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Monday, November 10, 2014
We now know what this was about
When this originally came out I 100% was behind Bruce Hansen.
Due to union secrecy I had no idea why Mr Heintzman was actually fired.
Now that we know the truth I retract my support for Bruce in this matter
Good letter by Bruce. Very disappointing to hear that a few self serving folks are diluting our focus and splintering our solidarity. They need to cease and desist pronto.
The majority of the executive board has told Bruce that Ron stays. Apparently Bruce thinks he is king and is a tyrant himself. Bruce wants to give away what has been fought for.
TriMet will win every time with union in fighting. Thank you Bruce for giving TriMet the upper hand by being a weak president and not handling your admin problems in house.
So now our WEAK local president is going to air his comments out to the public which should have been brought before the Local union membership in house. Who really is he working for? TRIMET? The International? What private conversations is he having with TRIMET? He isn't working for the local if he isn't talking to the LOCAL.
We seem to have forgotten what Ron Heintzman did for this union over the years. None of us would have what we have today if it weren't for him. He is ten times smarter than anyone in the ATU. If he leaves, ATU is in serious trouble.
From what I know about this situation, which is not much because the union operates at the same level of secrecy as Trimet does,Bruce was pushed into this due to an attempted coup by the executive board.
The executive board has to abide by the wishes of the members which is that Bruce Hansen be the president. The next election is in a years time when the members can elect a new president.
Really, the executive board is trying to be the president? That kind of shit doesn't fly.
I's time to open up the executive board meetings to interested members.
I would like to have someone ask the question "if Ron was doing such a bad job why did Bruce wait until the end to ask him to leave ? It's because Ron wrote 95% of the proposals that we exchanged across the table and when Ron wasn't available we put a two sentence pathetic proposal across the table that randy stedman looked at and asked what it was? Bruce responded it's our proposal and randy laughed and shook his head. Before people casts stones they should get their facts straight.
Regardless of what one thinks of Mr. Heintzman, he lost the election and Bruce won. Elections have consequences. Bruce hired him, and now Bruce can fire him. As President, Bruce will be held accountable for how this contract turns out, so it's his prerogative to have whoever he wants or doesn't want with him at the table. That is not being weak or being a tyrant. Members with concerns should contact Bruce as he suggests.
I voted for Bruce. I won't make that mistake again. I don't care who else runs as long as they can and want to protect my wages, health care, and working conditions. Bruce has done neither. He signed an hours of service agreement and cost me thousands. What did he get us in return? NOTHING!
Now he wants to split the union when he should endorsing solidarity. Bruce should man up and deal with his problems like a man. Not a fat cry baby.
Bruce you will never get my vote and I won't forget how you screwed me!
Bruce is letting his insecurities get in the way of leading. A good leads regardless of whether they are the smartest person in the room. A leader delegates without worrying how it is perceived. Bruce is not smart. Every time he talks it is obvious. And he has proven he is not a leader either. Shame on Bruce for staring this kind of dialog. TriMet leaders are having a good day with this. Union members are so screwed now.
Bruce isn't the best public speaker (he could take classes for this) but that has nothing to do with intelligence. Everybody needs to cool out and let the man do the job he was elected to do. He's using the International as he should. He says he wants to hear from you, that is not a bad thing! Contact him your insights.
I'm willing to bet the farm that the majority of comments here area anons from Ron and his little buddy Bob. Attacks against ones size come from ignorance and hatred. If you don't know the facts wait until you do or ask questions but leave hatred and ignorance out of it.
I know the same as everybody else about this situation with one exception. I watch the events of Trimet/ATU daily so I consider myself somewhat a 'scholar' on this subject.
Things have been going downhill for Trimet union employees for awhile now, and it started during Jon Hunts reign. Now I don't blame Jon for this since Trimet has taken the low road since Mcfarlane entered the scene. However this decline started while Jon was in charge.
Now Ron, Jon and Bruce have been dealing with this shit for 2 years now and the decline has continued unabated.
What that leads me to believe is that Bruce, Ron, and Jon have all been failing at their jobs for at least 2 years now.
It appears (and I'm just guessing cause I have no inside track on any of this)that Bruce wants to try another strategy and does not want Ron or Jon involved.
