$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

IAM141.org

District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!

The essay competition is designed to encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the role of unions in America and foster a sense of community among our members and their families. By reflecting on the history and principles of unions, participants have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this important institution and its impact on society. Through their personal experiences and reflections, they can inspire others to recognize the value of collective action and the power of working together towards a common goal. 

This year’s theme asks participants to contemplate “Reviving the American Dream: What Can I Do to Help My Generation Overcome Despair and Build a Better Future?” This competition is open to the children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 of the Machinists Union as of June 1, 2023. This includes graduating high school seniors and those who are currently enrolled full-time in college or trade school. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $2,000 award, and six additional winners will each receive a check for $1,000. 

Participants are asked to email their entries to dan@bleicomm.com by midnight on July 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE for the official rules and entry form.

 

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$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

6 February 2024

District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!

The essay competition is designed to encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the role of unions in America and foster a sense of community among our members and their families. By reflecting on the history and principles of unions, participants have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this important institution and its impact on society. Through their personal experiences and reflections, they can inspire others to recognize the value of collective action and the power of working together towards a common goal. 

This year’s theme asks participants to contemplate “Reviving the American Dream: What Can I Do to Help My Generation Overcome Despair and Build a Better Future?” This competition is open to the children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 of the Machinists Union as of June 1, 2023. This includes graduating high school seniors and those who are currently enrolled full-time in college or trade school. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $2,000 award, and six additional winners will each receive a check for $1,000. 

Participants are asked to email their entries to dan@bleicomm.com by midnight on July 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE for the official rules and entry form.

 

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Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

IAM141.org

WASHINGTON DC – According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification efforts in their workplaces. According to the report, 16.2 million American workers were represented by a union, a gain of 200,000 over 2022.

Union wages continued to lead the average typical weekly earnings of non-union Americans in 2023. Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had a median usual weekly earnings of $1,263 in 2023, while non-union workers continued to fall behind, with a median usual weekly earnings of only $1,090.

This represents wages that are 14 percent higher than their non-union counterparts each week, translating to an additional $173 per week, $692 per month, and $8,996 per year. This figure is up from 2022, when union pay was 11.2% higher than non-union work.

While earnings remain a central focus for most workers, the issue of work-life balance is a hot topic within the American workforce. Interestingly, union members, particularly in commercial aviation, enjoy an enviable degree of control over their schedules. They can trade away or pick up work shifts from coworkers and seasonal bids to work the hours, work areas, and days off in order of years on the job that are unheard of outside of unions. This level of schedule flexibility is nearly unheard of outside union workplaces.

Retirement benefits are another area where union membership pays off. In private industry, 93 percent of union workers had access to a retirement plan, compared to only 67 percent of non-union workers. Union workers were five times more likely to have access to defined benefit retirement plans, which guarantee a predictable income during retirement.

Healthcare benefits are nearly universal among union workers, with 96 percent having access compared to 69 percent of non-union workers. Employers were responsible for 80 percent of the premiums for medical care and family coverage for union workers, compared to 65 percent for non-union workers.

To combat these advances, companies have spent more than $400 million to prevent their employees from forming unions. According to data compiled by the Economic Policy Institute, attacks on union organizing have cost companies more than $400 million a year.

The study, released in March 2023, estimates that employers spend $433 million per year on “union-avoidance” consultants. According to the study, these consultants are paid $350 an hour and up, or $2,500 daily rates, to prevent their workers from banding together as a union. The actual figures are likely much higher since employers are only required to disclose a fraction of their union avoidance costs.

A portion of this spending is recouped through tax laws; businesses can deduct union avoidance costs from their tax liabilities.

These efforts have kept union membership as low as possible for these companies despite historically high support for unions. Around 67% or two-thirds of Americans support unions, as per a Gallup poll released in September. Yet, due to the overwhelming spending companies are using to prevent the formation of unions, only about 11.2% of Americans report union membership.

About 16.2 million American workers are represented by labor unions, a figure that includes 14.4 union members and 1.8 million workers who refuse to support a union but whose jobs are covered by a union agreement.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

6 February 2024

WASHINGTON DC – According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification efforts in their workplaces. According to the report, 16.2 million American workers were represented by a union, a gain of 200,000 over 2022.

Union wages continued to lead the average, typical weekly earnings of non-union Americans in 2023. Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had a median usual weekly earnings of $1,263 in 2023, while non-union workers continued to fall behind, with a median usual weekly earnings of only $1,090.

This represents wages that are 14 percent higher than their non-union counterparts each week, translating to an additional $173 per week, $692 per month, and $8,996 per year.

While earnings remain a central focus for most workers, the issue of work-life balance is a hot topic within the American workforce. Interestingly, union members, particularly in commercial aviation, enjoy an enviable degree of control over their schedules. They can trade away or pick up work shifts from coworkers and seasonal bids to work the hours, work areas, and days off in order of years on the job that are unheard of outside of unions. This level of schedule flexibility is nearly unheard of outside union workplaces.

