Finally a remedy to an issue I tried to address 12 to 14 years ago as the Chair of the
Operations Safety Committee. Here is a copy of a letter that was sent to me regarding the glare/interior lighting on
coaches.
November 17, 2006
Dear Isaac:
In response to operator concerns in regards to glare on the windshields caused by interior
lighting, Maintenance installed and tested red fluorescent tube covers on Bus 313 last week. The specific issue as
described by operators is when buses are operating in areas where the exterior light level is low, i.e., nighttime
driving conditions, no street lights and little-to-no traffic, the interior lighting causes a high level of reflection
(glare) on the windshield, which substantially decreases the operator’s visibility of the roadway. Sylvia Stanley queried
numerous transit properties to determine if they have experienced the same phenomena. She discovered Longview and
Portland had experienced this problem and were told that they had placed a red polycarbonate sleeve over the fluorescent
tubes, which eliminated or reduced the glare. Pierce Transit currently uses a blue polycarbonate sleeve in the same
manner.
Based on Longview’s experience, we obtained some red polycarbonate tubes from Gillig and
conducted a nighttime operations test in the Puyallup and Bonney Lake areas. Present during the test were Sylvia Stanley,
Maintenance Technical Coordinator; Bob Scavelli, Journey Level Mechanic; Georgia Twaites, Operator; and Tyrone Ross,
Operator/Operations Safety Committee Representative. The results of this testing were a consensus that the red tubes
eliminated all of the glare with exception of reflection off a couple of stanchions near the front vestibule and
reflection off a forward ad-strip which had a white background, both of which, although still visible in the windshield,
were greatly reduced. Additionally, it was felt that although the lighting affect was altered in the passenger area,
i.e., it had a pink glow, it did not diminish the intensity enough to create a safety problem or to disallow activities
such as reading or knitting.
The test run was deemed a success, and the red tubes left on the bus to obtain feedback
from operators and passengers. Sylvia received the following comment recorded on an Operator Incident Form, dated
November 8, 2006:
“Just wanted to comment on red interior lights on coach 313-it helped visibility considerably,
plus, and this is a ‘big’ plus, it seemed to have a calming effect on my passengers. I also had several compliments from
the passengers. One actually stated it had a very soothing quality. I liked it a lot, even the jokes about the ‘rolling
red light special.’ ”
We have additional tubes to expand our test fleet and are planning on having two more buses
completed by the end of
this week. I do not currently have the bus numbers, but will forward them to you as soon as I am advised. We are also
going to ask that someone from Operations Safety take a look at one of the buses to review this change and provide their
“blessing.” Maintenance would like to address the entire Pierce Transit fleet by the end of this year.
Thank you for letting me know about Longview experiencing a similar problem; this helped
reduce the time to identify the correct measures required to address the glare problem.
Sincerely,
Reed D. Hooks
Vice President, Maintenance
c: Lynne Griffith
Marnie Slakey
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Thanks to Sylvia and Reed for their work on not only this issue, but the water spotting
issue as well. P.S. Also being addressed are the B.O. Operator seat cushions, more on this later.
Remember if your vehicle/coach needs “any” type of repairs please VCR it with as thorough an explanation as you can it
will be repaired.
410 Committee has resumed meetings. Many issues will have to be resolved prior to implementation of this work. Also
as this will be a change in working conditions, you as members have a right to vote on the proposed changes. Possible
”trial” implementation June 2007 shake-up, implementation September 2007 shake-up. Much more info to follow.
Relief Operator 30 hour and working condition discussions are running concurrently, and may also involve other
alternatives that hopefully can alleviate some of the pitfalls of the Relief Operator’s job. If interested in serving
on a committee to address this issue please contact the Union office and leave contact information.
We have several members who are out with long-term, serious health conditions at this particular time of the year. If
you can donate time (sick and/or vacation) or make a monetary donation or whatever you can to your co-workers, it would
be greatly appreciated. Members in need are Arthur Boyd-Laborer, Greg King-Operator and Susan Peterson-Operator. A
Donation of sick leave and/or vacation time can be donated by anyone (regardless of classification) to anyone. This
will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This is a “high stress” time of year and it’s more important than ever that you “maintain”, because others around you
may not. Expect it, and be safe, and the best to “all” this Holiday Season.
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Executive Board Reports
ATU 758 Women’s Caucus Chair
There are a few issues I want to touch on in this article.
1st The next ATU 758 Women’s Caucus meeting will be held on Monday December 4, 2006 at 6:00pm. The location is OUR new
union office located at 6923 Lakewood Drive Suite B-1. Please come and support your ATU 758 Women’s Caucus. We are
planning some exciting things to help, encourage & support the members of ATU 758. If you have a skill, idea or just
some energy you would like to share, give me a call or better yet come to the meeting. I hope to see you there.
2nd If you sustain an injury while on the job please report it no matter how minor you think it is. Just reporting it
on paper covers you (as far as being documented) in case of complications later. You do not have to go on OJI, to the
doctor, or take any time off if not necessary but the documentation can save you in the long run.
