NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Union Membership Meeting Notice
~Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 7:30PM in Union Hall,
3049 South 36TH ST (rear of Bldg)

~Friday, November 14, 2003, at 10:00AM in the Union Office,
10828 Gravelly Lake DR. SW, #202

~Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at 7:30PM
Longshoreman’s Hall, 627 14TH AVE (Longview)

~Executive Board
Thursday, November 6, 2003, at 3:00PM (Union Office)

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President’s Report

Dues Increase? Although 78% of the 115 Members who attended the October cycle of meetings voted “Yes” to increase Union dues, it does not appear that the increase will take effect. An interesting situation. Normally, when so many people vote one way, it also reflects the rest of the Membership. In this case, the silent majority voting remained silent; leaving some wondering if the vote was manipulated. I witnessed the count and believe in the honesty of the process and people involved. Because the Bylaw did not reflect that different properties would have different dues, it appears unlikely that the Bylaw would uphold a challenge. Rather than put the Membership through chaos, the Executive Board is pointing out the technical problems to International, and asking them not to approve the Bylaw if it can’t withstand a challenge. It appears that the Bylaw committee will need to start over and the Union will need to trim expenses. Positives can easily be found. That so many people supported the Union and were willing to raise dues is impressive. The Membership is taking an active interest in their Union. The Leadership will respond to Member concerns by increasing confidence in our ballot voting process, have the next dues vote on the property, and provide better financial information. We can learn and improve. Social Security (SS) for PT? 30% of our PT Members returned surveys in which 2/3s said they were interested in SS. A letter was sent to Don Monroe reflecting this interest. The letter is on Union Bulletin Boards and our website at atu758.org. The letter shows our retirement benefits are low in our industry. This knowledge will provide a good base for improvement. The next step in the SS process is for PT to call for a vote on SS, which would mean they are willing to increase annual payroll taxes by 2 million dollars. Downtown Reliefs – PT has discovered that it doesn’t have enough relief cars. It has already added 3 cars, and is expecting to add another 2. It will also examine travel times, since some appear too tight. We are relieved that reliefs are now the Agency’s problem. The change was a stress reducer and in the long run will simplify the relief process. Cell phones in service? PT thinks that cell phones are being answered other then on layover and is considering severe restriction to remove the temptation. This can still be avoided by finding the strength to turn off our phones and putting them out of sight until you get a layover. CDL and Diabetes. The Federal DOT does not have a waiver for insulin dependent diabetes, but WA State DOL does, and only for Transit Employees! CDL and operating your own vehicle – A mandate by the Federal Government is posted and on it’s way to a driver’s license near you! Be forewarned. Soon, tickets in your own car will combine with operating a vehicle at work and will jeopardize your CDL. 2 tickets in a 3-month window could receive a 2 – 4 month license suspension, which would also create a case for termination (unavailable for work). 15-mph speeding, improper lane change, following too closely, and violating traffic control are some of the tickets that combine. A citation for DUI can remove your CDL on its own. Radar Gun Update – Finally, some good news from Iraq. The expert who certifies PT Service Supervisors on radar usage has been sent to Iraq! Of course we support our troops, and hope he remains safe, but the certification has been delayed until his return. PT’s main concern is freeway speeding, so find your discipline, rather than have others put it on you.

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Do you know where your Local Union Office is? It is located at 10828 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW Suite 202. It is your Union Office. You are encouraged to drop by. Pattie, our Union Office Secretary is in Tuesday thru Friday 9:30 to 2:30. I know that you might be wondering why I am writing this... Right? Well, I was surprised to be told by 4 members this month that they did not know we have a Union Office. So now everyone knows, I hope to see you at our Union Office soon.

What a great bunch of members we have at ATU 758!! It was another successful and fun “DAY OF CARING”. ATU 758 members Deborah Brown, Kathy Ross, Jerry Palinsky, Larry Dahlin, Wanda Spencer, Linda Hamilton, Kim Horton, Val Knight, Rick Drescher and myself cleaned, mowed, pruned and trimmed the Celebration Park located at S. 80th St. and D St. I will live forever with the image of Jerry Palinsky driving down the road on his riding lawn mower. I would also like to say a BIG Thank You to these members and the rest of the ATU 758 Members that continue to show their support to our community through the United Way.

Barbara Strong-Nelson
Executive Board Officer and United Way of Pierce County Loaned Executive-Pierce Transit
“At the Heart of the Solution”
(253) 284-3047 barbara@uwpc.org

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Happy Veteran’s Day to all 758 members and family. There will be a Veteran’s Job Fair 9 AM to 3 PM November 7, 2003 and a “HOLIDAY BAZAAR” November 15 & 16, 2003, Saturday & Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM. AMVETS POST #1 5717 S. Tyler and 56th St.

Lamarr Bond
Executive Board Officer

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Cell phone changes: Peter: 253 297-9110 Isaac: 253 640-9111

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Grievances
Sheryl Culver- Pending arbitrators decision mid-December.
Maintenance- Seniority when assigning jobs from inspection lane. Settled – Seniority will be considered strongly in future.
Facility Custodians – Mechanic bike locker pay for assembly by Custodians. Settled – Pay will be given.
Facility Custodians – Senior Fac IIs not allowed to sign Fac I positions on shake-up. Grievance denied because of job classification difference.
Maintenance – Time clock punching. Settled, not required to be done early.
Operations – Shake-up vacation and seniority issues-dropped.
Pierce Transit – Pay for having photo ID picture taken. Step 2 - Dec 4, 2003.
Bob Scavelli – Temporary job assignment, contract interpretation. Step 2 - Nov 17, 2003.

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