Airline Division WIR Nicole Casey Airline Division WIR Nicole Casey

Aircraft Maintenance Technician Day

Next Tuesday, May 24th is AMT ( Aircraft Maintenance Technician) Day. I would like to recognize all of the highly skilled certified Technicians that took an oath to hold in sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred upon them, knowing full well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon their skills and judgment. They never knowingly subject others to risk that they would not be willing to assume themselves or those dear to them.

Tuesday, May 24th is AMT ( Aircraft Maintenance Technician) Day. I would like to recognize all of the highly skilled certified Technicians that took an oath to hold in sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred upon them, knowing full well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon their skills and judgment. They never knowingly subject others to risk that they would not be willing to assume themselves or those dear to them.

The First AMT was Charles E. Taylor, or "Charlie." He was the Wright Brothers Technician. Sadly, history almost forgot the contributions that Charlie made to aviation. When Orville and Wilbur needed an engine to power their Wright Glider, they were unable to find a manufacturer who could build one to their specifications. This is when they turned to Charlie. Having helped build and assemble a lot of the parts for the Wright Flyer, the Wrights asked Charlie if he could build the engine. The answer was, "Sure".

Starting from a solid block of metal and using basic tools such as a drill, lathe and some simple hand tools, Charlie built the first aircraft engine and all this from a rough drawing made on a napkin! The Wrights determined they needed an engine that could not weigh more than 180 pounds and had to deliver 8-9 horsepower. With the skill, knowledge and integrity Charlie possessed he provided the Wrights with a four-cylinder engine with four-inch stroke and four-inch bore weighing 150 ponds and delivering 13 horsepower on the brake. All this was done in only six weeks! This engine was more than capable of carrying the weight of 625 pounds of machines and man.

In December 1903, history was made. But history almost forgot the man who helped turn the Wright Glider into the Wright Flyer.

Like Charlie, thousands of skilled and professional men and women have followed in his footsteps. These men and women carry the burden of an incredible weight. That weight is aircraft safety! 

As a certified AMT myself, I take great pride in all of them for fixing it right the first time.

Joe Ferreira

Director, Teamsters Airline Division

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Visit to SFO

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

May 17, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

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

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

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

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

Look for further updates as developments occur.

Fraternally, 

Vinny Graziano

Airline Division

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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UAL Airbus Update

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

Dear Members,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Solidarity, 


Vinny Graziano
National Mechanic and Technician Coordinator
Teamsters Airline Division

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Heavy Check Arbitration


As you all know, on August 26th, 2020 the last heavy check performed at the San Francisco Maintenance Center was released from Dock 6. At that time the Union filed grievance accusing the company of violating both Article1 (Scope) and LOA #3 (Heavy Checks) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by discontinuing heavy checks at SFO.

March 31st, 2022 


Re: Heavy Check Arbitration 

All SFO IBT Members, 

As you all know, on August 26th, 2020 the last heavy check performed at the San Francisco Maintenance Center was released from Dock 6. 

At that time the Union filed grievance accusing the company of violating both Article1 (Scope) and LOA #3 (Heavy Checks) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by discontinuing heavy checks at SFO. 

We are now in receipt of the arbitration decision regarding that grievance. 

With respect to Article 1, the arbitrator ruled that the Company was not in violation of the CBA because 'force majeure' was in effect due to COVID-19 pandemic.  


Regarding LOA #3, the decision was a bit more nuanced. The arbitrator decided that the "trip wires were indeed activated" by the COVID-19 pandemic allowing the company to discontinue Heavy Check work at SFO, but that the Company also violated LOA #3 by not providing replacement work at SFO.  

But he also ruled that the decision only applied to Dock 6 Heavy Check and not the Dock 3 Heavy Check. That's because of the company claim, which the union vehemently disputed, that the closing of Dock 3 heavy check was not related to the pandemic at all and that they had informed the Union sometime in 2019 that they were going to discontinue the Dock 3 heavy check in 2020! In other words, the pandemic grounding the entire fleet in March was just a coincidence!  

This aspect of the arbitration decision was extremely disappointing but in the grand scheme of things really did not mean much because the arbitrator further mitigated the company responsibility for this violation by concluding that replacement work for the Dock 6 heavy check was only required between August 26th, 2020, when the last Dock 6 heavy check was released, and October 1st 2020, when the CARES act expired, which we still cannot understand despite repeated reviews of the decision. 

