The PT Social Security option would be in addition to our PERS retirement plan. The mock vote has moved to October, because we were unable to schedule SS sessions in time for a September vote. This vote is the next important step in bringing SS to PT. SS is currently 6.5% of wages (between $1 & $1.50/hour), which would also be matched by PT. The SS decision will affect our group for the future just as the 1980 vote to not join affected us. Once in, we can’t get out, but, this opportunity may not come along again for a long time. There are unknowns. President Bush advocates changing Social Security to a PERS III system, where one has an investment, rather than a guaranteed monthly benefit. The future of SS and medical care will be in the hands of the political party running our government. Based on the present, if you are in SS, and work here at least 10 more years, your retirement income could almost double. Enjoy your vote and the discussions you will have. We’ll be giving you some information to help, but checking it out yourself is the only sure method.
Operator 4-10s are still waiting for a final meeting, then information and a survey will follow.
Your 4 general officers attended the WA State Labor Convention held in Tacoma. There were many workshops with many candidates speaking. Endorsements will be posted on our BB and our website. Do not believe that there is no difference in the political parties. Your vote is so important. Please call us if you need to register to vote or volunteer.
American Heart Walk is coming in October. It raises funds to combat the #1 cause of death, heart disease. Your support is appreciated. There are many fine volunteers available to help you help them!
PT Maintenance workers voted to move their vacation and shake-up to January. The initial survey showed 90% in favor, with the actual vote at 67%. What happened between the survey and the vote?
September 11 thru September 18, 2004 the four general Officer’s Isaac, Cathie, Sonya and myself will be attending the International Convention. As usual, our cell phones will be on. Lane Chase will be in charge of Operations and Joe DiGiulio will be in charge of Maintenance.
Labor Day has arrived! It was passed into law in 1894 to honor workers (a work week was 6 days, with no payroll confusion about overtime or injured workers compensation). Politics was similar, with someone undoubtedly saying that the day off is for “girlie men.” Enjoy your holiday.
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Vice President’s Desk
“Extra-Board Overtime”
Fulltime Operators
In the past couple of months I have been approached by some of our Full-time Extra-Board Operators.
The members concern, a perceived reduction in overtime hours available to them (which is why they signed it)
and inequities in the assignment of overtime work to our Relief Operators.
To that end, I requested and received documentation specific to dates of the perceived inequities.
My findings are as follow:
1. Fewer training classes (more Operators actually driving their assigned runs)
2. Request by our FT Extra-Board Operators for A.M. run assignments and early times off (most of the O.T.
runs/assignments with O.T. are midday approximately 11A.M. to 8P.M.)
3. Daily changes that occur while the F.T. Extra-Board Operators are on the road (sick, late etc.) (Extra-Board
Operators who are on the road working the early A.M. runs on many occasions have very little time between
the end of their run/assignments and sign-up times for trippers etc.)
4. Some work could or would result in the extra-ordinarily long work day possibly butting up against the 81/2 hr.
buffer between the late run and the requested A.M. (early) run/start time.
5. Shuttle priority status could adversely affect O.T. work
6. A Relief Operator who is given a 3 hour piece of work in the A.M. could be assigned an 8 hr. piece of work
due to an assignment change that day.
7. Another issue: our Relief Operators who are at a lower wage scale are working approximately 70-80 hour per
pay period (I was approached by a Relief Operator who stated he was taking a pay cut because he signed a
Full-time run.)
8. And finally I would think (perhaps erroneously) that the denial of LW and the whopping increase of
guaranteed daily vacation slots from 6 to 9, which are filled by the 59th day of the 60 day notification period
(just kidding- the 50th day) may very well play a hand in less O.T. for the FT Extra-Board Operator.
Questions? In the past Dispatch has been willing to make available daily run sheets and equalization documentation, so if you continue to have questions contact me, cell # (253)640-9111, or via e-mail v.president@atu758.org
“ASRB”
KUDOS to our members who appeared at the August ASRB meeting. Five (5) out of six (6) of our members who attended left with non-preventable rulings and I again stress the importance of involvement in the ASRB meeting/process. As a matter of fact the only preventable ruling was assessed a member that failed to show. (This is understandable due to the nature of our job(s). That being said I will encourage this member to invoke the Appeal process, which could very well lead to Operational changes, and or the lessening of harm to their co-workers. Participation in the ASRB process not only educates, but on many occasions better illustrates and explains the incident to the voting members, whom are two (2) Operators who have worked both fixed route & shuttle assignments, One (1) Maintenance member who at the present comes from the Body Shop (invaluable when photos are presented noting damage to both coaches and shuttle equipment), A Risk management representative (who at present to my knowledge has never operated any of our equipment), but is willing to listen to our members and learn the intricacies of our jobs. A Maintenance Mgmt representative (usually the Safety & Training Coordinator) and the Operations Safety & Training Manager. In just the last two (2) months including the Appeals process close to $1,000 went to our members’ pockets. Unless you can afford the loss of your safety bonus ($100) and/or a tarnished safety record, please try to participate in the ASRB process. It works for you. Thank You!
“Just a Thought”
One thing I can’t figure out. (actually one of many). An Operator can be given a written reminder for failure to use a wheel block. But if you notice the instructions for usage on the end of the wheel block it states… improper use can result in product failure, always use in “pairs” and on flat surfaces. So do we need a tandem (pair) of wheel blocks? Is using “one” when instructions state “two”, a failure on the Operators part to properly secure the coach or is management obligated to supply the Operator with proper equipment?
In Solidarity
Isaac O. Tate V.P. /A.B.A.
V.pres@atu758.org
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It is that time of the current Union term to announce the coming of nominations for Union Officers. In the October 2004 regular cycle of meetings, any member in good standing may nominate any other member in good standing or themselves for all Officer Positions. The voting for Officers will take place in November 2004 (exact date will be announced later). Members who cannot attend the nomination meetings but wish to be nominated must provide a letter to the local Union office (to be received on or before the nomination meeting) or give the letter to the person who will nominate them to present at the nomination meeting, stating that they will accept the nomination for the office in which they nominated for and will serve if elected. In that letter you must be specific in the office you wish to run for and that you will accept the nomination. Please be aware that Union and employer funds may not be used to promote the candidacy of any candidate. All candidates will have the same access to member addresses (members addresses will be sent to a printer via a disk for privacy) if they wish to do a mailing to the members for their candidacy. If you do a mailing, you will be responsible for all costs associated with that mailing. Immediately following the nominations I will verify the eligibility of all nominees and a letter will be sent out to each nominee to state if they qualify or do not.
The following positions will be vacated and any member in good standing may run for any office. President Business Agent, Vice President Assistant Business Agent, Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Transit Operator position 1, 2 and 3, Mechanic position 1 and Mechanic position 2, Facilities Maintenance Mechanic, Administrative Services position 1, Service Supervisor, Customer Service Representative (Shuttle) and a Longview Representative.
Sonya Ogden
Recording Secretary
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Which judge do I vote for? They don’t align with a political party?
Most people have no idea, yet judges’ decisions create law just as legislators do. The Union endorses judges, just as they do politicians, based on their record and interviews. Visit: atu758.org, and you will then know which candidates support worker protections.
Make your vote count. We need you, you need them!
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