To All,
Negotiations:
The long awaited decision from the NMB has come. The Class and Craft has been determined and the Association is the new bargaining agent. The TWU has always held the position that the membership would have the opportunity to vote; however, the NMB had the ultimate authority and certified the Association. This decision expedites the process of negotiating our next contract. For the last several weeks I have been in negotiation discussions with the other TWU local Presidents preparing to meet with the IAM. I want all of you to know that it is my desire to get this contract done as timely as possible.
C/S and DAT:
I also met with the company last week to review a new policy on C/S and DAT (day at a time) vacation. The roll out date is flexible but the company would like to roll it out August 01, 2015. The C/S would have to be done with another person instead of yourself; you could shift trade in eight(8) hour increments, this would include doing a double shift that would count as two(2 days worked. The company has not yet revealed how the 4/10 shifts will be able to utilize the C/S policy but I fully expect a policy that is uniform and fair to all. The company has informed the union that they are currently evaluating 4/10 vs 5/8 shifts.
The C/S policy is similar to the line and it is used extensively as a way to get more days off. In addition, you would also be able to give days away to get time off as long as others have signed up to work. Basically, that person would be picking up extra hours. Other work groups at American Airlines have been utilizing this type of C/S policy for quite some time and it’s reported to me by other TWU Presidents that all shifts participate so they all get more time off. I have been in constant dialog with the company pushing for a policy that provides some relief for our members. I believe this policy ultimately provides more opportunity for that.
The DAT policy would be vacation used from your yearly vacation allotment; these would be designated as DAT days during vacation selection each fall. It would provide a maximum of one hundred (120) hours to be designated as DAT’s. This is what is in the current IAM/USair contract.
Prior to these changes going into effect the company has assured me that all will receive the needed training.
Please keep in mind that vacation is contractual and negotiated; the company determines our C/S policy. Going forward I’d like to see the C/S policy negotiated into our agreement as well.
As more information becomes available, I will distribute accordingly.
Thank you,
Dale Danker
President TWU Local 514