Today the IBT negotiating team took the opportunity to visit with the SFO Maintenance Base members. We visited with members of the engine shop, the machine shop, the landing gear shop, the narrow body docks, as well some backshops. In addition we were able to talk with the swing shift shop stewards in the SFO Committee Office. Clacy Griswold the Chief Negotiator for the IBT briefed several of these areas about the ongoing negotiations. There were many very good questions brought forth by the membership during this visit. The two big questions surrounded job protections and pension. Clacy answered these items by stating that these were both high priorities for the negotiating committee. In fact these items are two of the five cornerstones previously reported as requirements to achieve an agreement with the carrier. There were also questions around the economic package and how the final agreement would look. Clacy responded that we are not currently into the economic section of negotiations but he gave his opinion on what was needed to get a ratified agreement.
It was great to get this opportunity to speak with the members and hear their thoughts and concerns.
