Elections – Does our microcosm reflect something larger? The
national presidential election was almost 50-50, our gubernatorial election
was 50-50, and in our local elections, the two top presidential candidates
tied, and there was a dead tie on E-board between Mike and Tyrone. One thing
is certain, votes count, and there is no better system than choosing
your own leaders. We thank those candidates who ran and didn’t win. It
takes courage and strength to put oneself through peer discussion and
rejection. Everyone who offered their services helped us. Without these
candidates, we would be deprived of choice. Please thank them for stepping up
to the plate on your behalf. Whether you voted for them is immaterial.
Operator 4-10s – 1/3 of the Operators voted on this survey (one
assumes that 2/3s were willing to go with the flow, no matter which way it
went). 2/3s of those voting, voted to keep the pilot project moving. The next
step is for the President to select a negotiation team to negotiate the pilot
changes required, and then the Operators to vote on these changes. Because the
President does set tone and direction, we will await the election outcome
to move forward on this project.
New Pierce Transit CEO – I am on the Selection Committee with the
Board of Commissioners, interviewing final candidates. Having our Union
President on the Selection Committee is a strong statement by the Board to the
Candidate, and our Members, that they value working together. Rest
assured we will not be getting an anti-Union CEO.
One of the more difficult parts of my job has been working for you, but not
knowing you. It’s awkward to walk up and begin small talk. Fortunately, the
Problems you encounter are not as shy. I do know them, and take consolation in
knowing that by reducing them, I’m helping you. I’m sorry there are so many of
you that I don’t know.
We all appreciate the holidays off between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and
wish you a warm, comfortable holiday season to compliment them.
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“Season’s Greetings”
Isaac O. Tate
Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.org
This is probably the most hectic time of the year for everyone. Even though
there may seem to be lots of things that need to be done, do what you can.
Individual’s mannerisms range from joviality to downright rudeness. Take it
all in stride as best you can, as we ourselves are not exempt from these
feelings or mannerisms. Be safe in all you do, January 2, 2005 is just around
the corner
Happy Holidays!
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Election Committee Chair and Recording Secretary
Sonya Ogden
Twas the night before elections, I was doing my run and thankful
that everything was set and ready to go for the next day election on Nov.
18th. I received a phone call from E-Board Officer Joe Digiulio who was
responsible for setting up the tent for the voting to take place in (I waited
for my next break to listen to message, do not answer your cell phone or talk
on it while driving a company vehicle). He has advised me that there is a
storm moving in that night and there was no way that the tent would hold. He
was looking for a decision as to what I wanted done. I called him back for his
advice. He had already taken it upon himself to call Retiree George
May, to see if we could use his motor home for Election Day. George was
not at home, so a message was left that we needed his motor home at 4 a.m. the
next morning and to call if it was available. As a back up, Joe had also made
arrangements thru Pierce Transit to use a low floor bus if motor home was not
available. I had to finish my run that night and wait till the next morning at
4 a.m. to see what was available. Retiree George May did bring his motor home
that morning and Joe was there at 4 a.m. to meet him and to help set up.
George was there from 4am to almost midnight that night, about a half an hour
longer than I was. I am so grateful to Joe and George for coming together and
working as a Union member should. I am also thankful to the retirees who came
in on their own time to work: Walt Waisath, Tom Knust and Lynne
Proctor. The Election Committee members who came into work: Wanda
Cornwell, Deborah Brown and again Lynne Proctor. I want to thank Marcia
Linville, who is also on Election committee and was in our thoughts and
hope she gets better soon. At 7 p.m. that evening the voting was closed and
counting has begun. It was a long process, it took us almost 4 hours. E-Board
Officer Ginny Stevens stopped by to check up on us and was generous
with her own time to come in and help with the counting. That whole day and
night reminded me what a Union is supposed to be. We all came together and
acted like one, in Solidarity. I do hope that after the coming runoff
elections, we all come together and support all incoming Officers. We as
members need to support the Officers that were voted in that day and the
Officers that will be voted in on the upcoming runoff election.
