Cell Phone Stip To Expire

Brothers And Sisters; This December marks the end of the signed stipulation and agreement that the Union has with the Transit Authority concerning Cell Phones! Richard Davis and Myself recently visited Zerega to find that the TA keeps graphs on their repeat offenders of cell phone violations. Be mindful, and be careful!
History of Cell Phone violations first started with a policy of an automatic 5 day suspension if caught, but the Union of the ATU fought and won a case with Arbitration! The TWU followed suit and got a stipulation and agreement that allowed first time offenders to receive a reprimand instead of a 5day suspension. This Stip will be expiring.
Due to the high rate of Cell phone violations and repeat offenders the penalty for getting caught just touching the device can be severe

MaBstoa Arbitration Concerning Lay-offs/Re-hires

On Wednesday November 17th 2010 Arbitrator Adleman heard arguments regarding the re-hiring of MaBstoa Bus Operators as opposed to the TA hiring new operators off the Civil Service list. The Union was limited in asking for certain relief, because while the Courts ruled that the grievance could go forward, the Civil Service Law couldn't be violated!The Union argued that all we are asking for is to restore MaBstoa operators to work as per the 2009 ratio that requires the Transit Authority to hire in a 60/40 ratio based on the 3 year average prior to 2002. What that means in layman terms is for every 60 TA Bus Operators hired, the Authority must hire 40 MaBstoa Bus Operators! The Unions position is that all MaBstoa operators should be returned to work before any new operators are hired in order to comply with the contract. The Transit Authority took an adjournment to go back to court! The TA seemed to be alarmed that the union had copies of the hiring ratios that are supposed to be used! Stay Tuned!

Court Reverses Stay Against MaBstoa Grievances/Layoffs/Return Ratio

Brothers and Sisters; Through out the summer we have seen difficult times regarding the lay-offs, and the fairness of the whole process. The Union filed contract grievances to force the TA to abide by bus consolidation where they responded by blocking our resolution through the courts. Recently, all stayed court orders... against MaBstoa's grievances were reversed, and will be heard on November 17th 2010. The following Grievances will be heard by the contract Arbitrator (Layoff Consolidated order, and Return OA operators to work based on Civil Services/non Civil Service Ratio.) Stay Tuned