AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Union Membership Meeting Notice

~Thursday, August 10, 2006, at 7:30PM in Union Hall,
3049 South 36TH ST (rear of Bldg) (Union Hall Map)

~Friday, August 11, 2006, at 10:00AM in the Union Office,
10828 Gravelly Lake DR. SW, #202

~Tuesday, August 15, 2006, at 7:30PM
Longshoreman’s Hall, 627 14th AVE (Longview) (Longshoreman's Hall Map)

~Executive Board
Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 3:00PM (Union Office) (Union Office Map)

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

Update on Union Issues:

     Thanks to “everyone” that volunteered and participated in our annual “ATU Golf Tournament” and Picnic. The names of all who volunteered are too numerous to mention and less I miss someone, I want to thank you all.
     We had a great turnout at both events and everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves.
     We had approximately “28” teams that wanted to participate in the tournament, so the teams that were late registering (of which there were quite a few the last 2 days) were unable to participate. It pays to register early.
     Recreation Chair and E-Board Officer Tyrone Ross, VP Lane Chase and E-Board Officer Barry Aiton were the movers and shakers behind the organization of the tournament, and a special thanks to our Administrative Assistant Pattie Clark & her husband Jeff who runs Whispering Firs Golf Course, for their help.
     Tyrone along with Larry Dahlin special events “guru”, did a lot of the organizational work in setting up the picnic and those of you who volunteered your services really made it the success it was. We were also glad to see some of the retirees that came out, and hope to see more of them next year. We tried to better accommodate you with a closer designated parking area with a lot flatter ground, and moved some reserved tables closer to the food service area. Those who came out seemed pleased by the arrangement, so we’ll look forward to seeing more of you next year.

Around the Workplace

     One of the topics of our Labor/Management meeting was the acceleration problems we are encountering on the newer low floor New Flyer series bus #190 and above and deceleration problems on the 300 series.
     Well, the acceleration issue on the 40 footers should be resolved. It involved a recalibration and bus #192 was actually trucked back to the manufacturer to resolve the issue.
     The deceleration issue on the #300 series was a case of a six-speed transmission bus running down a freeway in 6th gear, and upon lifting one’s foot from the accelerator it would downshift to 5th gear and lock-up. In 5th gear of course the speed is then reduced. This issue should be taken care of by the 2nd week of August. I would also like to note, these issues are manufacturer problems and are not in any way a reflection of our Maintenance members who do an excellent job of maintaining our entire fleet of vehicles.
     Gel Seat replacement will only be done when a coach is written up with a specific problem (ie sides blown out, cushion flat in middle, missing cushion etc.) There was a thought process that the fleet would be retrofitted, that is not the case, but if it is broke they will fix it.
     Tight Runs – these were also addressed at the Labor/Mgmt meeting. There will be information forthcoming regarding planning and scheduling activity (please check the bulletin boards at PT)

Diabetes Update

On June 15, 2006, the ATU filed comments in response to an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the medical qualification standards for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM).  In its letter to DOT, the ATU advocated for the implementation of an individual assessment program that would allow individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs so long as their physical conditions are adequate to allow them to operate safely.

Currently, individuals with ITDM must complete a lengthy application and comply with burdensome testing and requests for detailed medical information in order to receive an exemption from the diabetes prohibition.  This process generally takes at least six months, usually longer.  The ATU urged DOT to abandon its existing exemption process for a process where the individual's treating physician makes the determination as to whether or not the individual's ITDM affects his/her ability to safely operate a CMV.

In addition, the ATU urged the DOT to dispose of a new requirement that individuals have a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) within the range of 7% to 10%.  According the American Diabetes Association, an individual's A1C level has no relation to their ability to operate a CMV. 

In closing, the ATU urged DOT to complete the rulemaking expeditiously so that drivers with ITDM, who are otherwise qualified to operate a CMV, may do so.

