.
September 2019 Business Agents' Report
Shop Steward Training Held at Local 856
On Wednesday, July 31st, we held training for our UAL Shop Stewards at Local 856 in San Bruno. Over 50 UAL Stewards from all over SFO were in attendance to hear presentations on Conflict Resolution, FMLA, and Internal Organizing.
The presenters for the training were attorneys Susan Garea and Andy Baker from the Beeson, Tayer and Bodine Law firm and Local 856 Director of Organizing Chris Rosell. The training allowed the Stewards the opportunity to connect with each other, build solidarity, share experiences and information and partake in lively discussions about critical issues affecting our membership. We are grateful to all of the Stewards who were able to come out and participate. They definitely brought their A-game.
Shop Steward Training Held at Local 856
On Wednesday, July 31st, we held training for our UAL Shop Stewards at Local 856 in San Bruno. Over 50 UAL Stewards from all over SFO were in attendance to hear presentations on Conflict Resolution, FMLA, and Internal Organizing.
The presenters for the training were attorneys Susan Garea and Andy Baker from the Beeson, Tayer and Bodine Law firm and Local 856 Director of Organizing Chris Rosell. The training allowed the Stewards the opportunity to connect with each other, build solidarity, share experiences and information and partake in lively discussions about critical issues affecting our membership. We are grateful to all of the Stewards who were able to come out and participate. They definitely brought their A-game.
UAL Shop Stewards from SFO attend training on July 31st, 2019
Thanks to all of the members of the TeamstersSFO Committee for their help in getting our Stewards to the event and to Local 856 Principal Officer Peter Finn, Local 856 Office Manager Lisa Hensel and the rest of the staff over at Local 856 for all of their help in making sure the training went off without a hitch. Special thanks to Susan Garea, Andy Baker, and Chris Rosell for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with our Stewards!
We look forward to continuing our effort to make sure you have the best representation possible at all times.
Attorney Andy Baker from Beeson Tayer and Bodine presents on the topic of FMLA
HRA/HSA Arbitration Decision Update
Arbitrator Berger denied the Unions request for interest earnings on the HRA/HSA 2017 payouts. The Airline Division forwarded spreadsheets outlining all HSA/HRA adjustments to all of the systems Business Agents and we have forwarded the spreadsheets for SFO and SMF to the Chief Stewards so that individual members can check to see if the amounts shown as the difference between their ‘actual’ and ‘owed’ 2017 HSA/HRA contributions are correct.
The adjustments will occur automatically, and no action will be required on your part. However, if you worked more than 1560 hours between April 1st and December 31st, because of overtime, and you were not compensated VEBA hours beyond the company-imposed 1560 cap, you should reach out to your Chief Steward so that you can check the spreadsheet and verify that your hours were adjusted correctly.
Additionally, the Airline Division is working with the company in order to provide a source through payroll to verify contributions, but that work is not yet complete.
We will continue to send out updates as the situation unfolds.
2019 Hoffa Scholarship Awards
The 2019 Hoffa Scholarship Award winners were revealed last week, and we are happy to announce that we had three winners here at SFO.
$1000 awards were made to Bryan Ngo, Son of SFOOV R&E Technician John Ngo and to Dylan Lopez, Son of SFOMM Line Technician Jonathan Lopez. Additionally, Jan Truong, daughter of RQ Technician Minh Trong received one of the top scholarships of $10,000!
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!
Hundreds Rally in Sacramento in Support of AB5
On Wednesday, July 10th, Local Teamsters joined other folks in Sacramento to Rally in support of Assembly Bill AB5, which seeks to prevent worker misclassification by employers as independent contractors when they should be classified as employees. The bill, which has widespread support, including by Governor Gavin Newsom, will be coming up on the floor of the State Assembly soon. Thanks to all of our folks who participated. They really turned up the volume in the hallways of the Capital Building!
2019 Joint Council 7 Day at the Ballpark
On Saturday, August 24th, hundreds of Teamsters showed up to celebrate Teamsters Day at the Ballpark sponsored by Teamsters Joint Council 7. The weather was hot and the links were hotter. Overall, the event was a smashing success and the party outside the game was as fabulous as the game itself (Sorry A’s fans). Thanks to all of our members for their continued support with this event. For those of you who could not make it: There is always next year!
Teamsters, along with friends and family were out in full force on Saturday, August 24th
Technician Gene Durr, Local 856 Principal Officer Peter Finn, Shop Steward Don Stevens, Local 856 Business Agent Kathleen Romero and Local 856 Business Agent Javier Lectora
Grievance Update
The System Board decision was received for one 3rd Step grievance (Progressive Discipline-Skipping Steps) and the Board deadlocked. We discussed the case with counsel and were advised that we could not prevail in arbitration. An opinion letter was drafted for us and we closed the grievance based on that opinion.
Prior to the System Boards the Company settled two 3rd Step grievances by providing revised 2nd Step answers. With the first grievance (Deferred Holidays), the Company committed to make sure that anyone that deferred a holiday while on a 10-hour schedule, and later switched to an 8-hour schedule and used the deferred holiday, would be credited with the two unused hours to their bank. The Company also committed to modifying the eTA program so that all 10-hour deferrals are fully credited to the an employee’s DAT bank so that individuals will no longer be deprived of any hours if they happen to switch from a 10-hour schedule to an 8-hour schedule after they defer a holiday.
Another 3rd Step grievance (50 Divisor-VDAT allocation) also had a revised 2nd Step answer submitted by the Company. The Company committed to using a divisor of 50 when calculating the vacation allocation per Article 9, Paragraph B.
