Crickets....

Union pilots, DHL carriers enter federal mediation

Union pilots, DHL carriers enter federal mediation

Bowdeya Tweh, [email protected] 4:03 p.m. EDT April 26, 2016



A federal mediator will oversee contract negotiations between more than 1,300 pilots and DHL carriers, union representatives said Tuesday.

The National Mediation Board has accepted a request from Wilmington-based Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 to mediate the dispute between it and Atlas Air. The board facilitates labor-management relations in the aviation and railroad industries.

New York-based Atlas Air announced earlier this year it was buying Florence-based Southern Air for $110 million. As a result, pilots said Atlas wants to force workers from both companies into an amalgamated contract, which they say will suppress wages and lower quality of life issues for pilots.

The union represents more than 1,300 pilots flying for DHL-contracted airlines Atlas Air and Polar Air. The majority of those pilots are based or operate from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, according to an estimate from the labor union.

Pilots argue the Southern Air contract negotiated several years ago while the company was in bankruptcy contains wage, benefit and job protections that are below their peers who fly for UPS or FedEx.

“Pilots are fed up with Atlas and (Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings') game playing and backroom corporate maneuvering to try to deny us basic workplace protections like the much-needed time to rest between international flights,” said Capt. Mike Griffith, an Atlas pilot and communications chairman of Local 1224. "We believe the federal government intervening will make sure they work with us to come to a fair contract agreement that is up to cargo industry standards.”

Pilots also question the role DHL is playing behind the scenes. The pilots said DHL owns 49 percent of Polar Air Cargo and is estimated to account for more than half of Atlas Air’s business. DHL is also Southern Air's biggest customer. The German-based firm closed its Wilmington-based hub nearly a decade ago, which led to the loss of thousands of jobs in that city.

DHL has about 2,400 people who are employed at CVG, its North American hub, according to a company spokesman. The company has 84 daily flights (42 incoming and 42 outgoing) from CVG, and within the last seven years, its has expanded its operations and worked on capital improvement projects totaling $281 million.

"We are aware and monitoring the situation between Teamsters Local 1224 and Atlas and Southern Air," a DHL spokesman said in a statement. "We do not comment on ongoing contract negotiations between our airline partners and their unions. Contract negotiations have been ongoing.

"Atlas Air and Southern Air are committed to constructive, good faith negotiations with its pilots’ union," the statement continued.

In a statement issued last month, Atlas Air said "we especially recognize the importance of our pilots and value the strong relationship we have with them," the statement continued.

BREAKING NEWS: Pilots Enter Federally Mediated Contract Negotiations With Atlas Air | Global Trade Magazine



Global Logistics
April 26th, 2016 | Written by Peter Buxbaum
BREAKING NEWS: Pilots Enter Federally Mediated Contract Negotiations With Atlas Air
National Mediation Board Approves Pilots’ Request for Mediated Contract Negotiations
Federally mandated mediation ordered for air carriers of shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
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Teamsters say Atlas Air insisted that pilots merge their contract with the Southern Air pilots’ existing contract.
Teamsters say Atlas Air contract strategy would suppress wages for pilots at Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo.
The Southern Air contract contains terms that fall below cargo industry standards, according to pilots’ union.

The United States government has accepted the request of the union representing over 1,300 pilots flying for Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo to mediate contract negotiations with the airlines.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters Airline Division and APA Teamsters Local 1224, filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) recently after Atlas Air refused to engage in any further legally-mandated negotiations.

The NMB is the federal agency that facilitates labor-management relations in the aviation and railroad industries. Atlas Air and its parent company, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW), objected to the pilots’ request for mediation. The NMB has assigned a seasoned airline labor mediator to assess the parties’ dispute and determine how best to proceed with negotiations.

Last month the unions announced a strike vote against Atlas Air and Southern Air.

“Pilots are fed up with Atlas and AAWW’s game playing and backroom corporate maneuvering to try to deny us basic workplace protections like the much-needed time to rest between international flights,” said Captain Mike Griffith, an Atlas pilot and Communications Chairman of APA Teamsters Local 1224. “We believe the federal government intervening will make sure they work with us to come to a fair contract agreement that is up to cargo industry standards.”

