Furloughs - Not Just For Criminals... Anymore! 3 Comments

Oh FURLOUGH where out thou?

Out comes the sun finally. So I realize the first post was somewhat negative and I want to make it known that is not why we began the site. However, shortly after the first post we made some progress if not a breakthrough in averting the 4 layoffs.

4 furlough packages will be offered to operators wishing to take the summer bid off while retaining all health dental and vision benefits at no cost to them. Seniority will remain intact and vacations will still be paid out as they would have. This leave without pay furlough will be offered by seniority during the summer bid this week. Basically you have another choice besides a run. Not too shabby. This may be all we need to keep the 4. We shall see.

Furloughs - Not Just For Criminals., Anymore!


How did we get to this point?

Early this year and in late 2008 when the number was at its high point at 26 layoffs as opposed to the 4 now, your ATU leadership (Jon, Sam and myself) began to brainstorm for ways to keep people here. After suggesting many of these idea's at the LMC (labor management committee) the initial strategy the District and the ATU came up with was the retirement incentive packages.

OF course, shortly after getting this project underway, news of President Obama's stimulus package passing was a game changer. Where initially the District had entertained a higher dollar value for each package with the number of of layoffs being lowered there would be less need for incentive. The packages stayed but the buyout figure was less than what most operators felt would be a fair.

So bottom line at the last L.M.C meeting on April 23rd, the District informed us that there were no buyout takers on the Operators side. AS a result, Management informed us 4 layoffs would be likely made but set no time line. We had assumed as the initial threat of 26 layoffs was set for Fall, then that would be the time they would notify us. Also at that LMC the union was still suggesting alternatives. The furlough was brought up as well as a re-offer of the incentive packages. We left under the reasonable assumption more of an effort would be taken by all before layoffs were announced. Unfortunately this was not the case and Operations Directors made the announcement to each employee while the Union leadership was out of town on a business trip.

REMEMBER TO VOTE IN OUR UNION ELECTIONS. BALLOTS ARE ON THE WAY TO YOU IN THE MAIL.

ATU 757, Union Bloggers, Obama, transit operations, furlough, stimulus, driver lay-offs