It has come to our attention that Members are having a hard time registering for this website when using a Company computer. Apparently, there are security restrictions and a lack of certain, needed, plug-ins. This requires Members to register from home or a computer with an independent internet connection.
14 More Crew Chief Spots Posted for MIA
There has been another 14 Crew Chiefs spots posted for MIA. That brings the total to 28 since the last layoff in March. We have been able to regain the original 19 laid off with an additional 9.
Bid #2470
MIA
Bid Open:
09/01/2010
Bid Close:
09/10/2010
# Positions:
14
TWA Sort Date:
4/10/01
Station:
MIA - MIAMI, FL
Job:
AA - Crew Chief Fleet Service Clerk - FULL TIME
A Message from TWU
President Jim Little
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Our contract votes are in, and now we must re-start the contract campaign. We will continue to push forward to secure an equitable agreement, to be recognized for our sacrifices, and most importantly to stop the continuing erosion of the future of all airline professionals.
Our next steps must be initiated immediately. I have asked the ATD to call for an urgent meeting of the entire team to develop a renewed strategic plan.
While the team will help design our campaign, there are four changes I am instituting now until we can fully review the current negotiating structure at
AA.
1. There will be two equal co-chairs of the team, one from ATD staff and another elected by the team. This hopefully avoids much of the miscommunications we are currently experiencing.
2. The co-chairs will BOTH attend their meetings with the company and the NMB with no exceptions.
3. We will also make sure that every member of the negotiating team is fully engaged in the process and demonstrates their ability to get real time information to our members at the drop of a hat. As an example:having dedicated team captains in the field to disseminate the information directly from the negotiating committee.
4. 1 have asked the ATD to provide additional electronic communications sent out as the “Contract Connection” after every negotiating session. Regardless of how you voted, the time is now to be more united than ever. The company may be counting on us to fight one another and destroy ourselves from within; I can assure you that will not happen unless you and I allow it to happen.
Again, now that the membership has spoken, we must put the past behind us and come together and speak with ONE VOICE with the ultimate goal to get the best contract we can for our members.
The ride is not going to be easy, but we are in this together for as long as it takes. It is a proven fact that ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall”.
In solidarity and fraternally,
James C. Little
International President
The Veterans' Committee reminds us all to welcome our heroes as they come home. Stop them, thank them and make them feel welcomed. We benefit from their sacrifice and commitment, let them feel your appreciation...today, tommorrow and forever more.
Mechanics Reject TA In Historic Vote
After receiving 12,000 out of a possible 12,800 ballots, the websites for TWU Local 514 in Tulsa and TWU Local 561 in MIA are reporting that the Mechanics have REJECTED their Tentative Agreement with a count of 6074 NO votes and 3371 YES votes. The Stores Tentative Agreement was also REJECTED with a count of 384 NO and 332 YES votes. The Tech Specialists have reportedly PASSED their Tentative Agreement with a 60 YES vote, opposed with an 18 NO vote.
The newly elected 2nd Vice President of TWU Local 568is Joe Catucci
United Healthcare Class Suit Settlement
The following is the information received from the TWU International regarding the settlement of a Class Action lawsuit brought against United Healthcare and their practices with out-of-network claims. The information below may now answer all your questions but we are working in trying to secure more credible information. Please do not listen to rumor and try to use the resources found on this page to anwer any questions you may have regarding this settlement.
Fratenally,
Sidney
I understand that many of you have received notices and claim forms related to the class action settlement in American Medical Association, et al. v. United Healthcare Corp., et al., and many of you have inquired about what steps, if any, you need to take in response to the settlement notices.
Below are responses to some frequently asked questions regarding the settlement:
I received a notice and claim form in the mail concerning a class action settlement between the AMA, United Healthcare, and AA. What is this settlement?
On January 14, 2009, UnitedHealth Group (formerly known as “United Healthcare” or “UHC”), its various affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “UHG”), and AA entered into a settlement agreement to resolve (subject to final Court approval) a lawsuit captioned American Medical Association, et al. v. United Healthcare Corp., et al., that was filed in 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “AMA lawsuit”). The AMA lawsuit was filed as a class action on behalf of various health plan members, health plan providers, the American Medical Association, and various state medical societies and associations. Among other things, the AMA lawsuit challenges UHG’s and AA’s reimbursements for out-of-network medical services. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, UHG will pay a total of $350 million to fund the settlement for health care plan members and providers in connection with out-of-network health care services and procedures that were performed on or after March 15, 1994. The $350 million will be funded entirely by UHG, and UHG will not seek to recover any of this amount from its self-funded customers’ plans, including any health care plans offered by AA. In addition, under the terms of the settlement agreement all defendants and affiliated entities will be released from any and all claims relating to their respective out-of-network reimbursement practices and policies from March 15, 1994 through the date of final court approval of the settlement (assuming the Court finally approves the proposed settlement). Also under the terms of the settlement agreement, neither UHG nor AA have admitted any wrongdoing in connection with reimbursement for out-of-network medical services, or otherwise. More information about the settlement can be obtained from the Court-appointed settlement claims administrator, Berdon Claims Administration LLC (“Berdon”) (see contact information below) or online at www.BerdonClaims.com, which is a web site established and maintained by settlement class counsel for the purpose of providing class members with additional information regarding the settlement.
