Apr 9, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Education, Featured, Hawaiian, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Philippine, Spirit, United
Bernie Sanders to American Airlines CEO:
“You Damn Well Have Enough Money to Pay Your Workers a Decent Wage.”
In a fiery speech delivered before a packed gathering of Machinists Union leaders, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called out the CEO of American Airlines for his attempts to outsource thousands of jobs at the airline.
Presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) addresses Machinists at the 2019 IAM Transportation Conference. (Via IAMAW DISTRICT 141 FACEBOOK PAGE.)
Sanders was one of two Presidential candidates that addressed the union at its Conference of Airline and Railroad workers in Las Vegas, Nevada this week.
Senator and presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (D-Mn) also spoke at the event.
The Machinists Union is the largest union of aerospace and rail workers in the world.
In his speech, Sanders confronted American Airlines CEO Doug Parker over his threats to outsource union jobs and cut health care benefits for thousands of employees.
“American Airlines wants to slash the pay of its employees; they want to outsource jobs,” Sanders told the crowd. “They want to take away health care benefits, and they want to abolish its defined benefit pension plan.”
“Brothers and sisters, together, we are not going to let that happen,” he said to loud cheers from the audience which included many American Airlines employees.
American Airlines has refused to negotiate with fleet service workers until employees agree to new outsourcing and wage and benefit concessions.
The Machinists Union proposals would only cost a fraction of the money that American has budgeted for stock buyback schemes and executive pay.
Stock buybacks can inflate a company’s stock value. Since many executives are awarded bonuses based on stock performance, these schemes are a popular tactic for increasing executive pay.
“This is exactly what Americans are sick and tired of. And it’s not just American Airlines. Companies make good profits in America, and then they shut down and move to some desperate developing country.”
“American Airlines is not a poor, struggling company,” Sanders continued. “Last year, it made a net profit of $1.4 billion. This is a company that had enough money to pay its CEO, Doug Parker, over $19 million in compensation last year. This is a company that had enough money to buy back $15 billion of its own stocks during a five-year period.”
“So, today I say to the CEO of American Airlines… You damn well have enough money to pay your workers a decent wage with good benefits.”
Sito Pantoja, General Vice President of the union’s Transportation territory, praised Senator Sanders for his long-standing relationship with the Machinists Union. Sanders was also a featured speaker at the 2014 Machinists District 141 Convention, one of the largest gatherings of unionized airline workers in the US.
(left to right) International President Robert Martinez Jr., Senator Bernie Sanders, General Vice President, Transportation Sito Pantoja
“Long before he ran for president, Senator Sanders walked the picket lines with us. He attended our local lodge meetings. He has never once failed to answer when the Machinists have called,” said Pantoja.
“Senator Bernie Sanders is a true champion of the people and a true champion of the IAM.”
The IAM Transportation Conference brings together top Machinists Union Leaders from the rail and airline industries. This year’s conference is being held in Las Vegas through April 11.
The full remarks from Senator Sanders and Klobuchar are available courtesy of the 8 News Now Las Vegas Facebook Page.
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Mar 25, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Education, Hawaiian, Home, Philippine, Spirit, United, Video
Educators from District 141 held a Shop Steward training session for members of Local 2319 in Tampa, Florida this week. District 141 AGCs Robert Jesel and Tony Gibson joined educators Vinny Capitani, Andrea Myers, Deena Pena and Education Director Mac McGovern. Click on the video for TPA Remote Reservations Shop Steward Marcy Jones’ views on how the training provided building blocks to increase our power in the union.
Mar 14, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Featured, Hawaiian, Home, Philippine, Safety, Spirit, United
For most travelers, getting on a brand new plane is a treat. Besides that “new plane smell,” passengers expect that a new aircraft, like a new car or appliance, will offer the latest advances in technology, safety and comfort. When that aircraft is the newest version of the Boeing 737, a time-tested workhorse of commercial aviation, customers trust that any glitches have been discovered and corrected long ago.
After 2 deadly crashes in less than six months, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is under fierce scrutiny from aviation experts around the world. Facing growing public pressure from labor unions and passengers choosing to fly other aircraft or not fly at all, President Trump issued an emergency declaration on March 13, 2019 to ground the entire fleet of 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration issued the safety directive just hours after Canadian officials had grounded the fleet, which made the United States the outlier after officials from more than 40 countries had banned the planes from their airspace until investigations are complete.
The crash of Lion Air (JT) flight 610 just 13 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta (CGK) airport on October 29, 2018 became the first major incident involving the 737 MAX. The aircraft had been delivered to the airline just two months earlier, and while it was known that the pilot had requested permission to return, there were major disagreements between investigators and Lion Air’s executives as to the airworthiness of the plane. The investigation into that crash that claimed 189 lives was still ongoing when Ethiopian Airlines (ET) flight 302 crashed 6 minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa (ADD) airport on March 10, 2019, killing 149 passengers and 8 crewmembers on board. That aircraft had been in service for just 4 months, and similarly to the Lion Air incident, the pilot had made a distress call and was attempting to return to the airport.
