• TWU LOCAL 576 STATION MEETING
                                                                     10/06/2010
  ATTENDEES: 
  Gary Hill, President
  Barry Arbelius, 1st Vice President
  Matt Smith, Treasurer
  Pam Dillehay, Recording Secretary
  Keith Carpenter, Board member at large
• David Ortiz, Board member at large

I. GENERAL DISCUSSION:

• Review of last E-Board Minutes:  CC questions have been established. How to bid vacations has been established.  ASAP-AA is withdrawing from program.   Uniform policy.  Eagle Ramp Contract Update.  Company Wide CS Policy.  Divesture.
• Authorization Bill:  has been on the hill for last 2 years, TWU is supporting the bill.  Bill has 4 areas, (flyer was handed out).  Most important aspect of the Bill for us is mtx on US aircraft will not be done overseas. 
• Union T-Shirts: We still have about 30 members to get orders for.   List at meeting for any members who have not put their order in yet.
• Presidents Council:  New uniform policy-Ramp has implemented new policy.  We are not in favor of the polo shirts, cargo pants are good.  New raingear is reflective, will not have to wear raingear and the yellow vest.  Type of shoes to be worn is specified.  Uniform committee reviews what type t-shirt we can wear,( i.e. union t-shirt).  Company is going to be very strict on uniform policy.  Type of hats that can be worn will only be TWU hat or Company hat.  Company is already giving CR1 entries to Ramp for not complying with policy.
• CC Questions:  MTX, Parts, GSE, QC, Tech CC’s questions are all complete.  There is a formula for the scores.  Still trying to get questions complete for Coordinators.
• Ruck Sack for Snipers out of OKC going to IRAQ:  TWU has agreed to support buying the sacks for the soldiers.  Every local donated 2 packs, total cost $430.40.  2 backpacks each local donates will have  patch of their local on the inside of the pack.
• Hartford Insurance:  Offering, (through TWU), long term and short term disability.  (Also have a new term life insurance policy to offer.)  When information is received in the mail, every member will have to check yes or no on whether they want the insurance or not.  If members do not respond they will automatically be enrolled in the program.   Question was asked, by membership, how can an outside company just start charging us for something without asking us.  Answer was TWU told them to.
• Company Insurance: increase will be approximately $10-$30 dollars monthly).   Garton says by next year he hopes the increase rate will decrease. Employees that have extreme medical conditions, i.e. cancer, absorb most the medical costs insurance covers.
• System Wide CS Policy:   Ramp has implemented system wide CS policy.  Program, AVMAN, is in Jetnet.  Vacation, shift bid, CS can all be done through this system.  Employee does not have to interact with management for approval.  We are hoping to have the same system.
• New Contract Article for CC Questions:  has points established for interview process.   
• BOS/SJU:  EX headquarters has already moved to MIA, no longer in SJU.  By April SJU will cut up to 30-40 more employees.  BOS – all their flights will be cut.  Hangar may stay if they can do overnight mtx. RDU is not closing but is going to have substantial downsizing.
• Divestiture:  Garton stated, at Presidents Council, in the next 6 to 9 months we will no longer be a part of AMR. AMR still lost $11 million the last quarter, this loss is still better than loss of previous quarter.  Skywest and Republic have grown in number of aircraft, more than Eagle flies.  3.2 billion is what Eagle owes to the banks.  This year alone Eagle has made a lot less money, due to Scope Clause.  We have flown 13,000 less block hours, totally controlled by AA.  $12 million was Eagles’ profit last year.  Death of 50 seater jet:  part that is not true is smaller market still needs the 50 seater.  True part is manufacturer will soon stop making the 50 seater.  Dan Garton stated, in Presidents Council, this will not be our problem because we will no longer be part of AMR.   Garton guarantees in the next 6 to 9 months we will no longer be part of AMR.   Eagle has already started looking for buildings to move into.  Eagle has 9 banks looking into the monetary value of AE.   Focus is to keep the shareholders happy and remain competitive for AA.  Eagle is the worst commuter airline on paper.  Company wants to find a way for us to grow.  Question was asked, in Presidents Council, how can Eagle grow if we remain under the Scope Clause.  What previously hurt AE the most is having 2 different certificates. Being spun- off would take one certificate out from under the Scope Clause and allow that part of the airline to grow.  (We would still maintain EX aircraft).  One of the ways AMR gets around the Scope Clause is the One World Alliance.  (Refer to handout on 4 options.)  Most desirable for AMR is merger.  Most likely to happen is spin-off.  Goal is to get a 10 year contract with AA.  Most likely to happen is a 5 year contract.   Negotiations are on the table now for us to maintain our flight and pay benefits.   Once contract is signed, whether 5 or 10 years, then we have to start figuring out how to make money.  Republic and Skywest can underbid us and take our contract at the end of the 5 or 10 year agreement.  If we spin- off we will not take our aircraft, AA will assume our aircraft debt, we will not own our own aircraft.  AMR is trying to get banks to invest in us.  