News Release CAPE AIR AND INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS REACH TENTATIVE PILOT AGREEMENT |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (2/1/12)-- Cape Air/ Nantucket Airlines and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), representing the pilots of the airline, have reached tentative agreement on a four-year contract through March of 2016. “We are enormously pleased with the hard work of both parties in reaching this accord,” said Dan Wolf, CEO of the airline. “This agreement is fair to our pilots and to the airline and is representative of the employee-oriented company that we are,” added Wolf. IBT Airline Division international representative Captain Scott Hegland noted, “One year and 10 months since negotiations resumed, I have the pleasure to announce that a Tentative Agreement has been reached between the IBT, representing the Cape Air Pilots and Cape Air Management. These negotiations have been a high water mark in my many years of negotiations. Never before have I been party to such a collaborative effort by all the parties involved.” "I cannot adequately express how grateful I am to the people involved in getting the Cape Air pilots their first contract,” said Captain Marilyn Rhude, Cape Air Executive Council Chairperson, who added, “Through countless hours of research, discussions, debates and compromises we have sculpted a tentative agreement of which we can all be proud.” The agreement provides detailed rules governing all aspects of the employment relationship, including schedules, pay and base bid rights for the airline’s 160 pilots based throughout the U.S, Caribbean and Micronesia. The contract is the first to be written and agreed to by the parties. “A first contract is always a challenge for both sides, as each section must be prepared from scratch without the benefit of previous contract language,” said Cape Air President Dave Bushy, who co-chaired negotiations for the company with Chief Administrative Officer Linda Markham. “There was good give and take by both sides as we came to agreement. As we gained traction in the past 18 months, detailed discussions evolved to shared vision and consensus on critical issues,” Bushy noted. “The culture of our company is extremely important to us,” said Linda Markham, who added, “Our pilots, like all other employees, are valuable members of the team, who deserve to be recognized for their efforts.” The pact calls for yearly step and pay increases for pilots over the four-year term of the contract. It also provides for seniority protection for the pilots, as well as carefully defined scope and management rights provisions. The contract will be presented to the airline’s pilots in a series of Base meetings in the next three weeks and then will be subject to a ratification vote by the pilots in late February. The aim of both sides is to have a new contract in place by March 1, 2012. Scott Hegland added, “My thanks to Captain David Bourne, Director of the IBT's Airline Division, for his never ending commitment to the Cape Air Pilots and to see his vision of a "new approach" to Labor/ Management relationships. His steady leadership and progressive ideals have become the benchmark in the Airline Division’s negotiations throughout the industry. Also, my appreciation goes out to Dan Wolf. His vision has been for a new, innovative way toward union/management relations and it is shown in the professional conduct at the table by his representatives. “ Captain Marilyn Rhude noted, "This was a pretty big learning curve for many of us and we would not have been as successful without the guidance, knowledge and patience that our IBT partners brought to the table. I am especially grateful to Teamster Airline Division Director David Bourne, who ensured we always had the resources necessary to get the job finished and to CEO Dan Wolf and his negotiating team, who met us at the table with open minds, a willingness to create a solid and fair first contract and the mutual desire to preserve that which makes Cape Air unique. This is an endeavor in which I am honored to have been a part." “This is a great airline working with committed partners in the IBT. A mutually-beneficial contract was created by both of these strong teams,” said Dan Wolf. Wolf and IBT Airline Division Director David Bourne are expected to participate in some of the meetings to discuss the new contract with pilots beginning February 6, 2012. ### |
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Wilmington, OH (11/29/11) – Today, Omni Air International flight deck crew members, represented by the Airline Professionals Association (APA) Teamsters Local 1224 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airline Division announced that they have ratified a tentative agreement for their first collective bargaining agreement. A tentative agreement was first reached in August, following more than three years of negotiations. After being rejected by the membership in September, the agreement was amended to address key crew member concerns. The amended provisions include a reduction in the number of duty days from 19 to 18 days, the retention of home-basing with travel provided from a crew member’s existing airport, and the duration of the contract was reduced from five years to four years. The amended tentative agreement was ratified by the membership. The new four-year contract provides for 30 to 43 percent pay raises while retaining a home-basing system with gateway travel provided by the company, outstanding scope protections specifically tailored for Omni and its affiliates and subsidiaries, significant work rule improvements, and training improvements that incorporate the union training committee. “We look forward to implementing this new contract and to a long-lasting, mutually-beneficial relationship with Omni Air,” said Clark Cameron, Local 1224s Omni Air Executive Council Chairman. This contract marks the first collective bargaining agreement for the flight crew members at Omni Air. Along with improved wage provisions, the contract also affords seniority rights integral to job protection, dispute resolution procedures, and an orderly and equitable discipline process. “I personally attended a few of these bargaining sessions, along with Airline Division Director David Bourne,” said APA Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “I know firsthand that this was a tough negotiating environment. Our negotiations team came to the table well-prepared and did a phenomenal job representing the membership.” Omni Air International operates an expanding fleet of aircraft frequently providing services flying members of our armed services. The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crew members of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. # # # # |
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Wilmington, OH (11/22/11) – Yesterday the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation, a successful extension of the Airline Professionals Association (APA) Teamsters Local 1224, kicked off the second week of its annual Fall Charity Drive with a donation of more than 150 Pillow Pets to the Toys for Tots Foundation.
