SF: Arbitrator imposes contract rejected by Muni workers

[RandySF]

Muni operators must work under the contract they overwhelmingly rejected last week, an independent arbitrator ruled Monday night. The decision, announced during a union membership meeting, infuriated many Muni operators.

Under the City Charter, if the Municipal Transportation Agency and Transport Workers Union Local 250-A fail to reach an agreement, an arbitrator determines the terms of the contract the 2,200 operators will work under for the next three years.

"It is the opinion of the mediator/arbitrator that the terms of the (proposed contract) on the disputed issues represent the best resolution of these protracted labor negotiations and are in the best interests of both the parties and the riding public," wrote arbitrator Carol Vendrillo, who also helped with the negotiations that led to the tentative agreement.



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/13/BARD1JTCEI.DTL#ixzz1PHS3b2IK

[Auggie]

1. I haven't ridden Muni regularly in years...

but IMO the drivers were the single biggest problem with the system. A minority of them worked their butts off and did the best they could with the old/broken down equipment they were given. But a majority, at least in the eyes of this rider, were damn lucky to have a job. I'm pro union. I'm also pro work and believe a days pay equals a fair days effort.

I love this quote:

"We're not crying about a pay cut - it's about respect," said Victor Grayson, an operator and committee spokesman. "We want to be in the position to do our job without people looking over our shoulders and treating us like children. This isn't 'Romper Room.' We are adults, and we have lots of peoples' lives in our hands."

Sorry -- supervision is part of almost any job. If they don't like it there are plenty of unemployed to take their place.

[ret5hd]

2. re: "plenty of unemployed..."

that is the republican plan.

[RandySF]

4. I have few complaints with the bus.

The MTA is another matter. It never seems to work right.

[Auggie]

5. Many times I could walk to work faster than the bus

Russian Hill to the Financial District, about 30 minutes. I'd never see a 41 or 45 Union.

[KamaAina]

3. There are rumors of sickouts, wildcats, etc.

Can they at least wait 'til after my disability scholar friends leave next week? :scared:

[Citizen Worker]

6. No need for sickouts, merely work to rule. That is, follow the rules set forth by management to the

letter. No deviation, no cutting corners to speed things along. No matter how arcane and outdated those rules might be, follow them. It would be interesting to see the results of selected work stoppages. For instance, different routes could be struck without notice or sectors of the service area could be struck.