Retirement benefits are another area where union membership pays off. In private industry, 93 percent of union workers had access to a retirement plan, compared to only 67 percent of non-union workers. Union workers were five times more likely to have access to defined benefit retirement plans, which guarantee a predictable income during retirement.

Healthcare benefits are nearly universal among union workers, with 96 percent having access compared to 69 percent of non-union workers. Employers were responsible for 80 percent of the premiums for medical care and family coverage for union workers, compared to 65 percent for non-union workers.

To combat these advances, companies have spent more than $400 million to prevent their employees from forming unions. According to data compiled by the Economic Policy Institute, attacks on union organizing have cost companies more than $400 million a year.

The study, released in March 2023, estimates that employers spend $433 million per year on “union-avoidance” consultants. According to the study, these consultants are paid $350 an hour and up, or $2,500 daily rates, to prevent their workers from banding together as a union. The actual figures are likely much higher since employers are only required to disclose a fraction of their union avoidance costs.

A portion of this spending is recouped through tax laws; businesses can deduct union avoidance costs from their tax liabilities.

These efforts have kept union membership as low as possible for these companies despite historically high support for unions. Around 67% or two-thirds of Americans support unions, as per a Gallup poll released in September. Yet, due to the overwhelming spending companies are using to prevent the formation of unions, only about 11.2% of Americans report union membership.

About 16.2 million American workers are represented by labor unions, a figure that includes 14.4 union members and 1.8 million workers who refuse to support a union but whose jobs are covered by a union agreement.

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Air Rage: Congressman Crenshaw Loses it Over Pet Carrier

Air Rage: Congressman Crenshaw Loses it Over Pet Carrier

Air Rage: Congressman Crenshaw Loses it Over Pet Carrier

Air Rage: Congressman Crenshaw Loses it Over Pet Carrier

IAM141.org

Tara Blake, the wife of Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston), has gone viral for a video in which she appears to physically assault a ticket Counter Agent working at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Ironically, the video of the attack went viral after being shared by her husband, Congressman Dan Crenshaw himself. As of Wednesday afternoon, Crenshaw’s video of his wife attacking the Ticket Agent had been viewed more than 4 million times. Surveillance footage shows an unidentified United Ticket Counter Agent, possibly a supervisor, trying to pull a yellow notice, called a “Pet Travel Policy Tag,” from a dog carrier as Blake and her mother attempted to check two dogs at the IAH Ticket Counter.

The dogs, a pair of mixed breeds named “Joey,” and “Luna,” whom Crenshaw identifies as rescue dogs, were stuffed into small soft-sided carriers that would not have permitted the animals to stand or turn around during the flight.

It is unclear how many dogs were actually involved. In the beginning of the post, Crenshaw claims there were “a pair of small dogs,” involved. Later in the post he stops referring to two dogs, and only mentions one, named “Joey.”

To prevent animal cruelty, United Airlines does not allow pets that cannot comfortably fit beneath a passenger seat. According to United Policy, a pet carrier must slide easily under the seat, and the pet must be able to stand up and turn around without being removed from its crate or bag.

The Ticket Counter Agent had no choice but to uphold company policy and follow laws related to animal cruelty.

While Crenshaw’s dog, Joey, is a smaller breed, it is still too large to fit under the seat on a commercial airline. Photos of Joey that Crenshaw has posted online make this clear.

The entire available space for a dog is only 18 inches deep, by 14 inches by 8 inches. This space must accommodate not just the animal  -but also its crate.

In the post, Crenshaw claims to have shoved this dog underneath airplane seats, in violation of policies designed to prevent animal abuse, more than 500 times. 

Texas Penal Code 42.092, Titled “Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals,” defines “Cruelty” as any act that causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering to an animal.” The statute also defines “Torture,” as “any act that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering,” to an animal.

There is a very real possibility that a jury would decide that forcing the dog to squat under an airplane seat for a three or four-hour flight from Washinton’s Regan International Airport to Bush without being able to stand or turn around would be an example of cruelty or even torture under Texas law. 

Moreover, Tara Blake claimed one dog was a service animal for her husband, who was injured in combat during the Iraq War. 

In Texas, attacks on service animals constitute a separate offense. Under Federal Law (75 FR 56266), a service animal is defined as “any dog that has been specifically taught to carry out duties or complete tasks for the benefit of a person who is disabled, whether they have a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental impairment.”

A person has committed an offense if that person is found to have “carelessly, deliberately, or knowingly attacked, hurt, or murdered an assistance animal.” A jury would likely conclude that forcing a dog the size of Joey or Luna into a confined space, such as the area beneath an airplane seat, would constitute a violation of Texas Law protecting service animals from abuse, since it would certainly cause the dog severe pain.

Additionally, falsely claiming a pet is a service animal constitutes another offense under Texas Law. As of September 1, 2023, anyone found to have falsely represented a pet as a service animal without having undergone special straining can be fined up to $1000 and 30 hours of community service. House Bill 4164 defines a service animal as a “canine that is specially trained or equipped to help a person with a disability.” 

In the post, Crenshaw claims that his wife and her mother took the dog onto a Southwest flight because, he says, Southwest employees are “nice people.”

