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Volume 50 – Issue 13 Feb./Mar./Apr. 2019 Potomac Air Lodge 1976 Potomac Air Lodge 1976 Potomac Air Lodge 1976 The President’s Soap Box Sincerely, Mike Stoica, President, LL 1976 W ELL, I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED the holidays and wish you all a great and prosperous 2019. Perhaps with the new year, Doug Parker will finally honor his promise that we would be properly compensated as the highest paid in the industry, and we can move on with our lives. CONTRACT NOW!! Instead of buying back millions of dollars in stock, he could give us what we have earned and truly deserve. Mr. Parker should see the light and share with all his employees, not just his cronies on the executive board. On a more local note, as always, we here in Pit consistently do so much more with far less than anywhere else in the entire airline. Looking Forward to 2019 Happy New Year A S WE STEP INTO 2019, let’s take a last glance at 2018. There were a lot of positive things that enhanced our long and successful careers in aviation. Pittsburgh had a large amount of work brought in to our station and we saw some long overdue improvements to our facilities, as in the tooling area. Fuel prices were low and air traffic was high, which lead to record corporate profits. However, what we did not see was a new contract. I truly believe the maintenance and related groups on the property are the best in the industry. That sentiment is echoed by the top leaders across the system. I’m hoping the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future visited the Scrooges at the American Airlines headquarters and we’ll soon see a contract worthy of our skills and talents. If not, standing in solidarity behind our negotiations committee, will ensure an industry-leading contract. We will have the scope language, health care, pension protections and wages our dedication and work ethics deserve. With our Local lodge elections behind us, I would like to thank all of our members who took the time to come out and vote. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank recently retired Grievance Committee Chairman Bob Reott for the hard work and dedication he brought to the job every day. On a personal level, I’m extremely appreciative for the experience and guidance he provided over the years. He will be missed. As we start this New Year, I am looking forward to working with incumbent committeeman Ernie Fritz and newly elected Committeeman Mark Ball. We will do our best to serve the membership of IAM Local Lodge 1976. Feel free to stop in your Union office with any questions, concerns or to just say hello. As always in Solidarity … Mike Cicconi, LL 1976 Grievance Committee Chairman 2019 LL 1976 Scholarship Competition W E ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE our annual college scholarship contest with a prize of $750.00. It is available to members in good standing for a minimum of one year and their eligible dependent. The subject of this year’s competition is: “How has ‘Right To Work’ laws affected Union Labor?”. Essays will be accepted between February 1st and midnight, April 30th. Entry forms will be available from the union office or can be downloaded from our local lodge website at: www.pal1976.com
Transcript of The President’s Soap Box - PAL1976ll1976.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/PotomacNews-0419...The...
Volume 50 – Issue 13Feb./Mar./Apr. 2019
Potomac Air Lodge 1976Potomac Air Lodge 1976Potomac Air Lodge 1976
The President’s Soap Box
Sincerely, Mike Stoica, President, LL 1976
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and wish you all a great and prosperous
2019. Perhaps with the new year, Doug Parker will finally honor his promise that we would be properly compensated as the highest paid in the industry, and we can move on with our lives. CONTRACT NOW!! Instead of buying back millions of dollars in
stock, he could give us what we have earned and truly deserve. Mr. Parker should see the light and share with all his employees, not just his cronies on the executive board. On a more local note, as always, we here in Pit consistently do so much more with far less than anywhere else in the entire airline.
Looking Forward to 2019
Happy New Year
As We step Into 2019, let’s take a last glance at 2018. There were a lot of positive things that
enhanced our long and successful careers in aviation. Pittsburgh had a large amount of work brought in to our station and we saw some long overdue improvements to our facilities, as in the tooling area. Fuel prices were low and air traffic was high, which lead to record corporate profits. However, what we did not see was a new contract. I truly believe the maintenance and related groups on the property are the best in the industry. That sentiment is echoed by the top leaders across the system. I’m hoping the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future visited the Scrooges at the American Airlines headquarters and we’ll soon see a contract worthy of our skills and talents. If not, standing in solidarity behind our negotiations committee, will ensure an industry-leading contract. We will have the scope