Two cases were heard at System Board on Thursday, August 21st. The first was a termination case and the second involved a first-time AOA security violation and subsequent action by the Company that we feel violated our member’s right to just cause treatment. After additional information requests, the record is now closed on those hearings. We now await the decision. The next System Board hearings are scheduled for November.
We are also awaiting one arbitration decision (EFS Bypass) and are currently seeking agreement for an arbitrator/date for another grievance (Dock 3 Tool Crib) currently at arbitration level.
Union History
June 25th, 1938 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law. The FLSA applied to industries whose combined employment represented only about one-fifth of the labor force. In these industries, it banned certain types of child labor, established a minimum wage, and set a maximum workweek at 44 hours.
August 28th, 1963 - 250,000 people participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C. The march—initiated by A. Philip Randolph, president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters—was organized by a coalition of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations. It was here that Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
July 26th, 1990 - President George H.W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, like many business organizations, opposed the law, arguing that the costs of the ADA would be “enormous” and have a “disastrous impact on many small businesses struggling to survive.”
We must never forget!
Union Quotes
We can either have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both - Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses - Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed; those who are cold and are not clothed - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Our Commitment to Communication
The communication process is an extremely important part of what we do to represent our folks here at SFO and, as we have been outlining for quite some time, we have been blasting out the BA Report along with any other communication we get from the Airline Division or the International to anyone who registers at the TeamstersSFO website. We feel that it is essential for all of our members to be engaged and informed at all times. Therefore, we encourage all of you to spread the word to your fellow technicians to go to the TeamstersSFO website and click on the ‘email signup’ tab to get on the list.
Additionally, the Chief Stewards hold weekly meetings with the Shop Stewards to pass on any important informational items that may come up during the month. It is crucial to our process that every work area on every shift have Shop Steward representation and that the Shop Steward give, at a minimum, weekly briefings to his/her crew so that all the information gets to our members and members have the opportunity to ask questions.
Most importantly, we urge you to also consider getting more involved. Every month, on the last Thursday, we hold Craft Meetings at Local 856. At these meetings, the membership hears reports from the Business Agents and other members of the SFO Committee on Grievances, Safety, Member Assistance, and the TSAP program. Additionally, all members have an opportunity to ask questions and to bring up topics for discussion. Check your IBT Bulletin Board for dates and times and make it a point to stop by whenever you can.
As always, stay informed!
In Solidarity
Mark DesAngles Javier Lectora
Business Agent Business Agent
Local 986 Local 856
Airline Division Week in Review -- Labor Day Edition
As Hurricane Dorian Approaches, IBT Teams Prepare to Assist
Just as with the devastation of Hurricane Maria brought the resources of the IBT to help our neighbors in Puerto Rico and the mainland, the approach of Hurricane Dorian has activated the Disaster Relief team in preparation for assisting with the impact of the storm.
As Hurricane Dorian Approaches, IBT Teams Prepare to Assist
Just as with the devastation of Hurricane Maria brought the resources of the IBT to help our neighbors in Puerto Rico and the mainland, the approach of Hurricane Dorian has activated the Disaster Relief team in preparation for assisting with the impact of the storm.
In a message to the members of Local 769; President Josh Zivalich said the following:
“Teamsters Local 769 would like to ask all of our members and their families to be prepared for Hurricane Dorian. Make a plan for your families and be sure to have the necessary supplies on hand if you will be staying through the storm. Track the progress of the storm and listen to advisories from your local authorities. If you are in an evacuation or flood zone, follow designated evacuation routes and get to a safe place.”
Joint Council 75, Principal Officer Jim Schulring has requested I.B.T. Disaster Relief coordinator Roy Gillespie to spearhead the Disaster Recovery efforts. TLU 769 Business Agent David Renshaw will be assisting and helping to coordinate assets.
Discussing the potentials for the storms impact; Renshaw said, “we have the team members and assets ready to begin assessments as soon as the storm passes, with the ability to respond to needs in the Southeastern U.S. and if requested, we can do assessments and help coordinate relief in the Bahamas as well. The impact of this storm will be catastrophic in the Northern Bahamas, and unknown as yet here in Florida as well as along the Eastern Seaboard.”
Teamsters Local 769, along with the IBT Human Rights and Diversity Commission, has prepared the following Resource for Preparedness and Relief from Natural Disasters. You can open and print a copy from the link below.
https://teamsterslocal769.org/2019/08/30/prepare-for-hurricane-dorian/
TAMC Message to Members on Labor Day
In a message to their membership, the TAMC Board of Directors; Chris Moore, Bob Fisher and the Honorable John Goglia issued the following:
“Monday September 2nd is Labor Day and a day to celebrate all the hard-working men and women that are the backbone of our great country. Regardless of whether you belong to a Labor Union if you fix aircraft you are Labor. You come to work every day knowing that you hold people’s lives in your hands, and further, that mediocrity is not an option. You work in high stress situations and many times in extreme weather conditions, never forgetting your commitment to safety.
So, on Labor Day take a moment to reflect and Celebrate Labor.”
Thanks for all that you do!
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
A coalition of 28 environmental and public-health groups is protesting FAA’s push to provide regulatory relief for the civil supersonic aircraft industry. In an Aug. 28 letter to FAA administrator Steve Dickson, the groups wrote that “supersonic aircraft would fuel the global climate crisis and threaten Americans with lasting damages from extreme air and noise pollution.”
The leading US developers of supersonic aircraft called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Aug. 27 to modify its proposed rule on supersonic flight authorizations, arguing the proposal’s wording amounts to an effective prohibition on all supersonic flight.
