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In February 2009 the IBT conducted a successful organizing campaign for the Dispatchers of Atlas-Polar, Inc. (AAI).
AAI is a unique carrier that, at the time the Dispatchers were organized was an all-747, all-cargo operation. Another aspect that distinguishes AAI from other carriers is the fact that AAI maintains two separate certificates, one for Atlas Air and one for Polar Air. As a result, the AAI Dispatches and their duties are maintained by the Company as separate units and there is no cross-utilization between the two groups.
Following the National Mediation Board certification of the IBT as the collective bargaining agent for the AAI Dispatchers, AAI management and Local 210 reached an Interim Operating Agreement. While the agreement is very basic, it established the groundwork for effective communication between union and management. Though no collective bargaining agreement has been concluded, AAI has committed to a system of due process for disciplinary proceedings that includes union representation, and there is an open forum for discussion of benefit and workrule issues, as well as most general issues.
Two sets of steward elections have been held. The first was structured to ensure that there would be one steward on each shift. After several months, both the Atlas and the Polar Dispatchers agreed that it was more important to have representatives from both the Polar and the Atlas units. As a result, a second set of elections were held. Currently, the stewards are Dennis Gerber, Atlas; Bernie Mackey, Atlas; and Yaqub Malik, Polar.
After several aborted attempts, negotiation began on August 27, 2009 in Washington, D.C. and continued in October in New York City. We are hopeful that we can reach agreement quickly.
More recently, AAI has revealed that it will start its first passenger operation in February or March of 2010. It will initially employ 50 Flight Attendants to operate flights – Boeing 747 passenger aircraft – that it has contracted for. |
