Since when are hardworking men and women, who are putting in a hard day's work every day, since when are they special interest? Since when is the idea that we look out for one another a bad thing? I remember my old friend Ted Kennedy - what is it about working men and women that they find offensive?
It is absolutely outrageous that the white collar now has increased the disciplinary measures against the blue collar - why! Due to the fact that the white collar are insecure and they are focusing on promoting themselves at the expense of the blue collar. Here are some of those white collar personality types and the impacts they can have on blue collar employees.
The evaluator - a negative white collar that diminishes the blue collar employees. This white collar has maneuvered into position by maintaining an air of superiority. This white collar's modus operandi is to constantly re-evaluate, be dismissive of and demand changes to the achievements of others. They will use their influence to prevent the establishment of achievable and consistent standards so that they can continue to make the rules. How many of these types do we have in the MTA?
The chaos maker - a bad white collar that does not respect blue collar employees - this white collar drops urgent ‘orders’ on the blue collar employee. Prioritization is accomplished by making everything that passes through their field of vision the most important thing. This strategy enables them to create an environment with a false sense of urgency. Since only they can fix the problems they created in the first place, their important role in the MTA as a go-to-person is kept secure. Who does that remind you of? Have you seen one of these types lately when you observe those white collar keep notes of their style to know them.
The demoralizer - a bullying white collar that creates a toxic environment. This white collar spreads nasty rumors about organizational leadership, coworkers and subordinates. Some of this bullying behavior stems from fears of their own incompetency. They enjoy correcting employees for small transgressions to reassure themselves of their superiority - have you come across this type lately?
The ego - an insecure white collar that fakes it by maintaining an image that is all consuming. They will have trendy business books on their shelves that they don't actually read, but like others to think they do. They will be consistently late or absent for appointments to cultivate an image of being too essential to the operations for proper time-management. How many of these types have you seen around MTA?
The controller - a micro management style that creates an environment of mistrust. This white collar is obsessed with staying on top of details. They will be suspicious of any ‘outsiders’ in their area of territorial control and demand approving authority for minor requests. The control freak may keep a favored individual near them as a right hand for information. Because so much of their focus and time is spent on small details, it will be difficult to follow through on long term projects or initiatives that require "big-picture" thinking - have you observed this one?
It is important that we as blue collar employees make mental notes of the types of the white collar - we should rate them just as rate my teacher or professor in their overall quality, easiness or whether you recommend them or have some reservation about them. Whether they are the worst, whether they are full of themselves and whether they make themselves available for office hours. Or whether they are absolutely useless, whether they like to make their own problems and make their own rules, and whether to avoid at all costs.Whether they are a weird white collar, who makes awkward statements and tries to be funny when they are really not. Those white collar as mentioned above really do not care about blue collar employees or even about helping the blue collar employees.
New Yorkers are shocked by the revelations of Joseph Lhota’s poor management triangle. Specifically New Yorkers and blue collar employees believe that it is disgraceful that the transportation in New York City has not been enhanced for so many years. As all know we all want MTA to serve New Yorkers. However, it is not clear if there is any intention of how to move forward or how to proceed. A caveat - it is the white collar who drove the MTA into the financial mess pit it is in.
What actions can be taken? One wonders what this Joseph Lhota poor management triangle is? Or maybe it is like the Bermuda triangle where aircrafts and surface vessels disappear under mysterious circumstances, some may say that is a myth. However when we are faced with Joseph Lhota’s poor management triangle it is similar to those pyramid schemes.
We hope there would be an inquiry about a transportation strategy or plan to make MTA one of the fastest and most robust transportation system in the world. Also if we can get the result the fastest that would command the confidence of New Yorkers. Will Joseph Lhota give assurance that as he remains in office that there will be no service reduction but rather a reversal of service cuts of 2010. As well as the enhancement of service to all New Yorkers. We hope he stands up and pledges. However with Joseph Lhota triangles and pyramids one has to worry.
We have heard many empty rhetoric - nobody expects anything with the Joseph Lhota triangles or pyramids. Does he realize New Yorkers rely on their mass transportation to get around. Does he care? Maybe he may retort back, what more can he do? Or he may claim that he has done more to support New Yorkers in enhancing their premier mass transportation system - we beg to differ. One wonders which transportation policies were left alone, which were advanced or scrapped, and which ones were carried on.
