Fleet Service topic IAM 141

[mike33]

Point of clarification

I spoke to a particular west sider by phone for the first time today. He cautiously asked me if I really was the Local Chairman in ORD. After a slight chuckle I said Randy sure is doing a great job telling everyone that I'm not the Local Chairman in ORD. But I said, Yes, I am the Local Chairman and told him to call ORD breakroom and ask one of the masses.
But it also occured to me to point him to the IAM Local 1487 website. So for all to see, kindly click
IAM Local 1487 which has a link on Randy's own DL141 website. Oddly it mentions me as the Local Chairman for ORD. Wow, how can that be? Pay no attention to Randy. Randy is Randy.

Here's the link: Greivance Chairman for 1487

I hope this resolves this silly sidebar. And of course I go to the meetings and give my grievance reports. I handle all grievances in ORD and am currently working on a termination one.

regards,

Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago

Tim

I know you understand that the question had to be asked. You and I don't know each other and Yes! I now know you are the ORD Grv. Chair.

Mike33

 

[roadtrip]

Point of clarification

I spoke to a particular west sider by phone for the first time today. He cautiously asked me if I really was the Local Chairman in ORD. After a slight chuckle I said Randy sure is doing a great job telling everyone that I'm not the Local Chairman in ORD. But I said, Yes, I am the Local Chairman and told him to call ORD breakroom and ask one of the masses.
But it also occured to me to point him to the IAM Local 1487 website. So for all to see, kindly click
IAM Local 1487 which has a link on Randy's own DL141 website. Oddly it mentions me as the Local Chairman for ORD. Wow, how can that be? Pay no attention to Randy. Randy is Randy.

Here's the link: Greivance Chairman for 1487

I hope this resolves this silly sidebar. And of course I go to the meetings and give my grievance reports. I handle all grievances in ORD and am currently working on a termination one.

regards,

Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago

You mean Randy is misdirecting its members ....tell me its not soooo

By the way Tim whats the latest will Randy debate you in PHilly? I will come in to see that event...

 

[lithuanian]

This is directed to the CIC. We question why the CIC is one of the first requests that need addressed and given up. Hey! AWA has no idea what it is! For some reason it is the Holy Grail! This is the Camelot! What does the CIC hold that the IAM is willing to give away------and the Company hold' sacret!

What did the company need the CIC so fiercely and the IAM give up for this in the Transition.

We went to the Q and A in Phoenix and our RR and LAX AGC washed it over. ( It, the CIC, would be reworded in any of the new mergers). We don't take that for honesty. Maybe a payoff.

What is the significancy of the CIC!

 

[Tim Nelson]

You mean Randy is misdirecting its members ....tell me its not soooo

By the way Tim whats the latest will Randy debate you in PHilly? I will come in to see that event...

After a small survey it was determined that the Local would be packed for a debate between me and Randy. It was suggested that a $5 admission could be asked with the proceeds going to the IAM"s "Guard dogs of America". A worthy cause indeed. I spoke with Randy's Local Prez and he thought it was a fantastic idea and said he would contact Randy. I told him just to ask Randy the place, time, date, and I'll be there. It will allow Randy the opportunity to 'set me straight'!

I'm hoping our fearless United Airline Board of Director Leader can make time for li'l ole me.

Exclusive Website for the Tentative Agreement

regards,
Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago
email: appearances1@aol.com

 

[Theo Corner]

I talked with a guy who use to work in ORD the other day and I aksed him about Tim.
He said he worked nights didnt see him much but he kinda made it clear even in his own station hes not always a welcome site.
Im not tring to bash anyone here but from what I have read and seen over these last several months is Tim is only in it for Tim. The facts just dont mean anything to him most of the time, in fact I equate what he and his friends to almost a cult following. I do respect him though in some of his research and his dedication.
As far as Im concerned here and, for anyone who plans on voting no its my money your gambling with here when you say bring us back more. Well there not going to bring us back more and I for one dont feel like waiting anymore for that pie in the sky hope for best contract right now.
I certainly am not willing to wait another 3 years to improve my pay at the class 2 level.
I beleive my west counterparts are not either.
Its time to move on and be done with this transition, we will be stronger for it as we all join under one agreement.
If we do find ourselves in another merger than I also think we will be in a much stronger position.

The time for me to be silent has now past.

