United negotiations in mediation

Job Security remains No.1 Topic

October 4, 2009 Rich Delaney — United negotiations have entered the next phase of talks, outlined by the Railway Labor Act.

Federal Mediators Pat Sims and Terri Brown observed United negotiations this past week to learn about our issues and the state of progress within United negotiations. They spent time with each side separately in United negotiations so that they could hear directly from us where we think we are and where we believe we are headed. Full Story

The mediators outlined for us their purpose in United negotiations and their intent to assist us in reaching an agreement with United – not imposing their own opinions or feelings on a settlement. Both mediators then attended United negotiations sessions to observe how we dealing with each other and to see if we are on the right track to reach agreements without their active involvement.

At the end of the week we agreed on a schedule for the coming months, based on the mediator’s availability. All parties, including the mediators, agreed that although Ms.Brown’s schedule is limited due to her very full assignments with other negotiations that are also in mediation the IAM and United will continue to meet by ourselves and continue to talk about our proposals. We still believe that our best hope for an agreement with United will come directly from these types of discussions and not on a reliance on outside help or influence.

Job Security

The main topic within United negotiations has not changed. Job security is still the all important issue we are talking about. Each proposal that has been submitted and discussed is being reviewed to determine what the proposal brings to improved security.

Point System

As a result of the recent agreement we reached with United regarding the retention of IAM represented work related to the United Express operation in ORD and the prevention of future contracting out of other work, the company has implemented a new “Dependability Point System.” This system changes how necessary absences from work will be recorded and creates a new discipline program specifically for dependability. Part of this new system requires the Company to review an employee’s current disciplinary record and convert any discipline related to dependability to this new point system. In addition, working with Local Committees, other discipline is to be reviewed and adjusted based on the impact of the removal of dependability levels. This work has already begun in most stations and should be complete within weeks.

This new system, and the agreement that allowed for it, has generated a great deal of questions by members. We are in the process of assembling additional question and answers, beyond the original group of Q&A’s put together for the first explanations. These Q&A’s will be posted on the District’s website.