“We are just one week into our annual Fall Charity Drive and the opportunity to showcase the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation by supporting such a worthy cause was a wonderful way to kick off our effort,” said Rick Ziebarth, executive board member and chair of the Teamsters Local 1224 charity committee. “The Toys for Tots’ mission is similar to that of Pilots for Kids, an organization that we are passionate about and have supported since our inception. We believe in supporting our children and are honored to be able to help in any way we can.” Through the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation, Teamsters Local 1224 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit worthy causes and organizations. One hundred percent of member contributions made to the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation are returned to local and national charities. “Supporting the local community, events and nonprofit organizations is a part of who we are as Teamsters,” said Local 1224 President, Joe Muckle. “We love to give back.” The pillow pets were donated to the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation by Ed Faath, a founder of Pilots for Kids. Pilots for Kids will also be distributing a number of the stuffed toys during their annual visits to hospitalized children over the Christmas season.
Photos: 1- Upper right: Sgt Marine Recruiter Christopher McCoy and Toys for Tots LCO Cherie Gentry accept the donation of 150 pillow pets to Toys for Tots from APA Teamsters Local 1224. 2- Lower left: Sgt Marine Recruiter Christopher McCoy thanks ABX Air Pilot Jeff Parrott of APA Teamsters Local 1224 for the donation of 150 pillow pets to Toys for Tots. ### |
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Teamsters Local 1224 Congratulates Clinton Massie Rockets and Clinton Massie Indians on a Successful Season |
The Rockets closed their season last week taking the title of District 34 Knothole Class C-1 North Tournament Runner-Up. The team has a history of success. They finished third in the league in 2010, were league champions in 2009, league champions and tournament runners up in 2008, were the 2007 Cincinnati Knothole Assoc. Division 34 Class D-3 runners up in the league and won the District Tournament in 2007. The Rockets are a great group of boys that are friends both on and off the field. The majority of the team has played together for the past four or five years.
This year APA Teamsters Local 1224 also sponsored the Clinton Massie Indians. The Indians finished the season as league champions. Their league position gave them a bid to play in the City Tournament which will take place mid-July. Good luck Indians! “Supporting the local community, events and nonprofit organizations is a part of who we are as Teamsters,” said Local 1224 President, Joe Muckle. “We love to give back to the community in general, but somehow seeing the organizations we support succeed makes it that much more fulfilling.” Since its inception Teamsters Local 1224 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit worthy causes and organizations throughout the community. The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crew members of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. |
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| Gulfstream International Airlines Pilots Ratify Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement |
May 23, 2011 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Gulfstream International Airlines’ flight crewmembers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters APA Local 1224, today announced they have agreed to a five-year collective bargaining agreement with Gulfstream International Airlines. Ballots were tallied on Friday, May 6. The new contract will be in effect through May 2016. “Gulfstream’s bankruptcy and reorganization has been a lot for our pilot group to digest over the last six months,” said Cecil Stewart, APA Teamsters Local 1224’s Gulfstream Executive Council Chairman. “With this stressful chapter from Gulfstream’s history behind us, we look forward to many years of growth and success for the benefit of all of Gulfstream’s flight crews.” The new contract provides a significant increase in the ability of each pilot to modify his or her own schedule to accommodate personal needs. At the same time, the contract also has increased the Company’s ability to obtain pilot coverage for open trips, while ensuring that crewmembers are fairly compensated for any flying above and beyond a normal monthly schedule. The contract also strengthened the scope of the contract, and ensured that all non-management pilots who work for Gulfstream will be fully covered by the collective bargaining agreement. Gulfstream Teamsters’ Executive Council expects that the “quality of life” and organizational improvements which are also included in the contract will assist the airlines’ new owners in a positive renovation of the company culture. Joe Muckle, president of APA Teamsters Local 1224 said, “Contract negotiations are always about give and take. In this case, the pilot group knew it was necessary to work with the company to help reduce costs so that it could effectively undergo its reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In understanding the goals upfront, we were able to collectively find common ground on provisions which make this contract acceptable to the membership and Gulfstream International Airlines, as well as making it appealing to the airlines’ new owners, Victory Park Capital.” The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. |
Teamsters Asks National Mediation Board for Release at Omni Air International |
May 10, 2011 – Last week, Omni Air, International flight deck crewmembers, represented by the Airline Professionals Association (APA) Teamsters Local 1224 of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to be released from mediated negotiations because Omni management wants to continue to compensate Omni crewmembers well below industry standards and maintain health and welfare and other worker provisions at unacceptably low levels. This request of the NMB comes after 18 months of direct negotiations and almost 24 additional months of mediated negotiations between the IBT and Omni. The two sides are now at an impasse in the negotiations process and it has become apparent Omni management will not provide industry standard rates of pay, work rules, working conditions and benefits unless compelled to do so. Because of Omni’s antiquated bargaining style on many fronts, the IBT has asked the NMB to end mediated negotiations and to proffer binding arbitration to both sides. If the NMB grants this request, and either party declines binding arbitration, a 30-day cooling off period will commence, at the end of which the IBT will be released to conduct a strike at Omni Air International. “Management’s posture during