August 7, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet Members:

Here is a copy of the ULP we are submitting in response to the Interest Arbitration Decision. ULP

August 3, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet Members

Bargaining unit members have asked about their right to communicate their dissatisfaction about how their employer is treating them and about working conditions in general. The law is quite clear that such communication is “protected concerted activity.”

Placement of such written communications on an employee’s personal property, such as lunch box, car bumper or tool box is also part of that protected concerted activity.

Additionally, public employees have a constitutional right to comment on issues of public concern. TriMet’s PR team, as well as its management, have spent much time and money making bargaining unit employee wages, benefits and working conditions a matter of public concern. That being the case, the employees have an equal right to be heard on the issue. Posting

July 27, 2012 -ATU 757 - TriMet Members

We met with TriMet re the Mercer enrollment audit. Although we disagree, at this time we are encouraging our members to participate by submitting the appropriate paperwork.

July 25, 2012 - All ATU 757 Members: A Message from Bill Wimmer, President of ATU 757 Retirees' Chapter

To all ATU-757 members who are thinking of retiring soon I would like to inform you of all the benefits of retaining your Union membership at the time you retire.

1. You will have the right attend Union meetings.
2. You have the right to vote for the top 3 positions in the Union general elections.
3. You have the right to attend all Retirees’ Chapter meetings and other functions such as the July Retirees’ picnic and the Annual Retirees’ Christmas party.
4. You will continue to receive the Labor Press and the In Transit magazine.
5. You will be eligible to receive the death benefit from the International Union.

July 24, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet Members:

Attached is an unfair labor practice complaint filed today, July 24th. TriMet has stopped depositing vending machine proceeds into the Rec Fund. TriMet is now claiming that retirees have lessor dental coverage than active employees. The Union believes that TriMet has violated the law by making these changes. Read the ULP here.

July 24, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet Members:

The Union is filing the attached ULP today, July 24th. It addresses the fact that TriMet has now ordered road and rail supervisors to meet quotas with regard to fare evasion citations. Since this is fare inspector work and a change the during impasse period, the Union is asserting TriMet violated the law. Read the ULP here.

July 24, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet Members:

At this time, TriMet's last statement regarding COLA's is that they will be paid out on or before August 24th. COLA increases to retirees' pensions will take a little longer, with no set date at this time.

According to TriMet's Last Best Offer, implementation will be the first of the month following the arbitrator's order. The Union has informed TriMet that such implementation is extremely unwise given all the illegal aspects of the award noted by the arbitrator himself.

As for the reimbursement of the medical premiums, we continue to believe going back three years is illegal. ATU's attorney has written a letter to TriMet's attorney indicating that we will instruct our members not to authorize any payroll deductions from TriMet for this expense. It is also illegal for an employer to make threats to get you to sign such an authorization. For additional information and the full text of our attorney's letter to TriMet, please follow the link.

July 19, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet members:

We won the health and welfare ulp before the ERB judge! The judge found that, although TriMet could have legally done what it did, it did so in retaliation. TriMet has been ordered to pay back all premiums for option 1 people and all extra costs paid by members on option 2. It also ruled that McFarlane and management violated the law when it communicated with members BEFORE it communicated with the Union. Of course, TriMet will appeal the judge's ruling so it still isn't over yet. But, it does put a very big crimp in the outcome of the interest arbitration since the arbitrator awarded what amounts to an illegal proposal on health and welfare. ERB Decision

July 13, 2012 - ATU 757 - TriMet members:

Despite finding that aspects of TriMet’s offer were illegal, Arbitrator Gaba still found in TriMet’s favor. See the attached interest arbitration decision. The Union is studying the decision and determining its next steps. The issue is neither settled nor over! Arbitration Decision

July 3, 2012 - Attention ATU-TriMet members: