Teamsters try to Organise Omni Air
jd
August 7, 2007
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=80711
TULSA - A Teamsters local in Houston has filed a dispute to organize
Tulsa-based Omni Air International cockpit crewmembers.
Last week the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 747 filed
an "application for investigation of representation dispute" with the
National Mediation Board.
Operator of international and domestic charter passenger flights, the
Teamsters estimated Omni employs 266 flight deck crewmembers to
operate its fleet of DC-10-30ER and Boeing 757-200 aircraft. "Their
wages, working conditions and benefits are among the worst in the
airline industry," said E.E. "Gene" Sowell, president of Teamsters
747.
Omni officials could not be reached for comment.
Sowell said the union hopes to mount a membership campaign in the near
future.
The NMB representational process could take up to three months before
a union vote is held.
Officials said the organization drive has been ongoing for about one
year.
Founded in 1983, Omni provides on-demand charter and air ambulance
services. Catering to the charter tour industry, its clientele has
ranged from both domestic and international cruise lines to college
athletic teams, Fortune 500 companies, governments and subservice to
air carriers.
Founded 80 years before that, the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters claims membership of 1.4 million workers in the United
States and Canada.
Union representation elections are overseen by the National Labor
Relations Board.
About 30 percent of affected employees are required to sign a petition
to call for an "R case" election, used both to certify and decertify a
union. To call for a vote, 30 percent of affected employees are
required to sign a petition supporting it.
The Employee Free Choice Act, passed by the U.S. House on March 1 but
stopped in the Senate in late June, would require the NLRB recognize a
union if a majority of employees approve it via a simple "card check"
instead of a secret ballot.