United – Emirates Codeshare: Labor is Watching

United – Emirates Codeshare: Labor is Watching

Sep 16, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Four, Page Three, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

United – Emirates Codeshare: Labor is Watching

Legislation
16 September 2022

Justice at JetBlue requires Just Cause at JetBlue.

“That’s evidence that they are not focused on profitability. They are just focused on flying the airplane somewhere and having the government subsidize it.” -United CEO Scott Kirby.

“Those airlines aren’t airlines. They’re international branding vehicles for their countries.” -Former United CEO Oscar Munoz.

After years of highlighting the unfair business practices of state-owned enterprises (SOE) such as Emirates, Airlines, and other Middle East carriers, United’s announcement of a new codeshare agreement demands scrutiny.

To protect the jobs of U.S. airline workers, there must be continued financial transparency and improved labor standards that ensure fairness is maintained in all Open Skies and codeshare agreements.

Since the beginning of its existence, Emirates Airlines has been sustained by massive government subsidies, unrelated to the global pandemic, used to expand far beyond what market forces could ever support. Their growth, including the Dubai-Athens-Newark service and Milan service, was only possible because of the enormous Emirati funding the airline received. These subsidies put U.S. airlines at a tremendous economic disadvantage and threaten U.S. airline workers’ jobs. American workers can compete with any foreign airline when on a level playing field. We cannot compete against entire countries.

Although the United States and United Arab Emirates signed an agreement in 2018 regarding these issues, the fact remains that there are currently no independent labor unions in the United Arab Emirates. This has led to a systemic, unacceptable assault on airline workers’ rights, with alarming accounts of unfair labor practices and intimidation by employers.

United Airlines employees and union leadership will be watching closely to ensure our scope provisions are rigorously followed and demand the highest labor standards are adhered to across all partnerships. We will act swiftly if needed to protect our long-term career security.

In Unity,

Ken Diaz MEC President AFA-UAL

Richard Johnsen General V/P IAM-UAL

Mike Hamilton Master Chair ALPA-UAL

Craig Symons President PAFCA-UAL

Joe Ferreira Dir. Airline Div. IBT-UAL

 

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JetBlue Management Ramps Up Write-Ups and Terminations After Peak Summer Travel

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Sep 15, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

JetBlue Management Cracks Down on Discipline, Write-Ups and Terminations After Peak Summer Travel

Organizing
15 September 2022

Justice at JetBlue requires Just Cause at JetBlue.

Reports around the system are that JetBlue supervisors are turning up the heat and starting to discipline and terminate GO Crewmembers for things that supervisors looked the other way on when they needed all hands on deck during the peak summer travel season.

When GO Crewmembers have a Union Contract, unjustified discipline and terminations will stop. GO Crewmembers will have access to a fair grievance procedure that is NOT controlled by JetBlue management. GO Crewmembers will have trained GO Crewmember Union Representatives that will defend GO Crewmembers who are disciplined or terminated without “Just Cause.”

Every Union Contract contains a “just cause” provision, which has seven tests. If any of the seven tests are not met, then discipline cannot be issued. 

 

These are the seven tests:
(1) Did the employee know the company’s policy;
(2) Is the company’s policy reasonable;
(3) Did the company investigate to determine if the employee violated the policy;
(4) Was the investigation fair and objective;
(5) Did substantial evidence exist of the employee’s violation of the policy;
(6) Was the company’s policy consistently applied; and
(7) Is the discipline reasonable and proportional (did the punishment fit the crime?).

If any of the above tests are not met, then the discipline is unjustified.

Without having “just cause,” JetBlue management can discipline and terminate Crewmembers at any time for any reason. It’s called “at will employment.” The CBB states in part: The guidelines presented in the Blue Book are not intended and will in no way be considered to be a contract of employment between JetBlue and any Crewmember…no Crewmember of JetBlue has a contract of employment. [JetBlue] reserves the right to accept a resignation or to separate the employment relationship at any time within the Company’s discretion…JetBlue management has the sole prerogative and discretion to determine the seriousness of violations.

It’s time for change.

 

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An Immediate Benefit to Unionizing: Negotiating a Legally Binding Contract

An Immediate Benefit to Unionizing: Negotiating a Legally Binding Contract

Aug 29, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized

An Immediate Benefit to Unionizing: Negotiating a Legally Binding Contract 

Organizing
9 August 2022

One of the many benefits of unionizing is that GO Crewmembers will gain the right to negotiate a legally binding contract. Under the law, wages, benefits, and working conditions are all “mandatory subjects of bargaining” and JetBlue management MUST bargain in “good faith” with us. That means JetBlue management must negotiate in a way that will bring about an agreement. That’s the law.

That’s important because it gives GO Crewmembers the right and opportunity to lock in what we like about our current job, negotiate improvements to the things that need to be fixed, AND negotiate protections during the merger with Spirit.

JetBlue executives are trying to talk Crewmembers out of negotiating a legally-binding union contract. Yet, none of them would dream of working without a contract in a million years.

For example, currently in FLL, approximately half of the part-time bid lines are now relief lines in which GO Crewmembers have to bid every two weeks. That’s right EVERY TWO WEEKS! With a contract, we can fix that. What about the locations where JetBlue management just involuntarily cut full-time hours from 40 to 32? With a contract, we can fix that too.

What about pay? Once we unionize, we have the right to negotiate higher wages. Without a contract, we have no guarantees of any wage increases. The announced wage increases in 2023 are not guaranteed. We already experienced not receiving scheduled wage increases in 2021, due to the pandemic (NOTE: all UNION airlines received their pay increases in 2021 because of their contracts). And, the 2023 pay scale, even with the raise, is the lowest among the major US airlines.

