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REGION III DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2007 Dear Members: The first full week of February was dedicated entirely to the Northwest Grievance Bankruptcy Claim. Part of moving forward now that the strike has been settled and attempting to clean up old issues still remaining from pre-bankruptcy at Northwest is AMFA’s POC (Proof of Claim) currently on file in the Northwest Bankruptcy that covers approximately 5000 AMFA member grievances still pending at the carrier. The week culminated in a face-to-face meeting with Northwest Labor Relations in MSP. Both parties stressed their desire to work out an amicable settlement that could benefit all parties involved, AMFA members, the Association and Northwest as well. An amicable settlement for the good of all involved is the only way to avoid the obvious alternative, another battle in Bankruptcy Court. The week of February 12th I worked with the Mesaba Negotiating Committee and the rest of the NEC to work out finalization issues surrounding the monetizing of AMFA’s Claim in the Mesaba Bankruptcy and the distribution of each member’s portion ($) of that Claim. The membership just ratified the Agreement on November 24, 2006, and distribution procedural compliance letters have already been sent to our Mesaba members. This distribution marks one of the more positive things (if there is such) to come from a bankruptcy, whereby AMFA is able to place real cash back into the hands of our Mesaba members, at least some retribution for their sacrifices. I have recently been assigned to the NWA 1114 Committee for Retirees, and spent a day reviewing multiple documents prior to attending my first committee meeting in MSP on Monday, February 19th, where both NWA representatives and Retiree Committee Counsel made presentations to the group for consideration. Later that same day, I flew onto Denver for the Joint Advisory Council (JAC) and National Executive Council (NEC) meetings held the remainder of the week. A variety of topics were covered concerning a host of issues surrounding all AMFA represented carriers – too much to list here. However, you may review the minutes to both meetings at your local office. On Thursday, February 15th, Dell, National Director, Steve MacFarlane, Assistant National Director, and Jim Seitz, UAL ACAC, as well as Legal Counsel attended a special Local 4 informational meeting held in ORD. I could not attend this meeting due to a prior commitment but trust that the principals involved addressed the membership’s questions to their satisfaction. On Monday, February 26th, I attempted to attend the Local 39 Business meeting held in IAD, but couldn’t get on a flight due to Sunday’s massive snowstorm disruption of aircraft operations the day before. My apologies in both cases for my absence. The Referendum Notice for AMFA’s affiliation with the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) has been mailed and should have arrived at your mailbox. Please read the information and participate in the vote! Sincerely, Kevin D. Wildermuth |