What do you think of the new CEO?
I have been asked this question numerous times and I will attempt to answer as candidly as
possible.
Upon the arrival of our new CEO Lynn Griffith, both V.P. Chase and myself had a “sit down” to discuss both her
philosophy as the CEO of Pierce Transit and expectations and the goals that both the Union and she as CEO of the Agency
would like to accomplish.
What is difficult for some of the membership to understand especially with the shake-up in the Operations division
is, as positive as many would agree that action was, individuals still remain in mid-level management positions who will
continue to cause issues to stagnate, and feel comfortable in the mindset that the “same is the safest”, and are unwilling,
and or unable to come out of their comfort zone. This doesn’t contribute to continued growth, but stagnation and discord
in the work place. (this is not limited to the Operations dept.)
Another reality; what the membership has to understand is that when the CEO came to this agency some of these same
managers were and still are here, and this is an agency that has been touted as one of the top transit agencies for its
size and therefore wholesale house cleaning of management would not be a viable option. Something had to have worked in
the past.
That said the new CEO has an open door policy that many members have found to be a “true” open door policy. She has
met with both International Vice-President Don Hansen and myself, both as an introductory format, and a forum to discuss
Pierce Transits’ shuttle contract and service provided by Laidlaw who are currently in contract negotiations with and are
represented by ATU Local 1576 – Lynwood/Snohomish County. She has met with your Union Executive Board to gather input from
your elected representatives from the different work groups, listened, and regarding a lot of ongoing Union/Management
issues has taken action and become a conduit for change.
Per discussion at our last Labor/Management meeting an idea was proposed by CEO Griffith to develop a format that
while encouraging discussion also encourages follow through and resolution. The Union has agreed to jointly develop this
format for change, which will produce results and accountability when Union/Management issues are addressed. With the help
of your elected Executive Board Officers the Union will develop a survey specific to the concerns of various work groups
and areas that we will present in this new Union/ Management format.
The Union when receiving feedback from the various workgroups will also solicit the remedies and or suggestions to
address the concerns brought forth, and addressed by the Union/ Management committee. Some may or may not work but the
goal is “results”.
Also in the “new” format the Union may very well incorporate members who are not “elected”
representatives of the Union. This Union is not one or two members, and the input from a body of 800 + members cannot be
adequately addressed by the same one or two individuals.
In closing I truly believe it is the intent of the new CEO to implement change and or
improvement in the working conditions and operations of the agency, and maintain open lines of communication with the
Union. But remember the CEO is on the top and the worker is on the bottom. There is a middle layer that hinders change
and they must change for eventual improvement and harmony within the work place.
Run Times: Per Our contract negotiation discussions, management made a commitment to address running time issues. With
the start of the September shake-up it is important for any Operator who encounters run time issues to properly document
the particular problem. It is the intent of your Union to hold management to this commitment. So please document the
problem and inform your steward(s) or this office of management’s response to your concern. P.S. documentation should be
written. Without a paper trail it is easy for the excuse of, we weren’t aware, or, had ever “heard” of any problems or
concerns.
Shop Stewards: Your Union Shop Stewards will be more easily recognizable in the future. In Operations they will be
wearing Shop Steward “badges” and in Maintenance with the smaller and more easily recognizable work group, the badges
will be worn on the outside of work apparel when safe to do so.
P.S. if at anytime you encounter an issue with an individual in the position of Shop Steward, please contact this office
immediately to discuss your concern, or contact V.P. Lane Chase with your issues or concerns to be forwarded to this office.
Thank You.
Security Concerns: When encountering security concerns/issues please contact the office of Public Safety. After
contacting their office with your safety/security issue or concern please forward a copy of your report to the Union
office. This is especially important when the concern you feel is created by an “Operational Issue”. With this documented
“written” information it is the Unions intent to “bridge” the safety/operational concern with the proper individuals or
departments for resolution.
Bright Reflective Interior Lights where also brought to the attention of maintenance. In discussion with V.P. of
Maintenance Reed Hooks, I explained that the reflective glare from the front windshield during hours of darkness inhibit
the safe operation of coaches. Several ideas of discussion are a tinted film and/or sleeves for bulbs and also seeking
input from other agencies such as Snohomish County and the Cowlitz Urban Bus Service in Longview. Union and Maintenance
agree that it is important that Operators have safe and comfortable work environments (buses).
