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Guest
Just saw that on my morning info-feed. Whatever county Duluth is in the union voted to reject latest offer. So if the big storm comes this weekend it might get interesting.
Its St. Louis County, largest in the state by size, and covers a HUGE area all the way to the Canadian border. Was actually talking to a driver two weeks ago south of Tower, he wasn't exactly in favor of having to take time off for this, and he knows people are going to start to cry quickly when they can't get around as they did (Even though they are sending out managers and other licensed people to drive the plows).
We saw the effects of it first hand when we were there, by the drivers refusing to plow out park and rides along Hwy 53 north of Virginia. This was their first visible push to get a contract agreement. Obviously didn't work.
We saw the effects of it first hand when we were there, by the drivers refusing to plow out park and rides along Hwy 53 north of Virginia. This was their first visible push to get a contract agreement. Obviously didn't work.
Its probably an "annual" or by calendar year contract, that expired on 12/31/19 - two weeks is probably the cooling off period. They can walk tonight at midnight.
oldguy
Member
Looks like the only way to get around up here is by sleds this weekend. The state Highways like 169, I-35, and 53 are plowed by the state and should not be effected as much. It will be the smaller county and township roads that will be effected the most.
FYI the snowmobile trail conditions in Northern St Louis County is the best it has been in years this past week.
FYI the snowmobile trail conditions in Northern St Louis County is the best it has been in years this past week.
What was the real date that the contract expired?
Correct, they are negotiating 2020 thru 2022 contract. The BA for the Union boasted on the TV he hopes they get a ton of snow. The "unfairness" the union is claiming is simply misinformation. If you read the contract the members are being compensated fairly and in the unions words "generously" by the county. The safety of the taxpayers in St Louis county is being leveraged in order to secure additional sick leave payout upon retirement. 350 hours to be exact, from the current 1,150 to 1,500 to employees hired after 2013. Employees hired before then are allowed 1900 hours to be paid out upon retirement. Those hours get paid into a health savings account.
if the above numbers are correct and that is the main reason they went on strike my opinion is that they are foolish. They want to be able to carry over MORE sick time then 1,150hrs (143 days). Any one else on here able to carry over more then lets say 160hrs.?
I personally know nothing about this situation other then the info posted above and the little heard on the news but if you are receiving a good paycheck, have good family heath insurance you are crazy to strike over wanting to be able to carry over 350 additional hrs when you are already able to carry 1,150 hrs. Good luck to all involved, we all want more but sometimes have to except the fact what we already have is not all that bad.
goofy600
Well-known member
So do use or do you opt to lose it?
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Guest
There are always at least two sides to every story. Sometimes 4 or 5. Really hard for me to take sides on this one. The timing could turn out to be really bad though. Hope nobody has a heart attack and dies because the ambulance couldn't make it through the snow.
Taxpayers are represented by their county officials. There's a mediation group between the county and union.