Transit workers are powerful if they stick together and act as one
BART spokesperson Rick Rice issued the following statement on the unions’ strike authorization vote:
“This procedural step is a clear signal our employees are willing to
shut down the Bay Area and cause commute chaos to make their case for a
23 percent raise. Despite losing a day at the table to allow for their
vote, BART is at the table today and negotiating in good faith for a
sustainable contract. Taxpayers and riders cannot continue to be the
only source of funds to pay for the rising costs of benefits. BART is
asking its employees to begin paying towards their pensions and
contributing more than the $92 a month they currently pay for health
care. We are interested in reaching a reasonable solution with our union
partners. We believe a deal can be reached in time to avert a strike
which will have far reaching economic impacts to the region. But if they
must go the way of a strike, we ask that they stand by their word and
give the public 72 hours of notice to prepare.”
CA: BART Responds to Unions' Strike Authorization Vote - Mass Transit
They need to rethink that 23% raise, its actually asking too much. That health care has only gone up about $2-5/month per year, so they should just stay on that plan, its already quite a bit more that most (private sector) places charge (for one person).
ReplyDeleteSo I think if the union would be a little more reasonable, and ask for a raise thats more reasonable, like 3% per for example, the rest should stay the same. For METRO, a 23% increase would be nearly $7 per hour, thats greedy and would cost jobs. The public already hates us, this isnt helping matters.
They are flexing their muscle, I for one am happy to see it and hope they succeed in getting what they want.
ReplyDeleteReally? $14,000 in 3 years in pay increases? Thats $41 million in expenses in just raises! Come on Al, thats not going to help anyone. This is not a for-profit company we are talking about.
ReplyDeleteThey should keep everything else, pension, health care, but the 23% raise is out of touch, sorry.
Nah, if the execs can make more than that the operators should make more too
ReplyDelete