Overcrowding has overburdened this mass transportation system and there are many concerns that have been expressed from many quarters. They point to something very important which is the need for strategic transportation review precisely to make sure that MTA has the right capabilities to move New Yorkers around their city with a right focus. With the service cuts of 2010 it is clear this is not a mere overlook. In light of those service cuts of 2010 the need to look once again at those service cuts is necessary to make sure that there will be an enhancement of services.
One may ask do we have the right resources? Do we have the right strategy? A review of the service cuts of 2010 is required. Further what mechanisms are in place to counter any future service cuts? It may be news to many if there is a transportation strategy implemented. However with Joseph Lhota triangles or pyramid schemes that is not guaranteed.
Would Joseph Lhota admit what every New Yorker knows which is that there is over crowding and the wait time is longer due to poor management. Maybe he may pledge now to look at the white collar who have driven this state agency in the financial mess it is in. Maybe Joseph Lhota would accept what every New Yorker knows which is that the mismanagement at the MTA was done by the white collar. Monies were spent into bureaucracy and administration. In addition no monies were channelled into the operational side that benefits New Yorkers. That is why you have an unwarranted ratio of white collar versus blue collar - why isn’t there any reform to that ratio.
We ask Joseph Lhota to talk to New Yorkers who use this state agency services. New Yorkers know that when they rely on their transportation to move around their city that there is something wrong that was created by the white collar. When New Yorkers know they are getting a raw deal doesn't that indicate that it is a damming indictment of his leadership and his policies. Overall service in which most is done is of poor quality due to overcrowding. There is a need for a sound basis for change to alleviate overcrowding. There is no question that the transportation services provided by the MTA is in great difficulty due to the service cuts that were implemented in 2010.
Maybe Joseph Lhota should imitate the policies of NYC Department of Education which is doing more per pupil, is spending more per pupil, there are more teachers than white collar, teachers pay is great. However when you compare MTA policies you realize how the white collar are satisfied with providing poor management. What reforms has Joseph Lhota implemented to reduce overcrowding or wait time. What reforms has he implemented to raise the morale of the blue collar employees, old equipment that is crumbling, stations that are falling apart - he has done nothing, the subway is full of rats with communicable diseases.
Yes there will always be things to get done however he will claim the transportation service is in far better shape than ever before, however we beg to differ. Will Joseph Lhota guarantee an increase in service to New Yorkers - one wonders is he genuinely concerned in enhancing the services to New Yorkers? Whether the white collar incompetence would be addressed - one wonders. Do not expect anything from Joseph Lhota against the white collar when they shortchange New Yorkers. On the real estate side they give away property and leases for less than what they are worth - who approves that? It is the white collar that does which is a clear case of poor management and that is not a surprise of the century.
Maybe those erratic, dysfunctional, poor management and mismanagement are considered routine as usual by Joseph Lhota who does not warrant or hold those white collar to sanctions - we wonder why. Maybe they are considered as successes in his view. It reminds us of former President George W. Bush’s praise of Michael Brown FEMA, chief with ‘heckuva job’ while New Orleans was sinking under deadly Hurricane Katrina.
If Joseph Lhota’s policies are not working then those policies are hurting New Yorkers. Now one would want to wait and see what kind of action would enumerate from him that would ensure progress and enhancement of this premier mass transportation system for New Yorkers.
However if there are conditions to sustain the enhancement of this state agency they are not clear or they have not come to fruition since the management, bureaucrats and the executive are the root cause in driving this state agency into a financial mess pit. It is not credible that they did not know, or they did not have a forecast of what the outcome would be - which is not being financially sound.
But that is not the whole story the other side of the coin is that Joseph Lhota wants the blue collar employees to bear the cost of poor management - we in the TWU Local 100 say no. Blue collar employees did not cause or drive this state agency into the financial mess pit it is in - it is the white collar therefore there should be sanctions against them. If Joseph Lhota believes that the blue collar employees should bear the brunt of this financial mess on their backs then he is not capable to lead this premier transportation agency in the world.
There is no question of doubt on anyone’s mind that the white collar created the financial mess of this state agency. Now they have no clear idea on how to get out of this financial mess except to put it on the backs of the blue collar employees. If Joseph Lhota is genuinely concerned with how to get out of this financial mess then putting it on the blue collar employees backs is not the right way. Those policies will only perpetually keep the MTA in the financial mess pit it is in now.
