ATU 757 of Lane County

Negotiations In Swing: We Won't Stand Like Meat Puppets!

2011-08-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hello again Bothers and Sisters. While the dog days of summer are upon us here, your contract negotiations team is pushing onward and upward.

Two Halves Do Not Represent A Whole

Many of you have seen Our proposal package, as well as The Districts, in comparison at various meetings. A side-by-side viewing of each side's documentation reveals the stark contrast between the 2 sides.

That being said, We believe, based on your feedback - you believe that our position in regards to our list of demands is not only reasonable, but achievable. Simply put --- The District appears to be more than adequately equipped, economically speaking, to meet those demands.

Really?!

As for The District's position and their proposals, well to give you an idea as to the absurdity of their overall package --- their idea of a wage adjustment was a 1% increase in the final year of a 3 year contract.

Really LTD?! Really? One point in 3 years? When food costs are nearly 20% higher than they were the previous year? REALLY LTD?

After YOU gave the incoming GM a handsome boost in pay over the former GM's salary, even though he came from a property half the size of LTD and just started here? Really?!

No More Hokey Pokey!

We know the score Brothers an Sisters and it's time to take back our fair share. Lets stick to OUR guns (metaphorically speaking) and STAND AS ONE HERE AND NOW IN SOLIDARITY! We CAN'T LOSE if we stand as ONE.

In Solidarity,
Brian Pasquali
ATU 757 EBO

The Only Stupid Question Is The One You Don't Ask

2010-04-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

In last months report I'm sure many of you remember that I stated that it looked as though we were in the clear for summer, citing that this was based on current information, and that from the time I wrote the article, to the time you received it, was a difference of 3 weeks. (for those of you who forget the Labor Press is written & printed in advance...DOAH!)

  Well it all changed overnight unfortunately and where as the bulk of the Districts layoffs were to occur in the fall, they have now been moved up to summer. This change by the Districts own admission was due to the fact that the planning department made a counting error regarding EmX drivers. So while I prefaced my statement (knowing how fast things change), the Union was as surprised as you were, and now have a shorter timeline and more numbers to work with the District in the effort to offset layoffs.

   Upon delivery of the news to the Union of the District's error, it was agreed that due to the increase in layoffs, that the number of retirement incentive packages that were initially offered would be nearly tripled and for summer bid the District would now offer 5 voluntary furlough packages. This is the current action being taken. Whatever else may be brought forth to avert layoffs is not in play but your union is working as hard to do what we can to preserve jobs.

   I know this is a stressful time. I know because I can see it on many of your faces. I know because I don't sleep well if at all myself lately. (and no that's not just because I drive the 79x). Some of you have expressed discontent that at the last Union meeting there was a lack of information regarding layoffs. I am not sure what else I can say.

No More Speculating

Learning from my last report: even speculating , even when it all seems in the bag - is a mistake. Optimism is all most of us really have. Still, I think Chris Rock the comedian once said: "They always told us, there was a light at the end of the tunnel...They never told us...It was a train!" I don't want my message to be that, but I ask you all that are in the Layoff effected range, to hope for the best, and plan for the worst.

Understand that it is a day to day thing when it comes to the numbers and that for me to tell you anything I don't know as fact during a union meeting would be unfair and irresponsible of me. But remember, you are the Union...If you got to a Union meeting and don't get the information you want - ask. If you don't like the answer- tell us. But don't leave the meeting and spread the message that the union isn't giving the answers, when you passed on the opportunity to ask the question.

We have begun early talks regarding the pension plan and the Health Plan in an effort to lay the ground-work for negotiations. Many of you have expressed your concerns of the timeliness of the process and while this is only the first time I have been involved with a contract negotiation directly, I have played a part in another contract ratification in another union. The process is slow at times and fast at others.

"Hurry up and wait."

This is not by design but is more a byproduct of collective bargaining. But hurry up and wait is outweighed by the end result of collective bargaining. Many of you who have been here a short time need to realize that your pay and benefits are a result of battles of old fought by the people you work beside day to day. I ask that during this time you stay focused in your solidarity and continue to ban together. Your union officers, local and universal, are dedicated to the cause and will keep you in the know as soon as they are in the know on issues surrounding the membership.

In Solidarity,
Brian Pasquali
ATU 757 Executive Board Officer
Lane Transit

Summer Bid, Concepts and Solidarity

2010-03-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Looks like we will manage to pull it off for summer. As there is a three week delay from the time I write an article, to the time the Labor Press gets to your mailbox, I often take an educated guess as to how certain issues will work out. Given the fact(s), to date we have had 4 people committed to the retirement incentive package out of 8 turned in, and given that out of those 8 turned in we sent out roughly 40 offers, and given that this is just the first week of the offer period my semi-bold guess is that we will make it through the summer without layoffs. Now to focus on Fall.