Henderfuzz, I am not sure what station you are in, but we have not had anyone transfer out of ORD in about five years. You are again WRONG about your "facts". Tim works mornings not nights. And he or I am the two men in the station EVERYONE comes to for answers about the contract in place or the TA that is out there. Do I listen to everything Tim says like he is the Messiah? Of course not. He and I have sometimes argued about interpretation of language and such, but he does know more about the contracts than most people do. I also have actually met Randy Canale. He nearly had me thrown out of an "Informational Meeting" when I was the Chairman at ORD. I was nearly tossed for saying I wanted to give up Labor Day as a holiday (when we were giving these days back) because our union no longer believed in Labor but in the Company. TA (the man, not the contract) went ballistic over that.

I hear the argument that M & (Used to be) R gave up so much more than Fleet did in the last round of contracts. In actuality, Utility gave the most as they gave EVERYTHING for the vast majority of the memebers. I am not even sure there are still any Utility left in the company. Yes, the mechanics gave a lot, but they did not give up the ultimate. I commend the Mechanics for their contract. Is it perfect, no. But, if I got the same offer (generally) as they did I would vote yes. Give me back my 10 holidays, my fifth week of vacation, my sick time to be paid day for day, a little respect and about $19.50 or so and I would be fairly happy. I am not asking for the world. I am merely asking to not be continuely screwed by the company and Randy everytime a contract opprotunity comes up. I do not mind fighting one enemy, but no one can win a two front war.

😛h34r:

 

[lithuanian]

Our West counterparts are waiting for fair wages, and fair overtime, and fair holidays and sicktime. But, we are getting the results of US AIRWAYS merging with the LOWEST cost airline. Everything in this contract is 50% better than AWA ever offered. TWU was the best we had because we had nothing in terms of unions. A dollar better was moving up!

You East us air better convince up that living in America is more than average wages, and sick days and overtime and a stable job.

You had a INDUSTRY. We! took a job.

We're willing to take the contract. BUT What is the cost of giving up our rites to IAM.

 

[JoeDirt]

Lithuanian
Here is the CIC language. Im not a labor lawyer so you can read it for yourself. I think it scares the h*ll out of any any potential buyer. You can decide what you think its worth.

Upon a change in control defined as the sale of all or
33 substantially all of the assets or common stock of the
34 Company or US Airways Group in a single transaction (or in
35 multi-step related transactions) to a single purchaser (or a
36 group of purchasers acting in concert, the hourly rates of pay
37 under this agreement shall be increased to the rates which
38 would have been effective following the Pay Parity
39 Adjustment in June 2003 under the Letter of Agreement on
40 pages 59-63 in the basic agreement. In addition to such
41 hourly rates of pay, the IAM will have the right to extend the
42 duration of the IAM Restructuring Agreement for one, two
or three years at the IAM’s option, past the amendable date
2 of the IAM Restructuring Agreement, with across the board
3 wage increases of four and one half percent (4.5%) on the
4 amendable date and on each of the three (3) annual
5 anniversaries of the amendable date thereafter (i.e. 12/31/08,
6 12/31/09 and 12/31/10). For the purposes of this paragraph,
7 “Common Stockâ€￾ is the Common Stock of US Airways
8 Group, which are then outstanding and the Common Stock
9 issuable on exchange, exercise, and/or conversion of
10 securities of the Company or US Airways Group which are
11 then currently exchangeable into, exercisable for, or
12 convertible into such Common stock.

 

[mike33]

We went to the Q and A in Phoenix and our RR and LAX AGC washed it over. ( It, the CIC, would be reworded in any of the new mergers). We don't take that for honesty. Maybe a payoff.

What is the significancy of the CIC!

Lith

Stay tuned and I will scan and post the language for you here. It was washed over because of its worth to mergers & A. It's important enough to come back to the table for I believe due to impending merger activity.

 

[Tim Nelson]

This is directed to the CIC. We question why the CIC is one of the first requests that need addressed and given up. Hey! AWA has no idea what it is! For some reason it is the Holy Grail! This is the Camelot! What does the CIC hold that the IAM is willing to give away------and the Company hold' sacret!

What did the company need the CIC so fiercely and the IAM give up for this in the Transition.

We went to the Q and A in Phoenix and our RR and LAX AGC washed it over. ( It, the CIC, would be reworded in any of the new mergers). We don't take that for honesty. Maybe a payoff.

What is the significancy of the CIC!

The CIC is the "PLUG" that will hold up any merger. Bottom line. Simply put, no airline on the planet is going to sign on to a merger with us without first eliminating a wage that will pay ramp rats up to $26hr, starting at $21.43.
Hemenway needs this really bad and that is why he is asking for it. Right now he has the cover of the IAM Negotiations team telling its members to 'pay no attention to the CIC". However, in a merger it has the teeth of Tiger. Thos negotiators either are making $120,000 or are promised positions on the DL141 eboard. They are putting their own agendas ahead and not staying objective about these things. Just read the goofy letter Randy put out insisting you vote this rag in because Aloha airlines went bankrupt and our stock is low. WTF?

