Negotiations continued on October 4th, 5th, and 6th at Local 856 in San Bruno, CA. The first day involved discussions with the Company on Article IV (Classifications), and Article VI (Hours of Service).
While the Company representatives had discussions among themselves on the second day, the Union Negotiating Team took the opportunity to visit with the membership at the SFO Maintenance Base. The team was able to visit the engine shop, the machine shop, the landing gear shop, the narrow body docks, and some of the back shops. Additionally, the team was able to talk with the swing shift Shop Stewards in the Union Committee Office. Clacy Griswold, the Chief Negotiator for the IBT, briefed the membership at several of these areas about the ongoing negotiations. There were many very good questions brought forth, including two big questions regarding job protections and pension. Clacy answered by stating that these were both high priorities for the negotiating committee, in fact, these items are two of the five cornerstones previously reported as requirements to achieve an agreement with the carrier. There were also questions around how the economic package would look in the final agreement. Clacy responded that we are not currently in the economic section of negotiations, but he gave his opinion on what was needed to get a ratified agreement.
The third day involved further discussions with the Company over new work rules, including the topics of vacancies, bidding, bid areas, qualifications, training, testing, and leads.
