| This month marked the beginning
of a new phase in our campaign for a contract of choice. Mediation began
in May at the company headquarters in Crystal City. Federal mediator Tom
Ingles joined the parties in ongoing contract talks. Mediator Ingles is
on the staff of the National Mediation Board (NMB) and has been assigned
to our case. |
| Present for the company
were Bruce Ashby, Senior Vice-President-Planning, Tony Bralich, Director
of Labor Relations-Flight, Rob Fuhr, Senior Director of Inflight Services,
Luis McSween, Director Crew Scheduling, Ernie Pickel, Manager of Staff
Services and Business Development and Susan Wall, BWI Base Manager. AFA
was represented by Lynn Lenosky, MEC President, Mark Littleton, Negotiating
Committee Chairperson, Terry Graf, Negotiating Committee and Clare Burt,
AFA Manager of Collective Bargaining. |
| To start the process off,
both sides made presentations to the mediator on the history of negotiations
and where we are now. The company stated their desire for parity with their
competitors. We, of course, talked about our goal for a contract of choice.
The mediator then met with each group individually to discuss all the issues
that remain open. The remaining days of mediation concentrated primarily
on scheduling and reserve. The presence of the mediator seems to have fostered
an environment of more open communications and preparedness on the company's
part, which is very welcome. |
| The mediator expressed concern
about the large number of open issues. This underscores what we've been
telling you all these months about both the number of concessions the company
has on the table, and their stonewalling an agreement on even the smallest
issues that AFA has put forward. Unless this number is weeded down, the
mediator's concern is also an indicator that mediation could last for quite
some time. We intend to do our part to move negotiations forward. It behooves
the company to do theirs. |
| The mediator was unavailable
in May but requested that the parties continue to meet in direct negotiations
to try to clear up some of these outstanding issues. We agreed to meet
for two sessions in May. In June mediated talks will resume with two sessions
scheduled. |
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With your continued
support and solidarity, we can achieve our contract goals.
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