No Matter What: The TWU ATD Veterans Committee

AFL-CIO, Allies Launch Campaign for Jobs Package

    The AFL-CIO and a coalition of allies are launching a large campaign to pressure lawmakers to pass a new jobs bill, federation President Richard L. Trumka says.  Their drive already has support from approximately 200 House Democrats, who unanimously backed jobs creation in a Nov. 16 closed-door Capitol Hill meeting that Trumka addressed.

      The joint campaign will involve the AFL-CIO, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the National Council of La Raza and the Center for Community Change among others, the groups said at a joint “Spotlight on the Jobs Crisis” panel discussion/press conference on Nov. 17.  It also is designed to push the Obama administration into a commitment, before the president’s planned Dec. 3 White House summit on jobs.

      “The Recovery Act”—the $787 billion stimulus law—“created or saved 1 million jobs, and pulled us back from the brink of a depression,” Trumka explained.  “But we haven’t hit bottom yet.  Doing nothing is not an option.  If we don’t act, everything will be even worse,” he declared.  That’s because unemployment and underemployment combined cover more than one of every four workers, panelists declared.

      The 5-part jobs package the coalition advocates includes a 1-year extension and expansion of measures to help the jobless, all part of the stimulus law, that are due to end on Dec.  31.  They include extended jobless benefits, longer COBRA health insurance coverage for some jobless workers, and more food stamps.

      Their package also would extend more aid to the states.  Trumka pointed out states face a $187 billion deficit combined next year, and without help they would—again—have to cut workers and services, right at a time when both are needed most.

      To keep the recovery going, the federation and the others also advocate creation of “direct public service jobs” in addition to—not as a substitute for—current state and local government jobs.  To spur private job creation, they favor a 10%-15% job-creation tax credit over each of the next two years, and expanding federal construction to meet what engineers call a $3 trillion shortfall in what the U.S. needs to repair its infrastruc-ture.  That includes crumbling roads, collapsing levees, retrofitting old school buildings to make them energy-efficient and expanding railroad, airport and broadband capacity.

      The Obama administration has been reluctant to endorse a second stimulus bill, much less one targeted specifically to jobs, due to business and Republican opposition and worries from fiscally conservative Democrats about the burgeoning federal deficit.

      To counteract that negative pressure—which is continuing—the fed and its allies will send thousands of members out into streets, homes, workplaces and elsewhere, campaigning for jobs and arguing that by not putting people back to work, the deficit will only worsen and the economy will remain mired in recession..

      “We’re organizing 30,000 people a week through Working America for health care, jobs and the Employee Free Choice Act,” Trumka pointed out.  And he expects the hundreds of thousands of workers’ letters and phone calls to Congress about health care will be repeated about jobs.

      None of the panelists put a price tag on the new jobs program, but Trumka suggested that unused Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) money—several hundred million dollars—could help pay for the jobs package.

      Trumka also warned if any politician or group tries to “obstruct” the pro-jobs drive “we’ll expose that.”  Business, except for pro-union firms such as American Income Life Insurance Co.—whose representative asked a question—was absent from the Nov. 17 session.  “I’ve never known the Chamber of Commerce or the National Association of Manufacturers to be for anything for working people,” said Trumka.

      While the package unveiled on Nov. 17 concentrates on immediate measure to help the 15 million jobless, Trumka again said the economy also must be put on a longer-term footing of creating well-paying jobs making things, not an economy built on finance, credit and debt.

      And one key to creating such a new economy, he again declared, is passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.  That law, a top labor legislative goal to help level the playing field between workers and bosses in organizing and bargaining, is hung up in the Senate by a planned GOP filibuster.

      “There’s a real pathway to make any jobs good jobs.  It’s called collective bargaining,” Trumka said, to applause from the packed room.  “When my grandfather and dad went into coal mining, they weren’t good jobs.  They are now,” said Trumka, who started his working life in the mines—before United Mine Workers aid paid his way through college and law school.  He later became UMW president and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer before claiming his presidency two months ago.