these negotiations has been wretched,” said Joe Muckle, APA Teamsters Local 1224 president. “I am very disappointed that Omni’s negotiators have treated these negotiations like a sideshow. Our negotiations have spanned a considerably long period of time. We eventually came close to a Tentative Agreement, but immediately realized when attempting to put concepts into contract language that many of the same undesirable antics we’ve come to expect from Omni were likely to continue well beyond the conclusion of these negotiations. It became clear during the “clean-up” period that they didn’t want to honor the word they gave at the table, but instead intended to “sharp shoot” our contact with the hope of undermining the intent of the CBA language.” Disputes over hostile areas and Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) operations are also significant areas of dispute, as Omni flight crews are routinely assigned to fly to some of the most dangerous regions in the world. As an example, Omni stationed crews in a country during a bloody attempted overthrow of government where the president of that country was forced to flee, hundreds were injured, and scores killed. The flight crews seek to be fairly compensated for their exposure to those dangers and for the skills that they demonstrate on a daily basis to safely fly in and out of those dangerous regions. “Recent actions by senior Omni management are indicative of disrespect for the negotiations process and a lack of respect for the dignity and well-being of their workers like I have never seen before in this industry,” said Captain Joe Muckle. “Omni principals had to be compelled to attend negotiations, and even then, their first and foremost priority was to arrive late and leave early. Omni is a private corporation that reported profits of about $60 million in 2009 according to Department of Transportation reports, and Omni is on track to report profits of $75 million in 2010, and most of that was through contracting with the U.S. Government. This kind of corporate profit without regard for the welfare of its employees takes advantage of the government contracting process and must stop. Omni flies B-767s with up to 276 passengers, DC-10s with up to 355 passengers, and now proposes to fly B-777s with up to 380 passengers and a range of more than 14 hours; but Omni pays many of their flight crewmembers a wage that is well below the industry standard and even below that of many other occupations that don’t require comparable years of specialized training. It’s outrageous, and it’s an insult to our members and their families.” The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. |
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APA Teamsters Local 1224 Members Serve on FAA's Pilot Records Database Aviation Rule Making Committee |
| (2/16/11) APA Teamsters Local 1224 announced its participation in the FAAs Pilot Records Database Aviation Rule Making Committee (ARC) which commenced on Tuesday, February 8, 2011.
As a result the “Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010”, Congress mandated the FAA to create numerous Aviation Rulemaking Committees (ARCs) to adequately address and review many aspects of this important aviation legislation. One of the many changes outlined in this legislation is a mandate for more transparency and disclosure of flight crewmember records. The changes mandated by the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010 will require the FAA to maintain an electronic database containing (1) FAA records of airman certificates, ratings, and medical certificates and closed legal enforcements, (2) air carrier and other records pertaining to individual pilot performance to include training records, disciplinary records, and records relating to release from employment, and (3) National Driver Register (NDR) records. The primary objective of the Pilot Record Database ARC will be to establish best practices for the FAA’s electronic pilot records database. The committee is comprised of two dozen participants from various sectors of the aviation community including flight crewmember unions and associations, airlines, regulators and airline associations. “Over the past few years, Local 1224 along with the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA) has been intimately involved with congressional representatives as they sought counsel from industry experts prior to the implementation of the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010,” said APA Teamsters Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “We have seen first-hand the positive impact professionals can have when they take the time to share their valuable experience. We are thrilled that several of our members were chosen on behalf of the Teamsters Airline Division and CAPA to participate in these FAA Rule Making Committees. It is a true testament to our memberships’ depth of experience and to our local’s reputation.” CAPA was asked to chair the Pilot Records Database ARC. Upon recommendation, Russ Leighton, APA Teamsters Local 1224 Safety Director and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Airline Division (IBTAD) Safety Coordinator, was selected to chair the ARC on CAPA’s behalf. “Russ has an extensive aviation education and notable experience with airline safety issues,” said Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “His relationships with so many airlines make him an ideal candidate to chair any aviation committee.” Leighton, who formerly served as an aircraft accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has worked closely with CAPA to develop a comprehensive safety strategy for the industry and most recently represented the IBTAD on the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, said, “I am honored to have been selected to chair this committee on behalf of the IBTAD and CAPA. I look forward to facilitating a discussion that will allow the ARC to make the recommendations necessary for the FAA to be able to write the best regulation possible.” APA Teamsters Local 1224 Business Agent John Herron will fill a seat as a member of the committee appointed to the Teamsters Airline Division. As a pilot, Herron has 6,000 flight hours and is a type-rated B-767 with domestic and international experience. A former pilot for ABX Air, he has 10 years experience as a pilot in airline operations. He earned a law degree from Temple University and currently represents pilots in labor, FAA and TSA matters. “We must ensure individuals retain the ability to be fully aware of what records are on file with the FAA and also have the ability to challenge those records in the event inaccuracies exist,” said Herron. “Carriers need to take responsibility for the training they provide and the background checks they perform. We need ensure we cultivate an environment where our check airmen and instructors remain motivated to be good teachers in