Garton is trying to get us to where we can feed more than one airline, like United and Delta. Question was asked, if we are spun-off and our customers do not like the ATR airplanes, how will we make money.  Answer was AMR will have to buy more jets.  If APA does not give up the Scope Clause AMR may end up not being fed by any airlines.  Guaranteed we get a contract if we are spun-off.  AMR is already getting complaints about the ATR’s.   If AE gets out from under the Scope Clause we can fly hub to hub and will be able to fly bigger airplanes.   Garton says there is no other airline that can afford to buy us, at a cost of $3.2 billion.  (Gates and routes will always belong to AA.)  If we are spun-off we will be totally independent, no % of our stock owned by AA.  How will this affect us as a union.  If we were to merge with Skywest or Republic we would not be union, because they are not union.  This could mean a substantial pay-cut.  We may not start out as union but we will have the right to organize a union.  70% of Eagle employees are topped out.  Flight benefits will always be available.  Whatever airlines we feed will offer us flight benefits because they will want their employees to fly, good management practice.  Business will be the same as always, we will not notice a change in how business is operated.  By 2015 if AE has not figured out how to make money we will probably get pink slips.  Pay-cuts have to be negotiated.   AMR is at the table now to figure out how to save money by possibly offering topped out employees a pay cut and stock shares to compensate.  If we are spun-off it will be Eagle Airline stock.  We will still be under our current labor contract.  Only way our contract would be put on negotiating table is if we are merged. Garton says if a spin-off happens management mindset will change or he will replace management.  A lot of AE management now does not really care if Eagle is successful or not, they are just doing their time at Eagle until they can move to AA.  EX will have their own gates.  Skywest and Republic has less operating cost than Eagle does.   Major airlines are beginning to feel threatened by the growth of Skywest. Goal of the owner of Skywest is to feed every major airline in the US. Major airlines already have their feeder airlines that operate less than Eagle does.  How will we be able to make money when our operating cost is already higher than the other feeder airlines. If we are spun-off AMR will own our aircraft and our hangars.  ABI will be part of Eagle in the spin-off, they are owned by AE. As far as I know ABI has enough cards signed now to vote to become union.  They operate under 145, have to be approved to operate under 121.  Our local has told International we do not want ABI to be part of our local if they go union, they are too big (almost 500 members). Whether contract mtx in CMI will be able to continue to contract to AMR is up to them.  Having 2 certificates increases FAA costs.  We are self-insured for medical insurance, so it will stay the same. Garton is probably only here for the divestiture.  Question was asked if we are spun-off will our seniority change.  Answer is if we are spun off everything will stay the same.  If we are bought by an airline that is not union then things will change.  A lot of Eagle management is jumping ship to go to AA.   Soon EX will be down to 6 airplanes.  One of the possibilities if we are spun-off is for us to be able to do mtx for other airlines.   All this may turn out to be a positive for us pay wise.  We may have the option to work for the airlines under the other certificate. Question was asked if we merge what will happen to the money in our local.  Answer was the money belongs to the membership. What will happen to the hangar.  Answer is hangar would be owned by AMR and we would still occupy it. If we grow and need more room in the hangar then what will happen.  It would depend on which certificate we are under.  What will happen to the GSE shop.  GSE shop is owned by AMR-not sure what would happen to it.  AA is pulling a lot of their flights out of the east coast.   Dan Garton wants to make money.  Peter Bowler was just interested in making the stock holders happy.  There is a chance LA is going to expand.  If they get big enough they will need to open slots for Coordinators.  No word on any new bases opening.  Do we feel the share holders will get new management if we are spun-off.  With the interest of making money being so important, management that does not or cannot manage in the right direction should be replaced.  We need to find something sustainable that will allow us to grow.  Whoever feeds AA will still be under the Scope Clause. Is it cheaper to lease an airplane than it is to buy one.  Answer is we do not know.  We need to establish ourselves and then think about making investments in buying aircraft.  Garton says he guarantees, at this time, no one in the US has the money to buy us.  Taking a pay cut or getting a pink slip, taking a pay cut may be the best option.  At least we would still have a job.  There was a time when Eagle got a % of each flight. Then the company kept dropping the % so Eagle would break even.  Company may go back to the %.  We start negotiating our contract in about 14 months-we hope all this is settled before then.  Some employees may want to transfer to other stations, once all the changes start.  Insurance bill Obama has initiated may have a big affect on what our insurance rates end up being.  A lot of variables of what could and may happen.
