MAY NEWSLETTER
Union Membership Meeting Notice
~Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 7:30PM in Union Hall,
~Friday, May 12, 2006, at 10:00AM in the Union Office,
~Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 7:30PM
~Executive Board
3049 South 36TH ST (rear of Bldg) (Union Hall Map)
10828 Gravelly Lake DR. SW, #202
Longshoreman’s Hall, 627 14th AVE (Longview) (Longshoreman's Hall Map)
Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 3:00PM (Union Office)
Sonya Ogden, Rec.Sec./Newsletter Editor
Pattie Clark, Union Sec./Online Newsletter Editor
President’s Report
Isaac O. Tate, President/B.A.
president@atu758.org
Our Members – Dedicated to the Job
As Union President it is not uncommon to hear individuals from different work groups or classifications state the importance of their positions to this agency and its inability to survive without them. It’s usually someone from the Operator ranks or our Mechanics and Maintenance members the two (2) largest groups. But this local represents members from other work groups also. They may be less visible and in smaller numbers but they interact on a daily basis with more members of the public than our Operators, and do an admirable job of maintaining the integrity of service provided by this transit agency. The group I speak of are our members in the Specialized Transportation Department. This includes our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), Shuttle Dispatchers and Schedulers.
Here’s the story. In February Specialized Transportation implemented a “new” scheduling/dispatching software program ADEPT/STRATAGEN. It’s been downhill ever since. The system has generated a record number of customer complaints, cost overruns, contractor, staff and Union complaints. Our CSR(s) who interact with the public on a daily basis have been the subject of “verbal abuse” from shuttle passengers who have come to rely on the shuttle service as a reliable mode of transportation to workshops, Doctor’s appointments, shopping and treatment programs to name a few. They care about these passengers and at times have been put in the uncomfortable position of sometimes relaying (because of the system) unreliable information to the passengers causing long waits and or no pick-ups.
In February in a three (3) week period six to eight (6-8) dispatchers and schedulers incurred approximately three-hundred (300) hours of overtime. In March 370 hours and April to date 359 hours and climbing. (Also in the two (2) month period due to routing inefficiencies, fuel usage is 7,000 gals over projected budget excluding the month of April.) Per documentation received April 10, 2006 emergency conditions were declared. These folks have been working “seven” day workweeks with no time off to address their personal and/or family issues and Doctor’s appointments. This has caused disruption in their personal lives and increased stress levels almost to the breaking point. (Management has tried to address this issue with the hiring of three (3) more schedulers/dispatchers in the department).
A “promise” was made at a public forum addressing these Specialized Transportation issues, the service would be “back” to pre – ADEPT levels by May 1, 2006. We will see what happens.
In the meantime our members continue to do their jobs in the most professional manner possible, being an integral and vital part of this Agency, and it is the Unions hope that when this system is up and running in a proficient manner that these folks are appropriately recognized for the sacrifices they have and continue to endure.Photo Infractions
During the month of March the City of Lakewood began an educational program for its citizens and the riding public. The program is called the “Photo Infraction Project” to monitor and record motor vehicle speed in Residential Areas and School Zones. In a test program in 2003 using radar enforcement the average speed in school zones was reduced to “25 mph”. To make a long story short, several of our members from different work groups received “warnings” as the City of Lakewood sought to educate individuals where school zones were, and after a learning period would issue the “real” photo infraction.
This is where the Union and the members have an issue. (1) This infraction is “not” considered a moving violation. It will not appear on a driving record or on your WA state Driver’s license abstract nor will it increase your insurance rates. (2) It is similar to a parking ticket. Pierce Transit to my knowledge has never disciplined anyone for “parking infractions” which are the equivalent of photo infractions (whether it was a warning or not) and is not listed as a transgression in regards to positive performance counseling. (Operators Manual)
Alas, Pierce Transit has decided to take the heaviest – handed approach possible. The third step in positive performance counseling the “written reminder”. In discussion with one of the Assistant Managers, he stated the inability to look at issues on a case by case basis so the “cookie cutter” effect works best for them. Treat everybody the same, not as individuals. This particular manager also had the audacity to tell the member in my presence that the Union limits his ability to judge individuals on a case by case basis. My response… don’t sit here and tell a member that. This Union has always advocated that our members are treated as individuals and your job is to manage. The City of Lakewood realized if you have intent to punish someone you must at least give them some kind of warning about what’s coming down the road. Not Pierce Transit. Pierce Transit decided the “slap” was the most appropriate way. What was, or is wrong with a verbal counseling – “you have been warned”. Evidently they feel we don’t respond well to verbal counseling and we need a little slapping every now and then regardless of effect on morale or an individual’s pride.
