Big_Dave
April 5th, 2006, 12:34
Colo. Gov. Won't Intervene in Strike
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 9:51 PM EDT
The Associated Press
By SANDY SHORE
DENVER (AP) — Gov. Bill Owens rejected a request from Denver's mass transit workers to intervene in their two-day-old strike, blaming union officials for the walkout.
The transit union wanted Owens to rescind a ruling by the state Department of Labor, which would put the workers back on the job and send both sides into binding arbitration. But Owens said that would take the decisions out of the hands of the transit system's elected board.
Owens blamed the strike on union leaders who unanimously recommended the proposed contract but did not convince their members to approve it.
"They failed and now the public is suffering because of that failure," he said.
Yvette Salazar, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, said they still wanted a face-to-face meeting with Owens.
"We know he isn't a transit-friendly, labor friendly governor," she said. "I hope he hears the public and passengers out there. We will continue to ask him."
Regional Transportation District spokesman Scott Reed reiterated the agency's position that it would not agree to arbitration.
Representatives of both sides planned to sit down informally Wednesday with a federal mediator in an effort to resolve the stalemate but no formal negotiations have been scheduled.
As the strike entered its second day, commuters found more congestion but few major problems on the area's roads and interstates, said Paul Peterson of the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The RTD operated about 45 percent of its normal bus service schedule Tuesday, but light rail operations were shut down. The transit system averages about 275,000 rides per weekday.
Aurora resident Lauren Barela complained that her commute took an hour and 20 minutes, instead of her usual 45 minute bus ride.
"I won't be able to do this for too long, maybe a week. It's just taking me way too long," said Barela, 24, who rides the bus to save on gas and parking.
Union leaders had recommended approval of the transportation authority's contract, which included a wage hike of $1.80 an hour over three years in 15-cent raises every quarter, plus increases in health benefits. However, 55 percent of workers rejected the offer in a Sunday vote, triggering the strike.
Story here (http://portal.hickorytech.net/news/read.php?id=13989652&ps=1011&cat=&cps=0&lang=en)
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 9:51 PM EDT
The Associated Press
By SANDY SHORE
DENVER (AP) — Gov. Bill Owens rejected a request from Denver's mass transit workers to intervene in their two-day-old strike, blaming union officials for the walkout.
The transit union wanted Owens to rescind a ruling by the state Department of Labor, which would put the workers back on the job and send both sides into binding arbitration. But Owens said that would take the decisions out of the hands of the transit system's elected board.
Owens blamed the strike on union leaders who unanimously recommended the proposed contract but did not convince their members to approve it.
"They failed and now the public is suffering because of that failure," he said.
Yvette Salazar, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, said they still wanted a face-to-face meeting with Owens.
"We know he isn't a transit-friendly, labor friendly governor," she said. "I hope he hears the public and passengers out there. We will continue to ask him."
Regional Transportation District spokesman Scott Reed reiterated the agency's position that it would not agree to arbitration.
Representatives of both sides planned to sit down informally Wednesday with a federal mediator in an effort to resolve the stalemate but no formal negotiations have been scheduled.
As the strike entered its second day, commuters found more congestion but few major problems on the area's roads and interstates, said Paul Peterson of the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The RTD operated about 45 percent of its normal bus service schedule Tuesday, but light rail operations were shut down. The transit system averages about 275,000 rides per weekday.
Aurora resident Lauren Barela complained that her commute took an hour and 20 minutes, instead of her usual 45 minute bus ride.
"I won't be able to do this for too long, maybe a week. It's just taking me way too long," said Barela, 24, who rides the bus to save on gas and parking.
Union leaders had recommended approval of the transportation authority's contract, which included a wage hike of $1.80 an hour over three years in 15-cent raises every quarter, plus increases in health benefits. However, 55 percent of workers rejected the offer in a Sunday vote, triggering the strike.
Story here (http://portal.hickorytech.net/news/read.php?id=13989652&ps=1011&cat=&cps=0&lang=en)