FAA’s plan for how pilots will evaluate changes to the Boeing 737 MAX and new training materials signals a shift from a focus primarily on the carriers it regulates to one that accounts for variations in pilot experience around the world. The agency is finalizing a plan to bring in as many as 30 pilots from a variety of carriers to conduct MAX simulator sessions in the coming weeks.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
The real estate arm of US-based Aviation Facilities Company Management (AFCO) secured upwards of $36 million in financing for a new air cargo facility under construction at Baltimore International Airport (BWI
AFCO said the funds will finance the construction of a 200,000-square-foot air cargo facility and a 450,000-square-foot aircraft parking apron. Completion of these projects is expected by October 2019, the company said in a release.
Labor Day 2019
As we celebrate Labor Day 2019; let us all reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have come before us and through their individual and collective sacrifice; toil, tears…and in some cases, blood…forged a history of unity and strength that is organized labor.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate Labor Day let us each remember them and their sacrifice. Let us each resolve to tell the story and remind others; especially our youth, of the sacrifices that have given them so much. Let us resolve to always be the voices that lift and spread the word; that organized labor built America and that we will always be UNION STRONG and TEAMSTER PROUD.
In honor of our members and all American working men and women, the offices of the Airline Division will be CLOSED on Monday, September 2nd. We will reopen for regular business on Wednesday, September 3rd. We wish each of you and your families a very Happy Labor Day.
Airline Division Week in Review -- August 21
Allegiant Technicians and Related Negotiations Update
The union Negotiating Committee met with the Company on August 13th, 14th and 15th at Allegiant Air Headquarters. The Union and the Company made considerable progress and have reached T/As on Articles 10 (Leaves of Absence) and 23 (Management Rights). The committee also spent considerable time on and completed Article 19 (Grievance Procedure) which is now in the review process with the expectation that it will passed to the Company during the next round of negotiations. The sessions continue to be positive and productive, with the next round scheduled for the week of September 9th.
Allegiant Technicians and Related Negotiations Update
The union Negotiating Committee met with the Company on August 13th, 14th and 15th at Allegiant Air Headquarters. The Union and the Company made considerable progress and have reached T/As on Articles 10 (Leaves of Absence) and 23 (Management Rights). The committee also spent considerable time on and completed Article 19 (Grievance Procedure) which is now in the review process with the expectation that it will passed to the Company during the next round of negotiations. The sessions continue to be positive and productive, with the next round scheduled for the week of September 9th.
Air Canada and Airline Division reach Tentative Agreement
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has reached a tentative agreement with Air Canada, the largest passenger carrier in Canada. The proposed contract covers over 700 customer service representatives, reservation assistants, air cargo workers and other employees at the company’s U.S. base of operations.
“These workers were engaged and united throughout the process of collective bargaining, and their hard work paid off,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “They earned every benefit in this contract through their commitment and dedication.”
“Thanks to diligent efforts of our negotiating committee, we were able to draft a collective bargaining agreement that improves compensation and working conditions for these workers while also ensuring that the company will maintain its status as the premier passenger carrier of Canada,” said Bob Fisher, Airline Division International Representative. “This contract is another example of why aviation workers all across North America are affiliating with our union.”
The 10-year agreement includes a number of new benefits, including signing bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, guaranteed protection for medical rates and job security, annual raises and the elimination of black-out periods for vacation. More details will be available in the upcoming weeks as the union begins a series of open sessions with its membership to review the details of the agreement. A ratification vote is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Cape Air Pilots File for Mediation
Despite movement on several sections, the lack of movement by management on key areas; primarily compensation, have led the ExCo of Cape Air to file for federal mediation.
“This is not something we expected, or quite frankly wanted,” said Cape Air ExCo Chairman Captain Marilyn Rhude. However, our pilots conduct some of the most demanding flying in the industry and with an entirely new, extremely fuel efficient fleet coming online that we are the launch customer for; the pilots of Cape Air are long overdue for a salary scale that reflects the responsibility we bear as pilots and for the daily contributions we make that make this company the success that it continues to be.”
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
Less than 24 hours after a federal judge made permanent his ruling ordering mechanics at American Airlines to what he has called an illegal work slowdown that has caused tens of thousands of flight delays and cancellations this summer the airline’s management went back to court on Tuesday seeking a contempt of court ruling against those unions and their leaders.
FAA—citing non-specific “continued airworthiness activity”—reminded operators that angle-of-attack (AOA) sensors can be easily damaged during “normal operations,” and must be carefully maintained to ensure safe flight operations.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Ryanair is facing further backlash from its Irish and UK pilots, after Irish union Fórsa walked out of pay negotiations and UK union BALPA accused the airline of adopting “bully boy tactics” to avert an Aug. 22 strike.
The protests sweeping Hong Kong have caused more fallout for Cathay Pacific Airways, with the airline’s CEO Rupert Hogg and chief customer and commercial officer Paul Loo resigning from the carrier. The Cathay board said it had accepted Hogg’s resignation, which will be effective Aug. 19.
Boeing plans to hire “a few hundred” temporary staffers at its Moses Lake, Washington, facility for work that must be done on stored 737 MAXs awaiting delivery to customers, the company said. The ramp-up at Moses Lake’s Grant County Airport, one of several places where Boeing is storing undelivered MAXs, will enable the company to handle all work required to get aircraft ready to return to service.
Miami International Airport (MIA) is set for an aggressive growth programme to boost its cargo throughput.
In June, the airport got the green light for a $5bn modernisation plan, and while the bulk of the funds are for passenger facility upgrades, the plan includes expanded aircraft parking positions and warehouses for cargo operations.
Metro-Dade Aviation Department, which runs the airport, is looking to add space in the western perimeter to expand the cargo area to allow the airport to reach its goal of handling over four million tons of cargo by 2040, nearly double the 2.3m tons that passed through MIA last year – an 80,000 ton gain over 2017.
