Month: January 2016

I am happy to report that the TMSA Negotiating Committee and the Metropolitan Council have reached a tentative agreement on a 2016-2017 bargaining agreement.  I would like to thank our lead negotiators, Vice President Sam Caron and Attorney Zaidee Martin, for their leadership and hard work to reach an acceptable agreement.

The negotiating committee unanimously supports the agreement. The specific details of the agreement will be forthcoming in a couple of weeks. We need the time to ensure all of the language is written correctly.

The big highlights of the contract are:

1) Compensation – we have obtained general increases that are both fair and equal regardless of your position on the pay scale while at the same time guaranteeing a minimum pay increase for those members in the performance zone.
2) Insurance – we have agreed to a methodology that no longer places all of the premium increase on the members’ backs.
3) HCSP – if approved by the members, we will increase the employee contribution in 2017.
4) Uniform allowance increase and other changes

The next steps:

1) When the language is ready for you to review we will have two meetings
a. The meetings will be on the same day – one around 11:30 and one around 6PM
b. The meetings will be at FTH Chambers
c. We will review the information, discuss the information and then full share members will vote on whether to accept the tentative agreement

2) If the full share members approve the agreement
a. The Metropolitan Council Management Committee will vote to approve the agreement
b. If the Management Committee approves the agreement, two weeks late the full Council will vote to approve the agreement
c. If the full Council approves the agreement, the Payroll Department will need a couple of weeks to calculate and pay any back pay and insurance premium refund.

Chris Haefner
President
TMSA

• Our first mediation session (January 13) moved several issues forward. Our next mediation is January 26.

Currently the ATU, MANA and TMSA are in mediation.  AFSCME has reached a tentative agreement with the Council. This was reached during their second mediation session.  The Teamsters (Transit Police) are just starting contract negotiations. They have had one meeting and don’t have another until February.

For those of us considered “essential employees” (MC employees who are members of TMSA, MANA, LELS and Teamsters), this step is required before we enter binding interest arbitration.  For those who are not considered “essential employees” (MC employees in the ATU and AFSCME) this step is necessary before they have the right to strike.

The biggest stumbling point for the TMSA remains the compensation package.  In short, the employer wants to return to the pre-2012 compensation model, even retreating comparative pay rate increases for members who have scored “surpasses expectations” or “exceptional.”

1. Also, as is always the case, there will be no pay increases for anyone in the TMSA until a new contract is ratified by the TMSA members and then approved by the Met Council.  The 2014 contract was the first in the history of the TMSA to be agreed upon before the previous one had expired.  However, even the 2014 contract was not ratified and approved until February 2014.
2. Finally, the State rules on negotiations do not allow me to speak of specific proposals.  As such, I cannot go into too many details.  I will update you as best as I can in about four weeks.

1.)     Many of you have asked me how contract negotiations are going.  Disappointingly, they are not going well.  Attached is the official notification that the TMSA and Metropolitan Council have entered mediation with the Bureau of Meditation Services.  The TMSA negotiation committee will start mediation on January 13.

For those of us considered “essential employees” (MC employees who are members of TMSA, MANA, LELS and Teamsters), this step is required before we enter binding interest arbitration.  For those who are not considered “essential employees” (MC employees in the ATU and AFSCME) this step is necessary before they have the right to strike.

Currently the ATU, AFSCME, and TMSA are in mediation.  MANA has only had one or two negotiation sessions, but have stated that some of the employer’s proposals are unacceptable and if they do not change they will also go to mediation.  The Teamsters (Transit Police) are just starting contract negotiations.

The biggest stumbling point for the TMSA is the compensation package.  In short, the employer wants to return to the pre-2012 compensation model, even retreating comparative pay rate increases for members who have scored “surpasses expectations” or “exceptional.”

2.)     Also, as is always the case, there will be no pay increases for anyone in the TMSA until a new contract is ratified by the TMSA members and then approved by the Met Council.  The 2014 contract was the first in the history of the TMSA to be agreed upon before the previous one had expired.  However, even the 2014 contract was not ratified and approved until February 2014.

3.)     Finally, the State rules on negotiations do not allow me to speak of specific proposals.  As such, I cannot go into too many details.  I will update you as best as I can in about four weeks.

To my TMSA friends in the Maintenance Department;                                                                                                                                                                                   January 9, 2016

This is probably my last TMSA Maintenance Newsletter that I will publish. As you probably know, I was elected Secretary Treasurer of TMSA and began my duties on January 1. The election for my replacement will be the week of February 15.

We have approximately 250 TMSA members, about 200 voted in the Secretary Treasurer election and about 200 in TMSA’s Presidential election. That is 80% turnout. That is HUGE!!! I don’t think there is another Labor Group at Council that gets that type of turnout for any of their elections, including contract ratification. Thanks for caring about who represents you and what we do!

From time to time I have used this forum as a soapbox to preach about problems, policies or other TMSA concerns, well, I’m going to do it again, and I have 3 concerns:

1.)     Watch what you say!!! In today’s politically correct world you can have a conversation with your friends and someone overhears you and suddenly they are offended and you’re sitting in front of Tom & Rob. Unfortunately, I have had to sit in on too many of those types of disciplinary meetings thru ought the years.

Watch what you say!!!

2.)     Computer use. Just had a complaint about a supervisor spending excessive time on the computer while on the job. DON’T DO IT!!! You are being paid to work for the Council, not visit K-Bid, E-Bay, Craigslist Netflix, Facebook or any other site. If you absolutely need to go to one of those sites, use your phone!!! Not the Council computer. Several months ago ALL Council employees did an online training thru Learn Center so each and every employee knows and understands what is considered appropriate and inappropriate computer usage. Imagine Tom and Rob looking over your shoulder as you browse… Would you visit that site if they were?

3.)     Chris Haefner sent out a letter last week discussing the state of Contract negotiations. At times, sitting in negotiation meetings are like watching paint dry. It is what it is, and if you have any questions about the process, feel free to ask.

I have all my ice fishing stuff ready to go, and now that the ice has gotten a bit thicker, I’ll try to get out a few times after this cold spell passes. No warm weather vacations planned yet, but I’m hoping!

Thanks! Paul Slesar
TMSA Secretary Treasurer
612.349.5927