AT-Fuckin U

ATU Local 1005 went out on strike on March 4, 2004. Metro Transit wanted to privatize the bus company.The International sent a rep. After 7 weeks the Local accepted a contract. Under the new contract, NEW HIRES WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN THEY RETIRE. New employees can use SOME of their sick leave to create a health care "savings account for use when they are no longer employed by Metro Transit. The Unions 2,200 members will also have their wages frozen durining the year of the contract, which covers the period from Aug.1,2003 thru July 31,2005. Starting Aug of this year, workers will get a 1% increase, then a 0.5 % increase next Feb 1.

Once again the international showed no leadership. Every resource should have been used to ensure that all workers had health care coverage when they retire.