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THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM TODAY'S CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE:
65 - NO
5 - YES
The union met today at the Osborne Center. Our city employees who are members got to vote on whether or not they wanted to accept the city’s terms. As the vote was ‘no,’ it will probably go to arbitration or start over?
58 comments:
There ya go! The NO'S WON in a landslide!!! The city can take their contract and flush it down the toilet because the employees unanimously KNOW this contract is poo poo!
HORRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
Arbitration will not work as they normally favor the company or in this case the City. We have used it before and always favors the management. Time to be even more hardened people and stand down. Let the city Directors and Asst Directors figure how to get the work done.
You're not allowed to strike, right?
I would suggest Mr. Mulvay (Union Leader) recommend that even though we can't strike we sure can SLLOOOOWWWW way down. See how the directors and those non union people get the work done and the garbage picked up. Wonder how long residents would tolerate services slowing down or not happening. I find it funny that Wes doen't even mention this as he and his 3 stooges could care less and the CM just keeps on smiling.
Way to stick it to the city fellas! Especially since they've been sticking y'all for 8 YEARS
No, employees will be fired if they strike. Hopefully the arbitrator sees the injustice in this horrid contract the city is trying to shove down our throats.
So basically you have seniors treated like crap and now employees treated like crap.
WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT, WE WILL STAND UNITED AND FIGHT FOR OUR EMPLOYEE RIGHTS!
5:01, This person is correct. But it is the linemen who can really stick it to the city. A loose connection here, a substation transformer low on oil there, milking overtime for all that it is worth, etc. This is a no-win situation for the city if the linemen get really pissed off. There are sooooo many methods to get what you want, and still not make it appear to be unintentional. If the union had any brains or balls, this would have started the moment the contract was presented and an opinion formed. One thing the city will discover if the union has leadership, and that is not to F**k with a lineman as you will not win. He holds all of the cards. Its like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun...... its best not to go down that path
Well then back to the drawing board and negotiations...
After I voted no I spoke with prospective mayor, Gary, who was standing outside the gymnasium building. He appears to be such a nice good hearted man. He has alot of bright ideas and represents a change that this city surely needs. If our current mayor & commissioners win then how does the public expect a change when they keep voting the same filthy corrupt politician's back into office? Vote for Gary.
Just one more example of Dave Mulvay's ability to stoup to the lowest of depths. How does the CM allow one of his directors to incite the employees to "slow down" in their work performance, I guess he'd like them to follow his role at LW. He has done such a fantastic job in preparing the power plant for its value to the city. Little wonder why they had to hire a new UD with no experience in distribution but in generation, speaks volumes of Mulvay's abilities. He also was an advocate against the unions back in 2004 in a huge way, maybe he's had an epiphany. What a joke.
The CM just keeps on smiling bc he knows he will win in the end regardless of outcome on how employees feel. Like hes really going to put 30 years in at Lake Worth... right...
The best way is not to slow down. Continue doing your work as normal and hopefully karma will prevail. Its tough to see it especially since the severity of the mistreatment but today was a great statement to City Hall. The employees wont swallow the horrible contract
I agree with both 5:01 and 5:25 as if both IBEW and PMSA/PUE stick together they can really make things rough on the city. I know IBEW agreed to their contract but Unions are a brotherhood and will stick together. Mr. Mulvay no matter what you think of him he will be followed by his people and obvious by the vote their is a brotherhood there. People not taking call outs during emergencies, multiple people sick, lots of ways to get the point across. I would not trust arbitration as it always goes bad and no doubt that is exactly what the city CM wants is arbitration.
Thats true. I think its agreed that the smug bastard Cm is only out for himself. Keeping hiding in city hall buddy bc ALL the employees cant stand looking at your fake mug!
Well the employees definitely voiced their opinion of the contract. 65 to 5. Wow!
I met gary too. A five min conversation with convinced me to vote for him, plain and simple he's a nice man. I think he can do some good for not only us but the public too. We need to get rid of all those crooks we have now
I wonder what those 5 were thinking?!!!
