Here's your weekly update:
1. More labor unrest at Southwest: In Dallas federal court Thursday, Southwest accused Transport Workers Union Local 555 of an “illegal job action” stemming from a regional meeting in California that took place on Wednesday and left some West Coast airports short-handed.
Greg Puriski, TWU Local 555 President, says Southwest, is “accusing us of illegal job actions when all we’re having are regional meetings to discuss our options under the Railway Labor Act. We had one meeting in California, where we had more than triple the expected attendance. That’s how frustrated our members are.”
TWU International President Harry Lombardo pledged the union’s full support of every member at Southwest Airlines. “In this union, one local’s fight is everyone’s fight. I’m tired of watching the airline industry get rich on the backs of working people. It’s time to fight back,” Lombardo said.
Lombardo went on to explain, “The rules that govern collective bargaining in the airline industry are broken, plain and simple. Companies are raking in record profits, CEOs are doing better than ever, and air travel has never been more expensive. Yet the people who get up and go to work every day to make sure those flights get off the ground – pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, ground crews, you name it – are struggling to support their families. These airlines have zero incentive to come to the table and bargain in good faith with their workers, and it’s time we change that system. The game is rigged, and I won’t stand by and watch as Southwest Airlines – or any company – continues to exploit the hardworking men and women of this union.”
Please click on the links below for more information.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/sky-talk-blog/article45126114.html
3. Airport workers strike: Entering one of the busiest holiday travel weeks of the year, about 2,000 baggage handlers and other airport workers at seven airports went on strike Wednesday night over pay and union rights.
The work action began at JFK and LaGuardia in New York, Boston Logan, Chicago O'Hare, Fort Lauderdale, Newark and Philadelphia. The workers that struck were from a third party security service seeking $15 an hour. Please click on the links below for more information.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/2-000-contract-airport-workers-go-strike-seven-u-s-n466041
http://abc7chicago.com/news/ohare-security-workers-strike-thursday/1091045/
4. Monthly meeting with management: We met this past Thursday with senior management. Here are the issues brought forward by the company:
Tobacco free policy: There are many questions about this new corporate policy and the company is still gathering information on how this is going to be implemented and what it means. There will be more discussions going forward. The company says they are going to be empathetic and understanding and will try and help people that will try and quit the addictive habit.
The load factor for October was over 85%. The next 10 days will see an average load factor of 90 – 92%. Overtime will be plentiful for the next ten days.
Revised final bag light procedure. We were told the procedure is being changed and is still being developed. They want to reverse the procedure where the bag light will be used if you are still waiting on bags. There will be more discussion on this issue before it is rolled out.
Title II facilities vacancies: With the shutdown of the TAESL facility there will be a system surplus of Title II employees. That surplus will hopefully help fill the remaining 4 mechanic vacancies that remain here.
HO for Thanksgiving: Some members in both Title groups will be given HO this year again for Thanksgiving
Issues raised by the Local:
DOA ticketing issue: Last Saturday one DOA Officer issues in excess of 30 tickets to our members for leaving the service road between the H and K finger. The company has reached out to the DOA for clarification on this and a meeting is set for Nov. 30thto discuss this issue.
2016 vacation selection issue: The vacation selection process for next year saw the same issue with very limited weeks for some of the more junior employees when bidding. We will work with the company to find a solution to offer additional weeks for everyone to bid. We hope to have 3 rounds of bidding to get as much movement as possible to help ease the pain of the selection process. As more details are worked out we will share them with you.
Training issues: We touched on several issues that came up with training. We will address them with training manager Sheila Murphy before the next efficiency meeting.
The 45 minute rule: In the past few months the company unilaterally initiated this policy. When we asked about the policy VP Tedeschi provided us with the policy as it wasn’t shared with us. President Murphy addressed the inconsistent manner in the application of the policy and that it wasn’t communicated with us. We addressed the manner in how many CSM’s conduct themselves and were asked to provide more specifics when this happens. If this happens to you, please follow up with a steward or officer and provide the who, what, when and where of what happened.
Title III grievance issues: We are still encountering issue in the processing, handling and payment of grievances for Title III members. We will continue to meet with the company to resolve these issues. If you have an issue with a particular grievance please call the office and speak to an Officer.
5. Pre-funding update: The pre-funding arbitration took place last week as scheduled. We have received no information about how the case was presented or any indications on how the presenters felt about how it went. As soon as we receive any information about this case we will pass it along immediately.
Please work smart and stay safe.
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