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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2013)
Judge unable to determine whether public has the right to attend TriMet/ATU Local 757 negotiations A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge wants more information from TriMet in order to resolve a legal fight the agency is having with Amalga- mated Transit Union Local 757 on whether the public has a right to ob- serve contract negotiations. Local 757 says its members have the legal right to require that the nego- tiations be open to all stakeholders, in- cluding community advocates, the pub- lic, and the media, without restrictions. TriMet, in contrast, argues that labor negotiations aren’t subject to Oregon’s Public Meetings Law; it proposes to bar the public, and allow only media it deems acceptable. Bargaining on a new contract was set to begin Nov. 30, but was put on hold until the legal question is resolved. On March 21, Judge Leslie Roberts issued a 14-page opinion stating that it Broadway Floral for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland is not clear whether the negotiating ses- sions are covered by state public em- ployee collective bargaining laws or open meetings law. She asked the par- ties to submit information that clarifies the role of TriMet’s general manager, labor relations director and bargaining team in the bargaining process. “Rather than clearing the way for new contract talks to move forward, the judge’s opinion indicates that TriMet’s process for negotiations remains murky and confusing,” said Local 757 Presi- dent, Bruce Hansen. “That confusion left the judge unable to make a decision without first obtaining additional infor- mation.” “We believe these sessions need to be open because of previous claims made during the parties’ last efforts to obtain a new contract. Those claims are proving to be untrue,” Hansen said. “Executive pay raises hidden in a con- tingency fund and service cuts and fare increases tied to the purchase of a new electronic fare system are just two of many such instances where public scrutiny might have yielded a different outcome — for everyone. “As the days pass, we are discover- ing additional instances where the truth turns out to be something quite differ- ent from what was said during the bar- gaining process.” Hansen said the union remains com- mitted to community attendance at ne- gotiations and that he is “eager to sit down and start bargaining in good faith.” Judge Roberts offered to do what- ever she could to assist the parties in achieving a speedy resolution. On another front, the Oregon Em- ployment Relations Board (ERB) on March 15 denied TriMet's “motion to stay” enforcement of a portion of an earlier Board order that found the tran- sit agency unlawfully implemented health insurance charges on ATU mem- bers starting in 2011. The decision means TriMet must post notices of its illegal actions and re- imburse members for health insurance premium contributions and medical ex- penses while its appeal is pending be- fore the Court of Appeals. “It is important to remember that the overwhelming evidence in this case proved that TriMet decided to charge employees more for health insurance for the wrong reason,” Hansen said. “It was not to save money. Instead, the ev- idence showed it was to punish workers EE R F because their union filed a complaint charging TriMet with negotiating in bad faith.” BARGAIN COUNTER Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Now accepting e-mails Send to: Michael492@comcast.net Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 (Please include union affiliation) • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • All lower case (NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE) • Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published A UTOMOTIVE ’12 mustang gt, all options except gps, sticker $41k. asking $29k, has 5k miles, candy apple red. 503-747-3967. ‘99 kIa sportage, 4-wheel drive with hitch for towing over 100 miles $3,500. 503-637-5361 H OUSING rockaway beacH rental, 3 bed, 2 bath, sleeps 10, Jacuzzi, 5 min to beach/shops. Vacationhomerentals.com/43026 lIncoln cIty vacation rental, 3 bdrm, 2 bath. sleeps 8, wi-fi, 2 blks from beach, 3 blks from casino. 503-653-2069 rockaway ocean front, 503-777-5076, 5 bdrms/2 ba, book now for summer! http://rockawaybeachfrontrental.com cedar HIlls House for rent, yard, 3 bdrm, 1.5 bth, $1,550/mo, near parks, bus, maX, nike. 503-292-3308 VancouVer, 3 bed, 1 bath, beautifully remodeled, non-smoking, no cats, $1,300 mo. 360-989-5177 (michelle) Sporting Goods HolIday rambler, 32’ travel trailer, large slide, good cond, $8,000 obo. 503- 888-1019 2007 prowler, 30’, m-290fk, lrg slide, 2 doors, rear bdrm, like new, non-smoker, 1 owner, title, $14,000 obo. 971-219-3254 1995 companIon 5th-wheel, large slide- out, 30 ft with Highjacker hitch ul 16. 503- 625-6538 16 ga wIncHester model 3, 12 pump shot gun, $2,000 obo. lots of fishing gear, poles, waders. 503-652-8590 12-foot Valco 1988, calkins trailer 1998, 1958 5.5 Hp Johnson, many extras, $1,500 obo. 503-236-5822 daggers, bayonets, rifles, pistols. 503-852- 6791 buyIng us & world coins to add to col- lection, paying fairly, any amount welcome. 503-939-8835 collector, cash paid, old fishing tackle, wood plugs, reels, creels, salmon fishing photos, etc. 503-775-4166 collector pays cash for older toys, oil paintings, american art pottery, and cos- tume jewelry. 503 703-5952 Ham radIo & short wave radio equip, (no cbs), including older 1950s/60s/70s equipment w/tubes. 503-823-4577 saVage rIfle mod. 99, .22 cal hi-power, rotary mag, curved butt plate, take down mod. 503-246-0742 M ISCELLANEOUS roadmaster stowmaster towbar com- plete with pouch $350. 503-649-4665 4-wHeel electrIc scooter, new, paid $1,300, selling for $595 obo. 503- 799-1715 bruno lIft Vsl 600, lifting 300 lb, set up for Jazzy scooter. 541-271-1321 cHIpper/sHredder, craftsman 14:1 ratio, good cond, 8.5hp horizontal motor, owners manual, $200 obo, 541-752-6299 electrIc HospItal bed w/side rails, trapeze, mattress, $475. 702-524-8207 george forman baby george rotis- serie, used very little, like new, $40. 503- 252-5571 VIssanI 4.9 beer keg cooler refrigerator, cleaning kit, empty keg, two years old, $225. 360-892-6244 antIQue oregon license plates, 1919, 21, 22, fair condition, $50. 503-780-0374 (colton) W ANTED old woodworkIng tools, planes, lev- els, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, tool chests. 503-659-0009 motorcycles, quads, boats, tractors, rVs, trailers, bicycles, autos, lawnmowers, cash paid will pick up 503-880-8183 u.s., german, Japanese military items, uniforms, aviation, hats, helmets, swords, PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS APRIL 5, 2013
