FAA Reauthorization Act Receives Broad Support in House

FAA Reauthorization Act Receives Broad Support in House

Jul 31, 2023 | Front Page, MNPL, Other News, Perusals, Recent News, Row 2

FAA Reauthorization Act Receives Broad Support in House

IAM141.org
July 31, 2023

The IAM applauded the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023 in the House of Representatives.

This month, the House of Representatives approved the “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” (H.R. 3935). This Act is a bill to renew and modernize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and includes vital provisions that will improve aviation safety for the next five years. The bill received broad support from both political parties, passing the House with a vote of 351 to 69.

The Act still has to pass the Senate before it becomes law. 

Improves Efficiency at the Federal Aviation Administration

The bill aims to improve how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) works. The way the FAA currently operates is inadequate for the post-pandemic surge in air travel. The bill will make the FAA more efficient and simplify existing regulations, making air travel faster and more reliable for millions. 

Grows the Aviation Workforce

Commercial aviation has a severe shortage of workers, leading to flight delays, cancellations, and overall poor service for travelers. Staffing shortages are most acute among ground and gate agents, pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. This bill helps solve the problem of inadequate staffing by making it easier for people to start careers in aviation. 

Enhances the Passenger Experience

Thanks to the hard work of airline agents, the aviation system can often function without incident – despite record levels of air travelers straining the system. However, too often, passengers can experience one weak segment of their journey, leading to cascading problems that can ruin the entire trip. This bill will make air travel more reliable for all aspects of air travel. 

Upholds America’s Gold Standard in Safety

America’s aviation system is the safest mode of travel on Earth. But, it must be continually updated and modernized to stay ahead of new and emerging safety concerns. This bill will ensure that American civil aviation is the best in the world by addressing these new threats, including the recent uptick in runway incursions.

The bill will also ensure that foreign air carriers operating in the United States do not undermine labor rights or safety standards, and it will authorize a study to find solutions to improve safety for airline ramp workers. The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League has been fighting for these measures and policy changes for years. 

“We are not just leaders in the aviation industry; we are the guardians of safety, fairness, and respect,” said District President Mike Klemm. “This bill is a significant step forward in protecting those values.”

Mike Klemm is the President of the largest single group of airline workers in the Machinists Union, which, in turn, includes the largest group of unified aviation workers in North America. 

“While the bill, H.R. 3935, does not address all the IAM’s demands in an FAA reauthorization package, it does include several of our requested provisions and will ultimately help improve the safety and working conditions of our air transport members,” wrote Machinists Union International President, Robert Martinez. “This includes improved cabin air quality, robust airplane maintenance standards, and efforts to help thwart the unfortunate string of airline worker assaults and deaths in recent years.”

The Machinists Union joined a coalition of aviation-sector unions led by The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), opposing raising the retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67 years. The groups argued that creating such a retirement age change would put the U.S. out of compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is included in a spate of international treaties overseen by the United Nations. Existing rules require most pilots to retire at age 65.

“We are pleased that the House has passed this important legislation,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. Johnsen is head of the largest collection of unified airline workers in the Machinists Union, which includes unified workers at United, American, Hawaiian, and Spirit Airlines. 

“This bill will help ensure that the FAA has the resources to keep our skies safe and IAM air transport members protected from violence and abuse. We continue to stand in solidarity with ALPA to ensure the retirement age for pilots remains at 65. We now look to the Senate to pass this reauthorization package and get it signed into law.”

“This is a major win for us,” said District Legislative Director David Roderick. “But I assure you that our work is far from done,” he said. “This crucial bill is now moving to the Senate. We, at the IAM, remain committed to working with members of the Senate to make certain this vital legislation gets passed. We will not rest until our airline workers reap the benefits they rightly deserve.”

 

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FAA Reauthorization Act Receives Broad Support in House

July 31, 2023

The IAM applauded the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023 in the House of Representatives.

This month, the House of Representatives approved the “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” (H.R. 3935). This Act is a bill to renew and modernize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and includes vital provisions that will improve aviation safety for the next five years. The bill received broad support from both political parties, passing the House with a vote of 351 to 69.

The Act still has to pass the Senate before it becomes law. 

Improves Efficiency at the Federal Aviation Administration

The bill aims to improve how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) works. The way the FAA currently operates is inadequate for the post-pandemic surge in air travel. The bill will make the FAA more efficient and simplify existing regulations, making air travel faster and more reliable for millions. 

Grows the Aviation Workforce

Commercial aviation has a severe shortage of workers, leading to flight delays, cancellations, and overall poor service for travelers. Staffing shortages are most acute among ground and gate agents, pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. This bill helps solve the problem of inadequate staffing by making it easier for people to start careers in aviation. 

Enhances the Passenger Experience

Thanks to the hard work of airline agents, the aviation system can often function without incident – despite record levels of air travelers straining the system. However, too often, passengers can experience one weak segment of their journey, leading to cascading problems that can ruin the entire trip. This bill will make air travel more reliable for all aspects of air travel. 

