Dear Members,
The negotiating committee met in Cleveland this week. We reviewed and constructed a proposal for Article 1 – Scope in order to present it to the company at our next meeting. On Tuesday, we submitted a second request for additional information from the company concerning scope and benefits in order to complete our proposals. We are waiting the company’s response.
There has been a request by the work group for clarification as to why the committee did not meet with the company in Cleveland this week as we previously notified the group. Below is a quote from an e-mail that Mediator Iannone’s sent regarding his decision to cancel the Cleveland session.
“Due to the unexpected retirement of Mediator Sandrin in March, Mediator McGuckin was assigned to the case. In an effort to accommodate a previously scheduled meeting in New Orleans beginning April 12, 2010, NMB Mediator Iannone was temporarily assigned to assist the parties with a clear awareness that no mediator would be available for the Cleveland session beginning the week of April 26 through April 30. In an effort to keep these negotiations on a progressive track, the parties were instructed by Mediator Iannone not to meet in Cleveland, instead, the parties were directed to share and exchange specific information through Mediator Iannone during that week in an effort to expedite these negotiations in our next session beginning on May 25, 2010 in Washington DC.”
Concerning the rumors of a possible merger with United, the negotiating committee is working in conjunction with the IBT Airline Division and the IBT Legal department to address the membership’s concerns with a memorandum. The collective bargaining agreement does address Successorship and Mergers in Article 1 D. In addition to the information found there we have included Sections 3 and 13 of the Allegheny Mohawk LPP’s.
Section 3. Insofar as the merger affects the seniority rights of the carriers employees, provisions shall be made for the integration of seniority lists in a fair and equitable manner, including, where applicable, agreement through collective bargaining between the carriers and the representatives of the employees affected. In the event of failure to agree, the dispute may be submitted by either party for adjustment in accordance with section 13.
Section 13. (a) In the event that any dispute or controversy (except as to matters arising under section 9) arises with respect to the protections provided herein which cannot be settle by the parties within 20 days after the controversy arises, it may be referred by any party to an arbitrator selected from a panel of seven names furnished by the National Mediation Board for consideration and determination. The parties shall select the arbitrator from such panel by alternatively striking names until only one remains, and he shall serve as arbitrator. Expedited hearings and decisions will be expected, and a decision shall be rendered within 90 days after the controversy arises, unless an extension of time it is mutually agreeable to all parties. The salary and expenses of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the carrier and (i) the organization or organizations representing employee or employees or (ii) if unrepresented, the employee or employees or group or groups of employees. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and bindingon the parties.
(b.) The above condition shall not apply if the parties by mutual agreement determine that an alternative method for dispute settlement or an alternative procedure for selection of an arbitrator is appropriate in their particular dispute. No party shall be excused from complying with the above condition by reason of having suggested an alternative method or procedure unless and until that alternative method or procedure shall have been agreed to by all parties.
Union participants:
Daisy Gonzalez – Interim Chairman, Robert Rasch – Co-Chairman, Nick Manicone, IBT Attorney, Paul Alves, Airline Division Representative, Business Agents: Earl Averette, Charlie Alferio, Angel Cantu, Dave Elmore, Dominic Fierro, Ralph Salzano. Negotiation Committee Members: Chris Carouthers, Robert Clever, Dominick DiPaolo, Tommy Esposito, Vinny Graziano, Jack Harran, Craig Larson, Carl Leverson, Mike Meglich, and Audrey Scates
Mediation sessions are scheduled for the week of May 24-28 in Washington D.C.
We will update you when we have any additional information.
In Solidarity,
Robert Rasch
President Teamsters Local 19, Committee Co-Chair