IAM, United Negotiations Continue in Chicago

IAM, United Negotiations Continue in Chicago

Apr 30, 2022 | Front Page, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

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IAM, United Negotiations Continue in Chicago

 

29 April 2022

Your IAM District 141 Negotiations Committee and United Airlines management representatives continued negotiations this week for over 25,000 workers covered by seven different contracts.

Negotiations progressed nicely this week, as both parties worked diligently towards realizing our shared goal of reaching acceptable tentative agreements by our self-imposed deadline of August 1, 2022.

United management committed to the Union that IAM members’ priorities will be addressed during our next session the week on May 16th in a comprehensive fashion. The Union reiterated to the Company what is needed to successfully conclude these expedited talks, which is industry-best agreements.

While we do not know how the Company will address IAM members’ stated priorities in its comprehensive proposal, we are cautiously optimistic that the Company fully understands IAM members’ needs. Our expectation is that understanding translates into Company proposals that further push this expedited process forward.

As was announced earlier this month, United expects its strongest second-quarter revenue performance in company history, and to be profitable for 2022. United CEO Scott Kirby said the following to investors:

“Our team continues to do an outstanding job of caring for our customers. The demand environment is the strongest it’s been in my 30 years in the industry – and United and its customers will benefit more than any other airline. We’re now seeing clear evidence that the second quarter will be an historic inflection point for our business. It leaves me more optimistic than ever about United’s future.”

CEO Kirby’s statements are welcome news for every dedicated and hardworking United Airlines employee. However, I would add that not only will United and its customers benefit more than any other airline due to the strongest demand environment in Mr. Kirby’s 30 year career, but so will IAM-represented United employees.

You can rest assured that your negotiations committee will remind United management that we are the reason United is in the position to return to profitability.

Negotiations will continue the week of May 16th.

In solidarity,

Your District 141 Negotiating Committee

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

Michael G. Klemm

President & Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141

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

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Justice at JetBlue: Union Organizing is a Federal Right

Justice at JetBlue: Union Organizing is a Federal Right

Apr 28, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Perusals, Row 2

UNIONIZING IS A FEDERAL RIGHT; NO NEED TO BE AFRAID

Justice at JetBlue
28 April 2022

The right to organize and join a union are fundamental employment rights under federal labor laws.

JetBlue management is prohibited under federal law from ever knowing who signed an a-card or how anyone voted in a union election.

  • You have the right to join the union and to ask others to join.
  • You have the right to wear a union pin on the job, so long as it does not carry a controversial slogan or violate company policy or uniform requirements.
  • You have the right to hand out union leaflets on your own time.
  • You have the right to assist in, and encourage others to support, the union, so long as such efforts do not interfere with your work or violate posted company policy.

Here’s what management cannot do:

  • They cannot tell employees that they will fire or punish them if they engage in union activity.
  • They cannot lay-off or discharge any employee for union activity.
  • They cannot bar employee union representatives from soliciting cards or membership during non-work time, in non-work areas.
  • They cannot ask employees about confidential union matters, for example, whether you have signed a card, etc.
  • They cannot ask the employees about whether they support the union or a union representation election.
  • They cannot ask employees how they intend to vote.
  • They cannot threaten employees or coerce them in an attempt to influence their vote, or to prevent them from voting.
  • They cannot tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if the employees vote for a union.
  • They cannot promise or give employees promotions, raises or other benefits if they vote against the union.
  • They cannot prevent you from casting your vote.
  • They cannot know how you voted.

THESE RIGHTS ARE ENFORCEABLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW AND WE SHOULD NOT BE FEARFUL FOR EXERCISING OUR     S

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Study: JetBlue as a Career

Is Ground Operations at JetBlue a good career choice? Do you plan to work at JetBlue long-term? How do you think your time at JetBlue will end? Let us know by participating in our careerism study below.

