Negotiations continued on Monday and Tuesday of this week in NYC with Engineering as the sole focus. Many proposals were exchanged, and some progress was made in non-economic areas of the contract. The remaining economic positions remain considerably far apart and bridging that divide remains as priority #1 for your Negotiating Committee.
In last week’s bulletin concerning Customer Service, I reported on the Company’s last sub-standard proposal. It seems as though Doug Caines took me up on at least part of what I said to him in that he released their proposal. He did not however man up and open himself up to any feedback from the membership and instead ask you to speak with your local management or Shop Steward. I have availed myself to you wholly and he just cannot seem to do so. That is telling.
Another section of his release is just farcical and an outright lie. Where he says that the “union committee refuses to discuss any alternative options around outsourcing” is a total lie. Our comprehensive proposal last given to the company in September, with a full explanation and associated financial assessment to back it, is one part, the first part, of a comprehensive approach that takes care of our members and provides savings to the Company. To say that we have not made an “insourced proposal” is a misnomer in that we will never get to that point in negotiations unless we execute a buyout proposal first. This action by itself generates savings. The Union has repeatedly emphasized that to the Company as well as has the Mediator. It just further shows their lack of understanding of true negotiations. The baby rarely comes without labor pains, and until they realize that, the Customer Service talks will go nowhere. As in the past, the Company is free at any time to offer a buyout.
The next dates scheduled are set for the weeks of February 25 and March 18 and will occur somewhere near FLL or MIA in South Florida. The location of any mediated talks is determined solely by the Mediator. 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
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