This week brought the final chapter in an effort to clear up any issues with Red Edge Letter #4. We were involved in a 2 day arbitration over the company's use of employees across headquarter boundary lines. I wish I could tell you the final outcome but that ruling will come from the arbitrator in about two months.
I know a lot of you do not understand why it takes so long to get a ruling, so I will take some time to explain it. Once you hear the case before the arbitrator, it takes a couple of weeks to get the transcripts back from the court reporter. Once you get the transcripts back, you generally have 30 days to turn in a written post hearing brief. Once the arbitrator receives the briefs, they tend to take about 30 days to give us their ruling. That is the short version, but it should help explain why it takes so long to get the answer.
I will post the decision as soon as we receive it. I feel like we presented a good case this week but you never know how the arbitrator received it. In contract interpretation cases the Union has the burden of proof. It is our job to show the arbitrator why our interpretation is the right one. These are generally more difficult than discipline or discharge cases as the burden of proof lies with the company.
I would like to thank everyone that was involved in this case. There was a lot of work that went into it and everyone worked really hard to present a good case. The following is a list of the members who were involved, so take a minute to thank them for their efforts if you get the chance.
Joe Adams Business Manager, SCU-8
David Edenfield Treasurer LU 1412
Mike Matson Member LU 1412
Nick Peden Member LU 682
David Price President LU 1412
Thomas Schiferl Member LU 682
Mac Todd Member LU 1412
Fraternally,
David B Price
President LU 1412