V.P. Lane Chase and I did address this issue with V.P. of Operations Jane Seymore and my understanding was it was her intent to discuss this with the Operations Staff. Unfortunately the Union per contract cannot “grieve” a written reminder. Management has the right up until suspensions without pay, demotions, decision making leave or dismissal to administer discipline. This has not changed in over 25 years. (Article XI – Discipline and Discharge pg. 12-13 Section D).
More discussion will be on-going. This is an issue that concerns the Union, and while what we do on behalf of the membership and individual members in most cases are not known, (we respect confidentiality) you won’t find us in the lobby violating our members rights by discussing issues that may or may not adversely affect said member. We will keep you posted.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lane Chase, Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.orgTO THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL 758, MANY OF YOU OFTEN EXPRESS THE THOUGHT, “WHAT DOES THE UNION DO?” WELL, IN ORDER TO TRY AND ANSWER THAT QUESTION HERE IS A VERBATIM COPY OF A LETTER I WROTE TO TRANSIT. THIS IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MIRADE OF TASKS AND DUTIES. WHILE I HOPE THE LETTER GENERATES THE DESIRED RESULT FROM TRANSIT, ONLY TIME WILL TELL. I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU TO KNOW JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T HEAR SOMETHING RIGHT AWAY OR EVERYDAY ABOUT AN ISSUE, DOESN’T MEAN IT IS GONE OR ABANDONED. MANY ISSUES ARE VERY COMPLEX AND TAKE WHAT SEEMS FOREVER TO RESOLVE, EVEN ONES THAT LOOK RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE. MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT ARISE DON’T JUST FALL UNDER CLEAR CUT CATEGORIES, THEREBY MAKING A SIMPLE ISSUE A CONUNDRUM. THIS LETTER WAS PRINTED ON OFFICIAL UNION LETTER HEAD WHEN SENT TO PIERCE TRANSIT.
10828 Gravelly Lake Drive
Suite #202
Lakewood, Washington 98499May 3, 2006
Mr. Joe Larson
Risk ManagerDear Joe,
Subject: Pierce Transit Policies/ Public Perception/ Employee Perception
I am writing in regards to Pierce Transit policies, and public perception and employee perception. Specifically the “Catastrophic Disease Policy” and the “Smoking Policy Statement” and how they intertwine with public and employee perception. Transit has had these policies in effect for a long time. What has not been done is an update of the policies in regards to passage of time, accepted social practices and new laws.
The Catastrophic Disease Policy states diseases such as cancer; diabetes etc. can have a dramatic effect on the worker. The policy deals with the risk that an employee’s disease is going to have on their co-workers, and the riding public. At no point does the policy address the habits of co-workers or the riding public, which may have a direct effect on the worker who has the disease. In fact the Catastrophic Disease Policy as written implies the infected operator can only infect others and not the other way around. The policy also states that Transit will also plan and enact the steps necessary to accommodate the employee’s illness.
The Smoking Policy Statement in the first sentence states, “Pierce Transit is dedicated to providing a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees. This object can only be achieved through the ongoing efforts to protect non-smokers and to help smokers adjust to restrictions.” This policy also states Smoking is “Public Enemy #1”, “non-smokers can experience severe distress and discomfort when exposed to second hand smoke.” The policy goes on to talk about other adverse conditions and costs associated with second hand smoke. Since 1987 Transit has prohibited smoking in virtually all of its facilities, except transit centers.
