Bravo, Concerned Transit Rider!

Tell it like it is!

I am baffled: Why would the union would risk what is by far the best job most of them could ever hope to get by striking for minor changes in their contracts? And to risk their so-very-comfortable positions by threatening to hold economic hostage some of the most vulnerable and needy sectors of the Santa Cruz population? This is not a good way to gather sympathy and support.

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Plenty of highly
qualified replacements
available
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There are large numbers of exceptionally well-qualified candidates to fill vacated Metro drivers' positions. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the caliber of the Metro driver pool would be substantilally improved if a complete, merit-based-only rehiring was done.

To name one example, I think of the long-haul big-rig truck drivers out there who have pulled far more accident-free miles than most of the Metro drivers will ever come close to. These are drivers who have to be gone from home for days and weeks at a time, and who still don't earn nearly the pay/benefits package that the bus drivers earn. Many of these extremely-skilled long-haul truck drivers would be DELIGHTED to have 6 weeks off a year, (even if it wasn't a month or 2 weeks at a time, which the Metro bus drivers consider to be an issue worth disrupting the county over). Heck, long-haul truck drivers are often tickled pink to have two DAYS off in a row, let alone two weeks, or one month. And that's only one of many qualified pools of applicants.

UTU Local 23 memebers, you are running the grave risk of killing the golden goose. I would bet the ranch that many UTU Local 23 memebers are privately worried--even ashamed and embarrassed--about this impending strike, but are afraid to speak up for fear of angering their peers.

To those UTU Local 23 members who think your union has gone off the deep end: If you think it is too risky to speak up, then write an anonymous note to your leaders. Tell them that holding large numbers of people economic hostage in order to gain small improvements in your already very generous vacation package is very risky to your best interests, as it may badly erode sympathies the public has for your union.