Joseph Lhota cannot claim that the only way to get out of this financial mess is thru the backs of the blue collar employees. It is obvious it is a typical stunt, he is ignoring others and solely concentrating on destroying the blue collar employees well being. Even if the country is in an economic slump that rhetoric does not hold water - it is the white collar who drove this state agency into the financial mess pit it is in. There are not recovery, reduction or fiscal responsibilities policies being enunciated from Joseph Lhota against the white collar - one wonders why. It is obvious he is failing - maybe he may not consider those policies as worth the price to pay or maybe white collar should work in leisure and luxury while blue collar employees pay for that - we say no.
There are no clear indications if there are conditions to lead this state agency into financial soundness. The financial misery the MTA is in was not caused by the blue collar. If those white collar want to live large or imitate their fellow white collar at Wall Street then we say the white collar should be sanctioned for their poor management.
The service cuts that were imposed by the MTA on New Yorkers in 2010, in their reliance of premier mass transportation was a crisis. We can throw a lot of statistics however one can observe over crowding on buses and trains. It is obvious Joseph Lhota and the members of the MTA, bureaucrats and executives do not use public transportation - if they do then it is for photo opportunity.
Perhaps Joseph Lhota now will accept the fact that the monies spent went into bureaucracy and administration and has not gone into enhancing service for New Yorkers. The ratio of white versus blue collar does give bane to this state agency which is not observing fiscal responsibility or reduction of wasteful spending. The ratio of more management than the number of blue collar does not make sense. Why doesn’t Joseph Lhota adopt the ratio of teacher to students of the NYC Department of Education.
Maybe now Joseph Lhota may talk to New Yorkers who know when they see overcrowding that there was something seriously wrong in the 2010 service reduction. Especially when their waiting time is more. Why doesn’t he talk to New Yorkers so at least he could hear their take on the service reduction of 2010 or at best provide an explanation. It would be better if he admitted the existence of this problem and try to solve it rather than denying what every New Yorker knows.
Why does he oppose the abolition of a whole tier of bureaucracy? To save monies then channel them to the operational side in enhancing service to New Yorkers? However do not expect that, we assume his response would be that the MTA needs proper management. He may go further by claiming that the MTA is under managed. Where should the monies be allocated - the wait time for New Yorkers is great and there is no overcrowding and that he is proud of MTA performance.
New Yorkers are proud of the MTA but Joseph Lhota does not understand that they are not proud of what the MTA has done in the service cuts since 2010. Isn't the fear that any extra resources that are put forward now just a facade to see New York State governor Andrew M Cuomo thru the presidential election of 2016? Will Joseph Lhota admit to New Yorkers know that there will be crisis in the transportation in the future as long as the cuts continue. The litmus test is whether more New Yorkers are served, or whether their wait time is shorter. Also whether there is reduction of overcrowding, or whether they are offered more wider range of services. Joseph Lhota is more concerned with politics than the reality of improving transportation services that exist.
Can we say that the MTA is ripping off New Yorkers by slashing services, reducing maintenance and not purchasing new equipment? New Yorkers since they are paying their share deserve the reversal of the service cuts that were implemented in 2010. However do not hold your breath - Joseph Lhota is mum on that end. It is obvious that serving or providing service for New Yorkers is not his top priority.
Is reducing the bureaucracy or removing it a part of Joseph Lhota priority? We wonder - we believe by harming the blue collar members of the TWU Local 100 then that is harming New Yorkers and by benefiting the blue collar that is benefiting the people of New York. It clearly appears that Jsoeph Lhota wants a fight with the blue collar employees who are members of the TWU Local 100.
We are not going to get it wrong with the contract of 2012. We must come to a conclusion - it must be clear, decisive and fair. Those are the absolute keys - the sooner that the process is settled the better.
Since Joseph Lhota took over the helm of the MTA things are not getting better for New Yorkers in their reliance of the premier mass transportation system. Will he take responsibility for that? What action has he taken besides being problematic towards the blue collar who are members of TWU Local 100.
It appears Joseph Lhota policies are getting far worse - what are his responsibilities towards New Yorkers one wonders? Why has he allowed it to happen? Joseph Lhota, is blaming the blue collar workers or the members of TWU Local 100 for the financial mess that the MTA is in. No wonder New Yorkers will suffer with these service cuts. Joseph Lhota is wrong on the facts of the financial mess that the MTA is in. It was not created by the blue collar and in addition New Yorkers should not be penalized for the poor management at the MTA.
New Yorkers rely on their premier mass transportation and it should be that. Nothing less is acceptable however poor management and bureaucracy have depleted the resources without a specific objective or accomplishing any strategy of enhancing this state agency which is not acceptable. We do not expect an answer or explanation from Joseph Lhota rather beneficial changes for the blue collar.
