141 Update
print this update (86kb pdf) | Officer Elections | Delta, Merger, Talks
New NMB Process May Relieve Backlog
Representatives of District 141 and US Airways management met with senior mediators from the National Mediation Board, NMB, last week The purpose of meeting was to receive an explanation of the NMB Grievance Mediation program from the NMB, and to receive training in it. The all day session outlined the Board’s process, and how each side in the grievance process participates. The training was very helpful in allowing both the IAM and the company to see the benefit of working within this process to resolve outstanding cases. Both sides came away from committed to giving this new program an opportunity to succeed.
Further discussions will better define how both the IAM and US Airways can set up a workable system for mediating some of our grievances. Then we will notify the NMB and begin. Both sides expect this process — one that tries to get all parties to agree to a settlement before going to arbitration — to succeed with the help of the professional mediators supplied by the NMB.
Officer Elections
This past week also was the conclusion of the District Lodge 141 Officers election.
Local Lodges throughout the District have been conducting elections during the month of June. Now that the casting of votes is complete the appointed District Tellers will meet in Chicago this coming week to recount and tabulate the ballots from each local. Once that process is complete the official notification of the successful candidates will be announced.
We thank all Members that participated in the election process.
The election of representatives is a significant fundamental aspect of the IAM. Not all Unions conduct elections this way. Several of our rival Unions do not put the trust and responsibility for determining representation in the hands of their Members, as the IAM does. A Member driven democratic process on which our Union is built is a source of pride for all Members.
Delta/Northwest Representation Elections
As one election concludes, another begins. This past week two historical events happened.
First, the National Mediation Board rule change, regarding how representation elections are conducted within the airline industry, was enacted. This change will allow future elections to be decided by a majority of the votes cast, rather than counting employees who choose not to vote in the election as votes against a Union. While this change does not guarantee success in the future, it gives hope that in a fair election employees will be more willing to participate in the process and vote for Union representation.
Immediately after the rule change became effective, the IAM began a process to hold an election for the Delta workforce.
The importance of this election cannot be over emphasized. Airline employees, whether they work for Delta or any other carrier, will be affected by the outcome of this vote. It is in all of our interests to actively support the IAM Members formerly working for Northwest Airlines who are fighting to keep their right of representation.
Merger/Representation Meeting This Week
The Transportation Department of the IAM has called for a combination merger/representation summit for this week.
Members of District 141 will be receiving training from the staff of the Winpisinger Center on issues relating to the proposed United/Continental merger. Part of the agenda will be to meet with upper management of both airlines to hear directly from them what they anticipate the merger will have on employees. Other Transportation District Members attending this summit will focus on the Delta vote.
United Negotiations
Contract negotiations with United will resume next week. | top