addition to check airmen.” Additionally, Local 1224 member and USA 3000 Airlines Captain Juliana Haacke will serve as an alternate for Herron. Captain Haacke has been an active Teamster member since 1999. She was a pilot for Horizon from 1999 to 2002 then transitioned to fly for USA 3000 Airlines where she has been since. She was selected for this role because of her meticulous attention to detail and willingness to devote herself to advance causes that impact her fellow crewmembers and the aviation profession. The APA Teamsters Local 1224 Pilot Records Database ARC representatives are giving their all to the process and ensuring the input they provide is accurate and representative of views of the entire membership. They are developing surveys and proactively reaching out to every member of the Teamsters Airline Division, seeking valid feedback and personal experiences. A few of the issues which the committee is already considering include: standardization between carriers for obtaining and disclosing records; procedures which provide a crewmember the ability obtain records and, potentially, dispute the accuracy of disclosed information; exceptions for allowing crews to fly before a carrier receives Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) records; and ensuring training instructors and check airman maintain a ‘training’ focus. The Pilot Records Database ARC is currently scheduled to meet for six weeklong sessions between now and May, and will provide the FAA with their recommendations concerning the development of requirements to meet this new law. The committee will issue a final report to the FAA on or before May 31, 2011. The report will encompass committee key findings and an outline of recommendations. APA Teamsters Local 1224 has participated in the Flight Time/Duty Time ARC (completed in 2009), the First Officer Qualifications (FOQ) ARC (completed in 2010). Additionally, Local 1224 is participating in several ARCs that will be completed in the coming year including the Stick Pusher and Adverse Weather Event Training (SPAW) ARC , and the Flight Crewmember Training Hours Requirement ARC. The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. Teamsters Local 1224 is a founding member of CAPA. CAPA is a trade association comprised of over 28,000 professional commercial and all-cargo pilots. CAPA's purpose is to address safety, security, legislative and regulatory issues affecting the professional flight deck crew member on matters of common interest to the individual member unions. ### |
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(2/2/11) Today, USA 3000 Airlines’ pilots, represented by the Airline Professionals Association (APA) Teamsters Local 1224 announced their decision to withdraw from the voluntary Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). “We, as professional pilots, always strive to maintain the highest level of proficiency and safety,” Muckle added. “We embrace any training or program that helps further our safety goals, not just for ourselves and our companies, but for the industry as a whole. However, when these types of actions take place, actions that tear away at the confidence of the pilot group, the union is left with no choice but to withdraw from a program, even a worthy one such as ASAP.” Acknowledgement that the timing of these events is unfortunate is an understatement. In fact, the union is concerned that it may mark an outright blow to the aviation safety initiatives that are currently being addressed. USA 3000’s actions and the pilot response will, no doubt, be at the forefront of concerns from safety experts across all sectors of the aviation industry who are working in a concerted effort to advance airline safety through proven voluntary reporting initiatives such as ASAP, FOQA, LOSA and AQP. “The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airline Division has been working with ASAP for over a decade. In our experience it has been working well across the board,” said Russ Leighton, the Director of Safety for the IBT Airline Division. “It is disappointing that this airline refuses to use the program as it was intended.” As an organization, APA Teamsters Local 1224 has been a vocal advocate for aviation safety programs such as ASAP. In fact, it has a reputation for safety and proactive development of safety programs. APA Teamsters Local 1224 has devoted countless hours of time to participate in Congressional round table discussions and FAA aviation rule making committees (ARC) to identify and address industry-wide safety issues. The last publication by APA Teamsters Local 1224 featured the industry movement to incorporate ASAP into Part 121 carrier operations across the nation, and even promoted the benefits of ASAP when companies and flight crew members work together in a collaborative environment to identify and address operational safety hazards. When ASAP is implemented properly, it allows flight professionals the opportunity to acknowledge an error or identify a hazard in the system, and to report it without fear of losing a job or a license. When a party breaches that trust, ASAP is rendered ineffective. “The Teamsters Local 1224 USA 3000 Executive Council went to great lengths to keep ASAP intact at USA 3000 Airlines. After thorough deliberation, polling the membership, and giving USA 3000 Airlines’ management every opportunity to correct the situation, the union decided to discontinue its voluntary participation in ASAP,” said Muckle. “We fully embrace ASAP as a worthy program. It is regrettable that such a decision had to be made to protect pilot careers at USA 3000 Airlines, as well as the program’s integrity.” The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (12/1/10) – Horizon Air pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters APA Local 1224, today announced they have agreed to a five-year collective bargaining agreement with Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. This vote follows more than four years of negotiations. The new contract includes dramatic improvements in work conditions where the pilots will be writing their own schedules and trips. Also, a progressive scheduling process was agreed to whereby pilots can trade and manage their schedules among each other to accommodate their personal wishes, with improved pay protections for Horizon pilots. Significant ratification bonuses also were included in the agreement. The pay rates will be submitted in two separate ‘baseball style’ arbitrations; a method agreed upon to avoid an impasse on the subject. Most notable of these is, perhaps, the scheduling improvements in this agreement which demonstrate that Horizon has entrusted the pilot group to build safe, cost-efficient schedules. “We look forward to implementing this new contract, especially the scheduling portion” says Captain Trevor Bulger. “The scheduling section in and of itself is a major industry improvement in that our pilots now have the ability to essentially build their own schedules. We envision this will provide for a vast improvement in our quality of life.” Ballots were tallied on November 30, 2010. The vote passed the membership by 60 percent. Horizon serves 48 cities throughout Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 90 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK). The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight deck crewmembers of cargo and passenger airlines. Its members include ABX Air, Arrow Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream, Horizon Air, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. ### |