Southwest Airlines has pet-travel policies that are almost identical to those of United. Southwest, like United, requires that any animal carried onto any of its flights has to remain in a crate or bag, and the pet carrier must easily fit beneath the seat on the flight. Southwest also has policies in place that are designed to comply with Texas Law and prevent animal abuse. 

 

In the 8-minute rant that included homophobic insults and racist insinuations, Crenshaw repeatedly accused a United Ticket Counter Agent at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport of going on a “crazed, unhinged” attack that forced Crenshaw’s wife to move to protect the couple’s, two-month-old baby. Then, according to Crenshaw, the “Unhinged United Agent” began “ripping things off” the dog carrier, and his wife was again forced to step in to stop the attack. The whole incident was captured on security cameras, which Congressman Crenshaw posted to his Twitter account. 

The videos, produced by the City of Houston’s Airport System, completely contradict Crenshaw’s accusations. 

Despite the Agent’s calm demeanor, Crenshaw’s wife is seen snatching violently at the Ticket Counter Agent, refusing to let her remove the Pet Policy Tag. A few seconds later, Tara Blake did not attack the Agent the second time she attempted to remove the bright yellow tag.

According to Crenshaw, the Agent was attempting to “Violently Assault” the dog. At the same time, earlier in the video, he claimed she was trying to photograph the dog to add Blake (Crenshaw’s wife) to a “Do Not Fly” Registry. He did not elaborate on why his wife’s behavior warranted her addition to a do not fly list. “They wanted to take my dog out of the bag, and photograph him and report my wife so they could never fly again,” he said in the video.

United Airlines Ticket Counter Agents do not have the authority to add a passenger to the National “Do Not Fly” registry. Such a move would usually be done in conjunction with security teams in a process that would involve airline management. A single Agent could only add a person to the Do Not Fly Registry with oversight. 

Crenshaw then launches a profanity-laced tirade against the Agent’s supervisor, Vice President Phillip Griffith. (At the beginning of the post, the Congressman suggests that United Airlines hires minorities as part of “DEI” or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Vice President Griffith is black.)

He then provides a play-by-play account of the video that is diametrically opposite to what the video actually shows. The video shows “Angela,” the ticket counter agent, calmly reaching for the bag as Crenshaw narrates that she is violently “assaulting” his dog. As his wife is shown lunging towards the Agent, Crenshaw describes her as peaceful and calm. 

After the “assault” on his dog, Tara Blake then shoves her baby carriage about 15 feet away and storms out of the frame. The Agent is seen calmly walking away to help other passengers. 

“At this point,” Crenshaw narrates, “I’m feeling pretty happy because the video shows exactly what my wife said it would show,” even though the video shows that none of his wife’s statements were accurate in any way.

Beginning at 4:45 in the video, the Agent appears to be walking from a ticket printer and approaches the bag before Mrs. Crenshaw snatches at the Agent’s hand. At 4:54, the Agent returns to the dog bag and seems to resume whatever she was doing in the first place. 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Crenshaw then recounts the position of United Airlines’ Phillip Griffith, who informs him that his wife was “handsy” and “agitated,” right from the very start. He also indicates at several points in the audio recording that Crenshaw secretly made of his conversation that the Crenshaws are well-known to be difficult passengers. “I deal with people like you every day,” Griffith tells the Congressman. “I deal with people like your wife every single day,” he said. 

Crenshaw then tells viewers that he frequently swears at airport agents and that he thinks such behavior is expected. “We’ve all been in that situation,” he says, “You know how you’re not allowed to curse around airline agents?” he asks. “When a bad thing happens to your travel… and, ‘F-Bomb… and they’re like ‘We can’t work with you anymore! You’re out of here!” He then accuses Ticket and Gate Agents subjected to passenger abuse of having their “delicate sensibilities” offended.

For his part, Phillip Griffith was shown defending the Agent and told Crenshaw to “shut up with that,” as the Congressman began to use profanity directed at him. Being told not to swear triggered the Congressman, who could then be heard breaking out into exaggerated, histrionic laughter in response.

Dan Crenshaw, known for his trademark eyepatch, represents North Houston in the United States Congress. A relatively new member of Congress, having been first elected in 2019, Crenshaw has come under fire from Republican voters for his efforts to distance himself from former President Donald Trump. Frequently called a “Never Trumper,” the 4.4K comments his post collected focused as much on his immigration stance and tacit support of Joe Biden as they did on criticisms of United Airlines or the Ticket Counter Agent. 

“Let’s be clear, Dan Crenshaw is a RINO and should not be in Congress representing the Republican Party,” said one response to his post. That comment garnered 2.8k loves. 

“Also, Dan… that same contempt Phillip and those United employees have for you and yours seems like the same contempt you have for Trump and his supporters…” Read another. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, the post had been viewed more than 4 million times. 

Tara Blake is an American legal expert who specializes in medical and healthcare litigation. She has a reported net worth of $700,000. According to Open Secrets.com, the Crenshaw household is worth an estimated $2.5 million.

