US Airways Negotiations
Preparations for the start of US Airways negotiations took another step last week as District 141 Negotiating Team Members attended negotiations training at the Winpisinger Center. The training was specifically designed to prepare our team to deal with US Airways management.
The training sessions focused on the fundamentals of negotiations – writing and presenting proposals, costing out proposals. Training also addressed topics such as negotiating in the airline industry, the impact outside forces such as fuel prices have on contract talks, and US Airways financial and competitive position in the industry.
Our team consisted of AGC’s Frank O’Donnell and Mike Fairbanks, and station representatives Steve Miller, Steve Willis, Pat Rezler, George Austin, Rodney Walker, Mark Baskett, Ricky O’Barr, Frank Giannola, and Dave Ciccone.
The team reviewed the recently completed Membership survey regarding contract issues and began prioritizing the proposals. The team prepared and presented proposals in a simulated bargaining session. In the simulation, instructors from the Winpisinger Center acted as company representatives to give the team an opportunity to put into practice all of the techniques they learned during the week. The team learned of all the resources available to them during the upcoming contract talks – legal, research, communications – and left prepared and energized to begin the process of reaching a fair and progressive agreement with USAirways.
US Airways talks will begin in July.
AirTran Negotiations, Survey
CrewMembers are encouraged to take a survey to assist your Negotiating Team in indentifying your priorities in negotiations. It's short and easy to do. Take Survey
This week Members of the AirTran Negotiating Team are receiving the same training at the Winpisinger Center to prepare to reach an initial agreement with AirTran/Southwest Airlines.
Steve Barfield, Christi Hulme, Ken Bugg, Kim Hammack, Kyle Unsworth, and AGC’s Mickey Hughes and Rich Chu will attend similar training sessions. The difference will be that the AirTran Negotiating Team will get specific information regarding both AirTran, their current employer, and Southwest, their future airline.
Since this training is designed to prepare our team to reach their first contract with AirTran, the focus will be more on the essential articles a contract must have, rather than learning the techniques of amending existing contract language.
Meetings with the company will be scheduled as quickly as possible after this training is complete.
United Merger
Since there was no negotiations scheduled with United Airlines this past week, it allowed District 141 to focus to concentrate on the upcoming representation election involving the Ramp / Fleet Service classifications of United and Continental.
The company presented copies of their belief of which employees should be considered eligible to vote in the election, and all parties began reviewing the list to accuracy.
Late last week, the NMB sent a letter to all parties – United, IAM, and teamsters – seeking more information regarding the make up of the classification; specifically the Continental Micronesia employees. Part of the concern the Board has is the confusing and sometimes conflicting titles different airlines attach to the same or similar jobs. As one example, under the teamsters contract with CMI, the classification of Customer Service Agent job description covers the same work as a RSM at United. In addition, the CSA work group also does cargo sales and office duties. The concern of the Board is what group should they be properly considered for representation purposes.
This is just one example of the Board’s concerns. They have given all parties until June 3, 2011 to provide information and position statements. Afterwards, they will make a final determination of eligibility and begin the election process.
Flight Attendants Vote
The representation election for the Flight Attendant classification began last week, and will continue until June 29, 2011. Balloting information was sent to each voter’s last known address with the necessary security codes included in order for the individual to participate in the election.
No results during the process will be known, regarding either the level of participation or which Union – IAM or AFA – is favored at any given time. The concern of all parties is that people are given an opportunity to declare their preference.
Flight Attendants who have not received their packet of information must send a letter to the NMB requesting a replacement packet be sent to them. These requests for duplicate ballots must be sent individually. It also must be requested in enough time to have their request verified, duplicated, and resent.
As IAM Members, we should encourage all Flight Attendants we talk with to participate in this important election, and support the IAM. This election will begin the drive for 55,000 employees of United to belong to the same Union and provide the strength and protection that no other organization can provide.
Lie Detector Catches Another One
It’s that time in the Ramp / Fleet campaign. The other union will say, promise, and do anything for your vote, and it would appeat that facts are a minor teamster consideration. To catch up on the freshest and latest lies (it's health care this go-round), visit voteiam.com, and press the “Lie Detector” button.