I have been in and out of the office the last three weeks dealing with a family member with a
serious health condition, therefore my report may not be as thorough as you or I would like, but I will highlight some of
the issues I continue to address, and information that I feel is relevant to the membership.
During the just completed legislative session some changes (for the better) were made to PERS
I, PERS II, PERS III, TRS and SERS retirement plan members (see chart below). Additional information available at
www.drs.wa.gov
For PERS, TRS and SERS Plan 2 and Plan 3 members:
A member with 30 years of service who has reached age 62 will be able to retire with no reduction in benefit. The current
three percent reduction per year before age 65 will be replaced with:
Retirement Age Reduction in Benefit
55 20%
56 17%
57 14%
58 11%
59 8%
60 5%
61 2%
62 0%
63 0%
64 0%
This will be effective for PERS Plan 2 and 3 members July 1, 2008 and effective for TRS and SERS Plan 2 and 3 members
September 1, 2008.
Any member who retires under the new reduction factors can not return to work for a public employer, without forfeiting his
or her pension, until age 65. That includes any work performed under a personal service contract, as a temporary or project
employee, or under any other similar compensated relationship with a public employer.
Other issues being addressed are the cell phone policy, more specifically Management’s deviation from positive performance
counseling (5 steps), to issuing a “written reminder” the (3rd step) without notice to members/employees their intent to go
to the 3rd level of discipline on the “first” perceived violation.
Travel time: when returning vehicles to base, when being relieved for a doctor’s appointment or vacation request. The
question is should an individual be “dinged” by using their “own” accrued benefit (sick or vacation time) to return a
vehicle to base when the contract clearly states sick or vacation “shall” be charged as actual time used. Shouldn’t this
be travel pay?
Drowsy driving: this is an issue particularly affecting the Relief Operators. One idea is am/pm shifts, discussions
will be ongoing and will involve Relief Operators interested in and willing to provide input addressing these issues which
basically go hand in hand.
Meal and Rest period: this will have to be addressed. It is the Unions intent to provide as much info to our members
(Operators) as possible. This will only impact straight runs (8 hours), and splits which would have to be modified that
had 6 hours on the first half (as an example). Of course there are other ramifications or changes but this would only
happen if a meal period was implemented.
More information will be forthcoming, and any change in working conditions would have to be approved by the affected
work group before implementation.
Fixed route Service Supervision, Safety & Training Instructors as well as Specialized Transportation Schedulers,
Dispatchers and Service Supervisors have elected to waive the meal period.
Our Longview/ Kelso area Paratransit members/employees have received their retro pay from June 1, 2006 to April 2007.
Shop Steward Seanna Wolff is looking into the floater holidays which were negotiated for the part-time Operators. Thanks
go to Seanna for “all” the work she does on behalf of the Operators and her involvement in the contract negotiations.
Congratulations to member Brent Mackie who was awarded the trophy for first place at the 2007
International Bus Roadeo in Nashville, Tennessee. The Maintenance team of JLM(s) Jose Guzman, Kim Huynh and Scott
Simonsen placed 22nd out of 46 teams. Pretty impressive for a “rookie” team.
Be safe, take care of yourselves and yours!
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Lane Chase, Vice President/A.B.A.
V.president@atu758.org
Prescription Drugs: The state of Washington has a New Prescription Drug Card. This card is open to all Washington residents
who do not have prescription drug coverage or whose insurance does not cover all their prescription drug needs. The only
requirement is to be a Washington state resident. This card is not connected with Pierce Transit or the Local. There are
no fees associated with this card. This program is brand new and just being unveiled. The states of Washington and Oregon
have joined together to form a consortium for better purchasing power. Washingtonians will save an average of 20% on
brand-name-dugs and 60% on generic drugs, according to the governor. The plan name is, “The Washington Prescription Drug
Program, (WPDP). Each individual must sign up. Enrollment forms can be ordered on line at, www.rx.wa.gov or by calling
1-800-913-4146. This plan is coordinated through, The ODS Companies, located in Portland, Oregon. Ever need to buy that
medication that is not covered by our health plan? Check this out it may save you some cash.
