Women With Guns 
Want Safety First 
Tired Of Feeling Like 
Victims, They're Taking 
Action And Getting Weapons 
Licenses As Never Before

Accident Brings Injury

Saturday, February 12, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Passengers supported the union during meetings and public hearings held in &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1993. Where is the union's support and concern for the passengers now? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The LCTA dispute: Management's view &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Due to statements being made regarding the current labor dispute, the
Luzerne &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 County Transportation Authority would like to inform you of its
positionNumerous attempts have been made to negotiate a new contract covering
wages and benefits with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 164. As early as
June 1993, both the union and the non-union administrative staff were asked to
accept wage cuts and a change in health insurance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The administrative staff agreed to a pro-rated reduction in wages. The
11-member administrative staff, incidentally, earns salaries that (with one
exception) are about 50 percent less than those paid to unionized employees.
In addition, the staff does not get a cost-of-living adjustment (which
amounted to $1.91 per hour over the past five years), clothing allowance or
overtime pay as the union receives. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At that time (June 1993), the union was asked to accept a $1.00 per hour
reduction in wages. They refused. Had they accepted that reduction, their
hourly wage of $13.05 still would have been considerably higher than the wages
of unionized employees of the County of Lackawanna Transit System at $12.35,
of Hazleton Transit Authority employees at $6.50, and of the average school
bus operator at $8.50 per hour. (Hazleton area residents contribute taxes to
Luzerne County but receive no LCTA services.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Since that time, many negotiating sessions have been held to no avail. In
order to curb a budget deficit that was increasing daily, the Authority on
October 1, 1993 imposed wage reductions on its own. In additon, the Authority
instituted changes in benefits to unionized employees, including 50 percent
co-payment on uniforms, five minute turn-in time, and a one-week reduction in
vacation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, health insurance (which covers Blue Cross/Blue Shield Major
Medical, eye, dental, and prescriptions) at a family coverage cost of $546.88
per month per employee, life insurance, short-term disability at a cost of
$30.58 per month per employee, and Authority-paid pension contributions of
$0.38 per hour per employee remained intact. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These actions, challenged by the union, were upheld in Luzerne County Court
but were overturned by Commonwealth Court. Wages and benefits were returned to
contract levels. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even though wages and benefits had been returned to previous levels, the
union filed an objection with the Labor Department, thereby putting a freeze
on federal operating assistance in the amount of $900,000 and necessitating
additional expense to the Authority, including legal fees. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In order to try to enhance the union's case, an uncancelled check payable
to the Authority's legal consultant was copied -- without the Authority's
knowledge and authorization -- and printed in a local paper. Efforts have been
made at two meetings in Washington, D.C., to negotiate the release of the
$900,000 in federal funds needed to meet both union and non-union payrolls. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In yet another effort to update all employees on the status of the
Authority, a company meeting was called on November 29, 1993. Attendance at
that meeting was minimal because union officials recommended that their fellow
workers not attend this meeting. The union's argument with the closing
paragraph of the contract proposal, which the union interprets to mean the
Authority has the right to re-open the contract at any time, was clarified to
the union officials but was not conveyed by them to the membership. Thus, when
brought before the membership, the result was a negative vote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, union membership has repeatedly stated they have not been informed of
any results of negotiating sessions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Statements have been made regarding several issues, including the supposed
salaries paid to the Authority's Board of Directors and the lack of promotion
on the Authority's part. Let it be noted that members of the board of
directors receive no compensation for their efforts. In an effort to attract
ridership, the Authority has offered service to the Red Barons' games, service
to Penn State and Wilkes University, Christmas bus and 20th Anniversary
promotions, reduced and free rides, and employer-purchased bus passes for
their employees -- all of which produced very little increase in ridership. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Other points to consider: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Four management positions have been vacated over the past several years and
never filled. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The annual Christmas party held by the union is paid for from the proceeds
of vending machines on the LCTA property for which the Authority supplies
electricity and is not reimbursed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 LCTA reimburses maintenance employees for any tools of their own that are
damaged or broken on the job. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Monthly pension meetings held on company time require the Authority to pay
overtime to replacement drivers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Capital funds must be used for capital purchases only and not for
day-to-day expenses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Passengers supported the union during meetings and public hearings held in
1993. Where is the union's support and concern for the passengers now? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Authority will continue to do its utmost to resolve this entire
situation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conrad Sarnecki &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chairman of the Board &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Harold E. Edwards &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Executive Director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Luzerne County Transportation Authority

Passengers Supported The Union During Meetings And Public Hearings Held In 
1993. Where Is The Union's Support And Concern For The Passengers Now? 
The Lcta Dispute: Management's View 
Due To Statements Being Made Regarding The Current Labor Dispute, The Luzerne 
County Transportation Authority Would Like To Inform You Of Its Position.