Joe Hill 63 - Fairness At Play, Part 1

Joe Hill LTD Project

LTD Employee gets Response from Congressman DeFazio

Congressman DeFazio remains the friend of the working person. Joe Hill has urged the writing to Governor Kulongoski and Peter DeFazio, and the results are that the Governor is not responding to employees (so far). Governor, even a polite response to workers who have supported your election would be appropriate. Peter has responded to one of our union members. It is as follows:

Thank you for your message regarding Lane
Transit District and its Bus Rapid Transit project. I appreciate hearing from
you and regret the delay in my reply.

I am sorry to hear you are displeased with LTD's treatment of its employees. I understand that LTD is in the process of negotiating contracts with employees and flat revenue in recent months have made these negotiations particularly difficult.

As you probably know, Phase 1 of the Bus Rapid Transit project has already been paid for with a mix of federal and local funds. Future funding for the project will depend on its success and support within the community. I have supported federal funding for LTD and the BRT project in the past, and am likely to continue my support as long as LTD and BRT are a priority for the residents of Eugene and Springfield. However, I expect LTD and other publicly funded entities to treat their employees fairly, and I will be sure to keep your comments in mind when LTD requests federal funding in the future.

Thanks again for your message. Please
keep in touch.

Rep. Peter DeFazio
Fourth District, OREGON

So LTD Management and officials, are you paying attention? "However, I expect LTD and other publicly funded entities to treat their employees fairly, and I will be sure to keep your comments in mind when LTD requests federal funding in the future." This message could not be any clearer. The voice of the workers will be heard in matters regarding the future of the wasteful BRT Project. And the support of our Congressman, and ultimately Congress, may depend upon whether or not LTD managers can be regarded as fair by the employees. As you can see, it is our duty to inform Congressman DeFazio of our feelings as to whether we are being treated fairly.

We must also be ready to show the Congressman the wasteful actions of LTD with these federal funds, such as with the Breeze fiasco and what must be viewed as an overstatement of the revenue picture for LTD, and its real ability to BE FAIR in negotiations. Obviously, from this response, Peter's staff has contacted LTD and said "what gives?." Otherwise he would not have mentioned the LTD big exaggeration of flat revenue. I am sure that they did not talk about blowing more than 2 million on bad management decisions. Congressman, we will be in touch.

Coincidentally, Joe Hill received an email today on the subject of fairness by one of our drivers. It will be the subject of Part 2 of this series.

In Solidarity,

Joe Hill

JH 63