Here's a few United articles I've found online...
What Is United Doing To Improve Its Cost Performance?
United Restructures Its Pacific Network
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Mechanics Dispatch - June 29, 2014
New Work in SFO
Normally we don’t report on United Daily articles but the article titled, “Base teams begin historic heavy maintenance on Airbus” found here is different. This a story about the first HMV visit in SFO in twelve years. As part of the company’s cost reduction efforts they determined that bringing this work in would save money. As reported in the article, “This is the first of what will be a nonstop parade of Airbus heavy checks and other services.” Kudos to Business Agents Rich Petrovsky of Local 986 and Javier Lectora of Local 856 for their efforts to help make this happen.For those viewing this on the Union board the address of the article is: https://united.intranet.ual.com/web/content.jspSID=News&path=UnitedDaily/2014/06_June/140626_7airbusSFMC.jsp
Arbitration Update
On Thursday June 26th the Resource Utilization Letter arbitration case continued in Newark. The Union rested its case subject to rebuttal. The company will begin its case when the panel is scheduled to reconvene on September 16th.
Sub UA Joint Board Held in SFO
On Tuesday June 24th a Joint Board session was held in SFO. One case was heard at this Board session as agreed by the parties. The case involved a discharge of an employee and an answer will be given to the parties shortly. There are several discharges currently on the system and the Board is in the process of scheduling these hearings.For those that have never been involved with the Board there are three different decisions that may make. The Board can sustain a grievance, in which case the grievant wins his or her case,
or the grievance can be denied, in which case the grievant loses his or her case, and finally the Board can deadlock a case. If the Board deadlocks the matter it can then be moved to a neutral third party arbitrator. The Board can also remand the grievance to the parties for resolution. A remand means that there is generally enough evidence on each side of an issue that it is apparent the parties should try to settle the issue prior to the grievance proceeding through the process.
No Dispatch Next Week
Friday is July 4th and so there will be no update next weekend. The next report will be after the negotiating session the week of July 7th. From all of us at the Airline Division we wish you a happy and safe Independence Day!
Furloughed members urged to update their addresses
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent.If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: ESC@united.com . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.
Useful links
If you would like to see a link added to this list please contact Bob Fisher at: rcfisher7@yahoo.com
The following Locals represent these respective cities:
Boston Local 25
New York & Washington Local 210
Charleston & Atlanta Local 528
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Tampa & Orlando Local 769
Cleveland Local 964
Chicago Local 781
Houston, Dallas & New Orleans Local 19
Phoenix Local 104
Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Hawaii & Guam Local 986
San Francisco Local 856/986
Denver Local 455
Airline Division Week In Review - June 28, 2014
New Work in SFO for UAL Teamsters
On June 23rd, Aircraft 4238 arrived in Dock 6 at UAL’s SFO maintenance base. It is part of UAL’s cost reduction efforts that the company determined would save money by bringing work in house. As reported in an article on the company website this is the first of what will be a nonstop parade of Airbus heavy checks and other services to be performed by Airline Division Teamsters at the facility.
This will be the first heavy check to be done in twelve years at the facility; with the technicians planning on having the job done by late July. Current plans call for expanding the existing Airbus “C” check lines to perform HMVs, adding a third Airbus line and further development of aircraft modifications and special visits. In time, the operation will transition to a 24/7 operation in Airframe and many supporting shops and departments.
Kudos to Business Agents Rich Petrovsky of Local 986 and Javier Lectora of Local 856 for their efforts to help make this happen!
Piedmont Negotiations Update
Negotiations resumed on Monday, June 23rd, and concluded on Thursday June 26th. Discussions had been scheduled to resume in May, however the Company asked for a pause in the talks. With the rejection by the American Eagle (Envoy) pilots if their tentative agreement, the mainline carrier said that the new jet aircraft that had been ordered will be flown elsewhere, prompting new talks with the Piedmont pilot group. No conclusion has been reached in those talks. Twenty of the newly ordered aircraft have been committed to Compass, a Trans States company, outside of the AA USAir owned companies.
The Company advised the union that regardless the outcome of the talks with the pilots they wanted to resume and hopefully reach an agreement with the technicians.
The talks at the recent session centered on wages and the costs associated with the different proposals. The Union spent a great deal of time looking at cost figures. The committee was joined by an economist provided by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who was very helpful and will be of great assistance going forward.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume on August 18th.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed lowering the maximum building height of buildings located near 388 airports across the U.S. "We're trying to create a balance of the aviation needs and the development needs in the local community," said John Speckin, deputy regional administrator for the agency.
During a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, lawmakers said the Federal Aviation Administration needs to move more quickly with its NextGen initiative. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said it is "unacceptable for us to continue to spend resources and not make more progress."