By unionizing, we will take control over our destiny. We will have a strong voice to protect OUR interests.

Remember, if we don’t have a seat at the table, we are likely on the menu.

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Machinists Union Air Transport Chief Demands JetBlue Restore Workers’ Hours and Pay

Machinists Union Air Transport Chief Demands JetBlue Restore Workers’ Hours and Pay

Aug 23, 2022 | COVID, Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Transportation Territory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
James Carlson (202) 500-3916 jcarlson@iamaw.org

Machinists Union Air Transport Chief Demands JetBlue Restore Workers’ Hours and Pay

WASHINGTON D.C., August 22, 2022—International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen today demanded that JetBlue Airways management immediately reverse its decision to cut JetBlue Ground Operations workers’ hours and pay.

Earlier this month, JetBlue management announced cuts to Ground Operations workers’ hours in certain locations on the airline’s system. In many cases, these cuts will result in a 20 percent reduction in pay. “The lack of respect JetBlue management has for its Ground Operations workers is utterly unacceptable. They just spent $3.8 billion to merge with Spirit Airlines and now they cut the hours and pay of the very workers who they claim will benefit from JetBlue’s merger with Spirit,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The IAM will not stand by as JetBlue management takes advantage of the hard-working women and men who have made JetBlue a success. They deserve better.”

JetBlue Ground Operations workers are currently pushing to file for a union election with the Machinists Union, the largest airline union in North America. The goal is to win union representation with the IAM and negotiate a contract that will advance and protect their interests during the merger process with Spirit Airlines. “I want every JetBlue Ground Operations worker to know that the IAM stands with you in your effort to unionize with the IAM and gain a voice in the future of your airline,” continued Johnsen. “JetBlue management needs to stop speaking out of both sides of its mouth. Publicly, CEO Hayes paints the rosiest of pictures when he lauds the benefits of its $3.8 billion merger with Spirit.

But, behind the scenes Ground Ops employees are working in very tough conditions, and now many of them have to contend with hour and pay cuts of up to 20 percent.

Make no mistake, our friends in Congress will be fully informed regarding what’s going on at JetBlue.” Recently, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced a $3.8 billion merger agreement. The merger is expected to receive intense scrutiny by the federal government, as airlines have struggled with operational reliability and rising air fares.

The IAM is the largest airline union in North America. 

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards.

Get Printable Copy >>

JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmembers, please sign a card authorizing a union election at JetBlue.

Request an Authorization Card Here >>

Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Aug 22, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Organizing
22 August 2022

IAM CORE Members, First U.S. Apple Store to Unionize, Prepare for Negotiations

Watch on YouTube: This week, eight IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD traveled to the William Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) in Hollywood, MD.

This week, eight IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD traveled to the William Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) in Hollywood, MD.

The members went through an information-packed week as they prepare for formal negotiations with Apple management, hearing from several department representatives from Strategic Resources, Communications, and Legal. IAM CORE members see that they have the full backing and support of the entire Machinists Union.

IAM CORE Negotiating Committee member Eric Brown said he was very impressed with the IAM’s training facility.

“The resources we have been given—it empowers us and gives us ideas with help and support,” said Brown.

Apple workers voted to join the IAM in June and the committee is seeing firsthand the power the union has to offer its workers. Brown said that the “Machinists are the way to go!”

IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan also traveled to the Winpisinger Center to meet up with the IAM CORE Negotiating Committee.

“Our IAM CORE team has the courage to stand up to Apple management,” said Sullivan. “Apple workers across the U.S. are seeing the power of having the IAM by their side, as is Apple management.”

“Towson workers are willing and able to help Apple workers across the nation,” said Brown. “With the Machinists’ backing, we will make history.”

 

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Aug 17, 2022 | Airlines, Community Service, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Transportation Territory, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Joins Delegation to Pope Francis on Behalf of Working People

GOIAM.org
17 August 2022

IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen recently joined other transportation unions at a meeting in Vatican City hosted by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Vatican’s Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS). The meeting brought transport unions and other trade unions from across the world to discuss joining forces in the fight for global justice.

From Left to Right: Richard Johnsen, General Vice President, Air Transport, IAMAW, Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), & Sean O’Brien, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)

Pope Francis this month invited labor unions and other organizations representing working people to the Vatican for a Global Workers’ Summit. Machinists Union General Vice President Richard Johnsen spoke on behalf of transportation workers in North America alongside Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) President, and Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien.

The Summit covered a range of critical issues facing working people worldwide, including human rights in the workplace and the importance of unions and collective action in the struggle to protect the dignity of work. The event was effectuated by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and was held at the Vatican. It was attended by labor unions from around the world.

Johnsen, who spoke on behalf of transportation, aerospace, automotive, aviation, and rail workers, addressed how technology continues to change the world. He stressed the importance of unions having a seat at the table as new tech, automation, and artificial intelligence impact job security and the workplace environment.

“I have spent the last year traveling the country to listen to our air transport members and address their concerns as our industry continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Johnsen said in his remarks to the Pope. “Pope Francis’s words have inspired millions of workers, especially in the airline industry, who have faced recent challenges with understaffing and unruly passengers. I look forward to jointly working with our global partners to ensure we can address ongoing global crises using social justice.”

Since 2019, working people have faced repeated challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation, a war in Europe, and alarming food shortages. The Summit helped foster greater solidarity among unions, and an opportunity to confront the issues facing workers through greater collaboration and discourse.

Pope Francis delivered a message that all workers should have the free right to join a union as a basic human right.

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