The company finally gave its last best and final offer. We did make some gains, but nothing of any real significance compared to the last contract. What little we gained over the last contract is offset by the increase in insurance costs that the company wants to levy on over 250 employees. For the vast majority of the workforce (about 95%) this proposal is a takeaway relative to the contract that expired in June. In a time where the cost of living in this city has skyrocketed, the company still wants to offset its cost on workers. 90% of those voting rejected this proposal.

COMPANY'S LAST BEST AND FINAL OFFER: 11/19/99

Things we gained in this contract offer:

  1. COLA in all 5 contract years for all UTU employees - (has been in the contract since 1976 - this is nothing new)
  2. Retroactive pay from Aug. 1, 1999 for all UTU employees.
  3. Life Insurance Increase from ~ 9,500 to 25,000 for all UTU employees.
  4. Sick leave section improved; also, unused sick pay can be put into 401K plans, subject to IRS regulations.
  5. Direct deposit of paychecks.
  6. Pre-retirement for staff employees.
  7. Funeral leave for domestic partners regardless of sexual orientation.
  8. Yard workers; Full COLA; two week notice of layoffs; compensation for treatment of job related injury; four hr. min. if called on weekends.
  9. Supplemental Disability premiums can be deducted from your check, (Optional.)
  10. Staff gains option to take seasonal layoff if offered.
  11. Improvements in discipline section for staff contract.
  12. Staff salary gains of about 20% (for 11 people)

Things we lost, or failed to Gain:

  1. Increase in guaranteed hours for drivers. (to make up for the hours that the took away Over the last contract).
  2. Increase in lift pay.
  3. Charter proposal.
  4. Mid-day and KG proposal.
  5. Commuter check.
  6. Drug testing off site.
  7. Monitors on buses.
  8. Yard Workers: no increase in night differential; no job classification improvements; no additional holidays.
  9. Limits on accrual of sick days for drivers to 35 days; and limits on vacation accrual for shop and staff to 35 days.
  10. Other miscellaneous small things.
  11. Company is more than doubling our health insurance contributions.

Other minor changes:

  1. Light duty for worker's comp. injuries.
  2. Attendance policy revisions.

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