for web calendar NYC TWU100 Rank & File Meeting 2/2

From: SpewNYC@aol.com
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:41:04 EST

Marty Goodman 1/30/06

This Thursday, February 2nd at 6 PM there will be a rank and file meeting entitled "Where Do We Go From Here?" sponsored by "The Committee for a Better Contract." The meeting will be held at PS 41 Elementary School located at 116 W. 11th street in the Village (see flyer below). Every transit worker is invited, including those who voted "yes" on the contract.

"The Committee for a Better Contract," composed of Local 100 members, grew out of "The Vote No Coalition." We know that we must come together to fight for a good contract. Without a fight we face givebacks on health care, inadequate raises and other concessions.

Come hear discussion on issues like "binding arbitration," the pension refund, Taylor Law fines, union democracy and more. There will be plenty of time for discussion from members like you.

See below the "text only" version of the flyer on the meeting plus as an "attachment" for the original layout, if you can open it. Following that flyer is the text of another flyer on the contract, "We Deserve Better," from the Committee.

See you Thursday!

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COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER CONTRACT

RANK AND FILE MEETING:
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Now that the contract has been rejected and the MTA is trying to force the Local into binding arbitration, we need to increase our efforts to win a good contract and take steps to preserve the membership's right to accept or reject any agreement.

Transit workers showed our determination to win a good contract when we walked off the job. And we did it again when we rejected a giveback contract. A good contract can be won. Let's do it!

"The Committee for a Better Contract" invites you to a Rank and File Contract Meeting to make plans for the next phase of Local 100's fight for a contract.

WHEN: 6 PM, Thursday, Feb. 2nd
WHERE: P.S. 41 Elementary School
               116 W. 11th street, NYC (west of 6th avenue.)

TRANSPORTATION: Take the A,B,C,D,F or V to West
                4th St. or take the 1, 2 or 3 to 14th St.

"The Committee for a Better Contract" grows out of "The Vote No Coalition," but we welcome all members who are ready to continue the fight for a good contract. It doesn't matter if you voted for or against the proposed agreement; we all want a good contract and we need to work together to make it happen.

Contact us at transitcontract@yahoo.com.

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COMMITTE FOR A BETTER CONTRACT

Contract Vote Sends Message
"We Deserve Better!"

Despite the tens of thousands of dues dollars spent by Toussaint on mailgrams, telemarketers, radio ads, paid release time for non-elected supporters, and meeting halls, 11,234 of us concluded that Toussaint agreed to a contract that simply wasnšt good enough. Many of our brothers and sisters who voted "yes" agree they deserve a better contract, but they werenšt confident one could be won.

The rejection of the contract is a fitting follow-up to the strike. We struck to prevent givebacks and win a better contract. We didnšt strike to trade one giveback for another. That contract had to go -- Our fight for a good contract continues.

Moving Forward Unite the Local

>From the Executive Boardšs lop-sided vote in favor of the agreement to Toussaintšs repeated declarations that the contract would be overwhelmingly approved, Toussaint and the Board have shown that they are out of touch with the members. We cannot leave the negotiations solely in their hands. Now we need to unite the Local in the struggle for a better contract.

Our Target is the MTA Our Goal is a Just Contract

o The MTA has a surplus over $1 billion. The state budget has a $2 billion surplus. There is no reason for us to make givebacks to win decent health coverage for retirees or the refund of membersš money from NYCERS.
o Build on the initiative shown by members during the strike to create Mobilization Committees in each division to resume the fight for a good contract.
o Call a mass demonstration of Local 100 members and all NYC labor at the MTA. This demonstration should highlight the demands for a good contract including a raise above inflation and full retiree medical benefits -- and no givebacks including no increases in the costs of pensions or healthcare.
o Renew the Localšs commitment not to settle with the MTA without an agreement that covers the members being brought in from the Private Bus Lines. They must have pay parity with NYC Transit!

To make the negotiations accountable to the membership:

o Toussaint must include the full negotiating committee (including the VPs and division chairs) in all contract talks.
o Establish a Contract Oversight Committee. Let the members of each division elect 6 rank-and-file members to sit with the Executive Board and oversee all matters relating to the contract. Most Board members believe they are accountable to Toussaint. We need reps who know that they are accountable to the membership.
o Release the divisional vote counts. How did each division vote? The members are entitled to that information.
o Schedule a Local-wide membership meeting where open discussion on contract issues will take place and binding decisions will be made.

No binding arbitration!

Local 100 is prepared to resume contract talks. Our goal is to reach an acceptable agreement at the bargaining table. If the MTA tries to force us into binding arbitration, the Local must call a Local-wide membership meeting to consider renewing the strike.   Without this we are at the mercy of the MTA.

Local 100 Members Are Determined to Win

Transit workers showed our determination to win a good contract when we walked off the job. And we did it again when we rejected a giveback contract. A good contract can be won. Letšs do it!

The Committee for a Better Contract grows out of the Vote No Coalition, but we welcome all members who are ready to continue the fight for a good contract. It doesnšt matter if you voted for or against the proposed agreement; we all want a good contract and we need to work together to make it happen. Contact us at transitcontract@yahoo.com