May 13, 2008

ROUTE 108

 

We are pleased to report to the membership that we have been victorious in what we believe to be a milestone case in our Union’s history. A lot of members believed that the arbitration case filed against SEPTA for removing the route 108 out of Southern Depot and transferring it to Red Arrow / Victory Bus Division was not important to operators at other locations, and that the Union wasn’t really serious about winning the case. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if this case had been lost by the union it would have been the end of job security as we’ve known it at SEPTA. The way the Authority fought the case proves the point.

 

SEPTA wanted the arbitrator to agree that the Authority had the right to take work that has traditionally and historically been performed by Local 234 and move it out of the bargaining unit, simply because the work could be done cheaper somewhere else. In their attempt to win the favor of the neutral arbitrator and punish the members of Local 234 for making a decent living, SEPTA resorted to all kinds of underhanded and dishonest tactics.  In fact, SEPTA stooped to an all time low by bringing in witnesses who had to retract their testimony in the middle of the hearing and commit border line perjury under oath. Other managers, who did not want to perjure themselves outright, came down with a case of selective memory and bogus arguments about Section 315 of the contract.

 

After the hearings were over, SEPTA managers showed their true colors when they let it be known that they moved the Route 108 out of Southern because “they felt like it,” and that they didn’t care one bit about the contract they are legally bound to follow. The Local, on the other hand, based its case on the facts, the contract language, and sound arguments to beat SEPTA; proving that at least sometimes right can win over might when an arrogant employer attempts to bust a Union.

 

The illegal transfer of the Route 108 represents only one of many efforts being made by the Authority to break long standing past practices and void as many signed agreements as possible. In this case, the Union won the battle, but the war still goes on, which means that with your help we will continue to fight tooth and nail on behalf of the members of Local 234!!!

 

BREAST CANCER WALK

Sponsored by Local 234 Women’s Committee

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members and their families for a great showing on Sunday May 11, 2008 at the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Walk. This is the Union’s 4th year of participation in this very important event. To the credit of our members, each year Local 234’s participation in the walk grows. We look forward to seeing you next year.  GOOD JOB!!!

 

 

 

We Move Philadelphia