Rescue Muni

The Rescue Muni Board would like to cordially invite our members to our biannual Candidates’ Forum on Monday, September 13th, 2010 @ 6:30pm in the SF County Fair Building.

Where does your district’s candidate stand on the proposed service restoration, crime, POP, Prop AA, and Prop G? Rescue Muni members are invited to vote for their preferred candidates for endorsement – we have invited the leading candidates from districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 to speak and take your questions. If your membership has expired, you can renew at the meeting.

Details:

Monday, Sept 13th 6:30-9:45
SF County Fair Building, Garden Club Room
9th Ave and Lincoln Way
(In the park, nearby suggested routes N, 6, 43, 44, 66, 71)

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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Mark your calendar for our next General Meeting on Tuesday, April 27, at 6:30 pm, at the Harvey Milk Arts Center in Duboce Park. Supervisor Elsbernd will discuss his proposed charter amendment (endorsed by our board) to revise the City Charter to remove the wage minimum for MTA operators, and also to set new rules regarding arbitration of work rules and wages. We have also invited a representative from the Transport Workers Union to explain why they are in opposition.

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Join us for our spring General Membership Meeting on Monday, March 30, at 6 pm, to learn about the budget problems facing the Municipal Transportation Agency and the effect the budget deficit is likely to have on your commute. We have invited Sonali Bose of the MTA Director’s office to discuss the budget and take your questions.

Also, we will have an update on the Transbay Terminal project, California High Speed Rail, and possible stimulus package funding from Emilio Cruz of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (and former Municipal Railway Director). Come with your tough questions on this critical regional transportation project.

The meeting is on Monday, March 30 at 6 pm at SPUR, 312 Sutter (at Grant), 5th floor. Refreshments will be served. See you there!

Where do your district’s candidates for Supervisor stand on issues of Muni funding, transit priority, the Transit Effectiveness Project, downtown parking, and standards for selecting new MTA Board nominees? Find out at our biannual Candidates’ Forum. Rescue Muni members are invited to vote for their preferred candidates for endorsement – we have invited the leading candidates from districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11 to speak and take your questions. If your membership has expired, you can renew at the meeting.

Details:
Rescue Muni General Meeting & Candidates’ Forum
Wednesday, October 8, 6 p.m. (note the earlier time – the meeting will be long)
SPUR, 312 Sutter (at Grant), 5th Floor
Transit Access: Muni 2, 3, 4, 30, 45; BART or Muni Metro to Powell Station

Refreshments will be served. See you there!