MEC Committee Reports - January 2025
MEC Committee Reports
MEC Meeting
January 13 & 14, 2025
AFA Safety, Health & Security Committee Report
ASAP Report
Endeavor Air
Jan 2025
Background Information
Fleet Composition:
December 2022
CRJ 700/900 dual aircraft 141
ERJ 175 1
Bases: ATL, CVG, DTW, JFK, MSP and LGA
Flight Attendants: 1,621 as of Jan 1, 2025 (based on FA Roster)
Issues since May 2024
Since May 2024, significant changes have occurred in the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC), with all members being replaced except for the Aviation Flight Attendant (AFA) representative. These changes have introduced challenges, particularly in aligning the Company Representative’s approach with the foundational safety culture of the ASAP program.
Key Issues Identified
1. ASAP ERC Challenges
Safety Culture Alignment: The current Company Representative has yet to fully embrace the program's safety-first culture, instead favoring exclusion of reports and disciplinary measures. This approach deviates from the core intent of the ASAP program, which prioritizes proactive safety improvements through a non-punitive reporting structure.
Mitigation Steps:
Collaboration with the Safety Department is ongoing to resolve these issues amicably.
Efforts are focused on fostering understanding and adherence to the ASAP program's intent without necessitating drastic measures.
2. ASAP MOU Renewal and LOA Adjustments
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ASAP is due for renewal by the end of this month.
Concurrently, changes to the Letter of Agreement (LOA) are being developed to ensure seamless alignment and execution alongside the MOU signing.
3. Fatigue Management Program Challenges
Rise in Denied Fatigue Calls:
An increase in denied fatigue-related reports has been noted, primarily due to:
Insufficient understanding of program guidelines.
Inclusion of unnecessary or irrelevant content in reports.
These trends indicate a need for improved education and clarity surrounding the fatigue reporting process.
Proposed Mitigation Strategies:
Development of a comprehensive training program focused on ASAP and Fatigue management protocols.
Implementation of targeted communication initiatives, including:
Roadshows: On-site sessions at bases to reach a broader audience.
E-Line Campaigns: Digital awareness campaigns to disseminate key information effectively.
Goals for 2025
ASAP ERC Coordination
Maintain close collaboration with the Safety Department to address and resolve discrepancies in program implementation. Finalize updates to the ASAP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Letter of Agreement (LOA) for timely execution by the end of the month
Training and Awareness
Design and launch a structured training program to address gaps in understanding fatigue reporting and ASAP protocols. Develop and execute Roadshow events at all bases to engage members directly and provide clarity on safety initiatives. Implement a targeted e-line campaign to disseminate consistent and accurate information.
Feedback and Coordination with Local Executive Councils (LECs)
Request input from LEC Presidents (LECPs) on topics requiring attention to ensure comprehensive coverage during Roadshows and other initiatives. Encourage coordination between LECs and the central Safety team to ensure consistent communication and messaging.
ALPA Collaboration
Continue fostering the relationship with ALPA safety and security teams to address safety issues collectively and adapt to organizational changes.
Member Involvement
Recruit additional Safety team members across all councils to enhance capacity and effectiveness in addressing safety-related matters.
Upcoming Meetings in 2024-2025 Fiscal Year
Spring InfoShare Meeting - TBD
ASHS Committee Roundtable -TBD
Annual Review OJI and ASAP- TBD
ASAP/Fatigue Roadshows-TBD(possibly 2025-2026 Fiscal year)
Fall InfoShare Meeting (2025-2026 Fiscal Year)
Fumes Conference (2025-2026 Fiscal Year)
Cami (2025-2026 Fiscal Year)
Triennial International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference(TBD)
Respectively Submitted,
Elizabeth Mullins
ASHS MEC Chair
AFA/Endeavor Air
Beth Wendroth
ASAP Primary
EAP/ PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE REPORT
January 2025
Submitted by Karen Koonce- Committee Chair
The EAP/Professional Standards Committee has had a productive period with collaborative
efforts and continues to strive to assist and support Flight Attendants. We have maintained our
committee members/representatives at 7, with a base breakdown of: Atlanta= 4, Detroit=1,
Cincinnati=1, Minneapolis=1.