In addition to wide- and narrowbody freighters joining the Amazon Air fleet, Prime Air drones may soon begin delivering Amazon purchases directly to customer doorsteps. Next in the series of the broader air cargo industry’s commercial drone saga, Amazon Prime Air submitted a petition to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yesterday that, if approved, would enable the carrier to conduct commercial delivery operations with its fixed-wing MK27 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.
Teamsters SFO Stewards Sharpen Skills at Training
Nearly 50 United Airlines shop stewards gathered at the Teamsters 856 union hall in San Bruno on July 31 to receive trainings on a range of topics.
Stewards fine-tuned organizing skills, learned about conflict resolution, and the Family Medical Leave Act via trainings led by Local 856 Director of Organizing Chris Rosell and Attorneys Andrew Baker and Susan Garea from the Beeson Tayer & Bodine law firm. United Airlines SFO stewards were also able to connect and build solidarity with one another through critical discussions on what worker solidarity means amidst the growing local and national threats to workers’ rights and union power.
Nearly 50 United Airlines shop stewards gathered at the Teamsters 856 union hall in San Bruno on July 31 to receive trainings on a range of topics.
Stewards fine-tuned organizing skills, learned about conflict resolution, and the Family Medical Leave Act via trainings led by Local 856 Director of Organizing Chris Rosell and Attorneys Andrew Baker and Susan Garea from the Beeson Tayer & Bodine law firm. United Airlines SFO stewards were also able to connect and build solidarity with one another through critical discussions on what worker solidarity means amidst the growing local and national threats to workers’ rights and union power.
“Conflict resolution, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the California Family Rights Act were excellent training topics, being that they are right at the forefront of the members’ needs,” said Maurice McDonald, Teamsters SFO United Airlines steward. He continued, “The training helped to educate stewards, giving them the ability to better serve and protect members’ rights.”
“To all Local 856 airline shop stewards, we thank you for your participation, engagement, and continued dedication to union power,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters 856 Principal Officer.
Airline Division Week in Review -- August 3
The US Department of Transportation has approved a joint venture between American Airlines and Qantas, which will allow the two carriers to codeshare on certain routes and combine operations in certain airports. The carriers filed their initial application for a joint venture in 2016.
Boeing is working additional modifications on to the flight-control system software of the 737 MAX jets. The manufacturer decided for further changes when a new flaw was discovered in the software architecture of the 737 MAX's flight-control system in June during a simulator test that was run by the FAA.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The US Department of Transportation has approved a joint venture between American Airlines and Qantas, which will allow the two carriers to codeshare on certain routes and combine operations in certain airports. The carriers filed their initial application for a joint venture in 2016.
Boeing is working additional modifications on to the flight-control system software of the 737 MAX jets. The manufacturer decided for further changes when a new flaw was discovered in the software architecture of the 737 MAX's flight-control system in June during a simulator test that was run by the FAA.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Wisconsin-based startup Midwest Express has signed an operating agreement with regional carrier Elite Airways to begin nonstop service from Midwest’s home base at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport.
Airbus has begun manufacturing the A220 aircraft at its Mobile, Alabama-based final assembly line, the company announced Aug. 5. The first team of A220 production workers began work in Mobile following their recent return from on-the-job training in Mirabel, Quebec, where the A220 program and primary final assembly line are based.
During its earnings call, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings CEO William Flynn revealed that “revenue and earnings in the second quarter were below our expectations, as air cargo volumes and yields were affected in the near term by the widely reported impact of tariffs and trade tensions.”
American Airlines’ fleet of 28 MD-80s is nearing its final flying days. The airline plans to retire two of those in the second half of August and the remaining 26 will make their last revenue flight on either Sept. 3 or 4.
The first flight of the Boeing 777X is delayed until early 2020 due to a technical problem with the GE9X engines that will power the aircraft. Boeing announced the delay during the presentation of its quarterly results today, July 24. The company was initially planning to carry out the first flight of its new widebody jet in June.
Airline Division Week in Review -- July 27, 2019
PAMA Board Approves New Director Appointment
On July 9th the board of directors of PAMA (Professional Aviation Maintenance Association) approved the presidential appointment of a new director.
Chris Moore, who serves as the President of The Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC) and will serve a two-year term. As founder of TAMC, Moore works tirelessly to advocate for aviation workplace safety and to promote the craft and the intrinsic value of aviation maintenance personnel.
PAMA Board Approves New Director Appointment
On July 9th the board of directors of PAMA (Professional Aviation Maintenance Association) approved the presidential appointment of a new director.
Chris Moore, who serves as the President of The Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC) and will serve a two-year term. As founder of TAMC, Moore works tirelessly to advocate for aviation workplace safety and to promote the craft and the intrinsic value of aviation maintenance personnel.
Moore is an FAA-certificated mechanic with over 30 years airline experience. He is administering mechanic contracts, overseeing safety programs, and coordinating the Division’s License Protection Program. He is also deeply involved with industry coalitions seeking to find solutions to the current pilot and mechanic shortages.
“I could not be happier for Chris,” said Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne. “His focus on issues that impact not only aviation maintenance professionals, but our industry as a whole is incredible. Additionally, his work through the Teamsters Military Assistance Program, helps our nations troops transition from their military careers into the civilian sector by helping with professional credentialing assistance that converts their military training and licensing to civilian licensing and allows them to secure good paying jobs in the private sector. I congratulate PAMA on the outstanding choice and know Chris will serve with distinction,” he concluded.
Airline Industry News
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings is leasing a new facility in Erlanger, Ky., near Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. The facility is anticipated to launch in 2021, and job postings hint it will be a flight operation and dispatch center.
