Rescue Muni

It shouldn’t be a surprise to long-time observers of the agency, but today’s audit of the SFMTA by the Budget Analyst of the Board of Supervisors highlights some of the most inefficient work rules raising Muni’s costs. Specifics include strict limits on the use of part-time employees, daily instead of weekly overtime, and financial incentives to call in sick or otherwise take time off, causing the SFMTA to have an extremely high rate of unscheduled absences (15%). And, though it does not take a position on the Fix Muni Now amendment, the report highlights the Prop A wage floor that makes it impossible for the agency to bargain wages for work rule reforms.

SF Streetsblog has a detailed analysis, as does the SF Weekly. You can read the full report on Streetsblog, and the SFMTA’s response on its website.

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We would like to thank everyone who was able to come out to our general membership meeting last Tuesday. We had a packed room with both our membership and TWU members coming out to listen and ask questions.

Irwin Lum and Rafael Cabrera of the TWU sat with Alexander Volberding from Eslbernd’s office and Jillian Gillette from SPUR to discuss issues and ideas about Eslbernd’s proposed amendment to the city charter. Rescue Muni chair Andrew Sullivan moderated.

There were many questions asked and each party was allowed time to let their side answer.  One of the main topics of the night was Prop A (2007), which we supported at the time. The TWU felt that the voters had already spoken when they passed the salary floor formula allowing Muni workers to automatically get paid the floor of wages based on the top two paying transit agencies in the nation, and that most drivers never saw the performance bonuses outlined in the proposition. Alex and Jillian stated that there was no way that the wage schedule put forth in Prop A would be sustainable, and that the performance bonuses and MOU should be negotiated to give riders a better value.

We also discussed not-outs, lack of equipment versus lack of drivers, concerns over if the TEP actually helps or hurts the system, Muni overtime hours and how many drivers earn over $100k versus the number of managers who do, and other sources of tax revenue.

If you couldn’t make the meeting, you can still help improve Muni! If you haven’t signed Elsbernd’s petition, signature gatherers are out on the street. You can find out where to sign over at FixMuniNow.com.

Update: SPUR has more on this in today’s Examiner.

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