First Association vs American Airlines Fleet Arbitration Case

First Association vs American Airlines Fleet Arbitration Case

[supsystic-social-sharing id='4']

First Association vs American Airlines Fleet Arbitration Case

April 20, 2021

The Association presented its first arbitration case.  At issue is the Control Crew Chief work that American Airlines transitioned from Crew Chiefs to management.   Testimony was given by representatives of the TWU and the IAM far-reaching from across the country, from Charlotte to Dallas and Los Angeles to Phoenix. 

The Association strongly defended the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement and our membership.  We anticipate receiving the arbitrator’s decision sometime in mid to late summer.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who was involved in the preparation and presentation of the case, including the  Local Presidents, Assistant General Chairs, Crew Chiefs, Fleet Service Agents, and the law firm of Phillips, Richard, and Rind, P.A.  The firm put on an aggressive, comprehensive, and hard-fought case, as our members deserve.

While this was an Association Fleet dispute, it was fully supported by all elements of our Association.

First Association vs American Airlines Fleet Arbitration Case

Allocator Arbitration

[supsystic-social-sharing id='4']

Allocator Arbitration

February 23, 2021

Sisters and Brothers,

This communication is being shared to address the concerns that will arise from the fact that the Fleet Service “Allocator” Arbitration was not heard today.  We are all well aware of the challenges we face while dealing with this pandemic, but at the same time we have developed proper and safe methods to conduct a hearing like this and we believe this should have happened today.  The information we have received regarding the arbitrator, Steven Crable, was that he was unable to conduct the hearing in person since he has not yet received his second Covid-19 shot.  The Association had agreed in advance to an in-person arbitration, but also that if presenting the case in-person wasn’t a viable option, that video conferencing would be administered. It appears that the company insisted on the in-person ideology, with the arbitrator present with them and the Association presenting our case remotely.  The company’s flawed arbitration philosophy is both completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated, since it would only work to their advantage.

We fully recognize just how important this issue is for our members and that this grievance will be presented and heard in an arbitration. We believe this move by the company is a complete overreach to gain ownership of covered work, which we will argue was never relinquished or negotiated from the Association. It is truly troublesome that a ratified agreement that is nearing its one-year anniversary is continuing to be renegotiated by some individuals in management who have changed positions and were not present at the bargaining table throughout negotiations. This issue, along with a few others, have placed some serious questions around the company’s integrity and understanding of bargaining in good faith; including their ability to understand what they actually agreed to. We will not allow the language in the ratified agreement to be trampled on or dismissed, simply because the carrier can’t accept the true meaning and true intent reached in negotiations. There are mechanisms of protection for our members in the agreement that must be upheld, even if it comes with added cost to the company. 

The Association remains committed to supporting the membership and we will take all required steps necessary to fully represent the contract and the members covered by the agreement. We have constantly recognized and appreciated you, the members, for your support and understanding as we are forced to fight through the growing pains of a new contract. Rest assured, we will never give up fighting for our members’ contractual rights. We will always take the fight where it needs to go and to whom it needs to be with. The rescheduled date for this case to be heard is now March 30 & 31, 2021. The new date was proposed by the arbitrator to the Association and American. As more information is further known, it will be communicated to the membership.

 

 

 

First Association vs American Airlines Fleet Arbitration Case

American to Conduct Recalls

/* Post title separator line with icon */ .dd-spl4 .dd-divider-container { width: 66%; max-width: 800px; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; margin: auto; } .dd-spl4 .dd-sep-holder { flex: 1 1 auto; height: 1px; min-width: 10%; position: relative; } .dd-spl4 .dd-sep-lines { border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-color: #fff; display: block; height: 1px; position: relative; top: 1px; width: 100% } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-holder { margin: 0 5px!important; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner { line-height: 1; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner i { color: #fff; font-size: 27px; height: 1em; width: 1em; text-align: center; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner .et-pb-icon::before { content: "e0dc"; /* Change this to use a different ETModules character */ } /* Social sharing plugin styles */ .dd-spl4 .supsystic-social-sharing a { background-color: #0c0c0d!important; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; } .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.facebook:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.twitter:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.googleplus:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.pinterest:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.delicious:hover { background-color: #0c0c0d!important; opacity: 0.66; } /* increase paragraph padding */ .dd-spl4 .dd-post p { padding-bottom: 2em; } /* style the comment form */ .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form .form-submit { float: none; } .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button, .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button:hover { padding: 9px 20px!important; } /* responsive media queries */ @media only screen and (min-width: 981px) { /* Remove default padding from body area on desktop*/ .single #left-area { padding-bottom: 0; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 479px) { /* remove boxed layout effect on mobile*/ .dd-spl4 .dd-row { width: 100%!important; } }

