Posted on 06/08/2011 9:36:21 PM PDT by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO -- Muni operators overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract Wednesday that management said would have saved the agency tens of millions of dollars a year and made the transit system more reliable.
The tentative agreement - backed by the executive team of the operators union - was shot down on a vote of 994 to 488, according to management and Transport Workers Union Local 250-A.
It was the third time in 1 1/2 years that the union rank and file has snubbed its leadership and management's requests for cost-saving concessions.
The labor dispute now goes before an independent arbitrator, who will set the terms for the new contract, which is set to go into effect July 1. The arbitrator's decision is binding. Under the voter-approved rules, the arbitrator must take into account the contract's effects on fares and service, which could favor management.
The rejected deal would have frozen wages for three years, allowed the use of part-time drivers to help rein in overtime costs, and given management more say over day-to-day operations.
Tom Nolan, chairman of the Municipal Transportation Agency governing board, said he was shocked at the overwhelming vote in opposition.
"Boy, oh boy, oh boy. I didn't see that coming," Nolan said. "Now its in the hands of the abitrator."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Typical union scum.
Typical union “thinking.”
Point the gun at your head and then say “don’t laugh, you’re next.”
San Francisco loves unions.
Go on strike, they won’t mind...
Maybe the best solution for SF is to give the unions everything they want and more.
Good. Let the massive firings of Muni operators begin.
San Fransicko, lol.
Just give the union whatever it wants.
Until very recently, the SF Charter required Muni to be the 2nd highest paid in the nation. The union really wants that rule back.
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