Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

SMART-TD, BLET Joint Statement on Rail Embargo

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • SMART-TD, BLET Joint Statement on Rail Embargo

    If this strike happens it begins either Friday morning at midnight I think.

    They want to get rid of the on-call 7 days/week I think..
    Plus something about sick pay.
    Who wants on-call 7 days/week? It's like you apply for a job and they own you.
    Just put a brand on my ass like cattle.

    I think Biden is gonna either side with the company by extending their misery in a cool down period extension or declare an emergency to break their strike.
    I guess he wants to compete with Rewith who done wonders for un8ns by firing 11,500 Air Traffic Controllers.
    Unions voted Reagan and Biden.
    Both sides suck.
    They all work for big investors and steal union votes.
    I don't know the possibility and legalities but it would be a breathe of fresh air for O'Brien to use as much union power as possible by shutting everything down to disallow the extension or declaration of emergency.
    Enough disrespecting us and forcing us to do what we don't want to do.
    Shut down all Teamster companies if Biden steps in against us. Until these rail guys get what they want for a change.
    No more brushing us off.
    These companies and especially the investors have taken enough from America.

    https://ble-t.org/news/smart-td-blet...-rail-embargo/

  • #2
    I'm not into socialism but I figure there'll be more truth here than any of the other propaganda from all sides.
    https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../live-s14.html

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by slavenomore View Post
      I'm not into socialism but I figure there'll be more truth here than any of the other propaganda from all sides.
      https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../live-s14.html
      It is a tentative agreement with the unions.. They had another one a few weeks ago that was voted down by their members.. This agreement still has to be voted on..

      TEAMSTERS STATEMENT ON TENTATIVE RAIL AGREEMENT


      (WASHINGTON) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters applauds the tens of thousands of members of the Teamsters Rail Conference for working long into the night to reach a tentative agreement averting a potential railway strike.

      The Teamsters Rail Conference includes the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED).

      “Collective bargaining works. The labor movement works. And we know through lifetimes of experience and unbelievable sacrifice, Teamsters across America’s railroads work harder than anyone,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters thank all of our members and negotiating partners for staying at the table until this job was done. We’re not yet to the end of the line, but the process is working.”

      Throughout negotiations, O’Brien worked closely with President Joe Biden and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to ensure hardworking Teamsters were heard and respected and that every effort was made to reach an agreement that kept Teamsters working and America’s rails running. Teamster representatives across the country remained in close contact with members to share developments from the bargaining table and hold the line on worker solidarity.

      The tentative agreement will improve working conditions and safeguard wages and health care benefits for the 57,000 members of the Teamsters Rail Conference. In addition to wage increases and bonuses, new contract language was negotiated exempting time off for certain medical events. The agreement includes provisions to create voluntary assigned days off for members, and all members will receive one additional paid day off. Most importantly, Teamsters will have the ability to take time away from work for routine and preventive medical care, as well as exemptions from attendance policies for hospitalizations and surgery.

      “Negotiations never follow a straight line but the fight for a union contract is always worth it,” O’Brien said. “The Teamsters are proud to represent the hardest working people in America, and our members’ families know the dedication and grit they bring to their crafts and careers. The unity, perseverance, and patience of union workers is to be admired. Our members never fall short of doing the right thing for their Teamster brothers and sisters and for their country.”

      Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org to join us. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and like us at Facebook.com/teamsters.


      https://teamster.org/2022/09/teamste...lS9PgI7Gb3_buI

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by slavenomore View Post
        I'm not into socialism but I figure there'll be more truth here than any of the other propaganda from all sides.
        https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../live-s14.html
        Excellent comment Slave,great post and article...because your absolutely right,you don't have to be a socialist to get the 'truth' from any and all ''Independent News-Sites'' that's not bought and paid for by Corporate America...

        Let's see how this plays out,and if the rank and file vote to strike!!!!....The greed,corruption,and propaganda of corporate America and the puppet politicians they employ has become intolerable...They won't budge until 'forced' too...