The chief executive of Boeing has said the manufacturer might consider slowing down or halting production of the 737 Max as the company reported a US$3.4 billion (£2.7 billion) loss due to the troubled aircraft model.
The pilots of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA); the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA); including the Independent Pilots Association (IPA); and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1224 today announced renewed efforts to achieve one level of safety for all-cargo pilots and issued collective support for legislation that would close this dangerous loophole and ensure that all airline pilots fly under the same safety standards. The Safe Skies Act, introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D- CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), would apply the same flight, duty, and rest rules to cargo flights as commercial airlines to prevent dangers posed by fatigued pilots.
Air and ocean forwarder Flexport filed a complaint against Western Global Airlines (WGA) in a U.S. District Court in New York, alleging that “service failures” led to the carrier’s inability to meet the contractual obligations of a three-year operational leasing agreement the two parties signed last year.
Preliminary results for June airport volumes worldwide are out, indicating continued market weakness across the globe, though this come as no surprise given continued tensions between China and the U.S. and looming Brexit concerns.
American Airlines’ cargo traffic fell 16.2% during the second quarter to 644 million cargo ton miles, or about 940 million freight tonne kilometers, leading to a 15.4% decline in cargo revenue, the company said this week during its earnings call.
Airline Division Week in Review- July 21, 2019
Airline Division Reaches Agreement in Principal with Air Canada
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has reached an agreement in principle with Air Canada, the largest passenger carrier in Canada. The agreement covers over 700 customer service representatives, reservation assistants, air cargo workers and other employees at the company’s U.S. base of operations.
Airline Division Reaches Agreement in Principle with Air Canada
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has reached an agreement in principle with Air Canada, the largest passenger carrier in Canada. The agreement covers over 700 customer service representatives, reservation assistants, air cargo workers and other employees at the company’s U.S. base of operations.
“I’m extremely proud of our members at Air Canada,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “These workers were engaged and united throughout the process of collective bargaining, and their hard work paid off in a big way.”
“I’d like to thank the negotiating committee for all of their hard work at the table,” said Bob Fisher, Airline Division International Representative. “Thanks to their diligent efforts, we were able to draft a collective bargaining agreement that improves compensation and working conditions for these workers while also ensuring that the company will maintain its status as the premier passenger carrier of Canada.”
Negotiations were completed less than two weeks after the agreement became amendable, an extremely quick turnaround for a union contract in the airline industry. The union will work with the company to finalize the agreement and determine the final contract language that will go to the membership. Details on the ratification vote will be forthcoming within the next two weeks.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The city government of Lakeland, Florida, announced via Twitter that it moving forward is in its plans to rehabilitate an air cargo facility at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) as part of its major lease agreement with Amazon. In the twitter statement, the government said that the runway rehabilitation project will be ready to open for bids by August.
Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the federal cap on the passenger facility charge (PFC) that US airports use to finance infrastructure projects.
The US Department of Transportation announced $477 million in Airport Improvement Program grants for projects across the country. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the grant is part of the overall $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program funding for airports across the US. In total, 276 grants to 264 airports in 44 states, the Pacific Islands and the District of Columbia were issued for projects including runway rehabilitation, terminal maintenance and the construction of firefighting facilities.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Swiss forwarding giant Panalpina reported airfreight volumes up 5% year-over-year to 512,000 tonnes for the first half of 2019 as recent acquisitions began to boost turnover.
Boeing’s second-quarter earnings will include a $4.9 billion after-tax charge to cover some actual and estimated future expenses linked to the 737 MAX grounding, while a reduced production rate is driving up 737 costs and lowering margins, the company said July 18.
Airline Division Week in Review -- July 12, 2019
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers assembled on the lawn of the US Capitol July 10 alongside union officials representing pilots, flight attendants and technicians to announce legislation that would renew stalled efforts to target “flag of convenience” carriers.
The US Commerce Committee voted along party lines to advance Steve Dickson’s nomination to head the FAA, setting the stage for a showdown on the Senate floor over whistleblower allegations that surfaced recently regarding his tenure as Delta Air Lines SVP-flight operations.
Industry News Update
July 12, 2019
Governmental and Regulatory
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers assembled on the lawn of the US Capitol July 10 alongside union officials representing pilots, flight attendants and technicians to announce legislation that would renew stalled efforts to target “flag of convenience” carriers.
The US Commerce Committee voted along party lines to advance Steve Dickson’s nomination to head the FAA, setting the stage for a showdown on the Senate floor over whistleblower allegations that surfaced recently regarding his tenure as Delta Air Lines SVP-flight operations.
Four unions representing US aviation safety inspectors and mechanics wrote to Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Elaine Chao urging the Department to implement three long-delayed Congressional directives intended to boost oversight of foreign repair stations that work on US aircraft.
US Department of State announced (24-Jun-2019) the US and UAE held their sixth economic policy dialogue on 20-Jun-2019, during which delegations from the countries discussed civil aviation matters. Both governments reaffirmed their support for the US-UAE air transport agreement (ATA) of 11-Mar-2012 and the understandings in the record of discussion between the governments of 11-May-2018.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
Atlas Air's William Flynn will retire from his role as CEO effective Jan. 1, 2020, and will become chairman of the board. The company also announced that current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Dietrich will succeed Flynn as CEO. Current Board Chairman Robert Agnew, who will assume the role as the Board's Lead Independent Director in January, praised Flynn's 13 years of extraordinary leadership and expressed confidence that Dietrich is uniquely suited to ensure the company's continued success in the future.
U.S. airlines are rediscovering the rest of the world after years of ceding market share to rivals and international partners on overseas flights.
FedEx Corporation has announced that it has filed suit in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia seeking to enjoin the U.S. Department of Commerce from enforcing prohibitions contained in the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) against FedEx.