We know he does not want to talk about the service cuts. Maybe he is embarrassed by his record of what New Yorkers deserve but he owes it to them to tell them the facts as they are as well as what is happening to their premier mass transportation system.
TWU Local 100 members are disappointed at the mismanagement, erratic, dysfunctional and poor management at the MTA that has led this state agency in the financial mess it is in. It is also clear that there is not some sort of sanctions against the management for their failure. Can the New York State governor Andrew M Cuomo assure the TWU Local 100 members that he will enforce sanctions against the executives at the MTA.
It would be prudent for the New York State Governor Andrew M Cuomo to look at specific extra measures and sanctions at the executives people on the MTA. Those who were responsible for this financial mess or budget constrains that does not serve New Yorkers well at the MTA.
Clearly the management financial policies are failing and there is no clear spending review at the MTA. Obviously there are still old, unreliable, outdated equipment that needs to have constant maintenance which the management has cut. However they have lavished themselves with new fancy automobiles to chauffeur themselves around. Management spendings seem to be skyrocketing which does not serve New Yorkers well. Reduction in spending for fancy items is not the word they adhere to except Joseph Lhota who trained his sights on the backs of TWU Local 100 members.
Maybe Joseph Lhota will award bonuses to the management however he opposes to give blue collar members of TWU Local 100 a wage raise - we wonder why. He has done nothing against white collar that is needed to be done.
We need some sort of sanctions against the mismanagement and poor management - Joseph Lhota plans are for more spending, more borrowing, more debt, and more of the financial mess that we are in. It is obvious his initial promises are worthless or the broken promises to get along with TWU Local 100. Unfortunately those MTA proposals appear to block any progress on the contract of 2012 due to the fact that those MTA proposals are job destroying with unnecessary concession demands.
It is vital for the MTA to find financial soundness however blue collar job destroying does not lead to financial strength. However greater emphasis should be placed on sanctioning management for their poor management that led MTA into the financial pit it is in. Why should the blue collar members of TWU Local show enormous courage and bravery by being the sacrificial lambs for the white collar.
We are also aware MTA sources of funding are either from the tax payers in many forms or guises, from customers whether in the form of fares or tolls and from real estate. What really matters is will Joseph Lhota put those monies into enhancing the services offered to New Yorkers?
Since we are in a contract year the action of the MTA is wholly deplorable. Will
John Samuelsen president of TWU Local 100 remind the MTA that TWU Local 100 will protect its members interests and that it is up to the membership to determine their own future.
We acknowledge that TWU Local 100 members interests of the past, present and the future who have served or who are still serving New Yorkers day and night seven days a week. In addition we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while on duty who didn’t come home to their loved ones. We should remember all of those members this year. The most vital point we are clear about is that the future of the TWU Local 100 members is a matter of the members themselves not MTA, as long as we know no one desires to self inflict wounds onto themselves.
Now lets turn to the broken promises from Joseph Lhota on job security - it is always not straight forward from Joseph Lhota. We expected a new style of administration, now looking back at the previous chairman Jay H Walder and Joseph Lhota we can see no difference - this is not the collegiate approach we expected - we are bound to ask what went wrong?
We expect an answer, will Jsoeph Lhota answer. We are also aware or assume his answer would be we should not believe everything we read in the media, it is not that bad. We are puzzled. However no one would ignore the intentional terrible treatment that is dished towards TWU Local 100 members in the name of the MTA proposals. TWU Local 100 members have shown incredible bravery and courage so far - we here in why did you join the union would like to pay tribute.
However TWU Local 100 members’ deep concerns about their job security is well placed. MTA proposals are not related towards raising the wages, we know we have heard all the budget constrains rhetoric, what we have experienced is that TWU Local 100 members are underpaid in relation to the current prices of merchandize - no one in his real mind expects the price of oil not go up. Common sense dictates the taxes would go up thus the wages must correspond to the prices. It is distressing that there is no real progress in the contract side, this approach appears not to work.
No TWU Local 100 should be worse off from their current status, common sense dictates that people should be better off. However when dealing with the MTA, where it wants to assail its employees to afford to pay their mortgages, then the employees lose out - we say no.
The reality is that the MTA has given us proposals that expose us in harms way and we should give our seats from the table without protecting TWU Local 100 members interests which is a bad deal for TWU Local 100.
Now Joseph Lhota has told us that his first priority is to get along with TWU Local 100.