        The Working Class must UNITE,railroad workers,truckers,teachers,healthcare workers,manufacturing,retail and service workers,you name it,must 'create' Rank and File Committees!!!!...They have to work to abolish the Union Bureaucracies that have 'sold them out' to corporate interest and profit for over at least the past 40 years....The POWER of the Workers must return to the 'loading docks' and 'shop floors' and NOT be controlled by those 6 figure salaried corrupt goons in Union management...

        The U.S. and Global Working Class must join forces to 'create' an unstoppable force for Working Class NEEDS over PROFIT...the Profit the Working Class ''CREATES'' but NEVER sees except for the CRUMBS they shove in our face!!!!!

        The Rank and File should stick to their guns...No one should work under those conditions,and not only the railroad industry,but so many other Corporations as well,treat their employees with nothing but CONTEMPT!!!!

        Yes,a strike will screw us all,but things can't go on the way they have been indefinitely...The Working Class can only take so much...Maybe this is the ''STRIKE'' that's been a Long Time COMING!!!!....We shall see!!!!

        Now,because of my suspicious nature and critical thinking skills,my radar is up...Could this have been a set-up orchestrated by the Democrats and Uncle Joey to MAKE Uncle Joey and the Dems look like Working Class 'Hero's'...UNION!!!!...Working Class Hero's at that!!!!!....WHOOPEE!!!!!!

        Every single Corporate Media headline this morning about the railroad strike....had Uncle Joey's name in their Headline...Check for yourself,don't take my word for it....here's one example....CNN....

        https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/15/polit...ter/index.html

        Check it out...let's see...NPR-Biden says tentative....CBS-''A big win for America''-Biden announces...NYT-Biden announces....USA Today-Biden touts terms...Washington Post-Biden announces...USNews-Biden touts-...CNBC-Biden...Biden...Biden...Biden...Biden...Biden...Bi den...Biden....Biden....Biden....Biden....Biden!!! !!!!!!!!!!

        You want to know what all this BS is called......''BRAINWASHING''......''PROPAGANDA''.. .The mid-terms are around the corner,so is 2024....A strike here by the Rank and File,and the Democrats can kiss the mid-terms and 2024 GOODBYE...It would BLOW the Party apart!!!!!.....We can only HOPE!!!!!!

        https://www.theamericanconservative....ning-on-empty/

        Comment


        • #5
          More disheartening stuff.
          As if nobody knows midterm elections are coming soon.

          If I'm correct the new guys for the IBT are TDU supported.

          Remember how anytime Hoffa sold out ...TDU would run stories condemning everything he did?

          This was O'Briens big shot.
          And he immediately sold out for Biden imo.
          Not a peep from TDU.
          I sometimes agreed with TDU in the past. Sometimes Hoffa.
          Looks like we get the same deal either way.
          What a shame.
          shame.

          No tentative deal is gonna be available for weeks for the guys who voted to strike on September 16.

          Delayed for special people.
          People more special than the dues paying members.

          Read this crap.

          https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../tent-s17.html

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by slavenomore View Post
            More disheartening stuff.
            As if nobody knows midterm elections are coming soon.

            If I'm correct the new guys for the IBT are TDU supported.

            Remember how anytime Hoffa sold out ...TDU would run stories condemning everything he did?

            This was O'Briens big shot.
            And he immediately sold out for Biden imo.
            Not a peep from TDU.
            I sometimes agreed with TDU in the past. Sometimes Hoffa.
            Looks like we get the same deal either way.
            What a shame.
            shame.

            No tentative deal is gonna be available for weeks for the guys who voted to strike on September 16.

            Delayed for special people.
            People more special than the dues paying members.