Upholds America’s Gold Standard in Safety

America’s aviation system is the safest mode of travel on Earth. But, it must be continually updated and modernized to stay ahead of new and emerging safety concerns. This bill will ensure that American civil aviation is the best in the world by addressing these new threats, including the recent uptick in runway incursions.

The bill will also ensure that foreign air carriers operating in the United States do not undermine labor rights or safety standards, and it will authorize a study to find solutions to improve safety for airline ramp workers. The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League has been fighting for these measures and policy changes for years. 

“We are not just leaders in the aviation industry; we are the guardians of safety, fairness, and respect,” said District President Mike Klemm. “This bill is a significant step forward in protecting those values.”

Mike Klemm is the President of the largest single group of airline workers in the Machinists Union, which, in turn, includes the largest group of unified aviation workers in North America. 

“While the bill, H.R. 3935, does not address all the IAM’s demands in an FAA reauthorization package, it does include several of our requested provisions and will ultimately help improve the safety and working conditions of our air transport members,” wrote Machinists Union International President, Robert Martinez. “This includes improved cabin air quality, robust airplane maintenance standards, and efforts to help thwart the unfortunate string of airline worker assaults and deaths in recent years.”

The Machinists Union joined a coalition of aviation-sector unions led by The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), opposing raising the retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67 years. The groups argued that creating such a retirement age change would put the U.S. out of compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is included in a spate of international treaties overseen by the United Nations. Existing rules require most pilots to retire at age 65.

“We are pleased that the House has passed this important legislation,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. Johnsen is head of the largest collection of unified airline workers in the Machinists Union, which includes unified workers at United, American, Hawaiian, and Spirit Airlines. 

“This bill will help ensure that the FAA has the resources to keep our skies safe and IAM air transport members protected from violence and abuse. We continue to stand in solidarity with ALPA to ensure the retirement age for pilots remains at 65. We now look to the Senate to pass this reauthorization package and get it signed into law.”

“This is a major win for us,” said District Legislative Director David Roderick. “But I assure you that our work is far from done,” he said. “This crucial bill is now moving to the Senate. We, at the IAM, remain committed to working with members of the Senate to make certain this vital legislation gets passed. We will not rest until our airline workers reap the benefits they rightly deserve.”

 

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Here’s the Difference Between Heat Stress, Exhaustion, and Stroke

Here’s the Difference Between Heat Stress, Exhaustion, and Stroke

Jul 18, 2023 | Featured News, Front Page, Other News, Recent News, Row 2, Safety

Here’s the Difference Between Heat Stress, Exhaustion, and Stroke

IAM141.org
July 18, 2023

Heat-related injuries and sickness can often be hard to understand because the words used to describe them can be tricky. With hot weather warnings in the U.S., it’s crucial to understand terms like heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Think about a hot day at the beach when the temperature is around 90°F. It feels great until you start doing something that makes your body work hard, like gardening, hiking, or running for the bus. This effort makes your body temperature go up. Your heart tries to help by sending more blood to your skin, where it cools down thanks to your sweat. But if you can’t sweat because you’re dehydrated, if the air is too humid for sweat to evaporate, or if it’s just too hot for your body to handle, you could get heat injuries or sickness.

If you feel that your work area is vulnerable to heat injuries, you can take action. File a safety report and help protect your coworkers.
+ File a Safety Report

Heat Stress

“Heat stress” is a term for any problem that happens when you’re active in hot weather. Symptoms like heat rash, cramps, dizziness, or fainting are signs that your body is having trouble cooling down. If you don’t do something about it, heat stress could turn into something more serious, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

If you’re suffering from heat stress, you should stop what you’re doing, find a cooler, shady place, and slowly drink water or clear juice. Cramps usually happen when your body has lost too much water and salts through sweating. Drinks like Gatorade or Pedialyte can help replace these, but avoid energy drinks since caffeine can cause dehydration. If the cramps don’t get better within an hour, or if you have heart problems or need to limit your salt intake, you should go to the clinic or see a doctor.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body has lost too much water and salts because of sweating. You might feel sick, vomit, faint, slur your words, feel weak, get a headache, feel irritable, have clammy skin, and your body temperature might increase. If you get heat exhaustion many times, it can hurt your organs, especially your kidneys. Very bad heat exhaustion can cause muscle breakdown that can lead to heart rhythm problems, seizures, and damage to your kidneys.

If you or someone else has heat exhaustion, you should move to a cool place (with air conditioning if possible) and take small sips of cool liquids. Call 911 if you can’t get the person to a clinic or emergency room. Take off shoes, socks, and any tight or heavy clothes, and use water or cold compresses on the head, face, neck, and wrists.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the worst kind of heat sickness. It happens when your body can’t control its temperature and gets hotter than 104°F. You might stop sweating, and your body temperature can reach 108°F in just 10-15 minutes. Other symptoms can include passing out, having seizures, or acting strangely without quick medical help, which could include a cold IV drip; heat stroke can cause disability or death in a few hours.

Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, can be serious and life-threatening if not properly addressed. It’s crucial to stay hydrated, take breaks, and seek cool environments when spending time in the heat. Should symptoms of any heat-related illness appear, take immediate action and seek medical attention if necessary. Stay safe and informed during the hot weather, because understanding these conditions can make a significant difference in your health and well-being.

Remember, if you see anyone suffering from heat related injuries, it is important to file a GSAP, GSIP, or equivalent safety report as soon as it is safe to do so. GSAP and GSIP reports are non-punitive, and offer the best way to protect your work area from safety hazards such as heat-related injuries. 

+ File a Safety Report

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Here’s the Difference Between Heat Stress, Exhaustion, and Stroke

July 18, 2023

Heat-related injuries and sickness can often be hard to understand because the words used to describe them can be tricky. With hot weather warnings in the U.S., it’s crucial to understand terms like heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Think about a hot day at the beach when the temperature is around 90°F. It feels great until you start doing something that makes your body work hard, like gardening, hiking, or running for the bus. This effort makes your body temperature go up. Your heart tries to help by sending more blood to your skin, where it cools down thanks to your sweat. But if you can’t sweat because you’re dehydrated, if the air is too humid for sweat to evaporate, or if it’s just too hot for your body to handle, you could get heat injuries or sickness.

If you feel that your work area is vulnerable to heat injuries, you can take action. File a safety report and help protect your coworkers.
+ File a Safety Report

Heat Stress

“Heat stress” is a term for any problem that happens when you’re active in hot weather. Symptoms like heat rash, cramps, dizziness, or fainting are signs that your body is having trouble cooling down. If you don’t do something about it, heat stress could turn into something more serious, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

If you’re suffering from heat stress, you should stop what you’re doing, find a cooler, shady place, and slowly drink water or clear juice. Cramps usually happen when your body has lost too much water and salts through sweating. Drinks like Gatorade or Pedialyte can help replace these, but avoid energy drinks since caffeine can cause dehydration. If the cramps don’t get better within an hour, or if you have heart problems or need to limit your salt intake, you should go to the clinic or see a doctor.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body has lost too much water and salts because of sweating. You might feel sick, vomit, faint, slur your words, feel weak, get a headache, feel irritable, have clammy skin, and your body temperature might increase. If you get heat exhaustion many times, it can hurt your organs, especially your kidneys. Very bad heat exhaustion can cause muscle breakdown that can lead to heart rhythm problems, seizures, and damage to your kidneys.

If you or someone else has heat exhaustion, you should move to a cool place (with air conditioning if possible) and take small sips of cool liquids. Call 911 if you can’t get the person to a clinic or emergency room. Take off shoes, socks, and any tight or heavy clothes, and use water or cold compresses on the head, face, neck, and wrists.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the worst kind of heat sickness. It happens when your body can’t control its temperature and gets hotter than 104°F. You might stop sweating, and your body temperature can reach 108°F in just 10-15 minutes. Other symptoms can include passing out, having seizures, or acting strangely without quick medical help, which could include a cold IV drip; heat stroke can cause disability or death in a few hours.

Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, can be serious and life-threatening if not properly addressed. It’s crucial to stay hydrated, take breaks, and seek cool environments when spending time in the heat. Should symptoms of any heat-related illness appear, take immediate action and seek medical attention if necessary. Stay safe and informed during the hot weather, because understanding these conditions can make a significant difference in your health and well-being.

Remember, if you see anyone suffering from heat related injuries, it is important to file a GSAP, GSIP, or equivalent safety report as soon as it is safe to do so. GSAP and GSIP reports are non-punitive, and offer the best way to protect your work area from safety hazards such as heat-related injuries. 

+ File a Safety Report

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Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

Jul 3, 2023 | Community Service, Education, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Other News, Recent News, Row 2

Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

IAM141.org
July 2, 2023

Calling all members of Machinists Union District 141! If you’ve ever considered continuing your education or know someone who is, now is the time to take advantage of the unique opportunity before you – the 2023 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition. This is no ordinary competition; there’s an abundance of unclaimed scholarship money waiting for worthy candidates. Thousands of dollars are up for grabs and could go home with you or a family member!

Currently, more scholarships are available than entries, which means your odds of securing one are higher than ever. The deadline to submit entries is fast approaching: midnight, July 15, 2023. So, we strongly urge you to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keyboard, and get your entries in!

The scholarship is open to children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members who’ve been in good standing for a year or more (as of June 1, 2022) in District Lodge 141. These members should be graduating high school seniors or enrolled full-time in a college or trade school. Our members enrolled in college or trade school, taking at least six units per semester, are also eligible to enter the competition. Only one award per family is allowed. And, if you’ve already won a scholarship, you’ll have to sit this it out. 

