Post by nickv on Sept 6, 2007 17:12:36 GMT -8
Public employee strikes are something, I believe, should be addressed in the legislature or placed on the ballot. Between yet another possible transit strike and the courtroom interpreter strike, I think we need some sort of "Taylor Law" for California to protect both the well being of the republic and the unions, not just one side or the other. Of course the law should prohibit public employees from going on strike.
Transit unions should view strikes from a transit-dependent's point of view and feel for themselves what kind of trouble Omnitrans bus riders and other commuters will be going through should they walk off the job. Unlike OC, San Bernardino often has bad air quality days and a history of crime on its streets, making biking in some cases unworkable. Don't forget that that Omnitrans is already cash-strapped as they've cut service recently; not only at one service change period, but twice.
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Omnitrans drivers reject contract
Strike possible within weeks if negotiations halt
By Andrew Silva, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007
A strike by Omnitrans drivers is possible in the next few weeks after union members on Friday rejected the latest contract offer. "If they refuse to negotiate any further, we'll set a strike date," said Dale Moore, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1704, which represents the agency's 445 bus drivers.
He said the union would give enough notice to allow the public to prepare. Omnitrans officials agreed they would meet at least one more time with a mediator if the offer was not accepted, said Wendy Williams, spokeswoman for Omnitrans.
The only other strike in the 30-year history of the agency occurred in 1980 and lasted three days. The union voted 229-113 to reject the contract offer.
"Obviously, we're disappointed they rejected an offer that was generous and would have put money in their pockets and reduced their expenses," Williams said.
The agency, which serves roughly 50,000 riders a day throughout the San Bernardino Valley, offered more than 9 percent in salary increases over the next three years but no retroactive pay.
It also establishes for the first time an account for health benefits for retirees. The previous contract expired March 31. Instead of making the pay increases retroactive, the agency offered a one-time payment of $175.
"That $175 basically was a bad- faith offer," Moore said. "We worked the whole time. (The agency) is just picking our pockets."
The union also wants a guarantee that drivers and their families will be protected against future increases in health-insurance premiums.
Moore said there's some relief in the first year of the contract, but drivers worry that increases in premiums later could leave them back where they started or worse.
The agency will update its contingency plan for a strike in case negotiations fail, Williams said. That can include seeing who in the agency is qualified to drive and also looking at hiring replacement drivers, she said.
"A strike is bad for the customers, bad for the employees and bad for the agency," Williams said. "We hope it doesn't come to that." Contact writer Andrew Silva at (909) 386-3889 or via e-mail at andrew.silva@sbsun.com.
Transit unions should view strikes from a transit-dependent's point of view and feel for themselves what kind of trouble Omnitrans bus riders and other commuters will be going through should they walk off the job. Unlike OC, San Bernardino often has bad air quality days and a history of crime on its streets, making biking in some cases unworkable. Don't forget that that Omnitrans is already cash-strapped as they've cut service recently; not only at one service change period, but twice.
...........................
Omnitrans drivers reject contract
Strike possible within weeks if negotiations halt
By Andrew Silva, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007
A strike by Omnitrans drivers is possible in the next few weeks after union members on Friday rejected the latest contract offer. "If they refuse to negotiate any further, we'll set a strike date," said Dale Moore, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1704, which represents the agency's 445 bus drivers.
He said the union would give enough notice to allow the public to prepare. Omnitrans officials agreed they would meet at least one more time with a mediator if the offer was not accepted, said Wendy Williams, spokeswoman for Omnitrans.
The only other strike in the 30-year history of the agency occurred in 1980 and lasted three days. The union voted 229-113 to reject the contract offer.
"Obviously, we're disappointed they rejected an offer that was generous and would have put money in their pockets and reduced their expenses," Williams said.
The agency, which serves roughly 50,000 riders a day throughout the San Bernardino Valley, offered more than 9 percent in salary increases over the next three years but no retroactive pay.
It also establishes for the first time an account for health benefits for retirees. The previous contract expired March 31. Instead of making the pay increases retroactive, the agency offered a one-time payment of $175.
"That $175 basically was a bad- faith offer," Moore said. "We worked the whole time. (The agency) is just picking our pockets."
The union also wants a guarantee that drivers and their families will be protected against future increases in health-insurance premiums.
Moore said there's some relief in the first year of the contract, but drivers worry that increases in premiums later could leave them back where they started or worse.
The agency will update its contingency plan for a strike in case negotiations fail, Williams said. That can include seeing who in the agency is qualified to drive and also looking at hiring replacement drivers, she said.
"A strike is bad for the customers, bad for the employees and bad for the agency," Williams said. "We hope it doesn't come to that." Contact writer Andrew Silva at (909) 386-3889 or via e-mail at andrew.silva@sbsun.com.