Dear Sisters and Brothers:
With some recent changes, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and discuss some updates at District 142 and your airline. My name is James M. Samuel, and I am a General Chair recently assigned to the National Airlines Flight Attendant group by President/Directing General Chair John M. Coveny, Jr. I now handle the daily administration of your Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and will collaborate with General Chair Jesse Wilson to resolve grievances that were previously filed. Since early March, I’ve held several group meetings with your Union leadership at the airline, and I believe we’ve seen some immediate results.
A recent announcement about supplemental pay was made by the Company this week. One of the first issues I tackled, along with your leadership, involved various operations in the part of the world where a lot of action is occurring. While I am not here to debate what it is called, as a combat veteran of the USMC, I recognize when danger is present. After speaking with your Union leadership and having a brief meeting with the Company leadership, it’s good to see them acknowledging the danger by compensating you for it. Regarding why other countries are not included, the Company approached the issue from a risk-analysis perspective and made a decision. As conditions change, their approach may also change. Your IAM District 142 leadership will stay engaged on the airline’s footprint and ongoing world events.
The next issue the Company addressed, and with some prior notice to the IAM to offer feedback, concerns social media. The IAM has always defended against threats to personal freedoms and liberties, including free speech. However, the Company’s policy does not do this. Anything associated with National Airlines should always be avoided. Besides the brand concerns, there is also an operational security (OpSec) aspect. When in doubt, consult the policy or, to be safe, simply don’t do it. The Company reserves the right to enforce this expectation, which may include discipline up to and including termination. This approach is consistent with policies at all airlines with which we have contracts.
Moving forward, I will collaborate with your local Union representatives and the District 142 Communications staff to include a section in the District 142 quarterly newsletter, The Phoenix. Please watch for the upcoming issue. I look forward to continuously strengthening every aspect of our relationship and your CBA as we progress.
Sincerely and fraternally,
John M. Coveny, Jr.
President/Directing General Chair
James M. Samuel
General Chair