Bruce is the president and should be able to make this sort of decision without the obstruction of the 'executive board'.
After all, things can't really get much worse. I say give Bruce free reign.
As was said in an earlier comment, Bruce hired Ron so its his right to fire him.
Ron and Jon, we appreciate your service but at this point we need to try something different.
Let Bruce do the job he was elected to do without interference.
Can we ever stop this internal bickering?
I voted for and supported Michael Conner for the vice presidency, now I see I made the correct choice. Too bad the votes got split three ways because it left Jon is power. Jon needs to step aside too at this point.
We are stuck with what we got unless we can throw them out and start anew. We voted trash in and now we are forced to live with our choices. I voted for the people who loss. Now I am losing again. Bruce May be a nice guy but he sure is leadership material. He gave away our overtime with new so called safety rules. And I agree with another person that we got nothing in return. Unions don't give away anything without getting something in return. In the meantime I am not taking as much money home, racing back to the garage so I don't get screwed by HOS rules or I don't turn in a time slip so I'm not forced to pass up. Bruce is responsible for that.
I didn't vote for him then and won't vote for him in the future. I hope other operators realize he has cost us thousands and will be costing us even more. And I hope they vote for someone else
Had the financial strain to Heintzman ever occurred to any of you. He's loosing his farm and is probably on the take to the biggest hand out. What's true is the situation as it stands today not what it was years ago. Heintzmans got way more to loose. Look at that then give time for the facts to surface. I'm behind Bruce. He's honest and brilliant!
The Hours of Service thing came about as we were being portrayed in the media as greedy union operators who were pursuing any and all overtime pay without regard to safety. Not wanting this to become a public relations disaster, I believe Bruce made a deal before the negative press could snowball. Should the process have been more collaborative? Absolutely. Should it be revisited asap? Sure.
WHAT THE F@CK? The union election is over! The president of the union is BRUCE and like it or not support the president period. Heintzman of all people should know this and the members should drag him out by his tongue if told to and won't step back (and I voted for Heintzman). And Al, The wannabe guy who made the first comment is probably the LOOSER to Jon Hunt. Hopefully next election better prospects will come forward.
Why so many anonymous people, I am waiting for facts from all parties. TriMet is loving this right now...they are laughing at our reactionary comments. Moral is already at an all time low, why are we doing all this infighting?
Let's remember history. Back in the big money days, when Ron was negotiating, those negotiations all took place in secret--usually just Ron and the GM. Now he's singing a different tune? Talk about the fox leading the hens out of the hen house. Produce one iota of proof that Bruce has ever had a secret meeting with management. It's the same old same old. Scare people with lies and next thing you know, they'll believe any crappola you put out. So, here's the rumor I want to hear about -- Ron charged the union $50 an hour to drive to and from Silverton to the negotiation sessions? Just how much have we paid to have our solidarity screwed up? Sorry about the anonymous but bullying seems to be a problem.
Don't know where you get that Hansen is weak. Thoughtful, kind, patient and steady is not weak. Just like yelling, insulting and getting red in the face isn't being strong. Sometimes it's being a bully.
Besides, this is the first time the media LIKES the ATU's president. Best press coverage EVER, EVER, EVER!!!!
Well what we don't know is that Bruce is costing us more than we think; Bruce is meeting behind our backs with Tri-met management, and wants nothing more than to screw us all. I wouldn't be surprised if the slime ball is lining up a future management job at Tri-met. Bruce sends out this letter, first of all at who's cost MY COST the member, I pay for him to throw cry baby fit, stand up, and be a leader. A Union is not a dictatorship, that's why we have an Executive board to protect the greater interest for all the members. If they voted to keep Ron then their must be something we don't know. My guess is it's Bruce making deals behind closed doors that are not in favor of the membership. I want a leader who is their to fight for me(the membership), to protect my hard earned wages, to ensure I have health benefits, not for someone to run away at a time of conflict, like a coward. What a great leader mailing out this letter and than leaving " oh send me a voice-mail with concerns or an email" this is ridiculous, I want answers now!!! Not some weak perfunctory response that is just computer generated. While the rest of us to fight among ourselves. What is Tri-met doing, just laughing at us. We are now screwed. Time for a new President if you ask me. Handle your shit in house, NOT on a public display for Tri-met management as thier personal entertainment.
