After almost a year of preparation and six months of negotiations, the SMART Transportation Division Union members have narrowly rejected the tentative agreement with the MTA. With 1713 ballots counted, or roughly 35% turnout, the contract was rejected by 61 votes. The final tally was 826 for and 887 against. The vote was certified by the California State Mediation Service on July 18. The General Committee spent the rest of the day in meetings and the membership will be advised as to the next steps in the process.
Contract Ballots Being Counted Today
Today is the vote count for the contract tentative agreement. Over the last two weeks ballots have been rolling into the California State Mediation Service in preparation for today’s tabulation. The California State Mediation Service is an independent state run organization that will keep the ballot process free and fair. As soon as there is a result a bulletin will be published, posted in the divisions and online for members to read.
Final Day to Get Contract Ballot in the Mail
This is a final reminder that today is the last day to get your contract ballot in the mail if it is to have a chance to be counted. Ballots must be received no later than tomorrow at 5pm by the California State Mediation Service. The ballots will be tabulated on July 18th at the SMART Transportation Division General Committee of Adjustment 875 Union offices at 15999 Cypress Ave, Irwindale CA 91706. A bulletin will be published as soon as the vote count is completed.
This week at GCA 875
Over the last weekend delegates from the GCA 875 have been at the SMART International Convention in Las Vegas, NV. Your delegates are hard at work ensuring the bus and rail operators have a strong voice in your union. Your union locals were also well represented in this video that went to the convention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bYazsjLeQ8
Any major news will be reported as it comes out of the convention.
Also this week members are still voting on the contract that was mailed out almost 2 weeks ago. If you did not receive a ballot in the mail please call the union offices as soon as possible at (626) 962-9980. Ballots must be received by the California State Mediation Service no later than 5pm on July 17th in order to be tabulated for the ratification process. The ballots will be tabulated on July 18th at the SMART Transportation Division General Committee of Adjustment 875 Union offices at 15999 Cypress Ave, Irwindale CA 91706.
We Are SMART!!!
Doctors Visit Co-Pay to be Reduced
The protection of your Health and Welfare Trust was an important piece of these contract negotiations. Between this contract and last, implementation the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obama Care, put significant burdens and increased costs on our Health and Welfare Trust Fund. The impacts of the Obama Care could not be anticipated due to the ever changing debate in Washington and unfortunately some of those costs had to be passed on to the members until a new agreement could be reached with the MTA.
During this contract, the impacts of Obama Care and the systematic phase in of the employer mandate are much clearer and your General Committee was able to take that into account when negotiating this contract. There were two priorities we had when it came to Health and Welfare. First was to ensure that there would not be any premium increases to our members during this contract. Second was that we wanted do something to reduce the costs of our doctor visit co-pays. With those two priorities in mind we consulted with health insurance experts to determine how much more money we needed from the MTA to accomplish these tasks.
If you look at your contract packets you will notice the MTA will be contributing an additional 7.47% annually to your Health and Welfare Trust. What the MTA contributes to your Health and Welfare Trust is the only thing that can be negotiated in the contract. After you ratify this contract, those increased contributions that were negotiated by your General Committee, will allow us to negotiate new deals with the health insurance companies that will keep premiums the same and reduce doctor visit co-pays from $35 down to $20. You will see these changes during your next open enrollment in October 2014 where you will be able to select a plan that is best for you and your family. Those new plans and decreased costs will take effect January 1, 2015.
It is our pledge and our promise to you that we will make this happen. We have already started the process of negotiating these deals in anticipation of ratification and we have no hesitation in affixing our signatures as proof of our pledge. United we stand.
This Week @ GCA 875
The General Committee hopes that everyone is rejuvenated after a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. Now it’s back to work.
This week we have the informational meetings to explain the changes to the contract that members are currently voting on. The first meeting is tonight and the General Committee is excited to meet with the members. Once again these are informational meetings only and no ballots will be accepted. These meetings are designed to help members understand the articles that received changes so that they may make an informed decision when they vote.
The meeting schedule is below:
Monday July 7th from 7 – 10pm
Double Tree by Hilton Los Angeles
888 Montebello Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
(323) 722-8800
Tuesday July 8th from 7 - 10 pm
Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel
12825 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-4700
Thursday July 10th from 7 – 10 pm
Double Tree by Hilton, Carson
2 Civic Plaza Dr.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 513-7505
We have already heard from members who have received their ballot packets in the mail. Members who do not receive a ballot by July 9th must contact the union office as soon as possible so that a duplicate ballot can be mailed out. Members who need a duplicate ballot should call (626) 962-9980. Ballots must be received by the California State Mediation Service no later than 5pm on July 17th in order to be tabulated for the ratification process.