The 2023 essay competition asks you to delve into the subject, “Public approval of labor unions among the U.S. public is at its highest level since 1965, according to a new Gallup poll. Are U.S. labor unions making a comeback? Yes or no? Why?” Your essay must be between 700 to 1,000 words and submitted as a Microsoft Word document to dan@bleicomm.com. Please include a recent photograph of yourself, place the title and your name at the top of the document, and include a bibliography of sources for your essay material. To ensure that the work submitted is entirely yours – authenticity matters!

The awards are too big to miss. One overall winner will be awarded $2,000, and six placement winners will each receive $1,000. The winners will be announced around August 1, 2023, after careful and impartial judgment by an outside Scholarship Committee chaired by Daniel Brin.

The winning contestants will be honored at a local lodge ceremony and published by Machinists Union District 141. 

This is a tremendous opportunity to let your voice be heard, gain recognition, and secure funding for your education. So why wait? 

Take up your metaphorical pen and begin crafting your thoughts. We look forward to reading your entries! Don’t let this opportunity and the unclaimed scholarship money go to waste. Hurry, the competition ends soon!

Official Rules
Check Out Our Podcast! Will $$$ Go Unclaimed?

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Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

July 2, 2023

Calling all members of Machinists Union District 141! If you’ve ever considered continuing your education or know someone who is, now is the time to take advantage of the unique opportunity before you – the 2023 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition. This is no ordinary competition; there’s an abundance of unclaimed scholarship money waiting for worthy candidates. Thousands of dollars are up for grabs and could go home with you or a family member!

Currently, more scholarships are available than entries, which means your odds of securing one are higher than ever. The deadline to submit entries is fast approaching: midnight, July 15, 2023. So, we strongly urge you to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keyboard, and get your entries in!

The scholarship is open to children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members who’ve been in good standing for a year or more (as of June 1, 2022) in District Lodge 141. These members should be graduating high school seniors or enrolled full-time in a college or trade school. Our members enrolled in college or trade school, taking at least six units per semester, are also eligible to enter the competition. Only one award per family is allowed. And, if you’ve already won a scholarship, you’ll have to sit this it out. 

The 2023 essay competition asks you to delve into the subject, “Public approval of labor unions among the U.S. public is at its highest level since 1965, according to a new Gallup poll. Are U.S. labor unions making a comeback? Yes or no? Why?” Your essay must be between 700 to 1,000 words and submitted as a Microsoft Word document to dan@bleicomm.com. Please include a recent photograph of yourself, place the title and your name at the top of the document, and include a bibliography of sources for your essay material. To ensure that the work submitted is entirely yours – authenticity matters!

The awards are too big to miss. One overall winner will be awarded $2,000, and six placement winners will each receive $1,000. The winners will be announced around August 1, 2023, after careful and impartial judgment by an outside Scholarship Committee chaired by Daniel Brin.

The winning contestants will be honored at a local lodge ceremony and published by Machinists Union District 141. 

This is a tremendous opportunity to let your voice be heard, gain recognition, and secure funding for your education. So why wait? 

Take up your metaphorical pen and begin crafting your thoughts. We look forward to reading your entries! Don’t let this opportunity and the unclaimed scholarship money go to waste. Hurry, the competition ends soon!

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Check Out Our Podcast! Will $$$ Go Unclaimed?

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United CEO Scott Kirby Takes a Private Jet Amid Thousands of Flight Cancellations

United CEO Scott Kirby Takes a Private Jet Amid Thousands of Flight Cancellations

Jul 1, 2023 | Front Page, Other News, Recent News, Row 2, United

United CEO Scott Kirby Takes a Private Jet Amid Thousands of Flight Cancellations

IAM141.org
July 1, 2023

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, issued an apology on Friday for his decision to board a private aircraft amidst the flight cancellation chaos that left thousands of United’s passengers stranded around the nation earlier this week.

Kirby did not know that chartering a private jet because he could not depend on his airline would outrage stranded passengers. Once informed of the backlash, he issued a characteristically tone-deaf statement of remorse. “Taking a private jet was the wrong decision because it was insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home,” Kirby said in response. “I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.”

Kirby ended his statement with a vow to better embody his respect for his team’s dedication and the customers’ unwavering loyalty.

The private flight taken by Kirby was from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver on Wednesday. This was the same day United canceled a staggering 750 flights, accounting for one-fourth of the day’s entire schedule. This count doesn’t include the cancellations related to United Express flights. Over the week, United canceled approximately 3,000 flights, with the highest number reported at its hub, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which has been wracked by chronic staffing issues. The lack of adequate staffing left the airline helpless in the face of typical if heavy, mid-summer thunderstorms.

Kirby blamed the disruption in Newark over the previous weekend to a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers. In an internal communication, he told employees the FAA had “let us down” by restricting the frequency of landings and departures at the airport, where United is a significant presence.

In response to Kirby’s accusations, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) were quick to call out the United CEO.

