Contract 2000
Can a Snowflake Start an Avalanche?
The Guild and the Company met for the first time in over eight months today (Feb. 14, 2001). During the two hour meeting the Guild presented the Company with changes to five relatively minor sections of its proposal. The changes were intended to create an atmosphere where agreement was possible. The changes were acceptances of, or movement toward, company positions.
"An avalanche begins with a snowflake," the Guild told Company negotiators. The Guild asked the company to respond to the changes with movements of its own.
Company negotiators said two of the Guild's changes were not just acceptance of the Company positions, and would require more study.
The Company also asked the Guild committee to consider its proposal for a pension-401(k) reopener, and to accept the medical benefits it imposed in January 2000.
The Guild renewed its request for pension and 401(k) information necessary for negotiators to evaluate company pension plans. This was rejected. The Guild also asked the company to explain its proposal regarding replacing medical plans with ones that are "substantially equivalent." The Company declined to provide examples of what changes would and would not meet the "substantially equivalent" standard. "I don't think that would be helpful," the company spokesman said. The Guild asked the company to reconsider its position.
The Guild asked to schedule another bargaining session, so that issues raised today could be discussed. The company said it would get back in touch later. No additional negotiating dates have been scheduled.
2-14-01
TNG/CWA Local 31041
270 Westmister St., Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-421-9466 | Fax: 401-421-9495
png@riguild.org