On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 11:41 AM, ATU Activists <atuactivists@atu757.org> wrote:
Greetings!
In
the past, a number of people have complained that they want to respond
to McFarland’s company-wide communications and share their response with
their co-workers but that they have no way to do so. Now there is a
way. You can simply read McFarland’s statement below and email back your
response. We will compile these comments, without any identifying the
authors and post the comments on workplace bulletin boards. The Union
wants to stay on the moral high ground so please keep it respectful (hard to be respectful to people who have no respect for us) and
heartfelt. Thank you!
______________________________
Working Toward a New Contract
Posted by Neil McFarlane at Nov 30, 2012
Today,
the collective bargaining agreement that determines Union wages, hours
and working conditions expires and we began negotiating with the
leadership of those represented by the ATU – for a new contract. We all
know the best result will always come about through collective
bargaining – and I pledge our good faith to do all we can to make those
negotiations successful. Today – we also transmitted our proposal to the
ATU.
In my view, we need a new contract that is:
1. Fair to riders – it should avoid more service cuts or steep fare increases to keep our budget balanced
2. Fair to employees – It should be in line with peer agencies
3. Fair to taxpayers – it should demonstrate that TriMet runs an efficient business they should continue to invest in
Our approach to the new contract comes from guidance that TriMet’s Board adopted in May of 2010 – a key policy that says: “Bring TriMet’s health care and post employment benefits in line with a sustainable forecast of future TriMet revenues.” Think about it – if we don’t do this we have no other choice long-term than reducing service or increasing fares. Our customers and stakeholders have had enough of that over the past four years! We owe them, and all of us who work at TriMet, a more stable, predictable future.
And, I must be honest – keeping the status quo can only lead to recurring budget crisis’s, service cuts, and fare hikes. Modest changes will lead us on a path toward a sustainable financial future. However, we can’t kid ourselves either. The issues are tough and the negotiations will be tough. Change is tough.
I will do the best job I can communicating with you throughout this process – subject to whatever ground rules we agree to with ATU leadership. The latest negotiation information as well as our proposal is posted at www.trimet.org/newcontract
As I shared earlier with you and ATU leadership, we will be passing on to ATU employees the increased cost of insurance premiums and freezing the COLA until negotiations or a future arbitrator establish a new contract. This is in line with a recent ERB case.
My fervent hope is that we can complete negotiations in a way and time frame that reduces uncertainty, and the anxiety that goes with it. I know I can count on all of you to continue to deliver the great service our riders have come to expect and I thank you in advance for your patience and commitment to doing the right thing.
______________________________In my view, we need a new contract that is:
1. Fair to riders – it should avoid more service cuts or steep fare increases to keep our budget balanced
2. Fair to employees – It should be in line with peer agencies
3. Fair to taxpayers – it should demonstrate that TriMet runs an efficient business they should continue to invest in
Our approach to the new contract comes from guidance that TriMet’s Board adopted in May of 2010 – a key policy that says: “Bring TriMet’s health care and post employment benefits in line with a sustainable forecast of future TriMet revenues.” Think about it – if we don’t do this we have no other choice long-term than reducing service or increasing fares. Our customers and stakeholders have had enough of that over the past four years! We owe them, and all of us who work at TriMet, a more stable, predictable future.
And, I must be honest – keeping the status quo can only lead to recurring budget crisis’s, service cuts, and fare hikes. Modest changes will lead us on a path toward a sustainable financial future. However, we can’t kid ourselves either. The issues are tough and the negotiations will be tough. Change is tough.
I will do the best job I can communicating with you throughout this process – subject to whatever ground rules we agree to with ATU leadership. The latest negotiation information as well as our proposal is posted at www.trimet.org/newcontract
As I shared earlier with you and ATU leadership, we will be passing on to ATU employees the increased cost of insurance premiums and freezing the COLA until negotiations or a future arbitrator establish a new contract. This is in line with a recent ERB case.
My fervent hope is that we can complete negotiations in a way and time frame that reduces uncertainty, and the anxiety that goes with it. I know I can count on all of you to continue to deliver the great service our riders have come to expect and I thank you in advance for your patience and commitment to doing the right thing.
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