Buttigieg pointed out that every airline in the region experienced the same weather as United. But only Scott Kirby’s airline saw such mass cancellations and delays. “Look, United Airlines has some internal issues they need to work through,” the Transportation Secretary said in an interview with CNN. “They’ve really been struggling this week, even relative to other U.S. airlines,” he continued.

“I want to be very clear, air traffic control issues are not the number one issue causing cancellations and delays. They’re not even the number two issue. All the data, including industry’s own data is very clear on that,” he said.

Pilots at United echoed the criticisms of the Department of Transportation. “United’s travel disruptions this week stem from one source; Company senior management’s inadequate planning and insufficient investment in the airline infrastructure,” the Union said.

“Our pilots agree with our passengers that this lack of foresight and disregard of warning signs is unacceptable. It’s time for United leadership to change their thinking and invest in its labor, staff support, and facilities with updated contracts instead of ensuring our CEO has the highest salary.”

Pilots at United have been locked in seemingly endless contract negotiations at United. Talks are now in the fifth year as United management refuses to modernize the routing systems that organize flight schedules. According to airline pilots, this failure is resulting in too many pilots “timing out” during their schedules. (For safety reasons, pilots are legally barred from flying too many hours without rest breaks.) When pilots are required by law to stop flying, the airline often has to scramble to find new flight crews who can legally fly.

The high number of canceled flights led to the displacement of United’s planes and crews, severely impeding the airline’s functioning when adverse weather conditions struck on Sunday, as explained by Kirby. As the operational difficulties continued throughout the week, Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary whose department includes the FAA, noted on Twitter that, barring United, other airlines had bounced back from the storm’s impact. To emphasize this point, he shared a bar graph that compared United’s cancellation rate with the rest of the industry.

There has been some improvement in United’s operations since the middle of the week. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, indicated that the percentage of canceled flights dropped from 26% on Wednesday to 18% on Thursday and further down to 8% by Friday evening. However, even on Friday, United was still leading all U.S. carriers in the number of canceled flights for the seventh consecutive day.

United has committed to rectifying its operations before the anticipated busy July 4 holiday weekend. On Thursday alone, the Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2.7 million people, and a similar or larger crowd was expected on Friday.

The frustration of United passengers was made public via social media and interviews, with many talking about long queues at the airport and being forced to sleep in the terminals after flights were canceled. Unions representing United’s pilots and flight attendants joined in the criticism, accusing the management of inadequate planning, crew scheduling, and operating excessive flights.

The Chicago-based United clarified that it did not pay for Kirby’s private flight on Wednesday. Kirby, who has a net worth of at least $45 million, can more than cover the costs of private charter jets. The airline refused to comment whether Kirby often uses private planes for travel.

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United CEO Scott Kirby Takes a Private Jet Amid Thousands of Flight Cancellations

July 1, 2023

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, issued an apology on Friday for his decision to board a private aircraft amidst the flight cancellation chaos that left thousands of United’s passengers stranded around the nation earlier this week.

Kirby did not know that chartering a private jet because he could not depend on his airline would outrage stranded passengers. Once informed of the backlash, he issued a characteristically tone-deaf statement of remorse. “Taking a private jet was the wrong decision because it was insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home,” Kirby said in response. “I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.”

Kirby ended his statement with a vow to better embody his respect for his team’s dedication and the customers’ unwavering loyalty.

The private flight taken by Kirby was from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver on Wednesday. This was the same day United canceled a staggering 750 flights, accounting for one-fourth of the day’s entire schedule. This count doesn’t include the cancellations related to United Express flights. Over the week, United canceled approximately 3,000 flights, with the highest number reported at its hub, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which has been wracked by chronic staffing issues. The lack of adequate staffing left the airline helpless in the face of typical if heavy, mid-summer thunderstorms.

Kirby blamed the disruption in Newark over the previous weekend to a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers. In an internal communication, he told employees the FAA had “let us down” by restricting the frequency of landings and departures at the airport, where United is a significant presence.

In response to Kirby’s accusations, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) were quick to call out the United CEO.

Buttigieg pointed out that every airline in the region experienced the same weather as United. But only Scott Kirby’s airline saw such mass cancellations and delays. “Look, United Airlines has some internal issues they need to work through,” the Transportation Secretary said in an interview with CNN. “They’ve really been struggling this week, even relative to other U.S. airlines,” he continued.

“I want to be very clear, air traffic control issues are not the number one issue causing cancellations and delays. They’re not even the number two issue. All the data, including industry’s own data is very clear on that,” he said.

Pilots at United echoed the criticisms of the Department of Transportation. “United’s travel disruptions this week stem from one source; Company senior management’s inadequate planning and insufficient investment in the airline infrastructure,” the Union said.

“Our pilots agree with our passengers that this lack of foresight and disregard of warning signs is unacceptable. It’s time for United leadership to change their thinking and invest in its labor, staff support, and facilities with updated contracts instead of ensuring our CEO has the highest salary.”

