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Local 591 Administrative Executive Board Member Russ Dittmer
October 2022 Activities
Quick synopsis:
Scheduled meetings, teleconferences & calls include:
Weekly Executive Board teleconference, Monthly EAP/MAP Coordinator call, Bi-weekly ASAP/Safety Call, Friday President’s Call, Monthly Executive Board Meeting, Line Mtc. & GSE Process Standards Meeting, Present at TOLS on behalf of Local 591, SW & C Region Quarterly Membership meetings
Projects:
Assisting Pres. Schaible with campaigns and legislative efforts, Tracking JCBA questions/answers, Compiling Executive Committee interpretation of JCBA language, Grievance tracking and management system updates and improvements, Tracking Art 33.B Presidential grievance evidence, Podcasts prep and recording.
Details:
October was a fairly light travel month for me. I spent the majority of my time researching legislation, and drafting and reviewing documents for Local 591 President Gary Schaible. I was at HDQ and presented at TOLS (Tech Ops Leadership Seminar) to Union Crew Chiefs and to front-line supervisors. As a result of attending a full TOLS session the previous month, sessions which both Unions were/are invited to attend, I was asked to talk on a Union topic. I chose to discuss the Association structure, what it is and what it is not. My presentation focused on the history behind how the Association was formed, as well as the representation structure within the Association, and which Union is tasked with representation for either contractual or discipline events. I was asked to speak again at upcoming TOLS sessions, and after discussions with the Executive Board, we agreed that there is value in TWU Local 591 presenting to these groups. Our goal at Local 591 is not to be a cheerleader or in some way endorse the Association, but instead to work to answer questions about what the Association, that we are currently working under, both is and is not, and how the Union representation structure should function. After presenting several times, the feedback we have received from our Members, and others in attendance, has been very positive, and they have consistently encouraged Local 591 to continue presenting at these TOLS sessions.
Last month, I wrote about the various worker “Kin-Care” sick-leave laws in some States, Counties, and Municipalities. A question came up from that message, and I wanted to add on to that message here. The question was, if the employee lives in one State that has a worker “Kin-Care” sick leave law, but the employee works in a State that does not have a worker “Kin-Care” sick leave law, would that employee be eligible for those “Kin-Care” benefits? After speaking with attorneys on this, their answer was that, unless the specific law/ordinance/statute specifically provides otherwise, the employee must be employed/working within the legal jurisdiction which enacted the law/code/ordinance in order to be eligible for that particular worker “Kin-Care” sick leave benefit, regardless of where the employee actually resides.
Example: A Member lives in Illinois but works at STL, which is located in Missouri. While Illinois has an enacted worker “Kin-Care” sick leave law, because Missouri does not currently have a specific worker “Kin-Care” sick leave type of statute providing similar benefits to workers there (according to the Missouri Department of Labor website), those Members living in Illinois but working in STL would not currently be eligible to use the Illinois worker “Kin-Care” sick leave benefits.
The last topic I would like to focus on is compliance. While often the focus when speak about compliance is usually the AMT group, they are absolutely not the only group of Members in Local 591 who need to focus on when it comes to compliance. From the MLS processing some type of hazardous material for shipping, to the Facilities Mechanic working on a boiler or mitigating asbestos, to the GSE Mechanic repairing a vehicle brake system or engine emissions system, we all have a great deal of our work-day which is governed by policies and procedures to ensure the highest quality and most reliable aircraft, parts, buildings, and ground support equipment. Please take the time to complete any/all needed training, and don’t hesitate to step up and say you want more training and/or more in-depth training. As Mechanics and MLS, we are typically geared that when we see a technical problem, we simply adapt to what we have and get the job done. While that may have worked in the past, it simply is no longer the way the job should be done. If a special tool is needed and/or called out in the procedures, stop and get the special tool, do not simply use an old “work around.” If the special tool is not available, or not serviceable, notify your Crew Chief and/or management to have them assist in resolving the issue. Please do not permit yourself to fall into the trap of feeling ‘inferior’ by saying you need a specific tool/part/consumable before continuing. We are professionals tasked with either handling, shipping, inspecting, repairing and/or replacing components on some of the most sophisticated equipment on the planet. ‘Work arounds’ just don’t cut it. When these types of situations occur, regardless of how the issue is ultimately resolved, please, also take the time to submit an ASAP/GSAP Report, and/or a Safety Concern, so that our TWU Local 591 ASAP & Safety Coordinators can review what happened, and work to ensure the same problem is averted for the next person doing the job, either in your same station, or at another station.
Fraternally
Russ Dittmer
Local 591 Administrative E-Board Member
russ.dittmer@local591.com
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