• Rampers: voted their contract down.  They asked to be released and they were told no. They have to go back to negotiating table.
• Is SGF on the hit list?  No, XNA and SGF will be ok.
• MQT: growth in ABI may cause MQT to lose mtx.
• CRJ is scheduled for heavy checks in ABI.  All the tooling and equipment is already in ABI.
• Mike T has gone to AA
• RDU: is not going to close but they will have cut backs.
• Election Committee: Steve Walker, Sellie Narmah, Chris Shafer, Ron Cope and Mario Gonzalez nominated for election committee.  Sellie and Ron accepted.  Chris and Mario accepted. One person will be the chair of the election committee and will be able to reset passwords for voting ballots.
• Outstations are doing their nominations, we cannot be a part of their nominations.  They will mail their nominations to the TWU office and the election committee will open the envelopes.
• Nominations for TWU Officers: 
• Board Member At Large-Jack Billingslea, Barnabas Omejia, Kevin Yoakum, Mike Nau, John Putz, Bruce Lindsley, Keith Carpenter, Mike Alberts, Frankie Mercado, Dave Quiroga, Shawn Akers, Lonny McGrew, David Ortiz, Bryan Solo, Angel Andrade.      
• Recording Secretary – Pam Dillehay, Lonny McGrew, Bryan Solo, Mitch Parker.  
• Treasurer – Matt Smith  
• Vice-President – Barry Arbelius  
• President – Gary Hill, Barry Arbelius  
• 2 Employees on Vacation in Stores: Debra Love has a settlement letter stating 2 employees can be off on vacation at a time.  Yet stores management still does not allow 2 employees off at the same time.  Gary stated he is still working on the issue.  Vacation article in the contract needs to be revised. Gary stated letter Debra received is a matter of interpretation. 
• Vacations:  Contract does give us the option of an October vacation bid, or per local agreement.  We have the option, per agreement, to bid vacation after shift bid. Would be better to do a vacation bid in December, rather than October or November.  VC bid in October or November would interfere with employee holidays.  Vote of the membership to bid vacation an alternate way, post or during shift bid:  all in favor was unanimous.  There may be too many vacation block weeks for mtx to bid vacation during shift bid.  Company does not want to give this option to mtx because they are afraid everyone will bid the same half of the year, i.e. June-December.  Your vacation does not go with you when you change shifts, it goes by seniority on the shift.
• Siddig most likely will not get back pay from being off work.  Difference is Siddig was terminated, not suspended.  Arbitrator will almost always find some fault of the employee that will prevent back pay from being paid. 
• RLG:  Vahram wants them to go away.  Brian, RLG, does not have aviation experience or background.   Opinion is Brian does not want to hear realistic opinions or perspectives of what actually happens on the floor.  Boardwalk is done with mtx and RLG daily.  Mike T brought RLG in so when Mike T leaves RLG may leave also.
• Grievances:  Gary has a meeting with Fred to discuss grievances.  Grievances are being awarded but they are not getting paid. There is a form the company has to fill out now to confirm grievants rate of pay.  We may have grievants put their rate of pay on the grievance at the time they file. We need to find out if any other base has the same problem with getting grievances paid.  Also going to be discussed with Fred is grievances not being answered in a timely manner. 
• Smitty Grievance for FMLA time extension was denied.  Pilots and Flight Attendants have option for extended time. Article 16 of our contract states that if anyone gets a better benefit, then we get it as well.  This is a fight all the way because our HR is not in agreement.  (Article 16:K)  
• Overtime:  7 ½ hour language in the contract is for your regular shift, not days off.  Company is using the excuse they are doing it for safety reasons. 
• CS Policy is hung up in HR over military leave.
• 5S Project:  Employees are signing up for overtime for the 5S project.  (There is a sign up sheet for open overtime for 5S) Overtime for the 5S project is exceeding the 16 hour rule.
• Training:  If employee drives to FSU in their own vehicle for training and have an accident, the company will not assume responsibility for your accident.  This issue was brought to the attention of International and they said the company has the right to say they will not assume the responsibility.  Employees need to sit in the supervisors office or break room and wait for a ride to the training class, not drive their own vehicle.  Company is working on no longer having training classes at FSU. Company is also trying to stop paying for meals during training.  We are pushing for coupons to be given out to DFW membership, since employees from other stations get coupons for meals at FSU.
