{San Francisco Union} Muni operators ask feds to cut funding

SFGate: City Insider ^ | 5/22/11 | Michael Cabanatuan

[SmithL]

The labor union representing Muni operators is asking the federal government to withhold billions in funding for the Central Subway and other projects if the Municipal Transportation Agency follows the dictates of Proposition G in bargaining a new contract.

Attorneys for Transport Workers Union Local 250A filed a letter with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking that the Department of Labor refuse to certify the Municipal Transportation Agency as being in compliance with a federal law that protects collective bargaining rights for unions at transit agencies receiving federal funds.

The union contends that Proposition G violates that provision of the Federal Transit Act by giving the transit agency's management the right to unilaterally determine contract terms. Should negotiations, now under way, reach impasse, as expected,an independent arbitrator would determine the final contract.

But under Prop G, the union's letter says, the arbitrator cannot rule against Muni management's proposals unless the union can prove that its interests outweigh "the public interest in efficient and reliable transit." That, says union attorney Peter Saltzman, is an impossible task -- and therefore illegal.

[pnh102]

Make it a permanent cut. Why should taxpayers outside of the service area of any transit agency be expected to pay for it?