Title 3 Section Chairman Report – JFK
March 2018
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
As the Month of February Closes, I will once again like to ask our members in JFK Title Ill to remain
vigilant and to continue to work SAFELY, as everyday we are faced with new challenges.
As of February 8th,2018, we are still at a total of 738 employees in our title group including 635 Clerks and 103 Crew Chiefs. This includes our Sisters and Brothers currently on leaves and throughout Line
Cargo and the Freight Building.
As mentioned above, we are faced with challenges on a daily basis. Some of the recent issues in our
shop includes:
OAL/Vendors disregarding the terminals posted speed limits/work rules, which resulted in an
unfortunate accident on February 18th, 2018 that left one of our members with injuries to the head.
That member is currently in good spirit. Despite our constant complaints/reports to local management, nothing had changed up to when the accident had occurred. We expect everyone that work in the
terminal area to be held accountable for their actions, as this could have been avoided.
GAL/Vendors, utilizing our break rooms. Several times throughout the day, GAL/Vendors are seen
boldly walking in and out of/dwelling in the breakrooms designated for AA employees as well as using the Microwaves, Taking away rolls of paper towels, sleeves of cups ETC. Local management has
confirmed that every OAL/vendor in the terminal was designated their own break areas, but yet this
continues to happen. I ask that we under no circumstance approach/confront and or fraternize with the GAL/Vendors. Bring it up to management and hopefully this will get resolved.
Dls on The PM shift not wanting to report to their assignments, when asked to assume the role of
Crew Chief.
Since February 1st, 2018, there has been two CRl discussions filed that I am aware of and Zero
advisories. One discussion was in regards to an employee allegedly scanning inbound bags at the gate and not at the baggage claim belt in the FIS area. The other discussion was in regards to attendance down at the freight building. On a more positive note, there has been Zero terminations.
Most recently there was an abrupt change in the CS policy that did not pertain to us(Employees represented by the TWU) . After a little investigation, TWU Local 501 and Local Management managed to resolve the issue and reversed the limitations that was implemented on the policy. So as of February 28th, 2018 the CS Policy went back to normal in regards to amount of hours allowed worked in a certain amount of hours in a two day period.
Since January l5t, 2018, a total of 72 hours were paid out on the account of our Brothers and Sisters being Bypassed for Overtime, a violation of Article #6 in the CBA. These amongst many others that TWU Local 501 were able to settle locally here at JFK
Our Shop stewards here at JFK have been directly involved in a lot of the activities taking place. For the most part things have been pretty quiet. Shop Steward, Brother Mera stated that he represented several employees via “Coach and Counsel” in regards to them being ready at the gates upon an aircraft’s arrival. Brother Patrizzio at the Cargo building stated that there was an issue that he was able to resolve in regards to a payroll dispute. Brother Pearce stated that he represented several employees in regards to uniform compliance in which the company are coming down hard on. There were other minor issues that the Stewards were able to straighten out as there is no task that our Reps can’t handle.
There have been no major issues with management, but once again I urge everyone to know their right(s). If a manger wants to speak with you and you suspect that this may be because they are looking to discipline you, STOP the discussion and seek or call a Union Representative immediately.
In Conclusion, I would like to state that the Spring bid is upcoming so that means more work for everyone. TWU Local 501 is constantly working to secure Jobs (Upgrades/Bid spots) and making sure that management stays within the guidelines of the CONTRACT. We ask that patience is always exercised in our fight. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions you may have.
Our next membership meeting will be March 20th at the Union Hall. See Bulletin boards for times and address.
For Now, let us continue stand as one and always remember that “For every effort, there is a reward”. TWU Local SOL.UNITED, INVINCIBLE!
Kemoy “CaNn” Smith
Section Chairman, TWU Local 501 Title III
Central Labor Council Delegate
Cell: 718-772-7318
Office: 718-487-7507
Email: twu.smith501@gmail.com
Kemoy “CaNn” Smith
TWU Local 501
Section Chairman Title III JFK/
CLC Delegate
Office:7184877507
Cell:7187727317
Feb 2018
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
This will serve as the first official JFK Title III Chairman report for the year 2018. At this time I would like to ask all our members to remain vigilant and to continue to work SAFELY, as everyday brings us a new challenge.
As of February 8th, 2018 we have a total of 739 employees in our title group. Since January 1st, 2018 we have had 33 new hires which brings our total to 636 Fleet Service Clerks and 103 Crew Chiefs. v this total number of 739 included our Sisters and Brothers currently on leaves.
Some of the recent issues of concern in our shop including:
- D1’s, mainly in the AM Line and selection of work assignments. This involves establishing a consistent procedure when a qualified D1 picks a CC spot on Vacation/OPS Relief and the correct procedure for when there is a Change Of Shift but not a change of hours involving a D1. The board will be collectively working on a solution so that everyone is on the same page and that solution is applied on both the AM and PM shift.
- Management needs to better clarify the procedures involving the Mandatory Part time Extensions (PTE) and the cancellation of the extensions once it has begun As we know this recently created a problem when several employees weren’t paid before having to see a Manager On Duty (MOD).
- Employees wanting to come out of their bid spots to then fill a vacant spot that is potential overtime for another.
- Due to a lack of union representation (shop stewards) in the cargo building, Management has been reaching out via email and telephone to hold attendance discussions on all shifts in cargo. There are petitions submitted and the plan is to beef up Union presence at cargo. (Status pending.)Growth in Membership numbers continue in Cargo where 10 new FT positions were created and their are currently 3 Crew Chief vacancies for the line available that close on February 16th.New procedures for holding qualified personnel on field trips have been established for the line. The Union and the company worked together to resolve any issues that have caused confusion in the past.
Since January 1st, 2018, there has been zero CR1 discussions filed that I am aware of and two 1st step advisories issued. These advisories were both related to Members allegedly walking away from their assignments before flight close out in the bagroom. There were two 2nd step advisories issued, one attendance related and the other was in regards to a violation of American Airlines Rules Of Conduct. There has been one termination, but on the positive side, there was one employee reinstated from termination and is currently going through final stages for their return to work.
For the most part there are no major issues with management, but there are still concerns about certain CSMs that refuse to understand their role and the role of working with the union in a union shop when issues are brought forward to the Rep(s). As always, if a manager wants to speak with you and you suspect that this may be because they are looking to discipline you, STOP the discussion and seek or call a Union representative immediately.
In conclusion I would like to state that the team here at TWU Local 501 is constantly working for the Membership. We only ask that our members exercise patience when certain problems arise for the race is never for the swift, but for those of us who can endure it to the end. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions you may have.
Our next Membership meeting will be February 20th at the Union Hall. See bulletin boards for times and address.
For now, let us continue to stand as one and always remember that “For every effort, there is a reward”. TWU Local 501…UNITED, INVINCIBLE!
Kemoy “CaNn” Smith
Section Chairman, TWU Local 501 Title III
Central Labor Council Delegate
Cell: 718-772-7318
Office: 718-487-7507
Email: twu.smith501@gmail.com
Kemoy “CaNn” Smith
TWU Local 501
Section Chairman Title III JFK/
CLC Delegate
Office:7184877507
Cell:7187727317