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

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

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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At United, Greed Leads the Way

At United, Greed Leads the Way

Aug 9, 2022 | Front Page, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

At United, Greed Leads the Way

9 August 2022

As you are aware, we did not reach an expedited agreement on a new contract with United management by our self-imposed deadline of August 1, 2022. In the July 18, 2022 negotiations update, I stated that “unless United management changes course, reworks its current proposals, and offers IAM members at United a fair contract that recognizes our value to our airline, it is highly unlikely that we can reach an agreement in the expedited process.”

During the week of July 25, 2022, your Negotiations Committee met and discussed the path forward. After that, our Assistant General Chairpersons fanned out across the system to conduct station visits and update the membership on negotiations. That same week, United management gave us a modified proposal. That proposal was as insulting as their initial “comprehensive framework. Which, as I stated previously, would provide less job security than we have today and wage rates that were wholly unacceptable based on IAM members’ surveys and priorities.

Today, the IAM 141 Negotiations Committee forwarded to United management a set of very fair proposals that, if agreed to, would recognize the value of IAM members to United Airlines’ success. Remember, the Company just recorded record revenue in the second quarter and a return to robust profitability. Once we receive their response, we will report back to you.

Given the Company’s dismissive attitude and outright refusal to accept the new realities in the airline industry regarding wages, job security, scope of work, and other critical issues, I am pessimistic that an agreement can be reached anytime soon.

Because of the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of the women and men of United Airlines, our airline produced record revenue for the second quarter and a massive profit of over $300 million. Yet, United management simply says no when it comes to providing us reasonable job security that currently exists at other carriers and wage rates befitting the new airline industry realities. I want to thank our front-line members for their solidarity actions around the nation. Your continued support is absolutely necessary for the success of this effort.

It appears at Scott Kirby’s United, Greed Leads the Way.

Your Negotiating Committee

Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Andrea’ Myers
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Mike Klemm

President and Directing General Chair,

IAMAW District 141

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all Union Bulletin Boards.

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The JetBlue / Spirit Merger and the Threat to Job Security

The JetBlue / Spirit Merger and the Threat to Job Security

Aug 9, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Spirit, Uncategorized

The JetBlue-Spirit Merger and the Risk to Job Security

Organizing
9 August 2022

The JetBlue and Spirit merger presents a significant risk to the job security of those workers who do not have contractual employment protections. Why?

“Asset divestitures can smooth the way to antitrust approval.We have a path to close this deal,”
-CEO Robin Hayes

The JetBlue-Spirit merger will have to receive approval from the federal government to be finalized. With airfares soaring and countless operational problems, it is expected that the Biden Administration will be VERY apprehensive to approve any airline merger. This is especially true for the JetBlue-Spirit merger, as the Biden Administration has already sued JetBlue and American, alleging the airlines’ Northeast Alliance is a de facto merger that hurts competition in the New York and Boston markets. So what will JetBlue have to do to gain regulatory approval for its merger with Spirit?

Two words: Divest operations to address the issue of competition. So, for example, where JetBlue and Spirit both have significant operations—think FLL, MCO and other locations—to gain approval for the merger JetBlue will have to give up a portion of its flight schedule to other airline/s. That means JetBlue is bound to divest in many locations, which means a reduction of the current combined flights of Spirit and JetBlue. And that affects jobs. 

And, if the merger is ultimately approved, a big if, it will not happen until the first half of 2024. A lot can happen in 15-18 months. There can be an economic slowdown, happening now as the GDP has decreased in the last two quarters, or a significant change in the leadership philosophy of the combined carrier. 

JetBlue management’s objective, as stated in its latest second-quarter earnings report, is to get the merger with Spirit approved and to implement a severe cost containment strategy with its newly announced “Enterprise Planning Team.” 

What does that mean for outsourcing and general job security? Future wage and benefit improvements? Work rule enhancements? 

