Members ATU Local 758
On behalf of not only myself, but the other elected Officers (to include officers in non-contested positions), we thank you for your support. These were perhaps the most “hotly” contested races in the history of ATU Local 758. We ask your continued support by attending Union meetings, involvement in Union activities, and communicating with your elected Officers and Shop Stewards regarding issues common to the Local and membership. Your Union is here to support you. Your elected Officers have made a commitment to serve you. Once again thank you very much.
Moving In
Things have been pretty hectic around the Union Office the past week or so. Due to the run-off election which did not take place until the middle of December the usual thirty(30) day transition period has been reduced to ten(10). The first Executive Board meeting will be Tuesday January 4, 2005. Among the topics to be discussed are the duties of “your” elected Executive Board representatives, their perceptions and my expectations. It is clearly my intent to have well educated and responsive individuals in these positions that “you” the members have chosen. I will expect the membership to hold these Officers true to the commitment they have vowed to take as Officers of this Local. Pierce Transit will have a “new” CEO, you will have a new President-Business Agent and as I’ve stated before I will approach the new CEO as the Leader of a Union Local that is not subordinate but an equal to Pierce Transit. One thing I’ve always felt strongly about is the involvement of my fellow Officers in discussions with Management. There is no discussion so important that Management can not wait for my Assistant Business Agent or E-Board Officer privy to the discussion to arrive. Unless it’s a one on one discussion it would be hard to believe that two to four (2-4) Managers sitting in a room to discuss something with me “did not” properly prepare for the discussion or they “not” be on the same page. So therefore my fellow Union Officer(s) will be there.
There are training sessions and seminars that the membership can be involved in if you so chose. Upon receipt of communications regarding said sessions it is my intent to post and/or document these sessions in your newsletter, bulletin boards and ATU website. Additionally there remain issues from the prior administration that must be addressed and it is my intent to pursue these issues to resolution. These next three(3) years will prove a challenge for not only ATU 758 but Pierce Transit as well, with new Officers in the Local and new Managers at Pierce Transit. Again your Union Leadership asks for your support of our Officers and the support of the Union, it’s Officers, Shop Stewards and advocates of ATU Local 758.
Retirees Breakfast
Please accept my apology for not attending the breakfast of January 3, 2005. As previously stated we have been slammed here in trying to transition to the new Leadership (that is to include everything from re-arranging the office, to memos and communications to the membership, our International in Washington D.C. to memos and communications to Pierce Transit). In the future, I will make every attempt I can to attend.
Thank you, Isaac O. Tate.
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“A NEW YEAR/ NEW BEGINNINGS”
Lane Chase
Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.org
First I would like to welcome the new Officers to the Executive Board. It is a new year and the start of a new administration for our Local. There are a lot of things to take care of in the next couple of weeks. Normally the transition period is longer, but because of the runoff this period has been cut by more than half. This Executive Board is going to have to hit the ground running, there is no time to waste, and a ton of details to take care of. The membership has made clear their wishes on some important issues, and it will be the responsibility of the Executive Board to carry out those wishes in this next term.
It will be the responsibility of the new Executive Board to prioritize a list of carryover issues. A few of the immediate challenges the new Executive Board will be faced with are, New Officers learning their positions, 4/10 shifts, Contract Negotiation preparations, establishing a Budget and controlling costs for the Local. If you wish to become a Shop Steward it is time to submit your name to the Recording Secretary, Sonya Ogden.
The 4/10 shifts had been put on hold till the election of officers was completed and should be starting again soon. Very preliminary contract negotiation discussions have started and the team members will be selected soon. There are a lot of issues to take care of in negotiations. President Tate and I have already discussed that Executive Board Officer John Hoheusle should be responsible for the preparation of the issues concerning the area he represents. We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about a particular issue, and would like to see the issue pushed forward in negotiations. If you are interested in doing this please give your name and the issue you want to put forward to the Recording Secretary.
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Election Committee Chair and Recording Secretary
Sonya Ogden
recsec@atu758.org
On December 14th and 16th of 2004 we had the runoff Elections for President B.A., Transit Operator Position II and III. It seems that close elections this year are contagious. All the way from National and Washington State elections to your local Union elections. The outcome for President B.A. was Peter Altmann 266 and Isaac Tate 268. For Transit Operator Position II: Mike Delano 113 and Tyrone Ross 231 and Operator Position III: Kathy Schaefer 147 and Trina Skirko 191.
I would like to thank the retiree volunteers who came in on their own time to help out: Chuck Krilich, Patty Anderson, Tom Knust and Lynne Proctor, Lynne was also on the Election Committee. A huge thank you to retiree George May who again came out at 4am on Thursday, December 16th and was their all day long till that night with his motor home. A thank you to Cathie Parker who came in on her own time to help out with the vote and the counting. Although Cathie is no longer the Financial Secretary/Treasurer she has graciously volunteered her time and her Union experience to the new incoming Officers. Thank you to Mike Cochran in Longview who comes to every meeting in Longview and has made arrangements thru the Longshoremen’s hall in Longview for our meetings and Elections. Elections are not possible with out help from members and the retirees.
The last two weeks the Union office has been hectic with moving and re-arranging offices. Headed by V.P. Lane with the assistance from Isaac, Lamarr and Pattie our Office Secretary. Please come in and visit your Union office. Office hours are Monday thru Friday 9:30am to 2:30pm. It is your office and as a Member you are welcome.
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THANK YOU’S
I would like to thank everyone for Voting. I am thankful and grateful to all. A special thanks to Georgia Twaites and Adam Chamberlin for all their hard work. Now it is time to get to work. Addressing issues and solving problems and keeping a strong ATU. I am also looking forward to working with the other Executive Board Members. Thanks for all the support and kind words. I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Holiday.
Tyrone Ross, Executive Board Officer
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Thanks to all of you that took the time to vote in both elections. A special thanks to Georgia Twaites and Toni Chase for all their support and help with my campaign. I am very proud to represent you as an Executive Board Member and I am looking forward to the next three years. I would like to thank Kathy Schaefer for the great race and congratulate her on her dedication to the Union. Also, congratulations to all the elected E-Board Members and Officers. I am looking forward to learning from veterans of the E-Board and also bringing new ideas to the table as well. Thanks again for all your support. Happy New Year!!!
Trina Skirko, Executive Board Officer
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I'd like to say thanks to everyone who voted for me, and also everyone who educated me on the process. I learned a lot. Also congratulations to those who won. It was a good election. Finally, congratulations to Trina Skirko. You will be a good Executive Board member and you're a good person.
Kathy Schaefer, Member
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I would like to thank everyone for the outcome of the vote. I was torn between wanting to help and wanting to retire. I have been assisted in the gentlest manner possible on my journey. My message is that whatever the endeavor, we achieve the greatest results by Working Together. Many agree. Our life experience affects how we vote, and our vote gives direction to the lifeboat that were all in together. I thank those who ran for office but didn’t win. Without these people, we would be denied choices in our elections. We were fortunate to have so many willing to serve. I thank the small group of people who volunteer to help so many. They are the angels of our organization. They give more than they take. From my vantage point, they stand out like wildflowers in the desert. Lastly, I thank those inside and outside the Union, who Worked Together for the common good. Without this joint effort, our accomplishments would have been significantly less. I was pleased to have been part of that progress. I wish everyone only the best. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Fraternally, Peter Altmann
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PIZZA PIZZA
At the January 2005 charter meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2005 there will be pizza and drinks provided. Please come and meet your new General Officers and E-Board Officers. All Officers of the Union are encouraged to attend this meeting.
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