3rd If it’s not yours and was not gifted to you DON’T TAKE IT. If you get caught taking anything that doesn’t belong to
you while at work you can be charged with theft and disciplined accordingly. It doesn’t matter if it is property of PT,
an employee or John Q public, theft is theft. Don’t take that chance. Be considerate of others, if you need something
ask. DO NOT assume just because you see something unattended that it’s up for grabs.
Finally I wish you all a Safe, Healthy, Happy, Fun holiday season. May you and all of your families have a
wonderfully blessed 2007 filled with Peace, Joy, Prosperity, Good Health and Love. Take Care of yourselves and the one’s
you love. Eat right and exercise, drink plenty of water and rest. Remember tomorrow is not promised to any of us so
enjoy every moment that you can. Be kind and respect everyone, don’t sweat the small stuff.
Deborah E. Brown, Service Supervisor E-Board Officer, Shop Steward
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Banquet - Last month I attended the 2006 Community Service Awards Banquet and Dinner Show sponsored by the A.
Philip Randolph Institute (A.P.R.I.) with President, Pierce County Central Labor Council (PCCLC) Vance Lelli and
Secretary/Treasure, Patty Rose. The A.P.R.I. is a national organization with affiliates throughout the United States.
Its founder, A. Philip Randolph, believed that a decent and well paying job was the first step towards social and
political freedom. Membership is open to all, for the Tacoma Chapter contact is Roslynn Watson at (253) 538-1400,
meetings are the 3rd Thursday of every month at the IBEW Hall 3049 36th St. S. Tacoma.
Dial 211 – Last month in our union newsletter I mention this information; it was also mentioned by Candy
Shackelford, our Buzz Editor. This is a very important number that is available from the United Way of Pierce County.
For those that need assistance please utilize this phone number and if any further assistance is needed, I can also help
with contacts through out Pierce County. I received this training and information from the Union Counselor class that I
attended.
Lamarr Bond, Executive Board Officer, Position I
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Let's Help Others During the Holidays
It's time for the next installment of our Local 758 food drive. Local 758 has teamed up with the food banks of Pierce
County to help those who cannot afford to eat. Through our participation we make a significant contribution to our
community. Please look for food barrels in the Operator’s lobby, the Maintenance department and food boxes at various
locations. Nonperishables only please, such as dry milk, canned goods, dry beans, rice, etc. Baby formula is
particularly needed. This is a good time of year to include items for the holidays such as canned pumpkin and cranberry
sauce that families might not otherwise have. Remember these dates--December 7th thru 14th barrels will be on our
premises during that time. Thank you for your contributions. What we contribute can make a big difference.
NO ONE SHOULD GO TO BED HUNGRY IN OUR COUNTRY!
Barry Aiton, Executive Board Officer, Operator Position III
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Crafts Bazaar Coordinator
I have been getting quite a few calls and notes from people wanting to know when the Pierce
Transit Crafts Bazaar will be. Well, I’m sorry to announce that we will no longer be holding the bazaar at Pierce Transit.
Why? Well, I was informed by someone in Risk Management that it was improper use of the facilities that are funded by tax
dollars etc. I started the crafts bazaar many years ago to showcase the many talents of our co-workers. It was a wonderful
way to get involved in something that was positive, upbeat and a great morale booster. The result was total success and
even though I stepped away from it for a few years, when I came back as the organizer it was once again very successful.
I loved putting the bazaar together and will miss working with all those that joined in the fun. My only hope is that
someday Pierce Transit will come up with a way that we can put this type of activity together again.
So with all that said, I want to send out a BIG THANK YOU to all those that got involved and all who helped by hanging
banners, putting posters together, donating to the bake sale and food drive, shopped till they dropped and all the many
helping hands and employees that supported us over the years. You were all very much appreciated.
Syl Pelesasa, Union Member, Transit Operator
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ATU Local 758’s Holiday Party
Saturday, December 16, 2006
6:00 - 11:30pm
King Oscar Conference Center
8820 South Hosmer Street
Tacoma 98444
Join Us for a Fun Time!!!
Great Food, Drinks,
Music, Dancing, & Door Prizes
(BYOB) -mixers provided-
If you plan on drinking
please arrange a designated driver.
See you there!
Questions? Call Tyrone 253-861-0425
Or call Union Office 253-474-3123
-Adults only-
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Retiree Holiday Party
The Retiree Holiday party will be on Saturday December 9, 2006 from 12 Noon to 3 PM at the ELKS Club on
Union. Please call Retiree Tom Knust at 253-566-9105 to reserve a space and to select your choice of meal.
Everyone is welcome.
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In Memory
We lost two life time Union Members this last month.
Both were 50 year members of the ATU.
Charles M. Krilich, Retired Transit Operator passed away on October 21, 2006.
and
Carl Cook, Retired Transit Operator passed away on November 4, 2006.
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Grievances
Midge Jurgensen-Vehicle Custodian-issued a Decision Making Leave Day-Grieved-Union prevailed (2nd) grievance of
this kind-reduced to written reminder-Management failure to adhere to attendance policy.
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