Greetings Brothers and Sisters:
We are faced with many obstacles in this contract fight with increased disciplines for minor violations. Every department should be following their standard operating procedure, for Bus Operators we can start with the 19a!
Bus Operators quality of life is under constant attack, but as all of you are aware, MaBstoa and TA Managers are looking for the death blow that would make this job meaningless in terms of our buying power. As Bus Operators, we must do what ever we need to do to protect that! In Manhattan and the Bronx, ShopGate meetings have been occurring to give basic information, and pull support for our leaders.
There is a lot of media surrounding our battles and contract fight. There is also a lot negativity coming from the forces that intend to run against the current leadership. (Politics)
We have to stay focused on our fight in order to preserve our earning power.
The innocent folks of this Union have been sucked into a power struggle within itself that causes nothing more than additional division!
We must fight together all others get out of the way!
SAMUELSEN SEEKS TO RAID RETIREES BENEFITS!
ReplyDeleteNew York
Union says MTA's sitting on a fortune, can afford raises & restore service
TWU sees unused $474M in health care fund
By Pete Donohue / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, February 11, 2012, 7:25 PM
Bryan Smith for New York Daily News
TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, seen at a January protest of proposed cuts to members' health care services, says the MTA has enough money in a health care fund to pay for union raises and restore service cuts.
The MTA can pay transit workers raises — and restore cut service — by tapping an obscure health care fund, Transport Workers Union Local 100 says.
The fund, established in 2006 to cover the future health care benefits of retired transit workers, has grown to nearly $474 million in six years.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to deposit another $59 million into the Other than Pension Benefits (OPEB) fund this year and an additional $129 million by 2014.
“It clearly demonstrates they have the ability to grant raises,” Local 100 president John Samuelsen said. “We’re not asking for the world. We’re asking for cost of living increases.”
The MTA also could use some OPEB money to bring back bus and subway services that were cut in 2010 to close a budget gap, he said. The cuts included the elimination of dozens of bus routes.
But the MTA says dipping into the fund would be terribly short-sighted and bad for workers.
Using a series of calculations involving escalating health care costs, the life expectancy of the work force and benefits granted in past contract, the MTA calculates retiree health care will total about $13.2 billion.
“Raiding the fund is grossly irresponsible and completely ignores the serious unfunded liability of $13 billion that the MTA must grapple with,” Chairman Joseph Lhota said.
Public agencies have to report how much of their future financial obligations to retirees are unfunded. They are not legally mandated, however, to set aside any money for the purpose. Nor are they prohibited from using some money that is set aside for other purposes like raises and service.
The contract between the MTA and 34,000 bus and subway workers expired Jan. 15. The MTA has said it can only afford raises if the union agrees to work-rule changes or other measures to cover the cost.
Each 1% raise in wages would increase MTA expenses in its $12.6 billion operating budget by $25 million.
The MTA and Local 100 have had a few negotiating sessions since the contract expired but remain far apart on a deal.
pdonohue@nydailynews.com
From NYDailyNews.com