Wednesday, August 24, 2011

TMS1 New Contract Language

New language was bargained at the ODOT Coalition Bargaining Table for TMS 1s. The intent of this language was to pay TMS 1s the same as TMS 2s when they are working along side TMS 2s, doing the same work.

I believe the principle is simple: Equal Pay for Equal Work.

The history of this bargaining is that in some areas of the state managers of maintenance crews "borrow" TMS 1s to fill out crews for projects. The managers work TMS 1 Tom for one day less than the time required to pay the TMS 1 Work Out of Class Pay (Article 26,Section 11). The manager sends TMS 1 Tom back to the landscape crew and begins to work TMS 1 Pete; again working him one day less than needed to pay him for working above his pay grade.

It is good that the agency and our managers are always thinking about ways to save money. An efficient organization, using our citizens resources frugally is good. In some ways clever.

However, frugal is not always fair.

The point came home here a year or two ago. TMS 1 crew members were assigned to work with a TMS 2 maintenance crew for a paving project. The TMS 1s were asked to teach some TMS 2s the skills needed for paving. Some TMS 1s have been working for the agency for over 20 years; many TMS 2s have less than 5.

TMS 1s work to support their families. They have the right to try to improve their place in the agency and the world. Our Union has the responsibility to assist members to improve their pay and benefits and to keep their work sites safe.

If you are one of the folks I have recently heard of who disapproves of this new language and have been giving our TMS 1s a hard time for it - you are wrong. If you disapprove of this language - you disapprove of Equal Pay for Equal Work. If you are harassing a TMS 1 about this new language - do you also believe he/she should not have the right to do better for their family?

As the president of ODOT Local 730 I pushed for these changes to our collective bargaining agreement. If you have problems with the language talk to me.
Discussing all aspects of Our Union is part of my job. I welcome your opinions regardless of whether I agree with them.
mac

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