5.25.24 – Negotiations Update #55: Update from Washington, D.C.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Negotiations Update #55
Update from Washington, D.C.

Your negotiations team finished the first two days of intensive mediation at the National Mediation Board (NMB) offices in Washington, D.C. On Thursday morning, the parties held separate status conferences with the members of the NMB, followed by negotiations on Thursday and Friday. As is customary at this bargaining stage, and per the direction of the NMB, we will provide limited updates during this period.

During the last week, several news articles and bloggers asserted that after the conclusion of these two weeks of mediation, it is predetermined that we will be released into a thirty-day cooling-off period. That is not how the process works. The NMB would have to convene as a whole and decide at that time. We encourage members to follow official union sources of information to receive accurate information.   

It is clear, however, that by calling us to the offices of the NMB, our negotiations are entering a new phase. The NMB is devoting substantial resources and attention to our case, and if we are unable to reach an agreement, we believe we will have a very strong case for a release into a thirty-day cooling-off period.

We will be putting out more information when we are able. In the meantime, thank you for your support as we push for the contract we deserve.

Continue to wear your red WAR pin, red lanyard, and bag tags until we secure the contract we’ve earned.

In Solidarity,

Your APFA Negotiating Committee

Reese Cole
Kelly J. Hagan
Julie Hedrick
Timothy Legeros
Brian Morgan
Wendy Oswald
Susan Wroble
Joe Burns, Lead Negotiating Attorney

[email protected]