UPDATE
AUGUST 19, 2009
BCC Workers - Today the State of Florida Public Employees Relations Commission held a hearing on the unfair labor practice filed by ATU Local 1395 regarding the wage increases going back to October 1st, 2007. ATU International Vice President Gary Rauen and Local President/Business Agent Mike Lowery presented the case for the Union. Lowery was the key Union witness while the County used their attorney Michael Mattimore as their key witness. The hearing officer from PERC heard the case and now is giving both parties till early September to file their briefs on the case. After the filing of briefs the hearing officer will make a final decision ordered within the next 45 days.
On Tuesday, August 25th, 2008 a Impasse Hearing is scheduled on the outstanding labor agreement between the ATU 1395 and the County. The County and Union have agreed to meet this Friday on August 21st to attempt to discuss the issues.
ECAT - A pending arbitration vote for former bus operator Andrea Whiting will be put before the membership by President Mike Lowery at the next regular meeting.
Also the Company has notified President Lowery that the County has cut from the budget approximately $150,000. County Administrator Robert McLaughlin wants a pay freeze on ECAT employees. Currently the ECAT employees are scheduled to receive a 4.5% wage increase effective October 1, 2009. ECAT General Manager Ken Gordon has requested to re-open negotiations on wages for fiscal year 09-10. Both parties have agreed to meet on September 16th to discuss and state positions.
PBT - Union President / Business Agent Mike Lowery sent an email to Pensacola Bay Transportation Owner and President Margie Wilcox requesting to schedule negotiations for wages. The current labor agreement states that in October - November 2009 timeframe the parties are to meet for wages for 2010.
Dominos Pizza / TwoMays - Negotiations were scheduled on August 14th but Union President Mike Lowery states there are out side issues that are not related to the actual negotiations that have caused a problem and therefore caused a stand still. Lowery is now consulting International Vice President Gary Rauen and he has stated he will get back with the attorney for the Company (Keith Pyburn is the attorney). No negotiations occurred on the 14th of August.
Durham School Services - Negotiations continue on August 20th for Drivers, Monitors, and Mechanics. The Union is working to get through non-economic issues to allow discussions to move toward money on the table.
The decertification attempt - The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for September 1, 2009. No date for the actual election has been scheduled.
