NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
Please be advised that your Union Negotiation Committee met with representatives from American Eagle on August 14, 2013 for our first face-to-face bargaining meeting. The general concept of this meeting was for formal introductions, hearing the Union’s proposals and the scheduling of subsequent dates. Present from the Company were Grace Zhang (Ottawa General Manager), Jamie Hulme (Human Resources Manager), Jennifer Fantini (Legal Representative from Borden Ladner Gervais – Toronto) and Michelle Peak (American Airlines Senior Attorney – Dallas).
Your Committee began the day by reviewing Company Rules, Regulations and certain Policies and then moved on to discussing and asking questions about the operations, as well as the training processes and subsequent required responsibilities and qualifications of Station Agents. We ended the day by presenting the Company with a multitude of proposed language suggestions (non-monetary) for Articles that are fairly standard in almost each and every Collective Agreement (e.g., Recognition, Rights of Management, Union Membership, No Discrimination, Specific Performance, Union Representation & Safety, Grievance & Arbitration Procedures, Probation, Seniority, Lay-Off & Recall, Leave of Absence, Job Postings, Posting Notices, Paycheck).
The Company indicated they were not yet in a position to respond to the proposed Articles. They would obviously require some time to review each and every proposal and would respond to the Negotiations Committee with suggested dates for the parties to be able to meet again to continue the bargaining process.
At this point we do not anticipate our next face-to-face bargaining session to be held until mid to late September, as the Company indicated they are very busy dealing with matters stemming from the American/US Airways failed merger. Your Committee will endeavor to keep you posted as we move through this round of bargaining.
We strongly recommend that you provide your Committee with your personal email addresses so these types of updates along with any contract offers that you will be required to vote on, can be sent to you in a timely and confidential manner.
Local Lodge 2413
