Agreement Provides Moving Provisions, Four-Year Contract Extension With Wage Increases

Negotiators with the Teamsters Airline Division have announced that a tentative agreement has been reached to extend the current collective bargaining agreement for flight dispatchers with Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide. The flight dispatchers’ contract was due to reach term in November of this year.

The FAA-licensed flight dispatchers, who are members of Teamsters Local 210 in N.Y., are responsible for coordination with aircraft flight crews to ensure a safe dispatch and in-flight monitoring of all flights around the world for Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo. The flights include the world’s largest all-Boeing 747 fleet, and the Boeing 737, 767 and 777 cargo and passenger airlines. Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo conduct cargo and charter passenger operations for many airlines, and provide the airlift of cargo and troops for the U.S. military worldwide.

The flight dispatchers ratified their first Teamster contract in November of 2012. In September 2016, the parties first met to discuss the company’s decision to move flight dispatch operations from Purchase, N.Y. to Cincinnati, in addition to the possibility of a contract extension.

After multiple deliberations, the parties came to an agreement late last night regarding not only moving provisions, but also a four-year contract extension. The tentative agreement includes a 30 percent wage increase over the life of the contract.

“I’m very happy that we have been able to conclude this agreement,” said Dennis Gerber, a steward and member of the negotiations committee. “Discussions with the company were very professional, and I believe that we have an agreement with a move package that recognizes the value of our members, while also acknowledging the responsibility they bring to their jobs every day.”

“The negotiating committee did a great job advocating on behalf of their coworkers, and I’m very happy with the way everything turned out,” said Local 210 principal officer George Miranda. “We have reached an agreement that’s amenable to everyone involved, and we’re looking forward to having a positive relationship with Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo over the next four years.”

“I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached,” said Teamsters Airline Division Director Captain David Bourne. “The Atlas Air and Polar flight dispatchers are among the best in the industry. The agreement recognizes the relocation needs of the company and helps position it to continue its record of growth and its preeminent position as a world class airline. I would like to commend the leadership and negotiators, especially the stewards – Dennis Gerber, Bernie Mackey and Yaqub Malik, along with Local 210 Representative Cynthia de Figueiredo, International Representative Captain Paul Alves, Deputy Division Director Steven Nagrotsky and Atlas Air management for their professionalism and diligence in the negotiations.”

A letter of agreement acknowledging the contract extension provisions will be prepared for member review and voting dates will be announced soon.

(Source: Teamsters news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.teamster.org