The meeting started on May 23 with a review of the previous ratification process. We talked about what went well and what didn't during that time. We had a good discussion where everyone shared their thoughts and ideas. Here are a few of the important things we talked about:
Please make sure to cast your ballot, if you haven’t already done so, prior to the close of voting. From the notice of referendum - To be counted, members must vote by 11:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) on Monday, January 30, 2023. Electronic ballots will be tallied by BallotPoint on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. (Eastern Time).
This is to serve notice of referendum on whether to accept the United Airlines Technicians and Related Tentative Agreement.
Ballotpoint Election Services has been contracted to administer this election.
Instructions on how to vote electronically, including your voting credentials, on the above-referenced tentative agreement were mailed to members on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
If you do not receive your ballot package by Friday, January 20, 2023:
Local 856 members who have not received voting credentials by Friday, January 20, 2023, 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, should contact Lauren Hasan at the Local 856 office at (510) 220-3252.
Local 986 members who have not received voting credentials by Friday, January 20, 2023, 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, should contact their Local Union office at (626) 350-9860 or by email info@teamsters986.org. To request voting credentials.
Credentials may be requested through Friday, January 27, 2023.
Vote Tally
Electronic ballots will be tallied by Ballotpoint on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Voting Instructions
Instructions for the completion of the voting process will be enclosed in the ballot package.
During ratification meetings a few of the members on progression asked why the scale was lengthened to twelve years. The length of the scale remains the same at eight years. After progressing through the scale there is an additional dollar, added in four segments, for longevity. Hopefully that clears up any confusion.
On Wednesday a Zoom meeting of the rank-and-file committee was convened at the request of the Airline Division. The topic of discussion was why the rates for the FST group changed after the Agreement in principle was signed. As is typical in negotiations, small errors were noted in pay scales for the GSE and FST groups.
There is a rumor circulating that the modified provisions of Article 1.B.11 in the extension agreement would include A Check work. For purposes of the CBA, A Check work was never considered heavy maintenance under that provision, and as you will see in the email exchange below, that work would still not be considered heavy maintenance if the extension ratifies.
It has been brought to my attention that a misinterpretation of the scope change in the extension agreement has been circulating. To be clear, the change to scope allowing narrowbody heavy maintenance work to be performed overseas, without IBT consent, applies only to the work the company has historically outsourced under Article 1.B. paragraph 11, and which has to this point been accomplished at MROs in North America. This is not an expansion of the company’s ability to further outsource work, and only applies to heavy maintenance as described in the new, if ratified, Article 1.B. paragraph 11. In order for other covered work to be subject to further outsourcing, the other paragraphs in Scope would need similar changes, and there are no modifications to any provision in the Article besides 1. B. paragraph 11.
The Airline Division has been listening to your concerns regarding the economic situation. It is obvious that our members must attain immediate financial relief and we have been working towards that goal for several months. Operationally, since United Next was announced some time ago, Teamster leadership across the system has relayed its concern to the company that pay rates were too low to attract and retain qualified technicians. Once the reset numbers were revealed, we pressed further for a plan moving forward that would bring some economic relief to our members. As a result of this effort, the company has proposed a short-term extension to the rank-and-file committee. The committee voted to accept the terms, and this is now a Tentative Agreement (TA).
As required by LOA #29 the reset calculation is now complete. While the number is far below what we were hoping for, the math is plain. We will receive a 2.6% increase over the basic rate starting December 4th. According to our economic team, the lack of profit sharing at AA and DL along with the bond yields affecting pension costs, led to the lower-than-expected result.
Below is the calculation used by the parties;
The committee met at Local 769 in Miami last week to continue the review of language to be proposed when we meet with the company in December.
We started on Tuesday morning reviewing Article 7 Hours of Service. We completed the review of 7 and voted on the suggested changes. We looked at Article 3 again and made suggested changes. In addition, we determined that any changes may impact Article 2 Definitions. Usually, Article 2 Definitions remain open until the end of bargaining. Changing language during this process may require a modified or new definition to be added to the Article 2.
This week I, along with Director Joe Ferreira and Reps Dave Saucedo, Angel Cantu and Bob Fisher met with Labor Relations Representatives to review the grievance docket. Grievances are reviewed between the parties locally on an ongoing basis, but summits happen when the docket starts to build beyond normal. There are currently about 130 language cases on the docket throughout the entire system. Over the course of two days, we were able to review close to half of the open cases. Several grievances were settled, and some were withdrawn. In addition, there were a few grievances where the language was not clear, and those issues will be held in abeyance to be addressed in negotiations.
The committee met at Local 856 October 18th-20th to continue preparing articles for bargaining. Our first session with the company will be held December 13-15th with a location yet to be determined. While we’re hoping for negotiations to move along at a brisk pace once started, we need to do the in-depth analysis of the language in order to make that happen. Like every task, solid preparation is the key to success.
In complying with the recent arbitration decision, the apprenticeship program outlined in Article 23 will be implemented by the carrier soon. The program language and the associated FAQs were reviewed by the negotiating committee and Business Agents in Las Vegas. The group made suggested changes and the company accepted those changes. As a result, the program and FAQs are finalized and are currently being distributed. As you will see, those entering the program will be placed in accordance with the provisions of the current CBA. Protections for the current membership are now in place to ensure the apprentice group will not be counted towards the required head count for any reason, will not be used for technician overtime and if a furlough occurs, those in the program will be released first. We will continue to monitor as the program develops to determine what changes will be needed to ensure everyone is protected.
This week the committee started reviewing and making suggested changes to Article 5 Vacancies, Article 6 RIF and Recall, Article 19 Grievance Procedure and Article 20 Arbitration.
The Committee discussed Article 6 and given that the membership just went through a furlough, there was much discussion on what worked, and more importantly, what didn’t work.
Last week, the members of your rank-and-file negotiating committee met in Washington, DC to attend negotiation training sponsored by the Airline Division. The committee was presented an overview of the RLA, including both the steps outlined in the Act, and their roles and responsibilities under the Act. This was followed by practical suggestions on achieving solid agreements. Stephanie Spanja, IBT Staff Attorney assigned to the Division, along with Greg Unterseher, Manager of Pilot Representation, led the training session. All members were present except for Scott Stoddart who was excused.
As you are aware, the Arbitrator overseeing the Airbus outsourcing case ordered the parties to try and reach a settlement. Unfortunately, we remained too far apart to settle this case. Since the Arbitrator retained jurisdiction over the case, today we are announcing that she made an award which ends the grievance process.