            Read this crap.

            https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../tent-s17.html
            Thank You for posting the 'truth' Slave...This is a ''FANTASTIC'' article...CRAP is to kind a word brother...It's absolute BS is what it is!!!!...Everything in the article you posted is ''exactly'' what I commented in my post above....and that's called ''Truth to Power''...but the DAMAGE is done Slave,do you see how devious and corrupt they are?....tens of millions of Americans are 'brainwashed' because of their BS propaganda...every corporate media outlet,whether PRINT...TV....and SOCIAL MEDIA was ''GLORIFYING'' Biden as the SAVIOR of the railroad workers!!!!!...the strike was averted because Uncle Joey intervened and SAVED THE DAY!!!!....ALL BS...ALL PROPAGANDA...ALL BRAINWASHING...But the article you just posted will never see the light of day in ANY corporate media outlet...it will be BURIED and ONLY available on ''Independent News-Sites'',which because of 'CENSORSHIP'' are to few and far between!!!!

            So where does that leave us?....Tens of millions of Americans,including Union members on this web-site,still believe everything they READ...SEE...HEAR on any PRINT...TV...and SOCIAL MEDIA ''CORPORATE'' OUTLET...and that is that ''VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN''....The ''FREIND'' of UNIONS and the WORKING CLASS!!!!...

            https://consortiumnews.com/2022/09/0...ing-democracy/

            Comment


            • #7
              Developing: Deal to Avert Rail Worker Strike May Fall Apart



              The Biden Regime last week struck a tentative deal with rail workers to avert a strike.

              However, the deal has the potential to fall apart because the union workers say they don’t have all the details on paid sick leave and ‘voluntarily assigned days off.’
              Amtrak on Wednesday announced it would cancel all long distance trains starting Thursday, September 15 as a national rail strike loomed.

              The Gateway Pundit reported last week about an impending major freight railroad strike set for Friday, September 16th. A strike would be devastating to the US supply chain and an already fragile Biden economy.

              Biden’s Labor Secretary Marty Walsh helped negotiate a 24% pay increase over a period of 5 years to union workers.

              The Biden Regime also helped negotiated ‘better working conditions’ and ‘caps on what they have to pay out of pocket for healthcare’ – AP reported.
              Biden called it a “win for America” on Thursday.

              “This agreement is a validation of what I have always believed: that unions and management can work together for the benefit of everyone,” Biden said. “This is a win for America. Thank you all for getting this done.”

              “This is a great deal for both sides in my view,” Biden said. “This is also a victory for the railway companies. The railway companies will be able to retain and recruit workers. They will be able to operate effectively as a vital piece of our economy. They are really the backbone of the economy.”

              However, the tentative deal may go sideways because union workers are still ‘pissed off’ and not happy with the contracts.

              The Hill reported:
              But nearly 36 hours after the agreement was announced, rail workers said they still didn’t have concrete details on sick leave and voluntarily assigned days off. That’s raised some doubts about just how strong the new contract language is.

              Ron Kaminkow, an organizer at Railroad Workers United, which represents rank-and-file railroaders, said that there’s “a lot of anger, confusion and hostility” toward the new agreement, which many workers feel is intentionally vague.

              “Workers are pissed off and this time we actually have a lot of leverage,” said a locomotive engineer at Norfolk Southern who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “I know I’m not going to accept anything less than what we deserve.”

              The two largest rail unions warned during negotiations that their members wouldn’t approve a contract that doesn’t quell outrage over unpredictable scheduling, unsafe working conditions and a lack of sick leave.
              For the strike threat to end, workers would need to feel that the proposed contract is far stronger than the deal offered by the PEB. A survey of rail workers at the SMART Transportation Division found that nearly 8 in 10 would have voted to reject that contract.

              Another dilemma is that the tentative agreement reached Thursday only applies to SMART and the Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the two largest rail unions, but not the other unions that agreed to contracts based on the less worker-friendly PEB guidance.

