Disclaimer


This is an "UNOFFICIAL" source of information for Mechanics and Related covered by the United Airlines CBA as represented by the IBT. Nothing on this blog should be considered as an official position or opinion of any Officer or Agent of the International or any Local. The opinions expressed here are the authors only.


Negotiations Update
May 14, 2015
The parties assembled the week of May 11th in Las Vegas under the direction of the National Mediation Board in hope of receiving a full comprehensive proposal from the company. On Tuesday morning the Company passed their version of a comprehensive economic proposal, which was in the form of a two-page bullet point presentation. The proposal did not meet the Union Negotiation Committee’s expectations or industry benchmarks.
The Company’s bullet points addressed wages, premiums, longevity, shift differentials, vacation accrual schedules, sick accruals, holiday schedule, profit sharing, active medical plan designs as well as longer contract duration than the previous pass. Additionally, the company opened the idea of creating changes to the current retirement plan.
The Union Negotiation Committee was less than impressed, and certainly not amused, with the new tone and direction of United’s comprehensive proposal. However, continuing in good faith, the Union Negotiating Committee reviewed the terms of the proposal in caucus after the parties broke. During the caucus, the Union committee developed a series of enquiries for the Company.
On Wednesday the parties again held a face-to-face session, in which the union presented its enquiries to the Company. Once the enquiries were answered there was further discussion between the parties. After the face-to-face session, the economists from both sides met to review the economic data. The work of reviewing and determining the valuations of the Company’s proposal is ongoing.
Also on Wednesday, a discussion was held on TeamCare. Both committees along with representatives from the fund talked about ways to finalize the health care proposal. Some of what was discussed is subject to the approval by the Plan Trustees.
On Thursday the Union Negotiation Committee met internally to work on the counter proposal that should be delivered in the next round of negotiations in June.
As stated above during this week’s session, the Company changed direction and tone on key items of importance to this membership. It is still our goal to achieve an industry leading agreement and we will accept nothing less.


News from the Street
Tension is growing between airline management and workers. That's
worrisome for an industry better known for bankruptcies and failures than it
is for long-term stability.