M&R Negotiations Update – 06/16/11

On Tuesday (6/14/11), management notified the M&R Negotiating Committee they would not respond to Article 7(Holidays) until they received a comprehensive counter proposal from the TWU that included all economic areas.

On Wednesday (6/15/11), the TWU M&R Negotiating Committee presented management with viable solutions designed to address staffing-related concerns previously raised by management at last month’s session, along with a comprehensive proposal that included all open articles.  They are as follows:

  • ARTICLE 1- Recognition and Scope:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 3 – Hours of Work:  In order to accommodate management’s desire for 7 day coverage on the docks at the Maintenance Bases, the TWU Negotiating Committee agreed to include an option for a 3/12-hour weekend shift schedule.
  • ARTICLE 4 – Compensation:  The TWU Negotiating Committee proposed adding an additional year to our proposal in exchange for an additional six percent (6%) raise for that year. This would extend the amendable date from our current proposal of 5/01/12 to 5/01/13. The duration of the union’s proposal would run from 5/01/08 to 5/01/13. The committee also added SJU to the Geographical Premium pay chart.  The TWU M&R Committee also proposed having retroactive pay payable in installments, so as to offset management’s concern about its ability to make a lump sum payment.
  • ARTICLE 5 – Shift Differential and Test Hop Bonus:  TWU current table position
  • ARITICLE 6 – Overtime: TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 7 – Holidays:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 8 – Vacations:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 11- Classification and Qualifications:  Language was inserted in order to accommodate management’s objective for increased productivity and efficiencies at the Maintenance Bases.
  • ARTICLE 12- Promotions and Jobs to be Posted:  Other than grammatical changes made to this proposal the intent remained unchanged.
  • ARTICLE 34 – Sick Leave/Unused Sick Leave:  TWU table position
  • ARTICLE 40 – Retirement Benefits:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 41 – Group Insurance Contributions:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 42 – Job Security:  TWU current table position
  • ARTICLE 47 – Duration of Agreement:  The TWU M&R proposal extends the duration of the agreement from 5/01/12 to 5/01/13 in exchange for a six percent (6%) raise for that year.

On Wednesday, management responded by saying they would have a response to the TWU Negotiating Committee counter proposal by Thursday (6/16/11).  At 4:40 p.m. that day, management presented their counter proposal, of which included the following:

  • Article 1- Recognition and Scope:  Management added Attachment 1.9, which would allow management to bring in and send out new work at its discretion, provided it did not result in a Reduction in Force (RIF).
  • Article 3 – Hours of Work:  No full-text counter proposal was presented.  Management presented a handout highlighting management’s concept of a 3/13 work schedule.
  • Article 4 – Compensation:  Management shortened the term of their proposal from forty-eight (48) months to thirty-six (36) months from the date of signing.  A thirty-six (36) month agreement at date of signing essentially is a six year agreement from the 5/1/08 amendable date.
  • Article 11 – Classification and Qualifications:  Management presented the same proposal as May 2011 with the exception they adopted 11(g) regarding referencing the QAM (Qualifications Administration Manual) to identify skill groups on the Maintenance Base Docks.
  • Article 12- Promotions and Jobs to be Posted:   Management presented the same proposal as May 2011. The exception was adding an Attachment 12.5 Aircraft Overhaul (AO) within Tulsa Maintenance.
  • Article 21- Rotation of Shifts:  Management removed redundant drop-in language from their prior proposal.
  • Article 47- Duration of Agreement: Management adjusted the amendable end date from 2015 to 2014.

The TWU Maintenance and Related Committee reconvened at 8:15 p.m. and re-countered management’s proposal on the following Articles:

  • Article 3 – Hours of Work
  • Article 7 – Holidays
  • Article 8 – Vacations
  • Article 11 – Classifications and Qualifications

At 8:45 p.m., mediator Jack Kane informed the committee they would reconvene in an hour.

At 9:30 p.m., the Chairmen of our TWU M&R Committee along with senior management met with mediator Jack Kane to discuss management’s response.  Senior management stated that they would respond to the TWU proposal at our next session. They also stated they were considering expanding the small group of articles within the package by adding articles 1 and 12. They felt there was a lot to review within the maintenance base weekend coverage proposal of 3/13 shifts.  Senior management also stated that they were working off the failed tentative agreement and that total cost of a new agreement would be around the same cost of the failed tentative agreement.

Mediator Kane has set the next date for negotiations to be the week of 7/11/11 in the Dallas, Texas area.

Stay informed.

The M&R Negotiating Committee appreciates your patience and support as we work toward an agreement.

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