MTA IS CRACKING DOWN ON RED LIGHTS AND CELL PHONES

                                                                                        I. DANEEK MILLER  

                                                                                   dmiller@local1056.org                                       

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

By now I am sure that we are all well aware of TWU Local 100’s  TA/OA Arbitration Award handed down on August 1, 2009.

Brief Background:

The Arbitration Panel Award Contract 2009-2012 Highlights’:

2009:  2%    (effective April 16, 2009- Retroactive).

           2%    (effective October 16, 2009).

2010:   2%    (effective April 16, 2010).

           2%    (effective October 16, 2010).  

2011:   3%    (effective January 16, 2011).

All wage increases shall be added to applicable wage progressions.

2010  Total Wage increase shall be compounded on wage rate in effect on February 1, 2010.

2011   Total Wage increase shall be compounded on the wage rate in effect on February 1, 2010.

The total increase in base labor costs of wage increases is 11.28%.

Non- Wage Provisions:  Effective August 15, 2009

The employees’ health contributions shall be reduced to 1.5% of wages, calculated based upon a maximum of 40 hours per week times the base hourly rate.

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I and Officers of the Union have held Shop Gates/Rap Sessions in all locations, in Transportation & Maintenance, to clarify issues, rumors and misinformation around this award.

While this Arbitration Award clearly has a profound impact on our bargaining unit in terms of its patterns, this is not an award and we will not receive the aforementioned increase and provisions until we have negotiated an Agreement.

In the meantime, the TWU on August 21, 2009 went into court to ask that the award be implemented.  The MTA has until Sept. 8th, 2009 to answer as to why they have not or cannot comply with the award.

This action has caused the Authority to postpone our schedule contract negotiations which were set to begin on Sept. 8. We will continue to work toward the best possible agreement.

 -    Stay tune to the site for Updates.   -

More importantly, the Officers of the Union and I, myself will be in the Depots to keep you informed during this process.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

First, I would like to thank you for electing me President/Business Agent.  I am humbled and honored by the confidence you have bestowed in me.  I will do my best to represent you with the dignity and respect that you deserve.  I and the officers that you have chosen to represent you, are committed to the advancement of all our members; active and retired, transportation and maintenance. We are committed to protecting the rights and entitlements of our members.  I am looking forward to serving and working with you to achieve our collective goals.  These goals can only be achieved with your presence and participation in union activities such as: general membership meetings, volunteerism, working with committees (political action, child care, health and safety, event planning, etc.).  Communication is the key to SUCCESS and UNITY is the bond that will keep us strong.

Fraternally,

I. Daneek Miller

President/Business Agent