Scores of Metro workers stormed out of a Metro board meeting, chanting “Who moves this city? We move this city!” in an organized demonstration Thursday morning, amid heightened tensions between the transit agency and its workforce.
Hundreds of union members just stormed out of board meeting chanting: "Who moves this city? We move this city!" #wmata pic.twitter.com/XN6hJdoszX
— Faiz Siddiqui (@faizsays) April 27, 2017
Speaking to reporters outside Metro headquarters shortly after the chanting exodus, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 President Jackie Jeter said Metro management is seeking concessions that would reduce the union’s total wage and benefits package by $100 million.
“They want to change everything: wages, pensions, health care, vacation,” she said.
She said management is not offering any wage increases in the next contract, while the union is seeking an annual 2 percent increase for the life of the contract. The last contract lasted four years; the length of the contract under negotiation has not been determined.
Jeter accused Wiedefeld of publicly saying that only future hires would have less-generous pension benefits, while at the same time negotiating to reduce the value of pensions for current employees as well.
Until now, Jeter has been mum about the details of the contract talks, citing an agreement with management that neither side would go public. But she said Wiedefeld broke the deal by outlining his long-term financial plan for Metro last week, in which he called for significant union concessions.
“He broke all silence,” Jeter said.
She criticized Wiedefeld’s plan to outsource some Metro operations, which could lead to the hiring of nonunion workers.
“He not only wants to privatize buses, but also station managers and janitorial services,” Jeter said.
The woman who led the chant, Jampsea Campbell, accused Wiedefeld of divisive tactics intended to break up the union. She said the union had come to Metro with thousands of signatures on petitions — written and electronic.
“Members of the board: You hired this man to run our system and move it forward,” she told board members. “It is my sincere hope that you did not bring him here to attack Metro’s workforce. To charge our riders more, cut back service, and destroy any confidence that the riding public has in the system — because that is exactly what Paul J. Wiedefeld has done.”
“Who moves this city?” she called out. “We move this city!”
Wiedefeld, peering over his shoulder at the demonstration, folded his hands in his lap and turned back to the board.