NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE:
We committed to transparency and keeping everyone up to date on what’s going on at the bargaining table. For those of you new to USE-AFA negotiations, a troubling element that always pops up is the oversight that our parent union, CWA, exerts over our negotiations. AFA management does not have full autonomy per the merger agreement – we are all considered employees of CWA. That ties AFA management’s hands and also adds a layer of bureaucracy to discussions. Our second session with management is Thursday (today) evening and we will report out on that session during our Membership Meeting Friday at 1pm ET.
We had our first hour session and we can report out on the results:
Term – One Year: We got confirmation that we can adopt a 1-year extension.
Wages: Management declined to make a wage proposal. They said they are working on the % number to propose and are still in conversation with CWA.
Vaccination Coverage/Reimbursement: The vaccination coverage we currently have is already baked into the 2026 insurance plan terms. That would cover the 1-year period of our extension. Management committed to ensuring that vaccines are covered. We will ask for written confirmation on that.
Metrorail/SmartCard: We reached agreement that if a USE member exceeds the current $100 monthly limit due strictly to commuting to work, they would be reimbursed. USE is proposing language on how this process would work and be verified.
Vacation Rollover/payout: Due to CWA’s extremely rigid position on paying out vacation, management refused the payout portion of our proposal. However, we will continue discussion on addressing the issue of vacation cancellation and vacation that cannot be taken.
In-Person Dates for 2026: We are in agreement that in-person dates will be set well in advance of negotiations for our next contract in 2026.
Clarification on “days” in Grievance Section: Management asked for clarification that the “number of days” time-limits in this Section 8.A. of our Contract be clarified as “working” days. This makes sense and aligns with Section 9: Discipline, which clearly states “working” days. USE agreed to make that clarification.
Retirement Incentive Program: Management refused to engage on this proposal. Historically, retirement incentive programs have not been “negotiated” between USE and AFA. USE has provided input into those programs and served as an advocate for anyone seeking to participate.
USE MEMBERSHIP MEETING FRIDAY at 1 pm ET:
Management is aware of our meeting tomorrow and everyone is allowed to participate while at work – it will be considered your “lunch hour”.
Time: Sep 26, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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