Aloha,

 

MEETING SUMMARY

JOINT HNL LEC 99 & IAM District143

 

Submitted by Rich Stone (C3) National Campaign Coordinating Committee Member.

 

On OCT 20, 21 and 22 joint meetings were held at the Airport Garden Conference facilities. Flight Attendants, CSA’s and Ramp Employees “above and below the wing’ from both PMDL and PMNW were invited to stop by when they could to meet their colleagues and have access to information about the Representation Election. Information on the Health Plans, Contracts, Negotiations process and many other subjects were available and beverages and pupu’s were served.

 

Mainland Attendees and Presenters were:

AFA International VP Veda Shook who is an Alaska Airlines FA and oversees the C3.

IAM General Chairman, and former contract negotiator, Richard Suarez

 

Local Attendees and Presenters:

IAM HNL Reps- Tracy McKean & Pam Saito

LEC99 President- Dave Tadlock

LEC99 Secretary-Treasurer- Michelle Foley

HNL Government Affairs Chair- Corey Sugimura

EAP Volunteer- Rick Werwie

C3-Rich Stone

 

An aggressive agenda was set out each day covering a wide range of subjects. For detailed information please visit the union website at: www.deltaafa.org,

 

Here is a bullet point review of the hot topics covered in the AFA formal meetings:

 

NMB (National Mediation Board) and Election Status

  • Timeline for election ENTIRELY up to NMB since the AFA filed back in July
  • NMB chose to prioritize “Hyperlink” issue prior to determining our Single Transportation System status (which is required in order to proceed with election)
  • “Hyperlink” is web link address which Union & Company could use in their respective websites/information which “steers” FA/s to the NMB voting instructions similar to a link in an email to view a YouTube video.
  • I.E: When voting for President/Senator/Governor you get a postcard with your precinct number and voting location; usually a church or school. If directions are not sent to you, you call and ask for directions and they are given to you.
  • NMB elections have shifted to an electronic/internet format. An example of this is our voting process for Tentative Agreements. The “Hyperlink” is simply the modern way to give these voting directions in today’s techno advanced world.
  • After the “Hyperlink” issue is resolved the NMB must then decide if we are a Single Transportation System (STS) for the purposes of our Representational Election.
  • The NMB must conduct an investigation to determine this. If their conclusion is Yes, an election is announced and the NMB lays out the timeline for the election
  • NMB reviews eligibility lists at both airlines and makes determination of who can vote. Lists are reviewed by AFA and DL

 

THE YES/NO BALLOT

 

      *    AFA Government Affairs has been hard at work for us these past years.

  • Democratic President/NMB/FMLA, wheels, however, move slowly.
  • Early Sept Transportation Trades Dept asked NMB for review of Yes/No ballot
  • Slim chance voting policy will be changed.
  • Even slimmer chance this change would be in effect for our election
  • It is OK. Not part of original plan and would be welcome gravy
  • Whatever the voting process is, each and every vote counts in order to retain a Union.
  • There are MANY undecided FA/s who want to make an informed decision.
  • We need to find them and respectfully discuss/answer questions they have.
  • PMNW FA/s have had 60 yrs of Union freedom to voice their opinions with enthusiasm.
  • PMDL FA/s have not and may not be comfortable sometimes with our style.
  • Need to have this awareness and not turn away these voters.

 

HNL FA/S & PHASE 3

  • Time to ask yourself, “Have I done all I can to retain our much needed Union?”
  • How many “no shows” will there be in this election? Can we take the chance?
  • With holidays approaching our attention window and timeline is short
  • Information Representatives (Phone and Visibility) and anyone else interested in winning this election are asked to please contact Rich Stone at 808 778 3998 or email ajakstraw@aol.com write “P3” in subject heading
  • This election is ours to win (or lose) and depends exclusively on how many FA/s truly believe in the cause and are willing to participate in this fight.

 

FA RIGHTS AND CAMPAIGN INTERFERENCE

  • Fliers on these and other subjects handed out and very important
  • Document and file interference reports with union whenever you are in doubt 
  • Can make big difference in election if NMB determines interference on DL part
  • Elections have been rerun in extreme cases
  • Ask LEC for these forms/fliers/info on all subjects you need

 

HEALTH PLANS AND DEMOGRAPHICS

  • PPO Option “B’ is current Union Plan choice except will be administered by United Health Care instead of BCBS
  • 1980-2007 average age of FA rose 14 years from 30 to 44
  • 1980-2007 those FA/s 45 and older went up from 6% to 50%
  • Stats + economy point to increasing importance of Retirement and Health Care Benefits in workplace as FA/s work more years and stay longer on the job

 

 

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

  • Begin ASAP once FA/s retain Union representation with letter to Company
  • Interim grievance and arbitration procedures are set up
  • Interim DL AFA LEC/MEC officers are appointed
  • Training begins for officers and educational classes begin for FA/s interested in learning about their union
  • Negotiations team put together
  • Membership surveys begin
  • PMNW works under their contract
  • PMDL works under their policy manual
  • “Fence Agreement” agreed to until Tentative Agreement (TA) is ratified by membership; voted on by ALL DL & NW FA/s
  • PMDL PAYS NO UNION DUES Until TA is ratified and we work under the same agreement

 

 

If you have questions about the above meeting summary please feel free to call me at 808-223-0610 or send me an email at dtadlock@nwaafa.org .

 

In Unity,

Dave Tadlock

President

Council 99 - HNL