The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627 is encouraging members to attend Tuesday morning's Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) board meeting to speak out about the current contract situation.In a letter, the president of the union representing Metro employees told members their health insurance rates will dramatically increase next month despite the lack of a new contract. Troy Miller told members their rates will increase in December to $400 per month (family) or $150 per month (single). He says rates currently are around $147 (family) and $53 (single).
Metro Spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers says the increase is temporary. "Under that current contract, Metro is required to pass on the cost of any increases in health insurance. So that will be happening as a temporary measure until a new contract is executed."
But Amalgamated Transit Union President Troy Miller disagrees. "We disagree on how they interpret the language. They can say that all they want."
Hilvers adds "We do have a proposal that is in discussions right now as part of the negotiations that would bring those premiums back closer to what employees are currently paying as soon as a new contract is executed."
A key sticking point in contract negotiations is a new van service proposal, Miller says. "They want a van service we know nothing about. They know nothing about... the people at the table know nothing about. But they want to put a van service in that will take 30 percent of the (bus) routes and replace them with vans at a cheaper wage."
Miller says a mediator is being brought in. Negotiation dates haven't been set but he expects them to be in December.
Hilvers and Metro declined to comment further "to respect the bargaining process and our relationship with ATU Local 627."
