Over the course of the past few weeks, we have received your feedback from survey results and communications with your Local Council leadership as to the next steps to be taken because of the recently announced reduction in force. This evening, the United Master Executive Council met to review this feedback and to collectively determine our Union’s next steps. Using the feedback collected as the foundation for decision making, the United Master Executive Council has determined the Member driven course of action is to pursue Section 18 of our Contract. The Union will not enter negotiations for another IVFMP. We appreciate those who participated in both the survey and conversations with their local councils in guiding our Union in this difficult time.
Acknowledging there is interest in learning about the specifics of the Membership survey, consistent with our Union’s history, to avoid any compromise to the Union’s position in bargaining, the results of the survey will be held in confidence. It is not in our collective best interest for the Union to share detailed information on the survey results. What is in our best interest is for the Union to speak and act, moving forward, with one strong voice.
Our best path forward is our continued pursuit of an extension to the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Through this effort, we keep everyone in place, connected to benefits and employment while increasing opportunities for schedule flexibility and, for those who seek it, time away from work. Collectively, we will all need to redouble our efforts as we pursue this outcome.
We recognize that while there were differences of opinion on how best to move forward, there will be a significant portion of our Membership for which this is devastating news. While we will not pursue negotiating ways to mitigate any involuntary furlough, we will continue to have conversations with management about reducing the number subject to involuntary furlough from 12,000 to a lower number considering the potential for increased spring and summer travel; as well as the continuing roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.