2020

Dear Fellow Crewmembers,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I start this update with what is likely foremost on everyoneâs mind; contract negotiations. As you all know, the company negotiators have been entrenched in their positions and unwilling to put forth any counter proposal, suggestion or input at all to union proposals for the past few months. In January, we hope these changes and a new negotiation attitude will take hold so we can get this long overdue CBA done. The potential for a positive change at the negotiating table leads me to be cautiously optimistic toward getting this long overdue CBA in 2020. With the restructuring and more direct control on the union side with the move to Local 2750 and a new lead negotiator coming in on the company side, an opportunity is here to get a CBA done. The playing field has definitely changed for the better. Negotiating dates are set for January 13-17, 2020.

The new offices for Local 2750 are rapidly taking shape. Under the direction and tireless work of ExCo member Captain Chris Knox, things are taking shape quickly. Last week, the painting was completed, and new carpeting is due to be completed before the end of January. Most of the furniture is already in place, with the additional pieces needed already bought and ready to be delivered when the office refurbishing has been completed. ExCo member Captain John Hutelin, with assistance from Captain Mike Griffith have also spent countless hours working and supervising work (sometimes late into the night) as this rapid pace continues. To give you an idea how well this is going, during conversations with the IBT General Presidentâs office and our outside accounting firm, they have expressed amazement on how quickly and efficiently we are getting the Local offices up and running. We have also had a number of crew members stop by to help who have all indicated they are impressed with our new facility.

Vice Chairman Captain Yngve Paulsen and ExCo member Captain Chris Grable have instituted a fully automated expense and invoice system that makes reimbursement for union expenses quick and efficient for all union workers. This was something that 1224 had been trying to accomplish for over a year and a half unsuccessfully. Our team got it all up and running in less than 2 months.

Our finances continue to be very strong and the economic and financial efficiencies we are instituting are making our union even more efficient and able to provide better to services to you, our crew members.

We have transitioned to our new permanent website and our internet infrastructure is now up and running with many advanced aspects of the system coming online, which will become more evident in the coming weeks. Special thanks to Captain Matt Sturgis who put up a temporary website in the early days so that we could transition to the new local after being cut off from all support by Local 1224. From what I am told, this disappointing response by a Teamster Local was unprecedented as these transitions are normally done cooperatively and smoothly in an environment of brotherhood. The herculean and invaluable effort of setting up our improved internet presence is led by Captain Greg Longie, FO Keith Carbine and the new IT Committee and is well underway. Their expertise, dedication and hard work is saving us tens of thousands of dollars. Buy them a beer when you see any of them, they have surely earned it.

Our union stewards have continued to press hard on vital contract enforcement, scheduling and have continued to perform at the highest levels. Scheduling, safety, FRMC, etc. have all operated flawlessly during our transition. In short, there are far too many union workers who have been dedicating themselves to all the efforts we have working to name individually in this message, but let me say the work and dedication is inspiring and bodes well for the future of our local and all of our pilots.

In 2020, we will open our office in downtown Cincinnati. We will have by-laws and hold an election for a 7-person Local 2750 Executive Board, in addition to many other exciting events that will shape the future of IAP Local 2750 into an Atlas crewmember centered Local. At the same time, our goal to improve the services we provide all of you remains paramount. I am optimistic about the year 2020, not only for our Atlas crew members, but also for our brother and sister Southern crew members. Hopefully, the many opportunities available to this company will become apparent and we can all finally get on with competing and building a profitable and industry leading company. Butâ¦ remember it takes at least an industry standard CBA to build an industry leading company.

Fraternally,

Bob Kirchner

Local 2750 Trustee