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| Horizon and IBT reach tentative agreement on pilot contract |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (9/17/2010)- Horizon Air and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) jointly announced today that, with the assistance of federal mediation, they have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for the airline's 673 pilots. The IBT expects to be ready to present the details of the agreement to Horizon's pilots by late October. The ratification vote would take place immediately following. No details about the contract terms will be released until the conclusion of the voting process. “The Union leadership and negotiators worked very hard to finalize the provisions in this tentative agreement. I thank and congratulate the negotiating teams on both sides for their collaborative efforts. While the agreement is still contingent upon the membership’s vote to ratify the contract, I believe that it adequately provides for the Company’s needs and also recognizes the very high level of service and professionalism the Horizon pilots provide,” said Joe Muckle, Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 President. After years of negotiations, in January 2010 both Horizon and the IBT requested federal mediation to work through the remaining open items. In June, an agreement in principle was reached, and the negotiation teams spent the subsequent months finalizing the details. “The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been negotiating for the Horizon Air pilots since March 2006, and the industry landscape has changed dramatically during that time,” said Captain David Bourne, Teamsters’ Airline Division Director. “This is a good agreement with significant quality of life improvements and other incentives." Per federal law, airline contracts don't expire. An existing contract remains in effect after the amendable date until a new contract is agreed to by the negotiating teams and ratified by represented members. Horizon serves 45 cities throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 90 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK). The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight deck crews of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Arrow Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream, Horizon Air, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. Teamsters Local 1224 was charted in 1994. ### |
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June 1, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The pilots of Horizon Air, Inc., represented by the Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224, last week entered into mediated contact negotiations with Horizon under the oversight of the National Mediation Board. Horizon and the pilots have been in negotiations to reach a collective bargaining agreement for more than four years and have been unable to conclude negotiations thus far. Under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) mediated negotiations are the first step in resolving conflict between the two parties. Horizon is attempting to negotiate directly with the pilots and their families, which calls into question Horizon’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. Just recently, Horizon mailed information setting forth its financial condition addressed to each of its pilot’s families. In failing to include enough postage on the envelope, each pilot was responsible for the postage due. Many responded by sending the postage due letters back to Horizon, demanding the company stop sending their wives and children propaganda and bargain with the representatives on the Union’s negotiating committee. “The recent conduct by Horizon has created a toxic atmosphere where the morale of the pilot group has deteriorated,” said Teamsters Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “This is unfortunate because these are the most experienced pilots in the regional airlines. They do not want a job action, they want a contract.” The pilots employed by Horizon have the full and complete support of Teamsters Local Union No. 1224 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and plan to fight for a contract that provides a wage and benefit package that respects the value of the pilot’s expertise and allows them to maintain an acceptable quality of life. The pilots of Horizon have not received a wage increase since 2005. Meanwhile, executive compensation at Horizon and Alaska Airlines has soared year over year as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Alaska Air Group Board of Directors. The union fully recognizes the limitations of artificially forced wage and benefit increases beyond the capability of the business to produce profits. However, a balance is necessary where Management and Labor can share in the profitability of the Company rather than inflated executive pay as a singular reward for cost cutting on the backs of labor. Horizon has earned a sound reputation in the industry for customer satisfaction, safety, security and on-time performance. A pilot’s professionalism and skill-set greatly contribute to each of these factors in the success of an airline. The pilot’s of Horizon Air are among some of the most experienced pilots in the regional airline industry. “The pilots at Horizon have always been proud to be affiliated with a strong company, and equally as proud to be an integral part of the company’s success,” said Trevor Bulger, Horizon Air Captain and Teamsters Executive Council Chairman. “Our pilots are a dedicated group, but the recent situation has really left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.” The purpose of mediation under the Railway Labor Act is to foster the resolution of collective bargaining disputes in the railroad and airline industries. In its mediatory role, the board may employ a variety of methods to resolve the dispute and uses its discretion to determine when mediation has been exhausted. If the NMB determines further mediation will not help the parties reach agreement binding arbitration is offered to the parties. If either party declines binding arbitration, the parties are released from mediation by the board and a 30-day cooling-off period begins. If no agreement is reached within the 30-day cooling off period, the parties are released to exercise self help. However, disputes rarely escalate into disruptions of passenger service. Horizon serves 48 cities throughout Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 90 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK). The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight deck crewmembers of cargo and passenger airlines. Its members include ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Kalitta Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and Teamsters Local 747. Teamsters Local 747 represents the flight crewmembers of Arrow Air, Horizon Air, Gulfstream, Miami Air, Omni Air, Republic Holdings, and USA 3000. ### |
