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President’s Report
Supplemental Insurance - About 70 Members signed up through payroll deduction. You recently received a similar
offer at home from American Income Life. This will allow you to compare rates and change companies if you wish.
You will not be called unless you mail in a card. All Members, including retirees, now have a $2,000 accidental death
benefit from this mailing for one year. If something happens to you, we’ll file the claim from the Union Office on your
behalf, to ensure your family receives the benefit.
The Union Holiday Party has been put off, possibly to January or February due to budget constraints
(letter on Union Bulletin Boards).
Social Security (SS) at Pierce Transit – Last month we sent a letter to Pierce Transit indicating our interest in SS.
PT replied, suggesting it be addressed in negotiations. I believe this complex issue is best handled prior to negotiations.
Pierce Transit must agree and budget for an additional payroll tax ($2.7 million). The vote alone is a 3 month process,
and employees may decide not to join. For these reasons, I will encourage meetings this summer between the Union and PT,
to try to reach an agreement to hold a SS vote. Because some concession will be required to entice PT to join SS, our
Membership will vote on making this concession before the SS vote takes place. The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners
must also call for a SS vote. All this takes time. If both our Membership and the Board of Commissioners approve,
then the SS vote can happen and be over, before contract negotiations begin. Getting into SS is everyone or no one.
People not wishing to join SS will have 2 more voting opportunities to derail the process, assuming PT will be willing
to join.
Shoulder Harness Update (PT) – At our Union meeting, Ed Blakely informed us that harness inertia locks can be ordered to
grab at different settings. The Safety committee and Fred Nelson are looking at low grabbing inertia locks, reducing
tension pull from the harness strap, and clips so operators won’t knot the strap.
Security enhancements (PT) –Next year, PT’s budget is expected to include money for fast opening and closing bus and car
gates, and, security training for all employees (Transit Operators will be about 1/3 per year).
DOT Medical Card (PT) – Everyone got one before the required cut-off date. With about 80 people not registered with one
week left, we were sweatin’ bricks!
PT Pool Table - Pierce Transit will re-felt and caulk the 9’ Union pool table ($424) because of liquid damage sustained
during Transit Team Appreciation Day. I felt a little ungracious putting in a damage claim, since it was damaged while
they were giving us food and beverage to thank us for the job we do. Transit was very understanding and took full
responsibility. The down side is that once the table is resurfaced and level, the pool players will have no excuse for
missing the pocket.
Rumors (that might be true) – Once the building across the street is finished, Fred Nelson will “lobby” for an Operator
rest/sleep area in the existing Service Supervisor area. Commerce Facility could be receiving a hot/cold water dispenser,
and eventually an ice machine (dependent on the next vending machine contract).
Peter Altmann
ATU Local 758 President
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Rosemary Vogel has returned to work from successful surgery and she would like to thank all of us for our support,
prayers, finances and the many donations of sick hours.
Lamarr Bond
Executive Board Officer
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Did you get your free $800 from PT?
Details on free $800 (approximate) - Pierce Transit matches the first 2% for each calendar year on the 457 savings plan.
You can still get a match for this year. Go to Human Resources and fill out the paperwork. Don’t be overwhelmed by the
choices, just get it started immediately!
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Grievances
Sheryl Culver- Pending arbitrators decision mid-December.
Pierce Transit- Pay for having photo ID picture taken. Step 2- December 4, 2003.
Bob Scavelli- Temporary job assignment, contract interpretation. Grievance denied November 25, 2003.
Maintenance- Facility Custodian II, Mechanic’s wages for installing solar lights on bus poles. Step 1 pending.
Maintenance- Seniority assigning overtime to Journey Level Mechanics. Step 1 on December 3, 2003.
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