Miami-Dade Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover workers have been without a contract for more than three years - thanks to Mayor Gimenez and his staff.
The workers, members of Transport Workers Union Local 291, have been calling on elected officials to support public mass transit in Miami-Dade by increasing funding and increasing service that riders need so badly.
The traffic situation is getting worse - and public buses and trains are the answer.
Wednesday is the Board of Commissioners hearing on the contract dispute.
Support our Union, support our transit, call your good for nothing County Commissioner and have them help the Transport Workers. They stood with us during a rally in Cutler Bay on February 3rd. Now stand up for them, help them get their contract. Conservatives would love to end our Unions but these organizations help our middle class get a living wage, in other words, Unions are the backbone of the dwindling middle class in America. Since the Republicans in congress recently were kind enough to give tax cuts to the wealthy Corporations, isn't it fitting that the middle class get something in return, like living wages and benefits for middle class members?
I am now without a car and these are the people I must rely on...if I can cross U.S. 1 in one piece to get to Metrorail. I can walk to Metrorail, I just can't get there safely to get to the County Commission Meeting Tuesday. What a bitch. But that is another post. I am doing my part to help traffic, I am one more person off the road, just like Eileen Higgins who is running for Bruno Barreiro's County Commission Seat, District 5. Vote for Eileen Higgins if you are in the district, if not, tell everyone in Miami Beach and Brickell that you know to Vote June 19th. It is crucial to get the Barreiro dynasty out (his wife is running against Eileen).
Pictures of County Commissioners from the Transportation Summit:
 |
| Commissioner Xavier Suarez |
 |
| County Commission Chair Steve Bovo |
 |
| County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava |
From Clarence Washington, president of Transport Workers Union Local 291:
�We�ve tried to bargain in good faith with the mayor, but he is obsessed with trying to break our union and hurt our working-class members, who are primarily African-American and Latino. He is making demands on TWU Local 291 that are much more onerous that what he demanded from other municipal unions. We�re hoping the Board of Commissioners recognize this irrational imbalance.�
