Greetings!
Last week was a busy and productive week for the lodge. Personally, I attended contract negotiations in Chicago.
Because of nondisclosure clauses agreed to by both sides during the
negotiation process, I can only say that it was a positive experience
with progress made. An email from the District Lodge on the topics that were addressed will follow.
On the previous Wednesday and Thursday, the IAM testified in Congressional and Senate hearings concerning the proposed CO/UA merger. This was an opportunity for our Union to voice its concerns for our flight attendants and for working Americans. The lodge had a strong show of support with a number of uniformed flight attendants present in the hearing rooms. Wearing their uniform and union wings, their presence made a statement without having to speak a word.
Our work continues with a long road ahead of us. I encourage your involvement in local lodge committees. In numbers we will exhibit strength. Get involved, get motivated, get together and take a vested role in driving your future forward.
In solidarity, Joey Guider President
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Subcommittee Hearings
An Aviation Subcommittee Hearing was held June 16th to review the
proposed merger between Continental and United airlines. Members of
your Local Lodge Legislative and Communication Committees, as well as
Vice President Michael Becerra were there to ensure that the Local
Lodge would have access to first hand information as well as be present
in a show of solidarity within our union. There were also
representatives from involved work groups including our own IAM&AW
GVP Robert Roach present to testify. Also in attendance to testify,
were the two CEOs of the airlines Jeff Smisek and Glenn Tilton.
The committee had several different points of view that were
clearly voiced in their questioning of both the CEOs and the union
representatives. Minnesota Congressman Oberstar, who has had a seat on
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for over thirty years
when the Airline Deregulation Act was passed by the Carter
Administration in 1978, made it abundantly clear that he would do
everything in his power "to stop this merger!" While, NJ congressmen
Payne and LoBiondo were very vocal in their support of the proposed
merger stating that a merger with such little overlap would lead to
very little job loss. However, Jeff Smisek was asked by Congressman
Costello to directly commit to the subcommittee that all loss of front
line jobs would be on a voluntary basis (i.e. early retirement or
COLAs) his response was that there would be "no significant effect" on
front line employees.
Congressional members delivered a long line of questioning to the
CEOs and other panel members to gain a clearer picture on how a merger
would affect defined pension plans, seniority integration, work rules,
aircraft maintenance, service, and security. A main point of concern
for most if not all of the involved congressmen seemed to be employee
support and retention. Testimony continued before the United States
Senate on June 17th.
More detailed
information will be available in the July issue of Flight Line as well
as at the next business meeting July 13th. we look forward to seeing
you there.
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June is officially recognized as Pride Month by the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. LGBT Pride events garner
media coverage each summer in communities across the country to
commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City
on June 28, 1969. The Stonewall Rebellion, which most historians
consider to be the birth of the modern LGBT civil rights movement,
cites the first incident where members of the LGBT community fought
back against persecuted sexual minorities. LGBT Pride celebrations typically occur in June in big cities and small
towns, both nationally and globally. Pride events are encouraged to be
seen as an opportunity to discuss the history of LGBT advocacy and show
the diversity of the LGBT community. Click on the image above to read a more detailed list of global organizied events.
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Sincerely,
Your Local Lodge E-Board
IAM&AW LL2339N
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Meeting Reminder
 Next meeting July 13th 3pm Renaissance Hotel. Light snacks will be served.
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