      “That’s why EFCA is part of the recovery.  Without it, the people at the top will do great, the upper third will do OK, and the rest of us will do poorly and we’ll replicate the former economy,” Trumka concluded.

Courtesy of Press Associates, Inc., article by Mark Gruenberg

AA Flight Attendants Take Their Turn

American Airlines flight attendants held a successful symbolic strike yesterday at American Airlines bases around the country.  The TWU was on hand to support the Association of Professional Fight Attendants during their “OUR TURN Around Campaign” in Washington D.C., Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles and other bases around the country.

Picketers carried signs that read, “It’s Our Turn,” and, “Is Your Flight RED Today?”  At all base airports APFA members announced certain designated flights as “Red Flights.”  The flight attendants working the “red flights” wore symbolic red disks to indicate to the company the widespread problems that would be caused by a real strike. 

Like TWU members employed by American in other fields, the company’s flight attendants made major concessions in 2003 to help their employer stay afloat.  The company promised its workers “Shared Sacrifice, Shared Gain,” but today, American workers are hearing a different slogan in regards to the new contract:  “Zero Sum.”

“In short, American demands that any improvement in wages, vacation, or any other benefit be offset by a concession of equal value,” APFA wrote in its negotiation update posted on their website. “Nothing goes into one of your pockets that hasn’t just been taken from another.” 

Like APFA, TWU and other American unions are all engaged in the mediation process with assigned mediators working to gain an acceptable agreement, but American refuses to give its workers the contracts they deserve. 

Learn more about APFA’s “Our Turn Around Campaign” at apfa.org.

Local 100 Day of Solidarity

Local 100 took their message to the streets outside the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s headquarters this Wednesday on the morning of the authority’s board meeting.  Gary the Rat and a block-long picket line of 200 members greeted the board with whistles and chants of “No Contract, No Peace!” Local 100 members didn’t just stay outside on this “Day of Solidarity,” but some of the Local’s representatives went into the MTA board meeting to give them a piece of their mind about the state of their contract as well. 

Read more about Local 100’s fight for a fair contract here, and at http://www.twulocal100.org.

An Interview with Willie Brown

Read an interview with Willie Brown published by Philadelphia Citypaper. 

 

Assistant Director Gless Testifies Before Congress

On November 18, 2009, Assistant Director of TWU's Air Transport Division Robert Gless, testified before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security. The hearing included testimony specifically addressing the problems with security risks at foreign repair stations.

Gless, a certified Aviation Maintenance Technician himself, laid out his concerns for the subcommittee saying, “There are three major concerns that we have with regard to repair work performed at foreign aircraft repair stations. First, we have long held that our belief is that the same standards should be applied to repair work being performed on U.S. bound aircraft regardless if the work is done in the U.S. or abroad. Second, the loss of thousands of American jobs to outsourced foreign repair mechanics further weakens our U.S. economic security. And finally, we have a concern regarding security breaches within and around the perimeters of facilities which can lead to sabotage.

Gless offered the subcommittee four major recommendations:

1. Require that all maintenance on aircraft used in domestic U.S. service be done in FAA-certified repair facilities.
2. Require, as a condition of FAA certification, that all repair stations meet the same standards. This would include, but not be limited to, drug and alcohol testing and Part 65 aircraft mechanic certification.
3. Reconfigure FAA inspection and oversight to place the greatest scrutiny on those repair stations whose audits determine to pose the greatest risk to safety and security.
4. Require, as a condition of FAA-certification, that all repair stations be subject to unannounced FAA inspections. The FAA shall be prohibited from certifying any repair station in any countries that prohibit unannounced inspections and shall immediately revoke any existing certifications in such countries.

Watch Gless' whole testimony and question and answer session above (total running time: 11 minutes) and read it here.

TWU In the News

The Today Show follows American Airlines employees (and TWU members) as they process baggage and handle holiday travel at DFW Airport.

Local 234 Strike Ends in Victory

At 4 a.m. on Nov. 9 Philadelphia’s transit system slowly churned back to life. TWU Local 234 members were back on the job after the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s stubborn refusal to offer an equitable contract forced its workers to hold a strike that lasted six days.