After its recent acquisition of Southern Air Holdings, Inc. (SAI), AAWW became affiliated with two additional carriers, Southern Air Inc., and Florida West International Airways. AAWW and Atlas Air have insisted that Atlas Air pilots stop ongoing contract negotiations and merge their contract with the Southern Air pilots’ existing contract. According to the Teamsters, this would suppress wages and lower quality of life issues for pilots at Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, and could ultimately ripple throughout the industry.

The Southern Air contract was negotiated several years ago while Southern Air was in bankruptcy and contains wage, benefit and job protections that fall far below cargo industry standards. The current Atlas Air contract is also below industry standards, according to the union. A comparison study conducted by Teamsters Local 1224 showed that AAWW pilots are paid considerably less and work much longer hours than pilots who fly for UPS or FedEx. Pilots at Atlas, Polar and Southern reported being forced to fly long hours with minimal rest time in between flights, leading to dangerous fatigue.

AAWW’s $100 million cash acquisition this year of financially-troubled SAI was touted by the company as a positive move for both pilots and the long-term success of AAWW as the company attempts to establish its position as a leader in the cargo and express delivery markets. But the union says that AAWW wants wage concessions from Atlas Air pilots to help pay for the acquisition.

Atlas Air and Polar Air both fly under contract for DHL Express. DHL owns 49 percent of AAWW’s Polar Air Cargo and is estimated to account for more than 50 percent of Atlas Air’s business. DHL is also the exclusive customer of AAWW’s newly acquired Southern Air, Inc. Teamsters Local 1224 has raised questions regarding DHL’s behind-the-scenes role in AAWW and SAI’s affairs and has asked the Department of Transportation to intervene.

The airlines did not respond to a request for comment from Global Trade.

Pilots? unions to enter mediation with Atlas Air Worldwide | Air Cargo World



Pilots’ unions to enter mediation with Atlas Air Worldwide April 26, 2016 by Randy Woods

Unions representing pilots that fly for DHL-contracted carriers Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo have requested to begin mediation with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) via the National Mediation Board (NMB), stating that Atlas Air has “refused to engage in any further legally-mandated negotiations.” AAWW said they have strongly objected to such negotiations.

“Pilots are fed up with Atlas and AAWW’s game playing and backroom corporate maneuvering to try to deny us basic workplace protections like the much-needed time to rest between international flights,” said Captain Mike Griffith, an Atlas pilot and Communications Chairman of APA Teamsters Local 1224. “We believe the federal government intervening will make sure they work with us to come to a fair contract agreement that is up to cargo industry standards.”

The unions – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters Airline Division and APA Teamsters Local 1224 – represent more than 1,300 pilots flying for DHL-contracted airlines. After approving the pilots’ request, the NMB assigned an airline labor mediator to assess the parties’ dispute and will determine how best to proceed with negotiations.

The unions' concerns stem from AAWW's recent acquisition of Southern Air Holdings, Inc. (SAI), which placed two additional carriers – Southern Air Inc. and Florida West International Airways – under AAWW's control. Atlas Air then requested that it pilots halt ongoing contract negotiations and merge their contracts with those held by the Southern Air pilots. According to the unions, such a move would have "a devastating impact" that could suppress wages and lower quality of life issues for pilots at Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo.

According to a study conducted by Teamsters Local 1224, AAWW pilots are paid considerably less and work much longer hours than pilots who fly comparable routes for UPS or FedEx. Pilots at Atlas, Polar and Southern reported being forced to fly long hours with minimal rest time in between flights, leading to dangerous fatigue, the unions claim.

DHL owns 49 percent of AAWW’s Polar Air Cargo subsidiary and is estimated to account for more than 50 percent of Atlas Air’s business, the unions said. DHL is also the exclusive customer of AAWW’s newly acquired Southern Air, Inc. Teamsters Local 1224 raised questions regarding the influence DHL has on the business affairs of AAWW and SAI, and has asked the Department of Transportation to intervene to ensure that DHL is not violating federal aviation laws and regulations that prohibit interference with United States air carriers by foreign entities.
Tags: Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, DHL, labor, mediation, pilots

So, this is gonna be a long-haul fight guys...I stopped recommending Atlas Air some time ago to those that ask about a career here.

My opinion is that our current management team (and the F&H lawyers) cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. Every step they have taken since late last year proves that.

