​We are making great progress and are moving closer to filing for an election to gain IAM representation during this very unstable time in our industry and our profession. Without a seat at the table, Republic Airways management has and will continue to have total power to dictate to us what will happen after October 1st. After October 1st is the date when the CARES Act protections expire. Republic management on that date will have complete authority to slash our jobs according to the rules that Republic management dictates.  However, if we can gain IAM representation before that date, we will have the ability to have a legal say in future of our careers here at Republic and, in the short term, what happens after October 1st.
 
It is vital that we act now to submit our election authorization cards, so we can gain the right to a vote. If we can file for our vote in July, we can definitely be in a position to win IAM representation and have the full force of the Machinists Union behind us as we enter a very a very uncertain time this fall. 
 
The following is a simple timeline of events from when we file for our election and what we can accomplish before October 1st:
 

1. File our election authorization cards with the National Mediation Board (NMB), a federal agency as soon as possible.
2. The NMB will then decide whether we have enough cards—at least 50% of our work group—to have an election.
   1. This should only take a couple of weeks since our workgroup is relatively small.
3. Once the NMB determines that we have enough authorization cards submitted, the agency will then schedule an election.
4. The election, due to the size of our work group, will last a couple of weeks. We will be able to vote by internet and phone.
5. The votes are then tabulated on the final day electronically. We will know the results that day. Usually at 2:15 PM EDT the day the vote closes.
6. Once the IAM is certified as the legally recognized bargaining agent, we will immediately reach out to Republic Airways management to schedule meetings with management to address the immediate needs of our workgroup (job security, seniority rights, right to recall to our jobs if laid off and other protections which are needed immediately).
7. It is not uncommon for a union and a company to agree to certain terms before a full contract is negotiated.
   1. For example, newly organized groups in many cases have negotiated a legally binding grievance procedure before a full contract is executed, or the right for new members to utilize union bulletin boards to post union communications.
8. The IAM will then survey the membership to find out what our group would like to see in a contract.
9. We would elect our AMT union representatives and start the process of creating a negotiations committee. 

 
As you can see, we can and will have a real opportunity to protect our careers at Republic Airways. But the only way to do that is by having a legal seat at the table.
 
Please sign and submit your a-card today. If you don’t have a card, please request one here, fill out the online form and we will mail one out to you asap. When you get it in the mail, please fill out the card, sign and date it and drop it in the mail using the postage paid business reply envelope. 
 
Let’s Do This.
 

Due to the precipitous drop in demand for air travel, and the slow rate of demand recovery, the IAM, with other airline unions, on Thursday wrote congressional leadership and requested that Congress pass an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) component of the CARES Act to March 31, 2021. The extension would provide further grant relief for the nation’s airlines and the same conditions would apply, including no layoff protection until at least March 31, 2021.

Please read the IAM’s communication here.

​Contact your congressional representatives to demand an extension of the PSP component of the CARES Act.

Request your a-card here to request a union vote.

Republic Airways AMT organizers are doing their best to collect the last election request cards (a-cards) we need to file for a representation election. At least 50 percent of all Republic Airways AMTs must submit their request to gain the right to vote in a representation election. This includes any AMT on a leave of absence, or on layoff. We are extremely close to attaining the necessary election requests but we are not there yet. If you haven’t submitted your request to gain the right to vote, click here and we will mail an a-card to you.

It is also important to know that the IAM has been fighting for our rights on Capitol Hill. The IAM led the charge to ensure that the airline industry received the necessary federal funding to survive the worst financial crisis in the history of the airline industry. The IAM has also been fighting against carriers like Republic who have cut our hours, pay and benefits while taking federal funds under the Payroll Support Program of the CARES Act, a move that is against the letter and spirit of the CARES Act.

As another aid package is considered by Congress, the IAM will not let up on this issue and will do everything to make sure that carriers are held accountable for cutting their workers’ hours, pay and benefits while taking federal funds. Click here to read the IAM’s letter to Republic CEO, Bryan Bedford, demanding Republic workers be made whole.

It is vital that we have a voice at the table. We will undoubtedly face many challenges in the very near future and the only way that we can defend our profession and working conditions is by having a legally recognized seat at the table and the backing of the most powerful airline union, the IAM.

​We ask that you take the time to have your voice heard and submit your a-card today. If you need an a-card mailed to you, fill out an online request and we will mail one to you asap.