Negotiations were long and heated. Local 234 President Willie Brown, Local 234 Executive Vice President Brian Pollitt, International Vice President Jeffrey L. Brooks and TWU attorney Bruce Bodner spent all six days in negotiations that moved slowly. Pennsylvania's Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Representative Bob Brady were involved in the talks. The governor brought his resources with the intent of settling a deal, but in some instances, when the deal broke, he sided with the authority. Brady helped broker the deal and was very helpful in bringing it to closure.

Local 234's contracts with SEPTA always expire in March and negotiations typically begin late the preceding year. Local 234 President Willie Brown assumed the position of president in December 2008, the same month that the National Bureau of Economic Research announced that the country had been in a recession for a year, financial institutions were floundering and being bailed out, and corporate downsizing and closings forced mass layoffs and buyouts. Brown had a very tough job cut out for him. He knew he had to negotiate a contract that provided the standard of life to which his members were accustomed, with a transit authority that was set to use the country's recession as an excuse to give little and ask for a lot in return.

“SEPTA is operating at record-high levels,” said International Vice President Jeff Brooks. “Ridership and revenue levels are the highest the authority has seen in years putting them in a position to really work with us, but they just would not budge.”

The Local started flooding the media with commercials and editorials early on in the year 2009 in an effort to explain to the public that they were struggling with SEPTA, which was trying to cut members' wages and pensions significantly. This proved to be to no avail months later during the strike, when biased media and raging politicians acted as if it came out of thin air.

Throughout the first nine months of 2009, each time TWU tried to negotiate with SEPTA, the authority's offers became worse than the time before, an insult to the negotiation process itself. Local 234 receives its raises, negotiated in the contract, each December, so as fall approached the need to settle a contract became more pressing. Negotiations heated up. The mayor and governor were worried about money. "The city's contract is up next and they want to put zeros on the city," said Local 234 President Willie Brown, but the transit authority is in much better financial condition than the city. "If we didn't take zeros, they'd have a hard time giving others that. We were the first, so they figured if they make us take it they'll make everyone else take it too."

Local 234's fight helped pave the way for other unions whose contracts are about to expire and need to negotiate a fair contract for their members. If unions didn't fight for their members' rights then all working people would suffer. In solidarity, the Local was fighting for respect, fair treatment and the right for hard-working people to be able to provide for their families. It was fighting for the middle class.

October negotiations had brought out a contract that cost workers while it benefited management; offered a decreased raise, which was diminished by an increased pension payment; and perpetuated discrimination by neglecting to include "picking" rights, the right for employees to choose their equipment and job placement based on seniority. Forced to turn to the last resort - a strike - Local 234 leadership took the decision to its membership. At the strike authorization vote on Oct. 25, members unanimously voted to strike. The strike was set for 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 31.

At 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 30, President Willie Brown received a phone call from Governor Rendell, who was pleading with Brown not to call a strike, his major concern being the national attention it would cause at that time when Philadelphia was hosting several of the World Series games at the city's Citizens Park. Rendell asked both parties to his office for 'round the clock negotiations.

Over the next three days, the TWU tried to reach a settlement by asking SEPTA for a list of costs created by the contract, and calculating how the union could still get what its members need but cost the authority less. SEPTA's numbers on the cost of union pensions raised a big red flag. SEPTA has always underfunded its workers pensions and, in the proposed contract, was asking them to contribute more for less in return. And then, during negotiations the Local discovered that responsible and honest management of the funds was in question as well, and saw that it would need to request an audit of the pension plans to ensure its members’ money was being handled correctly. SEPTA refused a provision that would require it to allow the TWU to audit the pensions and told Brown "take [the contract] or leave it." This brought negotiations to a standstill and prompted the now unavoidable strike.

At 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 all of Local 234's City, Frontier and Suburban division members went on strike. The rank and file held down the picket lines as the negotiating team battled with SEPTA over the right to a fair and equitable contract. Brown didn't want to stall an entire city and become the "most hated man in Philadelphia," but his duty called, to get an equitable contract for his members and strike if necessary, as it was. "The strike was something I had to do, not something I wanted to do to inconvenience anybody. It is our only tool of survival, and it was effective in the end," said Brown.