Below is a summary of the activities accomplished:
1. Team Zoom Meetings
○ Conducted virtual meetings to ensure consistent communication and
collaboration among committee members.
○ Discussed agenda items, reviewed progress on initiatives, and addressed
emerging concerns in a timely manner.
2. Collaborative Projects
○ Partnered with the Grievance Committee (Austin Gates) and invited him as a
guest speaker to educate our committee reps about general Grievance
process/procedures.
3. Training and Education Initiatives
○ As the Committee Chair, I was invited to present to the New Hire Class at MSP
on March 19 to educate/introduce them to EAP/Professional Standards services-
presented them with handouts / contact info and “swag.”
○ The following reps attend the Advanced Training (Feb 5-7) in Baltimore:
Venonia Hodges (DTW), Cynthie Perke (MSP) & Leiah Watson (ATL)
○ Independently, as the Committee Chairperson, I attended the 7th Annual FTA
Drug And Alcohol Program National Conference (In ATL April 2-4) and learned
about topics including- DOT drug testing issues/ return to work policies/ random
testing “hot topics.”
○ During this period, EAP/Professional Standards Rep Darniqua Bowen (ATL) and
myself attended the 2024 August FADAP training.
4. Annual Reporting / TOTAL CASES OPENED AND REOPENED 2023:
125 (121 EAP AND PS, 4 CI) (a 2.2% increase from last year)
● EDV 45: 33 (33 EAP AND PS; 0 CI) (7.8%)
● EDV 46: 14 (14 EAP AND PS; 0 CI) (5.3%)
● EDV 48: 21 (17 EAP AND PS; 4 CI) (8.47%)
● EDV 49: 57 (57 EAP AND PS; 0 CI) (11.31%)
5. Future Goals
● Consider the creation/development of a service feedback form
● Continue to increase awareness of EAP/Pro Stand services among FA membership.
● Continue to Increase collaboration with other union committees and external experts to
bring new insights into our practices.
● Strive to capture ALL EAP/Pro Standards cases for data collection
6. Upcoming Training/Conferences:
(The dates below indicate the 2025 EAP/Pro Stands training that will be offered. Not all will be attended-
As the Chair, I will be attending training in March, a new rep will be onboarded and attend Basic training in
April and reps will be attending the August FADAP training.)
Advance/CIRP - Feb 4 & 5- Maritime CC
MEC EAP Chair Trng- March 30-April 3 Waikiki, HNL
Basic EAP/FADAP- April 39-May 1, Hyatt Place, Chicago
LAP Conference, July 13-17, Vegas
FADAP 15
th Annual Conf- August 19-21, Maritime CC
Int. Peer Assist Aviation Coalition, Nov. 10-12, Montreal
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Koonce
Chairperson
MEC Grievance
Grievance Statistics:
Grievances filed in 2024 138 (93 discipline, 45 contract)
Grievances filed in 2025 3 (2 discipline, 1 contract)
Grievances closed in 2025 50
● Settled 25
● Withdrawn 25
Current Open Grievances (not including pre-2023
grievances)
100
● Pending close 32
Overview:
In 2024, the MEC Grievance Committee made significant progress in several key areas, including tracking grievances and improving our relationship with management to facilitate resolution. Notably, we held two mediations during the year—one in May and the other in October, the latter marking our first mediation session with the National Mediation Board (NMB).
Looking ahead, we already have two mediations scheduled for Q1 2025, along with one case
slated for arbitration.
Key Achievements:
1. Technology Advancements: A major development in 2024 was the implementation of new technology to support the grievance process. The MEC invested in enhanced systems, with strong commitment from Local Councils to adopt and integrate these tools. As of January 1, 2025, all councils are actively participating in the new system, which has improved grievance filing and representation processes. These changes have been
well-received by committee members and have streamlined workflows.
2. Ongoing Grievances: We currently have two significant MEC grievances pending, both of which have the potential for major outcomes:
○ FLICA MEC Grievance: Concerning the first-come-first-serve processing of trip trades.
○ Section 4 MEC Grievance: Related to derogatory documents, meeting notices, and coaching.
