Brian renfoe region 7 conference 2025

Summary

This heated discussion centers on disagreements between union leadership and members over a recently proposed settlement agreement. The conversation covers issues like workroom changes, arbitration processes, and ratification votes. Members express frustration over decisions that bypassed their votes and pushed forward changes they opposed, particularly around work rules and bargaining positions. The dialogue also touches on the impact of contract terms on CCAs, discipline protections, and the interpretation of arbitration outcomes. Ultimately, the conversation reveals a deep divide between leadership and rank-and-file members, leaving tensions unresolved.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker questions the president's decision to proceed with a settlement despite 70% of the members rejecting it.
• 😀 The president defends his actions, stating that an arbitration process was followed and decisions were made based on evidence presented to the arbitrator.
• 😀 The issue of workroom changes is brought up, with the speaker expressing frustration over their inclusion despite a vote against them.
• 😀 The president emphasizes that changes to work rules were agreed upon after negotiations and that the bargaining positions of the NALC were respected.
• 😀 The debate touches on the interpretation of the union constitution, specifically regarding the voting process and amendments to ratification procedures.
• 😀 There is a dispute over resolutions passed at the national convention, with the speaker questioning the existence of certain resolutions that supposedly justify some contract provisions.
• 😀 The speaker challenges the president on provisions related to working overtime beyond 12 hours and the lack of specific resolutions on this matter.
• 😀 The president clarifies that the bargaining agreement allows employees to voluntarily work over 12 hours, but there are protections against discipline for those who do not wish to work overtime.
• 😀 There is a disagreement on the impact of changes to employee hours and how they will be enforced, with the speaker expressing concern over potential abuse of new policies.
• 😀 The conversation ends with a clear statement that the president will not resign and will force the membership to take action against him if needed, reflecting deep divisions within the union leadership.

Q & A

Why did the speaker ask the president to resign or be forced out?

The speaker is questioning the president's decision to push forward with an agreement that 70% of the membership rejected. He implies that, as a man with dignity, the president should either resign voluntarily or be removed by the membership for disregarding their decision.

What was the president's response to the claim that the membership voted against the agreement?

The president rejects the claim, stating that they used an interest arbitration process. The president explains that they presented evidence to an arbitrator, which led to the decision, and he asserts that the process was handled professionally by experienced negotiators and attorneys.

Did the president agree to the changes in the workroom rules during negotiations?

The president clarifies that changes were discussed and agreed upon in terms of modifying certain workroom rules, including adjusting timelines. However, the president emphasizes that these changes were part of the official bargaining position of the NALC, as guided by the constitution.

What was the disagreement about the workroom rule changes?

The speaker disagreed with the workroom rule changes, feeling they were forced through despite the membership's rejection. The speaker argues that such changes should not have been included in the agreement after the membership voted no.

What is the role of the NALC constitution in the bargaining process?

The NALC constitution guides the bargaining process by ensuring that resolutions passed at the national convention become official bargaining positions. The president insists that the union's leadership is obligated to negotiate based on these official positions, which are shaped by resolutions passed by delegates at conventions.

What changes to the NALC constitution would allow a different ratification process?

To change the ratification process, a branch would need to submit an amendment to the constitution, which would then be debated and voted upon at the national convention. This could potentially lead to a new process if the amendment passes.

Did the NALC bargain for the ability of carriers to clock out after reaching their maximum work hours?

Yes, the NALC negotiated for carriers to have the ability to clock out and go home once they reach their maximum work hours, as opposed to being forced to work overtime. This was presented as a significant achievement during the collective bargaining process.

What did the president mean by 'volunteering to work over 12 hours'?

The president explains that while there is no official bargaining resolution allowing carriers to work beyond the 12-hour limit, the new agreement allows workers who choose to volunteer for overtime to do so. However, those who do not want to work beyond their scheduled hours are protected from disciplinary action.

Was there any change in the treatment of CCAs or PTS employees regarding work hours?

The president clarifies that there is no change for CCAs or PTS employees in terms of working over 12 hours. The contract protects employees from discipline if they choose not to work beyond their scheduled hours, but it does not address the issue of forced overtime or grievance rights specifically for these employees.

What is the concern raised about new employees' exposure to potential abuse?

The concern is that new employees may be subjected to abuse in the form of being forced to work overtime with the threat of disciplinary action, including a letter of separation. The speaker fears that this issue was left unaddressed in the new agreement, leaving new employees vulnerable to exploitation by management.