              Those include nearly 5,000 rail workers at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who voted to reject the PEB contract and authorize a strike last week. The union said it would resume negotiations this week and hold off on a strike until at least Sept. 29.

              https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...sharingbuttons

              Comment


              • #8
                Lots more in here.

                https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../rail-s19.html

                "
                “Because of the [Railway Labor Act], these corporations and unions are looking at this and what they can get away with. Our health care is going to get more expensive. The biggest thing for us is pay, which is our biggest consensus. We are underpaid as the safety branch of BNSF. Any issue with the crossings or switches, and we are personally liable by the FRA [Federal Railroad Administration]. If we are liable, we should be paid for that. Pay is a big deal. I also have a personal big problem with cameras that monitor our driving. It’s not a horrible thing, but cameras have been used as a tool for termination by BNSF, not for safety.”

                Another Galesburg worker said: “These grand lodges don’t represent the workers they are suppose to represent. All that happened on Friday is the unions decided to give Biden a win and probably got paid under the table or promised some cush job after they retire from being a union official. It’s time for railroad workers to stand up and fight for our families and livelihoods! This PEB recommendation is BS!”

                Numerous straw polls conducted on social media show overwhelming majorities opposed to the deal. Two Facebook polls conducted for maintenance workers showed workers against the deal by 88 and 93 percent."
                ​​​​​​​

                Comment


                • #9
                  More from last link.

                  "A letter from an anonymous California railroader is also being distributed widely on social media. Likely inspired by the Rank-and-File Committee, the worker lays out what he sees should be red lines without which workers should not accept any contract. “Members feel that their voice has been stifled by the actions of the President, by not acting on the vote cast by its members to strike,” the worker says. His demands include at least three to five paid sick days, 28 to 31 percent general pay increases, cost of living adjustments, shift differentials and out-of-pocket medical expenses capped at $300 to $350.

                  “If these are not met with as written,” the worker concludes, “we will turn down [the contract], so do not even bring [it] to the membership. … This is the bare minimum we are asking for to ratify! If none of these are met, we are APPROVED to strike!”

                  "
                  Pierce’s comments make clear that the task for the union bureaucracy is to try to remove this “agitation” by isolating and demoralizing workers. There are three main ways in which they are attempting to do this.

                  The first is by spreading out the contract vote as long as possible, in a bid to bleed off workers’ momentum. The BLET has indicated that it will be at least a month before a contract proposal is even available to vote on. “This is a break with tradition,” one Rank-and-File Committee member observed. “Usually, the talks under the RLA go on forever, but the vote itself usually is called only after a few days. I think they’re doing this also as a favor to the Democrats, to push the vote past the midterms.”

                  The second is through widespread censorship on social media of critical views. Workers report that one of the main Facebook groups used by workers, Fight for Two Person Crews, has been deleting critical comments en masse since Thursday’s agreement. A review of the comments in the group also suggest a marked shift in tone, previously dominated by anger at the PEB and the union officialdom but now dominated by praise for the deal.

                  The day of the deal, the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, which is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, announced that it was turning off commenting on its Facebook page, on the absurd pretext that this is to “protect our members from retribution and potential discipline from the Carriers.” They also admitted in the statement that for months the union had been “protecting our members”—i.e., censoring them—“by removing comments that could be taken as threats for a concerted job action.”

                  It ended with a veiled threat of legal action against workers for striking, declaring its opposition to a walkout and adding, “We will only support a strike if it is LEGAL and in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act and NCFO Constitution.”

                  The third is by marshaling the forces of the pseudo-left agencies of the Democratic Party in order to capture and neuter workers’ discontent. Last Friday, union faction Railroad Workers United (RWU) held its online meeting, chaired by Labor Notes writer and former Democratic Party staffer Jonah Furman."

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Looks corrupt.
                    Read it. There's a lot in there
                    https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../rrfc-s20.html

                    "The deal between the unions, the companies and the White House, which was worked out as railroaders were meeting, is a flagrant and deliberate violation of all three points:

                    First, it is a de-facto injunction, enforcing through the collaboration of the unions and the White House a ban on a national strike that both the Democrats and Republicans were prepared to pass in Congress on September 16.

