The Union and membership applaud the appointment of Sam Desue as Pierce Transit’s first
Director of Operations and Maintenance. In his relatively short time at Pierce Transit, Sam has managed to get the
Specialized Transportation department pretty much back on track and served in the capacities of Manager of Service
Supervision and also stints as the acting V.P. of Operations. He is an individual with vision and a can do attitude and
is well liked by both the members and his peers and understands the importance of good labor relations.
One of his first tasks was to conduct a meeting with your Shop Stewards and Executive Board
Officers, Bill Spies VP Maintenance and Larry Cline, Senior Transportation Manager on June 13, 2007. Approximately 20 of
your representatives were able to voice concerns regarding antiquated policies, working conditions, morale and
administrative issues, and sentiment that repeated itself time and time again, the mistrust of Management and those in some
Management positions who fear change, and their inability to function outside their comfort zone. These meetings
incidentally will become a monthly event.
Something that I feel that was not lost in the view of the new Director of OPS/Maint, is,
when the agency fails to accommodate, support or listen to the individuals that make an agency great, the ensuing morale
issues can and will adversely affect the day to day operations, as well as bring doubt and/or questions regarding the
individuals in leadership/Management positions, especially in the Operations division, but also to a certain extent in
Maintenance also.
At Pierce Transit, it is time for change. We seem to be headed in the right direction
hopefully we can make it work.
Update on Open Issues
Cell phone policy-meeting held-revised discipline policy on the way.
Travel Time-meeting scheduled-contractual issue: will meet with Director Operations/Maintenance and HR.
Drowsy Driving-meeting scheduled-contractual issue: will meet with Director Operations/Maintenance and HR.
Meal and Rest periods-meeting held with Scheduling and Planning, CEO, HR, VP Policy Planning and Public Affairs, Director Operations/Maintenance-next meeting mid July.
Relief Specialized Transportation Dispatchers-meeting held-issues: not currently a job classification, no mechanism for equalization of hours, and probation six (6) months or 1,040 hours-ongoing discussions.
Seniority-CSR(s) moving to Specialized Transportation Dispatcher positions (concurrent seniority).
System and Section Shake-ups-8 ½ hours end to beginning time of following day (change parameters for Relief Operators).
Working Conditions-Service Supervisors-Extra Board (clarify not a “separate” entity but regular bid piece of work).
Relief Service Supervisors-include CSR(s) promoted to those positions (4C).
Due to the fact there are constantly changing issues that affect your negotiated contract,
workplace issues such as the Specialized Transportation Dispatcher position which now has a CSR as the next individual to
be promoted to a full-time slot will have to address concurrent seniority. Relief Service Supervisors language will also
have to address CSR(s) as well as Operators. Service Supervisor Extra-Board, clarify per the contract this is a regular bid
position within the shake-up, not a separate entity (fixed route extra board Operators sign by seniority this particular
work, so a shake-up within that work only affects the individuals that signed it). This issue arose when a well intentioned
higher seniority Supervisor who was planning retirement chose to not adversely affect those below him in seniority.
Believe it or not this is just a microcosm of issues that have to be addressed. The workplace
is constantly changing, therefore the same holds true for working conditions. The Union also has concerns regarding our
Facilities Maintenance members (reorganization) and the working conditions of our Relief Operators. There will be
discussions/meetings ongoing to address these issues and your Union will involve the affected parties in an effort to
remedy them. All for now, be safe.
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Don McKnight
Financial Secretary/Treasurer
I attended the retiree breakfast last month. It was nice to see so many of our friends again.
While I was there one of them inquired if Pierce Transit would send them an email version of the “The Buzz”. I checked with
Candy Shackelford and she said that she would be glad to forward it to our retirees. If you’d like a copy in the future
just send an email to cshackelford@piercetransit.org and include in the subject line (The Buzz Request).
This is a very busy time of year for me. I have to prepare documents for our semi-annual
audit, quarterly taxes have to be prepared, I will be on vacation from July 7th-14th, the golf tournament is on the 15th
and our picnic is July 22nd. Don’t forget to join us for the campout the night before on the 21st. I’ll be there on the
20th as well just because it’s one of the things I like to do. I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer and I look forward
to seeing you at the picnic.