Pilots at United have been locked in seemingly endless contract negotiations at United. Talks are now in the fifth year as United management refuses to modernize the routing systems that organize flight schedules. According to airline pilots, this failure is resulting in too many pilots “timing out” during their schedules. (For safety reasons, pilots are legally barred from flying too many hours without rest breaks.) When pilots are required by law to stop flying, the airline often has to scramble to find new flight crews who can legally fly.

The high number of canceled flights led to the displacement of United’s planes and crews, severely impeding the airline’s functioning when adverse weather conditions struck on Sunday, as explained by Kirby. As the operational difficulties continued throughout the week, Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary whose department includes the FAA, noted on Twitter that, barring United, other airlines had bounced back from the storm’s impact. To emphasize this point, he shared a bar graph that compared United’s cancellation rate with the rest of the industry.

There has been some improvement in United’s operations since the middle of the week. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, indicated that the percentage of canceled flights dropped from 26% on Wednesday to 18% on Thursday and further down to 8% by Friday evening. However, even on Friday, United was still leading all U.S. carriers in the number of canceled flights for the seventh consecutive day.

United has committed to rectifying its operations before the anticipated busy July 4 holiday weekend. On Thursday alone, the Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2.7 million people, and a similar or larger crowd was expected on Friday.

The frustration of United passengers was made public via social media and interviews, with many talking about long queues at the airport and being forced to sleep in the terminals after flights were canceled. Unions representing United’s pilots and flight attendants joined in the criticism, accusing the management of inadequate planning, crew scheduling, and operating excessive flights.

The Chicago-based United clarified that it did not pay for Kirby’s private flight on Wednesday. Kirby, who has a net worth of at least $45 million, can more than cover the costs of private charter jets. The airline refused to comment whether Kirby often uses private planes for travel.

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Ingestion Fatality at SAT Airport Ruled a Suicide

Ingestion Fatality at SAT Airport Ruled a Suicide

Jun 29, 2023 | Front Page, Other News, Recent News, Row 2, Safety

Ingestion Fatality at SAT Airport Ruled a Suicide

IAM141.org
June 29, 2023

In a tragic incident late Friday night at San Antonio International Airport, a ground crew member, David Renner, 27, lost his life after he was pulled into the engine of a Delta Air Lines plane. Firefighters and police officers responded to the event around 10:25 p.m.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), “Delta Flight 1111 was taxiing to the gate, with one engine on at that time, and a worker was ingested into that engine at 10:25 p.m.” The NTSB confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating the man was indeed “ingested” into the engine. The flight had just arrived from Los Angeles.

According to a report from the San Antonio Express, the plane’s captain “felt the aircraft shake,” as Renner was pulled into the engine. A police report indicated that Renner passed a suicide note to a coworker, wrapped in a one-dollar bill. He then watched as Renner walked, “to the captain’s side of the jet, bend down and jump up into the engine.”

On Monday, the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled his cause of death as blunt and sharp-force injuries, and listed the manner of death as suicide.

This information was also provided to the NTSB, who responded, “The NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event. There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport,” indicating a belief that the tragic event didn’t raise concerns about overall airport safety.

 

Renner was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company Delta Airlines contracts to support ground-handling operations. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines and aviation safety, has indicated that it would proceed with an investigation into the incident.

Responding to the incident, Delta said it was “grieving the loss of an aviation family member’s life in San Antonio.” The airline expressed its full support for the ongoing investigations.

Unifi Aviation has been wracked with employee complaints over poor training, short staffing, and low pay, all of which contribute to extraordinary levels of turnover at the company. The mass influx of new and inexperienced employees is a safety concern, according to industry experts.

“My experience here at Unifi in MSO has been highly unsatisfactory,” said one worker who did not want to be named. “Largely due to the inadequate trainers and ineffective leadership,” he continued. The contractor holds a two-star rating from employees on Glassdoor.com. Only 42% of current employees would recommend working at Unifi to a friend.

In a short statement, the company was quick to disavow itself of any responsibiity in the fatality.

The statement read, “Unifi Aviation is deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at San Antonio International Airport during a tragic incident in the late hours of Friday, June 23, 2023. Our hearts go out to the deceased’s family, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time. From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies. Out of respect for the deceased, we will not be sharing any additional information. While police and other officials continue to investigate this incident, we defer to them on providing further details.”

Unifi, like Delta, is based in Atlanta and describes itself as North America’s largest ground-handling and aviation services provider, boasting a workforce of 20,000 aviation workers who handle baggage, cargo, catering, fueling, and other jobs at 200 locations.

According to online job postings, Average Unifi hourly pay for new employees starts at approximately $11.94 per hour.

 

This Message Found You For A Reason

Life has a way of throwing challenges at us, but you don’t have to face them alone. District 141’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here for you.

 

Remember, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but a strength. EAP offers free, professional, and compassionate assistance to all members of District 141 who may be struggling with life’s difficulties, be it personal or work-related.

 

Start your journey towards better health and wellbeing today. Click here to learn more about the District 141 EAP and how it can assist you. You’re not alone, and help is just a click away.

