Greeting Brothers and Sisters:
So far in 2022, your Union has met virtually with the Company on two occasions. On January 6 we met for one day and then agreed to meet again virtually on February 15 & 16. At the meeting in January, both parties agreed to come prepared to exchange proposals covering multiple areas of a new Master Agreement. The Union came to that meeting with our promised proposals and the Company failed to make it on either day. While there was an excuse of “family issues” for one of the Company negotiators, they were not prepared and had nothing ready to exchange and still have not sent what was promised. This result has been typical thus far.
Because of this lack of engagement, conversations have been occurring with the Transportation Department Leadership in concert with the IAM General Counsel about how to deal with these problems. We have been negotiating to obtain a Collective Bargaining Agreement under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), enlisting the help of the National Mediation Board (NMB) is the next step when the process itself breaks down. Being that this process has been occurring for over a year with meetings totaling less than two weeks and little to show for it in the way of Tentative Agreements, the decision to file for mediation has been made and will take place in the coming week. By filing for Mediation and being assigned a federal Mediator, the problems that have plagued these negotiations should disappear as the Mediator controls all facets of the process to include scheduling, location and exchange of proposals, including who is responsible for what. The participation of a Mediator usually drives better results. I will release more information on mediation under the RLA in the coming week as we progress into the filing.
Keep in mind that a filing for mediation does not prevent the parties from continuing to meet by mutual agreement. While we currently do not have any dates set, we will communicate about any future meetings if they do occur. We remain committed to obtaining a Master Agreement regardless of the circumstances. As soon as I have more information, it will be communicated. With best wishes, I remain
Sincerely and fraternally,
James M. Samuel
General Chairperson