The following is the counting results of that evening.
President
B.A.: Peter Altmann 216, Joe Digiulio 110 and Isaac Tate 211.
Vice
President A.B.A.: Lane Chase 315 and Jose Villahermosa 213.
Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Don McKnight 295, Cathie Parker 129
and Barbara Strong-Nelson 102.
Recording Secretary: Sonya Ogden won
(no official count).
Transit Operator Position I: Lamarr Bond 230,
Willie Ragin 57 and James Rainey 34.
Transit Operator Position II:
Mike Delano and Tyrone Ross tied with 156.
Transit Operator Position
III: Larry Marks 93, Kathy Schaefer 105 and Trina Skirko 117.
Mechanic Position II: John Hoheusle 69.
Administrative
Services: Virginia Stevens 21.
Service Supervisor: Joan O’Brien
48.
Longview Rep: Mike Cochran 7.
Due to the by-laws a candidate must receive 51% a majority, to win their
position. If one candidate in a race with 3 or more candidates does not get at
least 51% of the vote, then a runoff election must be held in December. The
offices of President B.A., candidates Peter Altmann and Isaac Tate and Transit
Operator Position III, candidates Kathy Schaefer and Trina Skirko will hold a
runoff election due to one candidate not receiving 51% of the vote. The office
of Transit Operator Position II, candidates between Mike Delano and Tyrone
Ross was a tie, therefore another vote will be held for that position. All
members are eligible to vote in the runoff election. It does not matter if you
did or did not vote in November’s election. Please come vote.
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THANK YOU’S
I want to take this opportunity to thank
everyone for their support and encouragement. The turn out to vote was
tremendous and very encouraging. It was especially nice to see so many new
faces step forward and become involved. The membership is now looking at the
runoffs of three positions that will decide the final make up of the E-Board.
The choice of whom you want to lead this Union is up to you. I committed to
the membership during my campaign to try to bring unity to the E-Board, no
matter who is the final winner. I have already spoken with Jose Villahermosa
and express my thanks for a good campaign, and his dedication and interest in
the Union. It is my hope and desire that he will continue to be involved and
step forward for any position that may occur. Someone of his passion and drive
is truly an asset to the Union. I want to thank John Hoheusle for filling the
vacant Maintenance position and I look forward to working with him. I
encourage you to talk with the finalists in the remaining races for open
positions, and make the best informed vote that you can. I have been trying to
make personal contact with as many as I can, and visit the many areas of work
where our members can be found.
Fraternally,
Lane Chase
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I want to thank each and every one of you who voted for me and your loyal
support on this recent election. I also want to wish all of you and your loved
one's a rich blessing for this holiday season.
Lamarr Bond
Executive Board Officer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’d like to thank all of the members that voted for me for your support.
Nothing is quite as humbling as being selected by your peers. For that I’m
very grateful. To the rest of you, you’ve shown me that I’ve got a lot of work
to do. My hope is that by this time, three years from now you’ll feel
differently. Only time will tell.
I’d like to personally thank Cathie Parker and Joe Digiulio for their
continued support and representation of the Maintenance Facility members. I’m
very concerned and sensitive to the fact that this group is under represented.
I would support Cathie and Joe’s continued representation in some form if they
choose.
In Solidarity,
Don McKnight
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Runoff Election Notice
DAY: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2004
TIME: 7:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M.
PLACE: 627 14TH AVE,
LONGVIEW, WA
(Longshoremen's Hall)
AND
DAY: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2004
TIME: 5 A.M. TO 7 P.M.
PLACE: PIERCE TRANSIT, 3701 96TH
ST,
LAKEWOOD, WA (on the bus lot)
Any challenge to the runoff election must be received into the Union office
within 30 days of December 16, 2004. All challenges must be in writing to the
Election Chair, Sonya Ogden and submitted to the Union office by 2 p.m.
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