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Air Rage: Congressman Crenshaw Loses it Over Pet Carrier

24 January 2024

Tara Blake, the wife of Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston), has gone viral for a video in which she appears to physically assault a ticket Counter Agent working at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Ironically, the video of the attack went viral after being shared by her husband, Congressman Dan Crenshaw himself. As of Wednesday afternoon, Crenshaw’s video of his wife attacking the Ticket Agent had been viewed more than 4 million times.

Surveillance footage shows an unidentified United Ticket Counter Agent, possibly a supervisor, trying to pull a yellow notice, called a “Pet Travel Policy Tag,” from a dog carrier as Blake and her mother attempted to check two dogs at the IAH Ticket Counter.

The dogs, a pair of mixed breeds named “Joey,” and “Luna,” whom Crenshaw identifies as rescue dogs, were stuffed into small soft-sided carriers that would not have permitted the animals to stand or turn around during the flight.

It is unclear how many dogs were actually involved. In the beginning of the post, Crenshaw claims there were “a pair of small dogs,” involved. Later in the post he stops referring to two dogs, and only mentions one, a mixed-breed dog named “Joey.”

To prevent animal cruelty, United Airlines does not allow pets that cannot comfortably fit beneath a passenger seat. According to United Policy, a pet carrier must slide easily under the seat, and the pet must be able to stand up and turn around without being removed from its crate or bag.

The Ticket Counter Agent had no choice but to uphold company policy and follow laws related to animal cruelty. 

 

While Crenshaw’s dog, Joey, is a smaller breed, it is still too large to fit under the seat on a commercial airline. Photos of Joey that Crenshaw has posted online make this clear.

The entire available space for a dog is only 18 inches deep, by 14 inches by 8 inches. This space must accommodate not just the animal  -but also its crate.

 

In the post, Crenshaw claims to have shoved this dog underneath airplane seats, in violation of policies designed to prevent animal abuse, more than 500 times. 

Texas Penal Code 42.092, Titled “Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals,” defines “Cruelty” as “any act that causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering to an animal.” The statute also defines “Torture,” as “any act that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering,” to an animal.

There is a very real possibility that a jury would decide that forcing the dog to squat under an airplane seat for a three or four-hour flight from Washinton’s Regan International Airport to Bush without being able to stand or turn around would be an example of cruelty or even torture under Texas law. 

Moreover, Tara Blake claimed one dog was a service animal for her husband, who was injured in combat during the Iraq War. 

In Texas, attacks on service animals constitute a separate offense. Under Federal Law (75 FR 56266), a service animal is defined as “any dog that has been specifically taught to carry out duties or complete tasks for the benefit of a person who is disabled, whether they have a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental impairment.”

A person has committed an offense if that person is found to have “carelessly, deliberately, or knowingly attacked, hurt, or murdered an assistance animal.” A jury would likely conclude that forcing a dog as big as Joey or Luna into a confined space, such as the area beneath an airplane seat, would constitute a violation of Texas Law protecting service animals from abuse since doing so would certainly cause the dog to feel severe pain.

Additionally, falsely claiming a pet is a service animal constitutes another offense under Texas Law. As of September 1, 2023, anyone found to have falsely represented a pet as a service animal without having undergone special straining can be fined up to $1000 and 30 hours of community service. House Bill 4164 defines a service animal as a “canine that is specially trained or equipped to help a person with a disability.” 

In the post, Crenshaw claims that his wife and her mother took the dog onto a Southwest flight because, he says, Southwest employees are “nice people.”

Southwest Airlines has pet-travel policies that are almost identical to those of United. Southwest, like United, requires that any animal carried onto any of its flights has to remain in a crate or bag, and the pet carrier must easily fit beneath the seat on the flight. Southwest also has policies in place that are designed to comply with Texas Law and prevent animal abuse. 

 

In the 8-minute rant that included homophobic insults and racist insinuations, Crenshaw repeatedly accused a United Ticket Counter Agent at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport of going on a “crazed, unhinged” attack that forced Crenshaw’s wife to move to protect the couple’s, two-month-old baby. Then, according to Crenshaw, the “Unhinged United Agent” began “ripping things off” the dog carrier, and his wife was again forced to step in to stop the attack. The whole incident was captured on security cameras, which Congressman Crenshaw posted to his Twitter account. 

The videos, produced by the City of Houston’s Airport System, completely contradict Crenshaw’s accusations. 

Despite the Agent’s calm demeanor, Crenshaw’s wife is seen snatching violently at the Ticket Counter Agent, refusing to let her remove the Pet Policy Tag. A few seconds later, Tara Blake did not attack the Agent the second time she attempted to remove the bright yellow tag.

According to Crenshaw, the Agent was attempting to “Violently Assault” the dog. At the same time, earlier in the video, he claimed she was trying to photograph the dog to add Blake (Crenshaw’s wife) to a “Do Not Fly” Registry. He did not elaborate on why his wife’s behavior warranted her addition to a do not fly list. “They wanted to take my dog out of the bag, and photograph him and report my wife so they could never fly again,” he said in the video.

