District lodge 141 news

It's official!

March 16, 2012 — IAM representatives at the national Mediation Board in Washington, D.C. report a majority of eligible voters in the Public Contact Employee group at United Airlines have selected the IAM as their bargaining unit. The IAM thanks voters for their time and trust, organizers and grass-roots supporters for their dedication and tireless work. It is now truly time for working together, and that begins at the bargaining table with United Airlines.

Mr. Jeff Wall, United's Director Of Double Talk

February 6, 2012 — There are now two weeks remaining for eligible voters within the PCE (Public Contact Employee) classifications to decide their future. Both our Union and management are actively trying to convince people that it is in their best interest to support the option that favors one side or the other. District 141, and the entire IAM organization, is working hard to get individuals to see the protection and opportunity that is available by electing to remain in, or join for the first time, our Union. Our message is not complicated. By joining together, all employees of the new United will have a voice in their future wages, benefits, and working conditions through collective bargaining. The company is trying to make the case that by becoming the only non-represented group within the entire corporation, PCE employees will be better off by giving up control of essential workplace issues to managers answerable to shareholders and lending institutions. Since banks and stock owners are only interested in a return on their investment, one must wonder what the expected return on the millions being spent to bust the union will be, and where will it come from? I suspect it will come from the group that can't protect itself. When times are good and profits are high it is sometimes difficult to see the need for the security union membership brings. It is during times of need that it becomes apparent. As the unions on American Airlines begin the process of negotiations under bankruptcy, who will be speaking for the non-represented PCE employees of American?

Paint Jobs and Presidents Clubs over Operation
This week's Bloomberg Business Week magazine featured a cover story of the current state of the Continental/United merger. While most of the reaction has been to the questionable, and many believe vulgar, cover graphic the magazine chose to publish, the lengthy article highlighted the complexity of merging the two large legacy airlines into the world's largest carrier. Even the smallest detail of integration of service has taken excessive amounts of time to finalize. One example given in the article was the issue of what coffee to serve to passengers, once the airlines are fully merged. It was interesting to read about the 14-member committee that met for months over this critical issue. On the topic of labor agreements, however, it does not appear the company has placed the same priority, for any labor group. A quote from an ALPA representative puts it in perspective. "The emphasis has been on paint jobs and Presidents Clubs and not on the operational side." The article makes clear that the company has dragged its feet in contract negotiations with all unionized groups waiting for representation elections to be completed. In the case of the PCE classifications the company is hoping they do not have to negotiate at all, ever again.

Wall, and management's gag order
District 141 and our International's Legal Department have collected information from across the United system regarding the work performed in line stations and Members' rights to exercise their seniority to work in different areas within their stations. This information gathering has been required, due to United's new position that many line station CSR's should be prohibited from voting in the PCE representation election. While the company now blames the NMB and the rules for their position, the question for the company is, "Why didn't you take this position during the Ramp election? The NMB rules have not changed, and you had the same responsibility to follow them then." Statements by company officials clearly show their intent to deny any voting rights to these affected employees. They did not want them voting in the Ramp election, and do not want them voting in the PCE election. The company has been consistent in only one aspect through these processes­—they have tried to influence an anti-IAM election result. As we have stated before, it is now up to every eligible PCE voter to stand up for their co-workers and choose Option #1.

FAA
We are asking all members of District Lodge 141 to sign the attaché petition. This petition asks Congressmen and Senators to vote NO on the currently pending legislation, and work towards a new bill that truly addresses the necessary funding of the FAA without including punishing anti-union requirements. The current bill seeks to change the voting rights of employees in the railroad and airline industry in union representation elections and take away the National Mediation Board's historic authority to oversee such elections. The IAM's position is that funding for the nation's aviation authority should not be held hostage by including unconnected provisions over labor issues; if there is a need to revise the current labor laws that should be handled separately, through full discussion with all concerned parties before radical changes are made. Please support the efforts of all concerned transportation unions in opposing this congressional action. Print...

District lodge 141 news

We Say....Make It Count!

Even if you are among the thousand eligible voters whom the company is trying to unfairly exclude, it is important that you DO VOTE. And vote now.

January 31, 2012 — Members and employees of the PCE group (Public Contact Employees) have about three weeks remaining to vote in the ongoing representation election for United, Continental, and Continental Micronesia employees. On February 21, 2012 the National Mediation Board will determine, after tallying all considered votes, whether PCE employees will be represented by the IAM or not.

Complicating this basic, straightforward vote is the position United Airlines has taken with the National Mediation Board. The company is claiming that almost 1,000 actively employed United Members should not have their votes counted on February 21. They are seeking to have the NMB deny voting rights to line station CSR's that work the ramp, and the entire classification of SOR. The IAM will be presenting evidence and arguments to the NMB to make sure these long time IAM Members' votes are counted. Ultimately, it is a decision that must be made by the NMB.

The company's position—that the identified people should not count—is different than the position the company has taken in the past regarding these same employees. In 1998, the year of the successful representation election that brought all the PCE classifications into the IAM, the company believed line station CSR's working the ramp should be permitted to vote. In fact, many of the current individuals the company is now seeking to bar voted in the 1998 election. A few short months ago United did not include any of these employees in the eligibility list they provided to the NMB during the Ramp/Fleet Service representation election. In addition, United agreed with the Teamsters, and denied some SOR's that appeared on the Ramp/Fleet Service eligibility lists a vote in that election, recognizing they were in a different classification.

What is clear is the company is doing everything they can to limit the number of Option #1 votes from being counted. What they cannot stop is those votes from being cast. We are requesting that all PCE members, whether you are on the challenged list or not, to exercise your right to vote right away. The arguments between the Union and the company, and the decision of the NMB, will be over whether votes should be counted. If the vote is never cast, it can never be counted.

We ask you to protect your co-workers from being disenfranchised by the company's position, and recognize how important your vote has become. Your vote is not only about your future; it is about helping your co-workers' voices be heard. Make it count. Let your vote count for the democratic idea that everyone should have the right to vote. Make it count to tell the company that legal tricks should not be a part of the new culture. Make it count so all PCE voters determine the outcome. Print...