Center, Union ink agreements, join in partnership Published Feb. 2, 2007 By Damian Housman WR-ALC/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, and Tom Scott, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 987, signed two memorandums of agreement and one partnership agreement Thursday. U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall also attended the signings. General Owen and Mr. Scott signed an agreement on grievance mediation and another on the unfair labor practice dispute resolution process. They also signed a partnership agreement between the Center and the AFGE Local 987, which represents bargaining unit employees on the base. The signatures on the memorandums represent a recommitment by the parties to procedures previously agreed to by previous Center commanders, and the union back to 2003. Congressman Marshall noted that labor-management conditions at Robins were far different then they are today. "Four years ago we had a problem between labor and management. Our reputation Air Force-wide was not good, and BRAC was coming on," he said. "A new challenge is NSPS, and labor and management will again come together." General Owen praised the congressman and the union leadership, as well as the Robins leadership on the time of the original agreement. "It took people who are true team builders and leaders. I'm thrilled to be part of this legacy. It keeps us focused on our mission of supporting the warfighter," the general said. Union president Tom Scott said he was glad to sign. "The agreements help the employees, help Robins, and help the mission."