3662forlife

Pilots – Negotiation Updates NMB halts pilot contract negotiations January 18, 2013 By RJET The Company and Teamsters pilot negotiating committees met this week for three days in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to attempt to reach a new collective bargaining agreement covering the Company’s pilots. The meetings were scheduled by a Senior Mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB), which has been overseeing the negotiations since June of 2011. Overall, the parties have been working to reach a new agreement for more than five years. Despite extensive meetings and mediation during this time, the parties’ positions have remained far apart. At the beginning of the meetings this week, the Mediator informed the Company and Teamsters negotiating committee that, due to the lack of progress toward reaching an agreement and the extensive difference between the parties’ positions, unless substantial progress was made toward reaching an agreement, the NMB would not schedule any additional meetings in the foreseeable future. The Company negotiating committee immediately conveyed the NMB’s message to Company CEO Bryan Bedford, who flew to Ft. Lauderdale Tuesday evening to join the meetings and explore whether there was any viable path to a deal. Mr. Bedford offered to lend his assistance to reach an agreement the pilots would accept and that the Company can afford. On Wednesday, with Mr. Bedford at the negotiating table, the parties attempted to find common ground for a deal. Near the end of the day, CEO Bedford made a presentation to the pilot committee that outlined the Company’s last and best offer to bridge the gap and reach an agreement. The parties broke for the evening, and on Thursday, the pilots’ negotiating committee presented a counter offer to the Company that fell short of the basis for which an agreement could be reached. On Thursday evening, the Mediator informed the Company and the pilot negotiating committee that there was no basis for continuing negotiations at this time. The Company is deeply disappointed that it was unable to reach an agreement with the pilots negotiating committee to conclude this lengthy process and will keep you informed as to where we go from here. (For a flow chart of the NMB’s Collective Bargaining process under the Railway Labor Act, click here. Pilots – Negotiation Updates | My RJET Workplace - Republic Airways Holdings

buddies8

but the bone head NMB wont release for self help either, 5 years under government control for negotiations is bull, just shows whether democrat or republican administration (mostly democratic) are bought off by management.

flyguy23

I actually take this to mean both sides are being very unreasonable. I would never take the known offers from the company. However if the rumors of what the union are demanding are half true, they are equally unreasonable. There is nothing a mediator can do when dealing with a bunch of 4 year olds. You don't get a release by asking for things unattainable. The punishment begins nmb style.

lowflying

Way to support your fellow pilots; maybe they should have asked for Pncl +1. Considering the beating many regional pilot groups have taken in the last few years its about time somebody stood up for a quality contract.

STR8NLVL

Yes, how unreasonable that they ask for an industry average contract!

First they're attacked for being "bottom-feeders." Then they're unreasonable for asking to be paid industry average.

Sigh...

sticky

if this isnt an impasse, what is?

what in the h#ll is going on at the NMB! If the IBT357 is pursuing an average standard, yet includes future cost,....how could that perceived as being unreasonable????

...if I was looking to come here, I'd find any reason to pick another company

ATCsaidDoWhat

The question to be answered is what are the sides asking for? If they management are asking for reasonable things in QOL, pay and elsewhere, fine. If they are being stupid, they're not going to get anywhere.

Conversely, if the union negotiating committee is asking for reasonable things, fine. If they are being stupid, they won't get anywhere either.

For the NMB to take this step means one of both are way off base. This isn't an impasse, this is the NMB's way of providing the parties a well placed Dope Slap and saying, "wake up and get reasonable."

So what are the negotiators asking for in dollars? If it's reasonable, they should make it public and overlay it to other carriers to justify it.

Anyone thinking this will lead to a release needs to understand the process. Releases ("Proffers of Arbitration" that lead to a 30 day cooling off if one party refuses) only happen when the majority of the deal is done and just a couple of sticking points remain.

That doesn't sound like the case here, ymmv.

inside0ut

Ummm...yeah it does.

RAH is only going through 4 articles....4. Its just about done, Rev. Bedford flies down when the mediator tells him to since nothing is being done since his own management team is stalling, and they tell the parties to split?

Usually its not a good sign for the company when the mediator has no faith in management and tells the CEO to get on a plane....

skyxbomb

5 years is 6 years too long!! We're going on for 3 years at my company. Not very reassuring to hear this. And not to be released for self help?? Then why would any carrier be willing to negotiate in good faith with their pilots when they can stall as long as they want to without any repercussions.

Personally that whole CEO flying down seems more like an act to show that the management is "trying."

johnso29

Do some research and find out who was in office when the last Legacy airline struck. (NWA) Do the same for Comair. And the same for Spirit. And the same for Amerijet. Then tell me how many strikes were allowed from 2001-2008. Then think about your statement.