Hungry for a story and an end to the strike, the media ate up the misinformation that Gov. Rendell fed it over the six-day period. The governor told Philadelphians the strike was going to end when negotiations were far from reaching a resolution. He also appeared on television announcing that the Local was taking the contract to the members to vote. This was a blatant lie; he already knew that the TWU Constitution requires the Local Executive Board to vote on a contract before it goes to members for ratification.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Executive Board approved the contract and just after midnight on Monday, Local 234 leadership and SEPTA signed. The contract provides 11.5% raise over five years with a $1,250 signing bonus; the right for the union to select which contract grievances go to arbitration and in what order – a win that will help to eliminate the discrimination caused by lack of "picking" rights; the exclusion of the ability for SEPTA to impose any changes on the union if health care reform increases cost for the authority; the continuation of the dental plan, among other provisions. Read the details of the tentative contract here.

“We stand united,” said Brown. “We continue to move Philadelphia, and we move it well.”

Local 540 Signs Contract with Hawaiian Airlines

On November 6, TWU Local 540 overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract with Hawaiian Airlines that will provide increased pay and benefits as well as profit sharing for members and operational improvements for the company. Local 540 represents dispatchers at Hawaiian Airlines..

“We are please to have negotiated these improvements on behalf of our members at Hawaiian,” said Air Transport Division Director John Conley. “In these challenging times, it’s refreshing to negotiate with a management team that shares our vision and commitment, for improving the working conditions and standard of living of our members.”

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, commented, “This agreement is entirely consistent with the one overwhelmingly ratified by our flight attendants earlier this year, and with the proposals we have offered all of our union groups. Our agreements with the TWU and the AFA-CWA mean that we have now reached accord with two of the largest unions in the airline industry.”

Flight Attendants Closer to FMLA Rights

We are very pleased that this week, flight attendants, flight crews and their families have come one step closer to finally sharing the rights afforded to most workers by the Family and Medical Leave Act. On Tuesday, the Senate passed S. 1422, the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by unanimous consent. A similar bill, H.R. 912, was passed earlier this year by the House.

This bill represents workplace fairness to thousands of flight attendants, flight crews and their families because for years they have not been able to qualify for FMLA benefits due to “the unique way in which the airline industry counts its workers’ hours.” The bill clarifies the language of the 1993 FMLA law to ensure that airline workers are no longer excluded from FMLA benefits.

The House and Senate bills that have been passed will now move to conference, where the slight differences between them will be ironed out so that the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act can be signed into law by President Obama.

John Conley, ATD Director, Thanks Vets

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

I want to invite you to join me and the ATD staff in acknowledging our military veterans and their families on this Veterans Day. Our military forces proudly carry a responsibility and dedication to country that few posses. Their job is fraught with danger and looming calamity at any given moment. Last week’s horrendous attack on our soldiers at Fort Hood was a tragedy that no one could have imagined. The massacre of unarmed innocents clearly confirms the dangerous world we live in.

If not for these brave men and women, our country would not stand as the pillar of democracy that we are. Freedom isn’t free and we should remember that. In honor of all our veterans please remember to fly your flag today. Thank those you may know personally with a smile and a warm handshake – they deserve it.

Fraternally,

John M. Conley
International Vice President
Director Air Transport Division

TWU Brother Honored by Minister and Community Church

Danny Cobb started his career in automotive maintenance with the United States Navy, serving four years as a ground support maintenance mechanic. After an honorable discharge, and back in the civilian world, he worked for several truck and automotive dealerships honing his skills on many different types of vehicles. Cobb went to work for American Airlines in 1989 and is a Shop Steward and member of Local 513, which represents workers at DFW International Airport. For the last twenty years he’s helped maintain AA’s fleet of automotive ground equipment; from tugs and tractors to cargoveyors and buses.

