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Trustee Update : 02/11/2020

Trustee Update : 02/11/2020

TRUSTEE UPDATE                                                  February 11, 2020

 

Dear Fellow Crewmembers:

 

In this update we will touch on the following topics:

 

            *          China Flying – Security Committee

            *          Safety Committee NTSB Submittal GTI3591

            *          Negotiating update

            *          Court proceedings regarding a forced arbitrated CBA

            *          Office opening update

            *          Scheduling and Fatigue monthly meetings at Atlas HQ

           

Let me start with what is on many of your minds.  Regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, there has been an ongoing positive dialogue between myself and Jeff Carlson.  To date the company has complied with all of our requests and has agreed on the course of action to best protect our crewmembers.  This has been a new and refreshing approach by the company.  The Local 2750 Security Committee under committee Chair Captain Kurt Hayes has worked diligently to get the ExCo and myself up to date information and to press for the protection our crewmembers need as we have been forwarding our requests to the company.  The following has been agreed to so far:

 

·      Any crewmember who does not want to go to or through China will not be made to do so.

·      Operations have been greatly cutback.

·      Masks and other safety equipment are being stocked at 9 stocking positions.  Crewmembers who go to China will not be required to go unless the proper masks, wipes, etc. are onboard.

·      Minimal personnel allowed to interact with our crews.  They are specially screened and checked daily.

·      Catering is being carefully screened and in some cases US catering may be onboarded.

·      Upper decks will be sanitized up to the pilot seats as there is a worry that ground personnel might damage flight instruments. 

·      Crews should make sure their flying space is sanitized.  Traditional Handy wipes are not adequate, they must be alcohol wipes.

·      Along with many other items.

 

The company intends to start increasing service as precautionary measures are put in place.   Hong Kong is not deemed at his time to be part of the threat area, however our union is monitoring this closely.  The company informs us they are looking at opening operations into CGO, HGH, CKG and SZX.   DLC was also proposed, but the safety and security issues cannot be established yet, so that is off the list for now.

 

Measures being looked at include:  Security, Hotels and Transportation, Performance and Maintenance Readiness.

 

In response to this up-tick in operations into China, our union will be submitting an agreement to the company to formalize the process and procedures for continued operations during this very serious outbreak and epidemic.  We will keep you updated. 

 

Last Friday after nearly a years-worth of tireless work and having sequestered themselves for most of the month of January in a hotel near CVG, the Local 2750 Accident Investigation Group and our consultants at Condon & Forsyth made a formal submittal to the NTSB as to the probable causes and contributing factors which led to the tragic crash of GTI3591 nearly 1 year ago.  The NTSB will consider this submittal in their final report.  FO John Jester, our Chief Accident Investigator and his team, have shown unbelievable dedication toward getting to the true results of this most tragic event in the history of Atlas Air.  We are all grateful for their expertise and comprehensive review of this investigation as it has been impressive.  I also want to remind everyone that a memorial service will be help at Anahuac, Texas, commemorating the tragic day one year ago when we lost 2 of our crewmembers and a colleague from Mesa who was in the jumpseat.  If you are able to attend, please do so in uniform, details on the event will be forthcoming in addition to a get together the night before.

 

As far as CBA negotiations go, progress continues to be slow.  The financial consultants from our union met with the company financial managers.  I would say at this point that there are many questions to be resolved before a true and accurate financial picture can be developed. The next negotiations session is the last week in March in Washington, DC. An additional session has been put on the calendar for the week of April 13th, location is TBD.

 

The next phase of the court battles with this company bent on jamming a bankruptcy style arbitrated settlement down our collective throats took place this Friday.  Local 2750’s new legal team under Chief Counsel Mr. Bill Wilder, Esq. from the law firm of Baptiste & Wilder, took center stage and filed a submission in OPPOSITION IN PART TO PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT.  The company has until Friday of this week to respond to the court.  From that point it will again be up to the District Court to decide.

After that an appeal is the next option.  Let me reassure all of you who get in touch with me that I have heard you and we will take all legal steps to protect our crew members from what we believe to be an unfair result.  We will keep you advised.

 

I am happy to report that Local 2750’s office opened on February 3rd and will be open Monday through Friday from 9am until 5 pm.  Until we hire permanent office staff, there may be short periods when the office is closed during regular business hours.  Check the website for details or call an ExCo member.

 

The Scheduling and Fatigue committees continue to work on improving lines of flying and mitigating fatigue.  Every month both committees were traveling to HQ in Purchase, NY to do this work.  Recently ExCo Vice Chairman Captain Yngve Paulsen who is in charge of the Fatigue Committee and ExCo Member consolidated the team that goes to New York as we constantly strive to operate more efficiently.