David Neeleman’s new airline, tentatively named “Moxy”, is due to receive its first Airbus A220-300 from GECAS in April 2021. The new carrier is planning to launch operations in May 2021.
A man has been ordered to pay Hawaiian Airlines more than $172,000 due to disruptive behavior that forced a flight bound for South Korea to return to Honolulu. The traveler was also sentenced to six months in jail for interfering with flight attendants and crew members.
American Airlines announced plans to retire its McDonnell Douglas MD-80 airplanes on Sept. 4 as a part of the company's ongoing fleet renovation. The airline has 26 planes still in service.
May/June Business Agents' Report
2019 National Safety Council Labor Division Spring meeting
Keri Martin, Mike Valladares and Ralph Ortiz attended the National Safety Council (NSC) Labor Division Spring meeting in Kansas City from April 28th to May 1st, 2019. The Labor Division of the NSC is comprised of labor unions that meet and discuss safety issues in various industries. The purpose of the Labor Division is to be the conduit for safety-focused information sharing and idea exchange with other Unions and its members and to discuss safety issues with other safety professionals who share the same job responsibilities, have experienced the same challenges and can share their thoughts and ideas to help Unions and its representatives develop solutions.
2019 National Safety Council Labor Division Spring meeting
Pictured: Teamster Representatives at the NSC Labor Division Spring meeting
Left to Right: Mike Valladares - SFO Local 856/986, Keri Martin - SFO Local 865/986,
Vic Austin - Local 455, Ralph Ortiz - SFO Local 856/986, Joe Grabinski - Local 1150, Randy Dutertre - Local 1150, Mike Faschingbauer - Local 2727
Keri Martin, Mike Valladares and Ralph Ortiz attended the National Safety Council (NSC) Labor Division Spring meeting in Kansas City from April 28th to May 1st, 2019. The Labor Division of the NSC is comprised of labor unions that meet and discuss safety issues in various industries. The purpose of the Labor Division is to be the conduit for safety-focused information sharing and idea exchange with other Unions and its members and to discuss safety issues with other safety professionals who share the same job responsibilities, have experienced the same challenges and can share their thoughts and ideas to help Unions and its representatives develop solutions.
During the four days of the Labor Division meeting, various committee meetings, education sessions, networking and Union caucuses were scheduled. On the Transportation committee, chaired by Ralph Ortiz, Safety & Health topics discussed included availability of chemical resistant gloves for use with Skydrol, concerns related to employees working alone or in isolated areas, aircraft tow tractors and other powered industrial trucks lacking a fall protection system, First Aid Kits that meet the ANSI standards, new hearing testing equipment being used by some Airlines, and fuel freeze testing labs that may lack proper safety protections.
At the IBT Caucus, they also met with Teamsters representatives from Local 1150 (Sikorsky) Local 2727 (UPS mechanics) and Local 455 (DEN - UA) and Local 781 (ORD) to discuss ongoing safety and health issues and challenges each representative is dealing with.
Educational sessions presented at the Labor Division meeting included:
◊ Social Media and Harassment: A Trade Perspective.
◊ How to effectively communicate safety & health to members.
◊ Communcating safety and health with young and new workers.
◊ Working with OSHA Labor Liaisons.
◊ Violence at work are safety hazards too.
Fed-OSHA labor liaisons from regions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 &10 provided OSHA updates and current activities.
VEBA 2017 Arbitration Decision – What it means to you
As you have no doubt heard, the arbitrator ruled in our favor on the 2017 VEBA grievance. In sustaining the grievance, the arbitrator declared that, “The Company violated Article 16.G.2.d when it capped the VEBA contributions in 2017 by a total of 1560 hours per employee. Any employee who worked more than 1560 hours in 2017 between April 1st and December 31st, 2017 while in active employment will be made whole with respect to VEBA contributions.” What it means for you is exactly that. If your compensable hours for 2017 totaled more than 1560 between April 1st and December 31st, you are owed $1.20 per hour for every hour over 1560, up to a total of 2080 hours max. As an example, if you worked a lot of overtime and are owed for the full 2080 hours this will mean an additional contribution of 520 hours, at $1.20, or $624 to your VEBA account for the year 2017. As soon as we have any additional information on how the Company plans to implement the process to make our members whole, we will be sure to get that out to you.
MEALP/LUCA ISSUE
We were informed by the Company that those individuals working overtime in conjunction with their regular shift will no longer be afforded the ability to leave ½-hour early and receive pay in-lieu of taking a lunch, as is outlined in Article 17.E. The Company is claiming that this is due to the California meal period requirements under California Labor Code Section 512. Frankly, we do not agree with the Company’s assertion that that this section of the Labor Code should apply to overtime shifts covered by our CBA and we consider it to be more of an eTa programming issue. That being said, there are ongoing discussions related to the matter and we are hopeful that we can get an acceptable resolution as soon as possible.
In the meantime, however, if you are working a 4-over in conjunction with your regular shift and are not being allowed to leave ½-hr early using MealP you should insist on taking your full lunch 2 hours into the shift. If you are working 8-hour Hold Over Overtime in conjunction with your regular shift and are not being allowed to leave ½-hour early using MealP you should insist on taking a lunch after two hours and again after 6 hours of overtime. If any management person denies you any of your lunches, we want you to immediately contact your Shop Steward of Chief Steward.
2019 Scholarship Recipients attend May Craft Meeting
Several of this year’s scholarship recipients along with their proud parents attended the May Dayshift Craft meeting held on May 30th at Local 856 in San Bruno. Scholarship checks were presented by Local 856 Principal Officer Peter Finn and Local 986 Airline Division Coordinator Clacy Griswold. The meeting had a decidedly festive atmosphere thanks to their presence and we sincerely appreciate everyone coming out.
