Socialist Action /September 2000
SF Transit Workers Reject Proposed Contract
By MICHAEL SCHREIBER
SAN FRANCISCO-Bus and light rail operators at the Municipal Railway (MUNI),
members of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 250-A, rejected a proposed
contract in two separate votes this summer.
On July 18, the proposed contract was defeated overwhelmingly: 1175 to
308. Then, in a hastily called second balloting last month, the membership
turned down a sightly sweetened contract offer by an almost two-to-one margin.
On both occasions, the rejection took place despite the urging by both
management and top union officers for a "yes" vote.
The operators were also able to withstand an hysterical campaign against
them appearing day after day in articles in the big business newspapers.
For example, the San Francisco Chronicle preached in an editorial on
Aug. 28 that "the 'we get no respect' act by San Francisco Municipal
Railway drivers is starting to wear thin. By twice rejecting a contract
that would have substantially increased their pay but demanded greater accountability,
the transit operators seem unwilling to provide the kind of service necessary
to make the long-troubled system truly world class."
But such diatribes in the press have only hardened the resolve of the
MUNI operators to stand up for better working conditions. They are tired
of being blamed for service problems caused by deteriorating equipment,
unrealistic schedules, and an unwillingness to hire sufficient employees
to do the job.
It is true that the proposed contract contained a moderate increase in
wages (according to a formula already established by the city charter) and
a few "incentive" bonuses based on levels of performance.
But it also included give-backs that would have tightened disciplinary
procedures, reduced sick leave/holiday pay, and abolished overtime for operators
working on their regular off-days who hadn't already put in a 40-hour week.
Operators were also angry that the proposed contract did not address
the multi-tiered wage progression for so-called "new" operators.
In 1996, the time period for new-hired operators to reach full pay scale
was extended to an incredible 31 months! This means that a large portion
of the work force-generally those driving the most grueling schedules and
routes-receives only a fraction of full wages. Simply put, TWU members want
equal pay for equal work for all operators.
One veteran operator explained to me why he voted against the contract:
"It doesn't look too bad for me, I admit. I'm planning to retire soon
and I'll be out of here. But we've got to look out for the younger guys
who are just starting out."
Indications are that the twice-rejected contract will be presented to
the operators for a third vote before the Sept. 24 midnight deadline mandated
by the city charter.
If it is not approved, the transit authorities threaten, the drivers
will be forced to work under the 1996 contract for one more year-which would
mean a wage freeze at the old rates.
Mayor Willie Brown has been speaking with union leaders in an attempt
to get them to twist the members' arms a bit harder to get them to accept
the contract this time. Brown no doubt expects success in this endeavor
since he has long enjoyed political support from the TWU hierarchy.
Meanwhile, the top union officials have offered a meek "challenge"
to management to "jointly sit down with us" and discuss the disputed
issues. But since the union tops insist on abiding by the no-strike pledge
in the city charter, their "challenge" has no teeth at all.
It is worth noting that New York City transit workers have been similarly
encumbered by state and city legislation that prohibits them from striking-or
from even discussing a strike. Nevertheless, at a meeting last December,
12,000 members of TWU Local 100 voted: "Strike!" Their vote was
only nullified by the inaction of spineless union leaders.
As we go to press, an ad hoc group of MUNI operators has organized a
movement to refuse to volunteer for overtime work on Labor Day weekend.
Initial reports suggest that some 20 percent of scheduled services have
been affected by the work boycott.
A plain-speaking flyer by the rank-and-file "Drivers Action Committee"
pointed out: "Now is the time for job actions. ... No contract should
mean no work!"
Socialist Action /September 2000 |