The temporary workers are from Local 355, a union that is not on strike. The workers received four hours of training Monday, said Patrick Cerniglia, the general manager of Staten Island Bus Company, which managed to cover 59 of its 113 routes Tuesday.
This "is" the exact reason you have Binding Arbritrations, to avoid this situation. Take note that's why the company "is" seeking to end it, not us.
ReplyDeleteHB
Except binding arbitration removes the union members role in the contract negotiations and puts it in the hands of the technocrats.
ReplyDeleteBut the way the whole union thing is going, it appears that binding arbitration is the last resort anyway.
But remember, without the Arbritration aspect, no wages, no benefits, no retirement, all of which gets cut by the company. This way the company has to abide by the contract until the next one can be negociated, it simply protects the employees that are unionized. Lastly, any contract has to ratified by the membership (although the past leadership, did behind close door deals).
ReplyDeleteHB
We had never had arbitration till the last contract.
ReplyDeleteAnd we had never lost any benefits until that.
We never needed arbitration before, so why all of a sudden did we need it?
And why did Jon Hunt enter into this without seeking approval of the members?
Like I said, back door deals without member approval, was the way before Bruce. With that change this system, that was put in place actually helped us (in a back handed approach), in spite of him (Hunt and those before him) union busting from the inside. I always ask the obvious question, "why is it that the company is seeking to get rid of this law?????" The answer is, to bring in First Transit and their cost cutting, unionized busting system, that will in essence take away "your" retirement, my benefits and pay, with scabs brought in by the emergancy fund (or contingency fund) that the company has, worth about 20 million. Do you know that will afford them the cost of bringing anyone in First Transit with a CDL, Gellig mechanics' license, all to replace our brothers and sisters. All they need is enough to cover a Sunday schedule and build from there. As simple as a phone call to First Transit.
ReplyDeleteHB
I think that may indeed be a possibility given the fact that there is virtually no solidarity among members now
ReplyDeleteNot if some of us stand up, it won't.
ReplyDeleteHB