Airline Labor Seeks Payroll Support Program Extension

Airline Labor Seeks Payroll Support Program Extension

Jun 27, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Home, MNPL, Row 2 | 1 comment

Three months ago I wrote to the membership stating we were about to face a situation unparalleled in our lifetime due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that nobody could accurately predict what would come next. The picture is now starting to get clearer, and it is not pretty. 
In response to societal restrictions and the unprecedented global economic collapse, commercial air service has been cut dramatically. Only through an intense lobbying effort led by the Machinists Union, our membership and our Legislative Department did transportation unions secure early in the crisis pay and job protection for most airline employees through the CARES Act.
When the CARES Act job and pay protection we secured expires on October 1, the number of IAM members furloughed could easily rise into the tens of thousands, literally overnight. Although passengers are slowly returning to the sky, the industry’s downturn will last far beyond CARES Act protections.
Today, the Machinists Union and other airline unions sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership to pass a clean extension of the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) contained in the CARES Act until March 31, 2021. I ask each IAM member to follow up and engage your representatives in Washington. You can contact your representatives to explain the importance of saving our workforce by clicking here.
Specifically, we are asking for:
  • Increase PSP funding levels by an additional $32 billion (covering six months)
  • Extend requirements relating to involuntary furloughs, share repurchases, dividend payments, and collective bargaining agreements to March 31, 2021
  • Require Treasury to immediately disburse funds to every air carrier and contractor that executed a Payroll Support Program Agreement, an amount equal to their current payroll support.
Nobody likes to ask the government for assistance, but without additional intervention, I fear a repeat of the multiple airline bankruptcies that marked the opening of this century. Tens of thousands of IAM families, hundreds of thousands of airline families from outside our union, will soon be faced with devastating job loss unless action is taken.

 

In solidarity,

Sito Pantoja

General Vice President IAM Transportation Department

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Video Report: A Conversation With IAM141 Education Director, Mac McGovern

Video Report: A Conversation With IAM141 Education Director, Mac McGovern

Jun 26, 2020 | Education, Featured, Front Page, Row 2, Video | 0 comments

Video Report: A Conversation with Education Director, Mac McGovern.

Today’s guest is IAMAW District 141 Education Director, Mac McGovern. A staunch union supporter, Mac’s journey began years ago, after graduating from High School in 1978. While pursuing a career as a hard rock singer, Mac worked various jobs to cover the bills. One of these was on Wall Street, where Mac was first introduced to United Airlines.

After moving from Hollywood, California, Mac began working at UPS, eventually studying computer programing at the Job Institute. He began working at United Airlines part-time in 1992, and when he was offered a full-time position at both United and UPS, he chose to go with United Airlines.

Mac became involved with the Employee Assistance Program in 1998, later becoming a shop steward. He was elected President of Local Lodge 914 in late 2000. He attended his first class at the Winpisinger Center, which had a class for all Local Lodge Presidents.

Mac drove to the center with fellow Local Lodge President from 1322, Richie Chu, who had become a union mentor to him. 

Brother Chu was a District 141 Educator, and took Mac with him to a Steward Class that he was doing in Albany, NY., when someone cancelled on him at the last minute. It was there that Mac learned that he not only wanted to help members of his local, but that he also had a passion for education and teaching. 

In 2004, Brother Rudy Asuncion asked Mac to become his Regional EAP Coordinator, which was a newly-created position. This made Mac a Local Lodge 914 President, an EAP Northeast Regional Coordinator, a District Educator, and soon after would become part of the EWR Grievance Committee. 

In 2009, he got a call from then-District 141 President, Rich Delaney asking him if he would join the United Airlines contract negotiations team. 

After Asuncion retired and left United Airlines, President Delaney appointed Mac United Airlines Chair of District EAP. Mac remained in that role until current IAMAW District 141 President Mike Klemm asked Mac to become the Director of Education. 

IAMAW District 141 Director of Education, Mike “Mac” McGovern.

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To find out about scheduling training at your location, Contact Mike “Mac” McGovern, Director of Education. Your Local Lodge will coordinate with Mac and your AGC or Committee Person, to determine who will attend specific training in your area.