United Airlines Ticket Counter Agents do not have the authority to add a passenger to the National “Do Not Fly” registry. Such a move would usually be done in conjunction with security teams in a process that would involve airline management. A single Agent could only add a person to the Do Not Fly Registry with oversight. 

Crenshaw then launches a profanity-laced tirade against the Agent’s supervisor, Vice President Phillip Griffith. (At the beginning of the post, the Congressman suggests that United Airlines hires minorities as part of “DEI” or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Vice President Griffith is black.)

He then provides a play-by-play account of the video that is diametrically opposite to what the video actually shows. The video shows “Angela,” the ticket counter agent, calmly reaching for the bag as Crenshaw narrates that she is violently “assaulting” his dog. As his wife is shown lunging towards the Agent, Crenshaw describes her as peaceful and calm. 

After the “assault” on his dog, Tara Blake then shoves her baby carriage about 15 feet away and storms out of the frame. The Agent is seen calmly walking away to help other passengers. 

“At this point,” Crenshaw narrates, “I’m feeling pretty happy because the video shows exactly what my wife said it would show,” even though the video shows that none of his wife’s statements were accurate in any way.

Beginning at 4:45 in the video, the Agent appears to be walking from a ticket printer and approaches the bag before Mrs. Crenshaw snatches at the Agent’s hand. At 4:54, the Agent returns to the dog bag and seems to resume whatever she was doing in the first place. 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Crenshaw then recounts the position of United Airlines’ Phillip Griffith, who informs him that his wife was “handsy” and “agitated,” right from the very start. He also indicates at several points in the audio recording that Crenshaw secretly made of his conversation that the Crenshaws are well-known to be difficult passengers. “I deal with people like you every day,” Griffith tells the Congressman. “I deal with people like your wife every single day,” he said. 

Crenshaw then tells viewers that he frequently swears at airport agents and that he thinks such behavior is expected. “We’ve all been in that situation,” he says, “You know how you’re not allowed to curse around airline agents?” he asks. “When a bad thing happens to your travel… and, ‘F-Bomb… and they’re like ‘We can’t work with you anymore! You’re out of here!” He then accuses Ticket and Gate Agents subjected to passenger abuse of having their “delicate sensibilities” offended.

For his part, Phillipe Griffith was shown defending the Agent and told Crenshaw to “shut up with that,” as the Congressman began to use profanity directed at him. Being told not to swear triggered the Congressman, who could then be heard breaking out into exaggerated, histrionic laughter in response.

Dan Crenshaw, known for his trademark eyepatch, represents North Houston in the United States Congress. A relatively new member of Congress, having been first elected in 2019, Crenshaw has come under fire from Republican voters for his efforts to distance himself from former President Donald Trump. Frequently called a “Never Trumper,” the 4.4K comments his post collected focused as much on his immigration stance and tacit support of Joe Biden as they did on criticisms of United Airlines or the Ticket Counter Agent. 

“Let’s be clear, Dan Crenshaw is a RINO and should not be in Congress representing the Republican Party,” said one response to his post. That comment garnered 2.8k loves. 

“Also, Dan… that same contempt Phillip and those United employees have for you and yours seems like the same contempt you have for Trump and his supporters…” Read another. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, the post had been viewed more than 4 million times. 

Tara Blake is an American legal expert who specializes in medical and healthcare litigation. She has a reported net worth of $700,000. According to Open Secrets.com, the Crenshaw household is worth an estimated $2.5 million.

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Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

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Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update30 September 2024 The IAM and the Alaska/Hawaiian Leadership teams met last week to discuss and negotiate a Transition Protocol Agreement (TPA) for the Alaska COPS and RSSA contracts and the Hawaiian COFPS contract. Negotiating a...

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Detroit, MI — Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader...

Association Update

Association Update

 The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email...

January Helping Hands: New Beginnings

January Helping Hands: New Beginnings

January Helping Hands: New Beginnings

EAP Peers:
 
   January is traditionally a month of resolutions, self reflection, reviews and changes. The first Helping Hands of 2024 focuses on new beginnings. There are several ideas about new beginnings and reframing the traditional way of approaching a new year.
 
 2024 is going to be a great year! All of you are playing a part in that by being there for your co-workers! Thank you for all you are doing to support others – please remember that we are here to support you and the work you are doing. Don’t hesitate to call, e-mail, text me or any of the Chairs listed on the .pdf version.
 

Bryan,

Bryan Hutchinson, M.S.

Recent Articles

Federal Judge Slaps Down JetBlue-Spirit Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

Federal Judge Slaps Down JetBlue-Spirit Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

Federal Judge Slaps Down JetBlue-Spirit Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

Federal Judge Slaps Down JetBlue-Spirit Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

IAM141.org

U.S. District Judge William Young blocked the $3.8 billion attempt by Jetblue to purchase Spirit Airlines, citing monopolistic concerns. The decision is a victory for the Biden Administration, who had opposed the acquisition.

 

DALLAS — U.S. District Judge William Young ruled against JetBlue Airways’ proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The ruling, citing competition concerns, aligns with the Biden administration’s opposition to the merger. The ruling was handed down on Monday. 

