Getting Ready for Local Negotiations

As you know by now, we will presumably have a contract this year. Whether we

get one from the contract being ratified by the members, or we get it through

interest arbitration if the contract is voted down. Either of these scenarios will

result in a period in which we will have an opportunity to open our local

contracts. This is the only time we can address the Local contracts.

Under Article 30 there is a 30-day period after new National Agreements are

instituted to negotiate a list of 22 items that are unique to your station. Some of

these items are vacation picks, wash up time and Holiday pecking order lists to

determine which carriers come in on Holiday scheduling first, for some examples.

These items in your local contract are usually important and cause issues from

time to time. When was the last time you read your local contract? I would guess

there are many carriers who have never even seen their Local contract.

I would suggest that all members take an active role in knowing what language is

in your local contract. I would advise you to get involved in changing the parts of

your local that need updating. Some offices may not be giving carriers as many

vacation picks as they deserve. Especially if you are an office that has more

CCAs and/or unassigned regulars than you had in the past. You may need more

vacation spots to be available for picks. The time to plan for all this is now. That

way when the 30-day negotiating window opens, we have a plan for the

negotiations. Get on the committee in your office or find some honest carriers

who will be willing to negotiate for the office. As we always do, the Branch will set

up classes when the time comes to start negotiating. Your full-time officer will

help you with everything you need. If you cannot locate your local contract, call

us at the Branch. We have a copy of your local and can provide your Steward with

it in case it has gone missing.