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They are unable to pick up scabs to run the busses? I know that's not the point of a strike...but Columbus City Schools are out and they do employ lots of bus drivers.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Transportation
COTA Strike
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mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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Anne said:
They are unable to pick up scabs to run the busses? I know that's not the point of a strike...but Columbus City Schools are out and they do employ lots of bus drivers.Unfortunately, history has shown this often leads to a yahoo taking pot shots at buses. Though I would be all for having management or scabs driving the buses. The economy is such that many would fill their shoes in a heartbeat.
In the end though, a strike is a failure of both sides. People are paid a lot of money to see stuff like this does not happen.
Posted 11 months ago # -
rus
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mrpoppinzs said:
Unfortunately, history has shown this often leads to a yahoo taking pot shots at buses. Though I would be all for having management or scabs driving the buses. The economy is such that many would fill their shoes in a heartbeat.Anyone still wondering where the term "union thug" came from?
Posted 11 months ago # -
luckyparrot
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The drivers at COTA work very hard and after a while we are paid well. We work very long and odd hours and with often not the pillars of the community. I am happy to have a job, and happy for my $13 per hour. I don't believe I should have to wait 7 years to get to top pay, but I knew that when I signed up. I have been told that drivers have given up a lot over the past 2 contracts because COTA was in such bad shape. Now COTA is doing great, record ridership, the highest increase in passengers of ANY large transit agency, Our new CEO just got a $15,000 raise over the top pay of the old CEO. Management and admin all received raises and the supervisors receive bonuses based on our performance. Everyone gets rewarded for our hard and tireless work except us. Its time to give the drivers back some of what they gave up to save this agency.
Believe me we don't want to strike, contrary to popular belief, when we strike we receive NO income from COTA or the union. WE GET NOTHING. So a strike hurts us as much as or more than it hurts the riders.
And yes it will not be a 1 day strike, it will be until an agreement is met. The union and management need to be meeting everyday all day to work this out, there is no reason that we have gone for 8 months without a contract and they have been negotiating for 10months. But both keep saying they are willing to sit down. Willing my @$$ sit down in a room, lock the doors, and don't come out until your done.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Ben Dover
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Possible strike before just prior to RW&B...? Lions, Tigers and Bears OH MY!!!!
It is interesting to note, that prior to becoming a political sub-division of the state of Ohio, Cota (previously CTC, or Columbus Transit Company), was a private concern, and thus a "for profit" entity. After which, the agency gradually became simply nothing more than another bloated, mismanaged wart on the ass of society, in fairness, not unlike the many other state supported agencies. In todays world and economy...Cota could not be competitive,and only exists due to federal, state and local funding. The farebox revenue alone, wouldn't begin to bankroll the salaries, union wages and benefits afforded it's employees, let alone the fleet maintenance and operational costs.Now then, allow me to be the devils advocate...any union has the obligation to bargain for, and attain the best that can be had in wages, benefits and working conditions for it's membership. I believe that local #208 probably accomplished that plateau long ago. It all comes down to what a given market can stand. While equally over-paid, and prone to poor management practices and philosophy, Cota managment has a political mandate to provide it's public services, in the most prudent manner, given it's financial capabilities. It must be pointed out that both union and management employees alike in this instance, enjoy retirement benefits through OPERS (google it), which puts social security sinfully to shame. To ask for an additional 1% toward an already heavenly retirement, is ludicrous. Management should be asking for not only a 3-4% increase, in addition to a much greater increase in employee health insurance contribution, to include union/management alike.
In the end, it is the public who wind's-up taking it "in the shorts" as they say.
In any event however, worry not my friends.DEMAND that your tax dollars are handled prudently, and DEMAND that your needs are met, without you supporting any agency that provides much, much better financially for it's employees, than for you or your family and friends.Posted 11 months ago # -
Analogue Kid
Olentangy West
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Ben Dover said:
Possible strike before just prior to RW&B...? Lions, Tigers and Bears OH MY!!!!
It is interesting to note, that prior to becoming a political sub-division of the state of Ohio, Cota (previously CTC, or Columbus Transit Company), was a private concern, and thus a "for profit" entity. After which, the agency gradually became simply nothing more than another bloated, mismanaged wart on the ass of society, in fairness, not unlike the many other state supported agencies. In todays world and economy...Cota could not be competitive,and only exists due to federal, state and local funding. The farebox revenue alone, wouldn't begin to bankroll the salaries, union wages and benefits afforded it's employees, let alone the fleet maintenance and operational costs.Not to get too far off track, but you do realize that roads and interstate highways receive gigantic subsidies from taxpayers, right? And have been since the 1920's? There aren't any non-subsidized transportation choices anymore.
Posted 11 months ago # -
bjones7
Worthington Ohio
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Walker said:
Wonder if I'll be able to get a partial refund on my 30 day pass if I can't use what I paid for.FYI. Yes you will be able to get a refund on your 31-day pass,Refund Policy:
"COTA will issue refunds to COTA pass holders. Refunds will be issued on a price-per-day cost on seven day, 31-day, and summer youth bus passes. Mainstream, Will Call and non-ADA is not affected will operate normally"
Posted 11 months ago # -
groundrules
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Can someone explain why the drivers think they're entitled to a 4 day work week?
