Tagged: Airlines

Pilots Mediation May Conclude on June 15

ALPA - United Airlines-Continental Airlines in Mediation

Author: Stephen Alexander – Release from mediation is the hope for the United Airlines and Continental Airlines pilots, if by the deadline the parties do not reach an agreement.

The deadline was established by the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations. Once released from the National Mediation Board (NMB), the pilots will have the right to “self-help,” which includes the right to strike.

In protest of the slow negotiations, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) plan to gather at the site of the United Continental Holdings annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday. The pilots have been working under a 9-year old bankruptcy contract.

On May 11, 2012, ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak, requested that the NMB “assist the parties to bring about an agreement by proffering arbitration.” If the arbitration is not accepted by both parties, then the NMB would release the ALPA from the talks and allow the union to “self-help.”

Under “self-help,” then union would be allowed to take lawful action, including a strike, following a thirty-day cooling off period. The pilots are hot happy with the pace of the negotiations.

The two sides requested a mediator in December 2010, and efforts to mediate began in February 2011. The two sides have been mediating since that date.

Success-Mediation for Piedmont Airlines

Piedmont Airlines - CWA

Author: Stephen Alexander – In Arizona, Piedmont Airlines announced that it has reached a tentative agreement in mediation on a four and a half year collective bargaining agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union represents more than 3,000 fleet and passenger service employees. Piedmont Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways.

The successful resolution was conducted by Mediator Michael Kelliher of the National Mediation Board. The details of the agreement are to be released by the union.

The Communications Workers of America will be distributing details of the agreement to its members. The members need to endorse the agreement for ratification. This consideration by the Communication Workers of America is expected to occur in July, 2012.

Once the agreement is ratified, it will last until January 2017.

Mediation to Begin for American Airlines

AMR-Transport Workers union

Author: Stephen Alexander – As American Airlines (AMR) and the Transport Workers union fail to reach an agreement, the federal court offered a bankruptcy judge to serve as mediator between the two sides. The mediation is set to begin this week.

Attorneys for the Transport Workers union argued during a three-week hearing in the bankruptcy court to prevent American Airlines from canceling union contracts, reducing benefits, and eliminating employees.

Two work groups out of seven voted against the latest contract. The two work groups who voted against the latest contact are: aircraft maintenance workers and fleet service clerks.

In a letter to employees on Wednesday, CEO Tom Horton “urged all sides to work diligently and creatively to find the best outcome for our company and our people.”

After six months into AMR’s restructuring plan, Mr Horton said in the letter: “As formal court proceedings come to a close, we’ve yet to make the same progress with the other union groups.” He continued in the letter, “And it would be an understatement to say that this has created uncertainty all around.”