Thursday, November 09, 2006

Good Contract, But What Will We Pay In Health Care?

As predicted, the money is similar to the DC37 pact with a 7.1% increase for 24 months with a 2% raise on October 13, 2007 and a 5% raise on May 19, 2008. Notice most of the money is back loaded! Of course we all will receive a $750 bonus in January of 2007. Nice money, almost meets the cost of inflation (9-10%) for the same 2-year period and yes I will probably vote for it. However, I am very concerned about how much the MLC agrees to give the city for health care. 1%, 1.5% (TWU), 2%? You don't have to be a math whiz to figure out the amount the MLC agrees to giveback to the city will reduce our raise from 7.1 to as little as 5.1%!

In voting for this contract, I am uneasy about the ATR buyout. What stops a principal giving an ATR two consecutive "U" ratings and then recommends that the ATR take the buyout or else?
I would like to hear from somebody that understands this problem and whether the union has thought this out?

Nice contract, but there are some questions.