To be clear, I believe in a Tentative agreement since I want this company to participate in merger activity and be prosperous. But not at the cost of a Wal mart contract that keeps fleet service at the absolute bottom in vacation and sick time, and $1.50 behind middle of the packers like Continental.
Vote the contract down and here's why.
We held our cards long enough to see the mergers happening in front of our very own eyes. I told the masses to hold their position last September because of mergers and that Hemenway would come back....because he has to. This is no more gossip but fact. We also had the CIC clarified and defined by an arbitrator that makes it clear in mergers that this is in fact lethal language.

We know Hemenway needs it out for a merger as I can't logically reason that a merger partner would sign on to a merger without the removal of language that provides up to $26hr in wage to rampers. So, we vote out this nonsense contract and force Hemenway back. He'll have to come back to get his language out unless he wants to pay rampers $26hr.

I say sign a new deal that is not greedy at all. We eliminate the CIC, but we gain back the things in the september agreement and then add a week of vacation, grandfather rights out west, a real 60 day elimination, and a moderate wage of $20. Still, we will only be in the middle to bottom of the industry but IMO it would be fair and not greedy.

Lith, you will find out how biased the negotiators are if you ask them this one simple question. "How much is the wage in the CIC?" The answer is simple since it is contained in the "Pay Parity Letter" which stipulates that the pay can NEVER go down. The last pay was $21.43 then add 4.5% raises for 4 years and you get up at about 26 buck.

Hemenway wants it and needs it. Remmeber, mergers are fueling these negotiations, fleet service must finish the race and not quit. A fair agreement is only obtained at the finish line. Hemenway is banking on history repeating itself as fleet service has never endured and grew tired. Fleet needs to hold firm and drink from the well of wisdom, of integrity, an of justice.

The alternative is to vote in a Wal Mart contract that guarantees your vacation to be at the VERY bottom. Your sick pay at the VERY bottom. And your wage about $1.50 less than non-union Continental. This alternative is unacceptable.

regards,

Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago

regards,

 

[Tim Nelson]

Lith

Stay tuned and I will scan and post the language for you here. It was washed over because of its worth to mergers & A. It's important enough to come back to the table for I believe due to impending merger activity.

I think more important than pasting the language is the arbitrator's opinion. US AIRWAYS won the arbitration because it demonstrated that its many investors was not acting in concert. There were about a dozen or more investors. Arbitrator Bloch wrote in his judgement,

"...In seeking to raise capital, the Company shook a lot of different trees,
beginning in February of 2005.5 Prospective investors responded with a variety
of demands. Eastshore, an Air Wisconsin affiliate, committed to $125 million as
a debtor in possession. But the stipulation was that US Airways would use Air
Wisconsin as a US Airways express brand.6 An appeal to Republic Airways,
which involved the sale of slots at LaGuardia and DCA by US Airways to
Republic, was ultimately unproductive.7 Similarly, ACE Aviation invested $75
million, a commitment that included an agreement to perform maintenance work
for US Airways.8 Two private equity funds, Par and Peninsula, committed,
respectively, $100 million (a 10 percent ownership stake) and $50 million, (a five
percent ownership stake).9 A public-company investor fund manager,
Wellington, paid $150 million for a 13 percent ownership stake: It paid $16.50
per share, a premium price compared to prior investors. 10 The Tudor company
paid $65 million for a six percent share, which represented a still-higher price
than was paid by Wellington.
There is no evidence in the record that the disposition of stock to the
varied recipients was anything other than a series of unrelated bargains between
the Company and the individual investment entities. This is relevant to both the
nature of the purchase and the purchasers. If one may describe the buyers as a
group, they were surely not acting in concert: There is no evidence whatsoever
these investors somehow planned with one another to acquire an interest in US
Airways."

In a merger, the CIC has the teeth of a Tiger. Any M & A activity would most assuredly be by a single purchaser or a plurality acting in concert.
This is what Hemenway wants and this is precisely the reason why Fleet service should hold its position for a fair contract. Plus regardless, this Wal Mart contract still shouldn't be voted in. it sucks real bad and is millions less than the one rejected in September.

Tentative Agreement Informational Webpage Updates

regards,
Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago
email: appearances1@aol.com

 

[mike33]

Lith
Stay tuned and I will scan and post the language for you here. It was washed over because of its worth to mergers & A. It's important enough to come back to the table for I believe due to impending merger activity.

