Labor & Employment Law

AirTran Pilots Reach Tentative Pact?and More Bargaining News

By Belinda Boyce

After five years of negotiations, some 1,850 pilots at AirTran Airways have reached a tentative agreement with the airline, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

NEGOTIATIONS
ALPA, AirTran Airways: After five years of negotiations, pilots at AirTran Airways have reached a tentative agreement with the airline. If the 1,650 members of the AirTran Chapter of the Air Line Pilots (ALPA) vote to ratify, the contract will take effect Dec. 1.

CWA, State of New Jersey: In New Jersey, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) is planning to file a complaint with the Public Employees Relations Commission, after Gov. Chris Christie signaled he would not honor an agreement the union had with his predecessor to take off the day after Thanksgiving. In 2009, Gov. Jon Corzine agreed to let state workers swap a holiday in February for “Black Friday.”

IAM, Hawker Beechcraft: Hawker Beechcraft has announced plans to eliminate 800 Machinists (IAM) positions in Wichita, Kan., and move some of the work to Mexico, by next August.  Earlier this month, IAM members rejected a seven-year contract that would have significantly reduced wages and benefits.

USW, Century Aluminum: United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9423 has reached a tentative four-year agreement with Century Aluminum in Hawesville, Ky. Earlier this year, the 500 workers rejected a company offer and authorized a strike.

IAM, Pratt & Whitney: Only one year after IAM successfully prevented the layoff of 1,000 workers by Pratt & Whitney, the union is preparing for “the big fight,” as contract talks are set to begin tomorrow. IAM, which represents 3,700 workers, expects the engine maker to seek the authority to shut down its two Connecticut repair plants and potentially send the work overseas and to Georgia.

MNA-NNU, Sparrow Hospital: The Michigan Nurses Association-National Nurses United (MNA-NNU) has filed a complaint with the state Department of Community Health, alleging Sparrow Hospital in Lansing is understaffed and putting patient care at risk.  MNA-NNU is in negotiations with the hospital, as the current contract covering 2,100 workers expires Oct. 31.

UFCW, Multiple Supermarkets: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 655 in St. Louis has reached a tentative agreement with three area grocery chains: Schnuck Markets, Dierbergs Markets and Shop ‘n Save. If ratified, the contract will cover 9,000 baggers, checkers, stockers and bakery and produce workers

UFCW, Kroger Co.: The contract between UFCW Local 75 in Ohio and Kroger Co. is being extended on a day-to-day basis, as negotiations for a new contract continue. Talks are centering on health care benefits for the more than 12,000 Local 75 members at Kroger stores.

SETTLEMENTS
UAW, Thomas Built Buses: In North Carolina, members of UAW Local 5287 ratified a new four-year contract with Thomas Built Buses. The pact covers more than 1,000 workers, providing wage increases and health and safety improvements.

UFCW, Smith?s Food and Drug Centers, Inc.: Some 2,000 grocery workers in New Mexico ratified a four-year contract with Smith’s Food and Drug Centers Inc. The workers are members of UFCW Local 1564.

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.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on October 25, 2010 (boomark / email).