Mediation Report 6/15

Your bargaining committee met with Piedmont Airlines at the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C. on June 11-12 for another round of mediated negotiations.

Unfortunately, we have very little positive progress to report.

The Company responded to the Union’s wage proposal with only minimal movement on a single wage scale that impacts a very small number of employees. Once again, the Company maintained that it has reached the limit of what it is willing to spend and claimed it cannot improve its economic proposal unless the Union agrees to give back provisions that have already been negotiated and tentatively agreed upon.

Throughout this process, the Union has worked diligently to find solutions, narrow differences, and move negotiations forward. We have made adjustments to our proposals, engaged in meaningful discussions, and demonstrated a willingness to work toward a fair agreement. Unfortunately, the Company’s position remains largely unchanged.

Adding to our frustration, the mediation session scheduled through the end of the day Friday ended significantly earlier than planned. Although negotiations were scheduled to continue through the close of business, the Mediator allowed the Company to leave around 12:30 p.m. citing concerns about road closures and traffic delays affecting travel to the airport. As a result, valuable bargaining time was lost during a process that has already stretched nearly three years. We continued working until 5pm on Friday at the National Mediation Board and we did not see any road closures or experience any problems on the drive back to our hotel.
 

Your bargaining committee left Washington disappointed. It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand the Company’s commitment to reaching a fair agreement when opportunities to negotiate are repeatedly cut short and meaningful movement remains absent.

We also share the frustration many of you have expressed. After nearly three years of bargaining, our members deserve more than continued delays and recycled talking points. WE deserve progress. WE deserve answers. Most importantly, WE deserve a contract that recognizes the value of the work performed every day BY OUR MEMBERS, THEIR EMPLOYEES!

The next mediation session is scheduled for July 8-10. The Union has made it clear that we expect this process to move toward a conclusion. Our committee will continue fighting for the improvements our members have earned and deserve, but we also believe the time has come for all parties involved to recognize that endless bargaining without meaningful progress is not a solution.

MEMBER ACTION REQUIRED

As we continue pushing this process toward a conclusion, now is the time for every member to ensure that the Local has your current mailing address and contact information.

Once a tentative agreement is reached, the Union intends to move quickly to provide every member with a complete copy of the proposed agreement for review, analysis and consideration before any ratification vote takes place. We do not want delays caused by outdated addresses, returned mail, or missing contact information.

If you have moved, changed your mailing address, been out on an extended leave of absence or are unsure what information the Local has on file, please contact your Local representative as soon as possible and update your records.

When the time comes, every member deserves the opportunity to fully review the agreement and make an informed decision. Help us make sure that information reaches you without delay.

As always, we thank you for your patience, your support, and your solidarity. The strength of this Union has always come from its members and your bargaining committee remains committed to fighting for the contract you deserve!

UNITED WE BARGAIN.....DIVIDED WE BEG!