What helped us win in Chittenden

IN RESPONSE to "Wrong about Chittenden contract": If Mr. Rabideau is telling the truth, and if he worked 52 weeks a year with no vacations, his salary at $25 an hour would be $91,000 a year. Last I checked, he took vacations and his total compensation was well over $100,000 a year.

Nate Bergeron did not attend a single Sunday Breakfast Club (SBC) meeting until well after it was founded. We got a better contract because of rank-and-file activism and a credible strike threat.

In the final negotiation session, Chittenden County Transit Authority (CCTA) management was scared to death of a strike. In the end, the local leadership and the CCTA rank and file stood together because a 52-6 rejection of the proposed contract was a wake up call to the local, and the CCTA. Our unity won the day.

The rank-and-file solidarity we showed was overwhelming, and the local and management had to take notice.

WE worked, without help, to gain inter-union solidarity. WE, in fact, faced resistance from the local. WE worked, without help, to gain public support. WE spent our money and time to win a better contract. WE are proud of the work we did, and we will remain united and strong, and we stand prepared to support all who stood with us.

And we will remember those who attempted to impede our progress. An attack on one worker is an attack on all workers.
James G. Fouts, Fairfax, Vt.