3. Both grievances are in the mediation phase, with the Section 4 grievance showing positive progress through negotiations. A proposed settlement is expected by January's mediation session.
4. Grievance Volume and Trends: The committee set a new record in 2024 for the number of grievances filed and processed, with 138 grievances submitted, the majority of which were discipline-related. However, many of these discipline grievances were later withdrawn after the screening review, as they were deemed to lack sufficient
Justification.
5. Mediation Success: The October mediation session, which incorporated the NMB mediation process, marked a milestone in our ability to engage in more productive dialogue. As a result, 70% of the grievances in that session were settled, although time constraints prevented four grievances from being addressed.
6. System-wide Improvements: Across the system, we have seen improvements in receiving more detailed meeting notices, which has allowed our representatives to better prepare for Section 3 meetings. While challenges with certain management personnel persist, these appear to be isolated incidents. Overall, there is a positive shift in the relationship between the Union's grievance committee and management, with a shared
commitment to resolving issues constructively.
7. Monthly Grievance Team Meetings: Since their launch, the monthly grievance team meetings have been held consistently with moderate participation. While the same group of representatives regularly attends, these meetings have proven valuable for collaboration, sharing feedback, and improving communication across the committee.
Moving Forward:
Looking ahead, there are several areas for continued growth and development:
1. System Implementation: Although all Local Councils are now using the new grievance system, there is still room for improvement in adopting new habits that will further streamline the flow of information and enhance accessibility. We are confident that these efforts will result in greater efficiency.
2. Upcoming Mediations: We anticipate further successes in the January mediation, including progress on open MEC grievances. Additionally, we are working with the Local Councils and the Technology Chair to expand access to resources and tools that support our members' needs.
3. Training and Empowerment: There is a need for additional training for grievance representatives, particularly in handling grievances that are not contractual or lack factual basis. While we will continue to file discipline grievances as requested, we aim to empower reps to provide more thorough analysis, helping to reduce the number of unjustifiable grievances.
4. New AFA Staff Attorney: The appointment of a new AFA Staff Attorney in December has provided a positive boost. The attorney’s involvement is fostering better communication and participation within the committee, which is expected to improve outcomes moving forward.
5. Arbitration and Mediation: In 2025, we have a case scheduled for arbitration in March, with three more grievances on the horizon. We hope to address these in mediation sessions before arbitration, using the new process to potentially resolve issues and avoid arbitration costs.
6. Team Expansion: We will continue to work on expanding participation in our monthly grievance team meetings. The ongoing challenge of time constraints and uncertainty around the duration of grievance hearings remains, but we are committed to using these meetings as a tool for further collaboration and feedback.
Needs:
To continue improving the grievance process, the following actions are necessary:
1. Awareness and Training: Increased awareness of online resources is essential. Both members and representatives need to better understand how to request meeting representation, initiate the grievance filing process, and review grievance steps.
2. Mitigating Unjustifiable Grievances: Grievance representatives require additional training on how to identify and address grievances that may not have a solid factual or contractual basis. This will help reduce the number of unjustifiable grievances filed.
3. Improved Communication: There is a need for more open communication and feedback from Local Councils regarding processes. This will ensure the system remains efficient and responsive to member needs.
4. Data Input and Real-Time Status: Local representatives and chairs must take stronger initiative in inputting grievance data into the system and regularly reviewing it for real-time updates on the status of grievances.
Ideas for Improvement:
1. Grievance Tour: A grievance tour, potentially in collaboration with the MEC, LECPs, and other committees, could be a valuable opportunity to visit each base, explain available resources, and connect directly with members.
2. New-Hire Orientation: A review of the new-hire presentation and packet is recommended to ensure the grievance committee’s information is clear, up-to-date, and helpful. Many new-hires still lack an understanding of their rights and the grievance process.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the MEC Grievance Committee has made notable strides in 2024, strengthening its internal processes and relationships with management. While there is still work to be done, we are confident in our ability to build on these improvements and continue to provide valuable resources and support to our members. Our ongoing efforts will focus on enhancing communication, training, and system efficiency to ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved.
