Source: ourunited.org

This week, representatives of United and the AFA met in Denver for joint training on the National Mediation Board (NMB) “facilitated problem-solving”  negotiations process.  The NMB provided the assistance of its Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Kelliher, Senior Mediator Patricia Sims, and Mediators Andy Nordgren, Victoria Gray and Walter Darr, who will be working with the parties over the following months in our effort to reach a joint collective bargaining agreement.

In addition to the core negotiating committees, a number of legal, financial and other subject matter experts and advisors for United and the AFA who will be participating in negotiations also joined in the training.  The negotiating committees also began establishing the structure of subcommittees that will work on specific issues and sections of the agreement.

On August 4, we will begin two weeks of facilitated negotiations, and on August 13 the NMB will conduct additional training for those who were unable to attend this week’s session, including Inflight Base leadership and officers of the AFA Local Executive Councils.