In March, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block the merger, arguing it would increase fares by eliminating Spirit. The DOJ also found airfares were likely to rise if Spirit, a low-cost airline, was removed as an option for air travelers. JetBlue is considering an appeal of today’s ruling. The airline stated the deal is necessary to better compete with larger U.S. airlines.

The Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen issued a statement on Tuesday in which he said the decision would end a “period of uncertainty,” at both airlines.

“Both work groups gain in the end,” said Samuelsen. “We won hard-fought economic and work-rule improvements for our JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers while protecting our Guest Service Agents’ contract at Spirit.”

The Transport Workers Union represents 7,000 JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers. On top of regularly scheduled contractual raises, TWU recently wrested from the bosses at JetBlue an additional 17% in pay raises. The TWU also represents Spirit Guest Service Agents at Fort Lauderdale International Airport.

“Robust airline competition makes it more affordable to fly,” The DOJ said in a release dated March 7, 2203. “Travelers depend on low-cost flight options to see the world, go home for the holidays, visit their family and friends, show up to help in an emergency, or travel at the last minute. The Justice Department found that the proposed merger violates the Clayton Act by eliminating the largest, most aggressive ultra-low-cost competitor, grounding Spirit’s most cost-conscious customers, and substantially reducing competition on a significant number of concentrated, overlapping routes that carry millions of passengers.”

“We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more customers in more markets,” JetBlue said in a response to the decision.

The ruling is a victory for the Biden administration, which has challenged consolidation in various industries, claiming it harms consumers and adds to rising prices. The Justice Department said the JetBlue-Spirit merger would particularly affect travelers dependent on Spirit’s fares.

Judge Young, overseeing the trial last year, stated in his decision that the merger “would substantially lessen competition” in violation of antitrust law.

Following the decision, shares of Spirit Airlines Inc. dropped, while JetBlue shares rose by 8%.

For JetBlue, this is the second major setback in federal court in the space of a year, following the termination of a partnership with American Airlines. Joanna Geraghty will soon replace Robin Hayes, who oversaw both blocked deals in his tenure as CEO.

The decision may allow Frontier Airlines to attempt to buy Spirit again. The two airlines initially announced a deal in 2022, but JetBlue’s higher offer secured the bid for Spirit.

Judge Young’s decision read, in part, “The Court rules that the proposed acquisition violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Spirit is a small airline. But there are those who love it. To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this one’s for you. Why? Because the Clayton Act, a 109-year-old statute requires this result –- a statute that continues to deliver for the American people.”

“Summing it up, if JetBlue were permitted to gobble up Spirit -– at least as proposed — it would eliminate one of the airline industry’s few primary competitors that provides unique innovation and price discipline. It would further consolidate an oligopoly by immediately doubling JetBlue’s stakeholder size in the industry. Worse yet, the merger would likely incentivize JetBlue further to abandon its roots as a maverick, low-cost carrier.”

The ruling concluded a 17-day trial featuring Young’s testimony from 22 witnesses, hundreds of exhibits, and extensive evidence submissions. 

Related News

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update30 September 2024 The IAM and the Alaska/Hawaiian Leadership teams met last week to discuss and negotiate a Transition Protocol Agreement (TPA) for the Alaska COPS and RSSA contracts and the Hawaiian COFPS contract. Negotiating a...

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Detroit, MI — Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader...

Association Update

Association Update

 The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Federal Judge Slaps Down JetBlue-Spirit Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

16 January 2024

U.S. District Judge William Young blocked the $3.8 billion attempt by Jetblue to purchase Spirit Airlines, citing monopolistic concerns. The decision is a victory for the Biden Administration, who had opposed the acquisition.

 

DALLAS — U.S. District Judge William Young ruled against JetBlue Airways’ proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The ruling, citing competition concerns, aligns with the Biden administration’s opposition to the merger. The ruling was handed down on Monday. 

In March, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block the merger, arguing it would increase fares by eliminating Spirit. The DOJ also found airfares were likely to rise if Spirit, a low-cost airline, was removed as an option for air travelers. JetBlue is considering an appeal of today’s ruling. The airline stated the deal is necessary to better compete with larger U.S. airlines.

The Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen issued a statement on Tuesday in which he said the decision would end a “period of uncertainty,” at both airlines.

“Both work groups gain in the end,” said Samuelsen. “We won hard-fought economic and work-rule improvements for our JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers while protecting our Guest Service Agents’ contract at Spirit.”

The Transport Workers Union represents 7,000 JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers. On top of regularly scheduled contractual raises, TWU recently wrested from the bosses at JetBlue an additional 17% in pay raises. The TWU also represents Spirit Guest Service Agents at Fort Lauderdale International Airport.

“Robust airline competition makes it more affordable to fly,” The DOJ said in a release dated March 7, 2203. “Travelers depend on low-cost flight options to see the world, go home for the holidays, visit their family and friends, show up to help in an emergency, or travel at the last minute. The Justice Department found that the proposed merger violates the Clayton Act by eliminating the largest, most aggressive ultra-low-cost competitor, grounding Spirit’s most cost-conscious customers, and substantially reducing competition on a significant number of concentrated, overlapping routes that carry millions of passengers.”