Teamsters Local 1224 & ABX Air, Inc. |
For Immediate Release - November 13, 2009 The tentative agreement between ABX Air and Teamsters Local 1224 is contingent on two key components: (1) ABX Air and DHL must reach a commercial agreement for airlift and (2) the membership’s vote to approve the contract. “The union’s leadership has worked very hard to finalize the provisions established in this contract and we believe the agreement is beneficial to our members as well as DHL and ABX Air,” said Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “The fact is that our struggle may not be over. If ABX Air and DHL aren’t able to reach a commercial agreement, all our time and efforts will have been for naught.” The voting deadline for ratification by Teamsters Local 1224 is November 17. It is anticipated that DHL and ABX Air will reach a decision regarding a commercial agreement shortly thereafter. Local 1224 Secretary Treasurer Tim Jewell said, “Contract negotiations are always about give and take. In this case, we knew it was necessary for the pilot group to make sacrifices to help the company reduce costs so that it could survive and strive for growth. We were able to collectively find common ground on provisions which not only make this contract acceptable to our membership and ABX Air, but also make it appealing to key customers in the industry who demand the exceptional quality of service that ABX Air provides.” Most notable is the language that makes ABX Air competitive as an “ACMI Carrier”. This change aligns ABX Air with ATSG’s new business model. The agreement also reduces ABX Air’s costs while adding greater flexibility. The combination makes the company more competitive in the broader industry, which in turn will better enable ABX Air to provide jobs and potentially speed up the recall of its nearly 400 flight crewmembers on furlough. “If all of the pieces fall into place, this agreement will mark the end of an injustice for our furloughed crewmembers by releasing severance benefits that were earmarked by DHL over a year ago. The union fought hard on many fronts to create an environment that brought management to the table with an open mind,” said Muckle. “The time for fighting is over. We worked together, cooperatively and tirelessly, for the past three months to forge this agreement. Continuing this cooperative relationship is the best way to ensure long-term success for the company.” The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 is a multi-carrier local which specializes in representing heavy-lift airlines. It represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Polar Air Cargo and Kalitta Air. The union hall is located at the DHL Airpark. ### |
Teamsters Local 1224 Supports the Clinton County Youth Council |
The union has supported the Clinton County Youth Council for more than five years. In previous years it has not only provided monetary funding, but also has donated a variety of big ticket items. They include the pool tables, pool room carpet, jukebox, skate park ramps and the dolls for the Baby Think it Over program. A staff member volunteered her time to paint the pool room walls and several Teamster organizers constructed the skate park ramps. “I remember painting the walls in CCYC’s pool room several years ago, I just thought it would be nice to liven it up a little for the kids,” said Jenna Sheeley, Local 1224’s office manager. “It is so important for children in our community to have a safe place to go after school, or even something extra to do on weekends. The youth council’s hosted events like Battle of the Bands or Fun Nights at the YMCA are two that come to mind.” Giving is a part of the culture at the Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224. In fact, established in 1994, this year marks the Airline Professionals Charitable Foundation’s fifteenth anniversary. Since its inception the union has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit worthy causes and organizations. The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 is a multi-carrier local which specializes in representing heavy-lift airlines. It represents the flight crewmembers of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Polar Air Cargo and Kalitta Air. The union hall is located at the Clinton County airpark. Pictured: Local 1224 President Joe Muckle and CCYC's Vickie Patton ### |
Teamsters Local 1224 Position: Regulatory Change Should Enhance Safety |
For Immediate Release - October 1, 2009 The FAA convened an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in July comprised of labor, industry and government representatives and tasked the participants with conducting a comprehensive review of current flight-time and duty-time regulations. Personal experience of professional aviators, statistical fatigue science and a review of other nations’ approaches to the issue are all factors on which the ARC based its recommendations. Teamsters Local 1224 Director of Safety Russ Leighton was among the ARC’s participants. “We were aghast when we learned that these industry groups had the audacity to propose increasing flight time as a way to reduce fatigue in the wake of the Colgan crash,” stated Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “The sole purpose in evaluating the current regulations was to create a positive impact on safety. Giving consideration to Administrator Babbitt’s long-held ‘One Level of Safety’ concept, we fully urge policymakers not to sacrifice safety by allowing an increase in flight duty to passenger or cargo carriers; as each complete extended flight over our cities, while fatigued, in overcrowded skies.” The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224, represents nearly 2000 air cargo pilots of ABX Air, Atlas Air Worldwide, Polar Air Cargo and Kalitta Air. Local 1224 is an International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) affiliate; the IBT represents more than 1.4 million members throughout North America. ### |
