November 16th, 2021

BEDFORD STONEWALLS; IAM TO CONTACT KEY FEDERAL LAWMAKERS TO RECTIFY MISUSE OF CARES ACT FUNDS 

As expected, CEO Bedford did not respond to the IAM's letter dated 10/15/21. In that letter, the IAM called on CEO Bedford to pay back Republic Mechanic and Related employees who suffered a loss of pay and benefits when their hours were wrongly cut last year after Republic Airways accessed over $300 million of tax-payer funded airline relief aid provided for in the CARES Act.

The Machinists Union is now reaching out to key federal lawmakers regarding this issue. If CEO Bedford will not respond to the IAM, he may have to respond to Congress.

The Machinists Union also renewed its call for Republic management to immediately increase wage rates, benefit levels and improve working conditions, so that Republic can attract and retain a professional and qualified M & R workforce. The current situation is not sustainable.

Existing M & R workers are being stressed to the maximum, as we are continually working short without proper staffing. Poor staffing, due to below industry standards, is occurring because qualified M & R workers are leaving Republic in droves and going elsewhere. And, Republic cannot attract new workers due to the same below industry standard compensation.

It has never been more clear that we need to unionize NOW. We need to negotiate a legally binding contract that recognizes the value we bring to Republic Airways. We need to negotiate a legally binding contract so we can raise the standards at Republic Airways, so we can attract new workers and retain the dedicated and hard working existing Republic M & R employees.

Request an a-card online and the IAM will mail one to you immediately.