Bargaining to Resume on Sunday!
The Bargaining Team’s plan for resuming bargaining, based on the four schedules we reported on yesterday at the Special General Membership Meeting, has been accepted by both the Employer and government-appointed mediators!
Last week, after the mediators declined to call the parties back to the table in response to our March 7 proposals, the Bargaining Team developed a new plan to reorganize our proposals into four schedules, ranging from the easiest to reach agreement on to the most difficult. On Tuesday, March 19, we sent these schedules to the mediators and Employer along with a cover letter that explained our proposal to deal with the schedules in succession during a series of four meetings.
This morning, the Employer responded positively to our plan, though they still refused to move away from below poverty wages. And this afternoon, we heard the same positive response from the mediators, who invited the parties to return to the table for a virtual mediation meeting Sunday, March 24, at 9:00 a.m.
Both sides have confirmed their willingness to meet, so the first bargaining session since the strike began will take place this Sunday. Members are encouraged to attend as this development marks a pivotal moment in our strike. Moving forward, it is imperative for the Union to remain united and resolute to secure our position at the bargaining table.
The Bargaining Team will be meeting tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to prepare. Our legal counsel will be joining the meeting for the first hour. Members are welcome to attend this and all Bargaining Team and Bargaining meetings.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85269717496?pwd=TitSSHBCeGpkR3c0Nm1WZmI5WmVPQT09
Mediated (Virtual) Bargaining Meeting with the Employer, Sunday, March 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (registration using your employee ID will be required to attend this meeting):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kfuysqTsrGdY7qHw7VmK8iF7TDMPv2AOL
Currently, we have another Bargaining Team preparatory meeting scheduled for Monday, March 25 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. (unless it is preempted by bargaining):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89670201973?pwd=UHdFbUFPZEhuL24yMk9FRUo3Q2psUT09