Punitive Attendance Policies at Regional Air Carriers |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 24, 2009 The Regional Airline Association (RAA) testified that none of the regional airlines comprising the RAA have a punitive sick or fatigue policy. The first-hand experience of IBT Local 747, the union representing the Republic Airways flight crewmembers, reveals otherwise. One of the largest member airlines in the RAA – Republic Airways – comprising Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, and now Midwest Airlines – has an attendance policy that strikes fear in the employees who fly for these airlines. In practice, it is a punitive policy. Republic has an attendance policy that ignores mitigating factors as to why a pilot would notify his or her employer of fatigue. When calling in sick, a Republic pilot is considered “unavailable” regardless of the reason for being unable to fly and the absentee policy dictates the employee is automatically charged with an “occurrence”. It does not matter whether the pilot is sick with a doctor’s note, has a bona fide family emergency, or is calling in fatigued. But here’s the rub … if you tell your employer you are fatigued, the employer can then make an ad hoc determination of how many occurrences to charge you and eight occurrences will likely result in termination. Data compiled by Teamsters Local 747 demonstrates that application of this policy at Republic led to about 49 attendance disciplinary letters in 2007, about 176 attendance disciplinary letters in 2008, and about 104 attendance disciplinary letters as of the first quarter in 2009. By April 2009, following two National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations and repeated pleas by the Union to amend its fatigue and attendance policies, the carriers under Republic stopped sending copies of these disciplinary letters to the Local Union. The Union now only discovers the existence of these letters, following complaints lodged by crewmembers. Republic is currently averaging more than three attendance disciplinary letters a day among the 2,000 pilots they employ. Pilots are required by regulation to determine that they themselves and the aircraft are “fit to fly”. No one would consider firing a pilot for finding eight pre-flight discrepancies during a one year period, yet flight crewmembers are often reprimanded when an honest self-assessment is not a positive one. Title 14 CFR 61.53 and 63.19 preclude required flight crewmembers from flight duty while they have a known medical or physical deficiency. Although the regulations do not specifically cite fatigue, the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Manual discusses fatigue as a factor that pilots should evaluate as part of determining their fitness for flight. An inhuman approach to a uniquely human problem has permitted a number of carriers to place this sort of punitive attendance policy on autopilot. It is ironic that a policy implemented under the guise of reducing absenteeism resulted in a geometric increase in disciplinary attendance letters over time. Undeterred by such facts, some air carriers continue to implement these policies even though they have a chilling effect upon a flight crewmember’s regulatory responsibility for self-assessment. But don’t take our word for it. The NTSB issued a report last year on an incident involving a Republic carrier that was doing business as a major carrier. Contributing factors to that incident were (1) the Captain’s fatigue, and (2) the carrier’s failure to administer an attendance policy that permitted flight crewmembers to call in fatigued without fear of reprisals. The report said: The Safety Board … concludes that Shuttle America’s failure to administer its attendance policy as written might have discouraged some of the company’s pilots, including the accident captain, from calling in when they were sick or fatigued because of concerns about the possibility of termination. NTSB Aviation Accident Report, Runway Overrun During Landing, Shuttle America, Inc., Doing Business as Delta Connection Flight 6448, Embraer ERJ-170, N862RW, Cleveland, Ohio, February 18, 2007, AAR-08/01, PB2008-910401, April 15, 2008. Last year, fatigue management experts reported 80 percent of regional airline pilots surveyed said they had nodded off in-flight and that scheduling factors such as multiple take-offs and landings were top contributors to operational fatigue. It seems that Republic’s fatigue policy is in essence a reliability policy; and rather than properly staff the airline with sufficient pilots to cover normal and irregular operations they administer an attendance policy based upon fear and intimidation. As the aviation infrastructure shifts towards regional airlines, we need to seriously consider how these carriers operate and we must have an honest dialogue about the degree of oversight the FAA needs to exercise over these carriers. Essential to that conversation, however, is basic honesty if maintaining safety truly is the highest priority. That honesty, unfortunately, is lacking from the Regional Airline Association when it comes to discussing the issue of pilot fatigue. The IBT Airline Division in conjunction with Local 1224 worked with the FAA’s Advisory Rulemaking Committee and the House Aviation Subcommittee to improve safety regulations. Through this participation they have been instrumental in making strides to protect the safety of the flying public, as well as the working conditions for its members. Local 747, representing the flight crewmembers of Republic Airways, is concerned that the RAA’s testimony made at yesterday’s Congressional Hearing is in direct conflict with the punitive attendance practices of Republic Holdings’ carriers. ### |
Teamsters Airline Division Involvement Promotes Industry Change |
For Immediate Release - July 29, 2009 Washington, D.C.--The Aviation Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Jerry F. Costello, today announced recommendations included in a new aviation safety bill, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. This announcement follows several private meetings with the chairman, staff and subcommittee members attended by IBT Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. “We had a voice in this process,” Muckle said. “The Aviation Subcommittee diligently listened to the concerns of safety experts and pilot union leaders and we saw our concerns echoed in today’s bill.” Muckle met with Chairman Costello, staff and subcommittee members to discuss current and potential aviation safety programs, training requirements, pilot fatigue and the bankruptcy code under the Railway Labor Act on several occasions during July. His involvement on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was to provide input on behalf of all Teamster air carriers to be considered for potential legislation. House recommendations included in the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009 encompass a number of safety and training initiatives including the creation of an Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training