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.
Finally in this vast blogoshpere someone shows guts and common sense.
ReplyDeleteThank You Manhattanville.
We have been on different sides of many issues but to your unyeilding credit you have never censored or badgered anyone.
Whatever else is happening in the world of TWU Local 100 it is not important, what is important is protecting our members in this contract.
Right now politics and infighting must be shown the door, those who practice it should be ashamed of themselves.
When they start talking that politics BS ask them what they are doing to secure a good contract.
Stand as One.
I take solace in the fact that your approval of Alden's kiss of JS's behind is derived from deliriousness caused by the high dosages of controlled substances your doctor has prescribed to help you battle the flu that has ravaged you all week.
ReplyDeleteI got to wonder why is it if someone disagrees in the oppositions' assessment of our Local they are either compromised or a lap dog?
ReplyDeleteAnd if you think for years many of the opposition rolled over like fido for another President it makes it even worse.
There comes a time when running this Local and trying to get a contract should take precidence (sic) over almost everything else.
Let's put it all aside for a while, there will be plenty of time for bashing each others brains in.