The IBT Negotiations Committee and Leadership, as well as the Company’s Negotiations Committee, were directed to attend meetings to give Status Updates at the National Mediation Board Headquarters in Washington, DC on December 2nd. In attendance for the Union were Rank and File Committee Representatives John Laurin, Jack Harran, Vincent Graziano, Mitch Hunt, Paul Becerra and Jay Koreny. For the Airline Division, Director David Bourne, Paul Alves, Clacy Griswold, and Bob Fisher. Present for United Airlines were Sr. VP HR Mike Bonds, Sr. VP LR Doug McKeen, Joe Ferreira, Don Wright, Marcel Delhommeau, and Mike Hansen.
The meeting began with an overview and a summary of the Railway Labor Act, along with a presentation on how formal mediation works, its function, responsibilities, and authority of the mediator.
Mr. McGuckin reviewed his background in Aviation conveying that he was in the United States Air Force for 28 years, first as an Aircraft Mechanic and then as a Pilot. From there he joined up with Braniff Airlines and Peoples Express. He became a Pilot advocate joining the ALPA MEC at Braniff as well as 12 years as a union negotiator at USAir. Mr. McGuckin retired from USAir in 2006 and went to work as a Mediator in 2007 for the National Mediation Board.
A discussion between the IBT delegation and Mediator McGuckin as to his expectations moving forward, as well as his authority to take control and give direction during the mediated process followed these presentations. A similar discussion was held separately with the Company delegation. Also discussed, although not in detail as this was not intended to be a negotiating session, were the relative positions of the parties and how we arrived at where we are in the process, as well as what would be required by the Mediator in order for the process to continue moving forward.
The IBT Rank and File delegation met in caucus after these discussions and after some expounded on the direct remarks by the mediator about how the parties will proceed. The committee determined it would be in the best interest of the membership to continue discussions with the Company through the mediator beginning in the first several months of next year.
The full 13 member Rank and File Negotiating Committee will meet in Houston in early January to prepare a comprehensive proposal with the input of our Economists, Actuaries, and Legal Counsel.
Upon completion of this task it is expected that while under the auspices of the Mediation Board future bargaining dates will be set by Mr. McGuckin early next year.
Arbitration Update
Continuation of the Resource Utilization Letter (RUL) Arbitration has been delayed at the request of the Company through the Arbitrator. The reason the Company gave the Arbitrator was that the attorney working the case was replaced. The Company explained their need to bring new counsel up to date on the previous testimony and documents presented in this case. Arbitrator Berger granted this request for continuance. At this writing, the Arbitrator has offered several dates in the early part of the year but the new date has not yet been agreed upon. The sub CAL medical arbitration is in executive session and a ruling should be released soon. The briefs are in for the sub UAL medical arbitration so this case should move soon to Executive session.
All members urged to update their addresses
Members on furlough are advised to keep their addresses current with the company while on layoff. It is predicted that there will be many movements this year and there have been several members that have been removed from the seniority list because old addresses were on file when notices were sent.
If you are in touch with a furloughed member, please forward this information to them. Updates may be emailed to: [email protected] . The ESC will provide a fax number and ask members to send the address change accompanied with a signature.