|
|
| Return to Cat Home Page |
|
608 TABLE TALK 7122010 Issue #15 July Countdown to Contract – 60 days LOCALS 608 & 712 AGENDA MEETING T here will be meetings at the Union Hall with our Negotiating Team to cover the agenda with all union members this July 22 at 6:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm.Please plan on attending one at your convenience so your input can be taken. TEE SHIRTS! The tee shirts that are being provided by our Locals are available & being passed out by your CAT contacts. You will be asked to wear these at times during the bargaining process to show our Solidarity. The first day to wear them is on July 26th, which is the day we will be exchanging agendas with the Company. GOOD FAITH BARGAINING The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) allows employees to bargain collectively with their employers for wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment. Imbedded within the Act is the concept of bargaining in good faith. A key component of this concept is not to deceive or mislead the other party. In order for both parties to meet the obligation to bargain in good faith, the Act sets out a number of minimum requirements, including (but not limited to) a. agree to a process for conducting the bargaining. b. meet periodically to bargain. c. consider and respond to proposals. d. recognize the role and authority of the representatives at the table. e. provide information on request that is reasonably necessary for the other party to respond to proposals. If the information is denied on grounds of confidentiality, an independent reviewer may be appointed by mutual agreement. The reviewer will determine whether, and to what extent, the requested information may be revealed. Keep in mind that while each party is required to bargain in good faith, neither is required to make concessions or accept proposals.
IMPASSE The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) defines impasse as follows: "A genuine impasse in negotiations is synonymous with a deadlock. The parties at the table have discussed a subject or subjects in good faith, and, despite their best efforts to achieve agreement with respect to such, neither party is willing to move from its respective positions." A goal of federal labor law is labor peace at the work site. Labor law assumes peace is best promoted when labor and management are able to avoid disputes by negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. However, bargaining parties sometime find themselves deadlocked, unable to move to a compromise position. What happens when bargaining units are at impasse? The situation can move in several directions, such as: a. Either party may try various strategies to influence the other to come back to the table and move to a compromise agreement. b. Resolution may be sought through neutral-party fact-finding, mediation or arbitration. c. Management may decide to implement their "last, best and final offer." d. Management may decide to lockout their employees e. Employees may decide to go out on strike.
American Income Life You will be receiving a mailing from American Income Life (AIL) to notify you of an increase in our accidental death & dismemberment benefits. This benefit is provided to you free from United Steelworkers union. There will be a yellow card in the mailing that you will need to fill out & return in order to place your beneficiary on file. There will be additional information included about the other low cost benefits that AIL has to offer, including a discount medical card & options to upgrade the accidental death benefit. You should know that AIL is an all union benefits insurer.
The Table Talk will be archived at www.usw-608.com/c_a_t_.htm. If you have any ideas for future issues, please feel free to send them to our e-mail address: catoffice@cableone.net If you would like the Table Talk sent to your home computer, email the CAT office with your home email address.
|