  

You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.

 

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Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the Machinists Union

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Ingestion Fatality at SAT Airport Ruled a Suicide

June 29, 2023

In a tragic incident late Friday night at San Antonio International Airport, a ground crew member, David Renner, 27, lost his life after he was pulled into the engine of a Delta Air Lines plane. Firefighters and police officers responded to the event around 10:25 p.m.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), “Delta Flight 1111 was taxiing to the gate, with one engine on at that time, and a worker was ingested into that engine at 10:25 p.m.” The NTSB confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating the man was indeed “ingested” into the engine. The flight had just arrived from Los Angeles.

According to a report from the San Antonio Express, the plane’s captain “felt the aircraft shake,” as Renner was pulled into the engine. A police report indicated that Renner passed a suicide note to a coworker, wrapped in a one-dollar bill. He then watched as Renner walked, “to the captain’s side of the jet, bend down and jump up into the engine.”

On Monday, the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled his cause of death as blunt and sharp-force injuries, and listed the manner of death as suicide.

This information was also provided to the NTSB, who responded, “The NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event. There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport,” indicating a belief that the tragic event didn’t raise concerns about overall airport safety.

 

Renner was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company Delta Airlines contracts to support ground-handling operations. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines and aviation safety, has indicated that it would proceed with an investigation into the incident.
Responding to the incident, Delta said it was “grieving the loss of an aviation family member’s life in San Antonio.” The airline expressed its full support for the ongoing investigations.

Unifi Aviation has been wracked with employee complaints over poor training, short staffing, and low pay, all of which contribute to extraordinary levels of turnover at the company. The mass influx of new and inexperienced employees is a safety concern, according to industry experts.

“My experience here at Unifi in MSO has been highly unsatisfactory,” said one worker who did not want to be named. “Largely due to the inadequate trainers and ineffective leadership,” he continued. The contractor holds a two-star rating from employees on Glassdoor.com. Only 42% of current employees would recommend working at Unifi to a friend.

In a short statement, the company was quick to disavow itself of any responsibiity in the fatality.

The statement read, “Unifi Aviation is deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at San Antonio International Airport during a tragic incident in the late hours of Friday, June 23, 2023. Our hearts go out to the deceased’s family, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time. From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies. Out of respect for the deceased, we will not be sharing any additional information. While police and other officials continue to investigate this incident, we defer to them on providing further details.”

Unifi, like Delta, is based in Atlanta and describes itself as North America’s largest ground-handling and aviation services provider, boasting a workforce of 20,000 aviation workers who handle baggage, cargo, catering, fueling, and other jobs at 200 locations.

According to online job postings, Average Unifi hourly pay for new employees starts at approximately $11.94 per hour.

 

This Message Found You For A Reason

Life has a way of throwing challenges at us, but you don’t have to face them alone. District 141’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here for you.

 

Remember, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but a strength. EAP offers free, professional, and compassionate assistance to all members of District 141 who may be struggling with life’s difficulties, be it personal or work-related.

 

Start your journey towards better health and wellbeing today. Click here to learn more about the District 141 EAP and how it can assist you. You’re not alone, and help is just a click away.

  

You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.

 

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Retired Guide Dog Britta Takes Center Stage at Denver Charity Fundraiser

Retired Guide Dog Britta Takes Center Stage at Denver Charity Fundraiser

Jun 22, 2023 | Community Service, Front Page, Other News, Recent News, Row 2

Retired Guide Dog Britta Takes Center Stage at Denver Charity Fundraiser

IAM141.org
June 22, 2023

On the vibrant green fairways of Broadlands Golf Course near Denver, Colorado, a special guest named Britta stole the show at an annual golf charity event hosted by Machinists Union Local 1886 and Local 47. Britta is a retired guide dog who has spent her years serving as a loyal companion and a breeding “Momma” for Guide Dogs of America. Now at six years old, Britta retired after three years of dedicated service, helping to improve the lives of children with autism, veterans suffering from PTSD, and those with vision impairments, among other forms of critical assistance.

Britta, the mother of two litters of puppies, was brought to the charity event by Christine Coyle, a dedicated Guide Dogs Representative, and Los Angeles resident. With an impressive 25 years of service under her belt, Coyle has bred and raised seven dogs from start to finish for Guide Dogs of America.

Coyle’s passion for community service and giving back inspired her involvement with Guide Dogs. “It just looked like a great way for our entire family to get involved,” Coyle said, reflecting on what initially drew her to the charity. “It’s just a really wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and money for Guide Dogs of America and the work they’re doing.”

According to Local 47 President Garry Harper, the fundraiser has seen an increase in participation each year. Harper, who has served Union Members in the Denver region as President for the past 30 years, described the increase in participation, saying, “When we first started doing this, we had 60 golfers who signed up. Today, we have more than 140.” The numbers would be higher this year, but, as Harper quipped, “they don’t have enough golf carts.”