However, the contract of 2012 is not yet resolved, the management abuses have not been faded out, and there is no reduction of bureaucracy. So why are his promises of action not materialized? What does that mean? It is clear Joseph Lhota is just full of rhetoric, let us turn to where that leaves TWU Local 100. Few could have anticipated that Joseph Lhota is a disaster who is trying to leave TWU Local 100 members behind - we hope not for all our sakes.
We do not like to read the decisions that affect TWU Local 100 members lives in the media. Those MTA proposals threaten our members interest, lets hope he returns to his senses since it is obvious his proposals would marginalize TWU Local 100 members - we are not going to let the members interests down.
Those bad MTA proposals are unacceptable due to the fact that they will have a long lasting consequence to the TWU Local 100 members interests for years ahead. TWU Local 100 members interests must not be lost from sight. Faced with bad proposals we chose to safeguard TWU Local 100 members interests.
If we allow those bad proposals to be incorporated into the contract then that assails the members interests which is a huge damage to the TWU Local 100 members - we are not going to give in to the MTA. We will stand up for TWU Local 100. We will not go along with what the MTA wants. TWU Local 100 under president John Samuelsen has the courage and honesty to say no to bad proposals.
We declare admiration and full hearted support for John Samuelsen, president of TWU Local 100. At this definitive moment in his first contract negotiation, we hope that he strategically protects the members interests. We have all faith in him that he will do so.
MTA wants the members to pay up to 10% of all healthcare contributions. The MTA in their proposal cites that right now employees currently pay 1.5% of wages based on 40 hours, which equates to an average of approximately 5.5% of total premium costs.
This is interesting on multiple fronts:
• First off we believe when the 1.5% health contribution was sold to us as part of the 2005 contract we were told by the Toussaint administration that it was for retiree benefits.
It seems the MTA begs to differ.
From what it looks like the MTA is now using our 1.5% healthcare contribution as a way to pay everyone’s healthcare costs. What did the original agreement say?
Effective upon payment of the first general wage increase provided in Sec. 2A of this Agreement all active employees will contribute 1.5% of their bi-weekly gross wages to offset the cost of retiree health benefits. In future years, the 1.5% contribution rate shall be increased by the extent to which the rate of increase in the cost of health benefits exceeds general wage increases. This contribution will be on a pretax basis.
(2005 MOU)
A little confusing no? The first part of this says clearly that the 1.5% will be for retiree benefits. The second part implies that the 1.5% “in future years” will be for healthcare benefits. The question is: does that mean everyone’s healthcare benefits? Or just those of retirees? If it is for all health benefits as the MTA in 2012 says then the members of this local were sold a false bill of goods in 2005. And if we remember correctly that 2005 contract was originally voted down by the members and then put up for an unprecedented re-vote on the grounds of misinformation from the “no” contingent vote. For those who have read Orwell’s 1984 that is classic double speak.
• Secondly, the MTA proposal for a 10% increase sounds very ambitious on the surface. But is it really? An increase from a 1.5% contribution to a 10% contribution would likely not pass scrutiny with an arbitration panel no matter what other Unions pay. But, if we are to believe the MTA’s own numbers that the 1.5% healthcare contribution is equal to 5.5% of premium costs then logic would dictate that the real numbers are an increase from 5.5% to 10%. Those numbers just might pass scrutiny in Arbitration; they would certainly have a better chance than the 1.5% to 10% jump. This makes a potential increase in healthcare payments a somewhat more than likely occurrence if the MTA has its way and we are forced into impasse induced PERB arbitration.
To combat this, the Union must come up with a strategy to do everything possible to be able to walk out with the best outcome for the membership. The strategy in all likelihood should be to come to an agreement on healthcare expenditure before a possible impasse is declared. Because a PERB arbitration panel only decides on unresolved issues, not issues that were previously agreed upon. If it can be calculated by proportion, it stands to reason that if the 1.5% HC contribution is equal to 5.5% in premiums then a .5% raise of the 1.5% HCC would be equal to a 7.33% in premiums. That number may be acceptable to the MTA and more importantly by the membership. Again if proportion calculations are an acceptable method of calculation then the proposed 10% increase the MTA wants would be closer to a 2.75% HCC or an increase of 1.25 to our current 1.5% rate.
Of course that is the way to a negotiated settlement on this issue. The above is in accordance with the principles of compromise and mutual respect to an adversary. In other words, don’t ever assume the MTA will look for afair agreement. The MTA will always look for whatever the current administration that is in power at the MTA feels is in their advantage. In many ways there can be no fair contracts. This is why many members were upset with a former President hugging his opposite number after a particularly nasty contract fight a few years ago. Contracts can only be seen as gaining ground or losing ground.
