The Company and Union met again this week in Washington, DC at the National Mediation Board with Mediator Gerry McGuckin. Discussions this week centered on the recent operational assessment of the JFK operation that was conducted by Mr. Pinchbeck. The information he shared with your negotiating committee was an inside look at trying to determine from efficiency/inefficiency standpoint, how the operation might be changed, or improved, to generate savings that involve nothing more than tailoring each element of the multiple jobs performed by all of our hardworking members. While we always strive to work smarter and not harder, this exercise could ultimately be paired with a voluntary buyout in tweaking the operational footprint. In most cases, these are things the company could do outside of negotiations. Where there are contractual issues, we may try to address them via negotiations. As of this week, discussions haven’t led to any agreements in this area.
Also, as part and parcel of the above discussion were continued dialogue concerning a voluntary severance/buyout program. While there is nothing concrete to announce yet, we continue to have value added discussions that will shape a program that will hopefully come together quickly. I know many have asked for a timeframe. When it becomes possible to talk about that, we will certainly do so. Everyone must understand that due to possibility of this being over-subscribed (i.e. more people than anticipated), it makes it harder to develop and ultimately manage. Everyone who has had time to hear me speak in briefings knows that our plan has been in place for many months, and we continue to execute as much as possible to that plan. Simply put, we will continue to strive to take care of everyone’s interests, whether you are wanting to stay or leave.
Future dates still include the weeks of June 17 (ORD), July 15 (NYC), August 5 & 19 (PHL) and September 16 (TBD). The location of any mediated negotiations remains at the Mediator’s discretion. If you have any questions, please give me a call at (859) 653-4037 or email me at or contact one of your negotiating committee members. With best wishes, I remain
Sincerely and fraternally,
James M. Samuel
GENERAL CHAIR
Reggie Gauthier John Reisert
Committee Member Committee Member
