Witman Slams Elorza Over Lack of Leadership as Prov School Bus Drivers Move to Strike
GoLocalProv News Team
Witman Slams Elorza Over Lack of Leadership as Prov School Bus Drivers Move to Strike
"Things are not good - this company does not give a damn," said Local 251 Business Agent Nick Williams. "It's a matter of .38 an hour -- we just want the pension. They're refusing outright to put our members in a pension."
Williams made the comments after a late-afternoon meeting with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, after both sides failed to come to an agreement earlier in the day.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We just got out of the meeting. We're hoping that [Elorza] will put pressure on the company, but it appears he's not going to take sides," said Williams. "We are going to strike. We can strike any day after tomorrow."
The unwillingness by Elorza to take a stand sparked criticism from the Mayor's emerging political rival Dianne "Dee Dee" Witman. The two face off in the election in November.
"How can a Mayor whose job it is to lead this city not want to take a position to resolve this issue?" said Witman.
"I do know 20,000 kids, and parents, when there's a strike have no contingency plan because this Mayor has failed to show leadership," she added.
Elorza's press office refused any comment on the imminent bus driver's strike.
Witman went on to criticize Elorza's inability to make decisions, "The school teachers [labor unrest], the bus drivers -- the Fane Tower -- the only thing he seems to be adamant about is his selling the water supply. He's asking the people of Providence to come up with answers. He's a one trick pony. It's shocking -- that's he's staying neutral. Kids need to go to school. Parents need to go to work -- what are the teachers going to do?"
I want to run, I want to win, and to do my best -- I find his behavior and affect astounding -- Providence appears rudderless with no one at the helm. It's shocking ... and there should be a contingency plan in place," said Independent candidate Witman.
"First Student is extremely disappointed that Teamsters Local 251 leadership chose to walk out of today’s session with a federal mediator rather than negotiate in good faith. It was our goal to come to an agreement that would avoid a potential disruption of bus transportation for thousands of Providence students," said First Student spokesman Frank McMahon.
"It would, unfortunately, appear that Teamsters leaders are willing to use Providence students as pawns in their desperate attempt to force bus drivers to join the New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund, which is currently underfunded by $3.6 billion with liabilities that have increased by $700 million in just the last two years. Our drivers have never participated in this seriously underfunded plan which has been designated as being in “critical status” by the U.S. Treasury Department," added McMahon.
The two parties are divided by a number of key issues including the refusal by First Student to make a contribution to the Teamster’s pension fund.
The labor impasse throws the Providence school system and its more than 22,000 children into even greater chaos.
The school system was recently rocked after 15-year-old William Parsons was murdered in front of a Providence school.
“The company has not moved from their position. We are meeting with the mayor now,” said Nick Williams, Business Manager for Teamsters Local 251, after a final 2 p.m. meeting with the federal mediator, before moving to Providence's Chief Executive.
Contract Negotiations
As GoLocalProv reported on Thursday, Providence school bus drivers, represented by the Teamsters Local 251, and bus company First Student were locked in a contract battle, with the 2 p.m. meeting Thursday with a federal mediator to determine whether a contract could be reached.
If not, the Teamsters said they would strike.
"It is extremely unfortunate that the Teamsters are willing to disrupt the transportation of thousands of Providence students and threaten the retirement security of their own members at the same time," said First Student spokesperson Frank McMahon in a statement (see below).
The Teamsters fired back.
"Unfortunately, First Student has a long and storied history of misleading and outright lying to their employees. After reading their press release, it seems that they plan to use the exact same dishonest and misleading tactics on the general public," said Nick Williams, Business Agent for the Teamsters Local 251.
"The company did offer an increase to their contribution in the 401k, but considering the fact that the Teamsters have had to sue First Student multiple times in Federal court due to their failure and at times, outright refusal to fund the current contractually obligated contributions to their employees 401k, the increased offer is considered an empty promise by our membership," said Williams.