A personal attack on someone cannot be made under the cover of anonymity..... I am reprinting the comment with the name removed:
Who is the guy who keeps knocking Bruce? Same one who accused Bruce of working for Trimet during the snow storm. XXX. He displays such hatred, not just at Bruce but for more than half the workers at Center Street. Remember a few years back when there was a standing down the hallway line of Union members waiting to write him up to HR? In the name of Unionism and solidarity XXX has no problem writing up members and attacking the Union President as long as it isn't Ron. Get a grip dude. This is not the time. If you had a genuine beef that's one thing but you don't even know the guy. President Hansen did the right thing for the membership by employing Ron in the first place. It didn't work out for the membership so he got rid of him. You gotta respect him. This in the first Union President that I know of who've ever put the membership first. Let's use this as a means to come together not as a negative to tear us apart.
Sorry, Union members were waiting for their turn to write up Bob. Half the yard was in fear of him. He was yelling at everyone and found out where they lived. It was not a good time but Jon Hun came in and spent a shit load of Union money to save him a few days suspension. So I hear that he's grateful and wants to do what he can for them but what's done is done. Move on. Keep your focus on the membership not the bullshit.
It was always going to come down to an arbitration. That's the game Tri-Met is playing. They have no intention of negotiating any contract other than the one they want, because they believe the arbitrator will side with them and they are probably right. Bruce is not costing anyone anything. Tri-Met is not bargaining in good faith. They are doing whatever is necessary to win because they want to keep building light rail trains. It all about money. The current management doesn't give a rip about running a good transit system. I wouldn't blame Bruce. His hands are tied by the fact that we can't strike.
Personally I think Jon Hunt should have resigned after he was caught drunk asleep at the wheel. I have no respect for Heinzman he is a snake in the grass and is in it for himself. I think Bruce was trying to do the right thing but got rail roaded by Hunt and Heinzman. Its all about the power. As far a Tri Met it is in a vortex of self destruction. They (Stedman and Mcfarlane) are so wrapt in corruption that they don't seee the over all picture. That its us the ground force that makes this place run. If Neil and Randy were gone tomorrow no one would notice that they weren't there. But if the ground force workers were gone it would be a complete disaster. Working for Tri Met is insanity and having to negotiate with tocix people and have snakes at your side hissing at you like Ron and Jon then it takes a gentle big man to keep his cool and to be calm and honest and that is what Bruce is. I support Bruce threw these trying times and so should everyone else if we are going to weather this storm and survive in one piece.
It was under Jonathan Hunt that our right to strike was handed away. He did that WITHOUT bringing it to a vote of the members. That one act alone should be enough to send both him and Heintzman packing.
Yet the Hunt/Heintzman machine keeps rolling with its duped supporters.
Heintzman may have won some 'temporary' victories but in the end he turned out to be a sucker and allowed Trimet to take away union members right to strike which meant he destroyed the union.
It's time to de-certify this union and clean house totally.
ATU757 is incapable of doing its job and that should be obvious to all Trimet union members.
Get rid of Hunt/Heintzman/Hansen and that self serving executive board.
The person who keeps writing Bruce is making secret deals needs to put up or shut up. Name one secret deal. Name one secret meeting. Bruce has REFUSED to meet with Stedman alone. He's INSISTED that the entire bargaining team be at EVERY bargaining meeting with TriMet. So put up or shut up on the "secret" meeting crap, buddy.
Okay let's clear the air a bit. Couple of facts people should know, one is Bruce Hansen has had lunch with Neil Mcfarlane when no one else knew, Bruce has said at the bargaining table that what he is hearing from the gm is not what is being said at the table, well think about it why is he the only one that is hearing different things? The bargaining team only hears what is presented at the table yet Bruce has consistently said that's not what Neil said. One instance is the proposal of a joint trust Bruce Hansen stated to randy stedman when randy shot it down at the table that he thought Neil Mcfarlane was for it, because he talked to him.. To my knowledge no one else heard anything but what randy said. Also, meetings may not be the only thing emailing information I consider the same as a meeting.