Yes, Atlas may be a better place than where you are now...and yes it may even become something I can consider worthy of a career for a young pilot, but not at this time. That discussion has been going on here for some time. I don't want to belabor that again for fear that some of you are going to get turned off by the negativity of my statements lately.

Good luck.

Pilots for DHL carriers holding strike vote

Pilots for DHL carriers holding strike vote

Bowdeya Tweh, [email protected] 6:30 p.m. EDT March 30, 2016
Southern Air DHL Boeing

A group of unionized pilots that operate flights for DHL carriers will hold a strike vote amid concerns their employers want to change a labor pact.

Members of Wilmington-based Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224 who work for cargo holding companies Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and Southern Air Holdings will begin the voting process Wednesday. Local 1224 represents about 1,000 pilots who are based or operate from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, according to an estimate from the labor union.

A strike authorization vote does not automatically mean that the union will hold a labor stoppage. Daniel Wells, president of Local 1224, said the voting process could take about 30 days.

Pilots are concerned that the companies want to force workers from both companies into an amalgamated contract, which they say will suppress wages and lower quality of life issues for pilots. New York-based Atlas Air announced earlier this year it was buying Florence-based Southern Air for $110 million.

"Pilots are the backbone of the logistics industry, and DHL customers and shareholders should be concerned about the company’s disregard for experienced pilots,” said Robert Kirchner, an Atlas pilot and executive council chairman of Local 1224. “Pilots have sacrificed to help DHL contracted airlines succeed. We are helping DHL grow its business in the United States and building profits for all companies involved.”

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, which owns Atlas Air and Polar Air, has been working since the beginning of the year to amend an existing collective bargaining agreement. Southern Air, which emerged from bankruptcy in 2013, pilots say they've sacrificed pay as a result of the company's previous financial condition.

But now since all three companies are performing better as the economy has improved since the recession, pilots say there's no need to make this change.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Atlas Air did not directly address the union's concerns, but said it greatly appreciates employees and the contributions they provide.

"We especially recognize the importance of our pilots and value the strong relationship we have with them," the statement continued. "The Southern Air acquisition is very good for Atlas Air and Southern Air pilots. The transaction will provide increased pay, more job security and growth opportunities for all of our pilots. In fact, Local 1224’s leadership recognized these benefits by endorsing the transaction when it was announced."

http://teamsterair.org/node/2452

Teamster Airline Division News, Week Ending, April 23, 2016

Strike Vote Plan for ABX, Atlas, Kalitta and Southern Crew Members Announced
Citing of a lack of meaningful progress in negotiations, the ABX ExCo has announced that they will be conducting a strike vote against the management of ABX and ATSG, the holding company that owns ABX. ABX crews will receive detailed instructions for voting via email, with voting opening April 30th and closing May 12th.
In a message to the membership of Local 1224; which includes ABX, Atlas, Kalitta and Southern Air crewmembers, Local 1224 President Daniel Wells said, “Last Friday, I announced that the members of Atlas and Southern will likewise hold a strike vote, joining their brothers at Kalitta with their 94% vote last fall.” Speaking to the broader issue, Wells said, “This means that by May 12th, four of our carriers, the airlines that make up the majority of DHL’s express network, will most assuredly be operating under the threat of a strike. With the close coordination of the ExCo’s and SPC Committees and with the integrated-like manner of different carrier operations within the DHL system, should one of our properties engage in a lawful self-help (strike), their fellow members at the Local’s carriers will not be able to operate with the threat and danger of struck work. This would severely damage DHL’s worldwide express network.
This reality has been created by the inability of these individual company managements to satisfy the legitimate needs and security of their pilots; all of them using the RLA to squash and undermine the rights of their employees, rather than as a platform to negotiate a CBA in good faith. They have sown what they now reap.
Underlying all of this disruption to the lives of our members and the attempted gutting of your profession and future security is one central actor – DHL. While a large customer to all of these four carriers, their business comes with a price – a huge, foreign, integrator actively working to lower your wages, quality of life, and the security of your profession and family.”
Atlas Air began voting on April 19th and concludes their vote on May 6th. Southern Air begins voting on April 30th and concludes their vote on May 12th.

So, what are you saying, DC8DRIVER?!!

Oh, and, um, is Atlas hiring?!!

I think we need another posting regarding the federal mediation

Anyone who interviewed last month been offered a class date?