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Laborers nternational of North America AFL-CIO Local #576 November 10,20'1.4 Mr. Austin Vice Chair - MSD Board Louisville & Jefferson County MSD 700WestLiberty Street Louisville, KY 40203-1911 Dear Mr. Austin: our letter dated November 4, 2014, which mentions your concern for th e erosion of public trust in the services f MSD. I share hat concern, o I am writing to clarify the numerous errors in your letter. As you will see n the Cc list below, I also am copying many officials who guard the public trust in our city and our commonwealth. am attaching a copy of your November 4 letter f or their benefit. First, we must correct your charge hat clear threats including directing MSD workers to walk out on strike were presented at the Board meeting. No threat to direct a strike was made at that meeting. The only mention of a strike came rom a worker speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the Cenhal Maintenance Facility. He never threatened o strike. He only mentioned that he and his coworkers had voted to strike, and he noted that the vote preceded he workers' collected efforts to get you to do the right thing. I am attaching a copy of that worker's speech or the benefit of you and this letter's readers. Second, we are confused by your commenf [t]he biggeststicking point is the arbitration process, which is followed by a reference o binding arbitration. The Union moved past binding arbitration long ago. Although that originally was a grave concern for us, we conceded t in a good-faith effort to reach compromise with MSD. We are discouraged hat your letter demonstrates uch a poor grasp of our bargaining history. Third, we must correct the way you characterize he final contract offer from Local 576. Youcall it a proposal. You even appear o present a counteroffer when you detail the advisory arbitration process you prefer. Let us be clear. The contract anguage he Union gave you on October 27,20'1.4, s its last, best, and final offer.
