May 20, 1999
This is MEC Communications Chairman, David Weeks with the MEC Hotline for
May 20, 1999.
Tonight’s topics are:
PBS Update
MEC at Executive Board
In addition, on Monday, May 17th, the MEC conducted their
fourth MEC meeting of the year. Several resolutions were passed, all of which will be
available to read, once the meeting minutes have been approved. All of the MEC officers
will be back in the office next week.
Negotiating Committee
Committee Volunteers
Although prior experience would ease the learning curve, it is not
necessarily our greatest concern. Specialized training is available through ALPA training
seminars.
More importantly is your desire to serve your fellow pilots, and your
willingness to sacrifice the time that it takes to do it right. Get involved with your
union.
System Board
The second case was #97-172, which deals with the company denying
pilots who reach the age of 58 to either upgrade to a captain’s position and/or
transition from one aircraft to another as captain. It is the Association’s position
that there is no bypass clause in the contract; and that the company’s position is
based solely on verbiage found in the FOPM, which is contrary to language in the contract.
The third case was #98-165, which was filed by an individual pilot, who
was on a pairing that went from Las Vegas to Tampa. The company rerouted him from LAS to
JFK because another pilot, who was to have flown the Las Vegas to JFK flight, called in
sick. The rerouted pilot was subsequently paid JA pay. The Association argued that this
was an illegal reroute; that is also was not a legal junior assignment, and that pilots
who are awarded a trip cannot be junior-assigned. The System Board consisting of two
representatives from the company and two representatives from the Association, will spend
the rest of today and tomorrow deliberating the cases.
A special System Board meeting has been scheduled for June 17 and 18,
when five additional cases will be presented. Details are forthcoming.
Hotel Committee Email
That’s a-w-h-o-t-e-l-s-the number one-at-a-o-l-dot-com. This
address will be added to the MEC web site on the Committee Roster page, as well as the
Hotel Committee page.
New MEC Office Staff
Also, Ms. Martha McVay joined the staff this week as Contract
Administrator Andrew Shostack’s assistant. She replaces Ms. Nancy Towler. Martha had
previously worked independently as a free-lance court recorder.
When calling or stopping by the MEC office, please give both Sandy and
Martha a warm welcome.
Local Council Meeting
Family Awareness Picnic
That concludes this week’s update. The next scheduled hotline will be
Thursday, May 27th.
- PBS Update
- MEC at Executive Board
- Negotiating Committee Update
- System Board
- Committee volunteers
- Hotel Committee Email
- New MEC Office Staff
- Local Council Meeting
- Family Awareness Picnic
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MEC Hotline |
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PBS Committee Chairman Del Brummett was notified this morning that the company has finally
approved the purchase of the PBS program, and will sign the global purchase agreement
required by AD-OPT today. Captain Brummett and PBS Committee Vice Chairman David Weeks now
plan to meet with company PBS committee members to outline a basic timeline for PBS
development, implementation, and training.
The entire MEC has been in Washington, D.C. this week attending the semi-annual ALPA
Executive Board meeting. Even though the Executive Board consists only of the ALPA MEC
chairmen, our MEC officers felt it was important to have our entire MEC present in order
for the new representatives to witness the ALPA governing process.
The Negotiating Committee will distribute a letter to all pilot T-4 mailboxes concerning
Contract 2000 preparations on Friday, May 21. The letter will detail upcoming
communications activities relating to contract negotiations, as well as a basic timeline
in which the pilot group will receive information from the committee. In addition to the
letter, a Contract 2000 unity sticker will be included with the letter. Pilots are
encouraged to display the sticker as a symbol of pilot unity, as well as support for the
Negotiating Committee.
The MEC and LEC continue the call for committee chairman and committee members. We are
seeking additional candidates for the chairs of the Retirement and Insurance,
Government Affairs, and Crew Meal committees. We are also seeking additional volunteers
for the Family Awareness and Pilot-to-pilot programs. Which, by the way, will play a vital
role in preparing for Contract 2000.
The System Board met today at the MEC office. Testimony was heard concerning three
different cases. The first case was group grievance #98-143, which deals with pilots
upgrading to first class while deadheading. It is the Association’s position that the
company is not complying with section 8C of the pilot agreement. The company has changed
the boarding priority from SA0B to CR0B, which does not comply with the intent of the
contract in section 8C.
The Hotel Committee has a new email address for pilots to send comments and suggestions to
the committee members. The email address is as follows: [email protected].
We have two new additions to the MEC office staff. Ms. Sandy Peterson joined the office
last month as the new Office Coordinator. She replaces Ms. Bonnie Blair. Sandy had
previously worked for the Teamsters union for nearly 25 years as the supervisor to the
legal department.
The next Local Council meeting will be held Wednesday, May 26 at 6pm, at the Holiday Inn
Select, located at 44th and Washington streets in Phoenix. Mr. Gilbert Mook,
America West’s new executive vice president and chief operating officer will be the
guest speaker. All council business will be addressed prior to Mr. Mook’s presentation.
All members are encouraged to attend.
All active members are also reminded that the Family Awareness Committee will hold a free
summer get-together on June 12 from 3pm to 7pm, at McCormick Railroad Park in Phoenix. A
BBQ dinner, beer, ice cream, and children’s entertainment will be provided. Members
interested in attending must RSVP to Sandi Siniaho at the MEC office by June 7. Members
who RSVP will receive a free train-ride for their children under 12.
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