..And the horses are at the gate…Elections are here. On our Union level, all candidates are appreciated. It takes courage to deal with the fear of rejection, and no where is rejection more public than a vote by your peers. Running for office feels similar to walking through the lobby naked - one feels exposed and vulnerable. Candidates are the subject of discussion and criticism. Our democracy would crumble if no one was willing to help lead the Union. On behalf of all of us, I thank all candidates for offering their services.
On government elections, emotions run high. I would like to make sure we understand the role of our Union in politics. Unions have learned that laws are the basic underpinnings of labor rights. In most cases, Democrats tend to protect these rights, while Republicans tend to reduce them. Unions endorse candidates and issues that help labor. A union endorsement provides only a labor recommendation. As a voter, you have to consider more than just labor issues. There is nothing wrong with voting against a Union endorsement. Some Members are opposed to having dues spent on union political objectives that are opposed to their personal political objectives. Understand that your personal reasons for voting against a Union endorsement are for different reasons. For example, you probably don’t disagree that Bush is tougher on labor issues than Kerry, but you have more compelling reasons to vote for Bush. Most of the time, your working needs are in alignment with the Union. No one objected when the Union went down to Olympia to try to reduce PERS penalties, even though it was political in nature and would have raised State expenditures. Some Members objected to having a sales tax increase, but the Union was active in promoting the Sales Tax initiative, because wages and benefits would have suffered if it didn’t pass. These are examples of how you could vote against a Union endorsement. Currently, no Member is withholding dues to support these political objectives (Fee Objector). All elections are similar. You may have personal objectives different than Union objectives. I appreciate your accepting these differences. International does not use our dues to contribute to candidates. Contribution to candidates are made from COPE endorsements, which is a separate fund you may join by payroll contribution. Your dues pays our salary and office expenses. A small percentage of our time does go toward political activity, and this part may be objected to. If you wish to become a fee objector, the opportunity comes every January by writing a letter to the International Secretary. Info is published in the ATU magazine at the end of each year, or is available from the Union office.
The Social Security vote was awesome. With a 2/3s Yes vote, we sent a clear message to PT that we want to improvement our retirement. Normally, our next step would be to enter into negotiations and have the Membership vote on the results, but we were slipped a curve. A week before our vote, PERS announced a 4.5% payroll increase to employers. PERS took the money that PT needed for Social Security. Adding to our difficulties is that Transit’s 2nd largest expense, fuel, is at a record high. This situation creates a poor time to entice PT into Social Security. We need to give PT time to absorb these new costs into their budget (much like eating a big meal). We’ve been pushing, and will continue to push for SS, but timing is a factor to be considered in getting what we want.
Bob Wendt, Marnie Slakey, and I went to Olympia to testify on reducing PERS penalties. The process is discouraging. The legislature must approve increases and the Director of Management Budget testified that the money is not there. Removing penalties adds to the cost, so if they do anything, it will probably be the least possible. PERS is considering the Rule of 90, which means if your years of service with PERS and your age add up to 90, your can retire without substantial penalties (currently you can do so if you’re 65 or have over 30 years of service).
The Union has applications for a number of different Scholarships for high school seniors wanting to enter college. They should be turned in by the end of December.
Security issues for Operators. I am working with PT, who is in agreement, that we need to improve security communication. Our goal is for Operators to hear from PT before rumor and fear fill the void caused by lack of information. This will be accomplished by Radio and Memo.
United Way is a safety net for many in the community. Your generosity is the rope that creates this net. The drive for contributions is underway. Thank you.
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UNION ELECTION 2004
Isaac O. Tate
Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.org
November 16 and 18, 2004, the dates you as union members of ATU Local 758 elect the leadership of your Local
The decisions and choices you make as members of ATU 758 will determine your livelihood, working conditions, and the direction of not only this local, but the direction of the Union Movement as a whole.
The Union Movement and the rights of Union members have been under constant attack the last 3-4 years by legislators, business interests, state and federal courts (overtime, 40 hour workweek, negotiated benefits).
Your negotiated contract and working conditions, the result of the work of many union advocates leaders and officers of the past, will be impacted by your vote to determine not only the livelihood and working conditions of yourself in the present, but members in the future.
Question the nominees for leadership positions of your local union. This is your right as a union member.
Question the nominees’ commitment in the past, and the level of commitment to the Union and the Union Movement in the future.
Question the nominees’ commitment as a general elected officer or executive board officer to the members/ work groups they represent.
Finally, question their commitment to the philosophy of “Union Ideals to Live By” [Ideals: “a goal or principle especially one of noble character”].
You Are the Union
Remember to Vote
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Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary
Candidates for the upcoming November 2004 Elections are:
President Business Agent:
Peter Altmann, Joe Digiulio and Isaac Tate
Vice President Assistant Business Agent:
Lane Chase and Jose Villahermosa
Financial Secretary/Treasurer:
Don McKnight, Cathie Parker and Barbara Strong-Nelson
Recording Secretary:
Sonya Ogden
Transit Operator Position I:
Lamarr Bond, Willie Ragin and James Rainey
Transit Operator II:
Mike Delano and Tyrone Ross
Transit Operator III:
Larry Marks, Kathy Schaefer and Trina Skirko
Mechanic Position I:
Vacant
Mechanic II:
John Hoheusle
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic:
Vacant
Admin Services:
Ginny Stevens
Service Supervisor:
Joan O’Brien
Customer Service Representative (Shuttle):
Vacant
Longview Representative:
Michael Cochran
A majority of the votes cast must be received to win. Unopposed candidates have won their positions, but their names will appear on the ballots. In those positions where just two candidates are running, the majority vote wins. If there is a position with more than two candidates, one candidate must receive 50% of the votes plus one (1). If this does not happen there will be a run off election that will happen on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 (Longview) and Thursday, December 16, 2004 (Lakewood).
Per the LMRDA Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, a document Unions use to govern elections, they recommend all voting members provide identification at the time of voting. However, past practice we have not asked for ID at the voting places. Now that our employer requires that we have the employee ID badge on us at all times on the property, I do not feel it would be unreasonable for an Election Committee member or retiree volunteer ask to see your ID at time of voting. Please be prepared to show ID.
Thank you.
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Election Notice
DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2004
TIME: 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.
PLACE: 627 14TH AVE, LONGVIEW, WA
(Longshoremen's Hall)
AND
DAY: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004
TIME: 5 A.M. TO 7 P.M.
PLACE: PIERCE TRANSIT, 3701 96TH ST,
LAKEWOOD, WA (Tent on the bus lot)
If needed, run off dates have been set for Tuesday, December 14, 2004 in Longview and Thursday, December 16, 2004 in Lakewood.
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