Respectfully submitted,
Austin Gates
MEC Grievance
Scheduling Committee Report
Dear MEC,
I wanted to provide a summary of my work as Scheduling Chair over the past year and share my plans for 2025.
2024 Accomplishments
Crew Planning:
Attended a PBS refresher course to assist Patrick in providing training for Company PBS helpers.
Regularly participated in monthly Bid divisor and Pairing Solution meetings
Monitored PBS closely and raised necessary issues and adjustments. For example:
Resolved issues with the Category Line reports in the bid packet becoming unsearchable during a switch from Adobe.
Addressed the removal of the 6 p.m. stop parameter in trip builds by collaborating with Elizabeth and the company to achieve a favorable solution for FAs.
Assisted FAs with PBS bidding questions during every open bid period.
Attended a meeting with the company and ALPA to discuss PBS improvements.
Crew Services:
Monitored FLICA monthly for changes in trade processing and raised concerns as needed.
Addressed labor management issues with Crew Services, including:
Changes to FA report times and improper recording of release times.
Folder freezing caused by LMS due dates.
Supported FAs with trade and assignment concerns, directing them to LECPs for grievance filing. Some of these grievances resulted in favorable outcomes and proper contract implementation.
Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, I plan to:
Collaborate with the MEC to reduce issues in when and how Crew Services contacts FAs.
Advocate for discussions with the MEC to address unjustified NAFs.
Explore ways to better educate FAs on work rules, including the potential reintroduction of the New Hire Boot Camp.
Continue working with Crew Planning to facilitate improvements in the PBS program.
Thank you for your support and collaboration throughout this year. I am committed to improving scheduling and advocating for our flight attendants in 2025. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or additional suggestions.
Best regards,
Laura Walker
MEC Scheduling Chair
MEC Hotel Committee Chair Report
Hotel Chair
Since May of 2025 I have continued reading crew care reports and identifying issues that need to be escalated or directly followed up with. This is the largest part of my obligation. When I am not satisfied with a hotel’s response, I will reach out to the company and let them know this strapping isn’t good enough and I will ask for an action plan or more details on what the hotel will do, etc. The company is often in agreement with my request. Even when it comes to API, I hold them to the fire when they drop the ball. At times, a FA may have an extremely abnormal situation and I will reach out to them directly to check in with them or give them some information related to their report. Sometimes I get responses from the FAs I reach out to and
sometimes I don’t, but my goal is to let them know I’m supporting them and keeping an eye on the situation.
I was only granted approval to represent us on one of the three site visits for the remainder of the year. The one I attended was for CLE and we visited 9 properties. An important part of my presence on the site visits is speaking for the FAs, especially when it comes to letting the sales reps and GMs know that many of our FAs only make around $22K before taxes, so what may seem like a small price to pay for breakfast isn’t so small for many of us. I typically go into a little more detail so the hotel can understand our position and consider it when they present what their bid will include (free breakfast, restaurant discount, etc) if they are asked to submit best and final offers. I would like to see us get to a point where we are present on all site visits. I think that is a reasonable ask. Between now and May, there will probably be 3 site visits.
One of my goals that has been accomplished since May was to get us in a better location in SAV. We are now in a nicer hotel with plenty to see and do in the area. I hope you each have the opportunity to experience it at some point. I have put out two very detailed e-lines since May that have kept the members informed on important changes, tips, and updates in my committee. I hope this has given you all a little bit of insight on the last few months for me.
Candice Ogelsby
MEC Hotel Chair
AFA-CWA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
ENDEAVOR AIR MEC COMMITTEE REPORT
2024-25
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Government Affairs committee worked on several important projects this year. We will continue to work on issues from the FAA Reauthorization Bill and new items that we introduced to the 119th Congress. On January 3, 2025 AFA Government Affairs activists visited congress in person delivering our information booklet with priorities important to flight attendants. These include but are not limited to continued efforts to strengthen the disruptive passenger bill language, smoke and fume events, monitoring toxic fumes and the impact of radiation in aircraft cabins. Aircraft temperature standards (2Hot2Cold), closing the 14 CFR Part 135 charter security loophole, updated evacuation standards, and turbulence related injuries and accidents.