                    Second, it includes pay increases below the rate of inflation, maintains Hi Viz, PSR and other punitive attendance policies, would give us only four sicks for an entire year (only one of which would be paid) and does nothing to end the push for one-man crews.

                    Third, it keeps us working while the unions work to delay a strike. The unions have admitted that a contract does not even exist yet. This is a violation of the basic principle of the labor movement, “no contract, no work.” The unions are now stretching the voting process out for weeks in a bid to demoralize us and soften us up so that they can pass a contract we do not support."

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      From the last link posted:
                      The agreement is only the latest in a long train of violations of our most basic, elemental rights, including:
                      • Hoarding our dues money to finance their salaries while paying $0 in strike pay;
                      • Loyally enforcing court injunctions and threatening to expose workers to legal action;
                      • Ignoring a 99.5 percent strike vote in July, and instead calling for Biden to appoint the PEB;
                      • Censoring us on social media and suppressing discussion at local meetings;
                      • Dividing us up by union, announcing separate deals in a bid to break our unity and solidarity.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Looks like they voted it down today.
                        https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../rail-o10.html

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          This whole contract negotiation is about ''Quality of Life''....the Rank and File have NONE...what kind of Union has NO paid sick days?...this kind of Union!!!!....WTF!!!!

                          The negotiation is also as usual,about GREED....greed for the railroad companies AND Union bureaucrats...Union demanded 15 paid sick days,then 7,then 5,all turned down by management,companies are willing to give,now get this....''ONE'' personal day...once again...WTF!!!!!

                          They have ''PTO'' days but you have to request those days 14 days in advance...they have a demerit point system for attendance that's very strict,because if somebody calls off,they have to find a replacement or the train doesn't run on time...

                          And there is no guarantee that you will get the days you need off...you have to schedule them 60 days in advance(this contract-30 days),and even then there is no guarantee...the railroad companies CONTROL which days you can take off via PTO,and as I understand,it is ''slim pickens''...friend of mine son works for CSX...

                          It takes many years to acquire PTO...for the first 5 years you get 1 week of paid vacation and 2 PTO days,also vacation is BASED on miles,so if you don't get enough miles,you don't get vacation,not that it's hard to get the miles,it's quite easy but that how it works...DAMN...I say

                          All their asking for is to be able to see a doctor or dentist or a family emergency without being penalized by the attendance policy...and this is where their greed comes in...the 'real problem' is that the railroads ''layed off'' a third of it's workforce,used to be 5 man crews,then 2 man crews,NOW just one...consequently,there is absolutely no ''wiggle room'' whatsoever so they had to ''create' this draconian attendance policy...this crap has been going on for years now...the Rank and File are exhausted with absolutely NO FAMILY LIFE!!!!

                          Top Union bureaucrats specifically ''rejected'' any strike or work stoppage organized without the ''approval'' of the bureaucracy,claiming that this was not a decision for the Rank and File but ONLY for the leadership...but the only way for workers to defeat the BETRAYALS of the Union apparatus is by organizing a ''Rank and File'' rebellion against it,fighting to countermand their SELLOUTS and enforce Rank and File democratic control!!!!

                          https://www.reuters.com/world/us/two...ay-2022-11-21/

                          https://consortiumnews.com/2022/11/2...ered-contract/

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by wizard View Post
                            This whole contract negotiation is about ''Quality of Life''....the Rank and File have NONE...what kind of Union has NO paid sick days?...this kind of Union!!!!....WTF!!!!

                            The negotiation is also as usual,about GREED....greed for the railroad companies AND Union bureaucrats...Union demanded 15 paid sick days,then 7,then 5,all turned down by management,companies are willing to give,now get this....''ONE'' personal day...once again...WTF!!!!!

                            They have ''PTO'' days but you have to request those days 14 days in advance...they have a demerit point system for attendance that's very strict,because if somebody calls off,they have to find a replacement or the train doesn't run on time...

