United Negotiations
This past week was quite active for District 141 in United negotiations. Talks resumed with a lot of progress made towards the goal of having complete discussions on proposals submitted by our members. Prior to this week, the process has been to present and discuss specific changes to individual Articles of our contract during United negotiations. While this worked well for the early issues, such as Seniority, both sides in United negotiations found it difficult to continue in that way because most of the remaining topics have a financial relationship with each other. We agreed it would be more useful to bring all the remaining proposals to the table now so real negotiations can be conducted and we will not have to back track over issues that had been fully discussed previously. As we now move forward with United negotiations, both the Union and the company can talk about subjects without wondering if there is another proposal that has not been brought up that will impact or change our focus.
United negotiation
and job security
Job security remains the main priority in United negotiations. Each proposal is discussed on its own merits but then is reviewed to see whether or not it enhances future job security for all members. Much time has been spent discussing the job descriptions of the different classifications of work in order to make sure we are correctly encompassing the duties of each work group to minimize the chance in the future that the company would try to contract out our work. Part of the week in United negotiations was spent with members of our sub-committees to make sure our discussions were kept on track with the proposals their groups submitted.
This week each side will work separately on researching and preparing presentations of proposals for next week’s United negotiations.
US Airways Contract violation
US Airways announced last week their intention to contract out the Fleet Service work in 8 stations across the system. AUS, ELP, OMA, MKE, BUR, ICT, LGB, and COS will be turned over to a vendor in the fall. District 141 Representatives will meet with the company this week to discuss this situation and to present our position that the company is violating our Agreement by contracting out stations that should be protected under current language.
In addition to the contracting out announcement, US Airways also indicated there would be a reduction in force in several other locations including CLP, SMF, SFO, PDX, and OAK.
United Express Outsourcing
Talks continued between District 141 and United regarding the possible loss of the UAX operation work at ORD. Vendor bids have been submitted but not shown to us. It is possible these bids include taking over the work both above and below the wing and potentially could affect over 700 jobs. We continue to point out potential cost savings to the company that do not require changing any of the terms of our Agreement. The work that has been done so far has closed a large gap between us and any vendor but there is still more efficiencies that most be determined to get us closer. The time table for a decision has been revised to early August and we will use every day available to us to try to keep this work within the IAM represented classifications.
Continental CEO departs
Continental Airlines CEO, Larry Kellner, announced he would resign his position at the end of 2009. this announcement comes after the Dept. of Transportation granted amended anti-trust immunity to CAL and UAL which allows for their planned expansion of an alliance. CAL is on track to join the Star Alliance in October but this newly granted immunity will allow both carriers to move aggressively now to coordinate schedules and pricing, among other things, as their global partnership moves forward. Most analysts see Mr. Kellner’s resignation as having little to no effect on the planned alliance but some have commented that this move means there is no immediate chance of a merger between the two carriers. Of course, in the airline industry talk of mergers never dies, it just gets put off for a while.
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US closes, outsources, reduces staff in 13 stations; 5 protected
US Airways announced staff reductions affecting 233 fleet service workers. The notice came from Ron Harbinson, US Airways labor relations spokesperson, on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
US Airways says it plans to reduce staff at five stations, with OAK losing 4 Members; PDX – 9 Members; SFO – 6 Members; SMF – 7 Members, and CLP – 5 Members.
The company also says it plans to outsource work at another eight stations.
Five of those stations have contract language prohibiting the company from doing so. Grievances will be under way in AUS, ELP, OMA, MKE, and BUR. Stations which do not have contract language controlling outsourcing are ICT, COS, and LGB.
Furlough packets will become available on July 21st. Furlough packets contain transfer options for affected employees.
EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services are available. Jeffrey Randolph, Chairperson, US Airways EAP can be reached at 904 556-1110 or jeff_randolph@comcast.net.
Mike Crowell, District 141 AGC, is coordinating union response to US Airways furloughs. Crowell can be reached at 704.975.1299 (cell); 704.359.3569 (fax), and at
mcrowell@iam141.org.
The company will be sending its own regional representatives to make the company case for shrinking US Airways. Spokesperson Jerry Kaler will visit BUR* on July 15; LGB – July 16; COS – July 17; PDX – July 21, and SMF – July 22.
Concurrently, Brian McMurray, US Airways company spokesperson, will visit MKE* on July 15; ELP*– July 1*; AUS*– July 17; OMA*– July 20, and ICT – July 21.
* These are stations whose contract language restricts outsourcing.
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