The Transport Workers of America and the International Brother of Electrical Workers, once again, call on the National Mediation Board to release us from mediation and issue a proffer of arbitration to move our contract dispute along.
After numerous requests to the National Mediation Board that a proffer of arbitration (release from mediation) be issued by the Board to move our contract dispute to the next level, the NMB and PATH continues to hold our members hostage. We have spent more than five years in negotiations with PATH and greater than an additional five years negotiating under the authority of the National Mediation Board. It was not until 2021 that PATH moved off of their original proposal of 2017 with a revised proposal that had little or no changes. The Board’s last answer to our request for a release from mediation was: “The Board will continue to consider the proffer request. Accordingly, this case remains in mediation.” This is completely unacceptable and contrary to the best interests of our members and their families.
Why can’t the Board see that the Parties are at an impasse, stalemate, deadlock? This is a clear case of PATH’s refusal to engage in the fair bargaining. We again encourage the NMB release us from mediation and grant our request for a proffer of arbitration. This is what Congress intended through the legislative process to address a situation like this.
The PATH employees we represent continue their role as dedicated frontline workers during this pandemic while jeopardizing their health and lives, as well as that of their families. They are loyal, dependable, hard-working employees struggling to support their families on wages that have remained stagnant for ten years as inflation persistently soars. The time is long overdue that this contractual dispute needs to be submitted to third party intervention.
On Behalf of Our TWU & IBEW Members
/s/ John R. Feltz /s/ Arthur J. Davidson
Transport Workers Union of America General Chairman
International Vice President System Council No. 7, IBEW
Railroad Division Director