American to Conduct Recalls

[supsystic-social-sharing id='4']

With the recent approval of the Payroll Support Program (PSP2), we have been working to make sure Association represented employees who were impacted in the October reductions are recalled in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements. After several discussions with American Airlines management, your Association Leadership has been informed that, beginning Tuesday, January 19, 2021, notices for Article (6) preferential recall will be sent via FedEx to those members who were reduced, displaced, bumped or furloughed.

A few key highlights that members need to be aware of:

  • This recall process was not a given and several hours were spent by the Association Leadership working to make sure all affected Association represented employees are recalled to their station in accordance with Article (6) of their Collective Bargaining Agreement where they had Station Protection.
  • Association represented employees who were affected under Article (6) and have remained active may accept preferential recall under Article (6) or they may decline such offer and stay in their current status, classification and location. However, by declining, they will forfeit their Article (6) preferential recall for any future openings.
  •  Association represented employees who were affected under Article (6) and have accepted furlough will also receive preferential recall notices under Article (6). In some locations where furloughed members are being recalled, those furloughed members may choose a Voluntary Personal Leave of Absence (VPLOA), as described in the Collective Bargaining Agreements, where the Company determines the full recalled manpower is not operationally necessary. Such VPLOA is determined by the Company using Classification seniority of those who are recalled from furlough only.
  • Association represented employees who were affected under Article (6) from the Mechanic and Related or Material Logistics Specialists agreements from FLL and SJU will not be recalled at this time and will remain in their current status and location since the Company has determined they do not intend to reopen those two locations at this time.

Association Local & District leaders were briefed on many of these recall details on a conference call yesterday afternoon; however, at that time we did not yet have the date recall notices would be sent out. Please contact these leaders with any questions you may have. We hope this information is helpful and want to thank our members for their solidarity and in welcoming all of these members back to their home stations.

Please Print and Post on All Association Bulletin Boards
Get Printable Copy >>

 

TWU/IAM Association Leads on Relief for Transportation Employees

TWU/IAM Association Leads on Relief for Transportation Employees

/* Post title separator line with icon */ .dd-spl4 .dd-divider-container { width: 66%; max-width: 800px; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; margin: auto; } .dd-spl4 .dd-sep-holder { flex: 1 1 auto; height: 1px; min-width: 10%; position: relative; } .dd-spl4 .dd-sep-lines { border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-color: #fff; display: block; height: 1px; position: relative; top: 1px; width: 100% } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-holder { margin: 0 5px!important; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner { line-height: 1; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner i { color: #fff; font-size: 27px; height: 1em; width: 1em; text-align: center; } .dd-spl4 .dd-icon-inner .et-pb-icon::before { content: "e0dc"; /* Change this to use a different ETModules character */ } /* Social sharing plugin styles */ .dd-spl4 .supsystic-social-sharing a { background-color: #0c0c0d!important; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; } .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.facebook:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.twitter:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.googleplus:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.pinterest:hover, .dd-spl4 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.delicious:hover { background-color: #0c0c0d!important; opacity: 0.66; } /* increase paragraph padding */ .dd-spl4 .dd-post p { padding-bottom: 2em; } /* style the comment form */ .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form .form-submit { float: none; } .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button, .dd-spl4 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button:hover { padding: 9px 20px!important; } /* responsive media queries */ @media only screen and (min-width: 981px) { /* Remove default padding from body area on desktop*/ .single #left-area { padding-bottom: 0; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 479px) { /* remove boxed layout effect on mobile*/ .dd-spl4 .dd-row { width: 100%!important; } }

TWU/IAM Association Leads on Relief for Transportation Employees

[supsystic-social-sharing id='4']
After months of delays and false promises, Congress has finally agreed to another round of much needed COVID economic relief. Although votes are still pending in the House and Senate, the stimulus package has benefits for TWU/IAM Association represented American Airlines employees, as well as important funding for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, assistance to small businesses and additional stimulus checks for individuals who qualify.