Shuttle Department Updates: In discussions with “acting” Shuttle Department Manager Sam Desue the following changes will
be upcoming regarding our Dispatchers/Schedulers/CSR(s) and Operators: clarification of dress code policy CSR(s), the
addition of (2) Shuttle Dispatchers and (4) Relief's, Nextel cell phones for all Shuttle vehicles/Operators with GPS to
help dial in and locate addresses, (2) Shuttle coordinator positions (night shift) duties: to proof/peruse adept generated
schedules, and splitting of the same day Scheduler/Radio position. One reason for the Nextel cell phones are for when
Operators notice something happening in the field (i.e. a client waiting for an exceptionally long time for transport), the
Operator can inform the Dispatcher of such and then do the “right thing” – transport if warranted.
Retirees: Please if you are able; stop by our new Union office during our Open House. The membership owes
you a big thank-you as you are the individuals who planted the seeds through your years of service and contributions to
this Local to make this possible thank you from us all!!!
In Solidarity, Be Safe
Isaac O. Tate
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Below is a copy of a letter that was sent to President Isaac in response to the work the Union is doing on your behalf in
regards to water spots on Windows and Mirrors on the buses.
October 2, 2006
Isaac Tate
President/Business Agent ~ATU, Local 758
6923 Lakewood Dr W, B-1
Tacoma, WA 98467-3221
Dear Isaac,
In response to the concerns expressed by the bus operators about water spots on the windshield and mirrors, Maintenance
is also concerned about this and has taken steps to identify the root cause of the spotting. It has been determined that
the water spots are caused from a buildup of wax (from the previous soap that was used) and road grime that is not removed
in the bus wash. Although our bus wash is 19 years old and scheduled for replacement in 2007, we took the following steps
to help reduce the water spotting problems.
We have changed soaps and are in the process of adding a metered soap delivery system and pump that will reduce the build
up of road grime. The metering system is presently 60 percent complete with a target date for completion by October 15.
Changes have also been made, or are in the process of being completed, to the angle of the rinse nozzles and the brush
tension.
Although the above changes will significantly reduce the road grime buildup, it is necessary for the existing water spots
to be removed. Maintenance has been trying various products that remove water spots from the glass and we have finally
identified a product that works. To ensure we have identified all factors that contributed to the water spot buildup, we
will be conducting a 30-day evaluation that that will validate the corrective steps. If the evaluation is successful, and
I believe it will be, we will manually remove the water spots on the windshield, entrance door, driver’s glass and mirrors
on the remainder of the fleet.
The above information will be sent to the Operations Department for dissemination to the operators. Feel free to include
it in your next letter to your membership if it would be helpful. It is extremely important to Maintenance that the
operators have safe and comfortable buses. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Reed Hooks
VP, Maintenance
c: Lynne Griffith
Marnie Slakey
Union Executive Board
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Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary
ATU L-758 Women’s Caucus
On Monday, October 2, 2006 the first ATU L-758 Women’s Caucus was held at your local Union
office. There were eight members present from the local. At this meeting the by-law draft was read, discussed, changes
were made and then approved by the members present. Then nominations of Officers were done. Deborah Brown was nominated
and ran unopposed for the Chairperson position. Sonya Ogden was nominated and ran unopposed for the Vice-Chairperson and
Ginny Stevens was nominated and ran unopposed for the Financial Secretary/Treasurer and Recording Secretary Position.
The committees of Educational, Political and the Health & Welfare/Recreation were discussed and the Chair positions of
these committees will be appointed at the December 4, 2006 meeting. It was discussed and approved to have the Women’s
Caucus meetings the first Monday of every other month at 6 PM. The meeting will normally take place at the Union office.
Chairperson Deborah Brown would like to thank the members who did attend this first meeting.
She also wants to congratulate the members who were nominated and were elected as the Officers of your local Women’s Caucus.
On behalf of the Officers of the local Women’s Caucus we look forward to more members attending future meetings and
participating in your local Union by attending the Women’s Caucus meetings and the local’s regular monthly Union meetings.
Women’s Caucus Mission Statement
To inspire, educate and strengthen women of ATU to participate in promoting ATU Unionism and
be aware of the political atmosphere surrounding the ATU; To encourage the women of ATU to participate in the political
arena as representatives of ATU women; To collect and distribute information and implement better communications to and
between members of ATU throughout the US and Canada; To actively promote and encourage participation in educational forums
such as workshops, seminars and conferences for members of ATU; To organize women members of the ATU to work in the union
and in the legislative arenas to promote the interests of the ATU on the local and International levels.
