-- Arbitrator rules for Local 100 members --
 
When management decided to can the "B" Division pick, RTO Officers met with RTO management. Management explained that when Albany came up with funding, RTO was required to restore full service and therefore couldn't go forward with the longer headways built into the summer pick. We pointed out that the contract required a summer pick and our members too had lives and had picked and made their plans according to the pick that management itself had issued. As management did not back off, we pursued the issue further with management above RTO and with the contract Arbitrator.
 
On Thursday, June 4 Acting President Curtis Tate presented Local 100’s case to the Contract Arbitrator as to why the TA should be required to allow the scheduled “B” Division pick to be put into effect on June 28. On Monday, June 8 the Arbitrator issued his ruling in Local 100’s favor. As a result, the pick will proceed.
 
The Arbitrator found that despite the changes brought about by the MTA receiving funding to finance train service, the MTA would be violating Local 100 members pick and seniority rights, which they had exercised by having already picked a summer schedule and planned their lives accordingly. The Arbitrator was persuaded that the inconvenience and disruption that canceling the pick would cause our members far outweighs the TA’s arguments. In effect, the Arbitrator found that the contract requirement for two picks a year was intended to provide for a summer pick and a winter pick. He found that canceling the “B” division pick would deny RTO members their summer pick.
 
This is a clear victory for justice and for Local 100.
 
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