We also have continued work on improving our Government Affairs 101 online training for flight attendants who are interested in participating in Government Affairs activism. This online training was launched in mid 2023 through the AFA-CWA Online Learning Academy. In the past activists came to Washington DC for an in person GA 101 training before they could head to Capitol Hill to advocate flight attendant issues. Sometimes they realized this was not a good fit and they would not continue the committee work after these events. This initial online training gives flight attendants a better idea of what we do on the Government Affairs committee and to see if they share the desire to join the committee and become activists. Having the initial training online will provide more time to meet with lawmakers when we are in Washington DC.
The committee continued to participate in local and national phone banking for campaigns and legislation important to flight attendants and aviation workers as well as pickets and marches. We have been working with the AFA-CWA Human Rights and Equity Committee on many of these campaigns and will continue to work together as much of our work crosses committees.
We are asked to continue to drive member support for the Flight Pac political contributions program. This supports the lawmakers who support flight attendants locally and in Washington DC. This is a non-partisan program and the only way AFA contributes to a campaign. Member dues are not used to support political campaigns. I have not driven Flight Pac as strongly as other carriers and know that our flight attendants may not be able to afford to contribute, but I’m available to explain this program to anyone who is interested and assist in signing them up if they would like to contribute.
Myself and a fellow GA committee chair from United Airlines were selected to attend a CWA sponsored training for the, Reversing Runaway Inequality program in August of 2023. After this 4 day CWA training we worked with AFA to develop a training platform suited to flight attendants and were able to introduce our first AFA Reversing Runaway Inequality training to a large group of advanced AFA Government Affairs activists September of 2024. We will continue to improve the training and hope to bring it to more AFA committees and are looking at a potential online version of this program for the future.
In planning for the Government Affairs committee budget for 2025, I would like to see at least a small increase from last year's budget. I will continue to need to travel to DC for lobbying and events on Capitol Hill. The items
we introduced to the 119th congress will be our priority at these visits. The continued work on developing new and better training requires time above our regular monthly meetings as well as the responsibilities of maintaining relationships with lawmakers via emails and phone calls and. I have stated in past budget requests that I need a budget that facilitates our committee's need to be in Washington DC and other locations that require travel and often hotels. I would ask for the consideration of a minimum of $2500-3000 be allocated for the Government Affairs committee this year.
Again this year I want to say how much I enjoy the work I have been able to do as the chair of this committee and look forward to the future of the committee. The MEC has been supportive of Government Affairs and I am grateful for this support as the work we do benefits all flight attendants.
In Solidarity
Trina Johnson
Endeavor Air AFA-CWA
Human Rights and Equality Report
The year started off by attending the MLK conference in Montgomery, there were several speakers and a lot of valuable information, we as flight attendants didn't receive the warm welcome that was expected but we persevered just the same. August I attended the Human Rights conference in Houston Tx , this conference was amazing. It was great to be among my peers and it's a good feeling when everyone is there for justice. One of the seminars was conducted by some of our fellow flight attendants from various carriers. It was information on the LGBTQ+ community, transgender and transexual rights. I attended labor meetings and I sat in at Clark Atlanta University where our labor secretary Judy Zhu was the featured speaker .I also participated in our delta difference picket down at Delta headquarters.
In 2025, my hope is to possibly attend a few more conferences, training events or any seminars that would gain me more knowledge within my position. My goal is to bring more awareness of my HRE role and to grow this committee with members who are willing to fight for what's right and to make sure we are heard.
Kellee Gibbs
MEC Chair Human Rights and Equality
MEC Communications Report
I was appointed as the MEC Communications Chair in June 2023.
Current Project (s): Nothing significant to report.
Future Project (s): Nothing significant to report.
Help/Resources: None
Challenges: There are many ongoing challenges.
Tommie Banks
MEC Communication Chair
Jumpseat
My Report
1. What has your committee been doing? Include successes and obstacles:
What I’ve been doing in my committee to help with members is to continue to bring more
awareness on how to list, for reciprocal travel. Also continue letting members know how to list
for the jumpseat at the gate, letting me know if they run into issues.
