Thinking About Retirement?

Come to our Pre-Retirement Seminar!

Teamsters SFO is hosting a pre-retirement seminar for all active and retired mechanics & related members at United Airlines in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Saturday, February 8, 2020
9 AM - 12 PM 
Teamsters 856
453 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno

Light refreshments will be provided. 

Parking is available on the street and in the parking lot through the alley across the street from Teamsters 856.

Airline Division Week in Review -- Christmas Day 2019

As we approach the end of 2019, we would like to extend to each of you and your families our very best wishes for the holiday season. Whether it is Christmas, Hannukah or many of the other holiday traditions, we wish each of you the very best.

We also ask that you think of your fellow brother and sister Teamsters who may be at work here and around the world and include them in your thoughts.

In observance of the holidays, the offices of the Airline Division will be closed this week and we will reopen for regular business on Monday, December 30th.

December Business Agents' Report

SFOMM Technician Oscar Medina Qualifies for Olympic Trials

We have an amazing athlete in our midst! On October 13th, SFOMM Technician Oscar Medina ran the Chicago marathon in 2:18 hours to qualify for the Olympic trials being held in Atlanta this coming February. Oscar, who works at Terminal 1, ran Track and Field at Lakeview High School in Chicago, Class of 2011, then went on to compete at Southern Illinois University afterwards. He has been running marathons competitively for about four years now. We want to send out a big fat congrats to Oscar and wish him good luck at the trials!
B-Scale Pay Proposal Update
On Monday, October 21st, we flew to Chicago to meet with United Airlines senior leadership regarding B-Scale pay. During the meeting, we first presented them with a series of letters from our newer technicians outlining the significant challenges they are having making ends meet in the San Francisco Bay Area. Afterwards, we presented them with a detailed proposal to increase the pay of those folks. We had hoped to receive an answer to our proposal by now but, unfortunately, we have not. We will be sure to pass on any news we receive as soon as we get.

Article 11.M Non-Critical Illness
We have had several questions, along with a recent grievance regarding the Company's policy of auto-designating Article 11.M Non-Critical Illness concurrently with Kin Care when it is requested for a spouse or dependent child of our member. After seeking advice on the matter from Union Counsel, we will be brief and direct on the issue. If you call in Kin Care for your spouse or child, then it is perfectly legal for the Company can run your Kin Care and Article 11.M Non-Critical Illness concurrently. Remember, Article 11.M allows you up to six days of sick leave, with a maximum of two occurrences, for use to care for your sick spouse or dependent child.

Grievance Update
The last scheduled SBA dates for the year were November 12th and 13th. In the preceding weeks, we engaged Labor Relations in several discussions related to the seven open 3rd Step grievances we had identified to have the highest priority.  Additionally, we met with our attorney to discuss several of those grievances as well. In the end, this is how things played out:

Two grievances (Seniority Issue and Article 11.M Auto-designation) were withdrawn for lack of merit based on advice of counsel.

Two grievances (Boston Fuel EFS and Trade Day Off OT Overlap) were settled by the Company including issuance of revised 2nd Step answers and all affected members being made whole. Additionally, an eTA system fix has been scheduled for the issue related to the payment of appropriate overtime rates on the overlap between trade day off and an overtime shift.

One grievance (Revised OT Hours Charging) was sustained, pending review by the Airline Division, before implementation of additional eTA system fix so that overtime charging is done correctly for all hours 'accepted or refused'.

The Company indicated that it was not ready to hear one grievance (Improper Pay). Discussions are ongoing with the Airline Division and the Company in order to figure out the next steps on this one. It is likely that face-to-face meetings with the company will have to be scheduled to discuss appropriate remedies before ultimately moving forward with an attempt to arbitrate this grievance. As such, this grievance in now on hold.

In the end, we ended up having two hearings on November 12th, one for a Termination case and one for a contract grievance (Management Doing Protected Work).

We have one upcoming arbitration related to a termination case scheduled for March. We are actively pursuing dates for another contract arbitration (OV Tool Crib). Additionally, there are current internal discussions underway concerning another contract grievance (SFOMM HNL EFS Bypass) at arbitration level, in light of the arbitration decision we received denying a similar grievance (SFOLX HNL EFS Bypass). We expect the Airline Division attorneys to have a decision soon for us on the matter of whether to pursue or withdraw.

A Message from your TMAP Representatives

The Holiday Season is upon us. This time of year can bring all kinds of emotions and feelings that may be difficult to process. It may be that you have a Family function every year that tends to get out of control because of some underlying family tension or emotional distress. Or you have some memories of loved ones who have passed on that become especially hard to deal with at this time of year. Maybe it’s yours or a family member's drinking problem that seems to get worse during the Holidays that is causing you concern. These are just a few of the things that may cause stress and fatigue at this time of year. If you need someone to confide in about different life events that may be affecting your duties at home or at work and would like to seek help with developing a plan to work through some life events, call one of our Member Assistance Professionals. We have helped a lot of technicians find appropriate resources to start the path of recovery from Grief and Loss, Alcohol/Drug Dependency, Relationship problems and many others. The Teamster Member Assistance Program is here to help 24/7/365. If the Holidays have you down, give us a try before it has adverse effects that may be irreparable at work or at home.

