And they point the finger at the 'unsustainable employee fringe benefits' of course. There is some good history and research here regardless of the finger pointing. The so called 'think tanks' are always anti union anti employee. Be that as it may this is still a good read. I have a lot of problems with the data that is presented here, for example this report states that it costs TRIMET twice as much for one bus operator as MUNI, which is ridiculous and brings into question the rest of the data. The report leaves out some vital information, for example the rapid expansion of rail is primarily responsible for the demise of the bus service. Adding hundreds of new employees, promoting dozens and dozens employees to non driving jobs all have played a role in making these costs completely unsustainable.
And then there is the question as to why the management and previous boards allowed this situation to get out of control? Not one board member or management official has ever paid any price for their obscene dereliction of duty.
FRED HANSEN who ran the agency into the ground sits secure with his millions and fat pension which was given away to him by past boards of directors.
No its always the same story in these United States of Amerika now, its always the front line workers that have to take the hit. Those on top sit fat and happy without the slightest reproach for their malfeasance
REPORT HERE
5 comments:
I have read almost half of John Charles report. He has created the illusion that is the driver’s salary and benefits’ that makes Tri Met so expensive to operate.
He is comparing a metropolitan area to rural areas. Less traffic, less people, fewer square miles to cover, limited service, smaller busses, free rides, with way way way way far less management. By the way I haven’t seen in this report what the managers are making at Sandy, Canby, Molalla and Wilsonville. He also doesn’t point out the generous salary and benefits for non union employees and management at Tri Met. And he never mentions Fred Hansen’s $10,000 a month pension for his short time at Tri Met.
It appears these 4 autonomous transportation agencies want to offer free rides at the price of the bus operator’s wages and benifits. They want to give their rides away free. It cost to operate a bus. Fuel, service, insurance ect. Why are they giving it away when they can charge a reasonable fee then to at least create more routes, more jobs and expand on days and hours? They are not a for profit and private bus company they each belong to the individual cities. I think this is the main issue that needs to be revealed. I don’t see RAZ or Laidlaw running any of these now do you. Then it would be contracted out to the least common denominator.
Not to mention that the driver is a licensed professional that holds a CDL that comes with restrictions and requirements. They all seem to think just anyone can get behind the wheel of a 40 vehicle and maneuver in and out of traffic like it’s a piece of cake. Try it John and tell me at the end of the day what you do is worth minimum wage.
With that attitude I can drink and get hi and go to work at McDonald with far less responsibility and lives on my hands. I haven't heard of any McDonalds workers being stabbed, spat on, beaten or having urine or bleach thrown on their faces. And I would still get to wear the same blue uniform.
Sandy, Molalla, Wilsonville and Candby have not painted themselves into theses overprice capitol project either. They are not building new bridges. And they don't have one administrator for every frontline employee.
John Charles points out as each one of these cities pulls out Tri Met keeps the same in operating cost and has less area to cover while these other cities impose a tax on their community nearly the same as Tri Mets. But they don't offer extended weekend and holidays especially for those that work nights and grave yard. They are still catering to the 9-5 Monday- Friday group.
I am disappointed in what I have read so far. It’s a twisted little story against drivers and their benefits’ instead of the gross negligence of the fiduciary duty and responsibility of the Tri Met board and the general managers. It also reflects on Governor John Kitzhaber inability and poor choice to appoint qualified board members.
You know what always gets me is that everyone knows what public employees make but those who complain the most never reveal their wages and their benefits.
Starting at page 12 now. I hope it gets better.
j.c. Venetta makes over 100,000 a year sucking MacFarlane's dick yes this is his
John Charles is employed by a right wing think tank that has gotten funding from KOCH brothers agencies.
That's all you need to know.
This report is just a ruse to break the union.
“TriMet could be forced to default
on its pension obligations or its other financial
obligations in the future.”11
When they take away Freds then they can take mine.
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