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On April 12th thru April 14th the AMFA negotiating committee met with the Mesaba representatives in Detroit Michigan. Articles discussed during that period were Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 25. Extensive discussions were held on Articles 1-Recognition & Scope, 2-Purpose of the Agreement and 3-Status of the Agreement. These articles are the cornerstone of our contract and are crucial to our job security. We also discussed Articles 4-Management rights, 17-Association Business and 25-Agency Shop and their relationship to each other. These articles have been tabled. Proposals for Article 10-Vacation, 12-Leaves of Absence and 14-Overtime were exchanged and these are a few of the highlights. The Company’s Article 10 proposal basically stayed with the current language regarding the amount of vacation and the minimum amount of personnel allowed taking vacation. There was also new language introduced regarding vacation postponement and provisions for employment termination, furlough and resignation as they relate to vacation pay out. AMFA Article 12 proposals were limited to changing all sick time to personal days off (PDO’s), workers compensation language (protecting benefits and employment during absence), and paid voting leave. The Company has offered to have Human Resources come in and explain current policies regarding Workers Compensation and the use of Short and Long-term Disability benefits. The major items in Article 14 that remain unresolved are mandatory overtime, equalization of overtime, calculation of overtime, and the required rest periods. On the 14th of April, AMFA and the Company agreed to file for joint mediation after discussing the current status and pace of the negotiations. We have been in negotiations since February 2003, and our contract has been amendable since August 16th, 2003. We will continue to meet and negotiate with the Company to reach a fair agreement. The next round of negotiations will take place in MSP on May 19th through the 21st, and we are looking forward to seeing the membership there. Congratulations and a big round of applause to the DTW membership for the overwhelming turnout at our April 14th meeting. The Company needs to know that your contract is important to you and nothing sends a clearer message than a full room of AMFA members. Again, way to go guys! Ken Wagers
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