On October 28th, The Golden Gate Bridge Labor Coalition, composed of 15 unions that represent workers on the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Ferry and Golden Gate Transit, held an informational picket outside of the Golden Gate Bridge District Board of Directors meeting. The coalition, which includes including the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU), has been negotiating with the District for seven months to achieve a fair contract.
“We are picketing to protest the Districts unrelenting and unfair demand for major cuts and givebacks in every contract,” said San Francisco IBU Regional Director and Coalition Chairperson, Marina Secchitano.
“In 2004 we agreed to $650,000 in reductions of our members’ benefits,” Ms. Secchitano explained. “Not satisfied with our members sacrifice, the District has demanded more concessions in every contract since. Meanwhile Bridge District management has negotiated substantial increases in their own salaries and pensions. Our members have run out of patience with the gross
unfairness and inequality of this situation.”
The Coalition is concerned by the attempts to retroactively cut the medical benefits of retired employees.
“These people devoted their working lives to the District. They are entitled to receive the health care that they were promised.” Secchitano said. “We will not abandon our retired members.”