Hansen's statement

Bruce Hansen, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 (ATU) said the Union’s members have voted to ratify a new TriMet contract. ATU ballots were counted today; TriMet’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement earlier this week. The four-year contract goes into effect immediately, its term being December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2016.

ATU President Bruce Hansen praised the elected property officers (his lackeys) who made up the ATU’s bargaining team. He also praised the state Conciliator, Janet Gilman, who mediated the settlement and “whose efforts made finding the common ground possible.”(what common ground? Mcfarlane got everything he wanted which was union members to give up 100% health care coverage and accept 80/20 coverage along with forcing union members to make premium payments)

“Our members fulfilled their commitment to their passengers and the citizens of the community by accepting reduced health care benefits,” says Hansen. The next step is TriMet’s. (and exactly how will this translate to benefiting riders and not benefiting Trimet capital project aspirations)

Hansen notes that, in recent months, the parties have moved toward more effective cooperation such that they have been able to successfully resolve a number of outstanding issues.(like forcing hours of service and  block signup down operators throats)  “But the gigantic elephant in the room is that 44-years of TriMet failing to fund its promises to its current and future retirees. That is the issue that needs to be addressed in the next two years. It is my hope that the new trend toward cooperation will help make that happen.” (You're not listening Bruce? Trimet got what it wanted, you handed it to them, they no longer have this excuse. We shall see what will happen next year when this process starts all over again )