Some obstacles I'm having are getting more reciprocal agreements. The issues that I’m facing is
that everything has to go through Delta and it has to benefit both work groups.
2. What goals have you set and completed currently this year? One of my goals was to make
members more aware of the reciprocal agreements, and where they are located on Endeavor
air, and what airlines we have as reciprocal. Also we posted on the ATL webpage for our local,
it's been a great help for our members.
This year I am continuously trying to add Breeze and Avelo.
3. Are there any specific issues that you would like to see addressed by the MEC? I would like
to see the MEC continue to work as a team. Also I would like to see the MEC communicate
more effectively with the committees, and work with us not against us.
4. What are your goals for the next 6 months for your committee? My goals for the next 6
months are to work with Endeavor/Delta to try and get Breeze and Avelo. Work with NYC on
issues they are having since most of the new hires are going there.
5. What plans do you have for your budget for 2025-2026. I would like to see a bigger budget or
a budget at all for the jumpseat.
Sterling Barnes
MEC Chair Jumpseat
Uniform & Cabin Standards
Still in need of a Female counterpart in the Uniform and Cabin Standards committee
MEC should look into separating these two committees or increase budget because of the multiple people and different meetings to be had for the two parts.
We have quarterly meetings scheduled Sept, Dec, March, June, we try to have them as the seasons change with uniform pieces.. We adjust due to scheduling conflicts and Holidays.
Luggage has been a topic I bring up at each meeting, as of now we have the small carry on bag. We had discussions of a different one but it seems because the stock of the one they have has to get used up before they consider adding another because of storage of the item.
I forward issues with uniform pieces to the department to get addressed and reinforce the quality issues.
New Delta Uniform- Still nothing to report for Endeavor at this time.
Cabin Standards
I am open to hearing information back on this form from the MEC for these issues I have communicated in my last update.
Years back there was one person with the company that handled the catering, and cabin issues. Now it seems many departments are involved and this issue should be looked at going forward or could be just Labor management items to be brought to the company /Upper management.
Who issue seem to go to currently.
Lynn Oehike Is in charge of catering items and anything related to that go to her.
Lisa Ebaugh, Something like changing the dumping the coffee pots procedure she deals with.
Kevin Kyro in Maintenance, I was trying to find who is in charge of our emergency equipment cleaning, Example the Aft PBE, Flashlight, Water Extinguisher areas that are extremely dusty & dirty and was inform by Patti Allen Kevins department will be in charge of this.
So this should be further discussed going forward on how we want to proceed
Jason Ostrowski
MEC Uniform & Cabin Standards - Male
System Board
Not sure if this is to be included, If so When a grievance goes to an arbitration a system board member, 1 for the union and 1 from the company which sits on the panel with the arbitrator. The Arbitrator will refer to the Union member for union questions, will discuss the case after any questions and get the results before giving their verdict so we can add any last minute arguments. The AFA by laws will have more detailed explanations to use for this.
Jason Ostrowski
612-802-5579
Uniform and Cabin Standards
MEC System Board Member
Negotiation Trained
Leadership Trained
Grievance Trained
[email protected]
MEC Digital Technology
Overview:
The MEC Digital Technology Committee, launched in the second half of 2024, is the newest addition to the MEC committees. The committee focuses on enhancing the AFA website, electronic bulletin boards (EBBs), and other digital communication tools. Since its launch, the committee has implemented several changes aimed at achieving the following objectives:
● Increasing awareness of various committees, their work, and the resources available to members.
● Enhancing communication with members.
● Boosting member engagement.
These goals are being pursued through the development of modern, user-friendly, and interactive digital tools, primarily the website and EBBs.
Accomplishments:
1. Website Updates: In 2024, several key improvements were made to the AFA website to improve accessibility and engagement:
○ Home Page Refresh: The home page now includes quick links to frequently accessed resources, including:
■ Grievances
■ Pro Standards
■ Meeting Representation
■ Contact Your LECP
○ New Contact Forms: Members can now directly request union representation for any council they belong to via the website. Additionally, grievance requests can be submitted online, and a new Pro-Standards/EAP form connects members to the committee.
