On 2/26/04 4:56 PM, "Michael Hohmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The existing health care benefit package for MTC employees is completely out > of whack with today's reality. For them not to realize that fact, shows > they have their heads in the sand. Why should taxpayers subsidize a benefit > package that is better than that enjoyed by 99 percent of the working > public? And the MTC retirement fund currently has over a $250 million > shortage. Where is all this money supposed to come from? I disagree that the health care package for Metro Transit drivers and mechanics is out of whack with reality. Reality is that these mechanics work in garages that are so thick with diesel fumes that it's the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. Not only should these workers have the health care package they do, but they should be getting hazard pay! Drivers also have constant exposure to diesel fumes, in addition to the various shocks and jolts to the spine and hips that come while piloting these big, clunky machines. It's not that big a deal for the riders, but imagine sitting through that for 8-10 hours a day, every day, for at least 10 years. As for the retirement shortfall, that's certainly true that there is one, but it's been a problem that has evolved over a long period and it's hardly the union's fault. They did not choose to underfund the pension program year after year. They did not sit by and let transit funding take it in the shorts at the Capitol, year after year. That's management's fault. And now management is trying to make the union pay for their own mismanagement. As far as where the money could come from, well, if you believe the KARE-11 scare story last night about gasoline prices reaching $2.25 a gallon this summer, I suppose some of the money could come from increased fare revenues when it becomes too expensive for folks to drive. But only if management agrees to a contract that gets the buses back on the road. > If a strike takes place, it will only be a short time until the striking > employees loose their health care benefits in their entirety (while on > strike). How long will the strike go on under those conditions. In the > meantime, captive riders are subjected to extreme hardship and job loss, > while MTC employees incur higher losses than they would under terms of the > proposed new contract. It's time for a reality check! It is time for a reality check. The reality is that the union was willing to agree to binding arbitration, even though they haven't done well at arbitration in past contract negotiations. Management was not. Why? Is it maybe because the union is only trying to protect what they have? They're not asking for anything new. They just don't want their members to be the ones who pay and pay dearly for the mistakes made by others. If Metro Transit management is so confident in the numbers behind their proposal, why not go before an arbitrator rather than risk a strike? Here's another reality check: the union has tried to get back to the negotiating table ever since rejecting the last offer from management and Peter Bell has refused. If "captive riders are subjected to extreme hardship and job loss" because of a transit strike, I hope those folks take time to realize who's causing this strike. It's not the union's fault - it's the fault of Peter Bell and Metro Transit management. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