Willie Rosales Elected Alternate VP West
Willie Rosales Elected Alternate VP West
Guillermo “Willie” Rosales has been elected as Alternate Vice President West during the UTU Convention this week in San Diego, CA. Willie, a 30 year veteran operating out of Division 3, has been a strong union supporter and officer for Local 1607. Willie’s election is well deserved and is proof of Willie’s hard work, commitment and solidarity to his union brothers and sisters.
“We are so proud of Willie and proud to have one of our own representing our Union in the SMART International”, said 1607 Local Chairwoman Lisa Arredando-Smith.
The Alternate Vice President’s job is to assist General and Local Chairpersons, at the request of SMART Transportation Division President John Previsch, in handling of Union matters from grievance to contract negotiations. Mr. Rosales’ election is a testament to the status and strength of the GCA 875’s Local Unions, and to the quality of the Union’s mentoring and training programs.
National Union Retiree Organization Responds to Anti-Union Supreme Court Decision
http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-supreme-court-public-employee-unions-20140611-story.html
For Immediate Release
June 30, 2014
Contact: Laura Markwardt – 202-637-5178
Harris v. Quinn Decision Harms Millions of Low-Wage Workers
The following statement was issued today by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans in response to the Harris v. Quinn Supreme Court decision:
“Today’s decision hurts millions of low-wage workers and the people they serve, often the most frail and vulnerable in America.
“All workers deserve a voice. Home health care workers’ right to a voice on the job took a wrong-headed hit today, and that harms the home health care that seniors and people with disabilities receive.
“Corporations, the Koch brothers and their extremist allies continue to pursue anti-retiree, anti-worker legislation in the states and in the courts. Instead of using the courts to take away the rights of working Americans like caregivers, we need to reduce income and wealth inequality and to enhance Americans’ economic security in both working years and in retirement.
“Fortunately, the Court upheld the right of other public employees to have a voice at work. That means they can continue to serve their communities and retire with dignity.”
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The Alliance for Retired Americans is a national organization that advocates for the rights and well being of over 4 million retirees and their families.
www.retiredamericans.org
This Week @ GCA 875
It’s the last day of June and before the 4th of July holiday, the General Committee is getting the word out on the tentative agreement reach with the MTA on the new contract. There is a lot of information to be shared including pay raises, part time promotion procedures and contributions to the Health and Welfare Trust. One of the biggest changes has to do with the complete overhaul of Article 27 and the enhancements to progressive discipline and job security. Packets will be mailed out by July 2 with the ballot, the synopsis and copies of the articles that received changes. Please review the ballot instructions and the informational material carefully before mailing back your ballot.
In order to help answer questions about the changes in the contract, the General Committee has scheduled three meetings for next week. These are informational meetings only and designed to help answer member’s questions about the changes to the contract. No ballots will be collected at these meetings. Meeting times and locations are listed below:
Monday July 7th from 7 – 10 pm
Double Tree by Hilton Los Angeles
888 Montebello Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
(323) 722-8800
Tuesday July 8th from 7 - 10 pm
Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel
12825 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-4700
Thursday July 10th from 7 – 10 pm
Double Tree by Hilton, Carson
2 Civic Plaza Dr.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 513-7505
Also going on this week is the UTU Convention in San Diego, CA that started over the weekend. Delegated from your local unions are meeting and discussing the future of the union before the big SMART Convention later in July. Check back here for news and information coming out of the conventions.
Contract Informational Meetings Scheduled
As a result of negotiations between your General Committee and the MTA, we have reached a tentative agreement on your contract. In order to explain and clarify the contract details for the membership, we have scheduled 3 meetings in July. No ballots will be collected at these meetings. Meeting locations and times are listed below:
July 7, 2014 7pm – 10pm July 8, 2014 7pm – 10pm July 10, 2014 7pm – 10pm
Double Tree Los Angeles Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel Double Tree Carson
888 Montebello Blvd 12825 Ventura Blvd 2 Civic Plaza Dr.
Rosemead, CA 91770 Studio City, CA 91604 Carson, CA 90745
(323) 722-8800 (818) 769-4700 (310) 513-7505
Your General Committee is extremely proud of the work it has done on behalf of this membership. We thank you for your continued support and patience through this process. In Solidarity we find Strength. In Strength we find Courage. In Courage we find Victory. In Victory we find Solidarity. United as one in Solidarity, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
Tentative Agreement Reached with the MTA
As a result of hard work and a difficult negotiating process, we are proud to announce that your General Committee has reached a tentative agreement on our contract with the MTA negotiations team.
