What did you do today...

[Amdonim]

Rode about 50 miles to the capital to see an old friend. We went to see Paranormal Activity. I highly recommend it, if you like thrillers that are actually suspenseful instead of gross-out gore fests. Then rode back home in 40degree weather. It was a good ride

[king robb]

blues good luck on your strike.... hopefully it will get resovlved before you go broke......... STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE


IAM local 2198

ATU 1724

I am optimistic that it won't be a long one. We are part of the transit system that provides transportation to people with disabilities, and anyone that cannot use public transportation unassisted.
I have been working for them almost 15 years. In the 30 or so years that the system has been around, there has never been labour unrest.
We have always been able to negotiate a contract.
Last year, the governing body over the transit system decided to award the contract to running it to an American company.

Disclaimer...this is not about bashing American people

There were several Canadian companies that put in a bid....then out of nowhere the contract was awarded to this American company. We figure it has something to do with the fact that the transit authority brought in a guy from NY to be CEO.

Anyway, from the moment this company came into our country, they have routinely tried to circumvent Canadian labour laws, Canadian labour standards, and contravened the collective agreement.
Our union has taken them to task each and every time and have won every time.
The union and this company have been negotiating for ten months...the company has tried to roll back wages, take away benefits, they lost us our pension plan, they disrespect the seniority list, and so on and so forth....

All the previous contractors were non profit community type societies, or cooperatives.....this was good, because the system is heavily subsidized by tax payer dollars, so the money stayed in the community.
This new company is a "for profit" company....so they are trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of us....the drivers are so stressed trying to keep up to the schedules....drivers were missing breaks and lunches....the union kept harping on them to make sure they took their breaks because it was the only way the company would realize they can't treat our drivers like robots and our clients like parcels.

Anyway...the other thing that galls....tax payer money funding a US company where the profits head south instead of staying here.

A lot of feel that if this company had properly done thier research , they would have known that they could not waltz into our country and start pushing us around. We think they thought that we would be pushovers....not so...we have stood up for our rights and our laws.

Anyway....there will be a lot of negative publicity for the governing body, so this may get resolved soon. I know that yesterday and today, all the management was in having some big pow wow.....
We have gone essential service only....
So, I will sleep in tomorrow and then go for a ride later.....

Not taken as bashing...Welcome to the "other" side of the labor battle. Your new opponent has no respect for you, labor or law. Corporate greed is all there is to them. They take the position that time and money are on their side and that they can run you down. Keep the troops rallied and do not hesitate to file labor board complaints....over and over. Good Luck.

[dr_bar]

I worked today. I also found out that we go out on strike on Monday morning.
Sigh......

If I as closer I would bring some chili and coffee to your picket line.

NPMHU Local 304, division of LIUNA

Solidarity from another postal worker... CUPW - Vancouver Local

[Triumphgirl]

blues good luck on your strike.... hopefully it will get resovlved before you go broke......... STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE


IAM local 2198

ATU 1724

I am optimistic that it won't be a long one. We are part of the transit system that provides transportation to people with disabilities, and anyone that cannot use public transportation unassisted.
I have been working for them almost 15 years. In the 30 or so years that the system has been around, there has never been labour unrest.
We have always been able to negotiate a contract.
Last year, the governing body over the transit system decided to award the contract to running it to an American company.

Disclaimer...this is not about bashing American people

There were several Canadian companies that put in a bid....then out of nowhere the contract was awarded to this American company. We figure it has something to do with the fact that the transit authority brought in a guy from NY to be CEO.

Anyway, from the moment this company came into our country, they have routinely tried to circumvent Canadian labour laws, Canadian labour standards, and contravened the collective agreement.
Our union has taken them to task each and every time and have won every time.
The union and this company have been negotiating for ten months...the company has tried to roll back wages, take away benefits, they lost us our pension plan, they disrespect the seniority list, and so on and so forth....

All the previous contractors were non profit community type societies, or cooperatives.....this was good, because the system is heavily subsidized by tax payer dollars, so the money stayed in the community.
This new company is a "for profit" company....so they are trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of us....the drivers are so stressed trying to keep up to the schedules....drivers were missing breaks and lunches....the union kept harping on them to make sure they took their breaks because it was the only way the company would realize they can't treat our drivers like robots and our clients like parcels.

Anyway...the other thing that galls....tax payer money funding a US company where the profits head south instead of staying here.

A lot of feel that if this company had properly done thier research , they would have known that they could not waltz into our country and start pushing us around. We think they thought that we would be pushovers....not so...we have stood up for our rights and our laws.

Anyway....there will be a lot of negative publicity for the governing body, so this may get resolved soon. I know that yesterday and today, all the management was in having some big pow wow.....
We have gone essential service only....
So, I will sleep in tomorrow and then go for a ride later.....

Holdfast to your principles, and send them packing!!!

[blues2cruise]

Thanks for the support, everyone.

Today, I drove to Tim Horton's and got hot beverages for the folks on the picket line. They were so-o-o-o happy to see me. It was a cold rainy morning.

Right now, I am reading a "final offer" booklet sent by courier.....that had to cost a bundle....printing, binding and couriering 500 booklets...

[dr_bar]

That booklet came from the union or the employer???

[blues2cruise]

That booklet came from the union or the employer???

Employer. The general consensus is that it belongs in the picket line porta potty.

Our union has recommended we reject it.

[Johnj]

Yea, but was it printed at a union shop?

[blues2cruise]

Yea, but was it printed at a union shop?

Not likely. Probably at Staples.

[blues2cruise]

Tonight I was on picket duty. It sure did rain hard for the first couple of hours.
I made sure I was dressed for conditions.

This was day 3 of the strike.

The company agreed that they won't contract out the driver's jobs, but they still want the right to contract out the office jobs.
We say, no way.