Houston Locals 2198 and 811 Lobby to Avoid Crowded Busses

Houston Locals 2198 and 811 Lobby to Avoid Crowded Busses

Apr 12, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized | 0 comments

After unions called on authorities to bring down the cost of parking at Houstons’ airports during the COVID-19 outbreak, Airport Commissioner Mario Diaz announced that free parking passes would be issued for airport workers.

Victor Hernandez, Assistant General Chairperson from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141, said, “Our employees park remotely and have to take a bus to the terminal, but these buses are packed like sardines. It is nearly impossible to practice social distancing. Our union asked the city of Houston and Houston airport system to make airport terminal parking available to airport workers at no or low cost, and after weeks of advocacy they listened.”

Hernandez and other Union activists in Houston were able to secure hundreds of free parking passes for airline workers, preventing thousands of dollars in fees. More importantly, it will make the commute to work safer for everyone, including those who do not end up using the passes, since the remaining workers will come to work in busses that are much less crowded. 

“Airport workers would like to express appreciation to Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston airport system director Mario Diaz, and Ian Wadsworth, Chief Commercial Officer of the Houston airport system, for their support,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez and the International Association of Machinists led the advocacy effort for workers at the airport, with support from the Texas Gulf Coast area labor Federation.

Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil said, “this is a great win for the working people keeping Houston’s airports running. Having a union gives workers a voice to speak up for safety protections on the job and protect public health. But it’s just a start. Working families need the city of Houston to adopt bold measures to protect the health of workers and critical industries and provide relief to workers who have lost jobs and hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

District 141 President Mike Klemm also praised the union in Houston, saying, “This work could not have been done by a single person. This is the kind of effort that can only be done in union with other people that share our same goals. This is one more example of outstanding leadership from our front-line sector. I applaud the women and men of Local Lodges 2198 and 811 for getting this done.”

Our Union is facing the COVID-19 Pandemic together. Everyone is pitching in. Nobody can do it alone. Share the hard work that your local lodge, membership, and committees are doing to help protect airline workers and passengers through this crisis. 

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COVID Update: In Memory of Carlos Consuegra

COVID Update: In Memory of Carlos Consuegra

Apr 11, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Safety | 0 comments

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that one of our own, Carlos Consuegra, a Ramp Services Agent at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, passed away from complications related to COVID-19.

Our Brother Carlos was a 12-year veteran at United Airlines who loved his job because it allowed him to travel, something he enjoyed. His daughter Kay described him as a devoted father and a huge sports fan who loved playing and coaching baseball and softball. He also enjoyed singing and karaoke and often took his parents on trips to visit family and close friends. Members of Local 914 remember him as a generous co-worker always willing to share his knowledge with younger members of his team.

Our union family joins his two children, three grandchildren, eight siblings, his parents and his partner in their sorrow. We are doing our best to comfort the family under these difficult circumstances.

Carlos’s passing is a blow to all of us who are facing this unprecedented challenge to our industry and our nation from the front lines. We are in mourning, but this sadness will only strengthen our fight for better protections at work, wider availability of testing and a stronger call to everyone in our communities to do their part to stop the spread of this deadly virus. We must all work harder so we do not have to experience more tragedies like this.

Rest in Peace, Brother Carlos.

In Solidarity,

Mike Klemm
President and Directing General Chair
District 141, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

VIDEO: Make a Face Cover With a Uniform Scarf

VIDEO: Make a Face Cover With a Uniform Scarf

Apr 6, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

CDC recommendations updated to include face coverings.

The Centers for Disease Control continue to study the spread of coronavirus in the United States. Last week, they updated recommendations for people in situations where social distancing can be difficult, such as workplaces like airports or call centers. Wearing a face cover is now encouraged to help slow down the spread of the virus, which can happen even when people are showing no symptoms of the disease. 

Medical grade and one-time-use masks are in short supply and they are urgently needed by healthcare workers. Maintaining a 6-foot distance is still the best way to protect yourself while interacting with others, and using a mask is not a substitute for that practice. The new CDC recommendation however, states that a simple cloth mask is an additional and effective measure. 

Alice Martins from Local 914 in Newark, NJ is working in one of the epicenters of the outbreak of coronavirus. She shared  her video showing how to make a face cover using a United Airlines uniform scarf. All you need is a scarf and two rubber bands – no sewing required! Thank you, Alice!  

What measures are you taking in your city to protect workers from the spread of coronavirus? Let us know in the comments below!

IAMAW District 141 President Mike Klemm on the Stimulus Package: “Help is on the Way.”

IAMAW District 141 President Mike Klemm on the Stimulus Package: “Help is on the Way.”

Mar 26, 2020 | Airlines, American, COVID, EAP, Featured, Front Page, Hawaiian, Home, Home, Philippine, Safety, Spirit, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

Sisters and Brothers,

Working almost around the clock since Monday, the leadership of the House of Representatives and the US Senate engaged in negotiations to produce a historic $2 trillion stimulus bill that provides significant relief to our nation’s health care and transportation workers.

The Senate voted 96-0 last night to adopt the bi-partisan agreement, and it now moves to the House, where it will be introduced by Speaker Pelosi tomorrow and it is expected to pass.

Your actions since the beginning of this crisis, and your quick mobilization this week to contact elected officials in Washington made the difference for every working person in our country. Thanks to you, we are more certain of our future.

