Your 21st Century Labor Union
IAM-United Passenger Service Members at Dulles Airport, VA.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.
This week the two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline. The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger. The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has bee tapped to run the DOT
The Obama Administration today nominated Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to head the Department of Transportation, replacing current Secretary Ray Lahood.
Foxx has received much praise for his efforts in expanding and improving Charlotte's transit infrastructure as a way to grow the economy.
"The IAM looks forward to working with Mayor Foxx to address many of the nation's transportation issues," said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. "We look forward to assist in expediting Mayor Foxx' confirmation."
The post requires Senate approval.
IAM Flight Attendants Say No Knives Ever Again at DCA Airport
Following the Transportation Security Agency’s (TSA) decision to delay allowing knives and other dangerous objects onboard commercial aircraft, IAM Flight Attendants—and their Coalition of Flight Attendant Union partners—descended upon Reagan National Airport in Washington DC to say knives should be permanently banned from the sky.
"Flight Attendants deserve a weapon-free workplace," said IAM Flight Attendant Sara Gonzales. “Keep in mind, there is no security, police or medical help at 30,000 feet. Your Flight Attendants must stand on their own to protect the flying public.”
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks the newly formed TSA banned knives and other dangerous objects from commercial aircraft. Earlier this year, in a move that shocked the flying public, the TSA reversed course and proposed allowing knives, small clubs and other dangerous objects onboard the nation’s jetliners.
For more information click here.
In response to US Airways’ refusal to negotiate a contract with the airlines’ IAM-represented Mechanics and Related workers, informational pickets were held yesterday at US Airways’ largest locations. IAM members took their dispute public and informed US Airways’ passengers and the media about their fight for a fair contract with what will be the largest global carrier.
“We’ve been in negotiations for over two years with US Airways and their last proposal was insulting,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “We intend to utilize every available option within the law to secure fair contracts at US Airways, including picketing US Airways.”
The IAM recently requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) release the parties from mediated talks. If released by the NMB, a 30-day “cooling off” period would begin and if no agreement can be reached, the IAM would then be free to strike. The NMB has yet to respond to the IAM’s request.
Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette story.
Click here to read the WBTV.com story.
In an effort to delay the implementation of the Transportation Security Agency’s (TSA) decision to allow knives, baseball bats and other objects that threaten the security of air travel, Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) has introduced House Resolution 156.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today formally requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) release its US Airways Mechanic & Related members from further mediated contract negotiations and initiate a thirty-day countdown to a strike.
When the NMB releases both parties from mediated talks, the agency would then make a proffer of binding arbitration. If either party rejects the proffer, a 30-day cooling off period would begin. If an agreement still cannot be reached by the end of the 30 days, IAM members would be free to strike.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) this week pressed the US Treasury Department to adopt a special rule to treat Flight Attendants as full-time employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today declared renewed contracts for its US Airways members must be concluded before the IAM is willing to support the merger of US Airways and American Airlines.
Less than a year after resolving all representational disputes at the airline formed by a merger of United, Continental and Continental Micronesia airlines, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced tentative agreements for 32,500 employees in the Ramp/Fleet Service, Public Contact/Reservations and Stock Clerk/Stores classifications at the world’s largest airline.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) praise the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule that guarantees Flight Attendants are not denied protections afforded by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The passage of the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act in 2009 established new FMLA leave eligibility requirements that addressed the unique issues of Flight Attendant scheduling. The DOL final rule provides guidance to ensure consistent application throughout the industry and establishes a minimum basic benefit for all Flight Attendants regardless of their carrier.
The
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) submitted comments to the Department of Transportation regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's Policy Statement on Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Aircraft Crewmembers.
"For many years the IAM has been concerned about the occupational safety of Flight Attendants and has advocated for OSHA to play a role in regulating safety standards for flight crewmembers," said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. "This new involvement of OSHA in aircraft cabin crewmember safety is long overdue."
While praising the extension of OSHA regulations to Flight Attendants, the IAM pressed for broadening OSHA oversight beyond hazard communication, blood borne pathogens and hearing conservation for employees inside the aircraft.
"We applaud the departments for identifying these areas, allowing OSHA standards to apply, and expect this will greatly improve Flight Attendant occupational safety and health," said Pantoja. "However, OSHA involvement in aircraft cabin crewmember safety should not be limited to only these three areas."
Late last year the FAA and OSHA announced the extension of limited OSHA protections to aircraft crewmembers.
Click here to read the IAM's comments.
The Federal Aviation Administration today proposed a new policy that establishes the extension of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for Flight Attendants.
“For too long Flight Attendants have worked without the protections provided for under OSHA regulations,” said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “The IAM has long fought for Flight Attendants to be covered under OSHA requirements and we are pleased that the FAA has proposed to right this wrong.”
