UNITED WE STAND
ASEA Contract Negotiating Committee
Bargaining Update #13
May 24, 2004

1. The state agreed to return to the table to resume bargaining. The CNC met with state negotiators May 18-20 in Juneau.

2. While we are still not overly encouraged we did sense a change in the state’s approach. For example, to this session the state sent a new team member—the Director of Labor Relations. That decision seemed to make a difference.

3. It must be emphasized that we did not sign any additional TAs, nor are there any new proposals on the table. The state’s official position is still the same as it was on March 12, the last time we met to negotiate. Of course, the CNC is still bargaining for a fair contract for all members: fair wages, fair health contributions, fair working conditions, and fair treatment of our union. We are cautiously encouraged as to our chances at this time.

4. We have agreed to meet again on Wednesday and Thursday (May 26-27) for an additional work session. In addition, the state has agreed that on June 3-4 we will be meeting with a federal mediator.

5. The CNC firmly believes that the actions we have taken as a union have been instrumental in influencing the state to agree to meet with us and talk. In order to continue to keep the state in this mode it is imperative that we continue to work to secure a successful strike vote and continue to hold weekly worksite actions. Our demonstration of solidarity has gotten the attention of the Administration, we need to keep it that way.

In Solidarity,