Raffle Drawings held at May Craft Meeting
We also held two prize drawings at the May Dayshift Craft Meeting for the Harry Beier Benefit Raffle and the Giants Ticket Raffle benefiting the TeamstersSFO Solidarity Fund. The winner of the Samsung 55-inch Flat Screen TV was Johnny Kong from SFORQ and the winner of the August 10th pair of Giants tickets was Kevin Grover from SFOGX. Thanks to all of you who participated.
Grievance Update
As stated previously, the arbitrator sustained our grievance for the cap on 2017 VEBA contributions. We are currently awaiting an arbitration decision on another grievance (EFS Bypass). We have two grievances at arbitration level that are on hold, pending decisions in related cases: one grievance (Line EFS Bypass) is on hold pending decision of above EFS Bypass case and one grievance (GSE Lead Pay) on hold pending the outcome of a similar grievance from Orlando.
We had an initial discussion with the Company regarding the SFO outsourcing grievances currently at arbitration level and will be scheduling additional discussions in the near future.
As for 3rd Step grievances, we received System Board decisions on the three grievances heard in late March. One grievance (Dock 3 Tool Crib) deadlocked (2 to 2 tie) and was immediately appealed to arbitration. One grievance (BAQ116 work by BAQ128 personnel) was remanded back to the parties for discussions/resolution. In the case of a grievance that is remanded back, the parties must make an attempt to find a resolution. If no resolution is reached, then the most likely outcome is a revision of the decision to reflect a ‘deadlock’ and appeal to arbitration immediately thereafter. One grievance was denied (VAC conversion for FMLA) and is now closed.
Additionally, we must make a correction related to the prior BA Report in April. In it, we stated that we were awaiting System Board decisions for four grievances. In fact, one grievance (progressive discipline) was settled by the Company just prior to the System Boards. This involved the Company providing an amended response to the initial grievance which was acceptable to the Union. Therefore, we were only awaiting decisions on the 3ea above grievances and not four as we previously stated.
As for the remaining 3rd Step grievances, we have our next System Boards scheduled at SFO on August 20th and 21st. We will be engaging Labor Relations in discussions for a potential docket later in July.
As always, if you have any questions about any of the information we have provided above, or about any specific grievance at 3rd Step or arbitration level, please feel free to stop by the Union office for a chat or contact your Shop Steward or Chief Steward.
Fourth of July Message from your Member Assistance Professionals
With the Fourth of July Holiday fast-approaching we felt is necessary to remind you all of the valuable resource that is at your disposal. Our TMAP (formerly EAP) Coordinators offer free confidential services to help out Teamster members and their families identify and resolve personal problems or concerns. They can assist you in developing a plan of action or refer you to appropriate licensed professionals. Some of the issues they can assist with include Alcohol/Drug dependency, Addictive Behaviors, Mental Health, Grief and Loss, Child/Teen Conduct, Domestic Violence, Elder Care, Trauma, and Relationship Concerns. They can also assist with Retirement questions, Workers Compensation, State Disability, FMLA, Reasonable Accommodation, and other state, federal, or Company Benefits. All of these services are free, voluntary, and confidential and cannot be discussed with anyone without written consent from you. If you have a problem or situation that you would like to discuss in private, please call: Steve Loone for MM/GX/PV/OV 650-745-5864 or Steve Crummey for Jet Shop/Backshops 650-745-5867
Labor History
July 6th, 1889 - Striking laborers employed by contractors on street and sewer improvements in Duluth, Minnesota, attempt to break through the police presence protecting scabs doing their work. The police opened fire and a gun battle ensued that resulted in the deaths of four workers and a bystander; many more were seriously wounded. The state militia was called in and drove the workers back with fixed bayonets. Strike leaders were arrested and the police who participated were given gold medals.
July 17th, 1944 - An explosion while loading munitions onto a cargo vessel at the military depot at Port Chicago, California, kills 320 and injures nearly 400 sailors (mostly African-American enlisted men who were part of a segregated unit) and civilians. Following the disaster, many of the surviving sailors refused to resume loading munitions, citing unsafe working conditions. Fifty men were convicted of mutiny and received 15-year sentences. It was the largest mass mutiny trial in U.S. history.
July 31st, 1999 - The Great Shipyard Strike of 1999 ends after steelworkers at Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. ratify a breakthrough agreement which nearly doubles pensions, increases security, ends inequality, and provides the highest wage increases in company and industry history to nearly 10,000 workers. The strike lasted over 16 weeks.
We must never forget!
Labor Quotes
So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work. - Peter Drucker
If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves. - Lane Kirkland
When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him whose.
Don Marquis
Our Commitment to Communication
The communication process is an extremely important part of what we do to represent our folks here at SFO and, as we have been outlining for quite some time, we have been blasting out the BA Report along with any other communication we get from the Airline Division or the International to anyone who registers at the TeamstersSFO website. We feel that it is essential for all of our members to be engaged and informed at all times. Therefore, we encourage all of you to spread the word to your fellow technicians to go to the TeamstersSFO website and click on the ‘email signup’ tab to get on the list.
Additionally, the Chief Stewards hold weekly meetings with the Shop Stewards to pass on any important informational items that may come up during the month. It is crucial to our process that every work area on every shift have Shop Steward representation and that the Shop Steward give, at a minimum, weekly briefings to his/her crew so that all the information gets to our members and members have the opportunity to ask questions.
Most importantly, we urge you to also consider getting more involved. Every month, on the last Thursday, we hold Craft Meetings at Local 856. At these meetings, the membership hears reports from the Business Agents and other members of the SFO Committee on Grievances, Safety, Member Assistance, and the TSAP program. Additionally, all members have an opportunity to ask questions and to bring up topics for discussion. Check your IBT Bulletin Board for dates and times and make it a point to stop by whenever you can.
