Sep 5, 2019 | Airlines, Departments, Featured, Hawaiian, Home, Organizing
District 141 representatives traveled over 7,000 miles this week to meet with new IAM members at Hawaiian Airlines at Pago Pago (PPG) in American Samoa. The 43 represented employees met with District 141 AGC Arthur Croker, Educator Mac McGovern, Communications Coordinator Dave Lehive and Meki Pei, President of Local 1979 in Honolulu, Hawaii who also serves as IAM 141 EAP Representative for Hawaiian Airlines.
“This is one of the most productive and profitable routes for Hawaiian Airlines as it employs IAM members in many duties on the island,” said AGC Croker. IAM members in Pago Pago work in Customer Service, including providing assistance to passengers who need wheelchairs, in Ramp Services including Lav and Water, in Load Control, and also as Cargo Agents and Aircraft Cleaners. Three Aircraft Technicians based in PPG are represented by IAM District 142.
A “meet and greet” event held on Saturday evening provided the new members an opportunity to learn about the programs and benefits available to them through our union. District Educator Mac McGovern distributed union information materials and also described the training classes that are offered to members. McGovern will be coordinating with AGC Croker to schedule training classes so the members gain the knowledge they will need to represent their co-workers.
President Meki Pei stated that Local 1979 is ready to assist the members in PPG and to give them the support and representation they need and deserve.
The PPG members elected two Shop Stewards via secret ballot who will hold the positions for one year. Newly elected Shop Steward Melesio Gurr, a 9-year employee at Hawaiian was very happy to welcome the District 141 Representatives, stating: “I’m very excited to have a union in Pago Pago. The IAM will bring an additional voice to our employees. Also, I’m very excited to say that we’re the first station the IAM District 141 is representing south of the Equator.”
[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Download PDF” button_link=”https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/District-141-Welcomes-Members-South-of-the-Equator.pdf” button_background=”#184ab9″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#0d2a6b” title=”IAM District 141 Welcomes New Members South of the Equator” title_color=”#184ab9″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Please Post on Bulletin Boards[/gdlr_stunning_text]
Aug 21, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Hawaiian, Home, Philippine, Safety, Spirit, United
The summer weather brings many challenges for airline workers, with specific risks for those who work outside. Intense sun, heat, humidity, heavy rain, and lightning storms are just some hazards that must be considered and respected to protect their own, their co-workers’ and their passengers’ safety. But inclement weather is only one of the many dangers that ramp workers face every day.
Last week, two airline ramp workers lost their lives while performing their duties.
On Sunday night, Kendrick Darrell Hudson was killed when the tug he was driving on the ramp at Douglas Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) flipped over and pinned him underneath. Hudson was transporting baggage through an area that some workers described as poorly lit , and a police report states that the vehicle he was driving swerved to avoid hitting a piece of luggage lying on the ground. CLT is in the midst of a $2.5 Billion capital building project , and the ongoing construction work at times changes the flow of traffic and the lighting in some areas, according to IAM members there. Hudson, age 24, was an employee of Piedmont Airlines, a regional carrier and a subsidiary of American Airlines. Piedmont Airlines ramp workers in CLT are represented by CWA Local 3635. In a message to members, the local president said the union is working to support Hudson’s family and is taking part in the accident’s investigation.
Kendrick Hudson in a Facebook photo. He was killed in an accident at Charlotte Douglas Airport on August 11, 2019.
On Wednesday afternoon, Charlie Mohammed, a 19-year veteran of Delta Air Lines was meeting an arriving aircraft at JFK Airport in New York as part of a 2-man crew. While he was at the tail of the airplane hooking up a bag cart to a tug, it appears that the tug rolled unexpectedly, pinning him underneath . Not visible to his Delta co-worker, he was initially found by a fueler who alerted co-workers and called the emergency. Ramp workers rushed to his aid and had to use a forklift to remove the tug. Charlie “Mo” was taken to the hospital where he later died. Delta Air Lines ramp workers are not represented by a union and are currently organizing to join the IAM. Organizers are offering IAM resources to Delta workers to assist them with their shock and grief. IAM Local 1894 hosted an open house this week and had District Lodge 141 EAP Representatives available to speak with workers and offer support.
It is estimated that between 4 and 6 airport ramp workers die on the job each year, but exact numbers are difficult to find because accidents are investigated by different government agencies depending on the circumstances. The Federal Aviation Administration investigates incidents on runways and taxiways, while incidents near the gates controlled by the airlines and airport authorities are investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration . Because ramp accidents occur on the ground, they are not considered aviation accidents, but rather industrial accidents. Accidents on the ramp cost major airlines over $10 Billion per year worldwide, according to the Flight Safety Foundation, an industry group.