“We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more customers in more markets,” JetBlue said in a response to the decision.

The ruling is a victory for the Biden administration, which has challenged consolidation in various industries, claiming it harms consumers and adds to rising prices. The Justice Department said the JetBlue-Spirit merger would particularly affect travelers dependent on Spirit’s fares.

Judge Young, overseeing the trial last year, stated in his decision that the merger “would substantially lessen competition” in violation of antitrust law.

Following the decision, shares of Spirit Airlines Inc. dropped, while JetBlue shares rose by 8%.

For JetBlue, this is the second major setback in federal court in the space of a year, following the termination of a partnership with American Airlines. Joanna Geraghty will soon replace Robin Hayes, who oversaw both blocked deals in his tenure as CEO.

The decision may allow Frontier Airlines to attempt to buy Spirit again. The two airlines initially announced a deal in 2022, but JetBlue’s higher offer secured the bid for Spirit.

Judge Young’s decision read, in part, “The Court rules that the proposed acquisition violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Spirit is a small airline. But there are those who love it. To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this one’s for you. Why? Because the Clayton Act, a 109-year-old statute requires this result –- a statute that continues to deliver for the American people.”

“Summing it up, if JetBlue were permitted to gobble up Spirit -– at least as proposed — it would eliminate one of the airline industry’s few primary competitors that provides unique innovation and price discipline. It would further consolidate an oligopoly by immediately doubling JetBlue’s stakeholder size in the industry. Worse yet, the merger would likely incentivize JetBlue further to abandon its roots as a maverick, low-cost carrier.”

The ruling concluded a 17-day trial featuring Young’s testimony from 22 witnesses, hundreds of exhibits, and extensive evidence submissions. 

Related

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update30 September 2024 The IAM and the Alaska/Hawaiian Leadership teams met last week to discuss and negotiate a Transition Protocol Agreement (TPA) for the Alaska COPS and RSSA contracts and the Hawaiian COFPS contract. Negotiating a...

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Detroit, MI — Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader...

Association Update

Association Update

 The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email...

Transcript: Alaska Airlines Pilot Calm Under Depressure

Transcript: Alaska Airlines Pilot Calm Under Depressure

Transcript: Alaska Airlines Pilot Calm Under Depressure

Transcript: Alaska Airlines Pilot Calm Under Depressure

IAM141.org

The pilot flying the Alaska Airlines flight from Portland to Seattle last Friday is getting noticed for her super-chill handling a blowout of a cabin door as her plane was three miles in the air.

Just after 5 pm local time on Friday, an emergency door that had been deactivated and converted for use as part of the regular cabin structure blew out at an altitude of 16,000 feet. The plane was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members at the time.

This terrifying event resulted in the depressurization of the cabin. The force of air rushing in was so powerful that it ripped off the shirt of a young boy, who was held tightly by his mother. Multiple passengers also watched helplessly as their phones were sucked out into the night sky.

The pilots touched down safely at Portland International Airport just 20 minutes after takeoff.  

Fortunately, no one aboard was seriously injured, thanks in part to the fact that the rows next to the door were empty. 

But a larger factor in preventing the incident from worsening was the pilot’s remarkably calm approach to managing the crisis. In fact, her demeanor was so steady and controlled that Air Traffic Control needed to ask if an emergency was happening at all.

Air traffic controller: “Alaska 1282 did you declare an emergency or did you need to return to …”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yes, we are in an emergency. We are depressurized. We do need to return. We have 177 passengers. Fuel is 18-eight.”

The pilot, whose name had not been made public at the time of this writing, was also credited with preventing panic among passengers.

In a report published by NBC News, multiple passengers praised the flight crew for their composure and credited the “calmness” of the pilot’s voice as being what had “kept everyone calm.”

Below: Transcript from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

Air traffic controller: “1282 foreign approach. Good afternoon. You still have information zero?”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yeah, we do have information zero, we’d like to get lower, if possible.”

Air traffic controller: “Possibility 1282 descend and maintain 7,000.”

Air traffic controller: “Alaska 1282 did you declare an emergency or did you need to return to …”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yes, we are in an emergency, we are depressurized, we do need to return back to, we have 177 passengers. Fuel is 18-eight.”

Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that “maintenance crews checked the plane and cleared it to fly — but the airline decided not to use it for the long route to Hawaii over water so that it ‘could return very quickly to an airport’ if the warning light reappeared.”

In the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident, other airlines and federal agencies are implementing additional safety measures.

United Airlines, which operates the Boeing 737 Max 9, has begun inspections of its fleet, focusing particularly on the door plugs and pressurization systems. The airline is reviewing installation procedures and adjusting protocols as necessary.

In a memo to employees, the airline said, “As of Monday, service on that aircraft remains suspended, and we have canceled 200 MAX 9 flights. We expect significant cancellations on Tuesday as well, though we have been able to operate some planned flights by switching to other aircraft types, avoiding about 30 cancellations on both Monday and Tuesday.”