New legislation further restricts smoking in public areas. While these laws may not be easily enforceable, the Union feels there should at least be an attempt to comply with the law. The Union feels it would be in the best interest of its employees and the public to establish smoking and non-smoking areas at transit centers. At the present time Transit has a smoking policy that basically only addresses its employees at the base and ignores the rest of its workforce and riding public. What Transit is presently doing is in direct conflict with its own policies and the newly passed legislation. Our passenger base has a very high percentage of smokers who are directly affecting Transit’s employees and other passengers, by endangering them with second hand smoke. Many of our passengers cannot drive and must use the bus, thereby forcing them to be exposed to second hand smoke. It would be in the best interest of the health of Transit’s employees and the non-smoking riding public to have smoking and non-smoking areas established. Recently one of the assistant managers made the statement that even the police don’t enforce this law. While this may be true it does not excuse Transit from complying with the law, or at least attempting to. I do not think Transit would allow one of its employees to simply ignore a law because it is not actively enforced. This is new legislation and is still being deciphered as to how it applies to different situations. The Union feels the creation of smoking/non-smoking areas would benefit the public and employee health/safety. The image that Transit really cares would be created. A side benefit would also be a reduced interaction between driver/passenger complaints and about where smoking can occur. As an example, some agencies have non-smoking boarding platforms, with designated smoking areas. This would protect the health of Transit’s employees and their customers. Another side benefit would be to remove the driver/passenger interaction regarding second hand smoke and how close to the entrance of the bus a smoker can be. Finally, and arguably the most important benefit might be the preservation of someone’s health, life, and job, let alone the reduced medical insurance costs to Transit. We all know that, all too often, if the operator says something to protect their health, the next day they are in the office trying to protect their job. It is a sad day when you have to sacrifice your health just to keep your job.
The time has come for Transit to step up to the plate and do the right thing for everyone concerned. The costs of implementing this would be relatively minimal, while the cost savings and improvement in customer relations and morale could be astronomical. The Union would appreciate Pierce Transit looking into and developing a plan for establishment of smoking/nonsmoking areas at transit centers.
Thank you for looking into this matter in advance, Lane Chase V/P ABA Local 758
Cc. Lynn Griffith
Jane Seymore
Marnie Slakey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don McKnight
Financial Secretary/TreasurerOur audit is finished and sent to International. I had the opportunity to attend Rex Longen’s arbitration. This is not my first arbitration, but I always learn something and hopefully I had a small contribution to a positive outcome. We should hear something in the next couple of months from the arbitrator so stay tuned.
A relief operator talked with me because she was upset that she had no idea she was able to apply for the shuttle dispatcher positions recently filled. She said that she had been told by S&T and an assistant manager that new employees weren’t eligible for promotion until they had been on the property two years. Apparently this is not the case as two people around her were hired. This employee’s concern has been brought to HR. If you’re interested I guess you should apply and let them deny your application. Don’t assume that you’re not qualified if you fail to have the minimum qualifications. The other issue is the poor placement of job openings in building 4. The postings are in a bad location. Unless you’re specifically looking for a hiring opportunity you probably wouldn’t look down the hall.
Prevent the Discipline BEWARE: getting a DUI in your personal car could lead to the unemployment line. Last November D.O.T. moved to eliminate the ability of local judges to give deferrals to commercial drivers pulled over for DUI. The first offense is a one year suspension of your license. Guess what happens to your livelihood. I would never condone driving while intoxicated but I will admit to possibly driving my personal vehicle when I could have been pushing the limit. With the new standard of .08% it doesn’t take much to violate the law. It seems really heavy handed to me to take away one’s livelihood for something this state doesn’t even consider a felony. Protect your earning potential or the Feds will take it away.Just about anyone that has driven through Lakewood lately may feel like you’re driving through one big speed trap with the school zones in the area. Some of them run from 7AM – 11PM and appear to be 7 days a week unless indicated differently. Numerous employees have received what Lakewood calls a “Photo Infraction”. My understanding is that it is basically treated by Lakewood similarly to a parking citation. As far as we can tell nothing appears on your driving record. This doesn’t stop you from receiving discipline from Pierce Transit though. For some this has put them into a suspension status. Watch your speed, especially in Lakewood. If you're in doubt drive 20 mph. I hope to see you at one of the next union cycle of meetings in May.