The day after the Ethiopian crash, Boeing’s CEO and the FAA insisted that the planes were safe, but aviation experts and independent analysts questioned the design of the aircraft and the technology it employs to prevent stalling. A report stated that the recent federal government shutdown had delayed the rollout of software fixes for the aircraft for 5 weeks, but FAA officials approved the delay because they did not see an immediate safety threat. The Dallas Morning News found that several pilots had reported safety concerns about the 737 MAX 8 via the FAA’s Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program, where pilots can report aviation incidents without fear of repercussions (similar to the DL141’s GSAP program). Ultimately, pressure from lawmakers, unions, safety experts and the flying public, and citing “new evidence” collected at the Ethiopian crash site, forced Boeing to agree to the FAA’s recommendation to suspend global operations of the entire 737 MAX fleet.
“We welcome the FAA directive to put the 737 MAX fleet out of service to give safety experts and the aircraft manufacturer time to evaluate the causes of these deadly crashes and determine what changes are needed to ensure this never happens again,” said Mike Klemm, IAM District 141 President and Directing General Chair. “There are no shortcuts to safety, so we must make sure that everything we learn from this investigation is thoroughly communicated to our members who proudly work as Maintenance Training Specialists, Maintenance and Related, Stores and Fleet Service so they can continue to preserve the safety of the customers we serve and of our brothers and sisters who fly for a living.” Klemm went on to voice confidence in the Boeing aircraft, and trusts that the investigation will calm the public’s fears and reinforce the high production standards of the Boeing assembly plants.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest airline union in the world, and IAM District 141 represents workers at American, United, Hawaiian, Philippine and Spirit Airlines.
Boeing 787 MAX 8 (Boeing.com)
The original Boeing 737 was introduced in 1967, and the twin engine, narrow body design has undergone many upgrades since, becoming the best selling commercial airliner in history. The newest design, the 737 MAX, was introduced in 2016. There are currently 371 in service worldwide in the 2 main variants, the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9, which has a longer body and holds more passengers. Boeing reports that there are over 4,600 on order. Southwest Airlines has the most 737 MAX 8 planes of any US carrier, operating 34 of them. American Airlines has 24 in service, and United Airlines has 14 of the 737 MAX 9 version which has not been involved in any incidents but is also grounded according to the FAA directive. Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Spirit Airlines do not have any 737 MAX aircraft currently in service or on order.
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Mar 5, 2019 | Airlines, Departments, Featured, Home, Safety, United
A CommutAir plane carrying 28 passengers and three crewmembers slid off the runway upon landing in Presque Isle, Maine (PQI). The incident happened on March 4th at 11:30 AM EDT.
Crown of Maine Via Twitter: Flight 4933 slid to the right of the runway as it landed in Presque Isle, Maine. The landing caused the nose gear to break off and lodge itself between the engine and the fuselage.
The 50 seat Embraer 145 was traveling from Newark, New Jersey (EWR) to Presque Isle, which was experiencing snow showers at the time. One pilot and three passengers suffered minor injuries. The aircraft’s landing gear broke off the plane during the incident and wedged itself between the engine and fuselage.
“At this time our focus is on the well-being of all those involved,” a company representative said in a statement on Twitter. “We will be working with authorities to obtain more information.”
Read the statement here.
CommutAir flight attendants are represented by Machinists District 142.
Mike Klemm, President of Machinists District 141 praised the outstanding professionalism of the crew: “These were minor injuries, but this was not a minor incident,” Klemm said. “The crewmembers’ skill and fast response helped to ensure the safety of the passengers aboard this flight. We wish everyone involved a quick and full recovery.”
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Mar 5, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Hawaiian, Home, Philippine, Safety, Spirit, United
A bolt of lightning struck a UPS ramp worker upside the head as he loaded a 757 freight plane at Clinton National Airport (LIT) this week.
52-year-old Darin Campbell is expected to make a full recovery after lightning struck him in the head while he was working a flight on the ramp at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Surprisingly, the strike left him with relatively minor injuries, aside from burns on the top of his head. Campbell said in a statement to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazelle that he is still suffering from headaches and sore muscles, and will be taking a few day off from work.
He also told the paper that he was shopping for a shirt with a lightning bolt design on it.
The 35 year UPS veteran remembers hearing, “instant thunder” and seeing a blinding flash of light just as he stepped off of the 757 he was loading. “It felt just like getting hit in the head by a ball bat,” he told reporters.
The blast left severe burns on the top of his head, leading investigators to think that the bolt hit him directly. He was knocked unconscious for several minutes.
Campbell was transported by ambulance to nearby Baptist Medical Center. He has since been released and is recovering at home.
Although weather delays are a common headache for air travelers, few are aware of just how dangerous it is to work at an airport during an electrical storm. Airport workers face the perfect conditions for lightning injuries and are among the most likely to be injured by strikes. Lightning poses a real hazard to baggage handlers, fuelers, and anyone else on the tarmac.
