Machinists Union Supports Bill to Toughen Safety Rules for Foreign Repair Stations

Machinists Union Supports Bill to Toughen Safety Rules for Foreign Repair Stations

Jun 17, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Safety, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Supports Bill to Toughen Safety Rules for Foreign Repair Stations

GoIAM.org
17 June 2022

Washington, June 16, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for approving the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321). 

The panel’s action advances the legislation for full House floor consideration of DeFazio’s bill, which would include measures such as unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, and set minimum qualifications for mechanics and other workers, including drug testing and background checks.

“Our hard-working members take pride in making sure their work at carriers such as American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and others focuses on safety regulations set by the federal government,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “It’s only fair that their counterparts working at facilities overseas abide by such high U.S. standards.”

The IAM is the largest airline union in North America, representing over 100,000 airline workers.

“I want to thank Chairman DeFazio for introducing this very important legislation that will help ensure airline passenger safety is a top priority globally,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “The lack of uniform regulatory standards and oversight sets an unlevel field with carriers increasingly enticed by the financial incentives to push this work overseas. This results in job losses in the U.S. and risks passenger safety.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 900 aircraft maintenance and repair stations have been certified by the FAA outside the U.S., which includes countries such as China, Singapore, and Brazil.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

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SURVEY: Participate in Our Union Communications Study

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May 5, 2022 | Education, Front Page, MNPL, Organizing, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Safety

Let’s Talk: Participate in Our District 141 Communications Study

Communications
5 May 2022

Maintaining open communication channels and an environment that encourages solidarity is critical for unions negotiating industry-leading contracts with billion-dollar firms.

A solid communication strategy allows union members to stay engaged and active. Making sure everyone can see the big picture and the vital role individual members play in the overall success of the union can often hinge on getting the basics of communications right.

Effective union communication can help get everyone on the same page and move forward with solidarity toward the same goal. But, “Getting it Right” in terms of communications isn’t always easy. It takes a lot of work.

Please take a few moments to tell us if we’re getting it right in terms of communication. Are you getting the information you need when you need it? What forms of outreach can we be using to communicate? What can we do better? Let us know by participating in this short Communications Study.

 
 
Take the Survey

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United Airlines Safety Bulletin

United Airlines Safety Bulletin

Mar 18, 2022 | Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Two, Row 2, Safety, United

GSAP Event Review Committee (ERC) team members

Rachel Shultz – Management AO
Ashley Maddox – Management AO
William Salo – IAM District 141
Brian Leifker – IAM District 141
John Woodring – FAA
David Lilja – Program Mgr/Sr. Analyst

 ERC upcoming events 

 The ERC meets Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Ground Safety Action Program News is cooperatively published by United Airlines, IAM, and the FAA. The Ground Safety Action Program (GSAP) is a joint partnership designed to improve the safety of United’s operations by offering the IAM, management, and administrative employees the ability to report safety concerns and/or self-disclose inadvertent Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and company policy violations.

 Feedback welcome!

margaret.shultz@united.com marlon.garciasuarez@united.com
david.lilja@united.com 

File a GSAP at ASAP.UAL.COM OR call the GSAP Hotline at 844-280-ASAP

Scan me to download the My Safety App to your smartphone

My Safety App (MSA): Available now!

We’re excited to introduce the My Safety app (MSA) – a mobile solution for Safety reporting available to AO frontline employees and M&A employees across the company.

MSA is available across all mobile platforms, including MAP devices, TC75 handheld scanners, and all personal mobile devices.

The app provides a user-friendly experience for the submission of GSAP and AO IOR reports directly from your work or personal mobile device. Airport Operations Safety listened to your feedback about the limitations and frustrations associated with the completion of safety reports on desktop computers. We addressed this feedback by partnering with the Digital Technology team to bring mobile safety reporting to the Airport Ops team.

The app was designed from the ground up, using feedback from CS, Ramp, MoveTeam, and IAM union leaders. The same groups were involved in testing the mobile app to ensure proper functionality. Some of the exciting features of the app include voice dictation and photo and video attachments. ETQ (the web-based tool you’ve traditionally accessed through Flying Together) or asap.ual.com will remain fully functional to users and will continue to serve as the database for safety reports.

Employees may file new reports or access old reports on the desktop platform or via the new mobile app.

As a reminder, the use of hand-held electronic devices while operating any motorized vehicle is strictly prohibited.

Get printable copy

Ground Safety Action Program News is cooperatively published by United Airlines, IAM, and the FAA. The Ground Safety Action Program (GSAP) is a joint partnership designed to improve the safety of United’s operations by offering the IAM, management, and administrative employees the ability to report safety concerns and/or self-disclose inadvertent Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and company policy violations.

Your feedback is welcome:

adam.carter@united.com

NLC@united.com

 

File a GSAP at ASAP.UAL.COM OR call the GSAP Hotline at 844-280-ASAP

Scan me to download the My Safety App to your smartphone

14 CFR Part 5 Requirement

Thank you for doing your part in creating a safer environment and helping United comply with 14 CFR Part 5, which requires employees of every Part 121 carrier to communicate hazards and/ safety concerns they identify at work. Your reporting has led to many improvements to policies and procedures, and much-needed technology updates. Keep up the good work!

Current NLC items under review by the Safety Review Committee

1. Flights Departing without Final Weights

Current phase: Investigation

Updated 2/25/22

Flights Departing without Final Weights have been reported and are being processed through the Flight Operations Safety Action Program (FSAP) along with a review by United’s FAA Principal Operations Inspectors (POI) for resolution.

