Two Sides of Prop. G Face Off

24 Divis
Photo by DavidTakesPics

Still not sure how you’ll vote on Prop G? The good folks at Ocean Beach Bulletin took Sup. Sean Elsbernd and the drivers union, TWU-250A, to task on Prop. G, which would remove the minimum pay guarantee in the city charter for Muni drivers. We saw a spirited discussion about Prop. G when we posted about Sup. Elsbernd’s ad two weeks ago. What do the two sides of Prop G have to say? Read on.

Elsbernd told the Ocean Beach Bulletin:

Prop. G could potentially deliver millions in funds for riders and operations that currently are spent on Muni drivers’ salaries and work rules. Prop. G eliminates the salary guarantee [in the city charter] that ensures Muni drivers are the second-highest paid in the country. Prop. G also resets Muni driver work rules that contribute to millions of dollars lost in systemwide inefficiencies. Prop. G does not generate new money for Muni from the City, state or federal government, but rather it allows Muni to use the money that it has more wisely, and to the greater benefit of Muni riders.

But TWU-250A disagrees:

Prop G doesn’t actually deal with any specific work rules. Proponents argue that Prop. G will give management an opportunity to bargain away certain work rules, but they flat-out misstate the facts about Muni drivers and the rules they work under.  Muni management has a tremendous amount of power to suspend, remove and fire operators for poor performance. In fact, under the existing collective bargaining agreement, management is even required to execute disciplinary proceedings quickly so drivers can either be terminated or get back to doing their jobs. Voters shouldn’t be confused: Prop. G doesn’t require any increased service, altered work rules or increased management accountability. It just punishes drivers.

You can read more about Prop G from Sup. Elsbernd and TWU-250A at Ocean Beach Bulletin. Have you changed your mind about Prop. G?

What’s your favorite F-Market streetcar?

F Market
Photo by Thomas Hawk

I don’t know about you, but when I have to take an F-Market, I do my best to relish the experience. That, despite sometimes excruciating wait times, burgeoning wait lines, absurd amounts of tourists …

One of my favorite things is the diversity of the fleet. Also, did you know there’s a non-profit organization devoted to preserving historic streetcars of San Francisco? It’s called Market Street Railway. And yes, they have a great website/blog. Check it out.

You probably already have some descriptors for the different types of streetcars out there. But take a look at MSR’s list of all the cars in the fleet, and let us know what your favorite is. There’s: the antique streetcars; the so-called Wheels of the World cars, and the various PCC streetcars. Each has its own unique charm and amenities. The mint green San Diego reminds me of cruising along a beach in an El Camino on a hot sunny day. Or is that just me?

Not even for a pop celebrity?

At the Treasure Island Music Festival last night, during Belle and Sebastian‘s head-lining set, affable frontman Stuart Murdoch asked the audience for fashion tips. It went something like this:

“Should I wear the hat? Well, see, earlier I was on the J-Church and when I got off, I left me hat on board. I tried to knock on the door, but the driver wasn’t having any of it.”

Sound familiar?

Besides being so danceable and amazing, B&S’s set referenced our fair city a couple of times (“Piazza, New York Catcher” and “Sukie in the Graveyard”). He was looking at the rad view of the city from Treasure Island, made even more beautiful by the Giants-orange-lit Coit Tower.

Perhaps one of Murdoch’s thousands of admiring SF fans can urge him to write a song that at least mentions Muni? I can see it, actually. The term “J-Church” rolled off his Scottish lips so easily …

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