The parties met in Las Vegas the week of July 27, 2015 at the direction of Mediator McGuckin. The process of working in subcommittees continued through the session. Several Articles (listed below) required adjustment/clarification prior to being TA’d. The FST negotiations committee and the Company met through the week to discuss language applying to their craft. The FST negotiation committee will meet with the company September 1st -3rd in IAH.
Discussions continued on Article 16 (Benefits). The Company’s Article 16 proposal was presented and meetings were held to clarify their positions on several items. The full benefits committee will be present, and briefed, on the results of those talks during the August 10th session. This will happen before the Article is presented to the full rank and file negotiating committee. Input is required from TeamCare on costing issues prior to a full economics benefit pass. Once approved by the committee, the counter proposal will be presented to the company.
The Article 14 (Safety and Health) subcommittee had productive discussions during the week and presented the Article to the full committee for approval. This was then passed to the Company. The Company countered, and the subcommittee is in the process of review. Discussions will continue with the Company during the next session.
Article 5 (Vacancies) was TA’d late on the evening of the 30th along with an LOA regarding how supervisors that hold seniority may return to the craft in the future. Article 6, (RIF and Recall) discussions are ongoing, but will need input from Legal prior to finalizing language for this Article. Article 21 (General and Misc) and Article 22 (Transportation) were finalized in subcommittee. These Articles were reviewed by the negotiations committee and TA’d.
A special committee on JFK met with Company representatives in ongoing discussions regarding issues surrounding our members stationed there. It is the goal of this committee to minimize disruptions for members in the New York point.
The tenor of the talks remained positive through this session. Negotiations will resume August 10th in Las Vegas at the direction of the Mediator.
