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July
13, 2007
To:
All Train & Engine Employees
Attached
to this letter is the
first two pages (of three total pages) of an internal
Metro North memo, dated 2/24/02, utilized in response from
Metro North to an inquiry from CDOT regarding the subsidy
and support arrangement provided ACRE by the MTA. CDOT's
interest in the subject was created by a letter forwarded
to the agency from a UTU Vice-President notifying CDOT of
the MTA's compensation arrangement with ACRE. The UTU letter
was sent after a suggestion offered by a Connecticut State
Representative.
Review
items #3 and #6 in the memo. Item #3 states “Metro North
benefited from the job assignments, which resulted in substantial
cost savings to the company”. Item #6 states “What we do
know that compensation to these officials for services performed
for Metro North is in OUR interests.”
Exhibit
“A” mentioned in #3 appears to be an agreement for Bottalico
and Doyle to receive compensation from the MTA. In a 12/8/00
letter distributed to the ACRE membership, ACRE referred
to an agreement between the organization and the MTA to
provide compensation to Doyle and Bottalico. This agreement
has never been produced for member review, even though a
copy has been requested on several occasions by ACRE members.
Subsequent to the 12/8/00 letter, ACRE had denied a separate
agreement exists.
The
“services performed” by ACRE has never been clearly defined.
The MTA has provided obscure information in response to
requests regarding ACRE compensation from outside agencies.
The
only commodity controlled by ACRE that may produce cost
savings for the MTA is the organizations policing and protection
of the collective bargaining agreement. ACRE's mandate and
primary responsibility is to represent member interests.
Upon review of item #6, it appears ACRE's prime focus is
to reduce the MTA's operating costs, apparently through
labor concessions.
ACRE
members should have been informed from the beginning of
the organization's operation of any negotiated contractual
restrictions preventing ACRE from fulfilling the organization's
primary obligation to protect membership rights and interests.
The
MTA's expectations of a return on their ACRE investment
are self explanatory. These opinions are clearly defined
in items #3 and #6. This memo was acquired in late June.
Each item in the memo referring to ACRE compensation issues
has prompted a response, complete with any necessary supporting
documentation.
Sincerely,
Art
May
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