Strike: Vote Yes or No?

[Buzz]

Just got off the phone with our delegate, John Cleary. I called asking what the contractors are offering as people were asking me why we should or should not vote to strike.

First, for newer people: IF THE STRIKE VOTE PASSES IT DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE INSTANTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY ON STRIKE!  A strike vote just gives our president the authority to call a strike should negotiations become deadlocked without the owners bargaining in good faith. HE MUST BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT AUTHORITY FOR THE OWNERS TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY.

To get back to my conversation with John, he said the contractors are offering basically NOTHING. The union is asking for everything lost in 2013 and more. They are offering almost nothing else beside a 2% raise over a 2-year contract, which is totally unacceptable.

So, understand, it's not just for the "new" people ... hired since 2013 ... that we would authorize a strike. The legacy people are being offered shit as well and could conceivably even lose some of what we gained without the threat of a strike.

Without passing a strike vote we have nothing to stand on and would have to accept whatever shit contract they shove down our throats ... just like they did in 2013. We MUST vote to strike. (And I have no doubt it will pass union-wide as well as at Pioneer.)

John will be here on Tuesday if you want to ask any questions.

[Bussin4Livin]

Give us guaranteed weeks and or cut in top pay!! Enough of this two day/3 day work week scenarios

Voting yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

[04012013]

"So, understand, it's not just for the "new" people ... hired since 2013 ... that we would authorize a strike. The legacy people are being offered shit as well and could conceivably even lose some of what we gained without the threat of a strike. "

So the "Legacy" members are now concerned about receiving what they forced on "New" hires?  Oh, OK!!

[Buzz]

So the "Legacy" members are now concerned about receiving what they forced on "New" hires?  Oh, OK!!

Five years ago it was a matter of ratifying or going on strike ... again ... while still feeling the sting of the previous one.

But hey, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there.

[04012013]

When the "New" hires outnumber the "Legacy" members, maybe they should vote to dismantle the "Legacy" benefits above theirs, so we are ALL under one contract. Then maybe there will be bargaining power instead of questioning how to vote  on a strike vote. Dual contract selfishness will disappear.

[Slowbus]

this chat is hotter 🔥🔥🔥🔥than the Canadian wildfires this afternoon they really offering shit a 2 year contract and a 2% raise which is a pay cut with inflation at record high that's a 👋 in the face also treating legacy drivers like new unacceptable which raises the question why would a younger driver stay here mta is looking better and better every day

[Buzz]

When the "New" hires outnumber the "Legacy" members, maybe they should vote to dismantle the "Legacy" benefits above theirs, so we are ALL under one contract.

Well, I agree there should be one contract for everybody but the union would never do it by presenting an MOA that takes away from senior members. That's like the socialist  tactic of making everybody equally poor.

Bringing up the newer hires to the level of the older ones is the only way.

[Buzz]

... which raises the question why would a younger driver stay here mta is looking better and better every day

Agreed 100%. This is absolutely no place for younger people.

[Bussin4Livin]

Listen end of the day "old" people or "young" people guess what we all are working here because we have no other options. Anywhere you go to work it's 6-6 1/2 years for top pay. How the hell we even settled on 12 is insane. We do need to be under one contract because it's constantly pitting drivers against each other and envious of what certain drivers have and certain drivers don't. The legacy drivers put their time in and got what they felt they deserved , well guess what it's our time now to get what we deserve. He's "losing money" because drivers aren't staying and more importantly he can't get drivers NOW to come in because it's horrible what the new contract drivers gotta go through. We want our seat at the adult table now with the rest of you guys and stop sitting at the kiddie table with our 2-3 day pay checks or picking a run that has a catholic or Jewish school on it so we get a fulls weeks pay. Ball is in our court now and we as drivers are fed up with the constant differences in contracts that overlap each other. Guaranteed weeks for all or cut top pay in half with all holiday pay not waiting 3-4 years for certain holidays. What's fair is fair and what's right is right. You guys got your piece of the pie, we want ours now. And yes you legacy drivers did lose a lot BUT still got something out of it more so than what we "new drivers" can brag about in the contract we had that's expiring.

[Buzz]

Of course everyone should be under one contract. Twelve years to top pay is ridiculous as is 2 and 3 day weeks. None of the disparity is "fair."

Although senior people must vote for a strike that does not mean they will vote against another contract that is unfair to 2013-plus hirees. If the contract is good for them, they're going to vote to ratify it ... like last time. It's human nature. We don't want a strike.

However, this time around there are more hirees here 10 years or less ... in both the company and union ...than senior drivers. So, ultimately it will be up to you guys to stick together and vote the contract down if you're not happy. Together, your votes outnumber those of senior drivers.

But be aware ... if you do vote down an MOA that means a strike. It's the only alternative. When the local presents us with an MOA, that is the contractors' best and final offer. THERE IS NO GOING BACK TO THE TABLE as people like to say. You either accept it or go on strike. Period.

Choose wisely.

[PROUD MEMBER]

MAKE SURE you vote on Tuesday 6/13/23!
Don't think that ur vote doesn't make a difference! Suggestion, go in 15 minutes early and vote. Reason being after the morning run some of us get sidetracked or are just to lazy to go back to the yard.
My opinion - Whether ur a senior member or a "new hire" we all MUST vote yes! Having said that, do I want to go on strike? Definitely not but it's obvious that our President & Delegates need more bargaining power and leverage to get these greedy owners to negotiate!

[PROUD MEMBER]

One more thing. Today and Monday pass the word on to those that may not be on these websites or are just unaware of the vote. Many of us might think that the vote is already decided that it will be a majority YES vote. That's not the way to think. Hillary thought the same thing and we see what happened to her!

[Buzz]

Nobody WANTS a strike ... not even the owners. The question is, how much are they willing to give to avoid one?

[Bussin4Livin]

Is the vote only taking place at AK or both yards?

[Buzz]

Is the vote only taking place at AK or both yards?

As I posted earlier, Anthony told me there will be somebody at BOTH yards from about 5 a.m. at Arthur Kill and about 5:45 at Sharrotts.