Is Anyone Really Listening or Care?
Another shake-up, another round of empty promises. I refer to the continuing saga of tight
runs with little or no recovery time. Management will tell you they have added 7,000 minutes to run times….so now you are
only three (3) minutes behind on your runs as opposed to seven (7) but you are still running late, and have “no” recovery
time. Sounds good to the Board of Commissioners when presented by P.T. Management, but no one asked if the runs have
adequate running time and the Operators have time to stretch, use the restroom, hydrate or eat.
I want to take a moment here and inform P.T. Management that Transit Operators are “human
beings” and our body functions are much the same as theirs, and I being the owner of two (2) dogs will let them out on
occasion to run (stretch), tinkle (restroom) drink water (hydrate) although it’s available at all times, along with food
(eat).
I wonder if the Board is aware of, I’m sure Pierce Transit is of section, 392.6 of the Federal
Motor Carriers Safety Act regarding Schedules to conform with speed limits stating: No motor carrier shall schedule a run
nor permit nor require the operation of any commercial motor vehicle between points in such period of time as would
necessitate the commercial motor vehicle being operated at speeds greater than those prescribed by the jurisdictions in or
through which the commercial motor vehicle is being operated. They will shortly.
Maybe someone on the Board will ask, if I can’t drive that same distance in my personal
vehicle in thirty (30) minutes not picking up passengers, to include accessible boardings, passenger interaction,
traffic etc., how can an Operator do it?
Perhaps rather than taking Managements word for it, they may need to take public transportation to the Board meetings
(it’s only once a month), shouldn’t be that painful for them. What better way to gauge the service the agency provides
especially with the meetings starting at 4:00 pm.
I was also wondering if the Board is aware of the fact that Operators especially Relief Operators
are averaging about five (5) hours of sleep per night when Pierce Transit pushes them to the eight and one-half (8 ½ hours
off from the ending time of one day, to the beginning time of the following day. Common sense will tell you that if you
live one-half (1/2) to one (1) hour away from the agency, spend two (2) hours or more winding down, eating and doing the
things that normal human beings do in everyday life, you are not getting adequate rest.
It would seem unconscionable that an agency would subject someone to a seventy-five (75)
hour work week, transporting millions of dollars worth of cargo and the individual is only compensated for forty (40)
hours and sometimes less. Does this cause burn-out, definitely.
I wonder if the Board is aware and I’m sure Pierce Transit is, of the Federal Motor Carriers
Safety Act Section 392.3 Ill or fatigued Operator that states: No driver shall operate a motor vehicle, and a
commercial motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle, while the driver’s
ability or alertness is so impaired or so likely to become impaired, through fatigue, illness, or any other cause, as to
make it unsafe for him/her to begin or continue to operate the commercial motor vehicle. Maybe they just don’t care.
I have requested the following from Safety & Training Manager Fred Nelson. Documentation
if any, that Pierce Transit has in it’s possession regarding “variance” from required meal and rest periods provided in
WAC 296-126-092 or documents pertinent to a local resolution, ordinance or rule in effect “prior” to April 1, 2003 that
has provisions for meal and rest periods “different” from those under WAC 296-126-092. The Union further requests any
documentation relative to Labor/Management agreements, or other mutually agreed to employment agreements that specifically
vary from, or supersede, in part or in total, the rules regarding meal and rest periods.
Highlights of the WAC code:
- Employees working five (5) consecutive hours or more shall be allowed a meal period.
- The thirty (30) minute meal period must be provided between the second and fifth working hour.
- May always be unpaid as long as employees are completely relieved from duty and receive thirty (30) minutes of
“uninterrupted” mealtime.
- If the employee is on the premises in the interest of the employer, and in this instance “on-duty” during the meal
period he/she must be paid.
- If employees are required to remain on duty (Bus) the employer must make every effort to provide employees with am
uninterrupted meal period. If the meal period is “interrupted” due to an employee performing a task, the meal period will
be continued until employee has received thirty (30) minutes total of
meal time.
- Employees shall be allowed a “rest” period of not less than ten (10) minutes “on” the employers time in each four (4)
hours of working time. The rest break must be allowed “no later” than the end of the third working hour.
“Employees may not waive their right to a rest period”.
- The term “rest period” means to stop work duties, exertions, or activities for “personal rest and relaxation”. Also
CC(ed) was Tim Payne Sr. Operations Planning Mgr., Kristine Dupille, Acting V.P. HR & Labor Relations, Jo Ann Boring Principal Planner,
and Lynne Griffith Chief Executive Officer.
Barring any variance, I wonder if Pierce Transit has been in violation of the WAC code since
April 1, 2003 and if so, I wonder what the dollar figure would be if our members were compensated for such.
I am continuously frustrated by Pierce Transit inaction-regarding it’s lack of respect for
the individuals who go out everyday, and keep them in a job. This will not go away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Executive Board Reports
Why make it work if it doesn't? When on a run that's so tight you can't get a break all
day--why make it work? Don't risk your health physical, mental or emotional. If you're not healthy you can't work.
