January 19, 2014
VIA EMAIL
Dear Mr. Howard,
Thank you, we embrace and encourage communication. But your
form letters seem to be adroitly crafted in a shameless effort to create FUD
(Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt). We prefer veracity and addressing the real
issues. Constructive dialog is welcomed and let’s start with setting the record
straight.
Your one page form letter
discussing the cost of union representation claims it “is not free”.
Actually
IBEW representation is free. This is not an election to join a union or
an
election to pay dues. It’s an election appointing the IBEW to represent
us in
negotiations. That’s all, that’s it. Bridge tenders have the right to
accept or
reject any contract and are not forced to join the union to get
representation.
Good conscience encourages joining and paying dues, the greater our
numbers the stronger our voice, but there is no obligation to do so.
Your math grossly overstates dues. We expect them be about
27¢ an hour. Not bad when the difference between $19.04 and $8.25 (current wage
theft) is $10.79/hr. We stand to gain $10.79/hr. and may pay only
27¢/hr. It seems a good investment to us.
Your three page form letter
is quite a work. We agree the union is under no legal obligation to deliver on
promises but they’ve only promised us their best efforts. We agree that “we can
get more… the same…. or less”. Since we’re paid near minimum wage right now it
can’t be much less and since we get no benefits – there really is little to
lose. You forced us to unionize by illegally confiscating our petition and
refusing to negotiate directly. Frankly this secret ballot election is the only
way we could get you to the table and history shows it’s the only way you’ve
ever agreed to meaningful change.
We don’t expect you to “give in”. We’re looking for a
win/win and expect you to follow the spirit of the McNamara/OHara Service
Contract Act. We deserve wages and benefits consistent with those currently
paid in the locality (according to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor
Statistics report for our job description in Florida) and the same paid
holidays, vacations and benefits as others performing work for the State or
County.
We’re shocked you bring up the threat of a strike at this time. We question why you would bring it up
when negotiations have yet to begin. It frightens us that this may be a
harbinger of intractability. A strike reflects the most extreme leverage, to be
used only when confronted with impasse. We trust your position will be
reasonable and you share our intent to avoid a bridge tender strike. In the
event we do reach an impasse, how shall we leave the bridges? Shall we leave
them open to accommodate vessels? Should we leave them closed to accommodate
traffic? Shall we ask the Coast Guard for direction? It’s crazy to bring it up
now. Let’s try to avoid discussions about strikes and try to work together.
While continued exploitation, profiteering, wage and benefit
theft is untenable, let’s try to avoid further polarization and open a
constructive dialog. Let’s keep a positive tone to our communication so it will
be easer to reach a fair agreement. We encourage you to enter negotiations in
good faith and ask ISS and ICA to be truthful, open and do the right thing.
Sincerely yours,
The Organzing Committee
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