Arbitrator Picked!

On July 11th, 2008 the ATU Local 1395 President Mike Lowery and Pensacola Bay Transportation Operation Manager La'Trish Johnson chose an arbitrator for the Mary French termination case.  Union President Mike Lowery has sent an e-mail to the arbitrator asking for her to provide available dates for the case to be heard.  "We look forward to addressing this case, Mary deserves her job back, she was a fantastic responsible driver before this sad situation came about" states Lowery.

French was terminated for refusal of a alcohol/drug test while doing a random test.  The evidence shows that she actually provided two samples before refusing and then after a few minutes offered and was allowed to take a third test.  The third test to this day has not been show to the Company or Union if it was a positive test.  Her first two tests did not read properly for temperture.

Union President Mike Lowery and Pensacola Bay Transportation Owner Margie Wilcox agree to a new from of negotiations

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Trying to reach out to PBT Management on the upcoming negotiations President Mike Lowery suggested interest based negotiations for the non-economic items of the negotiations process.  Lowery is aware that PBT Management would be cautious because just 3 years ago Local 1395 PBT Union members went on strike for 77 days.

Federal Mediator Wayne Lucas was contacted and asked to provide training to both sides regarding the interest based negotiations.  "We did it at ECAT and I believe it was the best possible way of addressing both sides concerns and needs" states Lowery.  FMCS Commissioner Wayne Lucas will also be involved to facilitate the process during negoitaions. 

Both sides did not agree to interest based bargaining for economic items.  At that time traditional negotiations will be conducted and International Vice President Gary Rauen will come in for the Union and be the chief negotiator and the Company will use their attorney Paul Myrick from Mobile, Alabama.

Interest based bargaining/negotiations is when both sides come to the table with out contracts proposals.  They review the current labor agreement and address and discuss concerns from both sides.  Both sides share information and address it with an open mind and listen to each others concerns and both sides try to address those concerns, rather than just saying "no".

Currently the final dates are being looked at and apparently mid August looks like it will work for all sides involved including the mediator.

Union officers, stewards, and some members are meeting on the 12th of July to begin putting together ideas and concerns from the employees perspective.

Group Health Insurance Renewal

On Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 1:00pm the ATU Local 1395 (President Mike Lowery and Senior VP Theresa McDonald) will be meeting with PBT Management regarding the Group Health Insurance Renewal for year 2008.

An Update will be posted soon after that meeting.  Please feel free to e-mail the Local Union if the posting is not on site.

atu1395@aol.com

Keep a look out for information coming soon!

Check out letter

from

Margie Wilcox

Margie Wilcox forward a copy of a letter addressing a serious matter with funding.  Please see the attached link.

Med_net_letter_(2)[1].doc

The Union is not satisfied with the negotiations for our members at Pensacola Bay Transportation in Santa Rosa County.  Go to the Downloads link on this page and review the letter sent by Union President Mike Lowery to Margie Wilcox plus review Margie's letter just received on 11/28/07 via email.

The Union is reviewing and will be responding soon.

UPDATE:  ATU IVP Gary Rauen advises Local Union to file Unfair Labor Practice with the National Labor Relations Board at Region 15 in New Orleans, LA.

Union responds to Company imposing the wages plus see what Margie Wilcox did now!  See attached link.

Letter to Margie Wilcox dated 113007.doc

SR_Payroll_memo_Nov_30

_07[1].doc