language, health care, pension protections and wages our dedication and work ethics deserve. With our Local lodge elections behind us, I would like to thank all of our members who took the time to come out and vote. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank recently retired Grievance Committee Chairman Bob Reott for the hard work and dedication he brought to the job every day. On a personal level, I’m extremely appreciative for the experience and guidance he provided over the years. He will be missed. As we start this New Year, I am looking forward to working with incumbent committeeman Ernie Fritz and newly elected Committeeman Mark Ball. We will do our best to serve the membership of IAM Local Lodge 1976. Feel free to stop in your Union office with any questions, concerns or to just say hello. As always in Solidarity …
Mike Cicconi, LL 1976 Grievance Committee Chairman
2019 LL 1976 Scholarship Competition
We Are hAppy to Announce our annual college scholarship contest with a prize of $750.00. It is available to members in good standing for a minimum of one year and their
eligible dependent. The subject of this year’s competition is: “How has ‘Right To Work’ laws affected Union Labor?”. Essays will be accepted between February 1st and midnight, April 30th. Entry forms will be available from the union office or can be downloaded from our local lodge website at: www.pal1976.com
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY Potomac Air Lodge 1976
IAM/AW
Local Lodge DirectoryEXECUTIVE BOARD
Mike Stoica PresidentHoward Ferguson Vice PresidentLinda Stoner Recording SecretaryRandy Powell Secretary-TreasurerRichard S. Keller TrusteeTom Perkins TrusteeLeo Rubino TrusteeRobert Rodriguez Conductor Sentinel
Union LabelVacant 412-538-4350 412-538-4052
Medical BenefitsVacant Shift 1 412-538-4052
EducationSteve Mader
AuditorsMike LewandowskiSteve MaderDon Obusek
Employee Assistance Program IAM & AW – AA System
Paul Shultz District 704-907-3563Robert Rodriquez Local 724-315-7734
Member ServicesRobert Rodriguez Shift 1 724-315-7234Pete Wojtechko Shift 2 724-738-3227Joe English Shift 3 412-848-0106Fred Bosh (Retirees) 412-833-6276
Grievance CommitteeMike Cicconi, Chairman 412-538-4353Ernie Fritz 412-538-4352Mark Ball 412-538-4350Union Office Fax 412-538-4359
AirworthinessMike Stoica Shift 1 330-383-2373Jeff Lazar Shift 2 412-538-4020Mark Ball Shift 3 412-538-4350
LegislativeMike Cicconi, Chairman 412-538-4350Jeff Miller 412-538-4020
Community ServicesDon Obusek, Coordinator 412-538-4020
Workman’s CompMike Cicconi Shift 1 412-538-4353
DL 142-M Ground Safety CoordinatorRon Miller, District Rep. 412-776-8181
Ground SafetyDaniel Gibson, Chairman 724-630-7868Kevin Williamson 412-651-8070Tom Perkins 412-779-6195Committee 412-538-4351
DL 142 Flight SafetyJohn Hall, Director 704-907-2162Mike Stoica 330-383-2373Mark Ball 412-538-4350
Potomac News & Views / WebRichard S. Keller PNV EditorRobert Rodriguez LL Web Designer
Passed Away Name Position Department Relation Date
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved ones.
Brian Siclari Mechanic Base Step Daughter Oct. 23Bill Freiberger Ret. Dist. 142 Gen. Chairman Self Oct. 25Mark Byerly Mechanic Base Sister Nov. 06 Al McDonald Mechanic Base Mother Nov. 07Dennis Poletti Ret. Inspector Base Mother Nov. 08Doug Keane Mechanic Base Sister-in-law Nov. 21Edward Davis Stock Clerk Base Self Nov. 21Anthony Mozick Mechanic Base Self Nov. 26Dave Hufnagel Stock Clerk Base Self Dec. 04Delbert Whoolery Ret. Stock Clerk Base Self Dec. 05Ron Miller DL142 Ground Safety Rep. Father-in-Law Dec. 26
Employee Assistance Program724-315-7234 / [email protected]
• Stress• Alcohol Abuse• Substance Abuse• Family Issues
A NEW YEAR, A NEW PAGEAs we enter a new year, remember “Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book, make it a good one.” Do not let something old stop you from starting something new!
Your Employee Assistance Program is here to help you
TREASURES for CHILDREN A Sincere Thanks!
there Were so mAny gifts donated to the 2018 Salvation Army Toy Drive! It was absolutely heartwarming to see such wonderful presents, the
generosity that has been shown is truly awesome! We even had extra toys brought in that we will ship to the warehouse along with all the ones bought specifically for the 150 tags placed on the tree. Thanks so much to all of you for making so many children’s Christmas that much brighter. May you have an enjoyable and safe holiday season!
