Is Wichita the Next Detroit?

In a recent editorial published in the Wichita Eagle, Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, Jr.discussed the future of the aviation industry in Wichita, KS, and addressed comparisons to Detroit’s troubled automotive industry.

Martinez acknowledged the loss of some aerospace manufacturing capacity to low-wage countries, and warned that additional outsourcing could jeopardize the industry’s dominance in technology, productivity and innovation.

Air Canada to Furlough 1,000 Aircraft Mechanics

Over one thousand highly-skilled aircraft mechanics at Air Canada will be laid off this April and the company doesn’t give a damn,” said District 140 Regional Assistant Directing General Chairperson Fred Hospes. “The Machinists have been negotiating layoff mitigation decisions with the company for months now, and they agreed to everything, but at the last minute, they tried to blackmail us,” said Hospes. “It’s bad faith bargaining plain and simple.”

Mixed Messages from Boeing CEO

The CEO of Boeing’s Commercial Airplane division, Jim Albaugh, sat down recently for a lengthy interview with Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates and promptly took credit for driving the decision to build a second 787 assembly line in South Carolina. Albaugh then admitted that the company had outsourced far too much work and declared his first preference for a location to build future aircraft was in the Puget Sound.

Albaugh also expressed respect for Machinists and Engineers at Boeing and indicated workers would have greater input in future design decisions. The CEO said his focus was to secure long-term employment but declared that reduced wage rates would be a priority for the company going forward.

Detroit School Official's Unilateral Order Puts Office Workers Near Poverty Line

by James Parks, Mar 4, 2010

In the middle of contract negotiations, the emergency financial manager for the Detroit Public Schools is unilaterally imposing a 10 percent wage cut for school office workers and will require employees to pay 10 percent of health care premiums.

The move by Robert Bobb, who recently received an $81,000 raise, will push office employees’ average salary to barely 15 percent above the poverty level for a family of four and below the poverty level for a family of five. The average salary for the office workers currently is $25,000.

Central Fall Superindendent Agrees to Resume Talks with Teachers

by James Parks, Mar 4, 2010

The school superintendent who last week fired all teachers at Central Falls (R.I.) High School has agreed to resume bargaining and include the union in all discussions on a comprehensive education plan that will help students and teachers succeed. The move followed a nationwide public outcry, with thousands signing an online petition to tell school officials the students deserve better and they should work with teachers to build on improvements at the high school. (Keep the pressure on the Central Falls school administration. Sign a petition here.)

AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement that she was pleased the superintendent has agreed to resume talks:

Delta Flight Attendants Release 'OUR Song' Video

Delta flight attendants are spreading the message about their effort to form a union with the Flight Attendants-CWA via their own music video. “OUR Song,” which stands for Opportunity, Unity, Respect, was written and recorded by Jarrod Anderson, a Delta flight attendant, based in Minneapolis. AFA-CWA then put the song into a video (left).

Delta flight attendants currently are waiting for the National Mediation Board’s (NMB’s) decision on changes in the way union representation elections are held in the air and rail industries. Now, 50 percent of the workers plus one must vote for an election to be valid. The NMB is considering changing the rule to a simple majority of whomever votes.

14 Union Supporters Fired at E-Z Pass, Take Action Now

by Tula Connell, Mar 4, 2010

This just in from the Communications Workers of America (CWA):

One by one, 14 union supporters at the E-Z Pass administrative center in New York got a call from their boss on Monday asking them to “come into my office.” Then, one by one, all union supporters were told that their services were no longer needed. One union activist, Frank Buonvicino, was told, “We know you were one of the union leaders,” as he was let go. On the Friday before they were fired, all these workers had sent a message by standing up for 60 seconds while continuing to work.

The E-Z Pass administrative center is operated by Xerox. Xerox is refusing to bargain a contract with these newly organized CWA members, even though they won an election in May 2009.

Executive Council Supports Aid to Chile, Haiti and Backs Mexican Workers

by James Parks, Mar 4, 2010

The AFL-CIO Executive Council yesterday called on the world community to provide quick, no strings attached aid to Chile after the massive earthquake Feb. 27. The union leaders also reaffirmed strong support for the relief efforts in Haiti and condemned the Mexican government’s attempts to break the union at Grupo Mexico mines. Executive Council members met March 1­-3 in Orlando.

In its statement on Chile, the council said aid should be provided without any requirements of repayment. The council also urged that all aid and reconstruction projects in Chile should respect living wage standards and fundamental labor and trade union rights. Click here to read the entire statement.

Tell Big Insurance: We're Sick of It

by James Parks, Mar 4, 2010

When the heads of the nation’s insurance companies come to Washington, D.C., next week to plot strategies for killing real health care reform, they’ll be greeted by thousands of union members, community, health care and religious activists with one message: Stop. We’re sick of the obscene high rates and insurance company abuses. We want health care reform now.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will lead a large union contingent to participate in a mass rally March 9 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, during the meeting of the big insurance industry front group, the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

NUMMI Closing Highlights Need for U.S. Manufacturing Policy

by Tula Connell, Mar 4, 2010

Closing the New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. automotive plant in California will eliminate 25,000 jobs in the state and cost taxpayers $2.3 billion to replace the jobs lost, according to a March 3 report by University of California professor Harley Shaiken.

The Daily Labor Report (subscription required) notes:

California and municipalities near the Fremont, Calif., plant will lose nearly a billion dollars of revenue in the decade after the plant closes, according to a blue-ribbon panel formed by state Treasurer Bill Lockyer (D).