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Executive Board Report This is a friendly reminder for all the Brothers and Sisters of Local 758. As a Shop Steward and a Union member I would like to make a request to all reading this newsletter. As we all work together things happen to us everyday at work and in our personal lives. It truly bothers me and our brothers and sisters when people start rumors and gossip about other members. May I suggest that if you have a need to know information about another member, be man or woman enough to ask that person? If someone tells you something in confidence please respect their request and keep it to yourself. If you don't have all the facts don't embellish what you have and claim it to be gospel by spreading it around, like a school child that can't distinguish truth from fiction.
We are here to help one another, support one another not tear each other down with lies, rumors and gossip. Look up the word Union this is part of the definition from the Webster’s online dictionary: 1. the formation of a single political unit from two or more separate and independent units something that is made one: something formed by a combining or coalition of parts or members; as a confederation of independent individuals (as nations or persons) for some common purpose. Let's work as a unit instead of individuals. We have more strength and power working together!!! In Solidarity.
Deborah E Brown, Service Supervisor E-Board Officer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In June of 2005, President/Business Agent Isaac Tate’s headline for our newsletter was Please slow down we are getting paid by the hour. To reiterate this I’m asking you to slow down and be aware of your surroundings, including school zones. Also, keep in mind that some of the times have changed for the school zones. When you slow down in these areas and you are not able to make up your time for connections, make sure you annotate this on the scheduling surveys that we receive after each shake up. Pierce Transit considers speeding as a safety infraction. This safety comes above courtesy to our passengers.
Lamarr Bond, E-Board Officer, Operator Position I
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Golf Tournament: This year we are having a Golf Tournament with a modified shotgun start and scramble format, let’s come out and have some fun. The tournament will be held at Whispering Firs Golf Course on McChord AFB, July 9, 2006 starting at 8:30 AM. So come out and have some fun and bring a non perishable food item for the food bank. Please start filling out registration forms and getting them in by June 28th, 2006.
Safety Committee: The Safety Committee would like to have more feedback on the silicone seats on some of the new low floor buses, so please fill out the survey form. Coach number 201 and 202 has the metro style mirrors on them and we would like to hear form you. Maintenance will be putting new cup holders on coaches 801 through 826. Maintenance is also asking that we stop tying the shoulder belt in knots this puts stress on the belt. You should contact somebody from Safety and Training to get a clip for the shoulder belt.
If you are still having problems with your route, please use a route and schedule form to write up your route. There is a form for shuttle drivers too. Be Safe!
Tyrone Ross, E-Board Officer, Operations Position II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Like a broken record. Some things never change in life. I guess the old adage, the only thing certain in life are death and taxes has a new wrinkle. It is dispatch calling out in mind numbing regularity for buses to hold at every transit center in the system, because such and such bus is running late and to please hold. My question to management is; give us and our passengers a break and do something about these impossible schedules. It's always been, wink, wink we know the schedules are too tight, but the drivers will speed and take unnecessary risks for the company. Pierce Transit is a self insured business. The buck stops here when it comes to paying out for liability with our paying public. At times this company hemorrhages money in liability payments. At what point does the expense of adding time to our runs lessen the cost of liability because the drivers have the time operate their coaches in a safer more efficient manner. Think of the additional good will it creates by being able to take an extra few seconds to interact act with our passengers. People ride more often when they have a safe, gratifying experience. With a new CEO on board, hopefully there will be some new vision and realism to our daily task of really running a safe, first class operation and putting Pierce Transit at the forefront of public transportation. If you want something different; do something different.
Barry Aiton, Executive Board Officer, Position III
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Grievances
Rex Longen-Specialized Transportation Dispatcher demoted, arbitration concluded April 3 & 4, 2006 – decision pending.Stephen Cunningham – Facilities Custodian, alleged attendance violation, issued Decision Making Leave – reduced to Written Reminder – settlement offer accepted.
Sylvie Pelesasa – Transit Operator, two (2) day suspension, alleged attendance violation – Step 1 Grievance meeting held April 21, 2006 – decision pending – settlement discussions.