What Union gives up its right to strike? The only real & ultimate power a Union has. What Union expands exponentially by acquiring a bunch of Podunk locals to join, in effect redistricting its voting block to consolidate its officers power base? (Hunt / Heintzman) (Republican voting tactic). Other locals want to join ATU, great, start your own chapter. ATU757: New locals, new contracts: Winners. Old local, no right to strike,no contract, forced to arbitration. TriMet: Losers. Bruce meets with, or met with McFarland, so what. Bruce also has a media presence. When was the last time Hunt had a Union media presence? Oh,that's right. After that? Executive officers? Useless, unless you're in the clic and one of their F buddies.They'll defend friends that commit fireable offenses if they're in the club. Knowledgeable, hardly. In my opinion the mess we're in the last five years / 2 contracts is nothing more than a Short Dick pissing match between Hunt & McFarland. Are TriMet management Aholes? Absolutely. Motives: Heintzman: Lost International VP, Looking for employment. Hunt: If loses VP, goes back to Maintenance. CDL? Bench job without one? Seniority? Bruce: If loses Presidency, goes back to being an operator. Elections have consequences. If you're not happy with the results that Bruce achieves under this no strike / arbitration fiasco that wasn't his doing to start with, then step up or vote for someone else next election. Until then, if you're not with Bruce you're against US. Very interesting to watch you fools supporting and being led by a few self-serving present & past Officers protecting their own interests while your own house (No Strike / Arbitration) is burning to the ground. Oh, and did I mention Health care premium reimbursement? Sorry for the members who have to work for the next decade or two and the retirees who face the consequences of the next arbitration decision(s).
With all due respect for the uh, anon Union members or whatever trolls, I have never once said that I wanted to run and further more let this be a tale for future Union dealings: the story of the frog and the scorpion (http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/scorpion.html). After you all read this then get back to me. HB
if you all could read the email from the board over Fridays emergency meeting you will see where the board is and how divided they are.the h.o.s policy was signed by bruce and backed by the powell rep but as long as its not in the next contract were ok.
Lol, at the troll claiming anon then blaming others for anon status. Anyway, when in doubt vote them out! Lastly, if those who hate the HOS then turn down ratification with a NO vote, while telling our representation that it needs to be removed then reworked, replaced with something that can pass by the masses, not a single individual; this is a union not a corporation. HB
You got facts to share state the source including your name otherwise it's just another rumor. Be transparent with your info. If you're commenting on an article you can choose to remain anonymous. At least Beasley moved his priorities from dirty bathroom floors (yellow card it) to hos.
To the anon, what? My priorities as you so graciously stated has alway been about Union first, thus Union Strong and if that has not been satifing for you than step up yourself, my fine "keyboard warrior." I have always stated "us" "we" and "our" in my correspondence not "my" "I" or "me." So as you continue to "hide" let that be a lesson for you all that I'm Union first, regardless of who's in office. HB
@beasley. How long were you hiding under anonymous until someone called you on it. By your own admission you were writing articles here using Al's name.
to yet another anon troll, I haven't used the anonymous for a very long time so if you want to troll some more you tell me when I supposedly used al's name? And when you're done trolling get back to me. HB
That's pathetic.
ReplyDeleteHB
Good letter by Bruce. Very disappointing to hear that a few self serving folks are diluting our focus and splintering our solidarity. They need to cease and desist pronto.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the executive board has told Bruce that Ron stays. Apparently Bruce thinks he is king and is a tyrant himself. Bruce wants to give away what has been fought for.
ReplyDeleteTriMet will win every time with union in fighting. Thank you Bruce for giving TriMet the upper hand by being a weak president and not handling your admin problems in house.
Bruce was elected president to take charge of the union. Ron Heintzman should have been sent packing right then and there.
ReplyDeleteNow the executive board wants to tell the President who should be running the show?
[b]
I DON'T THINK SO.[/b]
So now our WEAK local president is going to air his comments out to the public which should have been brought before the Local union membership in house.
ReplyDeleteWho really is he working for? TRIMET? The International? What private conversations is he having
with TRIMET? He isn't working for the local if he isn't talking to the LOCAL.