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IP Martinez Addresses Racial Justice, Voting Rights and COVID-19

IP Martinez Addresses Racial Justice, Voting Rights and COVID-19

Jun 25, 2020 | COVID, Front Page, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

As IAM members continue to bravely confront the coronavirus crisis, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., remotely attended IAM District 751’s 2020 Membership Conference.

With the theme of “Winning the Vote! Centennial of Women Winning the Right to Vote and the Role of Labor and Race in This Continuing Struggle,” the virtual event took place June 13, 2020 with Martinez, IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer April Sims, civil rights activist Bill Fletcher, along with hundreds of attendees participating via live video stream.

The protests, turmoil and calls for justice following the killing of George Floyd gave the conference even more importance and timeliness.

“As we speak right now, I feel a real change coming to our country,” said Martinez. “I see people of all races marching, speaking up and speaking out together for a better world, and demanding that justice finally be done. We are here today to turn those calls into action to use our collective voices and our votes to make real, lasting change, just like we have so many times in the history of our union.”

“The IAM has always and will forevermore fight for the rights of those who are oppressed. We fight for equal rights for women, minorities, and all people of color,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The struggle for justice and equality will always be the labor movements guiding principle.  The victories we pursue and the goals we aspire to achieve regarding equal rights for all can only be attained at the ballot box. Once we elect someone it’s only the beginning, as we must hold all politicians accountable.”

The conference was hosted by the District 751 Human Rights, Labor History, Women’s and Legislative Committees. It celebrated women winning the right to vote and emphasized the continued importance of insuring voting rights.

“We appreciate everyone that participated in our conference. It is always important to share the struggles we have come through in our history in order to identify how far we have come and how far we still have to go,” said District 751 President Jon Holden. “Even though much progress has been made for Voting Rights we have much work still ahead of us across the country.

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“It is hard to believe that nearly 250 years after the birth of our nation, we are still fighting for equality and the right to vote for everyone,” said Martinez. “This struggle goes to the very core of our democracy.”

Martinez took the opportunity to address District 751 members on the IAM’s ongoing efforts in Washington, DC to protect workers as a result of COVID-19.

“We have been relentless in lobbying Congress to provide federal unemployment relief for the millions of our brothers and sisters that are out of work. We have made certain that companies that get relief, give that relief to their workers instead of pocketing it for the CEOs and other executives,” said Martinez.

IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

Machinists Union Joins Call for Police Reform, Racial Justice

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Texas and California Governors’ Warning: Wear Your Masks or Risk Another Full Shutdown

Texas and California Governors’ Warning: Wear Your Masks or Risk Another Full Shutdown

Jun 24, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, MNPL, Row 2, Safety, Uncategorized | 0 comments

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The governors of California and Texas, two big states with major airline hubs in them, say residents need to start wearing masks and taking COVID-19 seriously, or the states might be forced to shut back down. 

Pre-pandemic, an estimated 143.6 million air passengers traveled to and from destinations in California and Texas each day. This accounts for more than half of all daily air travelers in the United States in 2019. Destinations in California accounted for more than 80 million passengers per day before state officials mandated shut-downs to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Texas is home to the headquarters for Southwest and American Airlines, and is also one of the largest hubs for United Airlines, which combined carried over 60 million passengers per day in 2019. 

A return to widespread closures in either state would deal yet another serious blow to commercial aviation in the US, forcing major airlines to shrink for the long term, and would kill regional carriers outright.

In a statement released this week, Governor Gavin Newsom of California said the state currently had enough hospital space to handle the exploding numbers of COVID patients, but a continued upward trend in cases would overwhelm the system.   

This week, California officials reported over 184,765 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with over 5,500 deaths. The state is struggling to reopen for business and prepare for the new school year to begin in August. Some school districts are trying to open early to make up for lost learning time in the spring. 

“California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations,” Newsom said in a press conference. “That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands, and practicing physical distancing.” 

However, with too many people ignoring the recommendations, and no sign of the pandemic waning in the state, on June 18th Newsom issued an order that requires all Californians to wear a face-covering when in public. Since early April, similar mandates have been put in place by governors in 14 states and the District of Columbia. 

