The Process Works

ECAT Employee and Union President Michael Lowery's termination has been overturned by an arbitratror.

The process works.

It isn't always pretty, it certainly isn't perfect, and it definitely isn't timely--- but it works.

The process of employee discipline, together with rules, ordinances, state and federal law-- combined with processes and procedures outlined in collective bargaining agreements for covered employees to appeal such discipline---- can all blend together and become opaque and circuitous.

Case in point:  Mike Lowery.

He was terminated by administration many, many months ago and he has fought this termination ever since.  Through various stages of appeals--he has stayed the course.

Now--whether or not we believe he was right or wrong--the arbitrator has spoken--and he will be reinstated.

From an evening email received by the board yesterday:

Commissioners,

 Please be aware the Arbitrator in the Lowery matter concluded there was just cause to discipline, but due to the lack of previous/progressive discipline, the termination was reduced to a 3-day suspension without pay.  Lowery must be reinstated and made whole for lost wages/benefits.  The Arbitrator will retain jurisdiction for 60 days for implementation of the remedy.

 Current ECAT management and HR are aware.  Please don’t reply all.

 Alison 

Movement Begins for Revocation of Certification of Operational Unit of Amalgamated Transit Union in Escambia County

I received the below copy of a petition filed with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) over the weekend.  I was somewhat surprised to see it, so I spoke with our attorney about it.  Apparently, there is a movement afoot by a portion of membership of this union to get out from under representation by ATU.  I'm told this does NOT include the ECAT employees -but rather just the other categories of ATU employees as listed on this petition.  It appears, from the petition filed with PERC, as if 90 of the 215 employees currently represented (nearly 42% of the membership) have signed statements of interest signaling that they "no longer desire to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining by the certified bargaining agent."   See the petition pictured, below.