We seem to have forgotten what Ron Heintzman did for this union over the years. None of us would have what we have today if it weren't for him. He is ten times smarter than anyone in the ATU. If he leaves, ATU is in serious trouble.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I know about this situation, which is not much because the union operates at the same level of secrecy as Trimet does,Bruce was pushed into this due to an attempted coup by the executive board.
ReplyDeleteThe executive board has to abide by the wishes of the members which is that Bruce Hansen be the president.
The next election is in a years time when the members can elect a new president.
Really, the executive board is trying to be the president? That kind of shit doesn't fly.
I's time to open up the executive board meetings to interested members.
End ATU secrecy!
I would like to have someone ask the question "if Ron was doing such a bad job why did Bruce wait until the end to ask him to leave ? It's because Ron wrote 95% of the proposals that we exchanged across the table and when Ron wasn't available we put a two sentence pathetic proposal across the table that randy stedman looked at and asked what it was? Bruce responded it's our proposal and randy laughed and shook his head. Before people casts stones they should get their facts straight.
ReplyDeleteThe president is not the UNION.
ReplyDeleteThe membership is the UNION.
The president shouldn't have private conversations
with management either?
Regardless of what one thinks of Mr. Heintzman, he lost the election and Bruce
ReplyDeletewon. Elections have consequences. Bruce
hired him, and now Bruce can fire him.
As President, Bruce will be held accountable
for how this contract turns out, so it's his
prerogative to have whoever he wants or
doesn't want with him at the table. That is
not being weak or being a tyrant. Members
with concerns should contact Bruce as he
suggests.
I voted for Bruce. I won't make that mistake again. I don't care who else runs as long as they can and want to protect my wages, health care, and working conditions. Bruce has done neither. He signed an hours of service agreement and cost me thousands. What did he get us in return? NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteNow he wants to split the union when he should endorsing solidarity. Bruce should man up and deal with his problems like a man. Not a fat cry baby.
Bruce you will never get my vote and I won't forget how you screwed me!
Bruce is letting his insecurities get in the way of leading. A good leads regardless of whether they are the smartest person in the room. A leader delegates without worrying how it is perceived. Bruce is not smart. Every time he talks it is obvious. And he has proven he is not a leader either. Shame on Bruce for staring this kind of dialog. TriMet leaders are having a good day with this. Union members are so screwed now.
ReplyDeleteBruce's girth is only out weighed by lack of leadership and smarts.
ReplyDeleteBruce isn't the best public speaker (he could take classes for this) but that has nothing to do with intelligence. Everybody needs to cool out and let the man do the job he was elected to do. He's using the International as he should. He says he wants to hear from you, that is not a bad thing! Contact him your insights.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to bet the farm that the majority of comments here area anons from Ron and his little buddy Bob. Attacks against ones size come from ignorance and hatred. If you don't know the facts wait until you do or ask questions but leave hatred and ignorance out of it.
ReplyDeleteI know the same as everybody else about this situation with one exception.
ReplyDeleteI watch the events of Trimet/ATU daily so I consider myself somewhat a 'scholar' on this subject.
Things have been going downhill for Trimet union employees for awhile now, and it started during Jon Hunts reign. Now I don't blame Jon for this since Trimet has taken the low road since Mcfarlane entered the scene. However this decline started while Jon was in charge.
Now Ron, Jon and Bruce have been dealing with this shit for 2 years now and the decline has continued unabated.
What that leads me to believe is that Bruce, Ron, and Jon have all been failing at their jobs for at least 2 years now.
It appears (and I'm just guessing cause I have no inside track on any of this)that Bruce wants to try another strategy and does not want Ron or Jon involved.
Bruce is the president and should be able to make this sort of decision without the obstruction of the 'executive board'.
After all, things can't really get much worse. I say give Bruce free reign.
As was said in an earlier comment, Bruce hired Ron so its his right to fire him.
Ron and Jon, we appreciate your service but at this point we need to try something different.
Let Bruce do the job he was elected to do without interference.
Can we ever stop this internal bickering?
I voted for and supported Michael Conner for the vice presidency, now I see I made the correct choice. Too bad the votes got split three ways because it left Jon is power. Jon needs to step aside too at this point.