Perhaps there is a third way to go: if the increase of healthcare costs are inevitable, then perhaps we should parlay those changes into something we have wanted for decades; recognition as a uniformed service. Recognizing Transit workers as a uniformed service has many clear and substantial benefits. Chiefly among them would be contract parity with NYPD, FDNY, Corrections and Sanitation. Transit workers would then have a real shot at a 25 year no age pension and inclusion into the heart bills and lung bills, not to mention yearly variable supplements and better longevity pay and uniform allowances. It may be a stretch but worth the try.
We want the contract with safeguards fixing the pressing matters for TWU Local 100 such as wages, health benefits, job security, 25/55 pension, retiree health benefits, dignity on job, childcare, maternity, vacation leave, and sick leave.
Just as we want those above safeguards we need to be vigilant pressing forward our strategy of limiting management abuses and control. While the contract may not have danger however nonetheless it is not without risk. We want the contract without those seventeen (17) proposals to be TWU Local 100 members would have no proper protection.
Fixing MTA financial mess due to mismanagement on our backs is not acceptable, we will not tolerate that - New Yorkers need to be assured that their premier mass transportation system is viable moving forward. Mismanagement must be dealt with far more and must be done in cutting the bureaucracy at the minimum to fifty (50%) percent.
The duplication of bureaucracy of New York City Transit, Long Island Railroad, Metro-North Railroad, Bridges and Tunnels, MTA Bus and Capital Corporation, need to be trimmed down to one entity at one location instead of duplication, and waste of resources. Just imagine if Apple Inc was run as MTA they would be out of business in a heartbeat, just count how many presidents there are, vice presidents, general managers, assistant general managers all of those need new automobiles yearly who conduct themselves without degree of reserve or inhibition their abuses are not acceptable. We in TWU Local 100 should not be burdened with their mismanagement - we say no.
We are the key players in the MTA, we are the crown jewel of this agency - TWU Local 100 members should not be sacrificial lambs for fixing the problems of MTA. There were many studies and board resolutions that should have been implemented - whether MTA is recapitalized, the most pressing of all is to fix the problem of MTA that involves far more than our demands that needs to be done. MTA has to be more competitive that is for more jobs and growth - deficit rhetoric is useless and they should not be relied upon. MTA needs to be competitive to move itself out of the deficit pit that has been caused by mismanagement and dysfunctional, erratic and poor management.
TWU Local 100 agenda is simple to safeguard its members interests, we always had a leading role - we are not going to sacrifice membership interest on issue after issue or lose our influence at the heart of the premier mass transportation that New Yorkers rely on. We are fully committed and influential in moving New Yorkers around their city however we are going to protect our members interests which we will continue to do since it is the right course - we are TWU Local 100.
John Samuelsen president of TWU Local 100 is in the negotiation for the contract of 2012, he has one objective which is to protect TWU Local 100 members’ interest and that is what he is doing.
If the MTA expects TWU Local 100 to be hoodwinked into a miserable contract then John Samuelsen will safeguard TWU Local 100 members interests. John Samuelsen is asking for modest safeguards nevertheless satisfactory safeguards are not forthcoming from the MTA so that is why he had to call the negotiations off.
Lets be clear of what has exactly happened and what it means for TWU Local 100? What we see happening next is that John Samuelsen will not accept those seventeen (17) proposals. We want the MTA to sort out its financial, fiscal and budget problems but not at our expense - we will never agree to shoulder the burden of mismanagement on our backs. It is true we are seeking a deal however we are not going to accept a crummy deal. We are looking for a deal in good faith with the necessary safeguards for TWU Local 100 members that is modest, reasonable and relevant. We are not looking to create or put ourselves in harms way as the MTA proposals are asking for.
New York City is world capital, New Yorkers rely on the premier mass transportation for them to get around the city, back and forth to work. John Samuelsen is not asking for special treatment, he is simply asking for a level playing field for TWU Local 100 and a fair contract. For those who are saying that he has gone soft on the MTA - nothing can be further from the truth. He has said he will respond to the MTA and we believe in him.