Cobb’s experience with diesel-powered buses intrigued one of his fellow union brothers, Kenneth Coleman. Coleman, a minister, was in need of a mechanic to help repair a diesel bus used for his community mission work with the homeless. Minister Coleman leads a group of church volunteers that canvas the community and provide transportation for the homeless, bringing them to church services and Bible studies. The group provides food and clothing for the less fortunate as well; Coleman refers to the people he and his Church help as “our extended family,” rather than as “the homeless.”

On October 16 Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, Texas held their annual fund raising banquet to raise money for their church and to help purchase parts needed for bus repair and maintenance. Later that evening, unbeknown to Cobb, the congregation honored Brother Cobb with a standing ovation and a gift to thank him for his tireless efforts and generous time spent maintaining their bus. Several “extended family” members were attending and grateful for Cobb’s dedication and safety minded work. After receiving the accolades Cobb humbly replied, “When I’m involved with helping others, life is much more peaceful and happier for me, I don’t get wrapped up or angry when I’m helping someone in need.”

“Over the last three and a half years, Danny has donated his free time, unselfishly, working on the bus, keeping it roadworthy and safe,” said Minister Coleman. The Minister was moved to tears as he thanked Cobb for his work. Cobb, his mother and his girlfriend Debbie, were all overwhelmed by the entire congregation’s overwhelming show of affection.

A commemorative video was shown at the fundraiser that featured Cobb’s friends, co-workers and his Local President Darrin Pierce thanking Cobb for his work and reflecting on his helpful nature. TWU Air Transport Division Director John Conley also appeared in the video and thanked Danny for his dedication and expert technical skills maintaining the TWU motor coach and commended his commitment to those less fortunate.

Shown in photo: Cobb with his girlfriend and mother

Local 226 Signs Contract with First Student

Local 226 settled a contract with First Student at the Clifton, N.J. Depot on October 30, averting an almost definite strike.  After many contentious bargaining sessions Susan Resch, Administrative VP; Jerome Lafragola, Staff Representative; and Jon Bradford, President of Local 226, with the help of a federal mediator, came to an agreement just hours before members were set to walk out on the job.

The sticking point in the negotiations was a zero percent increase in the first year of the agreement, which Bradford, the committee and members all agreed was unacceptable. 

The three-year agreement provides for yearly substantial wage increases for drivers and aides, and many other important benefit improvements.  The contract was overwhelmingly ratified by the voting members with only one “no” vote.
 

Local 234 Ends SEPTA Strike, Wins Contract

TWU Local 234 celebrates success today after settling an acceptable contract with the Southeastern Philadelphia Transit Authority, which ended a six-day long strike early this morning. Local 234 members who run and maintain Philadelphia’s subways, buses and trolleys are back on the job today. The contract will now go to Local 234's 5,100 members for ratification in the next week and a half.

November 6, 2009

This morning, Philadelphia's transit workers, TWU Local 234 members, entered their fourth day of a strike– their fourth day sacrificing their pay and waiting for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) to negotiate and give them the contract they deserve. These transit workers have been running SEPTA without a contract for eight months, since their last expired in March. They've been waiting for management to negotiate an acceptable new contract, but they can not wait any longer.

For the last couple of weeks the local government and SEPTA have been well aware of the possibility of a strike. Local 234 made this possibility publicly known through advertisements and public statements. Self-serving politicians have been feeding lies to a frustrated public when they could easily give Local 234 the fair contract it is asking for – a pension plan that does not increasingly siphon workers' pay while it underfunds their pension plans; a raise that adheres to traditional standards; and "picking" rights to end discriminatory practices at SEPTA.

The TWU understands these are tough economic times, but the transit authority has seen great success in recent months. SEPTA has been seeing record levels of ridership, record levels of revenue and an unprecedented infusion of stimulus dollars, some of which is directed to operating costs. The TWU is not asking for anything that SEPTA cannot afford.

Transit work is not easy. Local 234 members risk their lives daily to keep Philadelphia moving and safe; they give back to their communities and take care of their families. They are people who deserve a fair contract. The Transport Workers Union remains united and strong and will continue to fight for the contract that its members deserve.

