The following is an article that was published in “The Washington Business Journal”

http://m.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/fedbiz_daily/2014/12/machinists-union-sues-dyncorp-over-termination-of.html?r=full

Machinists’ union sues DynCorp over termination of union president

The machinists’ union at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County is suing DynCorp International Inc., claiming the company violated a bargaining agreement when it fired a union president.

The lawsuit from the chapter of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers claims the McLean company did not have just cause for firing Gregg French, lead mechanic for the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Andrews and president of the union group representing workers at the base. The suit also claims the company violated its collective bargaining agreement when it refused to participate in an arbitration process to review the termination.

According to the complaint, filed Dec. 22 in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, DynCorp claims that French’s termination is immune from review under the grievances and arbitration process because the Air Force requested his removal — a claim the union disputes.

According to the complaint, which suggests strained relations between the union and DynCorp, an initial draft of the termination letter pointed to “misconduct that brought discredit to the company” tied to French’s behavior with other employees. According to the collective bargaining agreement, that reason would necessitate arbitration to prove just cause, the lawsuit says. But DynCorp changed the explanation in the final version of the letter, according to the union, pointing to a request for termination by the customer, according to the suit.

“We truly value our relationship with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers chapter at Joint Base Andrews,” said a spokeswoman from DynCorp, adding that the company cannot comment directly on ongoing litigation.

The union is asking the court to order the company to participate in the arbitration process regarding French’s termination and to award attorneys’ fees and costs to the union.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Did you know that your cranberry sauce might have been made by fellow IAM members?  Check out the link for a Union made Thanksgiving and help support your fellow union brothers and sisters.

“As you prepare to head to the grocery store to pick up your Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, double check your shopping list to make sure your Turkey Day fixin’s are all union made in America.”  Union-Made in America Thanksgiving

Gregory Holland
(December 23, 1961 – November 19, 2014)

Local 24 has suffered the loss of another union brother. Gregory Holland worked in our battery shop for DynCorp for 14 years. Prior to that he served in the Air Force. He will be missed by his union brothers and sisters.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday November 25, 2014 at Strickland Funeral Services 6500 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD. From 12pm until time of memorial service at 1pm. Funeral service will also be held at Bentley and Sons Funeral Home 2714 Montpelier Avenue Macon, GA at 11am. Interment,1pm at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery 2617 Vinson Highway Milledgeville, Georgia.

IAM Honors Veterans, Introduces New Veterans Services Program

This Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the IAM honors our members in the armed forces who are serving and have served our nations.

“Thousands of IAM members have proudly served their country. And many fight on two battlefields – the ongoing fight here at home for fairness and respect on the job and the many fights abroad to ensure peace and freedom for people around the world,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “They are our heroes for many reasons. And we thank them for their courage, dedication and willingness to be on the frontlines for our countries and our members.”

In recognition of the honorary holiday, the IAM Retirees, Community and Membership Services Department has announced the IAM Veterans Services Program, which features an online information portal dedicated solely to IAM military veterans in the U.S. and Canada.

“As a union, the IAM recognizes the unique situation and needs of our members who have dedicated their lives to their country,” said 20-year Army veteran and IAM Retirees, Community and Membership Services Director Carlos San Miguel. “We believe it is our duty to help and be of service to those members in any way we can. There is an abundance of public and private programs and services open to military veterans; the problem is very few veterans know what’s available and where to go. The IAM Veterans Services Program seeks to bridge the informational gap between our members and the programs and services they fought for.”

The webpage provides information from various public and private military assistance agencies and organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Veterans Affairs Canada. Members can find information on many topics, including government programs, benefits, health information and assistance with filing claims.

The information is open to IAM members from all branches of the U.S. and Canadian militaries, including the National Guard and Reserves.

Part of the IAM Veterans Services Program will also include a weeklong planning session at the William W. Winpisinger Center from March 29 – April 3, 2015, where representatives from each IAM Territory and all branches of service will convene to begin crafting coursework and various IAM programs to help meet members’ needs.

“As the nation prepares for a day of remembrance and celebration of the men and women who risk their lives in service to our country, the IAM stands committed to continuing to explore more ways to serve those among us who have sacrificed so others may live freely,” said IAM General Vice President Diane Babineaux.

IAM military veterans are encouraged to sign up to receive more information about the union’s veteran program. Please note that the sign-up form is voluntary.

Brian W. Ratliff
Obituary

LINCOLN – Brian W Ratliff, 58, of Lincoln, passed away November 5, 2014. Born on January 20th, 1956, in Wall Township, New Jersey, he spent most years in different locations (Spain, New Mexico, Texas) serving in the United States Air Force, before settling in Delaware. He was a Tech Sgt. in the 436th military airlift wing at Dover Air Force Base. After retiring from the Air Force, he used his acquired skills as a quality assurance aircraft inspector with DynCorp International at Andrews Air Force Base on the presidential fleet. His love of surf fishing, playing the guitar, riding his Harley and sharing the occasional crown and Coke with his buddies was only surpassed by his unconditional love of his wife and soulmate Jennie Washington Ratliff. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennie Ratliff of Lincoln; two sons, Jason Ratliff of Dover, and Tyler Washington of Milford; daughter, Nicole McGranaghan of Oregon; and two granddaughters, Alyssa and Kelly. He was preceded in death by his mother, Angelina Larusso Ratliff of New Jersey. Services will be 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford where friends may call from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at the Milford Community Cemetery, Rt. 113, Milford. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Milford Moose Lodge on Kirby Road immediately following the service. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s memory can be made to Kay’s Kamp (www.kayskamp.org), a camp for children with cancer.

Funeral Home
Lofland Funeral Home
102 Lakeview Avenue Milford, DE 19963
(302) 422-5416

Sadness has hit Local Lodge 24 once again with the passing of QA Inspector Brian Ratliff.

Brother Ratliff suffered a heart attack yesterday, November 5, 2014.

He has been with the company since December 2001.

We will pass along more details when they become available.