SFOOV/MM/GQ/PV - Steve Loone  650-745-5864

SFOPD/RQ/LX/MP - Steve Crummey  650-745-5867

2020 Retirement Seminar Date is Set

The 2020 Retirement Seminar date has been set for Saturday February 8th.

The event will be held at Local 856 in San Bruno. If you are contemplating retiring in the coming year, this event is a must! We will put out more details including time, agenda, and guests in January. In the meantime, make sure to mark your calendars.

 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.

Union History for the Month of December

December 15th, 1921 - A protest by 500 women in Kansas that began earlier in the week – organized in support of striking mine workers and against new anti-labor legislation that forced unions into arbitration and outlawed strikes in the state – swells to 4,000, stretching a mile long. The women, dubbed the “Amazon Army” by The New York Times, disbanded upon hearing that the militia was on its way. Victory came a year later when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Kansas anti-labor laws unconstitutional.

December 3rd, 1946 - In Oakland, California, 130,000 workers from 142 unions – including workers from factories, industries, services, retail stores, transportation systems, and more – declare a “work holiday” and walk off their jobs in support of striking department store clerks and in opposition to police intervention that was facilitating strike breaking activity. The Oakland General Strike lasted for two days.

December 8th, 1993 - President Bill Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law, stating that it “will promote more growth, more equality, better preservation of the environment, and a greater possibility for world peace.” In reality, NAFTA has done the opposite: costing jobs and lowering wages, increasing inequality, and compromising environmental and consumer protections.

We must never forget!

Quotes

Every advance in this half-century--Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education, one after another--came with the support and leadership of American Labor — Jimmy Carter

Today in America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for those -- regardless of their political party -- who hold some vain and foolish dream of spinning the clock back to days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a hapless mass. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice — Dwight D. Eisenhower

No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level --I mean the wages of decent living — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Special Message from the SFO Committee
On behalf of the entire SFO Committee, we want to take some time to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! We hope that all of you get to enjoy some time with your families and that none of that sacred time is clouded by distractions related to the job. Happy Holidays Folks!

Happy Holidays Folks!

Mechanics Dispatch - December 10, 2019

This time of year brings out all kinds of emotions that can be difficult to process. Family get-togethers, perhaps the loss of a close family member and this being the first holiday without them, maybe you or a family member realizes their drinking is out of control – all these things cause stress around the holidays. This is why the Teamsters’ Member Assistance Program (TMAP) representatives are here to help you and your family.

What is TMAP? The Teamsters offer a free, confidential program designed to help members and their families identify and resolve personal problems or concerns. Our trained TMAP peer coordinators are union members helping union members. We all have ups and downs, it’s not always easy deciding when to ask for help. Your TMAP Coordinator will respectfully listen to your problem and assist you in developing a plan of action that will meet your needs. If necessary, you will be referred to a qualified service provider in your community. The TMAP Coordinator will also follow up with you to ensure that you are both getting the help you need and are satisfied with the referral. How do you know if you really do have a problem? Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I think about a problem frequently, or am I always worried about the same thing?

• Am I telling myself the problem “isn’t that bad and will just go away,” although it doesn’t?

• Do I feel tired, depressed, frustrated, angry or sick?

• Is my job performance or dependability being affected?

• Do I feel like giving up?

What Kind of Problems Can the Teamsters’ Member Assistance Program Help With? Depression and/or anxiety, debt management, grief and loss, alcohol and drug dependency, gambling dependency, relationship problems, divorce, stress related to parenting, domestic violence, elder care and trauma reactions are a few of the issues TMAP can help with.

Is the Union’s TMAP Really Confidential? Yes, the program is highly confidential. We will not discuss your problem with anyone without your written consent. The only limits by law are the intent to harm yourself, harm others, child abuse and/or elder abuse.

What Will It Cost? TMAP services are free. Your TMAP representative will work with you to make effective use of your health insurance benefits and community resources.

What is the Next Step? To get started, call or visit a Teamsters TMAP Representative to begin the process. TMAP is voluntary, so you need to take the first step. A TMAP Representative can help you determine whether you need to take action.

Remember, it’s better to deal with the problem before it becomes overwhelming.

