January 20, 2012

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Bargaining Team met with the Company in Rye, NY this week. The Union presented the Company with a counter-proposal on pensions addressing concerns brought to the table by both sides in earlier proposals.

The Union Call Sharing sub-committees from the NY/NE and Mid-Atlantic tables met to discuss the Company’s most recent proposal on that subject. We identified many items in the Company proposal that needed clarification. Following our meeting together, each committee then met with Company and their subject matter expert for him to explain the rationale behind this recent proposal. We were NOT surprised to hear the Company response to some of our questions. We then made several data requests to the Company about the proposal in order to get a better understanding of the exact impact this proposal would have on our region. We are waiting on the Company’s response to our requests.

We also met this week with a Company subject matter expert on the pension plan. We had many questions concerning the Mid-Atlantic Pension Plan funding and participants. While many of our questions were answered, others were left open with the Company having to get back to us.

The Mid-Atlantic Union committee made several other counter-proposals to the Company this week and we are awaiting their response.

The talks have recessed and will reconvene next week. This round of negotiations is proving to be one of the most difficult any of us have ever experienced. Management has moved very little from their original demands. Only a renewed commitment from every member and retiree, to bring pressure through mobilization, both in the workplace and outside of the workplace, will make management see we are not giving in on our commitment to good union jobs with decent healthcare and a secure future. Contact your Local and renew your commitment today.

We will send more updates as we move forward at the bargaining table.