Negotiations
We have addressed the slow pace we have experienced in negotiations since the Company filed for mediation a year ago and the Company will be in communication with the mediator to explore options of meeting without the mediator present.
However, at this point we have not received any further updates from the National Mediation Board regarding new meeting dates since the September negotiations session was canceled due to our assigned mediator being on medical leave. We will update you as soon as we receive more information.
Grievance Training
Last week we held Grievance Training for both CRJ and ERJ representatives. We covered topics such as the importance of solidarity, how to properly prepare a grievance file, note taking and the grievance processes. In addition, we discussed discrimination issues, what past practice really means and the tests of just cause. We plan to hold these training sessions on an ongoing basis to continue to build on our knowledge as a grievance team.
CRJ
Grievance Update
This week several grievances filed, 2 in ATL and 2 in DFW. There were two grievances appealed to Grievance Mediation. We are in the process to secure a date for Grievance Mediation due to scheduling conflicts with our mediator. Once we confirm a date for the rescheduled meeting we will pass that information along.
ERJ
Upcoming Station Visits
This week General Chairperson Sara Gonzales will be in the EWR crew room on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning with grievance representatives Carli Meneses and Manny Rivero and in the IAH crew room on Friday with grievance representative Suzi Bahan. Also, Special Representative Melissa Brenna will be joining them on Wednesday in EWR and Friday in IAH.
Commuter Clause Issue
We have filed an Et Al grievance regarding the Company refusing to honor our Conscientious Reporting provision in our CBA. The Company states that it is unreasonable when screen shots of PBTs are provided too far in advance. This is not supported by our contract or past practice. Our CBA language is as follows:
A flight attendant living in a location other than her/his assigned domicile who commutes via air is required to ensure that she/he has at least 1 primary and 1 back-up ExpressJet or Continental flight, both of which have seat availability (the jumpseat will not satisfy this requirement) and are scheduled to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the flight attendant’s scheduled report time.
Keep in mind nowhere in the provision are we required to provide a date on the PBTs. If you have experienced this issue please contact a grievance representative immediately.
Grievance Update
This week no additional grievances were received for appeal to Step 2. The base breakdown for pending Step 2 grievances is as follows:
ORD-13
DFW-1
EWR-3
Grievance mediation is scheduled for November 12-13, 2015, which we will address outstanding grievances, most of which have already been appealed to arbitration.
