Graphic Audio First Contract Negotiations: Report #4

Summary of 01.28.26 Events for Mobilizing Committee

● Today was our fourth bargaining session with RB. On the Union side was Nicolette, Donald, Laura (from GA), Tammy, Kisha, and Lisa (from CWA). Present on the Employer side was Justin Keith (lawyer), Anji Cornette, and Shana Jackson (from RB).

● We began the day in caucus reviewing the two writings we wanted to pass based on the information we learned in yesterday’s caucus of clarification. Those being:
        ○ 16.0 - HOURS OF WORK
                    ■ Within this proposal, we were aiming to memorialize language about working hours, standard business hours, overtime, flex hours and                           compensatory schedule time. We also proposed an abridged summer schedule to introduce an option of schedule flexibility to 
                        employees. Lisa requested that any questions, comments, or concerns be raised. There were none.
        ○ 5.1 - GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION
                    ■ We accepted the Employer’s suggestion to combine these once separate proposals.
                    ■ We accepted some grammar and definition changes to the proposal and added language to define the lengths of time between events                           leading up to and through Grievance, as well as Arbitration. Chosen lengths of time were proposed to respect the union’s internal                                    process that takes a window of time.
                    ■ Justin voiced disagreement on the union preferring not to deny employees the right to pursue legal action when they already have a                               pending Grievance. Lisa replied that the employees choice to file externally is based on their individual right not solely on what the                                 union suggests.
                    ■ Justin said we would return to the table after a caucus.

● We passed the proposal and counter-proposal across the table. Lisa allowed for questions/comments/concerns to be spoken by all parties present following each section of change review.
       ○ Justin did conclude this table session by noting that he appreciated the meatier proposals, like hours of work, and time taken to return                          Grievance and Arbitration so quickly. More specifically, Justin appreciated everything the union had done here especially since it appears that              we are all in agreement about including the informal process.

● On our return to caucus, we reviewed GA counter-proposals 22.0 - SAFETY AND HEALTH and 23.0 - MANAGEMENT RIGHTS with the intent to to pass clarification questions during the next table session. We chose not to work on
passing these counter proposals until after Lisa had the opportunity to confer with legal counsel and ensure there were no zipper clauses that would make us give up the right to negotiate if we accepted that language in 23.0. We made the same decision about 22.0, to discuss with the NLRB safety rep on what all the Company should be responsible when it comes to remote workers according to state guidelines, OSHA, etc....
       ○ We want to know what would be the consequences of accepting that writing.
       ○ There were 10 minutes remaining to the bargaining session when we returned to the table. We left caucus with the decision to only ask what                handbook is referred to as the Company Handbook in counter-prop 23.0.

● Justin wanted to return COUNTER-PROPOSAL 5.1 Grievance and Arbitration as quickly as possible. The Company accepted most changes but made tweaks to the informal process and procedural requirements sections. Justin asked for questions. There were none regarding the 5.1 counter-prop.

● Lisa then presented our question from reviewing 23.0 Management Rights: There was mention of a Company Handbook in Management Rights but we have access to two: RB and GA/PTB. Of those two, which were they referencing as the Company Handbook? Shana said the RB handbook. Justin confirmed that the handbook they are referencing was sent in a previous RFI, which was the RB handbook. To confirm that we are all referencing the same Company handbook, Laura said she would send both handbooks for the Company to review and provide an answer in writing.

● We ended the day with the understanding we needed to continue preparing counter-proposals in the next bargaining prep session.