Task Force, heightened FAA regulations, increased pilot training based on aircraft type and a new set of research-based pilot fatigue guidelines. Each issue included in the recommended legislation was discussed in detail with pilot union leaders. A major component of the bill is the increased pilot certification requirement of the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate to fly a transport category aircraft. In private forums every represented pilot union agreed, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Airline Division, Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA), US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) and Allied Pilots Association (APA), that ATP Certification should be required for every pilot who flies in part 121 air carrier operation. This would be an increase from the current commercial rating which requires only 250 flight hours. The ATP requires 1500 flight hours with additional flight and aviation knowledge requisites. During discussion of this issue in meetings, Muckle conveyed to the committee that the period between these ratings should be thought of as an apprenticeship, ensuring pilots gain knowledge and awareness that can only be attained through flight experience. Union leaders collectively expressed concern that Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs require direct union involvement for the programs to be effectively utilized by crewmembers. The subcommittee took this into consideration, providing for input from commercial airlines and their unions. Other portions of the bill which can be attributed to input from the Airline Division and other CAPA pilot unions include recommendations to: (1) Utilize current fatigue research to institute a new pilot flight and duty time rule; (2) Study current pilot academic training requirements across all accredited two-year and four-year universities, as well as foreign academic requirements; and (3) Truth in advertising disclosures which require airlines to disclose the air carrier that operates each segment of the flight.” The opportunity for the IBT Airline Division to represent the best interests of all Teamster air carriers at a national level demonstrates that our Union is about more than labor – as a united group the Union provides guidance for the betterment of the aviation industry.” said David Bourne, Teamsters Airline Division Director. “We chose Local 1224 President Joe Muckle to represent the IBT Airline Division because of his past success on Capital Hill.” Congress began to prioritize airline safety issues in the wake of the Continental Express, also know as the Colgan Air, crash near Buffalo last February. In July Muckle, U.S. Airways Captain Chesley Sullenberger and U.S. Airways First Officer Jeff Skiles participated in private meetings with Congressman Costello and members of the aviation subcommittee voicing concerns that airline safety is at risk because of the industry decline in value placed on the airline pilot profession. Concerns expressed in these meetings also had an impact on the urgency for new legislation and improvements to future safety efforts. The IBT Airline Division and Local 1224 undertook the initiative to work with the subcommittee to protect the safety of the flying public, as well as the rights of our membership. Notable aviation professionals who met with staffers and subcommittee members include Local 1224 President Joe Muckle, ALPA President John Prater, CAPA President Paul Onorato, Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles, Local 747’s Executive Council Chairman from Horizon Air Lines Trevor Bulger, APA President Lloyd Hill, and USAPA President Mike McCleary. |
IBT Local 1224 Director of Safety Leighton to Serve on FAA’s Rulemaking Committee |
For Immediate Release - July 17, 2009 Russ Leighton, IBT Local 1224 Director of Safety, was selected to represent the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on the ARC because of his extensive education and notable experience with airline safety issues. He formerly served as an Aircraft Accident Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) where he investigated more than 50 accidents. More recently, Leighton has worked closely with the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA) to develop a comprehensive safety strategy for the industry, addressing Fatigue Management Systems and future certification and training requirements which have the potential to reverse the erosion of the aviation profession and industry safety. “It is my goal to assure that any safety and fatigue improvements produced by the ARC are applied universally to regional, supplemental and scheduled carriers,” stated Leighton. “I believe that an elevated level of safety can and should be instituted as the industry standard through the FAA.” The FAA established the ARC to address pilot fatigue issues in the wake of the Continental Express, also know as
the Colgan Air, crash near Buffalo last February. The committee will serve in an advisory capacity for FAA
rulemaking. They have been charged with reviewing policy and developing recommendations for implementation of
new flight time and rest rules. They will meet twice a week for the next six weeks with the goal of having a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking for the FAA by September 1, 2009. Their recommendations will be based on fatigue The ARC is an 18 member committee which will consists of aviation industry representatives, as well as
government and public entity representatives. The committee is co-chaired by representatives from the Airline
Transportation Association (ATA) and the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA). Additional aviation representatives
include the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA), Air
Transport Association (ATA), Cargo Airline Association (CAA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA) and the ### |
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Toys for Tots LCO Cherie Gentry and Sgt Marine Recruiter Christopher R. McCoy arrived with a truck at the Teamsters Local 1224 union office in Wilmington to pick up the donation. As it turns out, there were more Pillow Pets than could be accommodated in a single load. The remaining boxes were delivered to the Toys for Tots distribution center in a subsequent trip by APA Teamsters Local 1224’s office manager.
The Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight crew members of ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Gulfstream International, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and USA 3000. 
(Wilmington, OH) July 5, 2011– Teamsters Local 1224 congratulates the Clinton Massie Rockets and the Clinton Massie Indians for their outstanding success during the 2011 baseball season. 
Teamsters Local 1224 has sponsored the Rockets since the team was formed in 2007. 
For Immediate Release - October 30, 2009