Not taking a break is BAD for your body. To stay healthy you should eat healthy food, drink water and get out of the seat
to stretch. Not using the restroom, holding your bladder is bad for your body. When you have to go go, don't hold yourself
for hours on end. Not getting up to stretch is BAD for your back, arms, neck, legs and entire skeletal system. Get up,
stretch, walk for a minute or two. Take time to take care of yourself. When you're stressed because of running time, not
having enough, your emotional well being is at risk. Stress causes a myriad of problems. Why put more stress on yourself
than you have to. When you take care of yourself by eating properly, drinking water, getting out of the seat to stretch and
going to the restroom when necessary, you will help alleviate some of the stresses of driving on a daily basis. Take some
deep breathes and try to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety you might feel when under pressure. Mental alertness is
of utmost importance when driving any vehicle. Remember you have dozens of passengers, on a 30-40 ft vehicle on the road
with hundreds/thousands of other motorists not to mention pedestrians. Getting air, nourishment, and hydration helps you
stay alert.
This article is a result of several of you telling me of the runs you are working this shakeup
and you’re not taking time to take care of yourself properly, in order to get there on time. Please I implore to you stop
going too fast, driving off before your passengers are seated, speeding through school zones, running yellow/red lights etc.
I know you do these things to accommodate your passengers but you are the one who will be ticketed, charged with a preventable
accident or worse. It's not worth it. When you push yourself, the pedal, and take shortcuts in the area of safety you are
doing yourself and the public a disservice. How you ask. The paddles will NEVER get fixed if you keep making them work.
Planning and Scheduling will not change the way things are done if you keep making the work assignments look good. You,
your families, and the passengers deserve to be safe, healthy, alert and stress free (minimal stress at least).
Here are my suggestions to help you stay healthy and safe: Get rest. Eat healthy food avoid
saturated & trans fats, lower your salt intake, snack on fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water, avoid drinking lots
of caffeine and soda. Exercise regularly (talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program) walking is great for
your body. Drive lawfully-do not speed anywhere/anytime. Do not try to beat the light at intersections. Drive 20 mph in
school zones 24/7/365 (obey posted signs always). Eat, drink water, stretch and use the restroom when necessary at work.
( Do not eat or drink while driving a transit vehicle). Rest, relax and have fun after work. Remember if you don't take
care of yourself no one else can do it for you. If the run is too tight and you're constantly running "late" write them up
everyday if necessary. Stop making it work if it doesn't without you making sacrifices in your health or safety.
Reminder the next ATU 758 Women's Caucus is April 2, 2007 at your Union office 6923 Lakewood
Dr W Suite B-1 6:00 PM, hope to see you there. I am selling Party Light candles as a fundraiser to raise money for this
newly formed ATU 758 Women's Caucus. If you want to support this effort call me 253-297-7161.
Deborah E. Brown, Service Supervisor E-Board Officer, Shop Steward
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Washington State Labor Council – According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Washington State moves from 6th to 5th highest in the nation in terms of the unionization rates. Only Hawaii,
New York, Alaska and New Jersey, have higher rates.
Also a recent survey shows that the public support of unions is at a 25 year high-65%
approval of Unions while only 25% disapprove. On the average full-time wages and salary workers who are Union members in
2006 had median usual weekly earnings of $833, compared with a median on $642 for wage and salary workers who are not
represented by Unions.
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO)
- The 15th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Colorado State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, has been placed in Trusteeship and Rick Bender, President of the Washington
State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, has been appointed Trustee.
Education
- Jerry Beckendorf Community Service Scholarship, application Deadline is March 30, 2007, contact Katie Vukelich,
United Way of Pierce County P. O. Box 2215 Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 597-7496
Lamarr Bond, Executive Board Officer, Position I
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to thank everyone for voting me into this year’s Safety Committee.
Thanks for all your support. If you have any safety problems or concerns please stop me or see a member from the Safety
Committee to talk about your problem. Also if you have any problem with your bus, please VCR it so the problem can get
taken care of. Maintenance is still finding seat belts tied into knots to fit the driver, this puts stress on the seatbelt,
so Maintenance is asking us to stop doing that. If you have a problem with the seatbelt see someone from Safety & Training
they will give you a binder clip for the seatbelt.
Ceremony to Display the POW/MIA Flag at Pierce Transit: Many thanks go out to Members Victor
Santiago, Eddie Harris and Tyrone Ross for all the hard work and dedication to raising the POW/MIA flag at Transit.
We would like to thank Lynne Griffith CEO of Pierce Transit and the Executive Board for their support in the raising of the
POW/MIA flag. The ceremony will take place on Armed Forces Day May 20, 2007, (because this day falls on a Sunday, the flag
protocol requires the flag to be displayed the preceding Friday, May 18, 2007). So come celebrate the raising of the
POW/MIA flag for the first time on May 18, 2007 at the Pierce Transit main entrance building #4, at 10:00 am. This is a
celebration for everyone at Pierce Transit.
Tyrone Ross, Executive Board Officer, Operator Position II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grievances
Violation (Pierce Transit) of Drug & Alcohol policy-awaiting decision.
Operator Tim Cronk-alleged ADA call-out violation-awaiting decision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Printer-friendly version
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Current Newsletter
If you would like to receive your Newsletter by email please click
here: and sign up.
Return to Home Page
