Negotiations resumed this week in Miami, Florida under the auspices of the NMB and Mediator Gerry McGuckin. The full negotiation committees for the Union and Company were present. Tuesday and Wednesday were allocated by the Mediator to the Engineering CBA. A number of tentative agreements were reached; however, no progress was made on the larger, economic divides that still remain. It is our expectation that the Company will return at the next meeting with a comprehensive proposal that included competitive market wages and recognizes the contributions made by our Engineers.
As was previously announced, Thursday was allocated by the mediator to the ongoing customer service negotiations. The Union received a new proposal from the Company that consisted of another ridiculous sub-standard set of terms in the Union’s view. While it did consist of a buyout/severance component and an element that has an opportunity for people to remain employed, the terms of that employment are well below sub-standard at best and considering the recently announced profit of $2.5 billion US by British Airways, it is again a despicable act and insulting. Needless to say, our response was as you would expect. Rejection. The Union will be performing a more detailed analysis of this proposal over the coming weeks in order to be prepared to respond definitively at a future meeting.
Future dates have been set and include the weeks of March 25 (in MIA), April 23 (in ORD), May 6 (TBD), June 3 (In DC) and June 17 (TBD). The location of any mediated talks is solely at the Mediators 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
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