TTC union's ad campaign precedes contract vote

[lordmandeep]

for one it clearly shows Unions run the city and are far to powerful.

These huge unions are not now there to ensure safety and better conditions anymore.

Clearly the TTC unions aim is to get more pay for less work.

I really dislike how their Janitorial staff work. Really there is a hippie easy going attitude in that department. Considering old ladies keep a shopping mall cleaner, there needs to be some serious shake ups in that departments.

 

[ShonTron]

Check this out:

http://worthamillion.ca/index.asp?pid=42

Fine public comments all. I'm only waiting for Daniel Kowbell's insightful commentary to show up.

 

[299 bloor call control.]

I believe that there should be a public inquiry on whether or not Bob Kinnear has been stealing the grease used for streetcar parts for his heavily greased hair.

 

[MetroMan]

Here Comes the Strike

TheStar.com

TTC workers begin voting on offer


Mar 12, 2008 11:38 AM
JOHN GODDARD
STAFF REPORTER
Toronto Transit Commission workers began voting this morning on whether to accept or reject a contract offer.

The union would be in a strike position April 1, with negotiations expected to continue at least until then, both sides have said.

Voting began at 4 a.m. and finishes at 7 p.m. at 20 TTC shops and depots around the city, a union spokesperson said today. Results are not expected before 10 p.m.

“We don’t want a strike,” Bob Kinnear, president of the 8,000-member Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 said this week.

But the union leadership is recommending that workers reject the company offer. It proposes a 2 per cent pay increase in each year of a four-year agreement and demands concessions on benefits.

Such concessions have become a sticking point, Kinnear said, especially with the union pushing to secure better protection and compensation for drivers vulnerable to assault by passengers.

The last Toronto transit shutdown came on May 29, 2006. Workers walked off the job abruptly and illegally for the day in a disagreement with management on issues including health premiums and driver security.

************************************************

This is just plain ridiculous. A strike comes nearly every year, along with fare increases.
The TTC needs to fire its entire workforce and rehire on its own terms. In the meantime, the city and province need to come together to declare the TTC an essential service where workers can protest but cannot walk off the job.

I'm still gobsmacked that Bob Kinnear hasn't been prosecuted for the illegal strike that he brought on in 2006 costing tax payers money.

 

[MetroMan]

This got me thinking on a serious proposal:

the TTC should get out of the human resources business and focus on maintaining a good system ready to be manned by a private human resource firm.

Announce to the city well in advance that they're dissolving the entire workforce at which point the TTC will be stopped for several days. Plan this strategically at a slow time of the year and allow people to make different arrangements.

Contract a private HR firm to hire talented individuals to man the system. If these workers don't perform, the firm will fire them and find replacements.

Side proposal: hang Bob Kinnear by the balls for the duration of any strike.

 

[Dilla]

Hopefully the snow will be gone, and I'll be blissfully riding my bike around.

This union WANTS a strike, badly. Judging my the website and adds, they've got plenty of money to support it.

A bit off topic, but i've never understood how the more lefty types don't see an odd contradiction in public service unions. I'm told by them that the state should run most things (private for profit = bad), and as the state is a democratic institution where we live, things can be run in our best interests as a whole.
But, many of the things which are currently run by the state have these immensely powerful unions to protect them from the state which is supposed to be the good guy running everything on our behalf.

I guess my point is I don't understand why they always have the most powerful unions, when it seems they're in the least likely position to be taken advantage of.

Post comments to the union here
http://worthamillion.ca/index.asp?pid=20

i know i have.

 

[urbanfan89]

So the TTC says that they bring in $12 billion to Toronto economy. So if they strike, they should be obliged to pay the city $32.9 million/day in order to make it up.

Sounds fair to me.

 

[junctionist]

Alternately, what could be done is some use of private firms to provide competition for unionized workers, also removing some of the union's power. This union system appears to be getting worse, but the opposing alternative has some very negative downsides as well.

 

[dowlingm]

Eric "helps disabled people"... by driving a van.
Kim "comforts people on their long commutes"... by installing seats on vehicles.
Barbara "prevents tonnes of polluting emissions"... by driving a streetcar.

It makes it sounds like they're United Way volunteers or something.

Wish I had the mad skillz to redo the video but add how much each gets paid per annum incl. benefits (like the Health Tax) at the bottom...

 

[lordmandeep]

I don't understand why some parts like cleaning staff are not outsourced....


the problem with the TTC is first the union environment over time gets you to become lazy and to hate your job.

Considering most of the TTC is full of older, long term workers the system has declined.

It is a socialist peradise sadly. The workers have control over their masters...

 

[unimaginative2]

There are so many comments about how some drivers are pretty dreadful and rude, while others are wonderful and brighten people's day. I really just wish the TTC could introduce some kind of merit pay or reward system for drivers who receive customer praise, coupled with a stronger disciplinary system.

 

[lordmandeep]

it is not drivers really...

It is the booth clerks and janitorial staff that piss people off.

 

[299 bloor call control.]

wow. I'm surprised the Union Propaganda machine is actually allowing comments like these on their "Feedback" board.

http://www.worthamillion.ca/index.asp?pid=42


This is my favourite one:

Unions were once important but they have gone waaaaay overboard with their greed. If you don’t like what you’re paid, go find something else. We can do without you. There’s lots of people who would work for half of what you lazy bums make. I don’t expect you to put this up on your site but I know I speak for a lot of people. All we hear about is how you’re assaulted and I’m sick of it. I’ve never seen any bus driver assaulted. And even if it happens, so what? Every job has its hazards. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the seat!
Gerald Atrickson

 

[299 bloor call control.]

we probably could merge this with the "Union Ad" thread and just rename it "TTC Union Negotiations 2008"

 

[rpgr]

Luckily my company gives me the ability to work at home for the most part.

I can't do everything at home (there are certain things I'd have to go into the office to do) but the majority of things can be done at home.

A question I have though is if there is a strike, do we get a partial refund if we buy the April metropass or should I stick to tokens that month?