Finally, the arbitrator remanded the issue of remedy for the replacement work violation back to both parties for discussion for 60 days. If no agreement is reached, then the arbitrator will review and decide the appropriate remedy. 

The bottom line is that the Company will not be compelled to bring back heavy checks to San Francisco maintenance base, except if it agreed to in the upcoming negotiations. Period.  
We will continue to update you on any further developments going forward. 

Mark DesAngles - IBT Local 986
Javier Lectora - IBT Local 856
Teamsters Airline Division - SFO Point 

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Airline Division Director Update

I am honored to have been chosen to serve you as the new Director for the Airline Division. While this is a very challenging industry, I look forward to representing your needs in the best way possible. I'm hopeful that my background of forty years in the airline industry will provide the insight needed to accomplish that goal. I would also like to introduce you to Greg Unterseher. I'm pleased to report that Greg was chosen to serve as Deputy Director and brings with him over 25 years experience in Teamster Pilot leadership, as an airline captain, organizer, and pilot representative.

March 28, 2022

Dear Members,

I am honored to have been chosen to serve you as the new Director for the Airline Division. While this is a very challenging industry, I look forward to representing your needs in the best way possible. I'm hopeful that my background of forty years in the airline industry will provide the insight needed to accomplish that goal. I would also like to introduce you to Greg Unterseher. I'm pleased to report that Greg was chosen to serve as Deputy Director and brings with him over 25 years experience in Teamster Pilot leadership, as an airline captain, organizer, and pilot representative.

General President O'Brien tasked me with growing this Division, and I intend to do just that. In my opinion, the best way to bring in new members is to serve the current members well. To that end, a meeting with Greg and Division Representatives took place at Headquarters in Washington D.C. last week. During this meeting our team discussed the current state of bargaining and grievance processing on all properties. We also discussed how to best move forward. While nothing was finalized at this introductory meeting, one thing I expressed to the team was that, when we can, we need to be out in the field talking with representatives and members alike to receive and act on feedback.

Communication will be the key to our success. In the next coming months, it is my plan to travel with Greg and meet as many of your Local leaders as possible. Please stay tuned for further updates as this transition unfolds.

In Solidarity,

Joe Ferreira

Airline Division Director
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Click here to view the PDF version.

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Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey

Mechanics' Dispatch 3-21-2022

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

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

Brothers and Sisters, 

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

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

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

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

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UAL Technicians Update

As a reminder, the bargaining survey and contract proposal forms are live now. I’m urging you to complete the survey. As stated before, the higher the percentage that takes the time to complete this survey sends a message to the company. In addition, it helps your rank-and-file committee better determine your priorities.

                                                            UAL Technicians Update

                                                              January 19, 2022

 

Brothers and Sisters, 

As a reminder, the bargaining survey and contract proposal forms are live now. I’m urging you to complete the survey. As stated before, the higher the percentage that takes the time to complete this survey sends a message to the company. In addition, it helps your rank-and-file committee better determine your priorities. 

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

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

If you have already completed the survey and entered contract proposals, I thank you for taking the time to engage in this critical aspect of bargaining. If you have not, please do so soon. 

Fraternally, 

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

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UAL Technicians Update

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

UAL Technicians Update

January 10, 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

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

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

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

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

Fraternally,

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

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Technicians Update

As you are aware, in accordance with the CBA provision we sent notice to the company of our intent to bargain a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The company acknowledged receipt and set up a call with me and Bob Fisher from the Airline Division this afternoon.

Brothers and Sisters,

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

Fraternally,

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Maintenance and Related

Airline Division

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Mechanics' Dispatch, Negotiations Nicole Casey Mechanics' Dispatch, Negotiations Nicole Casey

Update to United Airlines Technicians and Related

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

                                                                December 7, 2021

                                Update to United Airlines Technicians and Related

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

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

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

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

Continue to look for updates as negotiations unfold. 

In Solidarity 

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Technician and Related

Airline Division 

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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Notice of Article 24 -- Union's Intent to Commence Negotiations

This is to serve as notice, pursuant to Article 24 of the parties’ extant Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “CBA”), and in accordance with Section 6, Title 1 of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, of the Union’s intent to commence negotiations between the parties for the purposes of amending the CBA for the Technicians and Related.

