Opinion ID: 771581
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Last Session: April 12, 1994

Text: 25 The bargaining session of April 12, 1994, was held at the Union's offices in Washington, D.C. 6 During this April 12 session, Chatilovicz told Preuett to stop bullshitting, accused him of playing games, and suggested getting a federal mediator to resolve matters. Preuett denied that he was playing games, stated that the Union wanted uni- formity in the industry and had made proposals to this end, and asserted that the Union was making concessions on several issues. Chatilovicz agreed that Preuett had made some movement, but asked for the Union's best proposal. Chatilovicz then averred that he recog- nized the Union's desire for uniformity and that he would not be sur- prised if Preuett needed to have the same agreement the Union had reached with NFSA. 26 Preuett was accompanied to the April 12 session by Paul Green, a benefits expert. Green asked a series of questions of Grinnell about the Tyco benefits plans. After a short while, Chatilovicz asserted that Grinnell understood that the Union was not inclined to move away from the uniform health and welfare plan and that the Union was not interested in the Tyco plan; Chatilovicz also responded angrily to what he considered to be Green's unwelcome intrusion into the negotiations. Preuett explained that the Union had concerns about the Tyco plan. When Chatilovicz asked if there were any way the Union could accept the Tyco plan, Preuett responded that he was not sure, but the Union was not yet saying no. 27 Green continued to ask questions, but Chatilovicz brushed them aside, convinced of Preuett's disinterest in the Tyco plan. Preuett contradicted Chatilovicz's perception, noting that the parties were bar- gaining. Chatilovicz responded that if the Union wanted to bargain it should stop the bullshit. Chatilovicz asserted that if the Union wanted to propose the benefits package from the NFSA agreement then Preuett should do so, but it was insulting to bring in Green to pick at the Tyco plan. After a discussion of the wage rates contained in the new agreement the Union had made with NFSA, Chatilovicz again asserted that he knew the Union wanted a uniform agreement. Preuett retorted that the Union did not want targeting rates determined by fixed percentages. 28 Following a lunch break on April 12, 1994, Grinnell presented the Union with its final proposal on the remaining issues. This proposal called for a freeze in wage rates for foremen at the 1994 level, a fixed targeting rate of 80% of the journeyman wage on any job with com- peting non-union bidders, the Tyco health plan with some modifications, the Tyco 401(k) plan with a $200 per-year service credit, up to a maximum of $1000, and no SIS contributions. Chatilovicz advised Preuett that if the Union could not accept this proposal, it should give Grinnell its best and final proposal. Preuett said the Union would consider it. 29 After a ninety-minute break, the Union made another counter proposal to Grinnell, resubmitting its health, welfare, and pension proposals, and offering reductions in the commercial wage rates for targeted jobs of $1 in thirty states and $1.50 in another seventeen states. Preuett maintained that this proposal would lower Grinnell's costs tremendously, making it more competitive, and that the Union was willing to meet indefinitely in an effort to achieve an agreement. Chatilovicz indicated that Grinnell would examine the proposal on the assumption that it was the Union's last offer. In response, Preuett expressly asserted that this proposal was not the Union's last offer, that the Union desired to reach an agreement, and that he was flexible. Preuett asserted that Chatilovicz had mentioned absolute and final offers, trying to push the bargaining to an impasse. From the Union's standpoint, however, an impasse was undesirable, and Preuett vowed not to give up easily. 30 Chatilovicz acknowledged that both parties had worked hard to reach an agreement but that, while the Union's proposal provided some savings, it was not enough. Chatilovicz then informed Preuett that he would be in his office in the event the Union changed its view. Preuett asked how far apart they were and in which states Grinnell needed movement. After the parties discussed the differences in the wage rates, this bargaining session terminated. 31 At about 6 p.m. that evening, Preuett telephoned Chatilovicz at the latter's office. When Preuett suggested another meeting the following day, Chatilovicz asked what the Union was going to propose. Preuett responded that he would attempt to get Grinnell to raise its rates. In response, Chatilovicz asserted that the Union had Grinnell's final proposal and Grinnell was not willing to change further with respect to wages and benefits. Preuett asked about bringing in a federal media- tor, but Chatilovicz claimed that mediation would be futile unless the Union was willing to come down to Grinnell's proposed rates. Preuett asked if Grinnell's rates were carved in stone, and Chatilovicz assured him that they were. Preuett then said that he hoped Grinnell would change its view, and maybe they could get together down the road. Grinnell, 328 N.L.R.B. No. 76 at 12. 32 Later that evening, the Union called a nationwide strike against Grinnell. Thereafter, by letter of April 13, 1994, Grinnell informed both its employees and the Union that it was implementing its final contract offer, effective the next day, and further indicated that it would hire permanent replacements for striking employees.