OFS Bargaining Report #6

Bargaining reconvened, following the Memorial Day holiday, at 10:12 a.m.  The Company passed Article 9 – Wages.  Before reviewing the proposal, the Company rejected Union proposal 4 on Article 9, passed on 5/24/2013.  The Company explained that some of the Union-proposed language was included in their proposal.  The Union proposal removed Article 9.1(b).  By removing the language, 7-DAY COVERAGE BONUSES and NIGHT WORK BONUSES, would be paid at 10%.  CON OPS employees’ bonus pay is paid based on the provisions covered in the Local Appendices. The Company proposed changing the STIP payout, changing the payout from semi-annually to annually, and to align the payout with their new fiscal year.  In addition, the Company proposed paying New Hires a $.50 7-DAY COVERAGE BONUS, and included an insulting wage proposal. Union Bargaining Chair, Bill Bates, made it clear the Company’s wage proposal was a “fiasco” and ended the bargaining session, telling the Company he’d call when the Union was willing to resume negotiations. 

The second session started at 3:00 p.m.  The Union asked some clarifying questions about the Company’s proposal on Article 9 – Wages and pointed out the Company’s proposal would continue to widen the wage gap by continuing the disparate wage treatment of New Hires.  The Union then passed a counter proposal on Article 22 – Welfare and Training Programs.  The new language in Article 22.1 (b) would require the Company to make annual contributions of $50,000 ($12,500 quarterly) to the Alliance.  In addition, if funding levels dropped below $50,000, the Union and Company would meet within 30 days to determine the amount of future funding.  As the Company had no proposals to pass, bargaining adjourned for the day and will reconvene Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.

Your Bargaining Team has been advised Sturbridge management is closely following the progress of negotiations by reading our bargaining reports.  Don’t let them scoop you-stay informed by doing the same!