Good morning,
The UE Bargaining Committee met with Hallcon officials for two days and concluded with Hallcon giving the UE a Final Offer just before midnight Friday. Unfortunately, Hallcon’s offer simply did not provide the raises that drivers deserve, and the two sides did not come to an agreement.
“Things just got real” said Larry Hopkins of Local 1177. “Now is the time for us to come together and unify to bring this contract home”, he added.
The Union made a substantial move down in first year wage increases coupled with a longevity a increase for drivers with 2-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15 years and more increasing percentages. This would create steps for drivers to earn more based on years of service with the company. “They did not take our longevity proposal seriously”, said Doris Kissee of Local 716. “That is a major reason we are recommending all members reject the company’s offer, we deserve more”, she added.
The contract expired at 11:59 pm on Friday night September 23, 2022. When delivering their final offer, the Company attorney stated that the railroad would be starting a contingency plan to cover the work. “The Union recommends all drivers remain calm, show up for work. Join a conference call. Make your voice heard by voting. We want drivers to exercise our rights to vote” said Cedric Whelchel of Local 1177
NEXT STEPS
We will hold a series of conference calls for drivers to understand what is in the Company’s final offer, answer questions and have discussion. All conference calls will be held on (312) 210-9823 on the following dates and times (Please remember to check the time zone.)
Monday September 26th
Meeting One – 8 am Pacific, 9 am Mountain, 10 am Central, 11 am Eastern,
Meeting Two – 1 pm Pacific, 2 pm Mountain, 3 pm Central, 4 pm Eastern
Tuesday September 27th
Meeting Three – 12pm Pacific, 1 pm Mountain, 2 pm Central, 3 pm Eastern,
Meeting Four – 5 pm Pacific, 6 pm Mountain, 7 pm Central, 8 pm Eastern
Wednesday September 28th 10a 4p
Meeting Five – 10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, 12 pm Central, 1 pm Eastern,
Meeting Six – 4 pm Pacific, 5 pm Mountain, 6 pm Central, 7 pm Eastern
The tentative agreement will be posted at www.hallconunion.org for all to review.
Voting via mass text will open on Monday September 26th and close Thursday September 29th, the vote results will be announced on Friday September 30th, 2022
If the tentative agreement is accepted, the Union will work to ensure all parts are implemented and work to communicate when the raises and other provisions will be put into effect. If not, we will decide on the next steps together.