 

In addition, the entire Scheduling Committee met at our new offices in Cincinnati and were able to map out their plan for the rest of the year an educate and coordinate new members.

 

There are also many other committees operating better and better every day, and I will be providing updates you going forward.

 

I realize this was a very long message, but a lot is going on.  We will be having a crew call on Wednesday February 19 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

Tune in to get your questions answered.

 

“ALL-IN”

 

Bob Kirchner

Trustee Local 2750

IAP 2750 IMPORTANT SECURITY UPDATE

IAP 2750 IMPORTANT SECURITY UPDATE

IMPORTANT SECURITY UPDATE

By now everyone is well aware of the outbreak of the  Novel Coronavirus and its potential threat. The Union and the company are not only monitoring this but taking steps to limit exposure and prevent our Crew Members from contracting this deadly virus. As of today the company published an alert regarding this outbreak. In addition to the company’s alert bulletin, the Security Committee has been in direct contact with the company, Exco and Stewards throughout this process. All of us are addressing this serious event as we learn more about this outbreak. The company is telling us that they looking into ways to reduce our exposure to this by possibly limiting our layovers and destinations within China.

We are recommending that Atlas Crew Members consider the following,

To reduce your risk becoming infected:

         *  Stay in your hotel as much as possible.

         *  Reduce any contact at any public gathering, especially markets

         *  Wear masks .

         *  Wash your hands often.

         * Don’t  shake hands and avoid physical contact with anyone as  much as possible.

If you reasonably believe that traveling to any areas that have reported illness or deaths due to the Novel Coronavirus which you feel may result in substantial and imminent risk of harm to you, any of your fellow crewmembers or pasengers you should do the following:.

         *  Get the Union involved ASAP.

         *  Contact your Stewards immediately. Together you can discuss and address each individuals specific concerns. The stewards can assist in a pathway to the crewmembers options should he or she decide that travel within the P.R.C. is too risky.

         *  Contact a Chief Pilot and Crew Scheduling and specifically request to be removed from all flying into that area of the world.

         *  Include AeroMedical. They can provide guidance for specific health concerns.

         *  If you feel unduly pressured by any company official, contact a union steward for assistance and backup.                                      

This has been said in the Alert updates but it cannot be stressed enough! Practice basic health precautions especially frequent hand washing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Additionally, avoid close contact with animals while abroad (dead or alive), and practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette. Everyone should be diligent in basic health precautions.

Atlas Local 2750Security Committee

IAP 2750 Assessment Vote

IAP 2750 Assessment Vote

The vote on whether or not to stop the assessment was concluded today. 1392 votes were cast. Of those 88.6% voted IN FAVOR of stopping the assessment. The union has reached out to the company to make the necessary changes to payroll calculations and they will report when this has been completed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on this important financial aspect of our Union. If there are any questions or concerns, please reach out to an ExCo Member.

 

The Certified Results are as follows:

IAP 2750 Assessment Vote

IAP2750 Trustee Update 1/31/20

IAP2750 Trustee Update 1/31/20
Tab Title

TRUSTEE UPDATE

January 31, 2020


■     Negotiation Dates

■     Recent Court Decision

■     One Path to Keep
 

Dear Fellow Crewmembers,

This week we will enter our second negotiating session of 2020.  Hopefully now that the company new lead negotiator has had a chance to get up to speed on the current state of negotiations here at Atlas/Southern we will see if the pace picks up.  We are scheduled to meet February 3-7 and March 23-27.  The 6-week company hiatus between negotiating sessions in February and March is not very encouraging, but we will see how things transpire.  As usual the union stands ready to meet any time any place for as long as the company makes itself available.  We will also be fully prepared.

As you have all heard by now, the US District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed our motion to dismiss the unrealistic and unjust Nicolau arbitration award.  This was anticipated, as we have told you before, the court system is not very friendly to unions these days.   So, what is next?  Today the lawyers from all sides will report to the court on how to proceed with the Company’s lawsuit to compel the SLI (Seniority List Integration) and contract arbitration process through the Nicolau award.  The company is trying to compel arbitration as soon as possible.  In essence jamming it down our collective throats.  However, over the next 30 days, along with our new legal team, we will be deciding whether to appeal the decision.  Let me remind you, an arbitrated CBA is not much better than a bankruptcy CBA.  The effects of an arbitrated CBA would be devastating not only to all of us and our families, but also to company.  Make no mistake, there is a lot at stake.

