SF MUNI Operators Threaten Wildcat Strike
Submitted on Sat, 06/25/2005 - 12:56am
MUNI operators are threatening a wildcat strike on June 30th, claiming union leadership has not done enough to oppose layoffs and service cuts as its membership asked. Drivers have explained that this strike will also be in solidarity with riders who will be hurt by service cuts.
Muni drivers threaten walkout at month's end.
By Marisa Lagos
Staff Writer
SF Examiner
Published: Thursday, June 16, 2005 10:57 PM PDT
Some rank and file members of Muni's drivers union are threatening to walk off the job June 30, saying union leadership has not held strong opposing layoffs and service cuts as its membership asked.
Two drivers, Victor Grayson and Bari McGruder allege that Transport Worker's Union Local 250-A, which represents about 2,000 Muni drivers, did not notify the Muni management of a resolution the union passed at an April meeting. The resolution, which Grayson provided to The Examiner, stated that union members would refuse to sign up for any new schedules that reflect service cuts and demanded that the agency retain its existing schedule.
"With today's schedules, Muni can't lay off any drivers," the resolution read, in part.
The drivers who spoke to The Examiner said they have talked to hundreds of operators and estimated that up to 75 percent of the workforce would participate in a wildcat strike June 30, the same day BART's labor agreement with its unions also expires.
"Union leadership and Muni management have been in bed for years … it's time to put the cards on the table and say it's time to stop," Grayson said.
William Sisk, president of Local-250A, said he had not heard of the strike and that the drivers do not have the authority to call one. He called Grayson and McGruder a "small group of insurgents" and said they account for less than 1 percent of the union's members.
"If they do that, [Muni] can fire them," he said, adding that he will tell members not to participate. "The only thing we can fight schedules on is health and safety. We cannot fight a schedule just because we don't like it — management has a right to change the schedule."
McGruder said drivers have made sacrifices already in recent years, putting $1.5 million back into Muni's budget this year by giving up three days without pay. Both she and Grayson said they feared retribution for speaking publicly about the possible walkout.
To close its $44 million budget shortfall, Muni plans to raise cash fares by 25 cents, increase parking fees and fines and cut service on most lines. At least 150 layoff notices were sent out to drivers in anticipation of cuts this fall.
Since the budget was first proposed, transit advocates and the union vocally objected to the fare hikes and service cuts, arguing they will hurt The City's most vulnerable residents.
Grayson and McGruder contended that the strike was in solidarity with riders who will be hurt by the cuts.
"The wildcat action is not being done for selfish interests, it is in conjunction with workers and all working people who ride the buses," Grayson said.
But Richard Marquez, who has helped organize opposition to Muni's budget through the Coalition for Transit Justice, disputed that notion. He said a symbolic wildcat strike would not have significant weight.
When contacted by The Examiner, Muni spokeswoman Maggie Lynch said the agency had not heard of the possible walkout and referred questions back to union leadership.
A temporary walkout at Muni's cable car division in March over a driver's dismissal led to the transit operators who participated having to give back pay for the day.
---
(This part not in the Examiner)
To find out how you can support this action and also to organize with riders and drivers for a fare strike, calling for NO fare hike, NO service cuts, and NO layoffs visit http://www.socialstrike.org and come to our TOWN HALL MEETING- - Sunday, June 26th 7pm at CELLspace (2050 Bryant @18th)