Posted 11 months ago # -
Snarf
Dystopia
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southernathart said:
I just want people to understand that if they use crosswalks and don't cross against the light they would not be hit. People don't understand that large trucks and busses take more time to stop and when someone pulls out in front of them or turn in front of them from the left to turn right. There would not be any accidents if people would learn to drive safely and not weave in and out and speed in heavy traffic. It is not just large vehicles that have accidents. Everyone should have to take refresher classes on driving safely.Way to blame the victim there, Otto.
Posted 11 months ago # -
cheap
Westgate
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i had a conversation with my brother about this strike.my brother just retired from the postal service,and is a staunch union guy.
he said the disparity between the mgmt. and drivers' pay is an issue that will never go away,and will ultimately bring another strike in the future,if not resolved this time.
he also believes people in the US are spoiled by cheap mass transit,just as they are spoiled by cheap postal rates for a stamp.
don't be surprised if COTA jacks up fares significantly after this new contract is signed.
Posted 11 months ago # -
FireEngine
Blacklick or Driving Park
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Anne said:
They are unable to pick up scabs to run the busses? I know that's not the point of a strike...but Columbus City Schools are out and they do employ lots of bus drivers.City school bus drivers are also union members (different union) and would be unlikely to cross the COTA drivers' picket line.
Posted 11 months ago # -
joev
Merion Village
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I use COTA a lot, but would stand with the drivers if they strike. Public employees have a huge beating in the past few years, and now that the economy is pretty much back to normal, they are going to be stuck with politically deflated wages and benefits. Here's an example of an organization that is having its best financial performance in several decades. The drivers should share in that.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Twixlen
The Weston District
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joev said:
I use COTA a lot, but would stand with the drivers if they strike. Public employees have a huge beating in the past few years, and now that the economy is pretty much back to normal, are going to be stuck with politically deflated wages and benefits. Here's an example of an organization that is having its best financial performance in several decades. The drivers should share in that.Especially if management/CEO has seen such significant pay increases. There is a real desire in this country to union bash - they aren't actually the problem. The problem is in the upper executives wanting more and more compensation - including golden parachute riders & premium insurance plans - and they are getting it at the direct expense of the lowest paid people in the business. And those are the people actually doing the labor that drives the whole company.
Posted 11 months ago # -
revolutionist
SN
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Twixlen said:
Especially if management/CEO has seen such significant pay increases. There is a real desire in this country to union bash - they aren't actually the problem. The problem is in the upper executives wanting more and more compensation - including golden parachute riders & premium insurance plans - and they are getting it at the direct expense of the lowest paid people in the business. And those are the people actually doing the labor that drives the whole company.+1 @ joev & Twixlen
Posted 11 months ago # -
rus
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Doesn't seem to be a lot out there on what the sticking point is.
http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2012/06/23/columbus-cota-strike.html
The Transportation Workers Union Local #208 represents nearly 700 workers, including bus drivers, mechanics and support staff, 10TV's Kristyn Hartman reported. Union President Andrew Jordan said that a key issue centers around equal pay for equal work.
...
COTA representatives said that both parties signed more than 25 tentative agreements, but union members rejected a fact-finder's report that recommended a resolution of the final article of the contract.
So, what did the fact-finder recommend? Why did the union reject it?
ETA: OK, this is more informative.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/23/cota-might-strike-with-a-boom.html
Union members didn’t like two provisions in the tentative deal. One had them paying 1 percent more toward their public-employee pensions in 2013 and 2014; the other created a two-tier wage scale in which maintenance workers hired after 2005 would be paid less than those on the job longer.
Posted 11 months ago # -
cheap
Westgate
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joev said:
I use COTA a lot, but would stand with the drivers if they strike. Public employees have a huge beating in the past few years, and now that the economy is pretty much back to normal, they are going to be stuck with politically deflated wages and benefits. Here's an example of an organization that is having its best financial performance in several decades. The drivers should share in that.the economy is not "back to normal".
Posted 11 months ago # -
Analogue Kid
Olentangy West
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joev said:
I use COTA a lot, but would stand with the drivers if they strike. Public employees have a huge beating in the past few years, and now that the economy is pretty much back to normal, they are going to be stuck with politically deflated wages and benefits. Here's an example of an organization that is having its best financial performance in several decades. The drivers should share in that.I certainly sympathize with public workers getting beat up lately. Still, given that COTA is primarily a publicly funded organization, the interests of taxpayers can't be ignored either as they are one of the reasons for COTA getting back in good financial shape.
The drivers and mechanics should most certainly be fairly compensated, but I trust that the fact finder had a pretty good idea of what that means. Ignoring the recommendation doesn't help their case.
Posted 11 months ago # -
V0nDragon
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Man!! People in Columbus are the biggest complainers/whiners I have ever come across! I have lived in five other major cities (Houston being the last). I have been in Columbus for 8 months and have been riding COTA since day one. COTA by far is the BEST transit service I have encountered. The buses are ALWAYS on time and the service is excellent. The next time one of you COTA bashers are out in Phoenix, give Valley Metro a try and enjoy waiting for your bus that's 10-15 minutes late (on average) in the searing heat.
Posted 11 months ago # -
groundrules
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BCNation
Franklin Park
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V0nDragon said:
The next time one of you COTA bashers are out in Phoenix, give Valley Metro a try and enjoy waiting for your bus that's 10-15 minutes late (on average) in the searing heat.This time next week, a lot of off-guard riders may be waiting for a bus that will never show up in the searing heat, because they will go on strike.
Posted 11 months ago #
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