View photos of Local 234 members picketing and fighting for their right to a fair contract at twu.org/flickr

Statement by Willie Brown
TWU Local 234 President on Key Strike Issues

While other issues remain unsettled, the key issue is pensions and how members' pensions will be funded. SEPTA has underfunded members' pensions for more than 20 years.

SEPTA's board would like to have TWU members pay for a greater share of their pension contribution. Meanwhile they are increasing pension benefits for managers with a reduced contribution – which we find completely inequitable.

Many of the comments made yesterday by political figures were not helpful and were inaccurate. Local 234 had made it clear through public statements and advertising that a strike was a strong possibility.

While we acted in good faith and agreed to wait until after the final home game of the World Series – strike was never off the table. Mayor Nutter intentionally misled the public about our intentions. This was a disservice to those that rely on the transit system and on area commuters.

We greatly appreciate Governor Rendell's efforts to bring about a settlement. However, the numbers the governor has widely circulated are misleading. The way I do arithmetic, If I give you three dollars and I immediately take away two -- you're left with one dollar. In the governor's math you would still have three dollars. In the real world, the proposed salary increase would be largely erased by the increased out-of-pocket pension contribution.

We know these are difficult times for many in our community and across the nation. However, our employer is experiencing record levels of ridership, record levels of revenue and an unprecedented infusion of federal stimulus dollars -- a portion of which is directed to operating costs. Our proposals do not create a financial hardship in any way.

Pension security is important to our members. In order to protect our retirement years we are willing and able to stay out as many days as it takes to reach a fair settlement.

We are united and we are one.

Don't forget to check out our photos on Flickr.

Find Out What The Affordable Health Care for America Bill Can Do For You

We are on the verge of a historic moment. This weekend, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 3962 The Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009, which will finally provide quality, affordable coverage for all Americans.

To see an analysis of how this bill will help you, your family, and your Congressional district, please click the link below.

http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1802:hr-3962-the-affordable-health-care-for-america-act-district-by-district-impact&catid=169:legislation&Itemid=55

TWU Mourns Passing of Former Local 100 President Willie James

Willie James, the first African American president of TWU Local 100, passed away last Friday at the age of 73.

Willie James was a pioneer in many regards and will be remembered as such," said TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint. "The entire Local 100 membership mourns his passing."

Then Secretary-Treasurer of the Local, he was appointed President by the Executive Board in 1996. He was subsequently elected to that office and served in it through December 2000.

James was raised in Harlem by a working mother and served in the military and as a police officer before hiring on in 1967 as a Bus Operator at the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transportation Operating Authority.

Before becoming Secretary-Treasurer and President, he held several other Local offices. As Director of Training and Upgrade, he saw the first two women members advance from the title of Cleaner to Bus Maintainer.

He also served at various times on the Board of Directors of the Municipal Credit Union, where he was Acting Chairman and Chairman from 2007 to 2009, the Executive Board of the NAACP, and as Deacon at Mount Harmon Baptist Church. He was also a founding member of the Society of African American Transit Employees.

His wife Rosabelle passed away in 2005. James is survived by his children, Daisy Moyd and Charles James, his three grandsons, eleven great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, his sister Janet Surrency Monroe, and the 38,000 members of his Union.

Mourning Willie James
Friday, November 6
Wake: 3:00pm
Funeral: 7:00pm
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
(241 West 142 Street)

Statement from President James C. Little on The Affordable Healthcare for America Act H.R. 3962

History is being made. For forty years, the American Labor Movement has been losing the battle for meaningful and comprehensive healthcare reform. But, today we are on the cusp of achieving our goal. Within days, the House of Representatives will vote on The Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R. 3962, which merges and improves the three previous bills passed by the House Education & Labor, Energy & Commerce, and Ways & Means Committees. H.R. 3962 meets President Obama’s criteria of expanding access to coverage, providing competition in the market, reigning in skyrocketing costs, and demanding accountability from the insurance industry. The unveiling of a bill that includes a national public plan option, an employer mandate to either “pay or play”, without placing a burden to carry the cost of comprehensive healthcare reform on middle class Americans is progressive and true reform.

