Machinists Union Supports Munoz Strategy at United Airlines

Machinists Union Supports Munoz Strategy at United Airlines

Machinists Union Supports Munoz Strategy at United Airlines, 08 March 2016

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 141 President Mike Klemm today extended his support to United Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oscar Munoz’ strategic plan to make United the preeminent global airline in the face of a challenge from a group of investors looking to appoint six new directors to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) Board.

“CEO Munoz has demonstrated by his actions, not merely words, that he believes employees make the difference in the success of an airline,” said IAM District 141 President Mike Klemm. “The progress we have already made in working with his team is proof of his commitment to United’s most important asset – its employees. This challenge to United’s board has the potential to distract the Company and derail the progress we have made.”

Late last year the IAM and United entered into limited issue, expedited discussions to extend contracts covering approximately 28,000 IAM members at United. As a condition for the IAM to enter those talks, United agreed to halt all outsourcing of work performed by IAM-represented workers until at least January, 2019. These negotiations are proceeding at an unprecedented pace.

“It’s our members who make sure United’s customers get to where they’re going safely and on time, in all types of conditions,” continued Klemm. “If the people who make that happen aren’t treated properly, the product suffers. Oscar Munoz and his team have helped United turn the corner in improving employee relations and that ultimately benefits employees, shareholders and passengers alike.”

The IAM is the world’s largest airline union and the largest union at United Airlines. More information about the IAM at United airlines is available at www.iam141.org.

IAMAW DL141 Officer Election

IAMAW DL141 Officer Election

IAMAW DL141 Officer Election Update, 08 March 2016

First, I would like to thank all the Recording Secretaries and Local Lodge Tellers for working long hours on Friday, 4 March for the District 141 Nomination Endorsements. Also, to all the Members that took the time to have their voice heard and voted in the Nomination Endorsement. This is an important benefit of Membership in the IAMAW.

Local Lodges are reporting their Endorsement Results. As per DL141 Bylaws, Article VIII – District Officers Qualifications and Election, Section 8, (g) “Any nominee receiving endorsements from at least ten (10) Local Lodges, or more and accepting the nomination shall be a bona fide candidate.” The Local Lodge Endorsement Results indicate all positions are uncontested and no election will need to be held in June. The District has the responsibility to report final results, which would include the Absentee Ballots received. The District Lodge Tellers will begin their recount and inclusion of the absentee ballots on Monday, 14 March, at the San Francisco Financial Office.

Once the District Lodge Tellers have completed their count, the final results will be published on iam141.org, plus all Nominees will be advised individually.

Fraternally,

Alex Gerulis,
District Lodge 141 Secretary-Treasurer

American Airlines Negotiations

American Airlines Negotiations

Association, American Airlines Negotiations Continue in Dallas
Fleet Service Committee Update, March 4, 2016
The Fleet Service Negotiating Committee met this week in Dallas/Fort Worth and continued joint contract negotiations with American Airlines.

The Association Fleet Committee passed the following proposals to the company:

  • Uniforms
  • No Strike No Lockout
  • Absence from Duty
  • Leaves of Absence

The Association Fleet Committee reached TA’s with enhancements on the following articles:

  • No Strike No Lockout
  • Absence from Duty
  • Uniforms

The TWU-IAM Association is the largest union at American and your Negotiating Committees remain in solidarity to provide the membership with exceptional contracts for all workgroups.

The next negotiating session is scheduled for the week of March 14th in New York, which will begin 3 consecutive weeks of bargaining.

The Committee remains dedicated to attain the fair joint contract all TWU-IAM members deserve. We will continue to fight for improvements in all articles we discuss.

In closing, your continued support is appreciated and will be necessary as we move forward in negotiations to obtain a new JCBA. Updates to the membership will continue after each session.

In solidarity,

Mark Baskett, Mike Fairbanks, Pete Hogan,

Tim Hughes, Mike Mayes, Steve Miller,

Brian Oyer, Pat Rezler, Art Risley,

Andre Sutton, Rodney Walker, Bill Wilson

United Limited Issue Negotiations

United Limited Issue Negotiations

IAM, United Limited Issue Negotiations Progress in Houston

IAM District Lodge 141 and United Airlines met this week and continued limited issue, expedited negotiations in Houston, Texas.

It was a very productive week as both parties were able to make significant progress regarding the work-rule issues that IAM members identified as needing improvement. Contrary to the past two weeks of bargaining, the Company demonstrated the ability to satisfactorily address those concerns.

Our next focus in these limited issue negotiations will center on job scope. IAM members deserve the security of knowing that they will not lose their job or have to uproot their families and move to a different city to maintain employment due to outsourcing. IAM members have sacrificed enough and have stated that expanding job scope is their highest priority. We intend to achieve that goal.

IAM District 141 and United will continue these limited issue negotiations in Phoenix, Arizona the week of March 6th.

In other news, Assistant General Chairman (AGC) Rich Pascarella was successful in returning a member to work after more than one year with full back pay. The IAM member was unjustly terminated, even though a Ground Safety Awareness Program (GSAP) was accepted by the GSAP Committee. I’d like to thank AGC Pascarella for a job well done and exemplifying the benefits of union representation.

Additionally, eleven other IAM members were returned to work due to the hard work of AGCs Pat Rezler, Troy Rivera, Bob Worthman, Mike Cyscon and Joe Bartz.

In other grievance-related news, AGC Erik Stenberg just completed the overtime bypass grievance docket with the Company. AGC Stenberg’s hard work led to thousands of dollars of payments going to IAM members who were wrongfully bypassed for overtime opportunities. Those payments will be coming to our members within the next couple of payment cycles.

American Airlines Negotiations

American Airlines Negotiations Continue in Baltimore This Week

The Association, American Airlines negotiations continue in Baltimore the week.

The TWU-IAM Fleet Service Negotiating Committee met this week in Baltimore, MD and continued joint contract negotiations with American Airlines. While the company publicly assures us that its making every effort to move these negotiations forward, the reality is that American Airlines continues to employ some of the oldest tactics in the book to frustrate our negotiating committee.

Rest assured that despite the company’s claims of scheduling conflicts and attempts to propose concessions despite soaring profits, we remain committed to fighting for the best deal for Association members. We’re here, ready to work on your behalf, and we won’t settle for anything but the contract you deserve.

This week at the bargaining table, we tentatively agreed to provisions regarding bulletin boards and fitness for duty language, and exchanged proposals on grievance procedures and uniforms. We are still awaiting American’s response to our representation proposal.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for the week of February 29th, after which we will provide another update on our progress. As always, we appreciate your continued support and patience as we navigate this complicated negotiation process.

In solidarity

Mark Baskett, Mike Fairbanks, Pete Hogan,

Tim Hughes, Mike Mayes, Steve Miller, 

Brian Oyer, Pat Rezler, Art Risley, 

Andre Sutton, Rodney Walker, Bill Wilson