NEWARK, N.J. – For the past several years, IAM Activists from Local 914 (EWR) have worked with District 141 Safety Representatives and Federal agencies to ensure that members have a safe workplace. In 2014, these efforts to enforce workplace safety led to an astonishing 16 OSHA citations in favor of IAM workers at United Airlines, and proposed penalties of more than $100,000 against the airline.
Over the past few months, Local 914 (EWR) President, Bill Gula, has helped lead yet another effort to improve working conditions for airport workers. This time, the efforts of IAM Activists have led to a potentially precedent setting agreement between United Airlines, OSHA and the Department of Labor.
The agreement will settle a lawsuit filed by the Department of Labor against United Airlines on behalf of OSHA which was intended to help protect baggage handlers from several hazardous conditions that inspectors found at the Newark hub.
The Department of Labor issued a statement in July, reading, “For too long, a hard day’s work for United Airlines’ baggage handlers at Newark Liberty International Airport meant unnecessary pain and the risk of debilitating injuries caused by lifting customer baggage using awkward postures. From 2011 to January 2015, the airline’s baggage handlers reported at least 622 musculoskeletal injuries.”
Some of the hazards that IAM Safety Representative Bill Salo and OSHA inspectors found unacceptable at the EWR United Airlines facility included high levels of prolonged and repetitive stress trauma caused by lifting bags from awkward angles and in confined spaces, unsafely requiring employees to reach over obstacles designed to protect belts, and two-tier bagroom belt systems. Safety inspectors also found a high number of injuries caused by requiring employees to hold a scanner in one hand while repeatedly lifting bags.
“The fact that we have OSHA in our corner on this is a huge, huge benefit to us,” said District 141 President Mike Klemm. “And, Bill Salo; there’s nobody better on safety than him.”
IAM members are encouraged to report all safety concerns to a shop steward or safety representative immediately.
This essay competition is open to children, spouses and dependent grandchildren (as defined by the IRS) of members with one year or more of good standing (as of June 1, 2016) in District Lodge 141 who are graduating seniors or who are currently enrolled full time and/or commencing college full time. The competition is also open to any members with one year or more of good standing (as of June 1, 2016) in District Lodge 141 who are currently enrolled in college with a minimum of six units per semester. District Lodge 141 officers and their families are not eligible. Only one award per family is allowed per year. Past winners are not eligible. Applications must be signed by your Local Lodge President or Recording Secretary.
A bibliography of sources for essay material must be included. The essay must be the work of the entrant or the entrant will be disqualified. The winners may be interviewed by the Scholarship Chairperson. The application must be filled out completely or the entrant will be disqualified.
Association Leadership To Expedite Outstanding Joint Contract Economic Issues
January 13, 2017
Top level TWU/IAM Association leadership will be joining ongoing joint contract negotiations with American Airlines to expedite outstanding economic issues.
“The time is now for Association members to achieve the fair contract they deserve,” said Association Chair and Vice Chair Sito Pantoja and Harry Lombardo, respectively. “Association Negotiating Committees have been bargaining hard for over a year now and the membership has already enjoyed some of the benefits of their hard work. We have more work to do and we are committed to directing all the Association’s resources, including our direct involvement, to bring these negotiations to conclusion.”
The TWU-IAM Association began joint contract negotiations with American Airlines in November, 2015. In August of last year, Association Negotiating Committees reached agreement on an interim wage agreement, which provided wage hikes of approximately 25 percent.
Negotiations will follow the previously announced January schedule. Specific dates for the leadership to enter the discussions have not yet been determined.
Neutral Javits Issues Initial Integrated Seniority Lists At American Airlines
December 27, 2016
Sisters and Brothers,
The TWU-IAM Association today announced that Neutral Joshua Javits issued his Report and Recommendations and initial integrated seniority lists for the Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service and Stores work groups at American Airlines.
In June, the Association retained the services of Neutral Javits, former Chairman of the National Mediation Board and member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Association’s Seniority Integration Committee’s work and to resolve identified issues and differences that required expert attention to reach a fair and equitable integration of seniority lists. Neutral Javits’ Report and Recommendations and initial integrated seniority lists—created in accordance with earlier seniority integration agreements—reflect this comprehensive analysis and explain how the seniority lists are integrated.
During the fact-finding stage of Neutral Javits’ comprehensive analysis, TWU-IAM Association members submitted 836 detailed comments. Additionally, Neutral Javits met with and received remarks from the TWU-IAM negotiators and the Seniority Integration Committee. All of these comments were carefully deliberated by Neutral Javits and guided how he grappled with the more intricate and highly complex aspects of the seniority integration process.
Integrating seniority lists is the most important issue that affects our membership in an airline merger. The TWU-IAM Association and Neutral Javits have undertaken this seniority integration process with great care and deliberation so that all Association members at American Airlines are treated fairly and equitably.
All Association members will have until February 10, 2017 to protest in writing his or her placement on the initial integrated seniority lists in accordance with the process and requirements set forth in the accompanying communication from Neutral Javits. All protests must be received on or before February 10th. Final integrated seniority lists will be issued after all protests are considered.
Visit www.usaamerger.com to view the Javits Report and Recommendations, the Report Summary and Chart with instructions on how to file a protest and all initial integrated seniority lists.