Sincerely, Beth Scott, Sr. Planner AAERO Production Control
Guide Dogs of America
thAnk you so much for your continued commitment to helping Guide Dogs of America raise funds necessary to provide professionally trained guide
dogs and instruction in their use, free-of-charge, to blind and visually impaired individuals throughout our country. Your generous donation will again sponsor a puppy. Your sponsorship will entitle you to quarterly updates on your puppy as well as having your group’s name embroidered on its jacket. Your puppy will be assigned soon. Again on behalf of Guide Dogs of America, I would like to show my gratitude for your thoughtful donation. With Appreciation,
Judy A. Reilly, Sponsorships
New Year’s Resolution to Speak Out
In Solidarity, Mike Cicconi, LL 1976 Legislative Chair & Jeff Miller, Legislative Committeeman
jAnuAry brIngs After Christmas sales, NFL playoffs and of course, more snow, but it also brings the open-
ing of the next legislative class. While we all want to save money, cheer on the Penguins and shovel snow (NOT!), we should also mark this as a time to make contact with our incoming legislators. The 116th US Congress (2019-2021) and the Gen-eral Assembly of Pennsylvania (2019-2020) are mixes of newly elected and incumbent representatives voted into office by Pennsylvania residents. They have been elected to fulfill their constituents’ wishes, but when we remain quiet, it’s the lobbyists who are heard. Silence equals consent, so when our elected officials only hear the opinions of big business through their highly paid lob-byists, the assumption is voters agree. Our union has representatives that try to educate officials on issues that matter to us, but they can’t do it alone. We’ll never com-pete with the interests of the rich in dollars, but we can promote the interests of working people with our voices. Election results prove that many of the pro-business candidates in the PA General Assembly were re-elect-ed. We can expect anti-labor battles at the state level, but not everyone is anti-worker and Governor Wolfe has shown he’s on our side. The 116th Congress is the most diverse Congress in
our country’s history. This is a sign that the American vot-ers want an end to partisan bickering. We want differing views and opinions so we can return to the art of compro-mise, the key to effective legislating. But without us voic-ing an opinion, our views won’t be part of the discussion. So, as we make New Year’s resolutions to save money and lose weight, let’s also resolve to be more politically vocal. Send emails, make phone calls or even visit rep-resentatives’ offices. Tell them how you feel and how pro-posed legislation will impact you and your families. Most importantly, tell them you are an IAM union member from Local Lodge 1976! To find your legislator, follow these links. When you get to your legislator’s web page, place that link in your browser’s bookmarks for easy access in the future:
U.S. Senate www.senate.govU.S. House of Representatives www.house.govGeneral Assembly of Pennsylvania
www.legis.state.pa.us On another note, I wish to thank Jeff Miller for stepping up to be part of the Legislative Committee. He contribut-ed a large part of this article. I appreciate his assistance and look forward to working with him. If anyone has any legislation questions, please feel free to ask either Jeff or myself.
Retiree Club ChairmanHello Retirees, Rumor has it that many retirees won’t read this article until sometime in March when they all get back from Florida. Well, I know for a fact that some of them are still here because I saw two of them in Walmart the other day. Well frankly, a retired airline employee deserves the winter months relaxing someplace warm after years of toiling at their jobs in aviation. So, what’s new here at home since you’ve been gone? Not counting the Steelers, the only excitement was insurance. The new Medicare plans kicked in with a bang. Aetna, our new insurance company that took over the Coventry coverage had a tough start by issuing wrong policy numbers to 300 plus members, marking us as a group instead of individuals and billing me for all the
premiums. Yes, I opened my mail one morning to find a bill for $42,350. I couldn’t imagine why my premium had gone up so much. One simple phone call to our representative straightened up the confusion, I hope. Next up was Highmark. They were billing retirees $20 over our negotiated premium. Hopefully that had been corrected when we went to press. I will keep an eye on that issue as we go forward. This will be a short article this quarter, but I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and wishing all a Happy New Year. See you all in March at our first meeting for 2019. Come out and bring a friend.
Fraternally, Bill Hollowood, Chairman, Retiree Club
———— Please Print ————Date
Name (First, MI, Last) Street
City State Zip
Phone Employee Number -OR- Last 4 Digits of SS# Is this a change of address? Yes No
Mail form to: Attention: Randy Powell, Potomac Air Lodge Local 1976, 228 Moon Clinton Rd., Moon Twp., PA 15108 -or- e-mail to: [email protected]
— No phone calls please. —
ANNUAL RETIREE ADDRESS CHANGE AND/OR UPDATE FORM
Potomac News & ViewsPotomac Air Lodge 1976 IAM&AW
228 Moon Clinton Rd.Coraopolis, PA 15108
Innovations & Technology for the 21st Century
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
P A I DRochester PA 15074
Permit No. 194
Union Meeting ScheduleFEB. 06 Daylight LL Meeting ............. 3:15 PM 20 Afternoon LL Meeting ........... 11:15 PMMAR. 06 Daylight LL Meeting ............. 3:15 PM 13 Midnight LL Meeting ............. 7:15 AMAPR. 03 Daylight LL Meeting ............. 3:15 PM 17 Afternoon LL Meeting ........... 11:15 PM
Retiree’s Meetings 11:00 AM FEB. MAR. APR. No Meeting 05 02
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit Local Lodge 1976 on the web @ www.pal1976.comAlso join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/potomacairlodge1976
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
IAM NATIONAL PENSION FUND: 1-800-424-9608, ext. 222
FAX # 202-457-8653Website: www.iamnpf.org
E-Mail: [email protected]/
AMERICAN AIRLINES BENEFITS: 1-888-860-6178 E-Mail: http:/myaa.com
PBGC1-800-400-7242
E-Mail: [email protected] Sponsor: US Airways
Case Number: 20357000 (Machinists)Plan Termination Date: 1-10-2005
Pension Fund Information … Web Sites and Phone Numbers:
Strong, responsible unions are essential to industrial fair play. Without them the labor bargain is wholly one-sided. The parties to the labor contract must be nearly equal in strength if justice is to be worked out, and this means that the workers must be organized and that their organizations must be recognized by employers as a condition precedent to industrial peace. —LOUIS BRANDEIS
2019 Pit Base Blood Drive Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 6thWednesday, May 8thWednesday, Aug. 7thWednesday, Nov. 13th
SSB Breakroom4:00 AM to 4:30 PM
