Posted on 04/13/2010 7:25:39 AM PDT by jmaroneps37
Teamsters Local 174 based in Seattle is getting a lesson on how to play hardball from the negotiating team at Waste Management (WM). Their tough talk about striking caused WM to post a “help wanted” ad for replacements. They got 1600 applications.
The best offer
According to WM it made it’s “best, last, final offer” to settle with its garbage haulers’ union. It’s up to the union to make the next move. Seattle is ... suffering nearly 10% unemployment and perhaps at least that much more in under employment. At least one million people will be affected by the Teamster’s strike so WM is winning the PR war.
Turning up the heat
A company spokeswoman said, “We had more than 1,600 people apply online, and today (last Friday) we’re interviewing the best 100 out of those applicants. Given the economy, a lot of people are under-employed and unemployed. So the response was very strong and … it’s a very strong group of applicants.”
A troubled union
Since 2002 members this Teamsters local have called for three decertification votes including one at WM. It’s clear the workers and their union masters are on different wave lengths. Moreover during the same period this local has been the subject of fifty unfair labor practice complaints ranging from “duty to fair representation” to “failure to sign agreement.”
The company is offering a wage increase of one dollar an hour immediately which will bring salaries to $26.29 an hour. By the final year of the contract the garbage haulers would get an annual compensation package valued at $109,553 PLUS a pension contribution of more than $15,000 each year. Additionally WM offered signing bonus of $1,000 to each worker if the contract was in place by April 3.
..average [American] worker earns about $33,000 .....
(Excerpt) Read more at collinsreport.net ...
we should let the union workers fight against the illegal mexican workers. And then we can finish whoever is left.
In a Fascost State it is the GOVERNMENT that controls the Workers.
$ 109,533 PLUS a $ 15,000 pension payment?
Dissolve this union. Today.
INSANITY!
A $50,000+ / yr job with benefits, for hauling GARBAGE.
Can you just imagine how well off the whole country would be if there were no unions jacking up the price of labor to absurd levels?
Man, I think I'm going to change careers.
the best garbage men you ever did see!
what’s more if it’s like here, the garbage men no longer have to chuck large boxes of rubbish into their trucks if they weigh over 50 pounds or are too tall. wimps.
26.29 f-ing dollars per hour to drive a truck around and work a hydraulic arm? I work in a skilled position that I had to go to school for and I just barely make $20/hr (and haven’t had a raise in 3 years now). Must be nice to have some heavy-hitting kneecappers to help negotiate your overinflated wage.
What happens when the mob controls the company and the union?
Yeah, our guys have a contract that says the cans can’t weigh more than 50lbs.
But I seriously had no idea they make that kind of money. No wonder WMI got 1600 applications for these positions.
What happens when the mob controls the company and the union?
That’s socialism!
Feel sorry for joe sixpack, it’s mostly the union bosses who are the greedy ones.
What happens if the union does not sign?
Is the company allowed to hire replacement workers?
Good one. And true.
That's called America under a Democratic Reign.
Atlas Shrugged.
Time to start low-balling the offers ... “You will take a $1.00/hr pay cut and like it!” — 1600 applicants! I say “Fire the Union guys, Hire the ones that want to work!”
Union leadership is now fighting for PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS THEY can control and HQ dues payments.
They do not care about members.
Decertification seems the best way to go.
“the garbage men no longer have to chuck large boxes of rubbish into their trucks if they weigh over 50 pounds or are too tall”
That’s what it is in my area as well. It’s also the reason I know longer use WM. I figure if I can haul it down to the curb, they big strong men should be able to put it in their truck
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