Health issues with Operators – Please, and I have stated this repeatedly – take care of yourselves.
     We have had a lot of Operators be relieved, or asked to be relieved, due to shortness of breath, heart palpitations chest pains, light headiness and other issues.
     This is a very stressful position and you as an Operator have little control over what your job entails (ie. weather, traffic, passengers and unrealistic schedules that even PT management will acknowledge are unworkable.) Your paddles have “recovery time” built into them at the end of each trip, and that is exactly what it is suppose to be. Running behind because of an unrealistic schedule that you cannot drive from point A to B without picking up passengers in the same 30 minutes headway that hasn’t changed in 25 years, is not your fault.
     It is up to management to make changes, change their mindset about the operation and scheduling of run times in the system, and they may have to spend a little more money to do so. Obviously their pockets are “deep” millions are being spent on the ADEPT/STRATAGEN software system in Specialized transportation.

New Union Office

     We have finally accomplished what this Local has been trying to do for at least the last 15 years!!!!
     We have purchased our own Union Office. Every member in good standing of this Local whether active or retired has ownership in our new office and we should congratulate ourselves for making this happen. We will be relocating during the month of August, with an Open house scheduled for late September (Puyallup Fair) or early October. Please note our phone numbers will remain the same.

Our new address will be: 6923 Lakewood Dr. W #B1 Tacoma, Washington 98467-3221.

Contract Negotiations – Paratransit Services Longview/Kelso area next scheduled for August 21, 2006

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Lane Chase, Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.org

ODE TO GOLF

In my hand I hold a ball
White, dimpled and small
Oh, how bland it does appear
A harmless looking sphere
By the size I could not guess
The awesome strength it does possess
My life has not been the same
Since I chose to play this game
It rules my life hours on end
A fortune it has made me spend
It has made me curse and cry
And made me want to die
I am promised a thing called “par”
If I can hit it straight and far
Mastering such a tiny ball should not be hard at all
But my desire the ball refuses
And does exactly as it chooses
It hooks, slices, dribbles and dies and disappears before my very eyes
Often it will have a whim
It will hit a tree or take a swim
With miles of grass on which to land
It finds a tiny patch of sand
It has me offering up my very soul If it will just drop into that hole
It has made me whimper like a pup
And swear that I’ll give the game up
On the course I take to drink to ease
My sorrow
But that little ball knows--
I’ll be back again tomorrow.
~To all you non-golfers I hope this ode explains the addiction and why all these duffers keep coming back year after year.~

We have already started on next year’s tournament and will be trying to make even more improvements. We had to turn away a number of teams this year due to the limited space available at the course. We managed to squeeze in two more teams than were originally booked. So next year book early and don’t miss out. The tournament was a huge success because of the efforts of a number of volunteers. The following people donated their time and enthusiasm:
               Veronica Ross
               Juanita Hoheusle
               Annie Davis
               Toni Chase
               Naomi Cowan
               Karen Carpenter
               Renee Ross
More than 100 people participated in the 2006 ATU 758 Golf Tournament. The prizes were much improved and all enjoyed the beautiful day. Our own Scott Evanger, won the putt off elimination. He sank a ten foot and thirty foot putt to win the, “Elimination Rounds.” Scott was the only golfer out of 88 to sink both. Making those putts earned him fifty dollars in merchandise at the club house. Winning the elimination rounds also gave Scott a chance at the 50 foot putt for $5,000.00 in prize money. That works out to $100.00 dollars a foot. Scott had lots of advice about that putt, from the crowd. His team was there offering up advice. Even though the putt was missed, ask Scott what it was like to putt for that kind of money. A fifty foot putt is not easy, he gave it a good try and everyone had a lot of fun rooting him on.

A special thanks needs to go out to Juanita Hoheusle. Juanita held down the fort at the club house. She measured the putts, kept track of the contestants, and watched our stuff while out on the course. She made sure that the contestants got their try at the 30 foot putt on the turn to the back nine. She assisted in the drawings for the hats and shirts. At the end of the tournament she was drafted for the announcements of the winners and the drawings for prizes. Her voice held up through the entire process. I lost my bet that her voice would give out and much to John’s chagrin she was still able to talk to him that evening.