On Wednesday, McMahon provided the following the previous Teamsters' vote:
"First Student is committed to serving the Providence Public School District, and we stand ready to work with the federal mediator to continue negotiations with Teamsters Local 251 representatives to avoid any disruption to student transportation service.
We have been in negotiations with the Teamsters Local 251 for months and have provided our valued Providence drivers with a generous contract offer which included increased 401(k) contributions; paying 80 percent -- increasing to 85 percent -- of medical premiums; and paid sick time beyond what is required by state law. The offer also included immediate pay raises of up to 12 percent, with increases of up to 51 percent through the life of the contract. Experienced drivers would make almost $29 per hour in three years.
That offer was unfortunately voted down due to the leadership of the Teamsters Local 251 who continue to insist that our Providence drivers be forced to join the New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund. That fund is currently underfunded by $3.6 billion with liabilities that have increased by $700 million in just the last two years, and is classified as in “critical and declining” status by the U.S. Treasury Department.
It is extremely unfortunate that the Teamsters are willing to disrupt the transportation of thousands of Providence students and threaten the retirement security of their own members at the same time.
A reasonable and generous contract offer has already been made by First Student and we urge the Teamsters Local 251 to return to the table and accept this contract."
Teamsters Fire Back
Williams responded in turn with the following statement:
"Teamster Local 251 have proudly represented the Bus Drivers that have been transporting students to and from school in the City of Providence, day in and day out, for decades. Our members love what they do, and they want only to continue doing what they love.
Unfortunately, First Student has a long and storied history of misleading and outright lying to their employees. After reading their press release, it seems that they plan to use the exact same dishonest and misleading tactics on the general public.
The company did offer an increase to their contribution in the 401k, but considering the fact that the Teamsters have had to sue First Student multiple times in Federal court due to their failure and at times, outright refusal to fund the current contractually obligated contributions to their employees 401k, the increased offer is considered an empty promise by our membership.
First Student is completely out of touch with their own employees. We have had to file multiple unfair labor practice charges during the course of these negotiations and our members have had their fill of false promises and lies from First Student. They want and deserve a secure retirement and the fact is that they simply do not trust First Student to make the promised contributions to their 401k without a lawsuit.
It is beyond abhorrent that First Student not only created this retirement dispute when they decided to shred the contract and pillage their hard-working employees retirement funds, but now they are making it clear that they would rather disrupt the lives of thousands of working parents, and jeopardize the safe transportation of thousands of Providence students than do the right thing and provide a secure retirement for their employees. We stand in awe of their wanton disregard for their own employees as well as the students of the City of Providence.
No one wants to strike. In order to avoid an unnecessary strike, Teamsters Local 251 has taken the steps to adjust First Students last, best and final offer to include a secure retirement. The members have already voted 78-2 in favor of the adjusted deal.
All First Student has to do is accept the pre-ratified offer in mediation today at 2:00pm and the strike is averted. If they refuse, they have made the decision to force our hand, and our only option at that time may be to strike. My hope is that First Student steps away from the empty promises of their 401k offer and does the right thing by its employees as well as the students and the parents that are stuck in the middle."
This story was updated at 1:00 AM and again at 5:11 AM on September 21, 2018.
Some of the Most Interesting GoLocal LIVE Interviews -- The First 1,000
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Kenny served as Prime Minister from 2011 until earlier 2017.
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She appeared in Disney’s “John Carter," multiple TV appearances like NCIS: New Orleans, Major Crimes, and The Mentalist, and as Vinny Pazienza’s sister in “Bleed for This” filmed and based right here in Rhode Island.
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“If Loving You Is Wrong” airs Tuesday nights on OWN.
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WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
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WATCH ONE OF HIS INTERVIEWS HERE
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Mark Geragos, Celebrity Attorney
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Robert Whitcomb, former Editorial Page Editor of the Providence Journal, now GoLocalProv columnist
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Jennifer Lawless, Director of the Women & Politics Institute and Professor of Political Science at American University
Ray Rickman, Former State Representative, Deputy Secretary of State, and Civil Rights Leader
Kristin MacRae, Organizing Expert
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Robin Garceau, Interior Design Expert