One horrifying incident happened on camera at Fort Myers, Florida in 2017. A Southwest Airlines ramp worker was injured when a bolt of lightning struck the tail of the 737 that he was pushing away from the gate. The electric current traveled down the body of the plane and electrocuted him just as he was disconnecting the aircraft from the pushback tractor. (See Video)
21-year-old Austin Dunn was hospitalized for two weeks and suffered 3rd-degree burns as a result of a lightning strike that hit the Southwest Airlines plane he was wingwalking in 2017.
Because the potential for a severe injury is so high, safety advocates within IAM141 have worked with airlines and city officials to install early warning systems at many airports around the nation. These lights, sirens, and specific work rules help ramp workers know when lightning is striking nearby so that they can seek cover.
The IAM141.org Safety Department can help your local lodge develop and implement a safety program at your station. Contact a representative today by visiting the IAM141 Safety Department Page.
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Feb 21, 2019 | Airlines, American, Departments, Featured, Hawaiian, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Philippine, Spirit, United
Right to Work is coming to our nation’s airlines. When it arrives, the wages of all airline workers could be slashed within just a few years. Overall compensation could be cut by more than half. The good news: Missouri unions know how to stop it.
There’s a looming crisis about to hit the nation’s airline workers. It’s called “Right to Work,” and its goal is simple. Cut wages. Kill the enforcement of union contracts. And eliminate anything that remotely resembles job security for those working at an airline.
Powerful Right to Work backers will stop at nothing to bring mass layoffs, at-will terminations, and low wage contractors back to airlines. But first, they will need to cut off the funds that unions need to negotiate and enforce strong, pro-worker contracts.
So far, airline workers have been protected from Right to Work, thanks to a handful of laws that have prevented most of the attacks. Because of a few legacies in labor laws, and a recent spate of outstanding union contracts, airline workers are well paid and hard to fire or lay off. But any agreement, no matter how brilliantly negotiated, will take money to enforce – which is money that Right to Work effectively takes away. Current laws that protect airline workers can be written away with a single hostile legislation or Supreme Court ruling.
The good news is that the main Right to Work battleground hasn’t yet reached airlines. And fortunately, pro-fair wage union activists are fighting like hell to stop it and are racking up some significant victories.
Notable in this effort is what happened in the State of Missouri. Corporate lobbyists there demanded, and got the legislature to pass Right to Work rules that allowed them to gut paychecks and sell off pensions for thousands of Missourians. It seemed like the corporate interests had won. They intended the law to bankrupt unions by forcing them to provide services, for free, to anti-union forces. Outraged, unions and voters demanded the law’s repeal and filed for a public referendum.
The fight was catastrophic for the Right to Work side.
Kelly Street, Local Chairman at TCU/IAM Lodge 6762, Unit 320, has been on the front lines in the effort to protect the intended targets of Right to Work for years. He works in Kansas City, MO and represents members in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Thanks to the fierce activism of unionists like Kelly Street from TCU/IAM Lodge 6762, and Brian Simmons from IAM Local Lodge 778, Right to Work failed miserably in Missouri. Empowered in part by a RTW field training module offered at the IAMAW Winpisinger Center as part of the Train the Trainer programs, activists mobilized and educated voters in every corner of the state. Not falling for the nonsense spewed by Right to Work lobbyists, 67% of voters in the Show Me State threw out the Right to Work legislation in a hard-fought statewide referendum.
Kelly Street (Left) with IAMAW International President Robert Martinez, Jr (Right)
Unfortunately, powerful business interests are not used to losing. They are launching a new effort to gut wages and pensions in Missouri. In 10 states, Right to Work lobbyists have succeeded in cutting workers’ rights out of entire state constitutions. Elsewhere, legislation is being moved that will make Right to Work Federal Law.
If these efforts are successful, the Right to Work side will never lose again. They will have the power to cut paychecks and pensions at will.
Members of IAM Local 778 in Kansas City, MO mobilized to educate voters all over Missouri on the value of organized labor and democracy at work.
That’s why it’s so crucial for airline workers to get in the fight now – while the anti-wage lobbyists are still outside the airport gates. They already have the power of billions of dollars of corporate money and the best marketing available. This is enough to win them a place on the ballot no matter how many voters and workers oppose them. If they also win power in state constitutions and the federal government, they will be unstoppable.
IAM Local 778 Trustee Brian Simmons spent months working with the We Are Missouri campaign as Regional Petition Director and organizer.
Airline workers who want to protect their pensions, and who want better than just $15/hour top pay, should contact their local lodge MNPL, or the IAM141 MNPL at IAM141.org, and find out how to get involved.
The IAM141 Machinists Non-Partisan League is funded entirely through voluntary donations from members like you. To become a supporting member of the IAM141 MNPL, please complete an MNPL Automatic Payroll Deduction Card for any amount today. Find a card by visiting the MNPL page at IAM141.org.
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