There will be music, food, open cash-bar and a 50-50 raffle. Feel free to bring your special dessert to share.
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President’s Report
Peter Altmann
Things are breaking through this month. The sun came to visit, plants opened to the warmth, and the sky
practiced shades of deep blue. At PT, cup holders for all our buses took another leap forward. The safety
committee, presided by the honorable Ed McCue, approved the cup holders. They are substantial, but not big
enough to hold a big gulp. This is a compromise we will live with.
The 4-10 committee finished working out how 4-10s could be included for Operators. A detailed explanation
with a poll will be out this month to determine whether operators are still interested. You will have enough
information and time to decide if you want 4-10s or wish to leave things as they are.
Rumor control: LWs do not count as an occurrence (no discipline), but can disqualify you for attendance bonus
and honor roll.
United Way: I took a tour of United Way. The staff is highly motivated and capable in providing help to people
in Pierce County. Last month I mentioned the award we were presented, but did not recognize our United Way
committee, that worked to motivate us to contribute. We appreciate the efforts of Chairperson Deborah Brown,
Kim Arguon, Bennie Brooks, Larry Dahlin, Denise Downs, Rick Drescher, Kim Horton, Val Knight, Stephanie Ostmann,
and Wanda Spencer. Thank you.
Politics is a very real force that shapes our environment. It affects laws, protections, how money is spent,
and the direction of government. Union workers need to be heard. According to the Chicago Tribune, in the Iowa
primary, only 6% of Iowa’s 90,000 Union workers voted! These are things you can do to make a difference:
- Vote (we have paperwork to help you register).
- Volunteer to help in an Email or telephone tree (Contact Peter at 253 297-9110 or President@atu758.org)
- Contribute to ATU-COPE, which contributes to Labor Candidates.
Your efforts do make a difference, Thank you..
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Vice President’s Desk
Isaac O. Tate
“Improving Working Conditions of our Relief Operators”
Our relief-Operators are taking a pounding. Working 35-40 hrs. per wk. Erratic hours-no sleep- no continuity of
lifestyle. This causes on increased sick board and no doubt leads to fatigue related OJI’s. Pierce Transit has
spoken of ways to improve the “quality of life” for Relief Operators. I’ve got a suggestion: Why not move all
the Operators who are working full-time hours into full-time positions. There are some who I am sure are working
full-time hours who wouldn’t mind working part-time ie: military retirees who don’t need full-time, but part-time
is good enough, as well as some who only want to work part-time. There are Agencies (transit) that do not allow
part-timers on their property, all full-time work. Its possible because it’s done. A workweek doesn’t have to be
40 hours. A lot of agencies have 371/2 hr. work weeks. It’s all negotiable. If the agency is willing to
negotiate.
Another issue I’ve heard Pierce Transit speak about. Inability to recruit… especially single parents. I’ve got
the answer to that also. Upon completion of the new Safety & Training Headquarters across 96th St. They could
convert the modular building in the main employee parking lot into a “Day Care” center. Pierce Transit would
again find itself on the cutting edge of innovation. A true added dimension and concern for its Transit family.
This organization would be the envy of others in the nation, no, the world. (PS. Also could or would you please
leave a quiet room for the Operators. Since the days of “City of Tacoma” Bus Co. we all probably live further
than walking distance.)
“United Way”
This is in response to a memo posted in the Operator’s lobby and on the ATU 758 website.
To wit, ATU and Pierce Transit won the coveted and highly acclaimed “United Way Working Together” Award.
Evidently this award is only received when our Union members not only contribute 98% of the contributions
to the campaign but a member is selected as the “loaned Executive”.
On the wall of the Union office is the “McIlvaigh Pedersen Hupp award dated 1995. That was the year the Union
Administration finally becoming fed up with Pierce Transit receiving the award year after year, after posting
it upstairs outside Don’s office, year after year, felt that this local should be recognized for their
contributions. As a matter of fact if one were to examine the “wall of fame” you would find a plethora
of awards received by Pierce transit on the backs of our members.
That said, I would like to thank our members some of who have been involved with the United Way Campaign
Committee for approximately the last 10 years. Deborah Brown (team leader) approx. 10 yrs., Vanessa Oliver,
Raymond Trammel, Walt Waisath, Kim Horton, Wanda Spencer, Sha-Ron Jones, Larry Dahlin, Bennie Brooks,
Rich Drescher, Denise Downs, Kim Augon, Linda Hamilton & Valaura Knight. These members where involved
in Bake Sales, Chili –Cook- offs, garage sales and the pool tournaments. In addition during the “Days of Caring”
Jerry Palinsky & Kathy Ross were also involved. Hope I didn’t forget anyone – the Odds are I probably did.
The Unions efforts have never been a one (1) person show. These members put in long, long, days and lots of
hours. Thank- you!
“Seniority”
As I was looking around the lobby the other day and walking around the bus lot I came to a stark realization.
We have a lot of “new” members. When I began my career with Pierce Transit I used to marvel when I would ask a
senior Operator how long they had been here. A reply of 20 years would elicit the thought of “that’s a long time”.
Now I’m there – As a Union Leader (V.P.) for the past three administrations in addition to other Union positions
E-Board Officer and Shop Steward the last Sixteen years, I’ve grown to learn that one of the most important
elements of Union membership is Seniority. When choosing work assignments seniority matters. I remember a
former member who was right above me in seniority, she used to take the run I wanted every shake-up and days
off also. A “Bummer” but I’m past it now.
Seniority matters when and if there is a reduction in force (RIF). Some members remember the I-695 lay-offs -no
arbitrary decisions-seniority. Even in that scenario individuals who had moved from one classification to
another and had accrued dual seniority were able to bump back into a classification and stay on the job.
Operations and Maintenance. When the member was called back it was by Seniority also.
In our Maintenance Department work/job assignments are also signed by seniority, (although I might say I’ve seen
an unprecedented attack on those rights the last three years) as is overtime. Our members in Specialized
Transportation i.e.: Customer Service Peps (CSR) also enjoy seniority rights/ privileges as do our members
in the development dept. (CSR). One may not give the idea of seniority much thought but remember when you
attained enough to control your own lifestyle, what a difference it makes!
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Grievances
Maintenance: Steve Washburn, unexcused absence. Step II April 2, 2004.
Maintenance: Facilities Custodian II-Overtime signup. Settlement reached.
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