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Airline Worker Injuries on Rise

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Sep 13, 2023

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United Airlines’ Denver Hiring Spree Draws Hundreds from Guam

United Airlines’ Denver Hiring Spree Draws Hundreds from Guam

Sep 8, 2023

United Airlines officials announced today that 460 residents of Guam have relocated to Denver after accepting positions as ramp agents, following a 2-day job fair held on the island in January.United Airlines' Denver Hiring Spree Draws Hundreds from GuamIAM141.org...

Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Merger Protections

Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Merger Protections

Apr 21, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Legally-Binding Merger Protections

Justice at JetBlue
21 April 2022

The benefits of a Union Contract: legal protections in the event of a merger.

JetBlue’s bid to acquire and merge with Spirit Airlines comes with many questions and uncertainties. Who will run the combined airline? What future guarantees do non-union JetBlue employees have?

Which carrier’s business model will be employed?

As we have seen in merger after merger in the last 15 years, airline executives make a lot of promises to win government approval. But, many of those promises can be broken if workers don’t have a contract to protect them.

A contract guarantees that workers will maintain their employment, seniority, wages, benefits, and working conditions when a merger occurs. Without these protections, management can change almost anything it wants, whether it benefits workers or not.

However, if workers are unionized and have representation, then their rights and interests are represented throughout the process.

For example, in the ten years since American and US Airways merged, IAM- represented workers’ wages have increased by approximately 50%, seniority was integrated fairly and benefits and working conditions greatly improved. After the merger of United and Continental much the same occurred, with about 15,000 pre-merger Continental workers gaining union contracts and the protections afforded by them.

The fact is, only union representation and a legally enforceable contract can provide the much-needed protection that JetBlue GO Crewmembers deserve.

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Study: JetBlue as a Career

Is Ground Operations at JetBlue a good career choice? Do you plan to work at JetBlue long-term? How do you think your time at JetBlue will end? Let us know by participating in our careerism study below.

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United Airlines’ Denver Hiring Spree Draws Hundreds from Guam

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Sep 8, 2023

United Airlines officials announced today that 460 residents of Guam have relocated to Denver after accepting positions as ramp agents, following a 2-day job fair held on the island in January.United Airlines' Denver Hiring Spree Draws Hundreds from GuamIAM141.org...

2022 Officer Nomination Results

2022 Officer Nomination Results

Apr 19, 2022 | Front Page, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

2022 Officer Nominations

In accordance with District 141 ByLaws and all other governing rules, District 141 held nomination votes at each constituent Local Lodge for eligible District officers. The list below contains the results of that nomination process. Listed are the candidates for each position and the Local Lodges that nominated them.

President and Directing General Chair

Michael G Klemm was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Secretary-Treasurer

Alexander Gerulis was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, East

Barbara Martin was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, West

Chris Lusk was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Tony Colina was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Arno Hohn, Jr. was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Vice President, At-Large

Jennifer Jolly was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Rodney Walker was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, Hawaii

Stacey Williams was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Vice President, Guam

Sharon Sugiyama was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Trustee

Tony Licciardi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Trustee

Derrick Monk was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Trustee

Cristina Odoardi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Olu Ajetomobi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Joe Bartz was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mark Baskett was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mitch Buckley was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Kyle Carroll was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Richard Creighton was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Arthur Croker was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Cyscon was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Fairbanks was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Tony Gibson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Victor Hernandez was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Robert Jesel was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mike Maiorino was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Steve Miller was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Andrea’ Myers was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Quartuccio was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Pat Rezler was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Troy Rivera was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Shannon Robello was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Rich Robinson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Terry Stanbury was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Erik Stenberg was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Bill Wilson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Warren Glenn was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

Apr 19, 2022 | COVID, Front Page, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

COVID-19
19 April 2022

Mask mandates have been an inescapable part of air travel for more than two years. A recent study of Machinist Union members in commercial aviation suggests that most airline workers are ready for them to end.

