Workers protest outside of Federal Labor Department offices in Atlanta

The Southeast regional offices of the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics were picketed on Wednesday by 81 employees who work for Office Resources Inc. (ORI), a contractor at the Atlanta offices of BLS.

The group was joined by Charlie Flemming, president of the Georgia AFL-CIO.

An online video of the protest is available here.

The ORI workers are fighting for their first union contract after joining the International Association of Machinists last year.

BLS contracts out part of its collection activities including telephone collection for their Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey that produces national employment information.

The BLS Southeast Region handles data collection for a number of statistical surveys, including the Consumer Price Index, most of which are collected by federal employees led by long-time Regional Commissioner Janet Rankin.

While BLS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, it has traditionally kept its distance from other USDOL agencies and tried to avoid controversial and political issues.

The agency describes itself as “the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.”

The BLS mission “is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are objective, timely, accurate, and relevant.”

The BLS Director for Public Affairs was unavailable for comment.

Federal judge strikes down part of Georgia’s right-to-work law

Unions in Georgia are declaring victory after Senior United States District Judge William C. O’Kelley struck down part of Georgia’s right-to-work statute as contrary to the National Labor Relations Act.

Specifically, the judge granted a summary judgment in favor of Georgia State AFL-CIO Truck Drivers & Helpers Local No. 728, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1996, which had challenged the state law that allowed employees to revoke their union membership at any time.

The judge struck down sections 3(d), 4, and 5 of Georgia’s right-to-work statute (Act No. 192 of the Georgia 2013 Session Laws, O.C.G.A. §§ 34-6-21, 34-6-25, and 34-6-26) as unenforceable because it conflicted with the NLRA.

The labor organizations asserted the right to engage in the collective bargaining process without state interference as well as the ability to enter into temporarily irrevocable checkoff authorization agreements pursuant to an enumerated exception in federal law.

According to the National Labor Relations Board web site,

“The NLRA allows employers and unions to enter into union-security agreements, which require all employees in a bargaining unit to become union members and begin paying union dues and fees within 30 days of being hired.

Even under a security agreement, employees who object to full union membership may continue as 'core' members and pay only that share of dues used directly for representation, such as collective bargaining and contract administration. Known as objectors, they are no longer full members but are still protected by the union contract. Unions are obligated to tell all covered employees about this option, which was created by a Supreme Court ruling and is known as the Beck right.

An employee may object to union membership on religious grounds, but in that case, must pay an amount equal to dues to a nonreligious charitable organization.

24 states have banned union-security agreements by passing so-called "right to work" laws. In these states, it is up to each employee at a workplace to decide whether or not to join the union and pay dues, even though all workers are protected by the collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union.”

Even in those circumstances, Judge O’Kelley found that union members in Georgia could not arbitrarily stop paying union dues at will.

Delta pilots explain their request for formal mediation

On March 31, the Air Line Pilots Association, Delta Master Executive Council (MEC), announced that the union and Delta Air Lines have filed for formal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).

Although filing for formal mediation, the airline and union continue to meet. The Delta MEC Negotiating Committee and Delta Air Lines have “exchanged proposals on Sections 11 (Training), 12 (Hours of Service), 14 (Sick Leave), 16 (Crew Augmentation and International Operations), 22 (Filling of Vacancies), 23 (Scheduling), and 25 & 26 (Benefits)."

Even with the March 31’s joint filing for mediation with the National Mediation Board, multiple negotiating sessions are planned for each week throughout the month of April and beyond.

Delta ALPA and Delta Air Lines have agreed to a negotiating protocol specifying meeting dates through the end of April. 

MEC Chairman John Malone has called for a special meeting of the Master Executive Council on April 20-22 in Atlanta. This meeting, originally scheduled for May 2nd through May 4th, has been moved up by Capt. Malone as part of the MEC’s efforts to demonstrate their commitment to our aggressive negotiating schedule as set out in the negotiating protocol.