MTA should remember that the financial mess they have created has nothing to do with TWU Local 100 but rather it has to do with their mismanagement. Those seventeen (17) proposals are not acceptable and those proposals harm TWU Local 100 members. We are not going to put ourselves at risk and we do not want to see that imbalance put into the contract. We make no apology for what we in TWU Local 100 require for the safeguards towards the well being of the members. Of course we wish those safeguards get accepted as soon as possible however when dealing with MTA prior history is indicative that they tend to take their time. We have to tell our fellow co workers that a contract with proper safeguards is the choice and the right answer. A contract that has no safeguards is not acceptable, it is not an easy thing to do, it is the right thing to do.
We are not going to give unprecedented powers to the MTA and we are marching towards balancing the power between the blue and white collar with a specific strategy that limits the management abuses and control. Under John Samuelsen - TWU Local 100 will continue to be vigilant in protecting the members interest. The contract of 2012 will not carry dangers for TWU Local 100 members. We want a contract that puts TWU Local 100 members in a firm foundation.
By our reckoning there are thirty four thousand families, they are asking the MTA why come with such ridiculous demands that does not strike anyone as being fair. What we believe is fair that TWU Local 100 members are entitled to a wage raise. TWU Local 100 members are hard working, exemplary employees who work irregular hours. Is that really fair that TWU Local 100 should not earn a wage raise?
Do not expect a straight answer - it is true that we should change the tone of exchanges of the contract negotiations especially when the families are asking straight questions that deserve straight answers.
The MTA hazy view that was reflected in their proposals of the 2012 contract all reveal mismanagement - it is obvious that mismanagement was not caused by TWU Local 100 members. However forcing TWU Local 100 to bear the brunt of it, the scale of the changes is not fair or reasonable.
MTA has got to admit that it got it wrong, and that they have made the wrong decisions. Maybe they should rethink things since the contract proposal will make TWU Local 100 members worse off - this is one occasion to pause, listen and reflect.
First duty we owe is to procure a great contract that will protect all of us. It is not fair because we work hard and New Yorkers rely on us for their transportation needs. Many public sector pensions are earning more, everyone should be able to keep what they built - no one wants to see changes in their pension arrangements. However, we cannot be fooled with the rhetoric that the public sector pensions are far batter than the one of the private sectors. If that is the case then we are seeing 401K and 457K plans take a nose dive which definitely does not instill confidence. We have heard too much about the global economy storm.
We need to make a difference, TWU Local 100 stands for fighting for fairness for all of us, and fighting injustice imposed onto us by the MTA. Our commitment to TWU Local 100 now is more important than ever - as MTA is imposing demands that are unfair and trying to make us unequal. For the MTA fairness is a luxury that it cannot afford in tough times.
Fairness can be delivered in tough times however we are expected to listen from the people who presided over the biggest disaster of banking and finances as if they had nothing to do with it.
One day we heard Joseph Lhota say that he wants to get along with TWU Local 100. Now he has to prove that by firing superintendent Anthony Bartolotta. If Joseph Lhota cannot fire Anthony Bartolotta, then Bartolotta clearly has too much power, which will then be evident to the TWU Local 100 members who want some rebalancing of power between the blue collar and white collar - it’s complete mug; Joseph Lhota does not want rebalancing at all.
Why doesn’t Joseph Lhota come clean about the split between himself and the white collar? It is clear Joseph Lhota is unable to fire Anthony Bartolotta, showing that Lhota is a paper tiger. Maybe Lhota is an outsider which should offer a clue to the lack of depth of powers. Maybe Lhota does not need to win the respect and admiration of TWU Local 100 members by allowing Anthony Bartolotta to stay on.
This is an important event to the members of TWU Local 100, and we are showing a united front against Anthony Bartolotta as well as his unacceptable events - we condemn his actions. Letting TWU Local 100 members do their work unhindered is the objective of any reasonable human being. We here in why did you join the union believe that the actions of Anthony Bartolotta rise to a level of cowardice. Pure and simple, there is no excuse for it.
We will not put up with this in our TWU Local 100, we will not allow a culture of fear to exist among our fellow members. We will do whatever it takes to restore the balance of power between the blue collar and white collar, to bring order at the workplace.
First lets be clear about the sequence of the events. It is true that TWU Local 100 is in a contract negotiations with the MTA. Clearly there is a give and take between TWU Local 100 and MTA. Clearly the contract negotiations are not easy, and we are not going to give anything to MTA, however this is not an excuse for the opportunist white collar thugs to create disharmony at the workplace. It is completely wrong to allow those white collar thugs to exist at the workplace.
It is completely preposterous for any opportunist white collar thug to suggest that this is the work of a single employee - in the recent days, TWU Local 100 members have shown incredible restraint and bravery; they deserve support and thanks.