A recent study of Machinists Union views on mask mandates within the airline industry found that most union members are ready to ditch mask mandates. 69% of participants said Federal mask mandates at airports should be lifted “as soon as possible,” with another 6% saying that they should be allowed to expire. Together, 75% of union members participating in the study favored lifting mask mandates. Only 11% thought that Federal authorities should extend mandates for airports. Union members were not anti-mask, however. 29% of respondents said they planned to continue wearing a mask at least part of the time, regardless of whether or not they were mandated. 

The study comes as a federal judge struck down Federal mandates on Monday, citing administrative errors and claiming that the Centers for Disease Control lacked authority to implement such requirements. The rules have been in place since April of 2020, when the CDC first began recommending them, and have been repeatedly extended. Masking rules had been set to expire on April 18 but were extended to May 3. The court ruling means that the mandates will expire at once. International travelers will still need to follow regulations adopted by nations that continue to require masking. 

In the wake of the ruling, all major airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that they would no longer enforce mask rules. Instead, masks will become optional for those who want to wear them for safety reasons. 

“While this means that you are no longer required to wear a mask – and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public – we ask that you respect the decision of those employees or customers who choose to do so, as the CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transit,” United Airlines said in a statement to employees. 

Federal mask mandates have been a sharp trigger point for airline passengers since they were implemented in April of 2020. More than 7,000 attacks on airline workers have been reported since the pandemic began, the vast majority occurring as gate agents and flight crews attempted to enforce masking rules. In a typical year, airlines would only report about 150 such attacks. More than 3,000 attacks have been reported in 2021, a year that is only in its fourth month. 

The Biden Administration has not immediately announced whether or not it will appeal the decision but continues to recommend that passengers wear masks while traveling. The Administration may both allow the mandates to end while at the same time appealing the ruling. 

The decision, handed down by US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, includes a few perplexing statements. While a popular decision among passengers and unionized airline workers, the ruling may nevertheless invite scrutiny. (The decision can be read here.)

In her ruling, Judge Mizelle claims that the Federal governments’ authority to control infectious diseases is limited to “measures that clean something,” since they often use the word “sanitation” in describing the responsibilities of state and local governments. 

“At most,” she wrote of masking, “it traps virus droplets. But it neither ‘sanitizes’ the person wearing the mask nor ‘sanitizes’ the conveyance.” If Congress had intended to use the word “sanitation” as the defendants defined the term, she wrote, the government would gain the power to force people to start “coughing into elbows” and take daily multivitamins. “Wearing a mask means nothing,” she concluded.

She also found that the public was not granted sufficient opportunity to comment on the mandates and that they must be struck down in their entirety due to the difficulty in granting exemptions on a case-by-case basis. Judge Mizelle was rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association. 

The scope of the decision could potentially limit the ability of the CDC to combat viral outbreaks in the future if allowed to stand in its entirety. 

While the flying public and airline workers may prefer a more solid court ruling, the end of masking requirements seems to be a popular and welcome development. 

At least one airline, Alaska Airlines, warns that those passengers who attacked airline workers and other travelers after being told to mask up would still not be allowed back on planes. “Based on our reports, we will have some guests whose behavior was particularly egregious who will remain banned, even after the mask policy is rescinded,” the airline said in a statement released on Monday. 

Read the Decision

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Negotiations Continue in Houston

 

16 April 2022

This week, the IAM District 141 Negotiations Committee and United Airlines continued negotiations in Houston, Texas. Both parties exchanged proposals and responded to open items regarding issues in Articles 1, 4, and 10 in the collective bargaining agreements.

While we hoped to be much further along in this expedited negotiations process, we achieved incremental progress this week. We again reiterated to the Company that IAM-represented workers at United Airlines deserve the industry’s best agreements.

Negotiations will continue the week of April 25th.

In Solidarity,

Your District 141 Negotiating Committee

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

Michael G. Klemm

President & Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141

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

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