Specifically, the inclusion of a Public Plan Option is a key facet of the bill. And, the Public Plan Option component will finally introduce real competition into the insurance market. Such competition will reign in skyrocketing costs, increase choice, steer quality improvements, and keep insurance companies honest. The employer responsibility provision serves to strengthen the new market dynamic by requiring employers to pay their fair share, or pay a penalty for their irresponsible behavior. These two key provisions, when enacted in conjunction with other market and delivery reforms, will strengthen our country even further by reducing the federal deficit by $30 billion over the next 10 years.

Additionally, HR 3962’s progressive financing of healthcare reform is both sensible and responsible because only the wealthiest Americans are taxed, instead of financing reform of the backs of the middle class.

TWU applauds Speaker Pelosi for releasing a healthcare reform bill that provides real relief for working families and builds a solid foundation for the future. As the Senate and the House work towards moving the bills to a vote, we will continue to work with Members of Congress to retain the critical provisions included in “The Affordable Health Care for America Act” (H.R. 3962) and to bring long-overdue reform to our nation’s healthcare system.

No Contract, No Work: Local 234 Strike in Philly

Transport Workers Union Local 234 members do not like to see their city’s transit system stalled any more than their fellow Philadelphians do – after all, transit is their livelihood - but they cannot work without a contract any longer. Local 234 members, employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), went on strike at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 3, over an eight-month long contract dispute revolving around wages, pensions and “picking” rights.

“No one is happy that it’s come to this,” said Local 234 President Willie Brown. “Mayor Nutter, Gov. Rendell and SEPTA are trying to take advantage of our members and they have forced us to this very unfortunate point.”

The Local has been in negotiations with SEPTA since their last four-year contract expired in March 2009, but has been unable to reach an acceptable renewed contract with the authority, which has self-serving local politicians, including Rendell and Nutter, on its side.

SEPTA has put forward a contract that continues to cost workers while it benefits management, and offers a decreased raise, which is diminished by an increased pension payment.

The transit authority has been underfunding TWU members’ pensions for years; while it funds 90 percent of managements’ pensions it only funds 50 percent of workers’ pensions. Local 234’s 5,100 members already contribute 2 percent of their pay to their pension funds and, in the new contract, are being asked to contribute another 1.5 percent more for little pension increase for most workers. Management contributes less than one percent of its pay to the fund.

Our pension is grossly underfunded," Brown said in a press conference this morning. "We're not being unreasonable, we're just asking for a fair contract. We put twice as much in, they get twice as much out," he said. "We'll stay out as long as it takes to secure our pension."

The contract would also decrease the annual raise that SEPTA employees receive each year. It offers a signing bonus in lieu of the regular 3 percent December raise, with another 2.5 percent raise promised in 2010, and 3 percent December raises for the remaining three years of the contract. With the increased pension contribution of 1.5 percent, the already minimized raise is significantly diminished.

The last point of contention for Local 234 are members’ “picking” rights, the right for employees to choose their equipment and job placement based on seniority. “If our members do not get ‘picking’ rights then SEPTA remains free to continue discriminatory practices we’ve seen for years,” said Jeff Brooks, TWU International Chief of Staff and former Local 234 President.

The strike follows months of negotiations that led to local politicians’ involvement in the days preceding the World Series games held at Philadelphia’s Citizens Park. “The Governor, Mayor and U.S. Representative Robert Brady were involved in the negotiation in order stave off the strike until after the World Series,” said Brooks. “Now that that is over they are completely inflexible and have stepped out of the picture.”

Nutter and Rendell fear that any successful and acceptable contract for TWU members will set a pattern for all city workers, including police and firefighters, and they simply do not want to provide a fair contract to the people who run Philadelphia daily.

SEPTA is in better financial condition than the city itself, but after eight months, is still unwilling to negotiate a fair contract for its workers.

“Our members have families to care for and bills to pay,” said Brown. “We are fighting for the fair contract that the men and women who move Philadelphia deserve.”

Brown and other union leaders plan to meet with Gov. Rendell today or tomorrow, but will not meet with Mayor Nutter, who refuses to bring anything to the table.