Your TMAP Representatives are:

CALEB GOOD
Chairman, Eastern Region Coordinator
ATL BOS CLE EWR IAD LGA ORD PHL
(630) 485-0227

MIKE BROOKS
Central Region Coordinator
DEN FLL TPA PHX MCO
(303) 335-6540

STEVE LOONE
Western Region Coordinator
GUM HNL LAS LAX KOA LIH OGG PDX SAN SEA SFO SNA
(650) 745-5864

STEVE CRUMMEY
Western Region Coordinator
GUM HNL LAS LAX KOA LIH OGG PDX SAN SEA SFO SNA
(650) 745-5867

DOMINIC FIERO
Southern Region Coordinator
IAH HOU AUS DFW MSY
(832) 443-6599

Sincerely,

Ken Meidinger
International Representative-Airline Division
UAL Benefits Coordinator

Airline Division Week in Review -- Thanksgiving 2019

Work Progressing Rapidly on Divisions Newest Local

Aided by the full support of General President Hoffa, Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne and Airline Division staff, the structure of IBT’s newest Local; 2750 is rapidly coming together.

Since the announcement last month, the International and Division have worked closely with Local 2750 Trustee Captain Bob Kirchner and the ExCo to secure office space and do the time consuming but much needed foundational work to get the offices and systems up and running as quickly as possible.

In a message to the membership this week, Trustee Kirchner said, “We also are within days of securing our office space for Local 2750 in downtown Cincinnati. We are in the final stages of negotiating a few clauses in the lease  Our IT guys and other union workers are ready to move in and start getting set up. The timetable right now has us up and running on a limited basis in December with a grand opening planned for sometime in January.” 

Speaking about the ongoing work, Kirchner said, “In addition to conducting the day to day business of representation, planning for upcoming negotiations with management and holding in-person crew meetings at various locations throughout the system, and a well-attended crew call this week, the ExCo feels that there are sufficient funds in place to adequately fund negotiations and SPC efforts between now and when we get our next collective bargaining agreement. As such, they have determined that it is time to end the crewmember assessment and they hope to conduct the vote electronically starting next week.”

“None of this would have been possible without the total and complete support of General President Hoffa and Division Director David Bourne,”  Kirchner continued. “From the moment we approached them with the request for our own Local and chart our own course; they have provided us support and assistance beyond our expectations. Setting up a Local is not an easy process. The underlying workload is massive and when you add those tasks to the day to day representational issues and contract negotiations; the risk of missing a minor detail that can have massive representational, legal and financial repercussions is tremendous.”

“We’re very pleased with the focus that the Atlas ExCo and Trustee Bob Kirchner have maintained during the transition,” said Division Director Captain David Bourne. “Standing a new Local up is not an easy process; however the dedication to the work and focus on their pilots has been outstanding and we are happy to provide the support that they need,” he concluded.

The next scheduled in-person meetings with crewmembers are scheduled for December 2nd and 3rd at the Courtyard Marriott in Miami, Florida.

Airline Industry News

UPS expects to offer expanded drone delivery to private homes within two years as demand, technology and regulation evolve, says Bala Ganesh, vice president of the company's advanced technology group. The company is focusing first on expanding its medical delivery program, which "is a really good use case because that is life-changing," he said.

Thanksgiving Message

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, may we all keep in our thoughts our brothers and sisters who are away from their families and friends here and around the world, in the air, at sea or on the ground. May we all be grateful for the time we all have together and our good blessings.

In honor of Thanksgiving, the offices of the Airline Division will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th. We will reopen for regular business on Monday, December 2nd.

On behalf of everyone in the Airline Division, we extend to each of you and your families our very best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Teamsters Support Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act

The press release below is from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding H.R.5119, the Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act. Click here to view the original press release.

---

For Immediate Release
Nov. 22, 2019

Contact: Kara Deniz, (202) 624-6911; kdeniz@teamster.org

TEAMSTERS SUPPORT SAFE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE STANDARDS ACT

Legislation Protects Aviation Maintenance Workers and the Flying Public

(WASHINGTON) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters today announced its strong support for H.R.5119, the Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act, which was passed out of the House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this week.

“I’d like to thank our allies in Congress who have been working incredibly hard on this legislation out of their concern for the safety of both their constituents and every U.S. citizen who steps foot on an airplane,” said Capt. David Bourne, Teamsters Airline Division Director. “This bipartisan legislation is a perfect example of representative democracy at its finest.”

The legislation was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Representative John Katko (R-NY) and Representative John Garamendi (D-CA). It requires that aircraft maintenance performed abroad be held to the same standards as maintenance performed domestically.

“This bill closes significant regulatory loopholes that could lead to tragic accidents if they are unattended to,” said Teamsters Airline Division International Representative Chris Moore. “It is in everyone’s best interest to have aviation mechanics overseas held to the same domestic standards regarding inspections, drug and alcohol testing, professional qualifications, background checks, threat assessments and other regulations that are essential to the safety of airline workers and passengers throughout the United States.”

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.

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Airline Division Week in Review -- November 12, 2019

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

---

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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

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.

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 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.