OFS Bargaining Report #20

OFS Bargaining Report – Day 18

Bargaining Report for Thursday, June 1, 2006, the morning after the Company came as close as they could to forcing a strike:  We understand everyone's anxiety with the developments from early this morning – not only do we understand, we join you in those feelings of anxiety.

It is unfortunate that the Company took an even more retrogressive approach toward the Union in the final minutes before the expiration of the contract, but they did, and they had to be taught that their type of negotiating is not acceptable.  The Company's last counter on wages was not just unacceptable; it bordered on the criminal.  Their final wage proposal would have locked all wage steps for the next five years.  To expect the Union to agree that the current top of the rate today is an acceptable rate for the next five years is outrageous.

But even as retrogressive as the Company became in the last five minutes, Bill agreed to give Clem the opportunity to correct his bargaining team's approach toward our Members and agreed to stop the contract expiration clock as of midnight Wednesday.  Bill warned Clem that if his team continues their disdainful bargaining tactics, it will place bargaining in serious peril.  The Union is demanding proper recognition, respect and fairness from this Company.  Bill told Clem the only way to avoid a breakdown in these negotiations is for him to get his bargaining team to stop their insulting offers and get serious about these negotiations.  Bill advised them that we aren't willing to wait long for the Company to get realistic –they are being given one last reprieve to make it right.

But, in the meantime, we ask our Members to please be patient as we work toward getting this Company on a course of real bargaining.  We do thank you all for your incredible support and ask you to continue with that support and to continue your mobilizing efforts around the clock – with the understanding that we have the clock ticking against the Company and they have limited time to get it right.