After establishing a joint desire to continue contract negotiations, StarTran and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 have agreed to meet on September 10 to reopen labor negotiations.
StarTran’s desire is to work in earnest to reach a suitable agreement that will protect the jobs of its employees and the transportation network of this community.
Today, in a letter to ATU 1091 President Joneth Wyatt, StarTran General Manager Terry Garcia Crews stated StarTran’s desire to come back to the negotiating table as soon as possible to work out a contract that both parties can endorse.
She states, “We believe it is in the best interest of your membership, as well as all bargaining employees, StarTran and the public for an agreement to be reached.”
Yesterday we created a page for this blog titled “The 411″–a collection of questions (and our answers) we’ve heard about StarTran’s contract proposal and the negotiation process. The initial set of questions covered on “The 411″ are copied below.
Q: According to the union bargaining team, the company is not negotiating anything, they simply give the union their proposals, take ours and walk out. No talking or discussions. Is this the truth?
A: Since, May 22, 2007, there have been nine labor negotiation contract meetings ranging in length from one to two days. During the last three labor negotiation contract meetings, a Federal Mediator was used to ensure that both the Union and StarTran were able to equally discuss the contract in detail. (more…)
Today StarTran was notified by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 (ATU 1091) that the union has rejected StarTran’s final contract offer and authorized a strike. Members of ATU 1091 made the decisions on August 20.
However, the union also expressed its desire to resume contract negotiations.
StarTran shares this desire and is hopeful that negotiations can continue.
Should a strike occur, StarTran will work with Capital Metro to provide a reduced level of service. Current information about services available during a strike will be maintained on the Capital Metro Web site.
The following is a short excerpt from an editorial in Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman:
Police union negotiators showed some real leadership in accepting the city’s compensation offer. Other union negotiating teams should take note. That would include members of the bus drivers’ union, who will vote this week on a reasonable contract offered by Capital Metro’s management team.
On board with Cap Metro Proposal
Bus drivers, mechanics should approve Capital Metro Contract
Most private sector workers offered a $1,000 bonus, a 10 percent pay increase over the next three years and excellent health benefits would jump at it.
It’s different in the world of public employee unions. Austin’s police union initially asked for nearly 20 percent over four years for its members, already the highest paid in the state. Austin’s teachers’ union wants a 5 percent hike each of the next two years and millions more for health coverage. Both would mean higher taxes for Austin residents who pay for those salaries and benefits.
The Austin American-Statesman printed an overview of some of the issues surrounding the labor negotiations on Aug. 1, 2008. Here’s the story:
Cap Metro contract plan troubling to transit union leaders
Drivers and mechanics to vote Aug. 20 on proposal that includes 10 percent wage increase over three years, health care changes.
By Ben Wear
Union drivers and mechanics at Capital Metro, who have been working under an expired contract for more than a year, will vote Aug. 20 on a proposal that would give workers a one-time $1,000 bonus and raise wages about 10 percent over the next three years. (more…)