2006 ATU 6th Annual Golf Tournament Team Results

Team Captain Score

1A Tate 66.5
1B Green 67.5
18A Hooks 63
18B Rau 65.5
17A Ross 68.5 Next to Last
17B Septon 68
16A Aiton 62
16B McCoy 70 Last Place
15A Hoheusle 66
15B DeRouchie 64
14A Bell 64.5
14B Androsko 61.5 1st Place
13A Johnson 65.5
13B Waisath 64
12A Champney 65
12B Jones 64.5
11A Hetland 67.5
11B Bankson 62
10A Jackson 65
10B Mitchell 61.5 2nd Place
9A Chun 67.5
9B Jones 67.5

I have received many requests for the final standings for the tournament. These are the scores the teams posted for the tournament, after applying handicapping. To decide who got 1st and second place the “Tie Breaker Process” was used. The scorer, “Pat” had to go back a number of holes to finally come up with a winner. Next year we hope to have a bigger and better tournament. See you all next year!!!

Just a note, during the course of the tournament:

At least a 100 different ways of dispensing from the keg were tried, to no avail. The cart went from trail to trail. All tried and true techniques continued to fail. Our very best were put to the test of getting satisfaction from the kegs little tail. Perhaps next year a barrel would be best and we could just bail.

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WHAT A DML REALLY MEANS!

JANUARY 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2005

Number of DML’S Issued     35

Reason for DML                 Number        % of Total
Safety Violations, (all kinds)       21          60%
Attendance Violations                  8         23%
Rules/Procedure Violations         4           11%
Conduct Violations                       2        6%

DML’S per Year        Number

        2001                        3
        2002                        7
        2003                        6
        2004                        9
        2005                       10

ANALYSIS

20 are still employed (57%)
10 were terminated for violation of DML within 12 months/avg. time to termination 6 months
     (almost 30% are terminated in less than 1 year)
1 made it to 16 months and 1 to 18 months, and three left in lieu of termination
     (Add these and the rate goes up to 43% inside 2 yrs)

DML continued:
What all this really boils down to is if you receive a DML you have almost a 50% chance of being terminated within a year. It does not matter if it is your fault or not.

     Most of our members do not know what a DML really is. So let’s call it what it really is, a “Last Chance Agreement”. A last chance agreement is exactly what it says; it is your last chance. The up side if you can say there is one, is that the member gets to keep their job for one more chance. The down side of an LCA is that it makes reinstatement vastly more difficult, if you are terminated. Also in most instances a LCA does not make any consideration for relevant considerations. Signing a LCA means you understand and agree with its provisions. You can not go back at a later time and say you did not know or understand, or realize the impact that agreement would have on you. Pierce Transit puts a little different twist on a “LCA”. A traditional LCA is usually used to put a member back to work that has already been terminated. P.T. on the other hand has the member write up their own LCA and uses it as a condition for continued employment. P.T. also carefully choreographs the form of the LCA by requesting that specific topics be covered in the LCA.

     The Down Side of an “LCA” is that it makes it easier for the employer to fire our member. At the same time making it makes it more difficult for the member to seek reinstatement through the grievance procedure and the arbitration process. A LCA can, if not careful limit your rights to grieve or arbitrate or limit relevant considerations, or even eliminate those rights entirely. If a member breaches any of the conditions of the LCA, the LCA will typically state that the member will be terminated. Where you run into the problem is that an arbitrator will only consider the terms of the LCA and nothing else. Also an arbitrator does not usually have the power to alter or vary the discipline imposed by the LCA. So in a “nut shell” this means the LCA actually modifies the contract for you and removes the requirement of “just cause”, “intent”, “culpability”, and “does punishment fit the crime”, for dismissal. So unless you fully understand these terms and how they can affect you, these can be some of the reasons for not writing your own LCA. By the time you get to a LCA, (DML) with Pierce Transit you will most likely have a discipline history of some sort? The time to fight this is not when you are being called in to write the LCA. The time to fight this is every step along the way to the LCA. As you can see from the numbers above once you receive a LCA you only have a fifty percent chance of finishing your career at Transit.

