LRTA is accused of 'union busting'
By Christopher Scott, cscott@lowellsun.com
Updated: 05/05/2009 06:35:30 AM EDT

LOWELL -- The lawyer for Lowell Regional Transit Authority bus drivers yesterday blasted management for "busting the union," now that the union's suggestion to hire an arbitrator to resolve differences has been rejected.
"Bringing our differences to binding arbitration would be a simple and quick way to resolve this," said Kevin Murphy, the lawyer for the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1578, which represents LRTA drivers, mechanics and service personnel. "Now that our offer has been rejected, it shows me the company isn't interested in a fair contract, just busting the union."
A top manager, however, took "great exception" to Murphy's union-busting comment, and said that just two weeks ago, union rank-and-file were given a fair offer that they rejected.
The union has been without a contract for nearly a year. Lately, the stalemate has gotten ugly, as Murphy hit management with a charge of unfair labor practice for publicly disclosing the discussions of a closed-door meeting.
Earlier this year, a rider concerned that drivers might strike threw a hot cup of coffee at a bus driver.
Murphy, however, emphasized that even with the latest developments, there will be no work stoppage.
"The men and women I represent are committed to their jobs and will continue to ensure the buses run on time," said Murphy, who noted that the primary sticking points remain salaries and health insurance. "My clients just want a fair contract."
Robert Edie, the general manager for Lowell Transit Management Inc., the firm that employs the drivers, mechanics and service personnel, said: "I can't say much right now. It's still all pending."
Edie referred The Sun to James Scanlan, the LRTA administrator. Scanlan said management did reject binding arbitration, primarily because its expensive and there's no state law requiring it.
"But did he tell you they rejected our latest offer, just two weeks ago?" Scanlan said. "And after they rejected it, I gave them another week to reconsider. That doesn't sound like a union-buster to me."
Scanlan said the union rejected a 4 percent raise over two years. Plus, management would pay 75 percent of all health-care costs.
"That's better than what many of them have now," said Scanlan, referring to the health-care coverage. "I take great exception to the union-busting comment.
"I'm sure there's a lot of people in our area that have been laid off or have taken furloughs that would take an offer like that in a minute," Scanlan added.
In addition to Lowell, the LRTA operates 17 bus routes in Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury and Tyngsboro, as well as the downtown Lowell shuttle.

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