After a 3-year labor deal negotiation, unionized mechanics for United Parcel Service (UPS) have asked to walk away from the table. The current discussions, mediated by the National Mediation Board, a government agency, has fallen apart over health benefits. Teamsters 2727, which represents the mechanics, claims UPS wants to implement massive reductions to benefits for retirees. UPS is accusing the Teamsters of trying to pressure negotiations.

Future negotiation dates have been scheduled, but the National Meditation Board could offer a neutral third-party arbitrator as an option, or institute a 30-day “cooling off” period if arbitration is not chosen. The mechanics have already authorized a strike if the need arises. That strike could take place after the 30-day period ends.

Read more about the ongoing dispute here.

RWP Labor’s Vice President Rusty Brown testified as an expert witness on Bill SB 13 in front of the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs February 13 (additional witness names can be found here). The bill seeks to prevent deductions of union dues from state and local government employees’ paychecks, as the government should not have an official role with any trade union, labor union, employees’ association, or professional association. Exceptions include state, county, and municipal fire, police, and emergency medical services employees. Texas is not the first state to initiate such legislation to prevent these types of deductions.

On February 16, the Senate Committee voted to advance the bill to full senate with a 6-2 vote.

To read more about the bill, click here. Rusty’s testimony is below.

Boeing South Carolina workers have voted overwhelmingly to reject unionization through the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union. Of the 2,828 workers who voted, 2,097 rejected the proposal, solidifying Boeing’s direct relationship with its employees. Approximately 3,000 employees were eligible to vote. The National Labor Relations Board is expected to certify the vote within the next week. Read more about Boeing’s big win here.

President Trump’s promise to invest in American infrastructure has renewed talk of “privatizing” Air Traffic Control (ATC), but proposals currently pushed by big commercial airline lobbies are not free market. They offer a hybrid approach, similar to Amtrak or Fannie Mae, and hold all the pitfalls that go along with those failed experiments. Organized labor, in particular, would win big with the ATC proposals. Read more about them here.

The International Association of Machinists’ (IAM) petition to represent Boeing’s South Carolina employees has been granted an election date. That vote will take place on February 15. Currently, unions only represent 2.9% of South Carolina’s workforce, and Boeing South Carolina’s general manager has spoken out against this move, stating that “The Company achieved an impressive list of accomplishments without the IAM.  A union is not in the best interests of our teammates, their families, and the state of South Carolina.”

Read Boeing’s vote announcement here. Additional Boeing union articles may be found here.

Boeing has announced better-than-expected earnings and increased interest in their Dreamliner jet, but the future remains uncertain for the 787 as Boeing’s North Carolina employees gear up for a union vote. The International Association of Machinists (IAM) has petitioned to represent 2,850 Boeing workers in the state, a move the union claims will have a positive influence on the company. Boeing feels otherwise and has retained the Atlanta law firm McGuire Woods to represent them. A vote is expected sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. Read more about this developing story here.