Accident Rulings: All to often I go to the Accident Safety Review Board, (third Wednesday of
each month), and watch as one of our members accident reports is read and the member is not there to explain what or why
they wrote what they did. They aren’t there to fill in the blanks or answer questions that may arise. While I realize
that some of you may have previous commitments, or just plain not be able to be there for one reason or another. Take the
time to talk to one of the ASRB members before the meeting. This simple action could save you a lot of heart ache later.
Pre-Tripping: This next item goes hand-in-hand with the previous article. We had one of our
members receive a preventable accident ruling on an accident. What makes this accident different from the rest? I feel
this Operator, did not have the accident. It was previous damage. To this Operator’s credit they were upfront about the
events that occurred and admitted not doing a complete pre-trip of their bus. By making this admission, the Operator earned
themselves a preventable accident ruling. The recorded channels were checked on the previous days along with the Operators
that had been assigned that coach a few days before the discovery of the damage were asked about it. All this was to no
avail no one knew anything. So the last Operator became the patsy and received the preventable. It is bad enough to
collect a preventable ruling on an accident when you actually were involved in and at fault for. But, to suffer the
consequences for something that was not even your fault to begin with, well……….for lack of a better expression,
“(#*&^*$^#&&).
Golf Tournament: The tournament is coming soon and we will be Looking for Volunteers.
If you are interested please let us know as soon as possible. It really helps and there are a thousand things that need to
be attended to, (if you don’t believe me just ask Tyrone Ross). The date of the tournament is July 15, 2007. Put it on
your calendar, come out and join the fun.
Last year we printed the “Ode to Golf”. I don’t know how the rest you played, but this is a
recap of my game or lack there of, from last year. Last years verse makes reference to the all knowing, humbling little
white orb called a golf ball. Yes, I’m back for another lesson from that little ball, and yes I’d swear it knows I will
keep coming back.
Last year I held that ball so dimpled and small
It was the sixth annual tourney and I stood so tall
That harmless looking sphere humbled me on the first nine
On the second nine I crumbled and whined
Now it’s time for the seventh annual
I’m ready to attack it like an animal
Once again I go forth with confidence in hand
God, just let me stay out of the sand
I’ve had an entire year to forget my fear
If I can just make it through this round without shedding a tear
That little ball humbles and shows no sorrow
I’d swear that it knew I’d be back, because it’s tomorrow
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Don McKnight
Financial Secretary/Treasurer
We’ve received our annual notice from the International Union about the Union dues increase
effective July 1st 2007. Most of the members will experience a mandatory dues increase of .25 cents unless you’re one of
the few that currently pays less than the mandatory minimum set forth by the International. In that case you may face an
increase of up to $2.25, to get you closer to the minimum dues required by the International. I will have a copy of the
notification placed on our Union bulletin boards for your reading. If you have any question about the dues structures
please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 253-970-2912.
The Supervisors voted on how they wanted the Union to proceed concerning the half hour lunch
break required by law. The vote was a mixed message. All along, all I heard from everyone was that they wanted things to
remain the same. Currently we have the ability to eat during our shift without going out of service to do it. If something
comes up, you put the sandwich down and take care of business. You finish the sandwich if and when you have time later.
This is basically a paid meal break during your shift which was option 3. You don’t go out of service to eat and you eat
if time allows you to eat.
When the vote was counted a significant number of you voted for option (1) one. Option one
took away your ability to eat during your shift. It would have subjected you to possible discipline had we negotiated away
your right to eat during your shift. For this reason I convinced Isaac that there must have been some misunderstanding about
what option one would mean. I requested that Isaac and he agreed due to perhaps some misinformation by individuals in the
work group, to inform Management of the Union’s intent to leave things the same as they currently are. We have the ability
to eat during our shifts without going out of service. Basically we get a paid meal break during our shifts. I suggest that
if you truly don’t wish to eat while you’re on the clock the solution is simple, don’t eat.
