Wed, Oct 06, 2004
Union asks National Mediation Board to release them from
negotiations so they can walk out
The Aircraft Mechanics
Fraternal Association (AMFA) yesterday said that following
Independence Air's refusal to present a meaningful comprehensive
economic proposal at the bargaining table, AMFA has requested a
release from the National Mediation Board's Mediation Services,
seriously increasing the possibility of a strike.
"The Company has consistently refused to present a comprehensive
economic proposal and has completely ignored multiple good-faith
AMFA proposals put forward since August 17," said AMFA Region III
Director Kevin Wildermuth. "You can't have effective negotiations
if only one party is willing to negotiate."
Wildermuth said on Wednesday, September 22, the Company
presented a piece-meal proposal on only a few issues and stated
that they could not agree to economics until the number of issues
was reduced. Yet on March 10, 2004, the Company said they "didn't
want to negotiate in the blind" and would not agree to these very
same issues until economic costs were established. "In light of the
Company's 180-degree flip-flop, it is strikingly obvious that their
latest proposal was just another stalling tactic to delay making
the economic proposal needed to move this process forward. AMFA
believes it is high time for both parties to deal with the
comprehensive package."
"After more than two
years of negotiations and patiently enduring numerous delays, we
believe this process should be moved to completion, and
accordingly, we had no responsible alternative but to ask for a
release from the mediation process," said Wildermuth. AMFA held
informational meetings at Independence Air's three largest
maintenance stations and found overwhelming membership support for
the release request, which, if granted, automatically initiates a
30-day countdown to a strike.
As of press time, the management of the airline had not
published a press release reacting to AMFA's announcement.
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