Just sayin............
We are stuck with what we got unless we can throw them out and start anew. We voted trash in and now we are forced to live with our choices. I voted for the people who loss. Now I am losing again. Bruce May be a nice guy but he sure is leadership material. He gave away our overtime with new so called safety rules. And I agree with another person that we got nothing in return. Unions don't give away anything without getting something in return. In the meantime I am not taking as much money home, racing back to the garage so I don't get screwed by HOS rules or I don't turn in a time slip so I'm not forced to pass up. Bruce is responsible for that.
ReplyDeleteI didn't vote for him then and won't vote for him in the future. I hope other operators realize he has cost us thousands and will be costing us even more. And I hope they vote for someone else
Had the financial strain to Heintzman ever occurred to any of you. He's loosing his farm and is probably on the take to the biggest hand out. What's true is the situation as it stands today not what it was years ago. Heintzmans got way more to loose. Look at that then give time for the facts to surface. I'm behind Bruce. He's honest and brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThe Hours of Service thing came about as we were being portrayed in the media as
ReplyDeletegreedy union operators who were pursuing
any and all overtime pay without regard to
safety. Not wanting this to become a public
relations disaster, I believe Bruce made a
deal before the negative press could snowball. Should the process have been more collaborative? Absolutely.
Should it be revisited asap? Sure.
WHAT THE F@CK? The union election is over! The president of the union is BRUCE and like it or not support the president period. Heintzman of all people should know this and the members should drag him out by his tongue if told to and won't step back (and I voted for Heintzman).
ReplyDeleteAnd Al,
The wannabe guy who made the first comment is probably the LOOSER to Jon Hunt. Hopefully next election better prospects will come forward.
Why so many anonymous people, I am waiting for facts from all parties. TriMet is loving this right now...they are laughing at our reactionary comments. Moral is already at an all time low, why are we doing all this infighting?
ReplyDeleteLet's remember history. Back in the big money days, when Ron was negotiating, those negotiations all took place in secret--usually just Ron and the GM. Now he's singing a different tune? Talk about the fox leading the hens out of the hen house. Produce one iota of proof that Bruce has ever had a secret meeting with management. It's the same old same old. Scare people with lies and next thing you know, they'll believe any crappola you put out. So, here's the rumor I want to hear about -- Ron charged the union $50 an hour to drive to and from Silverton to the negotiation sessions? Just how much have we paid to have our solidarity screwed up? Sorry about the anonymous but bullying seems to be a problem.
ReplyDeleteDon't know where you get that Hansen is weak. Thoughtful, kind, patient and steady is not weak. Just like yelling, insulting and getting red in the face isn't being strong. Sometimes it's being a bully.
ReplyDeleteBesides, this is the first time the media LIKES the ATU's president. Best press coverage EVER, EVER, EVER!!!!
Well what we don't know is that Bruce is costing us more than we think; Bruce is meeting behind our backs with Tri-met management, and wants nothing more than to screw us all. I wouldn't be surprised if the slime ball is lining up a future management job at Tri-met. Bruce sends out this letter, first of all at who's cost MY COST the member, I pay for him to throw cry baby fit, stand up, and be a leader. A Union is not a dictatorship, that's why we have an Executive board to protect the greater interest for all the members. If they voted to keep Ron then their must be something we don't know. My guess is it's Bruce making deals behind closed doors that are not in favor of the membership. I want a leader who is their to fight for me(the membership), to protect my hard earned wages, to ensure I have health benefits, not for someone to run away at a time of conflict, like a coward. What a great leader mailing out this letter and than leaving " oh send me a voice-mail with concerns or an email" this is ridiculous, I want answers now!!! Not some weak perfunctory response that is just computer generated. While the rest of us to fight among ourselves. What is Tri-met doing, just laughing at us. We are now screwed. Time for a new President if you ask me. Handle your shit in house, NOT on a public display for Tri-met management as thier personal entertainment.
ReplyDeleteA personal attack on someone cannot be made under the cover of anonymity.....