New Shake-up
The shake-up has started and a lot of us are doing runs and/or routes that we might not
be accustomed to, due to what seems like scheduling cutting the runs differently. Of course every shake-up I hear from
Operators, “it seems like it gets worst every shake-up”. I do not know if it gets worst, but things change. I have been
at Pierce Transit for almost eleven years now and I just was able to sign a straight eight hour AM shift on Monday thru
Friday if I wanted to.
I am having issues and/or problems with the routes I have signed. Are you??? I hope that
if you are, you are taking the time to fill out the correct paper work so that Scheduling and Planning knows where the
problems are. I in fact have done so by writing the problem on the paper work that is out on top of the paddle cabinet
in the Operators lobby and by writing an incident report to be forwarded to scheduling. I have also discussed my route
issues with Joanne Boring and she tells me that she has not heard of any other Operator having problems with this part
of the route. I hear Operators complain all the time about route and scheduling problems, but are you doing anything about
it?
The Union has taken this issue many times to the Joint Labor Management meetings and to
negotiations. The concerns and issues of the Operators in regard to scheduling and route problems is a reoccurring topic.
We can not do it alone. Please help all of your fellow Operators by following proper procedures by filling out the
paperwork. You get paid to fill out an incident report! Please be proactive and fill out the paperwork. Thank you.
Open House
Please join your Officer’s and come celebrate the opening of your new Union office. It has
been a long process and long in coming. It was time to start investing your money instead of it being thrown away on
renting. The “OPEN HOUSE” will be Friday, October 13, 2006 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. If you are unable to attend the open house
due to your work schedule please remember this is your office and you are welcome. I do recommend calling the office first
to make sure someone is there. There are times when President Isaac or V.P. Lane are over at transit doing member
representations and working on your behalf.
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Executive Board Report
This past month’s tasks have been focused on Driver issues. Work continues on ADA accessible
Bus Zones, major scheduling problems, Relief Operators (B-Board) work assignments and Infectious Disease safety concerns.
Drivers please review the Operator Manual revisions regarding fixed route as well as shuttle procedures. Section K
page 11 addresses contaminated vehicles and pages 16, 17, & 18 addresses contaminated vehicles Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP)
definition of exposure, and contacting of “source” individuals.
Antimicrobial Hand Wipes & gloves are available for drivers at the dispatch window and in Building 5 Safety & Training
office.
President Tate has asked for and I have accepted a new assignment as the Union’s Legislative Liaison to begin working
with political candidates “supportive” of Unions in the upcoming elections. It is important to note that this Local does
not contribute to “any” political party but works with the Amalgamated Transit Union Legislative Council (ATULC) Washington
State Labor Council (WSLC) and the ATU International Union (ATU IU).
For those who are interested in politics or the political process, I will ask for your help once strategies are
established.
Georgia Twaites, Executive Board Officer – Shuttle CSR
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Bowling - This year Jerry Beckendorf’s 3rd annual Union Bowling Fundraiser was another success. We bowled on Sunday,
September 24th 1-4pm at Pacific Lanes 7015 S. D Street. Twenty one local unions sponsored and supported this event and
forty bowling contributors, contributed to this enjoyable event. Some of the local politicians that contributed were
Congressman Norm Dicks, State Representative Dawn Morrell, and the committee for Adam Smith, Mike Lonergan of Tacoma City
Council and a lot of others. The money raised will be used for scholarships in Pierce County. This was my second year
bowling and 3rd over all, one year as a committee member evaluating scholarships. Next year hopefully we will have more
to people participate.
Dial 211 – To find social services such as… Senior & Disability Resources, Shelter & Housing Services, Food &
Clothing, Healthcare & Counseling, Rent & Utility Assistance, Transportation, Youth & Family Services. Toll free
1-877-211-9274, this information is from the United Way of Pierce County who was also a big supporter of the Jerry
Beckendorf scholarship bowling tournament.
Lamarr Bond, Executive Board Officer, Position I
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ATU 758
Open House
Come see the new ATU-758 Union Office
Where: 6923 Lakewood Dr W B-1
Tacoma, WA (253)474-3123
Friday October 13, 2006
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
The AM meeting will take place as normal at 10:00 AM.
Refreshments will be served.
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