Round and round they go. Union won a small victory with this vote but im sure the City lawyers are gearing up for a war. The Union doesnt have any lawyers just negotiators, maybe its time they hire some. The employees voiced their feelings strongly today so lets see how the city responds
Just give the employees a fair deal already.
The lineman/Water/Sewer already have their contract. They are IBEW. It's all about the general employees PEU/PMSA. Waste removal, stormwater, parks, admin city hall ETC.
PEU/PMSA also includes all the Supervisors and Managers in all the groups including the Utilities so it affects all departments. This is just not right and the only reason the Utilities agreed is most of them will not stay with the city due to better opportunities else where. And as mentioned above all unions respect the others and will be supportive of their issues. Supervisors and managers join the union for protection from the GM and HR Director and can you blame them with what is going on.
Plain and simple LW is just a bad bet for employment and with the way things are heading we will start to see more people resign and less pride of work
I say that since the CM and all the manager's and supervisors got big raises they should go and do all the work. Oh wait most of them don't know how to do the work. Ask Gill to do line work LOL or Rutsky to do it or a director to pick up garbage, Yea right. Get off your but LW and take care of your employees
Guys, I get that you're unhappy but every hired employee has his/her own job to do. I understand the problem and it seems like that is solvable. Whether it is sustainable for the city is another question. Depend on your union to negotiate it.
Solvable Lynn? for 7 years it has been solvable and here we are. I get it that most citizens thing the unions are bad you included but we are just trying to make a living. and we are not all GUYS writing on your blog. The city is an embarrassment with the leadership we have. But leadership does take care of themselves and piss on employees just daring them to leave.
WOW--
Not much I can say to that. Trying to help here.
You pay a lot of money in union dues. They need to come through for you all. Impasses happen. As the CM reports to the commission, perhaps there needs to be a change on March 15.
I agree and I am grateful you post this information so that people can respond and voice their opinion. Wes never posts anything that is negative toward the city, commission or the CM all his favorite people. Thanks Lynn
The city was told to negotiate the pension change 6 years ago when Stanton declared a "financial emergency."
Negotiation is not described as" here's the deal, take it or lose the raise you've earned after 8 years." A raise the mayor personally promised at the last benefits open season meeting.
Employees cannot strike, and there will be no "slow downs" as we all take pride in our work. It's a shame we cannot take pride in who we work for.
Annon 10:00 are you for real? Yes we take pride in our work and tell me what has the thanks been the last 7 years and after this year nothing for raises going forward. you must be one of the 5 yes voters. Keep on working hard they will need you 5 to hold things together for them while you sleep together.
Overall the city mistreats its employees. Any logical person can see that. Until the city realises that its the workers that run this place nothing will change. The fat cats up at the top will continue spouting lies with a big grin on their faces. I NEVER see the Hr director or cm visiting the various departments bc they know NO ONE wants them around. I voted NO and those 5 that voted yes must have not read the contract bc if they did and still voted yes they are just as selfish as the turkeys in city hall.
Speaking of city sustainability in regards to the pension. If the city cant function bc people devoted 20 years of their lives for crappy pay for that pension, do you really think we will have retention with crappy pay and now a crappy proposed pension. As well as the HUGE raises management receives but i guess that doesnt hurt the city only the pensions not $10+30,000 raises
What you deserve is NOT to be screwed.
Yea i agree lynn. The city puts on a magnificent front for the public but behind closed doors its different story. Maybe all this publicity and nagative attention will help the employees. The union wants to work with the city, its a give and take. The city only wants to force and demand then lie to the public about whats really going on. The CM is hated by all the employees... Well all but 5 haha
I don't understand why Wes does not get involved he only likes to make issue of 2 councilmen and doesn't really care about the employees who provide him all the amenities he enjoys. If you take into account the raises to Rutsky, Walt Gill, CM, HR, Directors, then you could have given raises to everyone. You are talking $50K just in those 5 people alone who are non union members of PEU/PMSA. all other supervisors and managers are members of the union. What does that tell you?