I want you all to fully understand that we are fighting for the survivability of Atlas Air.  The path that management has chosen so far is spelling doom for Atlas.  An arbitration-imposed CBA would, in our estimation, be the “final nail in the coffin” as few crewmembers will choose to remain.   Need proof?  In less than 3 weeks so far in January Atlas lost over 30 pilots and is struggling to fill half the seats in the new hire classes.  All this while Amazon and DHL look elsewhere as Atlas as a company sadly fails to deliver. The loss of confidence in the plans of this management group by investors, analysts, customers and yes by the employees is getting worse by the day.

It will be interesting not only how negotiations go in February, but also the earnings call for the fourth quarter.  After the virtual “blood bath” that management was put through over the 3rd Quarter earnings results and the 1.3 billion dollar value drop that Atlas has experienced over the past 8 months, it is hard to imagine what might happen to the company after the upcoming call.  The reduced flying the company was forced to absorb during the 4th Quarter and which continues to worsen as we speak, might be hard for the financial team in Purchase to spruce up for analysts and investors.  We will see.

It is obvious to all that our present course is the only viable one for our company because an arbitrated CBA spells danger for all of us, as well as the company as a viable participant in the airline industry.  

Despite all of this we can persevere and if we all hold the strong solidarity that we the Atlas crewmembers are showing.  This resolve will not only make our lives better, but we will save Atlas Air in the process.  Keep the faith we are on the right track, the only track.

Remember, now more than ever it’s important to be “ALL-IN”


Bob Kirchner
Trustee Local 2750

 

IAP 2750 Negotiations Update 1/17/2020

IAP 2750 Negotiations Update 1/17/2020

 

Your Negotiating Committee was invited to once again resume negotiations this week. With our last session taking place before Thanksgiving of 2019, we were looking forward to getting back to the table.

As previously announced by both management and the union, Atlas Air hired Doug McKeen as a labor relations consultant and as the lead negotiator for the company. With his experience at various airlines along with his most recent role as the Senior Vice President of Labor Relations at United Airlines, we were hopeful that his career experience and fresh perspective might bring a positive change to our negotiations.

We just completed our first session of 2020 in Miami at the Jones Day law firm. Monday and Tuesday were spent bringing Doug McKeen up to speed on where negotiations left off by focusing in on the unresolved items in the open Articles currently being negotiated. On Wednesday, dialogue focused around Article 12 – Hours of Service with Thursday resulting in a supposal on Article 12 introduced by management. We would categorize their supposal as being one where they made substantive progress. In return, we spent the rest of Thursday putting together a counter-supposal that we presented late Thursday afternoon where we also made substantial movement from our previous position.

Today, management made another supposal on Article 12 with some more measured progress. Unfortunately, no Tentative Agreements were reached this week.

At Doug McKeen’s request, these discussions in negotiations were all off the record. Therefore, the methodology of exchanging supposals was used. This is meaningful in that anything discussed by either party at these meetings cannot be used in any potential future legal proceeding or arbitration. We welcomed this approach and felt that it led to a more constructive dialogue focused in on problem-solving. Overall, a more cooperative tone seems to be developing which we find to be a positive change. 

However, we remain very concerned over management’s continued insistence in refusing to make any substantive progress on Article 1 – Scope. The fact that management continues to insist on avoiding meaningful discussions on a topic that provides us with most basic job protections in a time when the piloting profession is in high demand leaves us uncertain as to what their future business plans are and more importantly, how our careers may or may not fit into those plans.

Our next negotiation session is scheduled for February 3rd – February 7th back in Washington D.C.

Your Atlas Air and Southern Air Negotiating Committees

IAP 2750 Negotiations Update 1/17/2020

Atlas Air Pilots Announce Formation of Local 2750

Teamsters Growing in Numbers, Create Local Dedicated to Atlas Air Pilots

(WASHINGTON) At the request of the pilots at Atlas Air, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and the Teamsters General Executive Board approved the formation of Teamsters Local 2750, a newly created local union dedicated to the pilots.

There are about 2,000 pilots who will be members of the union which will be headquartered in Ohio.

“We’re excited about this great opportunity, which is part of our natural journey through unionism as we grow in numbers,”€ said Bob Kirchner, chairman of the pilots’€™ seven-member Executive Council and an Atlas Air pilot. “€œWe have a great relationship with Local 1224 and we’re grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the local. It’€™s because we’ve come together and grown over the years that we have this opportunity to form Local 2750 and we look forward to what is to come.”€

Atlas Air services customers in e-commerce, including Amazon and DHL, as well as the U.S. Military.

“As our negotiations with Atlas for a collective bargaining agreement continue, we expect to make progress with our motivated group of Local 2750 pilots. Over the coming weeks, we will keep the pilots group informed on developments with our local and more ways they can get involved in their union,”€ Kirchner said.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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International Aviation Professionals
Teamsters Local 2750 represents the professional pilots in the service of Atlas Air Inc.