This message was sent to WGAE staff members of TNG today (Jan. 30, 2008):
Hey Guys,
Good news. There is an end in sight, or a new beginning, depending on how you want to look at it, in our struggle to have our contract signed.
As you know, there was a mediation meeting in Washington on Monday afternoon between the WGAE (Mona, Ann, and Michael Winship) and TNG President Bill O’Meara, along with high-ranking officials of the CWA and AFL-CIO. Sarah Fox of the AFL-CIO (formerly an NLRB board member) mediated the meeting. The welcome result of this meeting is that the WGAE and the TNG have reached a tentative agreement, whereby our contract should be signed by the end of the week.
The agreement is basically that the WGAE will sign the contract we ratified on October 30, 2007. The disputed issue of the additional 3% wage increase due some members of the unit will be subject to an arbitration, with the proviso that there be no prejudice to either side related to the fact that the contract has already been signed.
This is, in essence, the same solution that Bill proposed before Christmas, before Jose and Susan’s employment was terminated. As part of the agreement, WGAE has offered additional compensation to both Jose and Susan, in lieu of renewed employment. This too is something which should be finalized by the end of the week. The side letter Mona earlier insisted on including in the contract, which contained language which could potentially reopen our contract, will not be included.
Assuming all goes well, Monday will be a day which signifies a new phase of our relationship with the WGAE, with a signed contract guaranteeing our rights as workers. It will also be a day to begin building the staff-management relationships which characterize a pleasant, productive, and professional environment.
Also, the meeting previously scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday Jan. 31, will be postponed, in light of these developments.
Yours in Solidarity,
Elaine, Leah, and Karen