Eventually something has to give.
Wes works for Hudson Holdings, owners of the Gulfstream who proposed grabbing our beach park. He is a "company man" who likes to be a part of the "in crowd. He is a planner by profession and sides with developers. is that all true, Wes?
Re:Anon10:00
In fact I abstained from voting because I will not be staying with the city long enough to benefit from any pension plan. The fact that my position is the lowest paid in the county was an enticement to vote "yes", but I abstained. Taking pride in my work and doing a good job regardless of the cities ingratitude is the mark of professionalism, not acquiescence.. If you feel the need to compromise your work in order to make a point, I suggest you take the action I'm taking. Quit.
To ehutche: So a 4% raise is worth screwing all your fellow employees over? Great comradery you just displayed amongst your co-workers... Did you even read the contract? The contract also stated not only people lose their pensions, that this miniscule raise was once every 3 years so do you realky think it would bump up your salary competitively in comparison over a three year span to other cities? The contract also stated that if your supervisor had to take a leave of absence and you had to take over the role you are not entitled to the pay with the position. If you honestly feel this contract was just we dont want you working with us. Go find work elsewhere. Not everyone can just quit regardless of pay! I have co-workers who invested 15 years and their fighting for their promised contracts, their future. Do yourself a favor do us a favor and quit tomorrow. It would have mattered if you voted anyway 65 to 5 is a big statement. We would be better off without you here. Dont forget to give your pal Bornstein a big hug on the way out. Take care
ETOCHE @ 10:42: Just quit then, we would be better off without you.
There was no enticement for me to vote yes. It could have been a 10% and it wouldn't have mattered. The promised pension is what is important and a fair pension for anyone after 2010. I kinda understand where ehutche is coming from in a way. Yes pride of work is important but a person can only take so much abuse but as ANON 12:32 said not just anyone can up and resign. I've been with this city prior to 2010 and was offered a job making $3 more a hr but my contacted pension is more important. I can't just throw away 11+ year's of my life to start over. I'm sad I put so much time into a city that doesn't care about their employees but now all I can do is hang on and hope for a change. I voted "No"
As I stated, I am quitting. All I'm saying is it's not a good move to jeopardize your job by doing it poorly.
I abstained because research showed that the vote would in fact be a landslide. Had there been any doubt, I would have voted "NO" even though I wouldn't benefit from it. Since I won't be around to receive the benefit from either vote, including the eventual 4% raise, I felt it was not proper to vote. You have every right to disagree with my decision, but I'm the one who has to live with it.
I have supported the Union, and taken an active role in fixing problems from within, and will continue to do so until I leave.
I wonder how many of my detractors are dues paying members, attending union meetings and expressing a position publicly before this vote. I have, and will continue to do so.
Your fight is not with me
I really thought it would have been a closer vote in all honesty. There are so many new employees than veterans in this city. Its nice to see they banded together against the city. I know the union lost ALOT of members since they havent won a case for everyone in 8 years but i bet if they win the pension plan a bunch of people will sign back up. You have to show progress if you want dues paying members
Bornstien, HR Director and all those city lawyers can kiss my rear end. They should be ashamed for how the treat the staff! But their not, there still grining ear to ear. That shows alot about their character.
Our mayor and commissioners are no better. Jokes all of them
All this is all about principle and our member show up and voted this contract down, right thing to do. It was not a good contract and as the CM call it a global offering take it or go to hell.
Coming from people that have detach themselves from their employees starting with Jamie Brown Dir of Public Work he is under the Political mentoring of City Manager Michael Bernstein getting lessons in how to screw over is departments make excuse and increase is wage.
We are coming back to the table and I hope CM that your Political Bullied understand what the word Negotiation mean starting by showing some respect and appreciation for your employees. WE SPEND THE LAST EIGHT YEAR GOING THOUGH HELL GIVING BACK TO THE CITY AND THINGS STARTING TO TURN AROUND YOU WANT US TO GO BACK TO HELL, WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!
