OFS Bargaining Report #19

OFS Bargaining Report – Day 17 1/2

Bargaining Report for Thursday, June 1, 2006:  We were at the table through the deadline of the contract and past; we finally left the table at 12:30AM, but without an agreement.

But all hope is not lost – yet.  We are making progress on some items and making small movements on a lot of items, but we are fighting, biting and clawing for every bit of it.

So, because of that our Lead Negotiator, Bill Bates, and Company negotiator Clem Johnson caucused over what the parties would do now that the contract has technically expired.  Bill returned to the Union Office and advised us we were not on strike yet, but we waited for a call from Clem while he met with his team.

The Company called us and we returned to the table for about a half hour.  Bill and Clem agreed to stop the clock on the contract expiration effective at midnight, and all provisions of the current agreement are still in affect and apply.  We will continue with bargaining after about a five hour break, and will try to work toward coming to an agreement.

This process will be monitored now on an hourly basis, and if at any time the Union feels the bargaining isn't progressing well or that there's little hope of the Company getting serious about coming to agreement, the Union will call off bargaining.

We thank everyone for your support through this to this point.  And we certainly need your support now more than ever in convincing this Company it's time to recognize those people who have taken them from the brink of death to a point where they can see a definite light.  Remind them always that you deserve respect, fairness and a reasonable contract now.