2. PRC Weight Change Errors

Current phase: HI Draft Updated 3/1/22

As a result of multiple GSAP reports related to ATW Weight Changes, AO Safety is currently drafting a passenger weight error discrepancy Hazard ID. The goal of the Hazard Identification is to take a closer look at the errors and determine appropriate mitigations such as adding controls or technology that may help alleviate passenger weight change errors.

3. Difficulty Contacting Stations

Current phase: Project Planning Updated 3/1/22

Both GSAP and DSAP reports have identified occasions where contact information for stations is inaccurate or unavailable. As a result, a project team of subject matter experts is currently looking at a replacement for, or a rebuild of the AGH and Airport Database that is more accurate. The team will also create a process to correct station information in a timely manner. In the meantime, a quarterly audit of the AGH is being conducted to ensure the phone data is updated appropriately.

Get printable copy
Here’s How You Can Honor a Fallen Coworker at the Machinists Union Workers’ Memorial

Here’s How You Can Honor a Fallen Coworker at the Machinists Union Workers’ Memorial

Mar 2, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Safety

Here’s How You Can Honor a Fallen Coworker at the Machinists Union Workers’ Memorial

Safety
2 March 2022

Each year, April 28 is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, a day for us to commemorate the thousands of workers killed, injured, or sickened on the job. Your local can memorialize a fallen member with a personalized brick placed at the IAM Workers Memorial located at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.

CLICK HERE to order personalized brick 

The brick can have two lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line (including spaces on each line) without the logo for $100. There’s also the option to purchase a brick with three lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with the IAM logo for $125.

There’s also the option to purchase a larger brick: an 8×8 can be purchased for $200. This option comes with four lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line without a logo, or with two lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with your own preferred logo or the IAM logo.

If your local has a member who died on the job, a complimentary brick will be place at no cost. Please fill out and submit the Complimentary Brick Order Form.

The IAM Workers’ Memorial was completed in 2001. It was dedicated to the remembrance of those who lost their lives while on the job. The bricks surrounding the Memorial bear the names of fallen members along with bricks donated from lodges and proud members of the IAMAW.

On or around April 28 each year, a ceremony is conducted at the memorial to remember those who lost their lives and rededicate ourselves to the prevention of on the job injury and death to workers.

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The New Safety Shoes at United Are Already Preventing Injuries

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In a report to Congress, a major airline found that a surprising 76% of injuries involving a vehicle resulted in foot injuries and these injuries are expensive. If the financial harm wasn’t enough, the physical toll that an accident, dropped towbar, or tractor tire could do to an errant toe is horrifying.

When United merged with Continental Airlines in 2011, the new airline stopped covering safety shoes. This change meant that employees would have to cover the costs of protective footwear themselves, over $52 – a charge many would forgo. Low-end safety-toe shoes can still cost upwards of $50, with better-quality shoes easily ranging well over $100. For hourly workers, the expense was easy to pass up, especially if the idea of a severe foot injury seemed remote. 

This year, working with the IAM, United is bringing protective footwear back,  and covering virtually all the costs for employees. From now on, ramp workers at United can choose from dozens of name-brand, high-quality safety shoes with composite-toe guards and other safety features. 

The new policy is already showing signs that it has a beneficial impact – both from a safety standpoint and financially. Last week, a ramp worker had stepped off her tractor for a moment when another tractor maneuvering behind her cart suddenly tapped it. The impact of the collision was enough to shove her tractor forward – and over her foot. She was pinned under her vehicle’s weight, unable to pull her foot out from under the front tire. 

She was wearing a new pair of boots purchased through the new program. A coworker rushed to help pull her foot from her boot, which remained pinned under the vehicle. The accident would have injured the front half of her foot had she not been wearing protective footwear. (See photo.)

The composite-toe footwear held up, and she was able to return to work. A representative of United told District 141 safety leadership the injury could have been very severe. It would have certainly cost the airline a lot of money.

“Everyone who works out on the ramp knows about the dangers and risk,” These shoes that the company is providing will give us a better shot at going home in the same condition we came to work in.”

A long-time lead ramp worker himself, Salo added that the new boots don’t just protect from injuries – they also have a lot of other safety features that will come in handy on the ground. “All of them that I’ve looked at also have non-slip soles. I can’t tell you how helpful that is for ramp workers,” he said, adding that fall injuries are one of the most common injuries on the Untied ramp. “Most of them are water-proof, too,” he said. 

Above: While at work at United, a tractor ran over a ramp agents’ foot after a minor collision with another vehicle. With help from coworkers, she was able to get her foot out from under the tire, but her new safety shoe remained pinned until the tractor could be moved. Despite the enormous weight placed on her foot, her shoe did its job and she avoided a potentially serious injury.

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28 January 2022

This week on the 141 Report, the topic is the Ground Safety Action Program at American Airlines. Association Safety Advocates, IAM 141/1776 Dennis Spencer and TWU Local 568 Mitch Lieberman brief the viewers about concerns Association members have with safety reporting at American.

IAM District Lodge 141 Report with Host Dave Lehive is a weekly podcast featuring Machinist Union Members and Allies of the Labor Movement. Our Video report airs every Friday at 2:00 PM EST (1:00 CST) on Facebook and Youtube and is also on Spotify.

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