This is to serve as notice, pursuant to Article 24 of the parties’ extant Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “CBA”), and in accordance with Section 6, Title 1 of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, of the Union’s intent to commence negotiations between the parties for the purposes of amending the CBA for the Technicians and Related.

Read the entire letter here.

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December Craft Meetings Canceled

We want to wish all our members and their families a very Happy Holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Your continued support is greatly appreciated, looking forward to 2022

We want to wish all our members and their families a very Happy Holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Your continued support is greatly appreciated, looking forward to 2022.

In Solidarity,

Teamsters SFO Committee

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UAL Reset Analysis

As a reminder the industry reset took place last year providing a 7.2% increase. The next reset analysis will take place in December of 2022 and a reset analysis will occur annually thereafter. New rates were provided last year which became effective December 6, 2020. Per paragraph 2 of the LOA, since the basic hourly rates/scales from the one-time adjustment exceed the basic hourly rates in Appendix A planned for December 5, 2021, these adjusted scales supersede.

Brothers and Sisters, 

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

In solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano 

Coordinator Technician and Related 

Airline Division 

International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

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Nicole Casey Nicole Casey

PSP Update

I wanted to update you about an important development involving United Airlines and the Paycheck Support Program (PSP) instituted by the federal government last year.

The PSP program was meant to ensure that recalled employees continued to receive the wage rates they earned before they were laid off due to the pandemic. However, as many of you experienced first-hand, United Airlines did not pay leads recalled as technicians, or technicians recalled as GSEs, the wages they had earned before being laid off. In the IBT’s view, this resulted in thousands of dollars of lost pay for hundreds of United employees. Because of this, the IBT Airline Division has been trying to draw federal attention to this matter to address this problem.

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Update to our United Airlines members regarding United’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate

“This is an update to our United Airlines members regarding United’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Yesterday, a federal court in Dallas ruled on an important motion in the case of Sambrano v. United Airlines. Plaintiff Sambrano and several other United employees had sued United Airlines, claiming that United discriminated against employees with religious or medical objections to COVID-19 vaccinations by accommodating them with unpaid leave.

Technicians Update

November 9, 2021

“This is an update to our United Airlines members regarding United’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

Yesterday, a federal court in Dallas ruled on an important motion in the case of Sambrano v. United Airlines. Plaintiff Sambrano and several other United employees had sued United Airlines, claiming that United discriminated against employees with religious or medical objections to COVID-19 vaccinations by accommodating them with unpaid leave. The plaintiffs asked the court for an emergency preliminary injunction, which would prohibit the company from placing employees on unpaid leave while the court heard arguments about the case, a process that could take many months. The Court temporarily granted plaintiffs an injunction in October, barring United Airlines from putting employees who had requested a religious accommodation on unpaid leave, or forcing medical objectors onto sick leave. However, in its decision yesterday, the Court found that the plaintiffs did not meet the standard to show that continuing emergency relief was necessary while the case was pending. Accordingly, United is no longer barred from placing employees who have requested accommodations from the vaccine mandate on sick or unpaid leave. While it’s not a final decision about the merits of the case, it does signal that the Court accepts some of United’s legal position. 

The decision does not address United's newer policy which allowed unvaccinated Technicians to continue working while taking frequent COVID tests and other safety measures. The IBT does not know immediately whether United plans to maintain that policy. We will seek clarity on this issue ASAP. In addition, the IBT will continue to pursue its EEOC charge against United’s unpaid leave policy, grieve any violations of just cause, and advocate for as accommodating a vaccination policy as possible. 

We will continue to keep you updated as this situation develops.” 

Vinny Graziano 

National Coordinator 

IBT Airline Division

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UAL Technicians Update N95 mask letter

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

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

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

 

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

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Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey

Update on the UA RAP Process

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

September 25th, 2021

Brothers and Sisters,

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

In solidarity,

Vinny Graziano

Coordinator Maintenance and Related, Airline Division

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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Teamsters File EEOC Charge Against United Airlines

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

Dear IBT Members: 

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

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

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

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

With Solidarity, 

Vinny Graziano
National Coordinator, Technicians and Related
Teamsters Airline Division

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Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey Mechanics' Dispatch Nicole Casey

Update on the UA Vaccine Mandate

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

Dear IBT Members:

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

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

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

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

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

In Solidarity,

David Bourne
Director, IBT Airline Division

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