M E M O R A N D U M
FROM: David P. Bourne, Director Airline Division
DATE: January 21, 2016
RE: Voting Packages and Balloting
I would like to apologize for the length of time it has taken for some members to receive their packages for voting on the company proposal. This has been a frustrating process all around as a result of what has transpired since the packages were shipped. Below is an outline of what has transpired to this point, and our plans to ensure every member has the right to vote.
There were a number of questions about the ballot mailing process. Some members asked why different postmark dates appeared on envelopes containing ballots – including dates after the December 23, 2015 ship date.
The IBT does not do the printing or mailing ourselves. To remain removed from the balloting process, we contracted BallotPoint to run the election as an independent overseer of the vote count. Many Unions and even the NMB contract for these services from BallotPoint for the same reason.
BallotPoint contracts with a printing company, called Allied Media, to print and mail the ballots. All pieces were shipped by Allied at the same time on December 23, 2015. They sent the items to be mailed to a parcel commingling company which, to speed delivery, trucked the envelopes directly to major USPS entry points and deposited them with USPS there.
That is why tracking numbers may show they were deposited with the USPS in different cities after December 23, 2015.
Although great effort was made to get ballots to everyone in a timely manner, we have learned that many members, particularly in Guam and Hawaii, have still not received ballots. Accordingly, we will extend the time to vote until 12 pm EST on February 16, 2016. The ballots will be tallied and announced by BallotPoint immediately after this deadline. Duplicate ballots may be requested before 1 pm EST on February 9, 2016.
No member should have to be worried about whether they will have an opportunity to have their voice heard, and the IBT wants to ensure that, regardless of the outcome of the vote, all members have that right.
In Solidarity,
