Rich Delaney, President and Chief Negotiating Spokesperson

Contract negotiations between District Lodge 141 and United Airlines will begin shortly. A reading of the Effective Date and Duration Article of the current Agreements shows the contracts are in effect until December 31, 2009. However, in previous negotiations an agreement was reached that allows the parties to start bargaining in advance of that effective date. The previous discussions tried to build into the contract a way to bargain earlier than normal in an attempt to reach an agreement before this current contract becomes amendable. Originally, the language included an automatic wage improvement if the contract was not settled prior to December 31, 2009, but that specific language was removed during the bankruptcy proceedings. It is the hope and intention of District Lodge 141 that a replacement agreement will be reached by the end of the year but we will not be bound by any timetable that sets limits on our ability to fully discuss and resolve issues important to our membership.

It is the hope and intention that a replacement agreement will be reached by the end of the year but we will not be bound by any timetable that sets limits

District 141 has been working to prepare for the start of these historic negotiations – the first post-bankruptcy talks – in several ways. We have, and continue to improve our communication systems. A recent survey conducted by the District identified several ways our members would like to receive information regarding negotiations and other Union information. We are focusing on establishing an effective e-mail distribution list and encourage all members to provide the address they wish to have such communication sent to. Our web site has been updated and made more members friendly in order to update everyone in a more timely way. The collection of contract proposals is under way and the response from members has been very strong. In addition, District141 has begun its internal preparation for successful negotiations.

This past week members of the District 141 Negotiating Team met at the Winpisinger Center. A week long intensive training program was conducted in order to prepare the Team for the upcoming negotiations with United Airlines.

Classes focused on both fundamental and sophisticated aspects of the bargaining process and used the United Airlines contract for real life examples. Topics ranged from writing contract language to understanding the economics of both United and the airline industry. Each member of the Team was required to work on specific portions of the negotiations process and also work within the entire group to fully understand the intricacies of bargaining.

The training showed both the highlights and possible pitfalls that previous bargaining committees have faced and provided techniques for identifying problems and ways to correct them. The Senior Mediator from the National Mediation Board, Zachary Jones, presented the Team with the legal, technical, and real-life aspects of negotiations under federal mediation. Since only one contract in the past 40 years has been reached without the help of mediation, this class was especially informative. Group decision making and dynamics were studied throughout the week, since they will become an integral part of reaching a successful result – a contract that the Team can agree on and that will be supported and ratified by the membership.

The message most repeated and understood by the Negotiating Team was their role in representing all members. Although the Team is made up of people from different classifications, stations, and backgrounds their responsibility to our entire membership was emphasized and reinforced in everything they studied.

The Negotiating Team represents all members

The Team left the Winpisinger Center energized and prepared to begin the process of bargaining with United Airlines over issues important to our members. The next few weeks will be spent collecting the ideas and proposals of members to determine the topics of discussion.

The entire Negotiating Team asks all members to participate in this important task. Please continue to submit proposals for contract improvements through the web survey or individually written proposals.

As the bargaining process continues, we will update the membership. It is our belief that the more informed our members are the better decisions they will make when it is time to review and vote on an amended contract. Please visit this site often to stay in touch with what is happening with your contract.

PLACID HARBOR, MD (Winpisinger Eductional Center)

seated, from top left, clockwise –

Laura Stone, AGC (CHIRR); Brad Burson, District 141 V.P. (OMAOZ);* Russ Allen (DEN - Fleet Technical Instructor); Sandy Gardner, District 141 V.P. (DENCS);* Rich Delaney, District Lodge President* and Chief Negotiating Spokesperson; Karen Griffith, Committee Chair (BOSCS); Jim Koellner, Committee Chair (BUFOZ); Alex Gerulis, AGC (ORD - Ramp); Mike Mancini, District 141 Communicator (SFOCS); Mac McGovern, Committee Chair, Educator (EWROZ); Mike Quartuccio, Committee Chair (ORD - Ramp); Dave Rienks, Member (PHXOZ); Troy Rivera, Committee Chair (SFO - Stores); Rich Robinson, Committee Chair (DEN - Ramp).

standing – Joe Tiberi, Grand Lodge Communications.

* District 141 bylaws designate these positions permanent members of the negotiating team.