ReplyDeleteI am reprinting the comment with the name removed:
Who is the guy who keeps knocking Bruce? Same one who accused Bruce of working for Trimet during the snow storm. XXX. He displays such hatred, not just at Bruce but for more than half the workers at Center Street. Remember a few years back when there was a standing down the hallway line of Union members waiting to write him up to HR? In the name of Unionism and solidarity XXX has no problem writing up members and attacking the Union President as long as it isn't Ron. Get a grip dude. This is not the time. If you had a genuine beef that's one thing but you don't even know the guy. President Hansen did the right thing for the membership by employing Ron in the first place. It didn't work out for the membership so he got rid of him. You gotta respect him. This in the first Union President that I know of who've ever put the membership first. Let's use this as a means to come together not as a negative to tear us apart.
Sorry, Union members were waiting for their turn to write up Bob. Half the yard was in fear of him. He was yelling at everyone and found out where they lived. It was not a good time but Jon Hun came in and spent a shit load of Union money to save him a few days suspension. So I hear that he's grateful and wants to do what he can for them but what's done is done. Move on. Keep your focus on the membership not the bullshit.
ReplyDeleteI get it. You don't want names mentioned if it's derogatory but making fun of someone's 'girth' or their size or other personal traits is ok. Right?
ReplyDeleteLeave it to Beasley to exploit this whole thing for a campaign ad.
ReplyDeleteDan't worry our lives, wadges, health care and retirement pensions are all now in Bamboozle Bruce's hands...
ReplyDeleteIt's Steadman vs Fedman
It was always going to come down to an arbitration. That's the game Tri-Met is playing. They have no intention of negotiating any contract other than the one they want, because they believe the arbitrator will side with them and they are probably right. Bruce is not costing anyone anything. Tri-Met is not bargaining in good faith. They are doing whatever is necessary to win because they want to keep building light rail trains. It all about money. The current management doesn't give a rip about running a good transit system. I wouldn't blame Bruce. His hands are tied by the fact that we can't strike.
ReplyDeleteLOL at all of you. This is why I left Trimet for a good City job! Good luck with your future contracts!
ReplyDeletePersonally I think Jon Hunt should have resigned after he was caught drunk asleep at the wheel. I have no respect for Heinzman he is a snake in the grass and is in it for himself. I think Bruce was trying to do the right thing but got rail roaded by Hunt and Heinzman. Its all about the power. As far a Tri Met it is in a vortex of self destruction. They (Stedman and Mcfarlane) are so wrapt in corruption that they don't seee the over all picture. That its us the ground force that makes this place run. If Neil and Randy were gone tomorrow no one would notice that they weren't there. But if the ground force workers were gone it would be a complete disaster. Working for Tri Met is insanity and having to negotiate with tocix people and have snakes at your side hissing at you like Ron and Jon then it takes a gentle big man to keep his cool and to be calm and honest and that is what Bruce is. I support Bruce threw these trying times and so should everyone else if we are going to weather this storm and survive in one piece.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
ReplyDeleteIt was under Jonathan Hunt that our right to strike was handed away.
ReplyDeleteHe did that WITHOUT bringing it to a vote of the members.
That one act alone should be enough to send both him and Heintzman packing.
Yet the Hunt/Heintzman machine keeps rolling with its duped supporters.
Heintzman may have won some 'temporary' victories but in the end he turned out to be a sucker and allowed Trimet to take away union members right to strike which meant he destroyed the union.
It's time to de-certify this union and clean house totally.
ATU757 is incapable of doing its job and that should be obvious to all Trimet union members.
Get rid of Hunt/Heintzman/Hansen and that self serving executive board.
They all should be fired
The person who keeps writing Bruce is making secret deals needs to put up or shut up. Name one secret deal. Name one secret meeting. Bruce has REFUSED to meet with Stedman alone. He's INSISTED that the entire bargaining team be at EVERY bargaining meeting with TriMet. So put up or shut up on the "secret" meeting crap, buddy.