Here's what it's worth from the 2003 " Pay Parity " ALL SHOULD READ AND PAY ATTENTION " this is what your Q&A people should not be hiding from you.

Compensation and Related Provisions

Wage Reductions.
Effective on July 1, 2002, the hourly wage rates for fleet service employees will be modified as follows:
· Initial Hourly Rates. The initial hourly wage rates will be reduced by 8.0% and are indicated in Attachment A. These initial wage reductions will be effective July 1, 2002 as outlined in Attachment G. [No hourly rate will be reduced to a rate less than $14.42/hr ($30,000 annually).]

· Increases in 2005-08. The foregoing hourly rates for employees who participated in the pay reductions will be subject to two (2) percent annual increases effective July 1, 2005, July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007. Hourly rates for all employees will be subject to a three (3) percent annual increase effective July 1, 2008.
· Rescission of Parity Letter. No further parity increases will be provided and the Parity Adjustment Process letter will be withdrawn.

Premiums and Other Payments.
· Uniform Cleaning/Replacement. Article 18.F of the Basic Agreement will be amended to eliminate the cleaning allowance for fleet service employees from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008 the cleaning allowance will be reinstated.·
Shift Premiums. The shift premium under Article 19.A of the Basic Agreement will be reduced by 50% from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, shift premiums will be reinstated.·
Overtime. Article 6.N will become effective and paid overtime bypasses will be eliminated with the withdrawal of the Letter of Agreement regarding overtime conversion on page 101 of the Basic Agreement.
·
Line Premium. Article 30 of the Basic Agreement will be amended to eliminate line differential pay from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, line premium will be reinstated.

Sick Leave Accrual.
· Article 13.A of the Basic Agreement will be amended to provide for sick leave accrual as follows:
- From the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008, employees earn one sick leave day per calendar month, up to a maximum of nine (9) sick leave days (no days earned in February, June and October). Effective December 31, 2008, employees earn one sick leave day per calendar month.
Holidays.
· Article 14.A of the Basic Agreement will be modified to provide for eight designated paid holidays, eliminating President’s Day and Columbus Day from the list of holidays from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, President's Day and Columbus day will return to the list of designated paid holidays.


Article 15.B will be amended to provide for accrual of vacation effective from January 1, 2003 through December 30, 2008 as defined in Attachment B. Effective December 31, 2008, vacation accrual will be reinstated as defined in Attachment B.
Effective December 31, 2008, employees beginning their 31st year of service will accrue 3.5 days of vacation each month with a maximum yearly accrual of 35 days.

$$ value I think you can see for yourself..........................Hemenway just needs to be fair to Fleet and the IAM NC needs to be replaced for not giving us all

the facts that they hide between the mattress................

 

[Henderfuzz]

Henderfuzz,
Since mergers are now more than talk at this point and US AIRWAYS name has just popped up today as a nice pickup for AA or UA.

Let's say we vote this down. Then how does that equation work without Hemenway first getting us to remove the change of control which is a clear $21.43hr and up to $26 in 3 years?

I mean Hemenway's main job as the labor relations guy was to secure the removal of the change of control language in the midst of an imminent merger.

One thing people are forgetting is that the change of control has now been defined and tipped towards mergers as opposed to the bankruptcy list of investors. I mean, if Hemenway doesn't come back then this fleet service agreement is lethal to any merging partner.


To be sure, I'm not saying to leave the Change of control in since I think it would restrict an actual merger and I think that we really do need to be a dance partner. But I am saying vote out the contract, give up the change of control, if and only if, we can obtain a fair agreement. Fuzz, a fair agreement isn't one that puts you on the bottom in vacation/sick time and near the bottom in pay. This just isn't fair fuzz.

Give me your comments and discussion on what you see happening if there is a no vote and make sure you recognize an upcoming merger and the change of control language that is in the current contract.

One thing is for sure, The change of control is CLEARLY back in play since mergers will now happen quickly.

Tentative Agreement Summary Sheet

regards,

Tim Nelson
IAM Local CHairman, 1487, Chicago

There may be some truth that they came back because they would like to remove the CIC language.
However I dont feel they must have it removed in order to move forward on a merger.
There will be ways they can structure a merger deal in which we could once again take it to an arbitrator and loose again.
With that said, if we vote no and they go ahead and bring the west into our sorry contract that would leave many of us at the very bottom low wage scale. Not to mention the fact that the 18 stations very much at risk right away from being outsourced.
I know it has been said before that this is the last time, well I somehow believe it this time and again I just dont feel this is a good time to risk such an action with our industry the way it is as well as our economy.

