Headline News

Airline Division News, Week Ending July 13, 2013

GoJet Discussions Continue

The GoJets pilot negotiation committee met with the company representation on Thursday, July 11th

Prior to the meeting, The IBT Negotiating Team spent a very beneficial Monday through Wednesday in preparation for the meeting with the Company on Thursday. They were joined by IBT Airline Division International Representative Captain Rick Dubinsky who will be working with the team going forward.

The Company opened Thursday by passing three counter proposals on Sections 23 – (Discipline and Discharge), Section 24 – (Grievances), and Section 28 – (Union Security).  The union passed counters on Section 6 – (Travel Expenses), Section 15 – (Leaves of Absence), Section 25 – (System Board of Adjustment) and Section 29 – (Union Security). Section 6 – (Travel Expenses) was tentatively agreed to by the parties. 

The parties will reconvene for the next negotiating session in August.

UAL Discussions Continue

Teamster Business Agents and Principal Officers representing the combined carriers met in Washington, DC on July 8th to discuss the current status of the negotiations at United Airlines. Collectively, the group decided it would be best to reconvene the steering committee prior to any interaction with the carrier. The group decided that reconvening the full committee would allow for discussions both about what transpired during the facilitated talks as well as an opportunity to fully explore options moving forward. Dates and locations were then discussed for the reconvening of the steering committee. The second half of the day was spent discussing scope related issues as well as how the company is currently interpreting the language in the three agreements. It became clear that there were several issues that would need to be moved into the grievance process.

Two members of the Seniority Integration Committee (SIC) met for several weeks during May to start the construction of a merged sUA/sCO/sCMI seniority list. The two committee members worked hand in hand with the company representatives assigned to blending the three lists covering mechanic and related classifications into one. While progress was made in applying the recommendations of the full SIC, there are unresolved concerns that have precluded the parties concluding a finalized merged Seniority list.

Considerable time was spent applying the provisions of the Consent Decree, on sCO and sCMI technician dates, in preparation for an integrated Furlough/Recall Date (Consent Decree Date) list. This process requires building an entirely new Furlough/Recall Seniority Date list for sCO and sCMI, and involves a time consuming review of records in order to comply with the Consent Decree. Company personnel files detailing employment history have been made available in order to ascertain accurate dates and methods for Seniority list integration.

The work on combining the list will continue in agreement with the parties on the first opportunity regardless and separate of the anticipated negotiating schedule.

Final Flight

It is with great sadness that the Airline Division acknowledges the passing of Atlas Air Captain William E. “Bill” Crooker III, who died unexpectedly in Hampton, Virginia on July 7, 2013. A member of Local 1224, Bill was 48.

Born, raised, and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Bill moved to Hampton, Virginia 15 years ago to continue his career, and more importantly, his love of flying. A pilot with Atlas Air for 14 years, he was most recently as Captain of the Boeing 747-400 and the new 8F. He was a member of AOPA, Quiet Birdman, the International Cessna 195 Club, the Military Aviation Museum, and the Hampton Yacht Club.

Bill will be remembered for his charismatic attitude and willingness to help anyone. Although he loved his life and flying, his true passion was spending time with his family. He was a beloved husband and father and is survived by his wife Stacey L. Crooker, and his children William E. Crooker IV and Rachel Rose Crooker. He was the son of William E. Crooker II and Barbara G. Linn, and brother to Nayda B. Orsini. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Services and a Funeral Mass were held at Sacred Heart Church in Quincy, Massachusetts on July 11th, and he was interred at St. Josephs Cemetery in West Roxbury. Donations may be made in his memory to:

The Wounded Warrior Project
370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802
New York, New York 10001.

Airline Industry News

Governmental and Regulatory

As the investigation continues, NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said investigators still have a lot of information to review before issuing a final report on Asiana 214 in the months ahead.

USAirways received approval from the Department of Transportation to offer daily service from Charlotte, N.C., to São Paulo.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to increase the flight hours required for co-pilots on U.S. commercial and cargo flights. The hours to attain first officer or co-pilot status will increase from 250 hours to 1,500 hours.

Airlines, Industry and Labor

USAirways mechanics begin voting on Tuesday for a new labor union.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker announced that shareholders voted in favor of a merger with American Airlines at a meeting on Friday.

Design features of the Boeing 777 may have saved lives aboard Asiana Airlines flight 214. "This, to me, is actually more of a story about tremendous safety… This is a very safe plane,” said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst at the Teal Group.