As always, Stay Informed!
In Solidarity
Mark DesAngles Javier Lectora
Business Agent Business Agent
Local 986 Local 856
Airline Division Week in Review -- June 26, 2019
US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced on Monday $57.1 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants for Texas airports, including $23.2 million for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and $2.6 million for Dallas Love Field Airport. "With improved transportation infrastructure in place ... the airports and communities can build a better quality of life, increase safety, move people and freight faster, and create more jobs and opportunities," Chao said.
US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced on Monday $57.1 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants for Texas airports, including $23.2 million for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and $2.6 million for Dallas Love Field Airport. "With improved transportation infrastructure in place ... the airports and communities can build a better quality of life, increase safety, move people and freight faster, and create more jobs and opportunities," Chao said.
Amazon Air will begin flights to Anchorage International Airport (ANC) later this week, on June 27. According to a post ANC published on Twitter last week, Amazon Air will operate daily services to the airport utilizing its 767 freighter network.
Air Transport Services Group’s subsidiary carrier, ABX Air, has partnered with turboprop freighter operator Air Cargo Carriers under a program designed to allow the latter’s pilots to more easily enter ABX’s training class.
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz talks about a variety of aviation topics, including financial stability, sustainability, cybersecurity and regulatory issues.
Shortly after FedEx announced it would not be renewing its express delivery contract with e-tail giant Amazon, Amazon signed an order for 15 additional narrowbody 737 freighters via lessor GECAS at the Paris Air Show today.
Salt Lake City's new airport set to open next year is a rarity as the first wholly new airport built in the US in over 20 years, writes Amanda Olson. Although the need for new construction is great, airports are usually redesigned instead of being rebuilt due to a wide range of challenges, including a lack of new land and the need to avoid congestion.
US Transportation Secretary announced a $65 million investment in Chicago's O'Hare Airport with part of it going to fund new runways. "The construction of runways will help Chicago maintain its status as one of the busiest in the world," Bailey Edwards of the Federal Aviation Administration said.
FedEx Corporation has announced that it has filed suit in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia seeking to enjoin the U.S. Department of Commerce from enforcing prohibitions contained in the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) against FedEx.
A new generation of plane-sized autonomous delivery vehicles is capable of carrying hundreds of pounds for hundreds of miles. They’re called cargo drones. They are fast, more environmentally friendly, and could completely change the cargo industry.
Teamsters Airline Division Prevails as Arbitrator Berger Sustains Health Reimbursement Account Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association Grievance!
Arbitrator Berger has found that United Airlines violated Article 16.G.2.d when it capped the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) contributions in 2017 by a total of 1,560 hours per employee. Any employee who was working under active employment status during this time period shall be made whole with respect to VEBA contributions.
Arbitrator Berger has found that United Airlines violated Article 16.G.2.d when it capped the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) contributions in 2017 by a total of 1,560 hours per employee. Any employee who was working under active employment status during this time period shall be made whole with respect to VEBA contributions.
Once all of the data and details are gathered regarding how and who shall receive payment, that information will be made available to each respective local. Please be patient as we are starting this process within the upcoming weeks under the guidance of our attorney Josh Mcinnerny.
Special thanks goes out to the Airline Division and their resources, along with Mcinnerny who presented an outstanding case with our expert witnesses: Economist Dan Akins, International Representative Bob Fisher and Local 986 Business Agent Clacy Griswold.
Thanks to all,
Vinny Graziano
National Coordinator, Airline Division
Teamsters Stand In Solidarity With IAM, TWU Workers At American Airlines
(WASHINGTON) – The following is a statement from Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne regarding American Airlines’ ongoing negotiations with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM):
“American Airlines has accused the TWU and IAM of participating in an illegal work slowdown. The men and women of the IAM and TWU have been in contract negotiations with American Airlines management to keep the maintenance work from being sent offshore.
Company Needs to Keep Maintenance in Hands of Unionized Professionals
(WASHINGTON) – The following is a statement from Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne regarding American Airlines’ ongoing negotiations with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM):
“American Airlines has accused the TWU and IAM of participating in an illegal work slowdown. The men and women of the IAM and TWU have been in contract negotiations with American Airlines management to keep the maintenance work from being sent offshore.
“The highly trained professionals at the IAM and TWU show their dedication each day as they put the safety of our passengers and crew first when doing their jobs. Sending aircraft maintenance overseas threatens the safety of workers and passengers. We support and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the IAM and TWU in their fight to secure a fair contract.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.
Airline Division Week in Review — May 31, 2019
This Tuesday, tune into our livestream of the Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing Summit!
On June 4, TAMC Chairman Chris Moore will be speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. about the importance of fighting outsourcing in the airline industry. Moore will be joining trade unionists, aviation industry stakeholders and consumer advocates – including activist Ralph Nader – for a discussion on why airline maintenance outsourcing threatens oversight and safety in a way that is hazardous for both workers and passengers.
This Tuesday, tune into our livestream of the Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing Summit!
On June 4, TAMC Chairman Chris Moore will be speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. about the importance of fighting outsourcing in the airline industry. Moore will be joining trade unionists, aviation industry stakeholders and consumer advocates – including activist Ralph Nader – for a discussion on why airline maintenance outsourcing threatens oversight and safety in a way that is hazardous for both workers and passengers.
The livestream will go from 9:00AM to 1:00PM on the Facebook pages for the Teamsters and the TAMC. For more information, please call the IBT Communications Department at (202) 624-6911 or e-mail mmcquaid@teamster.org.