 

[mike33]

There may be some truth that they came back because they would like to remove the CIC language.
However I dont feel they must have it removed in order to move forward on a merger.
There will be ways they can structure a merger deal in which we could once again take it to an arbitrator and loose again.
With that said, if we vote no and they go ahead and bring the west into our sorry contract that would leave many of us at the very bottom low wage scale. Not to mention the fact that the 18 stations very much at risk right away from being outsourced.
I know it has been said before that this is the last time, well I somehow believe it this time and again I just dont feel this is a good time to risk such an action with our industry the way it is as well as our economy.

I differ and reiterate that we are holding the upperhand, but thats just my opinion. I don't tell anyone how to vote. Just put out the facts. The vote is yours

and I feel the anguish, but it amazes me why we have to supply the info and not our representatives.

 

[lithuanian]

This will be the last of many things. The last TA negotiatied with IAM vs US Airways. The last of Mr. Canale and company. The last straw for East fleet to disagree for this lost bankruptcy contract. The last chance for decent wages for AWA.

This is the last chance till: whomever wants to work in the real industry of airlines will WAIT! it out till the end of the last of a really awful result of a bankruptcy contract and look forward to a real bunch of fellas that are really looking out for the interests of fleet workers after one more year till 2009.

The company and results of IAM have not, the interests of moving forward in our behalf, but looking forward to coming to the first of their having never happened merger after 30 years of handling airline contracts. But, never a merger. They said it themselves. These was the toughest they ever handled. And they are settling for the first to create their own LEGACY for IAM. The first of mergers in their behalf.

WE need to create an inviornment for workers, not unions. If we vote this down, AWA will get the sucky contract the east dealt with since 2005 and we in the west will get 19 an hour. But, come 2009, us airways will suffer the results of waiting this out. With the CIC!

 

[Henderfuzz]

Here's what it's worth from the 2003 " Pay Parity " ALL SHOULD READ AND PAY ATTENTION " this is what your Q&A people should not be hiding from you.

Compensation and Related Provisions

Wage Reductions.
Effective on July 1, 2002, the hourly wage rates for fleet service employees will be modified as follows:
· Initial Hourly Rates. The initial hourly wage rates will be reduced by 8.0% and are indicated in Attachment A. These initial wage reductions will be effective July 1, 2002 as outlined in Attachment G. [No hourly rate will be reduced to a rate less than $14.42/hr ($30,000 annually).]

· Increases in 2005-08. The foregoing hourly rates for employees who participated in the pay reductions will be subject to two (2) percent annual increases effective July 1, 2005, July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007. Hourly rates for all employees will be subject to a three (3) percent annual increase effective July 1, 2008.
· Rescission of Parity Letter. No further parity increases will be provided and the Parity Adjustment Process letter will be withdrawn.

Premiums and Other Payments.
· Uniform Cleaning/Replacement. Article 18.F of the Basic Agreement will be amended to eliminate the cleaning allowance for fleet service employees from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008 the cleaning allowance will be reinstated.·
Shift Premiums. The shift premium under Article 19.A of the Basic Agreement will be reduced by 50% from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, shift premiums will be reinstated.·
Overtime. Article 6.N will become effective and paid overtime bypasses will be eliminated with the withdrawal of the Letter of Agreement regarding overtime conversion on page 101 of the Basic Agreement.
·
Line Premium. Article 30 of the Basic Agreement will be amended to eliminate line differential pay from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, line premium will be reinstated.

Sick Leave Accrual.
· Article 13.A of the Basic Agreement will be amended to provide for sick leave accrual as follows:
- From the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008, employees earn one sick leave day per calendar month, up to a maximum of nine (9) sick leave days (no days earned in February, June and October). Effective December 31, 2008, employees earn one sick leave day per calendar month.
Holidays.
· Article 14.A of the Basic Agreement will be modified to provide for eight designated paid holidays, eliminating President’s Day and Columbus Day from the list of holidays from the effective date of the agreement through December 30, 2008. Effective December 31, 2008, President's Day and Columbus day will return to the list of designated paid holidays.


Article 15.B will be amended to provide for accrual of vacation effective from January 1, 2003 through December 30, 2008 as defined in Attachment B. Effective December 31, 2008, vacation accrual will be reinstated as defined in Attachment B.
Effective December 31, 2008, employees beginning their 31st year of service will accrue 3.5 days of vacation each month with a maximum yearly accrual of 35 days.

$$ value I think you can see for yourself..........................Hemenway just needs to be fair to Fleet and the IAM NC needs to be replaced for not giving us all

the facts that they hide between the mattress................

Just curious but what agreement is this from? It doesnt look familiar to me so help me here.