Awkward situation for SEIU and ASCME
I read a post by electronic tech that about sums up what I have been hearing from people I know who are SEIU members, essentially that they are stuck in a very weird position. On one hand you don't want to cross any picket lines, but on the other hand they find it really hard to get on board with ATU. SEIU knew the contract wasn't the greatest mostly because of the wage freeze, but they were also happy that nothing was really taken away, which is all they really wanted in this economy anyway.
But now they have to strike anyway because ATU has decided that they won't take the same contract? Yet ATU seems to be all for SEIU and ASCME not crossing the picket line and essentially losing pay for a cause that is not even theirs. How can they expect SEIU to be all fired up when they have nothing to gain in this situation but everything to lose (pay, loss of goodwill by the public, guilt feelings about crossing if they need to cross?)
I wonder if this kind of situation has ever happened before?
Some good
Some good news.
08.15.2009
BART, ATU resume talks in effort to break impasse, avert strike
BART and the Amalgamated Transit Union have agreed to reopen talks at 1 p.m. today to see if an impasse can be broken to avoid a strike scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
ATU on Thursday announced its intent to strike, following the BART Board of Directors' vote to impose terms and conditions of employment on the union.
BART Chief Spokesman Linton Johnson said it would be up to ATU to make the concessions needed for its part of a $100 million labor savings target to help close a $310 million budget gap over the next four years. "We are ready to meet," Johnson said. "Let's just get this done."
Johnson said ATU should not "get a pass" from making the sacrifices made by other BART unions, BART management and the riding public.
"If they choose to go on strike, it's all on them," he said. "It's their choice to walk off the job. ATU needs to make the right decision."
Meanwhile, BART and other Bay Area transit providers have begun making preparations to assist travelers with alternative arrangements should there be a strike. The BART website's "Updates and Options" page will be frequently updated with the latest information.
BART’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to adopt terms and conditions of employment for BART union workers represented by ATU, who rejected a new labor agreement that two other BART unions overwhelmingly approved. Those unions are The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 1021, which is BART’s largest union representing mechanics, electrical, clerical and professional administrative workers; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents primarily middle managers and planners.
Under the terms and conditions, ATU members will continue to receive their base salaries. However, among the terms are a cap on healthcare costs, elimination of BART’s contribution to a secondary pension plan, changes to employee contribution to PERS, changes to worker schedules, changes to wasteful work rules and reductions of paid holidays. The terms will remain in effect until a new contract agreement is reached.
The vast majority of BART workers represented by SEIU and AFSCME have already voted to approve a similar new four-year contract that helps reduce the District’s labor costs while preserving base salaries.
The BART website is your best source of official, accurate information about BART service and possible labor-related impacts. Sign up for official BART news updates or follow a BART RSS feed for the latest. For information about labor negotiations visit http://www.bartlabor.com/.
who knows maybe it is not too
who knows maybe it is not too late for the train conductors and station agents to change their minds and be _reasonable_ and take the good offer they were given