ASLIU Bargaining Update # 15

Slight progress was made Thursday in San Francisco as Purple Communications and ASLIU negotiators met for the first time since November.

The meeting, scheduled at the union’s request, began with ASLIU presenting a revised economic proposal and the company making a proposal to amend the health-care plan. Purple wants a quick resolution to the health-care issue because the company-wide open season is scheduled in mid-April with the changes to go into effect in May.

The union team declined to entertain changes to the health-care system unless they were negotiated as part of a complete contract.

The meeting adjourned in mid-afternoon because the management team, acknowledging what it called “significant” revisions in the union’s proposals, said they would have to have further internal discussions before they could give a full response.

The company did move closer on some issues and agreed to a union proposal that will stop the practice of assigning both English and Spanish platforms to tri-lingual interpreters working on May 10, Mexican Mother’s Day, which is a very busy day for the Spanish platform.

With the health-care issue looming, the sides agreed to meet in San Francisco again on April 9.

Change in ASLIU Team

A welcome addition to the ASLIU team is Laurie Rivard, who has replaced Margie Brooks as the Oakland National Vice Chair. Because of her tenure at the table and her valuable contribution to the process throughout these negotiations, the committee asked Margie to continue as an at-large member. She has graciously agreed.

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PMWG ASLIU Unit
National Bargaining Committee:

Mary Jane Moore, Arizona: National Unit Chair     Lindsey Antle, Denver: National Vice Chair

Laurie Rivard, Oakland: National Vice Chair            Michelle Caplette, Arizona: National Vice Chair

Martin Yost, San Diego: National Vice Chair            Margie Brooks, At-Large member

Bruce Meachum, PMWG Representative: Chief Spokesperson