The IAM will submit comments to the FAA in support for extending of OSHA protections to Flight Attendants within the next 30 days.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandated the FAA to develop a policy statement to set forth the circumstances in which OSHA requirements may be applied to aircraft cabin crew.
The IAM is the largest airline union representing over 100,000 airline workers in North America.
IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja called for tighter regulations in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which seeks to reform the rules governing aircraft repair stations.
A few months ago, a dedicated team of Delta Flight Attendants initiated a true grass roots effort to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Acting without IAM assistance, hundreds of Flight Attendant activists have collected thousands of signed cards requesting an election to choose IAM representation.
The Machinists Union itself has not actively engaged in any organizing effort for Delta Flight Attendants - until today.
The IAM will not ignore the thousands of Delta Flight Attendants who have already requested IAM representation. We fully support the efforts of your activist leaders and today we are proud to announce the official launch of an IAM organizing campaign.
We look forward to showing you how the IAM can improve your quality of life and your career at Delta Air Lines. I urge you to talk to your flying partners about the benefits of IAM representation.
Please visit iamdelta.net for the latest campaign information and to sign up for email updates. The site also has an election authorization card for you to complete. Signing authorization cards is a necessary first step toward an election in which Delta Flight Attendants can then choose IAM representation. Delta Air Lines will never know who signs an election authorization card.
You can also call the IAM Delta Flight Attendant Hotline at 1-800-998-3554 to speak to an IAM Representative.
We are at a historic crossroads and your coworkers are offering you an opportunity for a better future with IAM. Together, we will help all Delta Flight Attendants enjoy a better quality of life – you deserve it!
Thank you for this opportunity to introduce you to our union.
Sincerely,
Sito Pantoja GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT
The National Mediation Board today announced the IAM received a majority of votes cast and will represent 34 Stock and Stores Clerks at Horizon Air.
IAM attorneys last month defended the rights of the newest Machinists, defeating Horizon Air’s attempt to reclassify the Stock and Stores Clerks as part of the Mechanics and Related craft. The legal victory at the NMB secured the worker’s right to vote for IAM representation.
District Lodge 142 General Chairman Jeff Tobius skillfully coordinated a dedicated group of grass roots organizers whose determination to attain a legal voice in the workplace never wavered.
The Flight Attendant Union Coalition (FAUC) yesterday announced its endorsement of the re-election of President Barack Obama at The National Press Club in Washington D.C.
LL2339O President Troy Marr addresses the National Press Club
The National Mediation Board (NMB) yesterday certified the IAM as the authorized representative of 185 Fleet Technical Instructors (FTIs) at the airline formed by the merger of United, Continental and Continental Micronesia.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced an agreement with United Airlines to enter into expedited contract negotiations with the assistance of the National Mediation Board (NMB) for six classifications covering 35,400 employees at the airline.
IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja today called for the reinstatement of 305 Turkish Airlines employees who were illegally discharged in Istanbul after protesting the Turkish Government’s recent strike ban in the aviation sector and expressed serious concern about the airline’s disregard of international core labor standards.
Delta Air Lines announced Friday plans to shut down its commuter subsidiary Comair Inc. The IAM represents 224 aircraft maintenance and related workers at the airline who will be affected by the closure. Recognizing that Comair was having financial difficulties, IAM District Lodge 142 had attempted to negotiate an agreement that would address Delta’s attempt to reduce costs while providing for the future of Comair and the members the IAM represents. The IAM’s request for future job security was not met with a response.
The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, representing nearly 90,000 Flight Attendants in the United States, applauds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for announcing inclusion of all U.S.-based Flight Attendants into the risk-based, Known Crewmember (KCM) program. Veda Shook, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President; Laura Glading, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) President; Sito Pantoja, International Association of Machinists (IAM) General Vice President; Captain David Bourne, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airline Division Director; and Jim Little, Transport Workers Union (TWU) International President, today issued the following statement:
US Airways CEO Doug Parker spoke this week at a National Press Club luncheon, arguing emphatically for a merger between US Airways and American Airlines. Parker was flanked by leaders of the three largest unions at American Airlines, while the unions representing his own employees, the employees whose sacrifice is the only reason US Airways exists today, were ignored.
Unions representing workers from the major airline alliances are meeting this week in Argentina to share information and develop strategic responses to developments in the industry. They will cover issues such as the implications of the proposed LAN-TAM merger on Oneworld Alliance workers and the situation at Turkish Airlines, which has raised serious concern among Star Alliance unions.
The IAM spoke out for transportation workers' rights at a recent hearing before the National Mediation Board (NMB) to consider procedures governing representation disputes following an airline merger.
The hearing was necessitated by controversial changes to the Railway Labor Act (RLA) that were approved by Congress as part of the $63.3 billion Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
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