○ Contact Us Page: This page has been updated with accurate contact information and a new form, enabling members to directly contact any MEC representative.
○ Digital Technology Feedback Form: A new form allows members to submit feedback or report bugs related to the website or EBBs.
○ Committee Page Overhaul: The grievance and pro-standards committee pages were revamped for easier navigation and more relevant content.
2. EBB Updates: The EBBs were also refreshed to enhance usability and engagement:
○ Redesign and Branding: The EBBs were redesigned to align with the website’s branding, providing a cohesive user experience.
○ Content Updates: The boards now feature up-to-date information and dynamic content, including:
■ A monthly calendar
■ Holiday greetings
■ A weekly spotlight section
○ Interactive Features: QR codes were added to each slide, encouraging member interaction and driving communication between members and their representatives.
○ IROP Display: A new IROP display was introduced to provide members with essential contact information during irregular operations.
○ Technical Enhancements: New software was installed on EBB devices to allow remote troubleshooting. Additionally, storage and software issues at LGA, JFK, and ATL were resolved to ensure more reliable EBB functionality.
Needs and Moving Forward:
The committee is focused on continuing improvements to both the website and EBB systems, addressing any technical challenges, and expanding engagement. Key priorities moving forward include:
1. Website Enhancements:
○ Improve the content and functionality of each committee page to better serve members.
2. EBB System Improvements:
○ Resolve ongoing technical issues in DTW and MSP related to storage capacity.
○ Install remote access software in CVG, DTW, and MSP EBBs to streamline troubleshooting and reduce travel costs.
3. Content Updates:
○ Continuously refresh EBB information to ensure it remains relevant and useful for members.
○ Solicit feedback from members and committees to identify further improvements for both the website and EBBs.
4. Cost Considerations:
○ The committee does not anticipate significant costs beyond those already incurred, such as the purchase of six 64GB external flash drives and the ongoing monthly software fees.
Conclusion:
The MEC Digital Technology Committee is dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and accessible information to members, enhancing engagement, communication, and awareness. Moving forward, the committee will continue refining the website and EBB systems to ensure members have seamless access to essential resources and can easily connect with union representatives. By removing barriers to information, we aim to foster stronger engagement and support for our members.
Respectfully submitted,
Austin Gates
MEC Digital Technology Chair
Membership Committee Report
January 2025 Annual Meeting
Elizabeth Mullins and I have been doing the new hire presentation to the new hire classes. In one of the recent classes Cathy Crane from MSP - LEC & Grievance committee joined us and this proved to make the presentation that time engaging for the new hires. We continue to invite and encourage any other officers or committee chairs to join us.
The goal is to attend every single new hire class to obtain membership application and dues check off, in addition to providing general information about the Union. We are 100% for 2024
No specific issue to address by the MEC, but I do want to make the MEC aware that in every class we have some new hires that are unaware that they are required to join the union. They are unaware that it is a closed shop. And they insist that they were not informed of any of this when they were hired by the company. In every class it ends up being one or a few new hires and it becomes a distraction.
My goal for 2025 is to make a presentation to every single class. Continue to polish the presentation and to include other committee members, LECPs and others in the organization.
A Secondary, but very important, goal is for us to keep our presentation to the one and a half hour time limit on the schedule. I find that the instructors and management are very accommodating so long as we do not run long and impact their schedule. In 2024 this strategy has proved effective.
For my budget for 2025 is the same as 2024. I request 12 Admin days and 2 days per upcoming class for myself, a co-presenter and / or stand-in as may be needed.
I have saved the union quite a bit of money in three areas:
I pick up Co-Presentor (and any others) at the airport and take her to CAE and back again. This saves the Union $60 to $70 each time.
I utilize my own black and white laser printer to print all of the non International supplied handout materials for each new hire person. I have worked on consolidating the amount of paper generated by condensing the material and printing on both sides of paper. It remains a sizable amount of printing and preparation.
I would like permission to add to my budget a fund for some sort of welcome item. Perhaps an imprinted keychain item or something of that sort. When Karen Koonce joined us, she provided little gifts when she joined our presentation and they were very well received.
Respectfully submitted by
Noah Lamont - Membership Committee Chair