The new policy creates a more standardized response in California, which previously had a range of different regional and municipal rules in place. Some counties had strict rules regarding masks and face coverings, while others were being withdrawn or scaled back due to public protests and outcry, including death threats.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott scolded “20-somethings” for not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. 

“Over the past week or so, really for the month of June, we have seen an increase in the number of people in their 20s testing positive,” the Republican governor said in an interview with KLBK in Dallas which aired on Monday.

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“We believe that a lot of people have let down their guard,” said the governor. “The summer’s here. Things are opening up. They feel like they can go out without having to wear a face mask. And they are not realizing this very important fact: COVID-19 still exists in Texas, in America and across the globe.”

The Texas governor has not issued a state order requiring face coverings, but has approved policies that mandate masks for employees and customers in businesses in several counties and municipalities, including Austin, the state capital. “I know some people feel that wearing a mask is inconvenient or an infringement of freedom, but I also know that wearing a mask will keep Texas open,” he said. In Houston, individuals that ignore the requirement to wear a face covering may not face any fines – but the businesses they visit are. Stores, bars, and other businesses are subject to a $1,000 fine per violation if they allow customers or employees without face coverings on their property. 

Governor Abbott said the health systems were handling the patient volumes well overall, but noted that the rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 has doubled since Memorial Day. NPR reported that the demand for hospital beds in the Houston area has increased to the point that the Texas Children’s Hospital is now admitting adult patients. 

The governor stressed that closing Texas down again would always be a “last resort,” but also said that if people failed to wear masks, practice safe social distancing and basic personal hygiene, the state may soon have to consider more severe measures to deal with the pandemic.

On Tuesday, Governor Abbott announced that 5,489 new COVID-19 cases, an all-time high, had been confirmed by health authorities in the state. Texas now has a total of 120,370 confirmed COVID-19 cases, trailing New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois.

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Machinists, Labor Coalition Call on Congress to Protect Democracy Amid Pandemic

Machinists, Labor Coalition Call on Congress to Protect Democracy Amid Pandemic

Jun 22, 2020 | COVID, Front Page, Row 2, Safety, Safety | 0 comments

The IAM joined other labor organizations representing millions of workers across North America calling on Congress to protect every citizen’s right to vote during these unstable times. The coalition is encouraging expanded online voter registration, extended early voting periods with safe and sanitized polling places, and increased vote-by-mail opportunities.

In a letter addressed to U.S. Senate and House leaders and sent to every member of Congress, the unions urged lawmakers to pass legislation ensuring every eligible voter is able to participate in the 2020 election amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The challenges of COVID-19 and the calls to make bold changes to the institutions of our society must start with ensuring that no voter should have to choose between their health or participating in our democracy,” the union wrote.

The unions also demand Congress address the issue of racial injustices throughout the country, including in the form of voter suppression.

“During this time of recurring social and economic disparities laid bare as a result of this pandemic, the urgency for legislation to protect and expand voting rights is also coupled with the moment of national mourning of racial injustices and the widespread mobilization against it,” the union wrote. “Voting rights and the fight for racial justice are deeply interconnected.”

 

Read the full letter here.

 

 

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A Conversation With Safety Advocate, Danny Schwarz

A Conversation With Safety Advocate, Danny Schwarz

Jun 19, 2020 | Row 2, Safety, Uncategorized, Video | 1 comment

A Conversation with Safety Advocate and Attorney, Danny Schwarz

Danny Schwarz has established himself as a fierce enforcer of workplace safety, and a dedicated defender of airline and airport workers.

His pioneering work is forcing employers to eliminate poorly maintained and unsafe equipment and maintain a safe work environment. In a half-century of taking on billion-dollar corporate giants in court, Danny Schwarz and his firm had noticed disturbing industry injury trends, which they began to track. In response to these alarming injury trends, Danny Schwarz developed a groundbreaking program to report and track repetitive workplace injuries. The Safety System Danny created collects specific information obtained from OSHA and industry activists like us. The data can then be used to protect the safety of workers … and hold employers accountable.

Today, Danny Schwarz is helping OSHA to modernize and digitize many of its record-keeping systems in a project overseen by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. 

Need More Information?

National Group Protection offers airline workers a wide variety of supplemental insurance options. Find out more at the National Group Protection website.

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