Yesterday afternoon, I received notice from the National Mediation Board (NMB) that a staff Mediator has been assigned. Gerry McGuckin will assume control as the parties continue meeting under the auspices of the NMB. You can read more about Mr. McGuckin by reading his bio by going to www.nmb.gov and clicking through the following menus “About the NMB > Officials & Staff > NMB Board > Office of Mediation and ADR Services”. You can also read more about the many processes and procedures of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) by stopping on the “About the NMB > NMB rules” page.
As a follow-up tp PDGC Supplee’s bulletin on August 30, which was a response to the irresponsible and ignorant release from the Company, there remains a significant amount of confusion that has been generated by Mr. Caines. In a nutshell, there is no threat of a strike other than in Mr. Caines mind. The law that is the RLA governs when Union can strike, and that is only over major disputes after they have exhausted the RLA’s “almost interminable” negotiation and mediation procedures. We have just begun the mediation process. The Company has taken some words and twisted them to try and speed up the process to achieve their goal, and that goal is not in your best interest.
The fact remains that we cannot bargain blindly without having all the information needed to make educated analysis on past actions taken and to assess what the company has proposed in this round of bargaining that is a continuation of those past decisions. To date, we have received only a fraction of that requested information. Without that information, continued meetings over a new contract would be completely biased in favor of the company and we will not stand for that.
Please take the time to sign up to receive communications such as this BA negotiations bulletin, and others, by going to www.iamdl142.org and clicking on the red “Join Our Email List” button in the top left-hand corner. If you have any questions, please give me a call at (859) 653-4037 or email me at ">. With best wishes, I remain
Sincerely and fraternally,
James M. Samuel
General Chairperson
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