The UFWW
and administration bargaining teams met for four days last week. Our goal was to continue until we
reached a tentative agreement or until it became clear which issues were
deadlocked and would have to be considered for mediation.
Unfortunately,
Wayne Hansen, the administration’s attorney and team leader, became ill. He made every effort to continue, but
by Friday afternoon he simply could not go on. His condition is serious enough that we are also unable to
meet this week.
We now
plan to meet as soon as possible after the New Year, with the goal of quickly
reaching a tentative agreement or determining on what issues we are deadlocked.
We wish Mr. Hansen a speedy recovery, and look forward to concluding
negotiations as soon as possible.