8 years and their still making up BS trying to force us to swallow. I honestly cant stand any of our commissioners and CM / some of the Dept Heads. We need a change. Why isnt the CM being held accountable for his actions?
This was an entertaining exercise looking at the various comments and wondering what is the true end game. Let's take a second and explore further. The previous city manager imposed a pension plan of 30 years for employees that were previously offered and CONTRACTED to have a 20 year plan. Several unfair labor practice charges were filed, and the one charge the city lost was that the pension needed to be negotiated from where it was previously. The former city manager and former HR director recommended to disregard the magistrate's decision, and advised the city commission to impose that 30 year plan anyway, codified through an ordinance. A new contract was negotiated for PEU/PMSA some years later, an agreement made between the previous lead union negotiator and former HR director was struck, and the pension was supposedly off the table at that time. Look real closely at the contract, especially as it pertains to the requirements for retirement benefits. The elements of a 30 year plan are contained within, with no specific mention of the word "pension" and no actual section defining the benefit. Fast forward a few years and ask yourself some questions. When the Union won the unfair labor practice some 5 years ago, what should have been their next step with regards to the pension? Now that a vote has been cast to rightfully reject a contract that imposed a 30 year pension that would have solidified the city's position while actually undercutting the IBEW's current pension negotiation, how does either Union propose to navigate itself away from a 30 year pension? Has there been discussion on alternatives, numbers given from the city and counter proposals from the union on alterations to a cash balance plan (5-5-5) or perhaps a 25 year structure for example? Has there been actuarial studies performed by the unions analyzed to have a real and thoughtful discussion of the numbers? If the city decided to declare impasse and the contract in full is approved by a Magistrate and brought back to a city commission for approval, what would be the PEU/PMSA's next move? The city will never agree to 20 and out. We can all read the tea leaves. What is the alternative that all three unions can get done? Are the three unions even fighting for the same pension provisions? Is the city even providing pension data and other information needed to even discuss alternatives? So many questions to resolve. Can anyone here commenting answer any of them as I'm inquiring for employees who've had their life plans altered and years added to an already long career.
I do not feel it is even legal to change a employees pension midstream after they've already worked in it. The union will do 30 for anyone after 2010 but the city has a take it all or weel shove it down your throat attitude.
Check this out!
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/lake-worth-workers-reject-latest-contract-offer-is/nqZrJ/?icmp=pbp_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral
Lynn anyway we can keep this post going on page 1 as we need to continue rubbing the CM's and Commissions nose in it and get all citizens attention? Thanks for all your help with this
I limit the front page to 20 blogs which is 5 more than I really want. It slows down things for some people to load. I'm sure that there will be more going on regarding this...coming up in March I believe.
No matter how much the palm beach post & lynn post the CM and Commissioners plainly do not care. If they did something would change or even a statement from them. They all turn a blind eye to this
I know you don't want to hear this but the city is in negotiations on this contract. These negotiations were going on for some time. They can't discuss it. It is the CM's job to do what he feels is the best thing for the city. That's what he's paid to do.
This all will be back for discussion at a public meting on March 18 from 1pm to 5pm. Should be a good one.
Lynn I know that to be true but he sure didn't hesitate to give the HR director, Elect Asst Dir and Meter Manager huge raises and then got himself a big raise yet say we can not afford more than 1 raise in the next 3 yr contract but give up our pension to get it. Really?????
The city attorney wants to link the pension discussion with the raise. The union wants to separate the pension discussion from the raise. Why would the city blink? I can see the union not wanting to go to an impasse, but the city gets what they want when they go. The meeting on march 17th or 18th or whenever its supposed to be won't change those two stances. I hope the union brings a lawyer to the next meeting, otherwise that city attorney is likely to be even more condescending than he has looked like in the post articles towards the employees.
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