 

Once it becomes law, the CARE Act will secure the airline industry and our jobs for the next 6 months as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide loan guarantees to rebuild our nation’s aviation infrastructure for the long term.

 

Key highlights for airline relief include:

 

  • $25 Billion in grants to airlines for payroll assistance. Before Labor’s input, the bill only had a loan program. These grants are EXCLUSIVELY for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries and benefits. Before Labor’s input, this provision did not exist. 
  • No condition to open Collective Bargaining Agreements and enter concessionary  negotiations to receive grants or loans. Before Labor’s input, the Treasury Secretary had the power to impose unlimited conditions for receiving federal funds. Your calls helped us close this major loophole.                                                                                                                  
  • As a condition to receive federal grant funds, a carrier must refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs until September 30, 2020. Before Labor’s input, this important provision did not exist.
  • Prohibition on stock buybacks and dividend payments until September 30, 2021, and limits on executive compensation and “golden parachutes.” Neither of these requirements existed before our Labor negotiators insisted on them.

I also want to remind our Brothers and Sisters at American Airlines that the ratification vote for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement will close tonight at 8:00 Eastern Standard Time. You can find information at the Association Website if you have questions or are having difficulty voting. Please take a few minutes to make your voice heard.

Thank you again for your dedication and professionalism. In these most difficult circumstances, you are showing up every day to get our customers where they need to go. We are not out of the woods yet, by a long shot, but if we continue to speak up, show up, and take care of ourselves and each other, we will overcome this crisis.

Please make sure you take time to unwind, and try to get enough rest. Our EAP Representatives are always available at https://iam141.org/employee-assistance-program/

In Solidarity, 

Mike Klemm,
President and Directing General Chair, 
District 141, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

 

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IAMAW District 141 PDGC Mike Klemm Calls for Immediate Action to Save Airline Jobs

IAMAW District 141 PDGC Mike Klemm Calls for Immediate Action to Save Airline Jobs

Mar 18, 2020 | Airlines, American, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Hawaiian, Home, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Philippine, Safety, Safety, Spirit, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

IAMAW District 141 /////

Sisters and Brothers,

In recent weeks, many of you have contacted your local union representatives, Assistant General Chairpersons or me directly to express your fears of possible pay cuts, furloughs or the likelihood of your carrier going bankrupt or completely out of business. You have good reasons to be concerned.

The airline industry is facing an existential threat from a global pandemic. The spread of the Coronavirus across continents has resulted in a decrease in demand for air travel by two-thirds worldwide, with at least one airline going out of business. For over two months, airline workers have worked on the front lines of the crisis, and you have adapted to reductions in flight schedules, last-minute policy changes, and have worried about how to best protect your personal health and safety. The worst part is the unease that comes from not seeing a clear end to this crisis.

As airlines announce more cuts in service, IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja said today that “US carriers are contemplating further capacity cuts or shutting down operations altogether, which only a month ago was unimaginable.”

The President of the United States and members of Congress are discussing how they can best help the airline industry, which is the backbone of our nation’s economy. There are several ideas being considered, and we support any action that helps workers quickly and directly. As workers, we need to unite and say with a clear and strong voice that the need is great and immediate.

I urge you to call your representatives today at 202-224-3121 and ask them to take any action necessary to save our airline jobs.

Click here to send a message to your Federal Representatives:

Please act today to protect your job and those of thousands of airline workers and millions more who depend on our industry for their livelihoods. Many of you are applying for voluntary leaves and reductions in schedules, which shows how committed we are to get through this crisis together. I ask that we work with our elected officials to make sure no one gets left behind.

Thank you for your activism and solidarity.

Fraternally,

 

Mike Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

 

Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards.
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URGENT: Tell Congress to Save Airline Jobs

URGENT: Tell Congress to Save Airline Jobs

Mar 17, 2020 | Airlines, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety | 0 comments

IAMAW Transportation Territory ///

Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

In response to the unprecedented destruction of demand for air travel due to COVID-19, US airlines are considering draconian measures to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. US airlines have slashed capacity by up to 65 percent worldwide due to a drastic decrease in demand for air travel caused by COVID-19 and are mulling a complete shutdown.

US airlines have seen sharp declines in revenue caused by decreased demand. Carriers are bleeding and US airlines could be out of cash by the end of May.

 

Send a Message to Congress Now

 

“US carriers are contemplating further capacity cuts or shutting down operations altogether, which only a month ago was unimaginable,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “I call on Congress to act now and help the US airline industry and its employees survive this crisis. We need every airline worker to contact their elected officials today and demand the same.”

Currently, US Lawmakers are considering whether or not to provide emergency financial help for airlines, worth billions of dollars. This help is urgently needed. As union members, we need to act fast to protect our industry and make sure that lawmakers take immediate action. 

Here’s how you can help now:

1) Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to take any action necessary to save our airline jobs.

 

“This is the worst crisis ever seen in the airline industry, by far,” continued Pantoja. “We need immediate action. Hundreds of thousands of good middle-class jobs are at risk, as are our nation’s airlines through no fault of their making. Every airline industry job is in imminent jeopardy. Do not wait. Contact your representatives immediately to save our industry and our jobs.”

All IAM members must act today and call their elected representatives and demand action be taken to save hundreds of thousands of US airline jobs.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (District 141) Legislative Department works to keep lawmakers and public decision-makers informed about the things that are important to aerospace and airline workers. You can become a supporting member of the IAM141 MNPL by signing up for recurring donations of any amount today. Every dollar helps.