ATU PRESIDENT BRUCE HANSEN RESPONDS TO MCFARLANE

At this time, TriMet's last statement regarding COLAs is that they will be paid out, on or before August 24th. COLA increases to retirees' pensions will take a little longer, with no set date at this time.

According to TriMet's Last Best Offer, implementation will be the first of the month following the arbitrator's order. The Union has informed TriMet that such implementation is extremely unwise given all the illegal aspects of the award noted by the arbitrator himself.
As for the reimbursement of the medical premiums, we continue to believe going back three years is illegal. ATU's attorney has written a letter to TriMet's attorney indicating that we will instruct our members not to authorize any payroll deductions from TriMet for this expense. It is also illegal for an employer to make threats to get you to sign such an authorization. For additional information and the full text of our attorney's letter to TriMet, please follow the link:
http://www.atu757.org/TedescoResponseDoc.pdf
Fraternally,
Bruce

Bruce Hansen
President – Business Representative