THE COURT ORDERS TRIMET TO PAY BACK ITS ILLEGAL SEIZURE OF EMPLOYEES WAGES

Will Trimet pay? It sounded to me based on my watching the board meetings that they were going to pay. However, I just received this from ATU 757. Do I expect the ruthless greed mongers in charge of Trimet to pay voluntarily or drag it out for 10 years. They said one thing publicly, Will they follow through? Your guess is as good as mine.

Many of you were delighted to learn that the Employment Relations Board has ordered TriMet to pay for premium and medical costs employees incurred because of TriMet’s wrongful actions in the time period, January 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. People are asking when they are going to get paid. The answer is: We do not know when there will be a final decision. Below is the history of this case.

Sequence of Events

October 2010     The Union amends an existing complaint and alleges that TriMet is going to wrongfully reduce health benefits.

January 2011      TriMet wrongfully raised health insurance premiums in retaliation for Union filing an unfair labor practice complaint.

May 2011             Hearing was held on the complaint.

July 2012              Administrative Law Judge Greenwald issued decision in Union’s favor.

August 2012       TriMet files objections to Administrative Law Judge’s decision.

December 2012                ERB upholds Administrative Law Judge’s decision.

February 2013   TriMet asks ERB to reconsider.

March 2013         ERB sticks with its decision.

March 2013         TriMet asks ERB to stay enforcement of its order that TriMet pay employees.

March 2013         ERB denies TriMet’s Motion to Stay enforcement of ERB order pending TriMet’s appeal of the decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

July 2013              Court of Appeals Grants TriMet’s petition for a Stay on its obligation to pay for the insurance damages.

August 2013       Court of Appeals requires mandatory mediation of the issue prior to hearing the case.

As of today, we do not know the following:

1.                   When the Court of Appeals will hear the case.

2.                   How long after the Court of Appeals hears the case, that it will render a decision.

3.                   Whether TriMet will appeal the decision of the Court of Appeals to the Oregon Supreme Court.

Bottom Line:   Do Not Count on this Money Until It is In Your Hands!