Bargaining for a new contract continues through the current contract extension.  Even though we are not scheduled to meet face to face with the company for the rest of this week, there is a lot going on in the negotiation process.  Gathering more information on possible ways of fashioning a health benefits plan design that meets the needs of Local 1700 members is taking a lot of time and effort.  But it is time well spent, because rising medical costs and the shameful failure of government to deal with the issue are forcing us to choose between bad options and worse options. 

            On the positive side, the bargaining committee has had a series of the most in-depth discussions about the work lives of Local 1700 members, most especially drivers who work the extraboard, that have ever occurred at Greyhound.  Many of your ideas that you expressed in union membership meetings, in the surveys conducted last year, in responses posted on the Local 1700 website, through Contract Action Committee members, and in other communications, are terrific ideas that we have been discussing with the company over these past few months.  The company seems to be taking your ideas seriously, and I believe many valuable improvements will be implemented in the new contract.

            We still have a long way to go, however, and we’ll be returning to the bargaining table next week in Washington, DC. 

            We had a terrific membership meeting in Atlantic City on Monday evening, at which members from all over the Northeast and from all work classifications brought their concerns to the Executive Board.  And I had the privilege of riding both to and from this negotiating session on schedules driven by New York City operator Constance Davidson, who is an excellent driver and a great union member.    

Roadkill will be updated when there is new news.