WHEREAS:
The International Association of Machinists and Eastern Airlines have been in negotiations for over fifteen months. Eastern officials are asking for $150 million in wage and benefit concessions from the union; and
WHEREAS:
Machinists employed by Eastern have already made substantial sacrifices. In the last round of negotiations the Union agreed to pay cuts worth $292 million, productivity increases worth $75 million, and major changes in work rules; and
WHEREAS:
Eastern's labor costs are below the industry average. It is clear that employees represented by the Machinists are being used as scapegoats for bad management and questionable management decisions; and
WHEREAS:
It is quite evident that Eastern is attempting to break the Union and unilaterally impose the concessions on Machinists members. Federal mediators from the National Mediation Board recently broke off talks between the parties and declared an impasse because progress was not being made; and
WHEREAS:
A thirty-day cooling off period is now in effect. This period ends March 3rd, at which time a strike can be called and Eastern can impose the $150 million in wage and benefit concessions; and
WHEREAS:
The Machinists are exhausting every possible alternative in an attempt to resolve the dispute prior to striking. The Union supports Presidential or Congressional intervention which would result in independent third-parties being appointed to make recommendations on how to end the disagreement.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME supports the Machinists and its members employed at Eastern in their struggle to resist the unilateral imposition of givebacks and concessions being demanded by Eastern management; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will notify all of its affiliates to mobilize support for Machinists members employed at Eastern and will participate in rallies and demonstrations to show solidarity with our Machinists brothers and sisters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME calls on Eastern Airlines to cease the use of strong-arm and union-busting tactics, end its program of intransigence, and bargain in good faith.