Charlie Mohammed, a Delta worker at JFK died on the job on August 14, 2019. Photo credit: Moises Cruz
Airline ramp workers navigate hazardous environments daily, in congested areas with lots of motorized and pedestrian traffic. They face immense time pressures to achieve quick aircraft turnarounds and work alongside diverse airport workers in fueling, catering, cleaning, and security. Many of these functions are outsourced to vendors who may not prioritize safety as unionized airline workers do.
The District 141 Ground and Flight Safety Committee is tasked with promoting a safety culture within our members at every airline. The importance of using the tools at our disposal, such as GSAP to report safety issues no matter where they are or which workers they immediately affect cannot be stressed enough. Alertness and effective communication between all workers is a key factor in maintaining a safe work environment. In our shared workspaces, we must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to ensure we all return to our families and loved ones at the end of our workday.
Think Safety, Work Safely. Every Day.
Fraternally,
Michael G. Klemm
President & Directing General Chairman
IAMAW District Lodge 141
[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Download PDF” button_link=”https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Cruel-Summer_-Two-Airline-Ramp-Agents-Killed-on-the-Job-in-One-Week.pdf” button_background=”#184ab9″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#0d2a6b” title=”Cruel Summer: Two Airline Ramp Agents Killed on the Job in One Week” title_color=”#184ab9″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Please Post on Bulletin Boards[/gdlr_stunning_text]
Aug 5, 2019 | Airlines, Departments, Featured, Hawaiian, Home
[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Download PDF” button_link=”https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/HA-Joint-Communication-Final.pdf” button_background=”#184ab9″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#0d2a6b” title=”Joint Communication to Hawaiian Airlines Members from District 141 & 142″ title_color=”#184ab9″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Please Post on Bulletin Boards[/gdlr_stunning_text]
Aug 2, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, EAP, Hawaiian, Helping Hands, Home, Philippine, Spirit, United
Because there is a lot of confusion around legalization of marijuanna and THC (the active ingredient in marijuanna that gives people a “high”) and now – CBD oils, we cover information about CBD this month. CBD oil has been touted as a treatment for pain. The information about CBD oil is mixed. The federal government, through the FDA, has not vetted most of the CBD products that are showing up in mainstream stores around the country. The effectiveness of CBD oil is not clear.
The issue is that most CBD products also have THC. While CBD is not a substance that is tested on DOT drug tests, THC is. Anyone who is subject to random testing runs the risk of testing positive for THC if they are using any product that contains even a tiny amount of THC. THC accumulates in fat. Use of a CBD product that contains even a small amount of THC over a long period of time may result in enough THC accumulating in the body to result in a positive drug screen for THC.
This is a confusing issue. We are currently recommending that anyone who COULD be randomly tested needs to be extremely cautious about using any product that could contain THC. Read the label carefully and be aware that even though the label does not show THC, there may still be low levels of THC that could compromise them should they get tested.
Thank you for being agents of information. This will be an on-going issue as the FDA, individual states and academic institutes study the results of using CBD.
Bryan,
Bryan Hutchinson, M.S.
[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Download PDF” button_link=”https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/HH-August-2019.pdf” button_background=”#184ab9″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#0d2a6b” title=”Helping Hands August: CBD” title_color=”#184ab9″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Please Post on Bulletin Boards[/gdlr_stunning_text]
Jul 23, 2019 | Airlines, Featured, Hawaiian, Home
Sisters and Brothers:
We will begin negotiations with Hawaiian Airlines in January 2020. The first step is for the members to submit proposals for changes to our collective bargaining agreement. Submitting contract proposals is open to ALL Hawaiian Airlines IAM members. All proposed changes to the contract must be submitted to District Lodge 141 via the link listed below and must be submitted on or before August 15, 2019.
Each submission must contain the following information:
- Your name, employee number, personal email address and station.
- Identify the article and paragraph to be amended
- Example – Article 19, Paragraph 19.8, page 69
- Proposed contract language change or modification
- Example – Increase shift differential
- Example of problem or reason for change
- Example – To be in line with the industry
Contract proposals must be submitted online by clicking the link below. When submitting more than one change, each change should be on a separate form and must include your name and employee number.
Sample contract proposal: Here is a link that shows you an example of what a correct contract proposal looks like. https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ha-proposal-form-example.jpg
Link for submission of proposals: https://iam141.org/hawaiian-airline-proposal-form/
[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Download PDF” button_link=”https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HA-Call-for-contract-proposals.pdf” button_background=”#184ab9″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#0d2a6b” title=”Hawaiian Airlines – Call for Contract Proposals” title_color=”#184ab9″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Please Post on Bulletin Boards[/gdlr_stunning_text]
