TRIMET EMPLOYEES-THIS COMPANY PLANS TO STEAL EVERYTHING FROM YOU

(Until 2009, TriMet workers had fully-paid insurance for themselves and their families, with minimal co-pays.) But in 2009, TriMet insisted on reducing benefits to a “90/10” plan, in which employees pay 10 percent of health care costs. When the union didn’t agree, the two sides reached impasse in bargaining for a new contract, which led to binding arbitration. In the end, the arbitrator picked TriMet’s proposal. But the union is challenging the arbitrator’s decision.

Administrative law judge Wendy Greenwald heard arguments from both sides Jan. 8 and 9. Under an expedited process, her conclusions will go directly to the three-member Oregon Employment Relations Board (ERB), which adjudicates public-sector labor disputes in Oregon.

But TriMet isn’t stopping there. In December, the agency announced that it will push in the next round of bargaining for an 80/20 plan, in which employees pay 20 percent of health costs.

ATU-TriMet conflict accelerates | nwLaborPress