I will also be voting for ratification as the negotiated articles are, in most cases, the same or better the green book.

Vladsafety is correct; if voted down, the remaining articles go back to the arbitrators. What some people don't realize is that if the arbitrators rule on those articles, then according to the ground rules agreement, ONLY those three arbitrators can rule on interpretation of the articles. That would significantly slow down the processing of any grievances we have. If we ratify, then the arbitrators are responsible for the interpretation of the 5 articles that they have already decided.

The arbitrators are already going to be dealing with the backlog of 450,000 grievances prior to August 6, 2009. I'm not willing to add all the new ones we'll have when management violates the new, valid CBA to the arbitrators' plates, when the only purpose of sending the remaining articles to them would be as a form of protest on something decided by a process we agreed to.

Okay, looks like I can post comments now. I have no opinion on the change. ;-)