OPAL'S JONATHAN OSTER CALLS ON TRIMET TO COME CLEAN

The public was led to believe all through the budget decision process that $5M of the $20M (eventually $19M) Contingency set-aside was to cover the potential adverse ruling at this arbitration decision. Now TriMet states that had the decision been adverse to the agency, it would have had to make additional cuts to service and potential raise fares again to cover the loss. OPAL and Bus Riders Unite continue to ask TriMet for greater transparency and accountability in its decision-making, and to come clean with its extra conservative contingency cushion and budget shortfall projections. Only last week we learned that the Federal Surface Transportation bill, MAP-21, signed by President Obama, maintains current federal funding levels, despite TriMet’s stale prediction of a projected loss of $4M. We call on TriMet to immediately initiate plans to invest these savings back into service so we can get our region moving again and connect our transit riders to the opportunities they sorely need.”
Source:http://portlandafoot.org/2012/07/trimet-wins-arbitration-battle-against-union/

SEEN ON A TRIMET BUS

BETH DEHAMMEL PROBABLY FIGURING OUT WHAT SHE WILL DO WITH HER GOLDEN PARACHUTE

JON HUNT-YOU GOT SOME SPLAINING TO DO

Your unilateral decision to give up our right to strike has now lead to the worst case scenario for your members.

You made this decision on your own and did not allow the members to vote on it.

We need to hear EXACTLY AND PRECISELY what lead you to make this decision for "us" because it has lead us down the path of destruction. The membership has been effectively locked out of our own union contract negotiations.  Truly despicable Jon.

WHAT ABOUT DAVID M GABA-ARBITRATOR-SOMETHING DOESN'T SMELL RIGHT

Something doesn't quite add up in Mr Gabba's decision.
Paragraph after paragraph violently attacking Trimet's ethics and even the legality of some of the provisions in their final offer.


But he discounted all of that and said "retirement benefits are going to break the TRIMET" so he ruled for Trimet.


5-6 points for the union side, one point for the Trimet side, yet he sided with the "unethical" Trimet.


The question is why? Why do I get the sense the man was under obligation to rule in Trimet's favor?
Arbitrator David M Gaba - National Arbitration Center

A couple supervisory reports

McFührer gloats over decision-becomes "most hated" general manager in Trimet's history

Notice how he completely ignores all the sections in the ruling that ADMONISHED HIM AND HIS STAFF FOR ILLEGAL AND UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR-Neil, you won by being dishonest, and unethical. YOUR VICTORY IS SHAMEFUL-NOT SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE. I know you don't care since you are a man of low ethics, but I think its safe to say YOU ARE THE MOST HATED GENERAL MANAGER IN THE HISTORY OF TRIMET. Your despised by your current employees and hated by the retiree's who earn no extra income to pay for your insurance increases. I'm sure you get a BIG FAT PENSION like Fred Hansen's $15,700 a month and maybe a boatload of cash. You sir, ARE A DISGRACE. 
Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

HOW TO FIGHT BACK-from facebook

Union Brothers and Sisters. Please remember that we are no longer protected as we used to be in our jobs. The only way we will be able to fight back is to be sure and FOLLOW ALL THE RULES & STAND TOGETHER!! No matter what. Make sure that the new members of our local are well informed by the existing membership.

Drivers respond to ruling-from private union facebook discussion page

This is getting worse by the minute ... what the hell is going on! I pray that Bruce and jon have something up there sleeve or we are in trouble in so many ways! I am so upset ... i could not stop thinking about all this on my pm piece and will be the first to say that this is affecting my job performance ... driving mad is not good