Joseph Lhota, MTA chairman pledge is the top down reorganization of the MTA that will not get in the way of serving New Yorkers in their reliance for a premier mass transportation. It is obvious now that it was just empty rhetoric. It is now clear he wants to fulfill his pledge “Throughout my career in both the public and private sectors, I have initiated reforms that are performance-based and that cut costs, and I look forward to bringing this same approach to the MTA,” Lhota said in a statement from the governor’s office.
Joseph Lhota MTA chairman is obviously not thinking of New Yorkers and how they worry about getting to work. In addition how New Yorkers seek an improved way to get to work. Over one hundred days have passed and isn’t an old truth being confirmed? That goes to show that you can’t trust Joseph Lhota.
Instead of seeking ways to improve how to get around the Empire State and New York City being committed to ease that burden on New Yorkers - what does Joseph Lhota do? Nothing - instead of seeking for ways to eliminate the wasteful spending of MTA? He does nothing. Or reforming the MTA? He does nothing. Does he reorganize the bureaucracy in the MTA? No - he does nothing. Does he cut or abolish the bureaucracy? No - he does nothing.
Just imagine if the bureaucracy is cut down to 50% how much money will be saved. How many presidents are there? All have yearly new SUV’s, what else are they taking New Yorkers for a ride? What is the ratio of white collar versus blue collar. At least the Department of Education uses a ratio of 45 students per teacher however in the MTA the ratio is the opposite more white collar than blue collar.
Now imagine if that saved money would be used to maintain the buses, trains, tunnels and bridges. What are the numbers of new SUV’s bought since he became the MTA chairman - are they to chauffeur the white collar? Our wild guess is the numbers of new vehicles for management purchased is over one hundred which is more than the days he was in office - we congratulate him.
Instead of purchasing new equipment that will serve the people of New York he bought new equipment for the white collar. It is obvious there is no commitment to cut wasteful spending.
He is breaking his promises, probably he would not admit it. All he wants to do is pick a fight with TWU Local 100 members by offering a lousy no raise contract. We suggest he look at the bigger picture - TWU Local 100 did not cause any mismanagment or wasteful spending at the MTA. Joseph Lhota must demonstrate what cuts against white collar he has implemented since he took office. We predict he has not made one single cut against the white collar or even dig the MTA out of the pit that was created by the white collar.
The truth is he began the new year with promises in making it easier for New Yorkers to get to work - broken, the promise to eliminate white collar wasteful spending - broken, the promise to purchase new equipment for New Yorkers - broken, the promise to reduce the number of white collar by 50% - broken. Shouldn’t his new year resolution for 2013 be to better keep the promises he made for 2012.
It is obvious Joseph Lhota MTA chairman started a year dithering and has no answers to ease New Yorkers on how to get to work and back. He has ended the year with no answers of reducing the ratio of white collar.
There are more options on the table to be considered: first our guess is that MTA will try to avoid bad publicity for the New York State Governor Mr. Andrew Cuomo who has aspirations to run for the USA presidency in 2016 or beyond. Second those republican governors who thought confronting unions was a walk in the park realize now that it is hazardous for them to remain in office due to backlash. Third if the MTA thinks that TWU Local 100 members are like people who sign up for a gym membership right after the new year and then stop showing up in February that would be incorrect. Therefore we would advice Governor Andrew Cuomo that he'd be better served to seek advice from the former MTA head Jay H Walder from Hong Kong.
TWU Local 100 members will be the nail to the coffin of Governor Andrew M Cuomo’s aspiration to the USA presidency. We are sure the MTA doesn't want to risk ticking off a large number of its existing employees. Forth option would be tarnishing the image of the MTA which would guarantee an end of Andrew Cuomo’s aspiration to the presidency. Fifth lets publicize the MTA safety record. Sixth MTA waste dumping.
All those above would definitely curtail New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s aspirations to the presidency. That would also end any dreams for Joseph Lhota to become a secretary of transportation in the Cuomo administration.
If the New York State Governor attitude does not change and if he cannot take a cue from the republican governors who are in the hot seats for thinking they can play hardball with unions - then he is not qualified to be the president of the USA in the future.
TWU Local 100 members deserve a raise they are entitled to a raise since they have to earn it. Unless New York State Governor Andrew M Cuomo desires to abandon his aspiration to the USA presidency then he can deny the raise to the TWU Local 100 members who will be motivated to ensure that he will be a one term governor of the Empire State.
