Live reporting by
Sherrie Smith
With bus operators, riders and union supporters calling for an operators' contract, SMART General Manager Dwight Ferrell assured everyone that if operators accept the current offer, existing benefits will not be cut and operators would be the highest paid in the state.
Sherrie So Ultra
@SherrieSoUltra
I’ll be live-tweeting the SMART, Board of Directors Meeting at 2:00pm today, July 25th for #DETdocumenters
@DetDocumenters
Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @Michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
@DetDocumenters
Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @Michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
10:15 AM Jul 25, 2024 CDT
If you feel there are errors or corrections needed to these tweets or you have questions, please contact documenters@outliermedia.org
While you wait for today’s meeting can watch the recording from the Special Board Meeting in July 8th here:
youtube.com/live/yEthYEZY2…
Looks like we’re waiting for the Board to come into the meeting room
🗣️ PUBLIC COMMENT 🗣️ Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak
In-person: Mr. Cunningham stated this is the worse he has ever seen SMART, the drivers need to have a contract, have more amenities, and keep their pensions
In-person: Dialysis patient says SMART drops dialysis patients off on the street on Lahser and makes them walk when she is at risk of fainting and is disappointed the workers are working without a contract. Every since SMART got that millage the service has been terrible
In-person: Member of Transit Riders United cited statistics from the Smarter Mobility Report
In-person: K. Colon, President of Amalgamated Transit Union spoke to Reggie recent statements in regards to contract negotiations
In-person: Bus rider says her mother has Dementia and she has MS and recent buses not showing up caused her to walk 3/4 of a mile. Also, felt that the issues with contracts should be handled in house and it shouldn’t effect the public
In-person: Local 26, President, S. Collier stated that understanding and not having enough drivers creates a hostile work environment that endangers bus operators/drivers.
In-person: SMART driver and Steward for Local 1564 stated that leadership calling out the unions created a hostile environment and reminded the board that all SMART workers are voters
In-person: visiting Union member from Vancouver stated that their union is currently in strike action due to not having a contract since last October
In-person: Southfield resident stated the 405 route has still been missing. She has to call customer service 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time to ask if there is a bus and driver for the route. “You need to right size…You can’t rob Pete in Troy to let Paul ride in Novi “
One member of the Board responded to the commenter that asked if he ever worked without a contract. He stated that he worked under concessions and it was a different time. And SMART is not cutting anybody’s pensions but proposed 401k with match for new employees
NEW BUSINESS - 11c
5310 is code for enhanced mobility for seniors and people with mobility issues as well as low income
5310 is code for enhanced mobility for seniors and people with mobility issues as well as low income
The resolution for item 11c was APPROVED after A LOT of discussion
NEW BUSINESS
11e - APPROVED
11f - APPROVED
11h - APPROVED
11i - APPROVED
11j - APPROVED
11e - APPROVED
11f - APPROVED
11h - APPROVED
11i - APPROVED
11j - APPROVED
Vice Chair stated that the board will be going into closed sessions to discuss current negotiations
I’m attending today’s meeting via live YouTube stream. It appears that@ Board Members have left the table except Dr. Curtis Ivery
The Vice Chair motioned to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:41pm
There was no discussion or announcement after the closed session
This concludes my live-tweeting of the SMART, Board of Directors Meeting for 7/25/24. For more meeting coverage, check out:
detroit.documenters.org