American Airlines and Labor Negotiations

[NYer]

A mediator?

Yes, a mediator.

 

[Racer X]

 

[WeAAsles]

They have no power?

Wholeheartedly disagree.

NYer what was the name and biography of the NMB Mediator that was assigned or agreed to when you went through the process?

Not to imply in the slightest that this lady could be compromised for either side as both Unions and the Company seemed to wholeheartedly agree to her participation. But her Biography still to me doesn’t appear that she would invoke some of the tactics that maybe you went through previously?

http://www.nmb.gov/about-nmb/officials-staff/principal-officials/lind-puchala/

 

[Racer X]

Yes, a mediator.

The second question and answer say they have no power.

 

[WeAAsles]

May 22, 2014. IAM and USAIRWAYS Negotiations

“As we left Dallas today we have left the future negotiations in Linda Puchala's hands. She will determine when and if we return to this type of negotiations or move into the next phase of the Railway Labor Act. We have made it clear to the Company and the NMB that there is little room for adjusting our stated positions on the remaining issues but will follow the directive of the NMB and attend any and all negotiation sessions in an effort to conclude these talks and move forward to the next step in this process“

 

[NYer]

The second question and answer say they have no power.

What's their purpose then?

 

[WeAAsles]

The second question and answer say they have no power.

Racer X. I think this letter could provide some insight into what NYer is talking about and what he went through? While no the NMB can’t force any vote, just by reading President Little’s summation they can make the process “frustrating” if they want.

 

[WeAAsles]

June 23, 2017

“It’s unclear whether Trump will reappoint the NMB’s other Democratic holdover, Linda Puchala, or select a third newcomer to replace her. By law, he must nominate one Democrat. “The general expectation in the air and rail industries is that Linda will be reappointed, but I have not heard anything confirming that yet,” a railroad industry practitioner told Bloomberg BNA June 23.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bna.com/trump-picks-second-n73014460747/?amp=true

 

[Racer X]

What's their purpose then?

What's their purpose then?

To work with both sides to try to get an agreement done by being a “ non-biased third party”. But they can’t force either side to compromise, just try to facilitate one..
Arbitrator on the other hand is a totally different story. As i have stated before, my personal opinion is that I would not want that. I also believe the NC would agree.

 

[Racer X]

Racer X. I think this letter could provide some insight into what NYer is talking about and what he went through? While no the NMB can’t force any vote, just by reading President Little’s summation they can make the process “frustrating” if they want.

View attachment 12932 View attachment 12933

Thank you That is to go to an arbitrator to decide. Which was my point. And it was due to bankruptcy which just sux all the way around.

 

[WeAAsles]

Thank you That is to go to an arbitrator to decide. Which was my point. And it was due to bankruptcy which just sux all the way around.

Well obviously we didn’t go into that Section 7 that President Little asked for after the Company filed for Bankruptcy and we got to meet an old acquaintance of you guys in one Miss Sharon Levine who began to educate us on what it means to go through Section 1113 of that fun process instead.


“Published 28 Mar, 2012

After AMR’s 1113(c) filing yesterday, there has been continued action on both sides to reach an agreement. On multiple occasions TWU work groups have met with company negotiators. There has been some progress, slow at times, but the talks are often “”””frustratingly”””” complex. The TWU Negotiating Committee’s and the company continued to exchange proposals and counters today.

At the same time, our legal team is preparing to challenge the company’s 1113 motion to reject our contracts in court. If the parties cannot reach a consensual agreement, then the 1113 proceeding goes forward.”

 

[NYer]

To work with both sides to try to get an agreement done by being a “ non-biased third party”. But they can’t force either side to compromise, just try to facilitate one..
Arbitrator on the other hand is a totally different story. As i have stated before, my personal opinion is that I would not want that. I also believe the NC would agree.

A mediator can certainly influence an outcome by instituting several techniques.

They can put us on ice, not schedule any meetings for months. That creates tension and pressure on the negotiators to get something done as the Members become restless. To get something scheduled the Mediator would need an indication the Association is ready to move on certain positions rather than just saying no at everything.

 

[WeAAsles]

To get something scheduled the Mediator would need an indication the Association is ready to move on certain positions rather than just saying no at everything.

Or the Company is ready to move also.

And they don’t need to rely solely on the schedule of the Mediator if the two sides have an agreed purpose to meet and talk.

 

[NYer]

Or the Company is ready to move also.

And they don’t need to rely solely on the schedule of the Mediator either if either side has an agreed purpose to meet.

Remember when they brought in the Mediator to the process?

Remember when that was dismissed as no big deal? Well, the airline has been working towards getting a favorable standing with the Mediator since then.

How? The airline has spent the last several months establishing they've moved from their July comprehensive proposal (in March, in May and probably again in June), it seems unlikely the Mediator will look towards them for movement as they will look towards the party with the consistent no's to modify their position.

Guess who that is.

 

[WeAAsles]

Remember when they brought in the Mediator to the process?

Remember when that was dismissed as no big deal? Well, the airline has been working towards getting a favorable standing with the Mediator since then.

How? The airline has spent the last several months establishing they've moved from their July comprehensive proposal (in March, in May and probably again in June), it seems unlikely the Mediator will look towards them for movement as they will look towards the party with the consistent no's to modify their position.

Guess who that is.

I guess I’d have to agree with your opinion here to a degree.

The only area that could be a cause but maybe not much of one of raised eyebrows is the Company bypassing the Negotiating Committee to Negotiate directly with the Members?

But technically if you think about it they haven’t really moved yet if they never presented a full comprehensive proposal on all remaining articles to our Negotiating Representatives.

Would the online “tester” offers in April and May actually be accepted by the Mediator as any formal offers? This Month may bring the first and only formal offers.

But I do agree with you that the Company is doing a mighty fine and dandy job at trying to make it appear like they’ve been moving.