In the very near future our membership will receive a synopsis of the tentative agreements explaining all the changes that were negotiated by your General Committee. Included in the synopsis you will find significant changes to Articles 26 and 27, ushering in a progressive discipline model and enhancing job security. There will also be substantial increases to base pay rates as well as increased contributions by the MTA to our Health and Welfare Trust.
Ballots will be mailed to the membership by the California State Mediation Service by July 2nd. The California State Mediation Service is an independent state run organization that will keep the ballot process free and fair. Members who do not receive a ballot by July 9th must contact the union office as soon as possible so that a duplicate ballot can be mailed out. Members who need a duplicate ballot should call (626) 962-9980. Ballots must be received by the California State Mediation Service no later than 5pm on July 17th in order to be tabulated for the ratification process which will occur on July 18th.
The General Committee takes the responsibility to its members and their families very seriously. We are extremely grateful for the input and the turn out to the meetings in February and the support and patience you have shown during this process. We are extremely proud of the work we have done and we encourage all of our membership to ratify this contract. In Solidarity we find Strength. In Strength we find Courage. In Courage we find Victory. In Victory we find Solidarity. United as one in Solidarity, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
This Week at GCA 875 SMART
After a full week and weekend of negotiations, the union is back to the negotiating table on Monday and Tuesday of this week in an effort to bring the negotiations closer to a finale . As was reported in a bulletin last week, the focus of the negotiations had turned to the major financial issues and confidence is high there will be a tentative agreement soon.
“This time we will know what the MTA can afford and we have the support of the International as leverage to get it.” Said General Chairman James Williams. “This committee is ready, willing and able to work every day, without break or shift in focus, to get a contract worthy of our membership before the June 30th deadline.”
Part Time Operators Promoted
The General Committee made a commitment at the beginning of negotiations that no part of the agreements would be released until a full tentative agreement was reached. But on this particular issue the Part-time operators would be ill served. By implementing this now Part-time Operators will not have to wait till November 2014 to exercise this new benefit.
We are so pleased to announce a minor development that has come out of the current contract negotiations. Before negotiations began we expressed our deep concern for the economic well being of our part time operators. During the meetings in February, part time operators were also an issue of concern expressed by both part time and full time operators. As promised, action on the issue has been made.
On Monday June 16th through Wednesday June 25th there will be a notification for the promotion of all part time operators to full time status. During this time operators who wish to not be promoted can decline promotion by exercising three options. An operator can choose to opt out of the newly created Part-Time Seniority Roster before the notification period begins. An operator who makes it onto the Part-Time Seniority roster can choose to decline a promotion offer prior to the effective date of the promotion or decline a promotion offer “due to changes in pay rate.”
This negotiated change has the potential to substantially enhance the lives of over 900 union members and their families.
Please join us in congratulating and celebrating with our part time operators on their promotions. It is when we are united as one that victories like this are possible. In Solidarity we find Strength. In Strength we find Courage. In Courage we find Victory. In Victory we find Solidarity. When we are united in Solidarity, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
Michael Carradine
January 7, 1974 – May 30, 2014
Michael Carradine was born on Jan 7th 1974. He died on May 30th 2014 at home from a sudden heart attack at his home. He is survived by his five children.
Michael, also known as Big Mike to his friends, was a 10 year veteran of the company starting back in 2003 and operating out of Division 10. His spirit and smile will be deeply missed at Division 10.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 11am in the Galleria Chapel of the Inglewood Cemetery at 720 E. Florence, Inglewood CA. We encourage all of our members to show their love and support for our fallen brother.
MTA Approves Fare Increases
By: Andrew Gonzales
Public Relations Director
SMART Transportation Division
GCA 875
On May 22, 2014 the LACMTA held its Regular Board Meeting and on the agenda was a proposed rate restructuring plan that included fare increases. The fare increases are intended to cover a $36 million operations shortfall expected for 2015 and a deficit that could grow to as big as $225 million within the decade. As expected a large crowd filled the boardroom to speak out against the fare increases.