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Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary

     The annual ATU Local 758 picnic and campover was the weekend of July 15th and 16th, 2006. Putting the annual picnic together and having it all fall into place takes a lot of work and planning. This year it was headed by your Recreation Committee Chair Tyrone Ross and member Larry Dahlin. Tyrone did an excellent job and with Larry in charge of the cooking, it came together as planned. It always seems hectic before the picnic, but due to members coming together and helping out it always seems to come into place and fun is had by all.
     The fun starts Saturday late afternoon with members setting up their tents and home away from home campers. I have pictures of members trying to set up their tents which might be done once a year on this occasion. I sat to the side, supervised and had fun taking pictures. (Pictures should be available on the local website) When the tents are up and all is settled, that is when the fun really starts. It is always nice to get away from transit in a social situation and get to know your fellow co-workers/union members. Please remember that camping over is not required to come out for the evening social event. I always go home to the comforts of my home.
     Saturday night is the social “bonfire” event. Normally the barbeques are set up, started and food is cooked. There were baby back ribs, chicken, sausages and someone even brought crab legs. Those baby back ribs were the best. Provided and cooked by Tyrone. With a little help from “liquid refreshment” and the relaxed atmosphere, people get to talk and socialize away from the work environment.
     On Sunday morning the work begins. Members who have volunteered their time start to show up and work. These members are always appreciated. To start with a BIG thanks to Tyrone Ross and his wife Ronnie in putting the picnic together. Miss Ronnie was in charge of the kids’ games and prizes. Larry Dahlin who does the shopping with the Chair of Recreation Committee and is in charge of the cooking, he always steps up to help out. The cooking and prep work was done by: Ted Sharp, Bob Taylor, Larry Marks and Tyrone Ross. Lucky Fisher brought the baked goods and John Hoheusle brought the ice. A huge thank you to Juanita Hoheusle who served food and harassed members the weeks prior into buying raffle tickets, she sold over 200 raffle tickets for the Union. There were members wives who also helped served and we thank you. Thank you to the E-Board Officers who sold raffle tickets and to E-Board Officer Georgia Twaites who came out on her own time to help with the picnic. Annie Davis was on hand thruout the day to help, and Linda Perry was there to help with the clean up. Also last but not least is the appreciation for your Union Office Admin Assistant Pattie Clark who on her own time was out there all day to be there for you and the Union. She is always helpful in putting these events together.
     The Union would like to thank Peter Lucey. Peter is the husband of member Sheila Lucey. Peter is a DJ. He came out and set up his DJ equipment free of charge. The music was good and it was nice to have a PA system available for announcements. Peter’s DJ company name is DJ Pete and the phone number for his services is 253-961-5040. DJ Pete will be at the ATU Holiday Party in December.
     Thru out the day there are drawings for door prizes that you do have to be present to win and later on in the afternoon there is the drawing for the cash prizes that you do not have to present to win. The winners for the cash prizes were: Member Ginny Stevens won $100.00. Member Marguarita Marion won $200.00 and Samanthia Hess who is a foster daughter of Member Tommy Dalton won the $300.00 cash prize. There were two Chicken Poop games played. The first game was won by Cornelius Owens and the second game was won by Cornelius’s wife. I believe they both had a meeting with the chickens earlier and threatened to take the chickens to Popeye’s if they did not poop on their numbers.
     The picnic is always fun and it is nice to see members come out with their families and enjoy the food and the social interaction with members away from transit. If anyone was missed in my article for their work, I do apologize and on behalf of the Officers of the local we thank everyone who was involved with putting the picnic on. Thank you.

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Executive Board Report

A little history about ATU and what it supports, I received this information from a recent conference and would like to share it with you.

The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of nearly 180,000 members in over 270 local unions in 46 states and nine provinces. The ATU includes bus, subway, light rail and ferry operators, clerks, baggage handlers, mechanics and other in the transit, over-the-road, and school bus industries, as well as Paratransit personnel, emergency medical technicians, clerical personnel, and municipal workers.

ATU supports the following:

• Increased Funding for Public Transportation
• Commuter Choice (Public Transportation Benefits)
• Getting People from Welfare to Work
• Improving School Bus Transportation
• Labor and Transit Rider Membership on Public Transit Boards Safety
• A Voice and a Vote in the Planning Process
• Upgrading Transit, Intercity Bus, and School Bus Security
• Improving Transit Drivers’ Health and Welfare
• Justice for workers

If you would like more information on what I have shared with you, visit www.atu.org

Lamarr Bond, Executive Board Officer, Position I

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Grievances

Syl Pelesasa - 2 day suspension alleged attendance violation– settlement discussion.

Rex Longen - Specialized Transportation Dispatcher– Arbitrator decision pending.

In Memory

Billy Moore – Transit Operator

Loetta Matthews – Former member, Transit Operator

Beverly Zehnder – Former member, Admin Specialist