TriMet Brothers and Sisters,

Earlier this week, we posted a Memorandum of Agreement regarding impending layoffs at TriMet. The layoffs announced by the employer are devastating for the members and families who will be affected, and I understand the frustration, disappointment, and anger that many of you are feeling.

I want to be clear about what this Memorandum of Agreement is, and what it is not. This agreement does not create the layoffs or approve them. The employer made the decision to eliminate positions, and we cannot keep them from doing that. Our responsibility as your union is to enforce the protections we have previously negotiated, hold the employer accountable to the collective bargaining agreement, and negotiate every additional protection we could obtain for our members. And ultimately, to keep as many jobs as possible.

Much of this MOA is not new, but rather brings together, in one document, the various layoff rights and procedures that already exist in our contract. That may not sound significant, but it is. By putting those provisions in one place, we reduce confusion, create clear expectations for both members and management, and make it more difficult for the employer to misapply or ignore contractual protections during a stressful and complicated process.

Where we had the opportunity to improve upon the contract, we did. We pushed for additional protections, greater clarity, and better treatment for members throughout the layoff process. We did not get everything we asked for. We rarely do. But we did not stop advocating until we had secured the strongest agreement that was realistically available under the circumstances.

I know that some members may wish there had been no agreement at all. I respect those feelings. But refusing to negotiate would not have stopped the layoffs. It would only have left members with fewer clear protections and more uncertainty. Our obligation is to protect members in every circumstance, including the difficult ones.

Our work is not over. We will continue monitoring the employer's implementation of the layoffs, enforcing the contract, filing grievances where necessary, assisting affected members, and fighting for opportunities to restore service and bring our members back to work.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their concerns, asked hard questions, and remained engaged throughout this process. We will continue communicating as additional information becomes available, and we encourage any member with questions about how the MOA applies to their individual situation to reach out to your union representatives.

In Solidarity,

Bruce Hansen

ATU 757 President-Business Representative