Union Protects Your Money
 
Local 100 has successfully stood up to TA plans to run roughshod over OA/TA Bus Operator seniority.
 
In response to staffing shortages caused by the TA’s six-month hiring freeze for Bus Operators, the TA wanted to selectively transfer Bus Operators between some TA/OA depots. The Union has forced the TA to give up its original transfer plan, which undermined seniority.
 
As well, Local 100 has successfully challenged management’s plan to not honor the picked run pay for OA and TA Transportation members with “Xs” on July 3, a weekday on which the Authority is planning to run a Saturday schedule. This plan would have cost many members part of their pay for that day, even if they were there to work the runs.
 
In intense negotiations your officers stood firm for your rights. When management would not budge, we went to arbitration.
 
On June 4, both issues were presented to the Contract Arbitrator by a Union delegation consisting of Secretary-Treasurer Ed Watt, Administrative VP Barry Roberts and Vice Presidents Stephan Thomas and Brian Clarke. 
 
Our Union told the arbitrator that the transfers would nullify the pick rights of a large number of Bus Operators and unfairly disrupt our members’ lives.
 
Before issuing a ruling on the dispute, the arbitrator told both sides where he was going to come down on the issue and asked the two parties to come to an agreement consistent with that direction. As a result, the Union and the TA agreed to the following:
 
• No Operator can be transferred to a depot with a shortage before any less senior Operator in any other depot. A "mini" consolidated pick with all depots must take place. This will affect several hundred Operators, hired in the last two years. The Union will try to get as many volunteers as possible, reducing the number of members subject to a “mini” consolidated pick.
 
• Operators who want a 3-day weekend will be off on July 3. That number will be up to the difference in the number of Weekday runs and Saturday runs. Any Operator who works will be guaranteed their full picked run pay. In the OA, that includes Extras, provided that you make yourself available at the depot for the hours you would have worked the X.
 
By standing our ground, Local 100 has scored big in defense of seniority rights and protected members’ pay.
 
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