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Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary
Due to the Ethics Policy that was distributed at Pierce Transit on Friday, June 8, 2007 the
Union is no longer allowed to sell raffle tickets on the property like we have sold in the past for the Union picnic cash
drawings and door prizes. Before June 8th some Officers were able to sell the tickets they did have, but not enough has
been sold to pay the posted $300.00, $200.00 and $100.00 cash prizes. Due to this we have decided to do a 50% 30% and 20%
cash sales of the raffle tickets from the tickets sold before the policy came out and the tickets that will be sold at the
picnic. The door prizes will remain the same. If you purchased a raffle ticket from a Union Officer and feel that the
change in the cash prizes is not appropriate please contact me at 253-224-8359 and I will pull your raffle ticket and issue
a refund. We will be selling raffle tickets and chicken poop game tickets at the picnic.
The ATU annual Golf tournament is Sunday, July 15, 2007. The deadline for enrolling was
Friday, June 22, 2007 however there are some spots left open for single players that would like to get on a team , teams
that do not have two ATU members on it and late entries. If interested you need to contact the Union office Administrator
Pattie at 253-474-3123 ASAP (Deadline Friday July 6, 2007). Sunday, July 15th is also the opening celebration of the new
Narrows Bridge. The bridge celebration starts around 10 AM well after the start of the tournament. The old bridge will be
open for car traffic. Please get an early start towards the bridge and if possible you could go around through Shelton
area if you live in the South Puget Sound area. The golf tournament is being held at Horseshoe Lake Golf Course1250
Southwest Clubhouse Court Port Orchard WA, 98367. Tee Time is 9 AM.
The August Women’s Caucus meeting will be held Monday, August 6, 2007 6:00 PM at the Union
office. The ATU Women’s Caucus will be holding a fund raiser at the Union picnic. We will be selling candles and
accessories. There will be Partylite candle merchandise available to purchase. We are looking for donations. If you have
new candles and/or accessories around and you are not using them and would like to donate to the Women’s Caucus for our
fundraiser we would appreciate anything. Please contact Deborah Brown at 253-297-7161 or me at 253-224-8359.
Please do not set your fellow Operators up for failure. For example, there are no courtesy
stops allowed at the Lakewood Towne Center. However, I have encountered a problem with an Operator allowing passengers to
get off at the stop signs there at the cross walk headed over to Target, right by La Palma restaurant. There is a reason
why no courtesy stops are allowed, it is dangerous to passengers and it sets up your fellow Operators for an accident.
These passengers who run for the buses after they have pulled away from the zones, risk losing their lives for a connection
and jeopardize the career of an Operator. There will always be another bus.
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Executive Board Reports
Inventory: the Executive Board has conducted and approved the inventory for 2007 that I
compiled. The entire inventory is on a disk stored at the Union office. We currently have property at the following
addresses:
Property 1: ATU Local Office facility 6923 Lakewood DR W B-1 Lakewood, WA 98467
Property 2: Pierce Transit Headquarters 3701 96TH ST SW Bldg 4 Lakewood, WA 98499
Property 3: Storage Unit Century Twenty-One 12331 Pacific Hwy SW Lakewood, WA
Apprenticeship Training: An 11 week construction apprenticeship Training is now forming in Renton.
To apply you must attend an orientation or call (206) 768-6671, www.anewaop.org.
Upcoming Event: Solidarity Day XXVII Sunday, August 26, 2007 @ Cheney Stadium.
Lamarr Bond Sr, Executive Board Officer, Operator Position I
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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.
RULES
A complete set of rules are obtainable from the Tournament Committee. All decisions are the responsibility of the Tournament Committee and are final. Participation in the ATU 758 Golf Tournament constitutes agreement with the rules
of the Tournament all decisions of the Tournament Committee, and Hole-In-One International.
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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ATU LOCAL 758 Annual PICNIC
Sunday, July 22, 2007
12pm to 5pm
Raffle Prizes:
50%
30% CASH OF RAFFLE TICKETS SOLD
20%
Tacoma Sportsman Club
16409 Canyon Rd E,
Puyallup, WA
253-537-6151
for information call
Tyrone Ross ~ 253-861-0425
Larry Dahlin ~ 253-474-9945
Barry Aiton ~ 253-797-8420
Camp-out Saturday July 21, 2007 (BYOB)
Bring your folding chairs!!
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