The Local 1700 bargaining committee is preparing for further face to face talks with Greyhound, which are set to reconvene on January 30.  We are working on finding solutions for several issues that were not resolved in past negotiating sessions.  The most complicated of those issues is health care.  The Executive Board wants to be sure we have all the information we need, and that we understand all of our options, in order to enable us to make the best possible deal on health care.  Some of the wellness initiatives the union has proposed are not easily quantifiable.  But our goal of securing a union membership that is in top physical condition with the incentives and tools to maintain wellness remains a top priority.  Reaching that goal would not only enhance the lives of Local 1700 members, but it would ultimately save the company a lot of money on health care and safety-related expense.  Those savings rightfully belong to the workers, and we intend to keep fighting for them.      

            The other big issue is, of course, wages.  Your negotiating team remains convinced that the current terrible economic situation should not prevent a fair deal on wages.

            We’ve also been struggling to come up with acceptable compromise solutions to a number of work rule issues. 

            So we have our work cut out for us for the rest of the month.  Roadkill will be updated when there is new news or on January 30, whichever comes first.