UnitedHealth Group is currently my health care claims processor. If the Court gives its final approval to the proposed settlement, will that increase the amount of my health insurance co-pay?
According to the terms of the settlement agreement, UHG will create the $350 million settlement fund without seeking to recover any part of this amount from AA or AA health care plan participants. While health insurance copayments are likely to go on increasing due to the rising cost of health care and other factors, AA participants’ copayments will not increase as a result of UHG’s creation of the settlement fund.
Who should I contact with questions regarding the settlement, the settlement notice, or the claim form I received?
The plaintiffs in the AMA lawsuit specifically retained Berdon to disseminate settlement class notices and accompanying claims forms to class members, as well as to answer all settlement-related questions. As a result, the settlement notification process was entirely managed by Berdon, which disseminated class notices to potential class members between April 23, 2010 and May 28, 2010. Berdon also will manage distribution of the settlement funds in accordance with a plan of allocation that the Court has preliminarily approved.
Please note that neither AA nor UHG administer the settlement notice or claims processes, and neither AA nor UHG can assist class members in completing their claim forms. Instead, AA health care plan participants should direct any notice or settlement-related questions to Berdon at:
Has the settlement been approved by the Court? If not, what still needs to happen?
On November 17, 2009, the Court preliminarily approved the proposed settlement, but the Court still must determine whether the proposed settlement should be finally approved. The Court has scheduled a final fairness hearing on September 13, 2010, during which time the Court will hear any objections to the settlement and determine whether to finally approve the proposed class action settlement.
We will continue to update you on any significant developments regarding the settlement. As explained above, all questions regarding the notice and settlement of the AMA lawsuit should be directed to Burdon using the contact information provided.
Much of this information is made available to TWU Local 568 by third party providers. TWU Local 568 does not endorse, guarantee or approve such information, and we make it available as a service and convenience.
Contract Corner:
ARTICLE 36 - MEAL PERIODS
(a) Meal periods will be thirty (30) minutes, except when a longer period is agreed upon between the parties.
(b) Meal periods will be scheduled not earlier than three (3) hours after commencement of the regularly scheduled shift and not later than five and one-half (5-1/2) hours (so as to be completed at the end of five and one-half (5-1/2) hours) after commencement of the regularly scheduled shift.
In the event that a meal period has not been provided in accordance with the foregoing, the employee is then free, if he so desires, to take an uninterrupted meal period.However, the parties recognize that in the interest of customer service, an employee who is engaged in line flight operations will complete his assignment prior to beginning this meal period, provided the completion of his assignment does not result in this meal period beginning after the sixth hour.
This provision does NOT provide for a paid meal period for any full-time employee. Anyone whom engages in such activities is in direct violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the TWU and the Company.
Updated
On: Sep 03, 2010 (13:57:00)
By Mary Jane Credeur and Mary Schlangenstein - Sep 3, 2010
The 50-seat jets once prized by carriers such as Delta Air Lines Inc. are being culled from U.S. fleets as higher fuel and maintenance bills make them too expensive to fly.
By 2015, U.S Read More...
Updated
On: Sep 01, 2010 (12:49:00)
By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News
Transport Workers Union international president Jim Little has told members that last week's contract rejections won't prompt a strike against American Airlines Inc. in the immediate future Read More...
Posted
On: Aug 28, 2010 (15:35:35)
by Jad Mouawad, New York Times
The Justice Department said late Friday that it had cleared the planned $3 billion merger between United Airlines and Continental, lifting the biggest regulatory hurdle to the creation of the world’s top airline Read More...
Posted
On: Aug 28, 2010 (15:26:35)
By Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal
The rejection of a tentative contract agreement by American Airlines mechanics was expected – even union leadership that negotiated the offer declined to support it. And now that the union is saying the vote amounts to strike authorization, is it time for travelers to worry about canceled flights?
Not yet Read More...
Posted
On: Aug 16, 2010 (12:37:30)
By Kelly Yamanouchi
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12:52 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2010
As Delta Air Lines workers prepare to vote in massive union representation elections later this year, labor leaders say wins at the company could influence organizing around the Atlanta area and the South Read More...
Can't Register to TWULocal568.org?
A Message from TWU
After receiving 12,000 out of a possible 12,800 ballots, the websites for TWU Local 514 in Tulsa and TWU Local 561 in MIA are reporting that the Mechanics have REJECTED their Tentative Agreement with a count of 6074 NO votes and 3371 YES votes. The Stores Tentative Agreement was also REJECTED with a count of 384 NO and 332 YES votes. The Tech Specialists have reportedly PASSED their Tentative Agreement with a 60 YES vote, opposed with an 18 NO vote. 
