Mediation Lawyers to Help Negotiate Airline Labor Agreement

Mediation lawyers are frequent participants in workplace disputes, providing guidance and assistance that can help management and labor come to a meeting of the minds.  One of the most recent examples is slated to take place at United Airlines, which is currently experiencing bargaining disputes with its technicians and flight attendants. 

The airline announced last Friday that the Association of Flight Attendants will represent more than 12,000 flight attendants in a contract mediation process expected to soon begin.  "This action is a good step forward and serves the immediate and long-term interests of our flight attendants and the company," said Sam Risoli, who serves as a senior vice president at United. 

Mediation Lawyers Speed Up Process

At issue is a contract negotiation that has been ongoing since 2009, with negotiations moving at a snail's pace when progress is made at all.  The union feels that a breakthrough is now possible, however.  Greg Davidowitch, who serves as chapter president of the AFA, released a prepared statement to that effect, saying that the union is "ready to embark on an innovative approach to reach a new contract, and this process provides an opportunity to put our negotiations on a fresh path."

Some experts in labor law are skeptical about United's announcement, seeing it as designed to garner public approval near Labor Day.