The meeting started on May 23 with a review of the previous ratification process. We talked about what went well and what didn't during that time. We had a good discussion where everyone shared their thoughts and ideas. Here are a few of the important things we talked about:
We hope that all of you had a fabulous Holiday Season!
Although 2017 posed many challenges, we are proud of what we were able to accomplish and that our members now enjoy the best contract in the industry.
As is normally the case, during the transition to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there have been some implementation issues and also some areas where we disagree with the Company in terms of contract interpretation.
For the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members. Academic scholarship range from $1,000 to $10,000 for high school seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university and training/vocational program awards of up to $2,000 for use at community colleges and trade schools.
A new and improved online application process can be found on the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund's website: www.jrhmsf.org.
The devastating wildfires in Northern California have taken lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and impacted many of the communities where our members live and work.
Our first priority is our members and their safety. If you have been evacuated from your home, please reply and let us know if you are safe. We are working with Joint Council 7 All Charities Fund, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' Disaster Relief Fund, and our own Local 856 Solidarity Fund to try and provide assistance to members who have lost their homes. In addition, the JC7 truck has been traveling the area to bring supplies and assistance to evacuees.
The Benefits Committee has been successful in obtaining voluntary ancillary benefits from AFLAC. These benefits are in addition to the benefits offered by United and have been made available by the contract language found in Article 16 J. The products that AFLAC will be offering are Whole Life, Critical Illness, Accident and Short-Term Disability. As a voluntary product you may choose any combination of the offered plans or none, the choice is yours.
Hurricane Harvey devastates Texas
The devastation that has been caused by Hurricane Harvey is hard to imagine. We want to take a minute to send out our thoughts and prayers to our Brothers and Sisters in Texas. We sincerely hope that they and their families are safe. We urge you all to take a moment to donate some money to the relief efforts if you can.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Benefits Committee at United Airlines has put together an informational and resource package to assist members in understanding retirement benefits. The goal of this guide is to provide a quick-reference guide to help UAL Teamster members with retirement concerns and questions.
On Thursday July 6th, the company invited the Business Agents to Chicago for the purpose of meeting the new HR team for United Airlines. The meeting was primarily introductory and no specific station or member grievances were discussed. The main topic surrounded the new HR structure along with contact information and station assignments for the new team. This was followed by a conversation on the filing of vacancies.
Joint Communication on IBT Lump Sum Hold Back Allocation
As per LOA #28, the Company held back 3.0% of the $185M lump sum pool to correct any errors or omissions in the allocation, calculation and distribution of the lump sum, as determined in the challenge process. All disputed claims have now been finalized and the remaining contingency will be paid pro rata to eligible employees according to the allocation methodology. Hold back payments will be paid to employees in a separate check on June 7, 2017. Regular 401k election rules will apply for domestic US employees.
As per LOA #28, the Company held back 3.0% of the $185M lump sum pool to correct any errors or omissions in the allocation, calculation and distribution of the lump sum, as determined in the challenge process. All disputed claims have now been finalized and the remaining contingency will be paid pro rata to eligible employees according to the allocation methodology. Hold back payments will be paid to employees in a separate check on June 7, 2017. Regular 401k election rules will apply for domestic US employees.
During the process of searching for something to write about Memorial Day, we came across an article from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, written on May 22nd, 2017, that truly expresses the importance of Memorial Day. We have inserted the article in its entirety below: CONSIDER THE TRUE MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY As Memorial Day approaches, it is a great time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending our nation and its values. While we should honor these heroes every day for the profound contributions they made to secure our nation’s freedom, we should especially commemorate them and their families on Memorial Day.
United Airlines Attendance Policy
The Company officially introduced its new attendance policy this week. We would like to give you the Union’s perspective on this new policy.
First, some history. The Company approached the Union during negotiations and asked if we would consider including an attendance policy that was based on a ‘point system’ in our Collective Bargaining Agreement. As you can imagine, it was a very short conversation that began with ‘No’ and ended with ‘No’. The Negotiating Committee did not believe that including a Point System in our contract was in the best interest of the membership so we refused. Now that the Company’s policy has been introduced, you can all see why that was the correct decision.
Lump Sum Update
On April 6th, in accordance with LOA #28, an arbitration case was held to hear the lump sum disputes filed by members who believed they were paid incorrectly. Arbitrator Josh Javits was chosen by the parties to hear these cases. The total number of disputes was 39. Four members chose to participate by phone in the hearing. The arbitrator is now in the process of reviewing each dispute to determine the outcome. As soon as the Arbitrator rules we will notify the company so they can finish the process of distribution of the holdback.
BAQ ‘Grandfathering’ under the 2010 Agreement
There has been some confusion about the BAQ grandfathering rights for former sub-UAL technicians. Here, we will outline the Union’s position with regard to that issue and give you the rationale behind that position.
First, we need to make clear that all the BAQ grandfathering that we have referenced in recent months ‘officially’ took place when the stand-alone CBA was ratified back in 2011. We urged the Company back then, for obvious reasons, to make sure to get all the BAQ’s established and all the grandfathering taken care of prior to completion of an amalgamated CBA. The reason for this was simply because we did not want the grandfathering issue to get muddy once we did get an amalgamated agreement. Unfortunately, the Company did not get it done. But, nevertheless, our position on the matter has not changed: All of the technicians on the Seniority list as of the Date of Ratification of the stand alone agreement ratified in 2011 are entitled to BAQ grandfathering for any BAQ to which they were able to bid prior to the agreement without taking a test. The reason for our position is simple.