ReplyDeleteOkay let's clear the air a bit. Couple of facts people should know, one is Bruce Hansen has had lunch with Neil Mcfarlane when no one else knew, Bruce has said at the bargaining table that what he is hearing from the gm is not what is being said at the table, well think about it why is he the only one that is hearing different things? The bargaining team only hears what is presented at the table yet Bruce has consistently said that's not what Neil said. One instance is the proposal of a joint trust Bruce Hansen stated to randy stedman when randy shot it down at the table that he thought Neil Mcfarlane was for it, because he talked to him.. To my knowledge no one else heard anything but what randy said. Also, meetings may not be the only thing emailing information I consider the same as a meeting.
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with that? Are you saying it's a BAD thing for the GM and Union President to talk with each other? Isn't it in their job descriptions?
ReplyDeleteAnything else?
email is public. Put in a public records request, then come back here and show us the proof.
ReplyDeleteWhat Union gives up its right to strike? The only real & ultimate power a Union has.
ReplyDeleteWhat Union expands exponentially by acquiring a bunch of Podunk locals to join, in effect redistricting its voting block to consolidate its officers power base? (Hunt / Heintzman) (Republican voting tactic).
Other locals want to join ATU, great, start your own chapter.
ATU757:
New locals, new contracts: Winners.
Old local, no right to strike,no contract, forced to arbitration. TriMet: Losers.
Bruce meets with, or met with McFarland, so what. Bruce also has a media presence.
When was the last time Hunt had a Union media presence? Oh,that's right. After that?
Executive officers? Useless, unless you're in the clic and one of their F buddies.They'll defend friends that commit fireable offenses if they're in the club. Knowledgeable, hardly.
In my opinion the mess we're in the last five years / 2 contracts is nothing more than a Short Dick pissing match between Hunt & McFarland.
Are TriMet management Aholes? Absolutely.
Motives:
Heintzman:
Lost International VP, Looking for employment.
Hunt:
If loses VP, goes back to Maintenance. CDL?
Bench job without one? Seniority?
Bruce:
If loses Presidency, goes back to being an operator.
Elections have consequences.
If you're not happy with the results that Bruce achieves under this no strike / arbitration fiasco that wasn't his doing to start with, then step up or vote for someone else next election. Until then, if you're not with Bruce you're against US.
Very interesting to watch you fools supporting and being led by a few self-serving present & past Officers protecting their own interests while your own house
(No Strike / Arbitration) is burning to the ground. Oh, and did I mention Health care premium reimbursement?
Sorry for the members who have to work for the next decade or two and the retirees who face the consequences of the next arbitration decision(s).
With all due respect for the uh, anon Union members or whatever trolls, I have never once said that I wanted to run and further more let this be a tale for future Union dealings: the story of the frog and the scorpion (http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/scorpion.html).
ReplyDeleteAfter you all read this then get back to me.
HB
if you all could read the email from the board over Fridays emergency meeting you will see where the board is and how divided they are.the h.o.s policy was signed by bruce and backed by the powell rep but as long as its not in the next contract were ok.
ReplyDeletePresent your proof and your name or shut the eff up!
ReplyDeleteLol, at the troll claiming anon then blaming others for anon status. Anyway, when in doubt vote them out! Lastly, if those who hate the HOS then turn down ratification with a NO vote, while telling our representation that it needs to be removed then reworked, replaced with something that can pass by the masses, not a single individual; this is a union not a corporation.
ReplyDeleteHB
You got facts to share state the source including your name otherwise it's just another rumor. Be transparent with your info. If you're commenting on an article you can choose to remain anonymous. At least Beasley moved his priorities from dirty bathroom floors (yellow card it) to hos.
ReplyDeleteTo the anon, what? My priorities as you so graciously stated has alway been about Union first, thus Union Strong and if that has not been satifing for you than step up yourself, my fine "keyboard warrior." I have always stated "us" "we" and "our" in my correspondence not "my" "I" or "me." So as you continue to "hide" let that be a lesson for you all that I'm Union first, regardless of who's in office.
ReplyDeleteHB
@beasley. How long were you hiding under anonymous until someone called you on it. By your own admission you were writing articles here using Al's name.
ReplyDeleteto yet another anon troll, I haven't used the anonymous for a very long time so if you want to troll some more you tell me when I supposedly used al's name? And when you're done trolling get back to me.
ReplyDeleteHB
"Internal Strife Crippling ATU 757? You gotta be kidding. Sounds like a move in the positive.
ReplyDelete