As part of the inspections, United is removing two rows of seats and the sidewall liner to access each door plug, a task already completed on most MAX 9s. The process also involves inspecting and verifying the proper installation of the door and frame hardware, opening the door to inspect the area around it and the seal, ensuring any loose door bolts are tightened, and then re-securing the door to ensure it is properly fitted.

United’s teams will then document and correct any discrepancies before an aircraft returns to service. Each inspection requires a team of five United technicians and takes several hours per aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued new inspection guidelines for Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. The FAA is ensuring that all airlines adhere to these updated safety measures and inspection requirements in an effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Maria Deacon, Tech Ops SVP at United, stressed the importance of diligence during this process. In a message to employees, she said, ‘It’s absolutely crucial we all maintain our focus on safety and compliance, and not be distracted or feel rushed.’

Related News

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update30 September 2024 The IAM and the Alaska/Hawaiian Leadership teams met last week to discuss and negotiate a Transition Protocol Agreement (TPA) for the Alaska COPS and RSSA contracts and the Hawaiian COFPS contract. Negotiating a...

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Detroit, MI — Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader...

Association Update

Association Update

 The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Transcript: Alaska Airlines Pilot Calm Under Depressure

9 January 2024

The pilot flying the Alaska Airlines flight from Portland to Seattle last Friday is getting noticed for her super-chill handling a blowout of a cabin door as her plane was three miles in the air.

Just after 5 pm local time on Friday, an emergency door that had been deactivated and converted for use as part of the regular cabin structure blew out at an altitude of 16,000 feet. The plane was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members at the time.

This terrifying event resulted in the depressurization of the cabin. The force of air rushing in was so powerful that it ripped off the shirt of a young boy, who was held tightly by his mother. Multiple passengers also watched helplessly as their phones were sucked out into the night sky.

The pilots touched down safely at Portland International Airport just 20 minutes after takeoff.  

Fortunately, no one aboard was seriously injured, thanks in part to the fact that the rows next to the door were empty. 

But a larger factor in preventing the incident from worsening was the pilot’s remarkably calm approach to managing the crisis. In fact, her demeanor was so steady and controlled that Air Traffic Control needed to ask if an emergency was happening at all.

Air traffic controller: “Alaska 1282 did you declare an emergency or did you need to return to …”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yes, we are in an emergency. We are depressurized. We do need to return. We have 177 passengers. Fuel is 18-eight.”

The pilot, whose name had not been made public at the time of this writing, was also credited with preventing panic among passengers.

In a report published by NBC News, multiple passengers praised the flight crew for their composure and credited the “calmness” of the pilot’s voice as being what had “kept everyone calm.”

Below: Transcript from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

Air traffic controller: “1282 foreign approach. Good afternoon. You still have information zero?”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yeah, we do have information zero, we’d like to get lower, if possible.”

Air traffic controller: “Possibility 1282 descend and maintain 7,000.”

Air traffic controller: “Alaska 1282 did you declare an emergency or did you need to return to …”

Alaska Airlines pilot: “Yes, we are in an emergency, we are depressurized, we do need to return back to, we have 177 passengers. Fuel is 18-eight.”

Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that “maintenance crews checked the plane and cleared it to fly — but the airline decided not to use it for the long route to Hawaii over water so that it ‘could return very quickly to an airport’ if the warning light reappeared.”

In the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident, other airlines and federal agencies are implementing additional safety measures.

United Airlines, which operates the Boeing 737 Max 9, has begun inspections of its fleet, focusing particularly on the door plugs and pressurization systems. The airline is reviewing installation procedures and adjusting protocols as necessary.

In a memo to employees, the airline said, “As of Monday, service on that aircraft remains suspended, and we have canceled 200 MAX 9 flights. We expect significant cancellations on Tuesday as well, though we have been able to operate some planned flights by switching to other aircraft types, avoiding about 30 cancellations on both Monday and Tuesday.”

As part of the inspections, United is removing two rows of seats and the sidewall liner to access each door plug, a task already completed on most MAX 9s. The process also involves inspecting and verifying the proper installation of the door and frame hardware, opening the door to inspect the area around it and the seal, ensuring any loose door bolts are tightened, and then re-securing the door to ensure it is properly fitted.

United’s teams will then document and correct any discrepancies before an aircraft returns to service. Each inspection requires a team of five United technicians and takes several hours per aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued new inspection guidelines for Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. The FAA is ensuring that all airlines adhere to these updated safety measures and inspection requirements in an effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Maria Deacon, Tech Ops SVP at United, stressed the importance of diligence during this process. In a message to employees, she said, ‘It’s absolutely crucial we all maintain our focus on safety and compliance, and not be distracted or feel rushed.’

Related

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines Merger Update30 September 2024 The IAM and the Alaska/Hawaiian Leadership teams met last week to discuss and negotiate a Transition Protocol Agreement (TPA) for the Alaska COPS and RSSA contracts and the Hawaiian COFPS contract. Negotiating a...

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Detroit, MI — Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader...

Association Update

Association Update

 The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email...