                            And there is no guarantee that you will get the days you need off...you have to schedule them 60 days in advance(this contract-30 days),and even then there is no guarantee...the railroad companies CONTROL which days you can take off via PTO,and as I understand,it is ''slim pickens''...friend of mine son works for CSX...

                            It takes many years to acquire PTO...for the first 5 years you get 1 week of paid vacation and 2 PTO days,also vacation is BASED on miles,so if you don't get enough miles,you don't get vacation,not that it's hard to get the miles,it's quite easy but that how it works...DAMN...I say

                            All their asking for is to be able to see a doctor or dentist or a family emergency without being penalized by the attendance policy...and this is where their greed comes in...the 'real problem' is that the railroads ''layed off'' a third of it's workforce,used to be 5 man crews,then 2 man crews,NOW just one...consequently,there is absolutely no ''wiggle room'' whatsoever so they had to ''create' this draconian attendance policy...this crap has been going on for years now...the Rank and File are exhausted with absolutely NO FAMILY LIFE!!!!

                            Top Union bureaucrats specifically ''rejected'' any strike or work stoppage organized without the ''approval'' of the bureaucracy,claiming that this was not a decision for the Rank and File but ONLY for the leadership...but the only way for workers to defeat the BETRAYALS of the Union apparatus is by organizing a ''Rank and File'' rebellion against it,fighting to countermand their SELLOUTS and enforce Rank and File democratic control!!!!

                            https://www.reuters.com/world/us/two...ay-2022-11-21/

                            https://consortiumnews.com/2022/11/2...ered-contract/
                            I know someone that works for NJ Transit.. He is a trackman. Teamster job and what a difference.. Very good money and excellent bennies.. Many days off.. These freight carriers are mad because the Federal government will not allow the train to be run by one person.. I see a strike coming and I hope it works out for the employees..

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              And this is the so called "LABOR" friendly Biden administration.. IMO this is no different then what Reagan did to the air traffic controllers during his years in the White house..

                              Joe Biden Calls on Congress to Avert Nationwide Rail Strike After Union Rejects Labor Deal

                              Joe Biden on Monday called on Congress to avert the rail strike after the largest railroad union rejected a labor deal last week.

                              A couple months ago Joe Biden bragged he negotiated a deal with the rail unions during an interview with CBS’s Scott Pelley.
                              In September Biden said the deals were “a win for tens of thousands of rail workers and for their dignity and the dignity of their work.”

                              Biden’s Labor Secretary Marty Walsh helped negotiate a 24% pay increase over a period of 5 years to union workers.

                              The Biden Regime also helped negotiate ‘better working conditions’ and ‘caps on what they have to pay out of pocket for healthcare.’

                              The union rejected that labor deal last week and a nationwide strike is on the horizon.

                              Congress has the power to intervene in the contract negotiations to avert a strike.

                              AP reported:
                              President Joe Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month’s deadline in the stalled contract talks, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers would take up legislation this week to impose the deal that unions agreed to in September.

                              “Let me be clear: a rail shutdown would devastate our economy,” Biden said in a statement. “Without freight rail, many U.S. industries would shut down.”

                              In a statement, Pelosi said: “We are reluctant to bypass the standard ratification process for the Tentative Agreement — but we must act to prevent a catastrophic nationwide rail strike, which would grind our economy to a halt.”
                              Pelosi said the House would not change the terms of the September agreement, which would challenge the Senate to approve the House bill without changes.

                              The September agreement that Biden and Pelosi are calling for is a slight improvement over what the board of arbitrators recommended in the summer. The September agreement added three unpaid days off a year for engineers and conductors to tend to medical appointments as long as they scheduled them at least 30 days in advance. The railroads also promised in September not to penalize workers who are hospitalized and to negotiate further with the unions after the contract is approved about improving the regular scheduling of days off.

                              DEVELOPING
                              https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...ts-labor-deal/


                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X