The bankruptcy filing by American Airlines last November and other issues, including layoffs and wage and benefit cuts; all done to avert a bankruptcy and that have been piled on top of the previous cuts that occurred in 2003, have led the airlines mechanics to consider changing union affiliation to the Teamsters.
Chris Moore, an International Representative for the Teamsters, said his union is seeing "a lot of enthusiasm." "These American Airlines guys have issues that go back 10 years," Moore said. "They're tired of being beaten over the head. You have to bring order to the place, and work with the company to get things better for the guys. We're gathering momentum."
While AMFA is also attempting to conduct a drive, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters clearly is getting a very positive response. “The one issue that the mechanics see very clearly in this bankruptcy is the absolute need for the backing and support of a union like the Teamsters and expertise the Airline Division,” said Moore. “When you are attempting to protect your careers and your families in a fight with one of the biggest airlines in the world, you need a union with experience and resources like the Teamsters; not one that is in decline and has a history of giving up hard fought for gains like AMFA. You also need the support and resources of the TAMC (Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition) that brings together mechanics from across the airline industry to fight for you on Capitol Hill,” Moore continued.
Commenting on their card drive Moore said, “We are very pleased with our progress to date and look forward to more meetings with the American mechanics, answering questions and explaining the benefits of being a part of the largest airline based union in America.” For a related story, click on the following link:
http://www.newson6.com/story/
CitationAir Pilots Negotiating Continues
Members of the CitationAir Pilots Negotiating Committee met in White Plains, New York on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 and worked until late in the evening completing their initial proposal for Section 9.
On Tuesday morning, Sept. 11th, the Union and Company representatives worked independently in caucus, with the Negotiating Committee putting the finishing touches on the Section 9 document prior to its presentation to management. The Company presented counter-proposals for an the Letter of Agreement (LOA) concerning Negotiating Protocol, Section 18 (Union Representation), Section 21 (Grievance Procedures), and Section 23 (General Conditions).
The Negotiating Committee developed counter-proposals for Sections 18, 21 & 23 and began work on Section 14 - (Non-Routine Flight Operations (NRFO) and Section 25 (Medical Examinations). Following discussions between the parties concerning these sections, it was mutually agreed to set aside Sections 18 & 23 until a later point in time during the negotiating process.
Tentative agreement (TA) was reached on the Section 21 by the parties and the union presented an initial proposal for Section 14. The Company delivered their initial counter-proposal to Section 11 (Union Security).
Of particular importance for the pilots; the NRFO plows new ground at CitationAir, since there is nothing in the Company FSH that closely mirrors the FAA recommendations regarding the conduct of such special operations. The types of operations covered by the proposal are specific NRFOs requiring specialized training, such as certain maintenance evaluation flights, certain types of ferry flights and aircraft acceptance flights. Presently, CitationAir pilots do not operate NRFO flights requiring the specialized training identified by the FAA. However, in the future these types of NRFOs may become necessary and union intends to be prepared by having contract provisions in place for that possibility.
The negotiators report that the September session represented one of the better weeks negotiating with the Company. They look forward to maintaining the momentum during upcoming bargaining sessions and receiving management’s responses to the numerous un-answered Union proposals.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for November 6-8, 2012.
Airline Industry News
Government and Regulatory
NextGen, which has been under fire from Congress for being behind schedule and over budget, will be implemented at Florida airports in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers, as well as smaller airports in the region, says Michael Huerta, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Federal Aviation Administration has updated its policies regarding inspections for more than 1,600 737 Boeing jets.
The Federal Aviation Administration is under pressure from Congress, the aviation industry and other government agencies to allow civilian unmanned drones access to U.S. air space, but safety and security concerns may cause delays to meeting the deadline.
Airlines and Industry
David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue, has his eyes on what he calls his "next big thing."
American Airlines expects to cancel up to 2% of its flights through October due to fallout from a labor contract dispute with its pilots union, the carrier says.
Delta Air Lines will reduce its fleet size by 15% but maintain its capacity, says Gary Chase, the carrier's senior vice president of financial planning, analysis and investor relations. The airline plans to cut at least 200 regional jets by 2015, which is expected to reduce costs, increase revenue and provide a better customer experience.
Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first Dreamliner 787 made in South Carolina next week to Air India.
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