It’s springtime and springtime means baseball. I’d like to encourage all of you to take in one of the
remaining games played by our ATU sponsored members.
Monday, May 7 - 6:10 PM at Heritage Recreation Center
9010 128th St. E. Puyallup Field 1
Monday, May 14 - 7:20 PM & 8:30 PM at Sprinker Recreation Center
14824 South C. St Tacoma Field 6
Monday, May 21 - 6:10 PM at Heritage Recreation Center
9010 128th St. E. Puyallup Field 3
Monday, June 4th - 7:20 PM & 8:30 PM at Sprinker Recreation Center
14824 South C. St Tacoma Field 8
Monday, June 11th - at 7:20 PM & 8:30 PM at Heritage Recreation Center
9010 128th St. E. Puyallup Field 3 & 2
Let’s all show up and root them on!
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Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary
Please welcome two new E-Board Officers who were approved by your E-Board to fill the vacant
positions on the board. Operator Juanita Hoheusle will represent the Relief Operators at Pierce Transit and Juanita’s
contact phone number is 253-222-8509. CSR/Shuttle member Devorah Zeller will represent CSR’s Shuttle and her contact
phone number is 253-446-9124. Please feel free to go to them or any other E-Board Officer with any concerns and/or problems.
On behalf of President Deborah Brown and Financial Secretary/Treasurer Ginny Stevens of the
local ATU Women’s Caucus I as the Vice President invite you to the next Women’s Caucus meeting on Monday, June 4, 2007 at
6 PM at your local Union office. All members are welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Executive Board Reports
The campaign has started to have the fleet outfitted with the red light filters (the rear
light will not be filtered). We have had nothing but positive response from the red lights. Also a campaign to VCR your
bus has started, so please check out the posters in the Operators lobby and in the bus yard. The jelled seats have been
approved for retrofit to the buses. Please use the walking paths in the bus lot for your safety and please follow the bus
lot speed (10 MPH).
Did you know that while driving:
80% of us fiddle with the radio or other things,
73% drive and talk on cell phones,
19% send text messages,
5% check email,
12% put on makeup,
2% shave their face.
Safety is a team effort so let’s work together and stay safe!
July 15, 2007 ATU Annual Golf Tournament
July 21, 2007 Camp-out at Tacoma Sportsman Club
July 22, 2007 ATU Annual Picnic at Tacoma Sportsman Club
Please contact me at 253-861-0425 if you are interested in volunteering at the golf tournament and/or the picnic.
Tyrone Ross, Executive Board Officer, Operator Position II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ATU LOCAL 758
7th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
July 15, 2007, TEE OFF AT 9:00 AM
Horseshoe Lake Golf Course
1250 Southwest Clubhouse Court
Port Orchard, WA 98367
253.857.3326
ENTRY FEE will be $65.00, Per Person or $260 Per 4 Person Team.
Included are the following per player:
* Green Fees
* Power Cart Rental
* Range Balls
* Tee Prizes
* Lunch
* Drinks
* Tax & Tip Included
* Men’s & Women’s Long drive
* Men’s & Women’s KP
* 1st, 2nd, 2nd to last, last place prizes
Following require additional $10.00 entry fee.
* Putting contest
* Hole in one contest on #11
* Bonus Hole in One prizes
* Mulligans (1) per player
TOURNAMENT FORMAT:
Shambles-
In a Shambles format, each team player tees off on each hole. The best of the tee shot is selected and all players play their second shots from that spot. From this point each player plays their own ball where it lies until holed out. Team score is the one best net ball. A player can pick up their ball at anytime; their score will not be used on that hole for the net team score.
Callaway scoring will be applied to the net team score to determine the winning teams.
PLEASE SIGN-UP NOW!
EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO PLAY!!!
Last year some teams missed out, sign up early to ensure your spot.
June 22, 2007 is the cut-off date.
For Information please contact:
Lane Chase 253.297.9110 ~ Tyrone Ross 253.861.0425
Or the Union Office at 253.474.3123
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