The settlement of a contract between Amtrak workers and the rail unions tops Bargaining Digest highlights from Jan. 14–18. The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

Settlements
Multiple Unions, Amtrak: Amtrak and its rail unions, covering approximately 10,000 workers, reached tentative 10-year collective bargaining agreements that largely follow recommendations in the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) report and avert a possible strike. President Bush established a PEB on Dec. 1 to investigate the collective bargaining discussions, and the board issued recommendations Dec. 30. In its report, it sided mostly with the unions, indicating that retroactive back pay was appropriate and that work rule changes were not. The agreement provides retroactive pay increases totaling 35.2 percent over duration. Complete details have not yet been disclosed pending ratification. Ratification vote dates have not yet been set by any union.

AFT, Pittsburgh Public Schools: The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, an AFT affiliate, reached a tentative contract deal for 3,400 classroom teachers, aides and technical-clerical workers after marathon negotiations. Union membership must vote to approve the deal. Details have not been disclosed.

AFT-NEA, Athens Area School District: After three years of negotiations, some 200 teachers in the Athens Area School District in New York ratified a three-year contract, retroactive to 2005. The new contract expires at the end of this school year and provides for a 3.6 percent pay increase for each of the three years. New York is one of four states where the AFT and National Education Association (NEA) have merged.

AFT, West Warwick School District: In Rhode Island, 350 teachers, represented by the West Warwick Teachers Alliance, an AFT affiliate, ratified a one-year extension of their contract, after months of bargaining over health care contributions and salaries. The contract still needs to be approved by the school board. Details have not been released.

IAFF, Bethlehem City: Fire Fighters (IAFF) members and city officials in Bethlehem, Pa., have reached a four-year contract. The contract is retroactive, with 4 percent increases last year and this year. In 2009, firefighters will receive a 5.5 percent bump and 6 percent in 2010.

Negotiations
UAW, General Motors (GM):  According to company officials, General Motors is close to an agreement with the UAW on another round of buyout and early retirement offers to cut the number of workers in jobs banks and clear openings for workers hired at lower-tier wages. Details have not been released. The company already has announced plans to offer buyouts and early retirement packages to 5,200 UAW hourly workers at service and parts and operations facilities across the country.

CWA, Washington Post: Some 400 production workers at The Washington Post, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have launched a month-long advertising campaign hoping to jump-start stalled negotiations. The campaign includes radio and television ads and billboards on buses and at metro stations. The workers have not had a wage increase in five years and also are concerned about their pensions. According to CWA, the production workers currently have a national pension plan administered jointly by a board of employer and union trustees. But the Post now is demanding the right to withdraw from that plan, as well as requesting the unilateral right to decide what to do with the money in the plan. 

ALPA, Mesa Air Group, Inc.: Some 1,800 pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots (ALPA) and the Mesa Air Group Inc., have begun expedited negotiations for a new contract. Pilot union leaders have asked the carrier to address pilot staffing and morale issues. More than 500 pilots left Mesa last year, causing flight delays and cancellations.

Organizing
UFCW, Colorado Premium: Colorado Premium meat packers withstood employer intimidation and voted for representation by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 in Greeley. The first election, held Dec. 7, was thrown out for unlawful employer conduct.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only.  As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.

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