OFS Bargaining Report #9

OFS Bargaining Report – Day 8

Bargaining for Day 8 opened at 2:35PM.

The Company introduced a guest for the Company, Steve Buell, a health care expert and broker between the Company and First Health with the Willis Corporation.

Bill Bates asked if Steve would be with us all week; it was indicated that he would be in Washington, DC through Thursday, May 18, leaving about 6PM.

We opened with discussions about the OFS health care plan and different factors of the prescription drug plan and whether the retirees of OFS have been informed that the current prescription drug plan is a more comprehensive plan than the government's Medicare D plan.  The Company indicated they have been notified through the issuing of a notice.  Bill asked if the Company's latest proposal for retiree health would also offer more coverage for prescription drugs than the Medicare D plan; the Company indicated it would.

Bill passed Union proposal Article 14 – Excused Work Days (EWD) and explained the Union changes to add one (1) additional EWD day and to allow EWD days to be used in one (1) hour increments.  Clem indicated the Company would take the Union's proposal under advisement and report back to the Union.

Bill passed Union proposal Article 11 – Premium Payments and explained the Union's proposals to make adjustments to the responsibilities of the Joint Overtime Committee and the application of the Joint Overtime Policy.  Explanations were given for the Union's proposal to make adjustments to the application of payment of overtime and Call-in Pay conditions.

The Company asked for clarification on the Union's proposal for travel pay related to call-in pay; the Union responded to the Company's questions.

The Company will take the Union's proposal under advisement and report back to the Union.

Clem passed the Company's counter to Union proposal Article 24 – Shutdown Scheduling.  The Company rejected outright the Union's proposal.

The Union and Company will meet again tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, May 18, with the time to be agreed upon Thursday morning.

Bargaining meeting for Wednesday, May 17 adjourned at 3:35PM.