The Federal Aviation Administration set a deadline of December 31 for Boeing related to the ram air turbine on its 787-9s. Boeing is still scheduled to deliver the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand by the end of June.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
United Airlines is taking steps to cut non-fuel costs per available seat mile, as well as reduce fuel costs by using more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson is calling for significant reforms to the U.S. Export-Import Bank to ensure the bank's assistance in financing sales of widebody aircraft is not tilting the playing field in favor of global competitors.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
United's Board of Directors Change Severance Packages of Exectutives
Taken from http://biz.yahoo.com/e/140620/ual8-k.html
20-Jun-2014
Change in Directors or Principal Officers, Financial Statements
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.On June 19, 2014, United Continental Holdings, Inc. ("UAL") provided officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO")) notice of non-renewal of the officers' employment agreements at the end of the current term, each of which expires on September 30, 2014. Upon expiration of the employment agreements, the officers (other than the CEO) will be participants in severance plans which become effective October 1, 2014.
UAL previously entered into employment agreements with each of the named executive officers, including James E. Compton, UAL's Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer; Jeffrey T. Foland, UAL's Executive Vice President - Marketing, Technology and Strategy; and John D. Rainey, UAL's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Messrs. Compton, Foland and Rainey are referred to herein as the "Participating Officers". Notice of non-renewal was provided at the direction of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of UAL.
The severance plan in which the Participating Officers will participate is designed to be consistent with current market practices and to maintain the separation benefits that are provided under the employment agreements. The severance plan provides the Participating Officers certain payments and benefits upon termination of employment. In the event the employment of any of the Participating Officers is terminated by UAL without "cause" or by the Participating Officer for "good reason" (as defined in the severance plan), such Participating Officer will receive a cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and target annual incentive compensation opportunity as in effect immediately prior to termination (or, for officers subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the target annual incentive compensation opportunity for the preceding year). The severance plan further provides that the Participating Officers will be entitled to continued coverage pursuant to UAL's or an affiliate's welfare benefit plans for 24 months. With respect to the Participating Officers, "good reason" is defined in the severance plan, and also includes, for Mr. Foland, his assignment to report to a person other than the CEO of UAL, which is a provision that survives the expiration of his employment agreement.
Consistent with UAL's prior decision to eliminate gross-up payments for the excise taxes that may be levied on "excess parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) made to the Participating Officers and certain other individuals upon a change in control, the severance plan provides that in the event a Participating Officer receives any excess parachute payments, he or she will have to either pay the excise tax without any assistance from UAL or its affiliates or have the payments reduced, if it would be more favorable to the executive on an after-tax basis.
Upon termination of employment other than by UAL for "cause," the Participating Officers will continue to receive travel privileges under the UAL Officer Travel Policy. The implementation of the severance plan will not result in any modifications to the existing travel privileges currently provided under the UAL Officer Travel Policy. The travel privileges allow the executives and their family members and significant others travel on UAL flights and certain airline partners (subject to an annual cap). Consistent with the retired officer flight policies of United and Continental as in effect prior to the 2010 merger, the Participating Officers (other than Mr. Rainey, who did not have a grandfathered right) will continue to receive a tax reimbursement (subject to an annual cap) on these privileges after termination of employment.
The severance plan provides that all termination payments and obligations of UAL or its affiliates are subject to receipt of a signed and irrevocable release agreement relating to certain legal claims and liabilities against UAL or its affiliates.
The foregoing description of the severance plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the severance plan, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Airline Division Week In Review - June 22, 2014
TAMC visits XJT MX Base in Columbia, SC
On June 19th, TAMC Chairman Chris Moore, Local 528 Business Agent Robert Breaux and Local 528 XJT Chief Steward Geoff Maloney visited with members at the Columbia, SC maintenance base.
An update on contract negotiations was presented along with a question and answer period. Due to the amount of uncertainty in the regional industry a good bit of time was spent discussing what the future may hold as the regional carriers work to reinvent themselves. In addition to the members questions about training requirements, an explanation of FMLA benefits and ASAP was provided.
The meeting concluded with the Local BA and Chief Steward committing to working more closely with the 80 Mechanics and Stock Clerks at the Base.
Negotiations for a Stand-alone Technician and Related and Subsidiary ASA Contracts resume
This past week in Atlanta, the Union and the Company met in federal mediation negotiations.
Talks continued with the union making passes on Article 7 – (Hours of Service) and Article 22 – (General and Miscellaneous) and the Company passing Article 7 – (Hours of Service) Article 22 – (General and Miscellaneous). The union and the company were able to reach a Tentative Agreement on Article 7 – (Hours of Service).
With the Stand-Alone Sub-ASA contract, Tentative Agreements have been reached on the Articles 4 – (Seniority), 5 – (Filling of Vacancies), 6 – (Reduction in Force and Recall), 7 – (Hours of Service), 13 – (Training), 14 – (Health and Safety), 16 – (Moving Expenses), 20- (Grievance Procedure), 21 – (Board of Arbitration) and the Interim Agreement which gives the members a process to fight Discipline and Discharge up to and including Arbitration.
The parties are working with the mediator to set dates for the next round of negotiations, meanwhile, talks will continue in mediation on the Sub-XJT side.
