https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/04/unions-cleveland-cliffs-now-support-fight-to-oust-norfolk-southerns-ceo.html
https://www.smart-union.org/blet-buys-into-ancoras-promises/
Paragraph 1 on the Memorandum of Understanding (on the Smart-Union link above) was probably enough to swing the support. The forced usage of engineers on extra lists and pools as conductors was a huge bone of contention for the past few years.
Even if Ancora didn't gain control, the hiring of John Orr as COO cements NS' position in relation to following the PSR operating philospohy.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
So that everyone gets the picture, BLET has arranged a 'side deal' which SMART-TD does not support. Here's the direct link to their 'memorandum of understanding':
https://www.smart-union.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024.04.26_BLET-Ancora_memo.pdf
zugmann Even if Ancora didn't gain control, the hiring of John Orr as COO cements NS' position in relation to following the PSR operating philospohy.
Orr or Boychuk, what a choice. That's like deciding whether to vote for Kang or Kodos..........
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
I thought unions and employers together negotiated employment terms and agreements governing who can do what and for how much. Now I'm learning that unions may also negotiate with outside parties like activist investors. If BLET members and Teamsters have grievances then why not address them through the proper channels and at the bargaining table when the next round of contract negotiations come up? That's what the process is there for...no?
I voted my shares in favor of Alan Shaw and company. Somehow I'm just not convinced that someone with no railroad experience can run it any better.
UlrichI thought unions and employers together negotiated employment terms and agreements governing who can do what and for how much. Now I'm learning that unions may also negotiate with outside parties like activist investors. If BLET members and Teamsters have grieivances then why not address them through the proper channels and at the bargaining table when the next round of contract negotiations come up? That's what the process is there for...no? I voted my shares in favor of Alan Shaw and company. Somehow I'm just not convinced that someone with no railroad experience can run it any better.
I read that this agreement violates the NLRB rules for Unions.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
UlrichIf BLET members and Teamsters have grievances then why not address them through the proper channels and at the bargaining table when the next round of contract negotiations come up? That's what the process is there for...no?
I doubt there will be any more "real" negotiations. There will be a litel back-and-forth, A PEB, a TA, and finally congress will force it to be adopted.
And I doubt that throwing their lot in with an activist investor is the better option. Ancora's mandate is to "enhance" shareholder value over the short term, a goal that may not necessarily align with the goals of BLET and the Teamster membership. In the end they'll be back to the negotiating table either way. Thus far the stock has cratered since all of this nonsense began, and the unions are divided.. a loss all the way 'round.
UlrichAnd I doubt that throwing their lot in with an activist investor is the better option.
That's my thought, as well. Either way, I'd think that the end result will be that jobs will be lost...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
UlrichAnd I doubt that throwing their lot in with an activist investor is the better option. Ancora's mandate is to "enhance" shareholder value over the short term, a goal that may not necessarily align with the goals of BLET and the Teamster membership. In the end they'll be back to the negotiating table either way. Thus far the stock has cratered since all of this nonsense began, and the unions are divided.. a loss all the way 'round.
From my vantage point - back an 'activist investor' in a hostile takeover scheme is an act of suicide. While the enemy of my enemy may in some cases be my 'friend' when it comes to finances that 'friend' wants everything you think you have and more - more than you ever thought was possible.
I don't think this "memorandum of understanding" actually has any force at all. At best it's a promise to negotiate things NS currently won't. Whether it violates the NLRA is immaterial, railroads are governed by the RLA which allows things the NLRA doesn't.
Any negotiations would result in what's called a side agreement. They can supercede or augment the national contract only to those parties entering into them. It could be part of or an entire railroad. There is no time line as to when you can begin negotiations. All that's needed is for the parties involved agree to negotiate.
I would be leery of trusting Ancora. I would be surprised to see an actual agreement that gives the BLET what it wants so easily. I expect a Ancora controlled NS may be willing to give some items, like who runs the box on RC switch engines, fairly easy. Other items maybe not so much. They'll say we meant this, not what you (BLET) thinks it means. They'll want concessions on items unrelated and not thought of by the BLET. Then they'll get the dispute labeled as minor so the BLET can't strike over it. It'll go to arbitration and maybe BLET will eventually get what they wanted but at a price they didn't want or expect.
NS, and maybe all class ones, have already won something whether Ancora prevails or not. That's more distrust between unions and more distrust between membership and leadership within the same union.
Jeff
The Cleveland Plain Dealer on Thursday morning reported that Cleveland-Cliffs, one of NS's bigger customers, is supporting Ancora
NS is beginning to remind me of the Erie Railroad c1867-c1925, which also endured huge struggles and fights for control, resulting in a woeful property that was short on investment and long on financial hemorrhaging, to no one's long-term advantage.
NKP guyThe Cleveland Plain Dealer on Thursday morning reported that Cleveland-Cliffs, one of NS's bigger customers, is supporting Ancora NS is beginning to remind me of the Erie Railroad c1867-c1925, which also endured huge struggles and fights for control, resulting in a woeful property that was short on investment and long on financial hemorrhaging, to no one's long-term advantage.
So what kind of 'breaks' does Cleveland-Cliffs expect to get with Ancora that they would not get with NS present managment. No corporation does anything out of the 'goodness of their heart'!
Since we have an example of their modus operanti -- I'd expect a MoU from Ancora that guarantees Cleveland Cliffs better of cheaper service to their mills or other facilities. Be interesting to see whether Cleveland Cliffs or other customers have filed complaints with the STB...
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