According to Local 1886 President Johnny Martinez, the chief organizer of the fundraiser, last year’s event raised over $23,000. A figure he believes will be surpassed this year. “I seriously want to thank everyone who helped make this happen,” he said. “This is one of the largest tournaments of its kind held at this location,” he continued.

“We try to limit costs by working with local businesses and community organizations, and we hold raffles and other drawings, which is where we actually get most of our donations,” he added. 

The help is very much needed. Breeders like Christine have to pay out of pocket to raise a puppy for Guide Dogs of America, relying on tax write-offs to recoup costs such as food and other related costs.

Coyle further explained the financial aspects of raising guide dogs. “The school provides vet care and breeding,” she said. “In all, it can cost about $4,000 to get a dog into training. But, that’s just the breeding cost. To get the service dog through breeding and training, and to actually deliver it to a recipient, the total costs can range as high as $70,000.”

She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Machinists Union for their support. “Those expenses are why we’re so appreciative of the Machinists Union’s generosity and assistance. We truly couldn’t do it without you guys,” she said.

Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to creating partnerships between people and service dogs, enhancing the lives of visually impaired or blind individuals and service dogs for veterans and children with autism. The organization also assigns facility dogs to professionals in various environments, such as hospitals, schools, and courtrooms. These expertly trained dogs serve as reliable companions, boosting their human partners’ confidence, mobility, and independence. All services, including transportation, personalized training, lodging, and ongoing support after graduation, are offered entirely free of charge to the beneficiaries.

Machinists Union Assistant General Chair Rich Robinson also attended the event, praising the fun and festive atmosphere. But he wanted to recognize more than just the event’s ambiance. “This local has proven itself time and time again. They want to support their community and this great cause, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work they’re doing.”

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Retired Guide Dog Britta Takes Center Stage at Denver Charity Fundraiser

June 19, 2023

On the vibrant green fairways of Broadlands Golf Course near Denver, Colorado, a special guest named Britta stole the show at an annual golf charity event hosted by Machinists Union Local 1886 and Local 47. Britta is a retired guide dog who has spent her years serving as a loyal companion and a breeding “Momma” for Guide Dogs of America. Now at six years old, Britta retired after three years of dedicated service, helping to improve the lives of children with autism, veterans suffering from PTSD, and those with vision impairments, among other forms of critical assistance.

Britta, the mother of two litters of puppies, was brought to the charity event by Christine Coyle, a dedicated Guide Dogs Representative, and Los Angeles resident. With an impressive 25 years of service under her belt, Coyle has bred and raised seven dogs from start to finish for Guide Dogs of America.

Coyle’s passion for community service and giving back inspired her involvement with Guide Dogs. “It just looked like a great way for our entire family to get involved,” Coyle said, reflecting on what initially drew her to the charity. “It’s just a really wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and money for Guide Dogs of America and the work they’re doing.”

According to Local 47 President Garry Harper, the fundraiser has seen an increase in participation each year. Harper, who has served Union Members in the Denver region as President for the past 30 years, described the increase in participation, saying, “When we first started doing this, we had 60 golfers who signed up. Today, we have more than 140.” The numbers would be higher this year, but, as Harper quipped, “they don’t have enough golf carts.”

According to Local 1886 President Johnny Martinez, the chief organizer of the fundraiser, last year’s event raised over $23,000. A figure he believes will be surpassed this year. “I seriously want to thank everyone who helped make this happen,” he said. “This is one of the largest tournaments of its kind held at this location,” he continued.

“We try to limit costs by working with local businesses and community organizations, and we hold raffles and other drawings, which is where we actually get most of our donations,” he added. 

The help is very much needed. Breeders like Christine have to pay out of pocket to raise a puppy for Guide Dogs of America, relying on tax write-offs to recoup costs such as food and other related costs.

Coyle further explained the financial aspects of raising guide dogs. “The school provides vet care and breeding,” she said. “In all, it can cost about $4,000 to get a dog into training. But, that’s just the breeding cost. To get the service dog through breeding and training, and to actually deliver it to a recipient, the total costs can range as high as $70,000.”

She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Machinists Union for their support. “Those expenses are why we’re so appreciative of the Machinists Union’s generosity and assistance. We truly couldn’t do it without you guys,” she said.

Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to creating partnerships between people and service dogs, enhancing the lives of visually impaired or blind individuals and service dogs for veterans and children with autism. The organization also assigns facility dogs to professionals in various environments, such as hospitals, schools, and courtrooms. These expertly trained dogs serve as reliable companions, boosting their human partners’ confidence, mobility, and independence. All services, including transportation, personalized training, lodging, and ongoing support after graduation, are offered entirely free of charge to the beneficiaries.

Machinists Union Assistant General Chair Rich Robinson also attended the event, praising the fun and festive atmosphere. But he wanted to recognize more than just the event’s ambiance. “This local has proven itself time and time again. They want to support their community and this great cause, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work they’re doing.”

 

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