According to LACMTA spokesmen, the MTA needs to collect 33% of their operational budget from the fare box. That 33% is a condition for current and future federal dollars used for item such as new bus and rail lines and new equipment. Currently the LACMTA is only getting 26% in fare box recovery and that amount is falling every year according to the MTA. In order to close the gap, MTA staff proposed an increase on one-way bus and rail fares from $1.50 to $1.75 in September, to $2 in 2017 and to $2.25 in 2021. In addition monthly passes rates would rise from $75 to $100 and day passes would increase from $5 to $7. These increases would bring the LA METRO systems fares to within rates of similar transit systems such as New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and San Diego, all of which have standard one-way rates of between $2 & $2.50. MTA CEO Art Leahy warned that a failure to increase rates could lead to a 1 million hour per year reduction in services and over 1000 layoffs.
A motion put forward by Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is designed to limit the impact and delay many of the increases. Their plan called for a freeze on 24 of 28 rate classifications including student and disabled fares. It also called for an independent task force to review the MTA budget and to make independent recommendations on how to close the funding gap before implementing fare increases in 2017 and 2021. Under their plan the fare increase of $.25 in September would go forward but only under the condition that the plan to allow 2 hours of free transfers was also ready for use. This option will save a rider who makes one transfer within two hours $1.25 and a rider who makes two transfers within two hours would save $3 over the current structure.
Opposition to the fare increases included student groups, community organizing groups and the Bus Riders Union. They characterized the fare increases as a racist attack on poor minorities who overwhelmingly use the transit system. It is estimated that over 90% of the system is used by people classified as low income and over 80% minority, the largest portion being African American and Latino. Those figures were cited by Supervisor Gloria Molina when she argued that LACMTA cannot compare its self, and its fares, to other transit agencies who have a more diverse social economic and racial ridership. She argued that fare box recovery was not a sustainable way to close budget issues and it would place a tremendous burden on the people at the lowest end of the economic scale. She suggested that the MTA should “go back to the drawing board” and find a way to cut 1.5% out of the MTA budget before increasing fares. It is worth noting that the $5.5 billion 2015 MTA budget was voted on and unanimously passed with support from Supervisor Molina just moments before this discussion.
After three hours of public comment and testimony, almost all of it against the fare increases, a vote was held on the fare restructuring plan. First a vote on the Garcetti, Yaroslavsky, Ridley-Thomas amendment passed with only Supervisor Molina abstaining. Then a vote on the fare restructuring plan, including the amendment, passed with the only dissenting vote once again being that of Supervisor Molina.
Fares will increase to $1.75 for a standard one-way trip beginning in September 2014 and riders will be allowed free transfers for up to 2 hours. Reports on the work of the task force and any future rate restructuring will be released as their work progresses.
This Week @ GCA 875
May 19 2014
Last week the SMART Transportation Division GCA 875 held three negotiation sessions with representatives of the LACMTA on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There is no significant news to report out of these meetings and the union negotiating team is preparing for further negotiating sessions scheduled for next week.
This week the LACMTA is holding its monthly Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, May 22 at 9:30 am at One Gateway Plaza. The big news coming out of this board meeting will be the vote on the proposed fare restructuring plan. The fare restructuring plan includes rate increases and changes to how transfers are handled. This issue has already drawn packed crowds to board meetings in the past and an all day public comment session held back in March.
Also on the agenda is a motion to allow the CEO Art Leahy to make amendments to the FY15 budget in part and in anticipation of new contracts with the different unions on the property. You can read the agenda by following the link below.
http://www.metro.net/about/meetings/board/rbm-05-2014/agenda/
This Week at the General Committee
May 13, 2014
This last week the General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) just finished launching its new web and social media sites. It was unveiled to a meeting of all the union officers over the Mother’s Day Weekend. This undertaking has been admittedly long overdue and the committee hopes that this new way to communicate with the membership will go a long way to fulfill the promise of greater transparency to the work being performed at union headquarters.
This week the GCA will have its hands full with contract negotiations with the MTA on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As was reported in a previous bulletin, negotiation began slowing down over the issue of discipline and work rules. Discipline was the number one issue expressed by the membership at every Local during the meetings held in February, and the GCA has promised significant changes to discipline for the members in this contract. The last couple sessions since then have been spent clarifying positions and arguments, and the SMART team is cautiously optimistic that meaningful progress will be made on this issue in the coming negotiating sessions.
Last week the ATU finalized a four year contract with the LACMTA worth over $36 Million. You can read the article in the LA Times here.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-union-contract-mta-raise-20140506-story.html
The General Committee, with help from SMART International Representative Victor Baffoni, is currently reviewing the contract struck by the ATU.