* Various ILA members spoke to Labor Notes magazine about the contract extension proposal vote tomorrow, Tuesday November 17. Read here why they are voting no.

Excerpt from Labor Notes article: Mike D. Payne, president of ILA Local 1526 in Fort Lauderdale, argues that negotiating in a faltering economy puts the union at a disadvantage. “We have until next year before our current contract expires,” Payne said. “What’s the rush?”

* Matti Anglin, a member from ILA Local 1351 in Houston, Texas, sent this email to ILA President Hughes:

Pres. Richie Hughes,

I don’t understand. What is the push? Extensions are for when negotiations break down. We still have a year before break down can take place. Shouldn’t y’all be working at negotiating a new contract rather than pushing us into a premature extension? I cannot for the life of me get a straight answer to this question. Maybe you can supply one. Why are we foregoing contract negotiations for an incomplete extension?

Thanks, Matti Anglin, ILA Local 1351

* Ken Riley, ILA Local 1422 President and ILA Executive Board Member, says:

“I am absolutely recommending that ILA members vote no. We need to go back to the bargaining table and do better.

There are two things I am especially concerned about. First of all, we have serious issues in the local contracts that need to be addressed, but this proposal freezes those contracts until 2012.

Secondly, there is no new money for pension benefits and local holiday and welfare funds will be underfunded. Many pension funds have taken a huge hit because of the economic crisis and this is the one time when we really need the extra funding to keep the pension funds healthy.”