HOME Founders Message Digging Up The Past Bulletin-board PHOTOS
PRIVACY Don't Get Blocked Feedback LINKS Site Map
9-20-00_PHOTOS 9-21-00_RALLY-PHOTOS
MTA-STRIKE
GREETINGS TO ALL MY FRIENDS
FROM:
JOHN BURNS
Greetings,
To all my fellow ATU, TCU, UTU, and AFSCME Union members, Honorable Union, MTA, Local, State and Federal Officials, hard working Public.
As the MTA-Strike begins to heat up, I would like to discuss with you new Union members issues you may be concerned with, to help you better understand and endure this ordeal. Hopefully you will Read, Think, Listen and Pay attention.
We will Briefly cover the following areas:
Behind the Scenes
Rules of Engagement during a Strike
Protecting Your Good Names
MTA's Rumor Mill
The People You Left behind
What Others Must Bear
The Very Bottom Line
Coming Together
Best Wishes To You All
Behind The Scenes
On or about September 11, 2000, ATU Local 1277 reported to the designated place of negotiation to meet with MTA Negotiators. ATU Officials waited while MTA did not make good on their promise to appear and continue or complete Negotiations with the Mechanics Union. MTA sent a message indicating documents would be faxed to the ATU Local 1277 Office. No documents were faxed and no attempt was made by MTA to come to the table to resolve issues.
On or about September 15, 2000, UTU was making progress towards resolving their issues with MTA when Deputy CEO, Mr. Lipsky supposedly added changes which threatened the Future for Bus Drivers. We all know the result, UTU called a Strike.
I received this information for a person that is credible regarding Union matters. You each can check with your Union Leaders to verify the facts.
Rules of Engagement During a Strike
Many of you new to MTA were voicing your ideas and opinions this past Monday, September 18, 2000. It was clear to me you didn't understand the Rules of Engagement during a Strike, or why other Unions supporting this strike weren't carrying picket signs.
First of all, ATU, TCU or AFSCME did not officially call a Strike, UTU did. This means until they do call a strike for their respective Locals, they won't normally walk with signs, unless of course they carry your signs. They are supporting you by not crossing your picket lines. In event any of the other Locals don't come to agreement with MTA , at that time they will call their own Strike.
You have their support, you just don't understand the rules.
Protecting Your Good Names
As the Strike heats up, you each will be under pressure to maintain your credit. You need to know that protecting your good names is essential for your future. Those of you that need help should contact your Steward, Union Official or the AFL-CIO for information to assist you with your individual or specific personal issues.
The basics of what you need to know is this: Sort out your monthly living expenses and determine which bills are top priority. Sit down and quietly map out the essential, must pay bills. Every credible lending Institution is willing to help you during times of distress, but they have to know in advance. In other words, don't wait until it's too late when looking for assistance, prepare your path now, plan "B" if you will. Try to come up with a basic letter to inform the person that may assist you from each of your creditors. Finally call and find out who the contact person is that could assist you, if you need their help. All this information is available through your Unions or the AFL-CIO. Start today.
MTA's Rumor Mill
On Friday September 15, 2000, MTA Board Chair Person, Ms. Y. B. Burke had a message on the radio almost every hour on the hour, trying to convince the Public, MTA Bus drivers were offered a raise and refused to come to the table. She was backed up by several Los Angeles County Board Supervisors blaming the Strike on Bus Drivers.
This is all part of MTA's Rumor Mill and you should expect MTA to Lavishly spend our Tax Dollars to make you look like the reason for this problem. You must go beyond the rumor mill and get as much information as you can from your Stewards and Union Officials. Your facts will not add to this problem. With the Media in a feeding frenzy for this story, you want to give facts, stick with the real issues.
The People You Left Behind
Each day this battle will become hotter and hotter. What you should try to realize, many of the good people you left behind, (those still working) will be there when you return. Don't get so involved with the Protest you forget, many of the people you left are still your friends. Your day to day co-workers are not always your enemy and most of them can't make decisions that will harm you or your family.
What Others Must Bear
When I started with RTD in 1976, we struck for about eighty-nine days, check with your Union officials for the actual length of time and in the mid 1990's we were out for about two weeks. An important note for you all is to realize, you are not the only one's suffering during this Strike.
During and after a Strike we rarely consider what others must bear. Others meaning the Public, both private Citizens and businesses. You each need to seriously consider this, you will have a job to return to, others won't. Businesses will fail and thousands of minimum wage earners will loose their jobs, Why? Because they work hours from home.
I sincerely hope you never forget what others must bear. As a reminder, read the two following statements from letters sent regarding the strike:
Greed...is a new word for MTA employees. You can not imagine how many people will lose money. How many poor people are risking their lives by walking home to or from work. So stop being so greedy and think like human beings that you are, or are you? Even if you get what you want, the greed attack will strike you again. Greed, greed, greed. That is your new name...... ( Subject listed as greed...greed...greed) author Isabel
To whom it may concern,
Well it concerns me. I am very sadden by the fact that MTA employees have agreed to go on strike. I am a very old woman, that need to take the bus to work six days a week. My shift ends at 9:00p.m., and it takes me about one hour and a half to get home. I live alone in Inglewood, and no friend that can give me a ride back home. My retirement check is not enough, therefore this maintenance job that I have helps me a great deal. I fear that if I miss any day I will get fired. So please reconsider your position. You can not imagine how much harm inflict. ( Subject listed as MTA STRIKE) author With great hope, Mrs. Blanca Bass
The Very Bottom Line
Strikes usually involve the working class fighting for better wages and benefits. The very bottom line to this strike, in my personal opinion, is Transit Zones. If you're not familiar with California State Senate Bill SB-1101, you should try to find out about it.
The Public doesn't understand that MTA is attempting to Privatize Public Transit, which only means the system can continue to be Piretized by individuals who could care less about you, your families, Public Transit or this Country. The Piracy is not only in stealing our Local, State and federal Tax Dollars, more importantly, your futures and those of our children. When you have Bus Drivers, or any employee, who are denied medical benefits for their children, husbands and wives, you have a serious problem that must be addressed. If a Strike is the only solution, what can we say? People living and working in this country deserve Prevailing Wages and Health Benefits, anything less is Un-American.
The type of Transit Zones MTA would like to develop will destroy families and further add to our unwanted societies of America, homelessness, people living in cars and homeless children. People can not live or raise families on ten dollars an hour with no medical benefits.
Coming Together
In order to survive, you only have one option and that is coming together. In coming together you need Solidarity, not only with the Unions, but with the very people we serve, the Public Trust. You will have to be able to show the public the truth about Public Transit, the waste and mismanagement, which isn't going to stop any time soon if you don't come together. You will also need to address the problems and issues with responsible Political leaders, Local, State and Federal.
Best Wishes to You All
This battle you are fighting has been going on for thousands of years, sooner or later you will prevail.
Best wishes to you all,
John Burns, 9/20/00
HOME Founders Message Digging Up The Past Bulletin Board PHOTOS
PRIVACY Don't Get Blocked Feedback LINKS SITE MAP
9-20-00PHOTOS 9-21-00_RALLY-PHOTOS