Negotiations Update
Your IAM joint contract negotiations committee met from Monday, June 27, 2016 and continued through Thursday, June 30, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.
Your committee exchanged proposals with the Company on the following Sections:
Section 5 Travel Expenses – After several exchanges and many discussions at the table we are very close to finalizing the outstanding issue related to per diem in an effort to reach a tentative agreement.
Section 11 Leaves of Absences – This section of the contract contains very important language and is effected by other sections of the contract, which makes negotiation very complex. It is also one of the largest sections of the contract.
In addition, your committee spent substantial time researching bidding systems and their potential affect on quality of life for our members.
Due to scheduling conflicts the mediator has cancelled our July session. However, we have discussed dates for August and September with the mediator and the Company. Once dates are finalized, they will be communicated to the membership.
Negotiations updates can be accessed at: www.iamDL142.org or on the IAM ExpressJet App which can be downloaded by searching IAMAW on your App or Google Play store.
Recent Tragedies
submitted by Sara Gonzales
The labor movement and the IAM have always had one common thread that has guided us for over 100 years through the most turbulent of times—solidarity. People, both men and women, young and old, from all different walks of life, coming together as one for a common goal, to further the interests and protect the rights of the working class.
 
The most fundamental right of all is the right to live. While we may have different outlooks and emotions about the recent tragedies in our country, if we focus on caring for one another and our common goal of peace, we can achieve that goal. Through solidarity, anything is possible.
If you are in need of support or assistance please reach out to our District Lodge 142 EAP Coordinator, Paul Shultz at 704-907-3563 or
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
#SolidarityisVictory
IAM Mourns Passing of William O’Driscoll
William O’Driscoll, a Machinists Union legend, passed away on July 8, 2016. Although he will be greatly missed by all who knew him, his legacy will live on.
“Bill was one of strongest and smartest leaders in the entire labor movement,” said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Tens of thousands of workers, retirees and their families are enjoying the benefits of his work and dedication every single day. Future generations of airline workers will feel the mark he made on the industry. He has left a legacy that will not be forgotten, and will always be remembered as the type of union representative we should all aspire to be.”
Bill was born in County Cork, Ireland and educated at the Catholic Worker’s College in Dublin before emigrating to the United States where he graduated from Cornell University.
He began his career in the Machinists Union when he was elected Shop Steward in 1959 for Trans World Airlines (TWA) members of Local Lodge 1056 in New York. He served on the Local Lodge 1056 Grievance Committee, as Trustee and President.
Bill was the Chairman of the NY Strike Committee during the Great Airline Strike of 1966. Perhaps not coincidentally, Bill, or “O’D”, as he was better known, passed away on the 50th anniversary of that watershed moment in airline and labor history.
Bill was appointed Acting District Lodge 142 General Chairman in 1969, elected General Chairman in 1974 and served as District 142 President and Directing General Chairman (PDGC) from 1985 until his August 2006 retirement.
As District 142 PDGC, Bill oversaw a diverse portfolio of 57 collective bargaining agreements covering more than 36,000 IAM members, and served on the TWA Board of Directors. He led IAM members through three TWA bankruptcies in the 1990s. Bill freely shared his bankruptcy experience to help prepare other IAM leaders to deal with the revolving door bankruptcies that plagued the industry in the years following 9-11.
“Bill O’Driscoll is a big reason why IAM members in every post 9-11 airline restructuring fared far better than any other work group at a given carrier,” said IAM International President Bob Martinez. “His accomplishments are proof of what a good man and a strong union can accomplish together.”
Bill expanded the IAM’s airline membership by bringing Continental Airlines Flight Attendants into District 142. He negotiated innovative contract terms that changed the industry and have been adopted at other airlines, including making sure Flight Attendants had FMLA protection a decade before they were actually covered by the law.
Bill aggressively fought the attempts by anti-union activists to divide his membership. His commitment to leveraging the strength of all IAM members, in all classifications, was absolute.
“When TWA contracts for Mechanic & Related and Customer Service employees were settled and included the IAM National Pension Plan, but TWA executives declined to agree to pensions for Flight Attendants, Bill refused to vote the ground personnel agreements,” said GVP Pantoja. “Instead, he prepared the entire membership to strike to support TWA Flight Attendants, a move that guaranteed the Flight Attendants achieved pensions when the airline cowered.”
“Bill shied away from the spotlight, preferring to orchestrate circumstances from afar so his members benefitted,” said International President Robert Martinez. “The sacrifice he and his family made for this union and its members is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.”
“If the word legend applies to anyone, it is Bill O’Driscoll,” said GVP Pantoja.
CRJ
submitted by Marche’ Johnson-Cooper
Grievance
There were no appeals to Grievance Mediation this week.
ERJ
Step 2 Grievances
submitted by Sara Gonzales
The following is a base breakdown for pending Step 2 grievances:
ORD-2
EWR-2
Step 2 grievances will be heard in Houston, Texas on July 12, 2016.
The next Grievance Mediation session is scheduled to be held for both CRJ and ERJ August 2-4, 2016.
Upcoming Local Lodge Meeting
2339N
EWR Embassy Suites
95 Glimcher Realty Way, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 1pm
**please note the new meeting time**
transportation provided from EWR P-4
Please Post On All IAM Bulletin Boards
