Update (05 February 2004)

03 FEB 2004 - MEETING MINUTES

On February 3, 2004, representatives of unions without national bargaining status met to discuss the unique circumstances resulting from the Department of Defense’s proposed restriction of the informal collaborative process to develop a new labor-management relations system. I will summarize the discussion here. For the moment the recipients of this email can post to the entire group by clicking “Reply to All.” However, if updates roll in, I may re-post these minutes or another message with a notice of the updated email list.

As many of you know, DOD has proposed a process by which labor organizations will meet with DOD personnel to discuss the new labor-management system. The process includes the exchange of written ideas substantive proposals, starting with the release of DOD’s ideas on February 6. Those proposals will be distributed to all participants in this email list as soon as they are received by my office.

On February 19th, AFGE will host a meeting for unions to discuss responses and conduct analysis of the proposals. DOD expects unions to provide its responses on February 23, 2004. On February 26th and 27th, DOD will host a meeting of some, but not all, unions with DOD bargaining units. Two weeks later, DOD plans to release a description of the labor-management system per its obligation under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The main issue for discussion was how to respond to DOD’s unilateral decision to allow only two representatives of unions without national bargaining status to participate in the late-February meetings. In the preliminary January 22nd meeting at DOD, International Association of Fire Fighters 16th District Vice President Jim Johnson and asst counsel Baldwin Robertson attended. At the meeting DVP Johnson offered to attend and continue as a representative of parties who are unable to attend.

The consensus among all participants was that, while not legally obligated to allow non-national-status unions to participate, the ultimatum presented by DOD was unacceptable. A written response to DOD’s demand will be circulated later today.

Union reps, please review the letter, to be drafted by Seafarers’ counsel Deborah Kleinberg, as soon as possible and offer constructive criticism. I think it should be assumed that this letter, once delivered to DOD, will be representative of the feelings of all of the non-national-status unions unless union representatives state otherwise. I stress this point not to impose a viewpoint on other unions, but rather to make the most of a unified front.

Some participants suggested that another meeting of the non-national-unions should take place before the February 19th meeting of all unions. However, as the issue was not settled at the meeting, I will leave it to the recipients of this email to consider.

Finally, several participants volunteered that they would like to participate directly in the 26/27 meetings, either as direct representatives of their unions (if DOD would acquiesce to it) or alternatively as observers. Several participants stressed reluctance to act as representatives of other unions as well as their own.

A list of those wishing to participate as representatives follows (any participants that I missed, please post): 

Jim Johnson (Fire Fighters)

FOP
LIUNA
Seafarers
Marine Engineers
AFT

10. Those needing further information are urged to check Jim Johnson’s website for more information:

http://www.iaff16.org/national_security.htm

In addition, AFGE has posted some information on its website:

http://www.afgedefcon.org/

11. In the next few days I will post an email summarizing our actions, the letter, etc. The email will be posted to everyone on this list, as well as representatives of unions that presently have national bargaining status and attended the Jan 22 meeting. It is my strong belief, I am sure held by all parties, bringing these two groups together is very important, as the distinction appears to me to be an artificial one imposed solely at the whim of DOD.

Baldwin Robertson, IAFF Assistant Legal Counsel