Below is the letter provided to pilots from the Delta MEC Chairman John Malone:

Dear Fellow Pilot,

Today is a milestone in the negotiating process. I am writing to update you on our filing for mediation and its impact on the negotiating process as well as several significant items including the standing up of the Family Awareness and Strike Preparedness Committees, and a positive development in the rising market for pilots. In joint cooperation with Delta Air Lines, your union filed for formal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB). This has been expected, as mediation is simply another step in the process under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and a contractually-mandated step established in the Delta Pilot Working Agreement. Mediation does not mean an agreement is imminent, nor does it necessarily indicate a lengthy process; it only means that both parties did not reach a tentative agreement through direct negotiations by the March 31st deadline. As noted in my March 20 Chairman’s Letter, this month we executed a protocol with management that defines a bargaining timeline and agenda. Both Negotiating Committees are currently adhering to this protocol with sessions scheduled through April. If necessary in order to meet this schedule, both parties have committed to continuing the process even without the presence of the federal mediator, once appointed. Your MEC has dedicated the resources to ensure you are informed. MEC Alert 16-06 was recently published with an overview of the mediation process under the RLA. More information is forthcoming, including a special edition of the Widget—know that we are resolute in our commitment to keeping you informed as to the status of our negotiations. I ask that you follow the process with an educated view and provide your elected representatives with necessary input and direction. During the March quarterly meeting, your MEC approved a Strike Preparedness Committee Chairman and we expect to have the Family Awareness Committee up and running soon. These important committees complement each other and their synergy is a necessary component in the prescribed negotiating process. Please get involved and join their efforts— our effort—and spread the word among your fellow pilots, your spouses and families. As I wrote in my last letter, be prepared for any eventuality. The stage is now being set in our effort to advance this profession. Last week, American Airlines announced a profit sharing plan for its employees. Just fifteen months into their five year contract, AMR management added a five percent profit sharing plan, outside the normal negotiating process, and absent any quid pro quo from pilots. While still an inadequate valuation, it comes from a management once adamantly opposed to profit sharing—now acknowledging its importance as a shared reward. In closing, your MEC and Negotiating Committee submitted a full and comprehensive “marketbased” proposal last December. We are prepared to meet our goal of delivering an agreement, one that you will strongly ratify, by this summer. Our negotiators depend on the currency of your visible support at the bargaining table. Please continue to provide them that currency by displaying your ALPA-approved gear and attending pilot unity events as called on by your MEC. Stay engaged. Get your family engaged.

Fraternally, Captain John Malone Delta MEC Chairman

Delta pilots choose new leadership

Delta's pilots union has selected new leadership for its labor negotiations with Delta Air Lines. 

John Malone has been elected chairman of the Delta Master Executive Council at a special meeting of the Local Executive Councils of the Delta MEC, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International. The meeting was held at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta.

In his address to the MEC, Captain Malone stated, “We need to own our mistakes, listen to the pilots, reconnect with them, encourage their participation and, most importantly, treat all our fellow pilots with respect – even the most ardent critic. ALPA is the only union that can deliver the services needed to restore our profession.”

“This weekend is Labor Day. On this weekend I want you to take real pride in your leadership role of protecting and promoting working people in America. What we – what ALPA does impacts all of labor in America.”

Captain Malone is an Atlanta-based 767-300ER pilot at Delta Air Lines, Inc., and will fill the remainder of the term beginning Sept. 15 through Dec. 31, 2016. He replaces Mike Donatelli, who stepped down as chairman.

The MEC also elected a new Negotiating Committee. Captain Steve Uvena was elected as chairman. F/O Ron Hay, Captain Heiko Kallenbach, and Captain Jeff Anderson were elected as members.

The committee will serve beginning immediately and for a period not to exceed six months after the signing of a new Section 6 agreement.

The changes come after 65% of Delta pilots voting in July refused to approve a proposed contract between the union and Delta Air Lines.

The Delta MEC is composed of 9 Local Executive Councils and acts as the governing body of the airline’s 12,000 pilots.

More information is available on the Delta MEC website at https://dal.alpa.org.