The only way that JetBlue GO Crewmembers will be able to have a say in their future is by having a seat at the table. Not by being on the menu.

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Machinists Union: Defending Workers’ Rights is the Top Priority in JetBlue-Spirit Tie-Up

Machinists Union: Defending Workers’ Rights is the Top Priority in JetBlue-Spirit Tie-Up

Aug 1, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Spirit, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Says Defending Workers’ Rights is the Top Priority in JetBlue-Spirit Tie-Up

Organizing
8 July 2022

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines this morning announced that the two airlines plan to merge to create the nation’s fifth largest carrier. Spirit Airlines shareholders yesterday rejected Frontier Airlines’ bid to merge and cleared the way for JetBlue’s $3.8 billion all-cash offer to combine the two carriers.

“As we know from the history of airline mergers and acquisitions, top executives will promise the world to gain regulatory approval. But, when the dust is settled and approval is granted, airline workers almost always get the short end of the stick,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The Machinists Union is the most powerful and experienced union when it comes to defending airline workers’ rights during mergers. We have done it before and we will do it again. IAM members at Spirit Airlines and future IAM members at JetBlue Airways will have their interests defended, just as every IAM member has during previous mergers.”

It’s expected that the proposed merger will face stiff regulatory approval from the Biden Administration. JetBlue already faces opposition from the Justice Department, which has sued to break up its commercial agreement with American Airlines Group Inc. The regulators allege that the partnership — which targets the New York and Boston markets — is anti-competitive.

“I want all IAM members at Spirit Airlines to know the Machinists Union will ensure your contract is enforced during this process and that your rights will be defended,” continued Johnsen. “I also want all the JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmembers to know that your campaign to gain IAM representation takes on even more importance now. It is urgent that you have a seat at the table, so you’re not on the menu.”

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Spirit / JetBlue Merger Statement

Spirit / JetBlue Merger Statement

Jul 28, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

Spirit / JetBlue Merger Statement

28 July 2022

To our Sisters and Brothers of Spirit Airlines,

This morning, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced plans to merge to create the nation’s fifth largest carrier. Spirit Airlines shareholders yesterday rejected Frontier Airlines’ bid to merge and cleared the way for JetBlue’s $3.8 billion all-cash offer to combine the two carriers. The deal still needs the required regulatory approval. The airlines expect to conclude the regulatory process and hope to close the transaction no later than the first half of 2024.

Regardless of if and when this merger gets finalized, it’s vital that our IAM members at Spirit Airlines know that we will ensure your contract is enforced during this process and your rights will be defended as stated under Article 1, paragraph G of your collective bargaining agreement, which states;

  1. In the event of any merger of the Company with another airline, acquisition of the Company by another airlines, or acquisition by the Company of another airline, which affects the seniority rights of the employees covered by this Agreement, the parties will make their best efforts to integrate the seniority lists in a fair and equitable manner including, where applicable, agreement through collective bargaining between the carriers and the representatives of the employee groups affected. In the event of failure to agree, the dispute shall be resolved in accordance with Sections 2, 3, and 13 of the Allegheny-Mohawk Labor Protective Provisions.
  2. Upon announcement of any transaction which is intended to result in the consolidation of the Company with another air carrier, the parties will meet promptly to negotiate an appropriate fence agreement and to implement a seniority integration process as described above. These discussions shall not be a prerequisite for closing or completing a transaction under this Article.

It’s important that you know nothing will change under your contract until the federal government approves the merger and all potential representation disputes are concluded.

Furthermore, IAM District Lodge 141 is very close to filing a representation election for JetBlue’s ramp/fleet service workers. Any help you can provide us in gaining the needed authorization cards can only help to ensure that this proposed merger would give everyone a seat at the table and offer you the peace of mind you deserve.

In Solidarity,

Mike Klemm

President and Directing General Chair,

IAMAW District 141

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all Union Bulletin Boards.

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