NMB Issues Ruling on Single Carrier Status Filing

Writing in part that, “The Board finds that United and Continental (including CMI) are operating as a single transportation system for representation purposes under the RLA. Accordingly, IBT’s application in File No. CR-7081 is converted to NMB Case No. R-736;” on May 15^th, NMB General Counsel Mary Johnson ruled in favor of the petition filed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on behalf of Airline Division members at the carriers.

“We’re very pleased with the ruling and appreciate the time and diligence the Board spent on this filing,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “This is yet another step in a process that will allow us to move forward on a joint collective bargaining agreement destined to improve the careers and job security of our members,” he concluded.

Two failed unions won’t fix anything for USAirways or American, says Teamsters

Fresh on the heels of the filing for a representation election by the mechanics of USAirways; who are seeking to decertify the International Association of Machinists in favor of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and with word that a similar filing is in the works at American Airlines represented by the Transport Workers Union; IAM and TWU have now decided to share the role of representing ground workers at American Airlines and US Airways after the carriers merge.

“After years of concessionary agreements and poor representation, mechanics at USAirways have had enough and want a change. Soon we expect the same filing at American. The TWU’s and IAM’s solution is to bring together two failed unions and continue to do the same thing,” said a representative of the Teamsters Airline Division. “Just as two wrongs don’t make a right; two unions that have failed miserably to represent their members won’t make things any better.”

The mechanics of USAirways and soon, American, will have the opportunity to make a positive change for their future. Under Teamster representation, they will be members of the Teamsters as well as TAMC, giving them a voice with over 30,000 other aviation maintenance professionals on issues that have a direct impact on their careers. “No other union can do that,” the representative went on to say.

Flight Diverts After Total Loss of Electrical Power

After suffering a total loss of electrical power of all electrical generators; and unable to power the aircraft with the APU generator, Chautauqua Flight 6108 landed safely at Manchester Boston Regional Airport on Wednesday May 15^th.

The flight; operated by Republic Airlines was enroute from New York LaGuardia airport to Bangor, Maine when the multiple failures occurred, leaving the crew with only limited electrical power from the aircraft battery to power critical systems.

“We’re very proud of the exceptional professionalism exhibited by the flight crew,” said Airline Division Director David Bourne. “We’re also very thankful for the extreme professionalism and support given to the crew by air traffic controllers, who safely guided them through instrument weather conditions to a safe arrival.”

Airline Industry News

Governmental and Regulatory

The Federal Aviation Administration proceeded with employee bonuses despite the sequester, an internal document shows, despite a memo from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood instructing the FAA not to award bonuses in 2013.

The Federal Aviation Administration performed a limited test of technology that would allow pilots to text message air traffic controllers through cockpit systems.

Industry and Labor

After years of financial losses, the industry "is heading in the right direction," said John Heimlich, chief economist for Airlines for America.

Boeing announced on Tuesday that it has restarted deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner.

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