by May Silverstein, Mar 31, 2008
The National Mediation Board (NMB) set April 23–June 3, 2008, for the mail/telephone ballot elections in which 13,000 Delta Air Lines flight attendants will vote on whether to join a union, and more from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
Organizing
AFA-CWA, Delta Air Lines: The National Mediation Board (NMB) notified the 13,000 Delta Air Lines flight attendants and the company that the voting period for a union election is scheduled for April 23–June 3, 2008. On March 18, the NMB notified the of Flight Attendants (AFA), an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), that it authorized a mail/telephone ballot union representation vote, but at that time did not specify dates for a voting period. Delta management responded to the news by sending a written statement to its attendants asserting they would be better off without a union.
CNA/NNOC, Saint Agnes Medical Center: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Calif., after investigating allegations of unfair labor practices against the Catholic-affiliated hospital’s 900 nurses attempting to join the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC).
Work Stoppages
IATSE/IBEW, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission: In Missouri, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) announced it would lock out members in audio/visual unions, including the Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the International Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), until an agreement is reached. Negotiations, which have been ongoing for 18 months, have been held up surrounding a CVC demand to allow more nonunion labor.
UFCW, Mountaineer Casino: Some 200 cashiers, slot technicians and money room employees, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 23, authorized a strike against Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, W.Va., citing “poverty wages” that make health care and other basic needs unaffordable.
Negotiations
IATSE, AMPTP: Sixteen months before its contract expires, IATSE has opened negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). IATSE president Thomas Short said he expects to conclude a pact by April 9, according to recent reports. IATSE represents some 25,000 employees.
ILWU, Pacific Maritime Association: The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), representing 25,000 dockworkers and marine clerks, and the Pacific Maritime Association plan to return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new labor agreement. The two sides began talks in San Francisco last week, nearly four months before the six-year contract expires. The hope is to reach an agreement before the July 1 deadline. The union is seeking to protect its current health and pension benefit package and to discuss new safety standards and measures to reduce port pollution.
AFM, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra: Louisiana musicians for the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, represented by the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), are embroiled in debate over pay with the symphony, which is seeking to change its payment system from a full-time, or salaried, structure to a part-time, or per-service, structure. The changes could mean as much as a 75 percent pay cut.
Settlements
HOPE, Houston, Texas: Some 13,200 Houston municipal workers, represented by the Houston Organization of Public Employees (HOPE), won a new contract that calls for an immediate 3 percent raise. HOPE is a joint effort between AFSCME and SEIU and the agreement makes Houston the first city in Texas to sign a pact with employees who are not police officers or firefighters.
CNA/NNOC, University of California Medical Centers: Some 10,000 registered nurses at University of California medical centers, represented by CNA/NNOC, ratified a new contract. The contract maintains current pension and retiree health care benefits and
provides across-the-board 6 percent wage increases this year, with future increases set to be negotiated in the fall 2008 and 2009.
CWA/IBEW, FairPoint Communications: In Northern New England, some 2,500 former Verizon landlines workers, represented by CWA and IBEW, reached tentative agreements with FairPoint Communications, which recently won approval to purchase Verizon’s landline phone and Internet service. The purchase is expected to be completed today.
IBEW, Fennimore, Iowa: Fennimore, Iowa, clerical city workers, represented by the IBEW, won a first contract after the Fennimore Common Council gave its approval. The contract provides a pay raise to $15.37 an hour, up from just under $14 an hour.
UWUA, Stanton County Bay, Mich.: Stanton Bay County (Mich.) library workers, represented by Utility Workers (UWUA) Local 542 and other unions, reached a new four-year agreement that calls for a 4 percent raise over the next four years and a wage freeze through the first year.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.