I disagree as to the solidity and validity of your argument. The Met Council's
position paper does NOT clearly
outline that the drivers receive higher pay than private sector employees doing the
same job. It makes a claim to that
effect but does not provide the details. I'm more than a little skeptical about what
might be considered the same as
keeping a #22 on time and all of the riders reasonably safe.
Also, the chart showing the pay scale tops for the various cities around the
country does not include average pay -
they are not the same thing and it makes a difference.
But, the larger point is what is each side willing to do to get the buses moving
again. This is beginning to look
more and more like an attempt to bust the union and at the same time devalue the mass
transit system. The Met Council
appears to be willing to let the buses, tracks and train cars rust while it builds
more freeway lanes.
If the Met Council is sincerely interested in providing high quality transit
options, it must start negotiating or go
to arbitration. That's where the specifics of the workers' compensation package needs
to be worked out; not here or in
other parts of the media.
Dan McGuire
Ericsson
Bill Cullen wrote:
Mark Snyder said I have "seriously misquoted" Chris Johnson.
My response:
I agree that my Chris Johnson quote was a serious misquote. I apologize to
him and all on the board.
Regardless, my argument is solid without the quote.
> Chris Johnson wrote:
>
> ... I do agree with Mr. Hohmann in principle: taxpayers should not be
> subsidizing luxury or extravagant benefits far above and beyond what is
> available to average workers in the workplace.
>
> My response:
>
> This is why most of the community is quiet about this strike. It is hard
> for the private sector to support a strike when the Met Council's position
> paper clearly outlines that the drivers receive above average pay and
> benefits compared to private sector employees doing the same job
> (http://www.metrocouncil.org/labor/METCposition.pdf).
>
> Couple that with the fact that most of us in the private sector have been
> hurt by dismal pay and increasing job losses over the past few years and we
> cannot figure out what the drivers are talking about. Most of my tenants
> would love their job.
>
> Many of you complained when Strom wrote "the bus strike shows decisively
> that proponents of transit are simply not telling the truth when they say
> that transit ridership reduces congestion." Strom's response was to THE
> MEDIA PREDICTIONS that traffic would be crippled without the bus system.
> Well, it hasn't happened. Rybak claims traffic is flowing ok because he
> "[put] five times the normal number of traffic control officers on duty in
> downtown Minneapolis the first week of the strike." Come on... Traffic
> cops don't have that much impact.
>
> Most of my tenants are low income folk. Many depend on the bus system.
> Every single day of this strike, I have heard from multiple tenants about
> how this strike has messed up their lives. They are having trouble getting
> to jobs, school and social events. Everyday I have loaned out my pickup or
> drove someone, someplace.
>
> I am horribly frustrated. It appears the drivers are demanding pay/benefits
> exceeding others doing the same job. The poor -- who are the ones primarily
> hurt by this strike -- work for less than the drivers refuse to work for.
> Meanwhile the Met Council won't even attempt NON-binding arbitration.
>
> I have no respect for either side. They are both out of touch with their
> customers. Our government is out of touch.
>
> Regards, Bill Cullen.
> Whittier Landlord.
>
> 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
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
