https://socialistaction.org/2016/11/19/labor-briefing-12/
Labor Briefing
/ 2 days ago
By BILL ONASCH
• “Without Their Brain and Muscle Not a Single Wheel Can Turn”—For six
days, beginning on Nov. 1, over 4700 Philadelphia transit workers,
members of Transport Workers Union Local 234, shut down bus, trolley,
and subway lines normally carrying more than 900,000 passengers daily.
While more than a dozen items remained unresolved at the strike
deadline, it was no surprise the most contentious were pensions and
health insurance. The SEPTA employer was demanding more than $120 a
month in additional worker contributions for a new inferior health plan.
Commuter railroad lines were generally allowed to run during the strike.
However, on the first day of the walk out, the strikers picketed the
train yards and were able to shut down several lines before management
obtained a court injunction to halt the action.
The union charged that SEPTA refused to seriously negotiate, instead
seeking a court injunction to break the strike on grounds that it might
prevent some from voting in the Nov. 8 election. With the anxious
participation of several Democratic Party politicians in the
negotiations, an agreement was forged at 5 a.m. on Nov. 7. Workers will
receive a raise in wages totaling 10.5% over the next five years, and
pensions for retirees will increase from 12.8% to 15.2% depending on the
number of years of service. But health-care contributions will increase
from 1% of workers’ pay to 2.5% by 2019. Despite strong opposition
within the union to reject the pact, members voted 1982 to 760 to
approve it on Nov. 18.
• A Different Health Issue—Workday Minnesota reports, “The University of
Minnesota is unjustly disciplining employees who take time off when they
are sick, the union representing U food service and maintenance workers
says. Joined by other U employees and allies, they held a demonstration
Tuesday outside the administration building on the Minneapolis campus.
“‘This is a public health issue that employees who are sick are being
forced to work in cafeterias and other areas where they come into
contact with students and other staff,’ said Mary Turner, president of
the Minnesota Nurses Association.”
• Looking for Quitters—According to the Albany Times-Union, “As a strike
looms at the Momentive chemical plant, the company has mailed its 700
unionized workers a five-page guide on how to quit the union…IUE-CWA
Local 81359 President Dom Patrignani said, ‘The company is absolutely
desperate in their efforts … certifications and knowledge needed to
safely operate a chemical facility of this magnitude comes with years of
training and experience, which the management team lacks. This proves
they need our workers more than ever.’”
If you have a labor story appropriate for this column please contact
billonasch@xxxxxxxxxxx
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November 19, 2016 in Philadelphia, Uncategorized. Tags: TWU
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