Radio Free Asia Guild Unit -- News

BARGAINING BULLETIN #2

The Guild and RFA management now have completed four bargaining sessions and have reached agreement on two sections of the contract.

RFA and the Guild agreed on a definition of the bargaining unit and the Guild’s right to be the exclusive bargaining representative. The unit is defined exactly as it was defined for the union election. That means if you were eligible to vote, you are in the bargaining unit.

The two sides also reached agreement on a non-discrimination clause which prohibits either the company or union to discriminate against anyone on the basis age, race, sex, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran’s status, family responsibility, disability or age. The Article also prohibits both management and the Guild from discriminating against anyone because of their union membership status are union activity.

Much of the other discussion has centered on establishing a grievance and arbitration procedure to resolve contract disputes and on a discipline procedure.

The two sides are close to agreement on a two-step grievance procedure where disagreements would first be raised with your Service director, and if no resolution is made there, then taken to the director of Human Resources. If no agreement is reached there, the dispute would be taken to an independent arbitrator who would decide which side was right.

Both sides have proposed a discipline procedure similar to the one currently in place. In most instances it would require progressive discipline, starting with an oral warning, followed by a written warning, suspension and then dismissal. Cases of gross misconduct could lead directly to suspension or dismissal.

The next two bargaining sessions are scheduled for October 28th and 29th.