“The Association leadership, TWU and IAM membership and our legislative teams have been working tirelessly with other AFL-CIO unions since last May to secure additional relief for our Association members as well as our respective other air and rail members,” said TWU International Executive Vice President Alex Garcia and IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Thousands of TWU and IAM
member emails, phone calls and other meetings with Senators and House members across the country made sure the transportation industry and our Association members were not forgotten in this round of economic relief.”

The new stimulus package includes extended and enhanced unemployment benefits for railroad employees, plus an extension of waiver of the 7-day waiting period. Amtrak is restricted from furloughing additional employees. The passenger rail carrier is also required to recall workers to their former position when rail service is restored and prevents Amtrak from contracting out the work of furloughed
employees.

Important for airline workers is securing an extension to the critical airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) until March 31, 2021. This extension prohibits any airline accepting additional PSP funds from involuntarily furloughing employees for the duration of the program.

The program extension also requires participating airlines to recall the tens of thousands of airline employees furloughed following the expiration of the original PSP program on September 30, 2020. The legislation mandates that any carrier receiving the additional payroll assistance send a recall notice to all involuntarily furloughed employees.

“This is particularly impactful, in a positive way, for our furloughed Association members. Included in the new relief is the requirement that furloughed employees be restored to on payroll status retroactive to December 1 st . We wish this could have been completed before any airline workers were furloughed, but the current dysfunctional Congress made that impossible,” said Garcia and Pantoja. “The Association, TWU and IAM will continue to lead the way among organized labor when the new Congress begins work, advocating that they continue taking steps to help working families and our entire country recover from COVID’s wake of destruction.”

Printable Version >>

Association Responds to American Airlines’ WARN Act Notice

Association Responds to American Airlines’ WARN Act Notice

To: TWU/IAM Membership
From: TWU/IAM Staff
Date: 7.16.2020
RE: WARN Letter

 

This is an informational note to address the fact that American Airlines has issued WARN letters to members of the Association. Let’s start by talking about what a WARN letter is.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) offers: “protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. Advance notice provides workers and their families some transition time to adjust to the prospective loss of employment, to seek and obtain alternative jobs and, if necessary, to enter skill training or retraining that will allow these workers to successfully compete in the job market. WARN also provides for notice to State dislocated worker units so that dislocated worker assistance can be promptly provided.”

American is required by law to issue these letters if there is a possibility of a mass layoff. The issuance of WARN letters does not mean that there absolutely will be a layoff and a WARN letter issued to you does not mean that you absolutely will be laid off. Your TWU/IAM leadership believes that work conditions and contract language will minimize or eliminate layoffs for Association members.

We recognize that these are tough and stressful times. Life does not have many guarantees but we can guarantee that excessive drinking or drug use will NOT fix or solve any of life’s problems. If possible, concentrate on the good things in your life and take good care of yourself through healthy eating, exercise and sleep.

 

Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards.

Get printable copy >>

Association Responds to American Airlines’ WARN Act Notice

American Airlines to Offer Revised Leaves of Absence and Voluntary Early Outs

July 15, 2020

American Airlines will announce today that they are offering ‘enhanced’ Leaves of Absence and Early Outs to Association members. Association leadership discussed these revised offers and made several suggestions that would make them more attractive to our members. Most of the suggestions were not taken.

We advise all of our membership to consider these offers carefully. Each person must weigh the costs and benefits that accepting any of the offers would have on their unique situation. The Company will communicate the offers and provide information relative to them. Questions about the leaves and early-outs should be directed to management. Questions about the contracts should be directed to your union representatives.

In these unprecedented times, we urge all of our members to be safe. We also remind everyone that our solidarity is our greatest asset in both good and turbulent times.

The Association Leadership Team

Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards. 

Get printable copy >>