In the wake of the Muni bonus kerfluffle (in which The Chron revealed 65% of Muni operators received a $3,000 end-of-year payout despite a $70 million budget shortfall and big cutbacks), we’ve heard that drivers are appealing to riders with their side of the story — in pamphlet form. But is this allowed, under SFMTA policy?
The fliers seen on Muni buses yesterday features parts of an “Open Forum” Op-Ed column published in the Chronicle that same day from Transportation Workers Union president Irwin Lum, stating that these payouts are part of the health insurance payment plan in place for operators, not “bonuses.”
Tweetpics of the flier text reveal some tasty labor language not found in the Chronicle, unfortunately we do not have the full text of the flier (feel free to post a link to it in comments if you’d like to share!).
Lum’s beef with Elsbernd comes from the Supervisor’s efforts to change the rigid way that the city charter determines operator compensation. The Weekly’s Snitch reports that Elsbernd sees Lum’s fighting words as a threat of strike if his efforts to change compensation go through.
I’ve asked Judson True, MTA spokesperson, if Muni operators (if they are, indeed, the ones responsible) are permitted to pamphlet their buses (soliciting? littering? anyone?), and will update with his reply.
Meanwhile, N Judah Chronicles writer Greg Dewar asks if Muni drivers think this will endear riders who are fed up with commute-wrecking bus driver antics, saying “they brought the pain they’re experiencing all on their own.”