• Mandatory Overtime:  Anybody, in Stores, that is mandatory’d for overtime the way Nycole was needs to file a grievance.  (Management making employees come in early for their shift is a change of shift and requires 7 days notice, does not constitute as an emergency.   Overtime clause in contract is for hours worked in addition to their shift hours.)  
• Rumor has it Dave Delon and Susan Baker are swapping spots.  Dave is going to the line and Susan is going to the hangar.
• Union Office:  Lease is up in December.  We will not renew the lease.   Office is not utilized enough for it to be cost effective.  We also need an office that is more accessible to officers.

TWU LOCAL 576 STATION MEETING
                                                                   10/07/09
ATTENDEES: 
Gary Hill, President
Barry Arbelius, 1st Vice President
Matt Smith, Treasurer
Pam Dillehay, Recording Secretary
Keith Carpenter, Board Member at Large
David Ortiz, Board Member at Large
Not Present -  Andre

I. GENERAL DISCUSSION:

•  
• Emails
• International wants email addresses on membership.   Gary feels emails should be given to Presidents by each local.  Requested email addresses from membership.
• Negotiations Update
• October 21st and 22nd company, International  lead negotiator and mediator will meet to discuss next step of negotiations.    
• Joan Stevens will be the new negotiator for the company.
• American Income Life
• Deborah Gorman’s insurance presentation to the officers was discussed.    Insurance option voted on by membership.  Favor: 5  Opposed:  7.  Mike Rinaldi stated a lot of credit unions offer insurance packets like this also.
• Resolutions from International Convention
• Booklet of resolutions was discussed.  Booklet will be kept ion QC office.
• ASAP
• Procedures are consistently broken.  Robert Short discussed happenings.  Memorandum Of Understanding, MOU, is lost.   Some statements in new proposed MOU being reviewed by Washington.  Robert emphasized, outside of ASAP and NASA mechanics do not have any recourse when they break procedures.  New FAA guy does not like ASAP, he just thinks ASAP is a free get out of jail card.  PEN procedure is not being utilized.  Courtesy checks are being done at line without a courtesy check card.   Gary stated this is going to change.  Issue was discussed with the company at Round Table.  When ASAP reports are filed what is written on paper is not legible.  Human Factors is one of the things researched when ASAP is filed.  Statements need to be very detailed on why the incident happened.  Question was asked what is a mechanic supposed to do when a supervisor gives a directive to do a job that is wrong, not legal.  Robert said tell the supervisor what they are asking the mechanic to do is not in the GPM.  Barry stated to ask the supervisor if a Fed walks in is the supervisor going to give the fed the information they ask for that is not available?  Gary suggested making another write up for the issue so it has to be signed off.  Gary also said to get QC involved.  Question was asked if the RII list was the minimum required.  Answer is yes.  Barry asked what happens if the mechanic stands firm on not complying with an illegal directive and gets sent home, what happens?  Robert said they are researching that issue.  Also stated the issue can be fought as long as the mechanic has done what is right.   Supervisors brow-beating mechanics is also being focused on.   Robert stated the decade old system is what the union officers need to fight.  Procedures need to be evaluated.  Robert stated if it’s not in writing he can get it in writing.  FAA looking at the 30 day file will disclose how the PEN procedure is not being used and should be to prevent mistakes.  
• Shawn Love
• Interactions with Shawn Love have been very controversial.  Shawn has stated things like he doesn’t care if a mechanic is a good mechanic or not, if he’s a smart ass he’s going to fire him.  Shawn wants mechanics to be controversial so he can fire them.  Shawn has told Gary that if he had his way he would get rid of every mechanic at DFW and start over.  This attitude Shawn has is the reason the union will not support him, in anything. 
• One of the issues Shawn has created is the union not being involved in shift bid, or schedule.  One of the things Stacey tried to do with shift bid was making mechanics be taxi/run qualified to be able to bid day shift. 
• Any input we have given management they want and do the opposite. 
• Gary stated because the unions opinion was not part of the schedule or shift bid, then the union will not support the shift bid.  After Ernie, Stacey and Shawn Love were told this they all tried to get Gary to help them so membership would not file grievances.   (Shift bid was taken down.)
• Stacey asked if the 10 mechanics coming from SJU would be able to participate in the shift bid.  Stacey asked if she could place them where she wanted.  Gary told her no, she would have to post 10 more slots for bid when the SJU mechanics got here.  Stacey said that was too much trouble and took the bid down.   As a result, Stacey and Ernie came back and asked Gary and Barry for help with the shift bid.  Barry stated most likely the schedule will be a set 4/3.  Also will try to get rid of the phase crew, 2nd shift to come in at 12:30 (and work the phase), to have 3rd shift come in earlier and get off earlier.  Smaller shops, (battery and tire), to go back to rotating shifts. 
• We’ve been told when B18 is finished Shawn Love will go back to CMH.
• Shawn Love has been tasked by Dave Campbell and Peter Bowler to do what he is doing at DFW.  When Stacey and Gary agree to an issue, Stacey changes her mind (it seems) after she talks to Shawn.
• Grievances
• Shawn Love is under the impression that because the union signs the call log for OT, it makes the union responsible for grievances.  As a result of this discussion, Gary has told all the reps and officers not to sign call logs for OT anymore.   Shawn Love says the company does not have to pay bypass, so if you file a grievance for it his answer is to come in on your day off to get paid for the grievance.  When a grievance is filed and the statement is put on the grievance “I wish to be made whole in every way,” is what guarantees the grievant gets paid.
• Dispute was resolved in Round Table that supervisors will sign grievances.   Boxes are going to be made for the grievances to be put in after supervisor signs them.   Time limit is the issue.
• Deal A Meal / Gate Manning
• Barry made a presentation to management to go back to deal a meal to improve line maintenance.
• Walk Around
• Notes from Round Table were discussed.  Shawn Love has been telling mechanics to do an undocumented walk around.    Decision was made from Round Table meeting that walk around would be an individual work card.  DQC did not like the conversation
• Investigations
• Gary capped on discussion during Round Table about investigations taking too long.
• GPM and Work Cards
• Management wants mechanics to follow work cards and the GPM at their convenience.  (They put a lot of focus on issues like what type of shoes are being worn.
• Chain of Command
• Question was asked if supervisor can consistently ask mechanics for updates and bypass the Crew Chief.  Supervisors change what Crew Chiefs have given mechanics to do.  Gary stated we will talk to Stacey about this issue.   Barry stated for mechanic to tell the supervisor let’s go to the office and I’ll tell you what’s going on, because I don’t want you distracting my work.  First, before you go talk to the supervisor you have to do a turnover.  New rule is if a mechanic walks away from their work on a plane they have to do a turnover.  Or, mechanic can tell supervisor to talk to his Crew Chief.
• CS Policy
• Score Program, (like the ramp has), is the CS policy we will have.   Mtx management has already started inputting mechanics in the program.  Stores need to start implementation.  Carmen was at Round Table and stated she was going to get with Stacey and Ernie to find out how to implement.  Management stated as soon as shift bid is complete the Score Program will be up and running.
• New Program
• Was stated by management during Round Table that after the first of the year there will be a new program that will replace the Score Program.  New program is supposed to be for keeping track of everything, including vacations.
• Grievances at Presidents Council
• Next Presidents Council is November 4th.   Gary will present  our  record number of grievances when he goes to Presidents Council.
• TDY
• Rich Haddock letter that states all overtime will be extinguished when there is another station here TDY.   Overtime has to be called.  Employees cannot just show up to work overtime.  Rumor is there were a few mechanics who just showed up for OT, without being called.  Company is going to try to use timecard fraud against them . (Company needs the Rich Haddock letter for the 16 hour rule.)   We have previous grievances where overtime has been paid, based on the Rich Haddock letter.  Before mechanics here on TDY get overtime,  mechanics signed up are to be offered the overtime.
• Field Work Policy
• Numerous grievances on field work.  Even officers have some differences in opinion on how the policy should be.   Policy needs to be re-evaluated.  Items 2 and eligibility needs to be revised.  Gary knows when the policy is opened up to the company there will be many items they want to change.  Signing up for specific shifts needs to be added.   Should be added, “after your normal shift hours you are no longer eligible”.   Argument is if mechanic is on overtime then they are not working their normal shift.   Suggested to put first eligible is who is on their normal shift and secondary eligible is who is on overtime.
• Needs to be a buffer for when a road trip leaves.  Suggested if flight leaves after your normal shift then choice goes to secondary. 
• When management chooses to pull names for a road trip is their discretion.  
• Access to Previous Cases
• If a past reference is needed, an email needs to be sent to Gary requesting the information.  Eventually, this information will be provided on our website.  Once a settlement letter is signed and accepted, the grievance can no longer be used as evidence. 
• Shop Stewards
• Copies of shop steward guidelines was handed out.  (Fact sheets Keith had)