UAL Arbitration Update
On the 18th, the arbitration case on the deicing equipment was held in Newark, NJ. The oral arguments were finished in one day and now both sides will submit briefs to the arbitrator. The resource utilization case will continue on June 26th in Newark. As soon as decisions are rendered they will be reported to the membership.
Norwegian Airlines Update
Recently, Norwegian Airlines filed an application to start transatlantic flying with outsourced planes and crews. This proposed scheme is designed to allow the airline to circumvent the labor laws of its own country as well as those of the US. If approved, and if the airline’s scheme becomes successful, this application would also have the longer term effect of undermining safety and labor in the United States as more airlines attempt to copy this model. To that end, the Airline Division asked Albertine Enterprises to meet with members of Congress to fight the effort by Norwegian.
To date, there have been 141 meetings with both Democratic and Republican Senators, Congressmen, staff and committees. One result of these meetings was the DeFazio amendment to the Transportation Subcommittee of Appropriations bill which suggested that DoT not use any funds to process an illegal application for a permit to allow Norwegian Airlines to achieve status as a US carrier.
In continuing this battle Jack Albertine of Albertine Enterprises stated, “We intend to leave no public policy lever unused to defeat this outrageous attempt to circumvent our US labor agreements in the airline industry.”
NetJets Dispatchers Update
On Wednesday June 11th, the union committee met with company officials and proposed Articles 4 – (Overtime), Article 6 – (Vacations and Holidays) and Article 7 – (Hours of Service).
A Tentative Agreement was concluded on Article 13 – (Training). With these Articles complete the only remaining new language to exchange is Compensation and Scope.
A Tentative Agreement was concluded on Article 13 – (Training). With these Articles complete the only remaining new language to exchange is Compensation and Scope.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
U.K. investigators linked the fire on board a parked Boeing Co. (BA) 787 Dreamliner at London’s Heathrow Airport last year to faulty wiring in the plane’s emergency locator transmitter.
Officials with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agencyhave certified Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner for commercial use, clearing the way for delivery to its first customer, Air New Zealand.
Airlines, Industry and Labor
American Airlines Group announced plans to send 20 Embraer E175s to Compass Airlines, a new regional carrier for American. "We are looking forward to Compass operating these new aircraft to provide an exceptional travel experience to American's customers connecting to our extensive global network," said Kenji Hashimoto, senior vice president of regional carriers at American.
Charles Leocha, the co-founder of Travel United, writes that the Transportation Security Administration is defying Congress by increasing security fees through a new definition of what constitutes a round trip. "Basically, TSA's interpretation of the new law and budget presented an opportunity for TSA to get into travelers' wallets as well as peering and feeling beneath their clothing," he writes.
The Envoy Air flight attendants union criticized American Airlines management for contracting with another carrier to fly new regional jets for the airline.
Steve Dickson, senior vice president for flight operations for Delta Air Lines, said the AirbusA380 does not make sense for the carrier. "The reliability of the two-engine airplanes and the efficiency of them is just too compelling," he said. Delta ordered 15 Airbus A321s earlier this month.
The iconic Boeing 747s, which can seat up to 500 passengers, are being replaced by more fuel-efficient aircraft. Michael Thomas, a Delta Air Lines spokesman, said the 747s are "coming up on an age where it makes sense to replace them."
Mechanics Dispatch - June 22, 2014
Steering Committee Set to Meet
A notice to the steering committee was sent out for the body to reconvene July 24th and 25th
in Denver. The notice was sent to the seventy sitting members of the committee covering all
locations from Boston to Guam. The committee will be briefed on what has transpired since the
last meeting and then there will be a discussion on how the talks will proceed under mediation.
Arbitration Update
On the 18th the arbitration case on the deicing equipment was held in Newark, NJ. The oral
arguments were finished in one day and now both sides will submit briefs to the arbitrator. The
resource utilization case will continue on June 26th in Newark. As soon as decisions are
rendered they will be reported in the Dispatch.
Norwegian Airlines Update
Recently Norwegian Airlines filed an application to start transatlantic flying with outsourced
planes and crews. This proposed scheme is designed to allow the airline to circumvent the labor
laws of its own country as well as those of the US. If approved, and if the airline’s scheme
becomes successful, this application would also have the longer term effect of undermining
safety and labor in the United States as more airlines attempt to copy this model. To that end,
the Airline Division tasked Albertine Enterprises to meet with members of Congress to fight the
effort by Norwegian. To date there have been 141 meetings with both Democratic and
Republican Senators, Congressmen, staff and committees. One result of these meetings was
the DeFazio amendment to the Transportation Subcommittee of Appropriations bill which
suggested that DOT not use any funds to process an illegal application for a permit to allow
Norwegian Airlines to achieve status as a US carrier. In continuing this battle Jack Albertine of
Albertine Enterprises stated, “We intend to leave no public policy lever unused to defeat this
outrageous attempt to circumvent our US labor agreements in the airline industry.”
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
The Buzz - June 18, 2014
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