Pro-EmX: Debunking The Anti-EmX Concept

It was suggested to me by an individual that some of my recent comments/ criticism of the EmX were closed minded and that in expressing my dismay with the project as a whole, that it was meant (or more it was taken) as me being against the EmX Operators. Now, you all have the right to disagree with me. I encourage it. You have the right to take what I write and interpret it and respond to it as you wish because I am not your boss. But you can't question my dedication and devotion to this membership. I am not in this for me. I am in it for the good of our membership-AS IN-the ENTIRE membership.

When I speak out against a District or a District project such as the EmX it is always for the reason of giving the membership a voice. Most of my articles come from a consensus of the memberships' views and feedback.

When it comes to the EmX, my belief of the negative impact it has had and continues to have on the membership is a shared reality amongst the majority of the membership. So really my words are not just my own. SO TO BE CLEAR I am in no way against the EmX operators based on my position on the EmX.Though it sounds as though it is only one fellow member that took it this way - I feel clarification is needed.

As for the EmX "concept" as a whole, I am not, and never have been, against it (again, in concept). After all I drove the thing myself for a year. Still, we all know "concepts" sometimes don't pan out or go sour, not by any fault of our own. When this happens, the owner of the "concept" is ultimately responsible to adapt, improvise, delay, and if necessary abort, if the concept runs into the for-mentioned troubles or otherwise becomes unsustainable.

But, when ego is coupled with the "concept" by the owner. It makes it very hard to adapt. When deception is used to promote the concept to the users, the need for improvisation is easily ignored. When heavy obligations are put forth to guarantee the concept to delay or to abort becomes litigious. This is the basic formula associated with the EmX that is troubling to me.

All Together Now!

Our last two union meetings have been huge! I guess people have had enough of the bullying management tactics. And what better way to fight back than to show up in solidarity. The message of "enough is enough" that came out of those meetings was conveyed to management through your Officers and it made an immediate difference. And that's how it all works people.

Now, lets keep the pressure on! Management knows we are uniting and that is their worst nightmare. So join me - Guido the Boogie man! If you didn't show up for the last meetings - maybe its time. It it your union. If you were one of the many who showed up thank you, and see you next month.

In Solidarity,

Brian Pasquali

Executive Board Officer

ATU 757 of Lane County

We Have Lost A Piece of Lane ATU 757's History

2010-02-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

James "Del" Allred
Aug. 20, 1942 - Feb. 22, 2010

Del was valued employee, a loyal union member, a union officer that took great pride in his union work. As the shop steward for the Part-time people He put his whole heart into his work. Many hours that I spent with Del and his personal contributions to the union officers..As we dismantled the part-time classification and wrote a new part of L.T.D./A.T.U. History, Del's input was such a valued part of that time. The contract was the first in the United States/Transit History that did away with that class of workers.

The Allred family has given so much of themselves to help our LTD/ATU Family and because of their selfless work, love and care, We have become better people, a better family, and will all ways be grateful.

Del always had his gentle way of saying goodly to me.....just before he would walk away---Del would reach out and touch me on my right shoulder---never say goodbye--just touch and walk away. AND SO THAT GENTLE MAN HAS TOUCHED US ALL AND NOW HAS WALKED AWAY.

I will remember you DEL---THANK YOU BROTHER

PAUL W. HEADLEY

February 23, 2010

You can view Del's and other former members on our blog's new page "In Memoriam". There you will find links to each person's obituary or comment with memories or thoughts about a member we have lost.

No More Doom & Gloom - Stand Together - Stand Tall!

2010-02-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Hello Brothers and Sisters. While the District continues to talk doomsday scenarios with the public and the operators who will listen, we have begun doing what we can do in the union to at least lighten the blow.

In all essence it is a similar model to what we put together last year with the idea being we try to create incentive to retire for those that are wanting to go. In addition we will be asking for a furlough option for the summer for those who want to go just not forever.

Remember, while stimulus money helped some last year, your union opened the last set of parachutes to save the four to five jobs remaining unprotected. We all came together last time around and I hope we can stand together once again but were not off to a good start.

District PR & The Hope Crushing Machine

Since the District began their PR campaign mid February I noticed a change in many of your mindsets. The majority of you "get it" and see through the propaganda machine. After all, we have been down this road many times now and many senior drivers have seen this scenario more than they care to remember.

But a few of you reacted the way the district wanted to you to react and believe what the district wanted you to believe this time around. While most didn't bother going to our GM's employee "info" meetings, some of you did and came out somewhat troubled.

The thing to remember about The Districts "meetings":

When they show you numbers, remember, numbers can be made to lie and in this case, the books are cooked "well done." Because, they want you to to panic, to loose hope, and to turn on your union brothers and sisters.
They want you to believe that the primary issues surrounding the shortfall are YOUR wages and YOUR benefits being too high in this crippled economy.
They want you to feel as though its YOUR fault.
They tell you that this silo of money is for this and that pile of money is for that...Its all baloney.

But The District never tells you what is truly relevant:

What are the department heads making?
How much is the average administrative employee' s salary and is that above or below what the market is paying?
What is the administration to hourly wage employee ratio and how does that compare to other transit agencies?
How much did the required funds matching for the EmX project(s) impact our general operating fund?
Why are we buying new buses and why are we continuing to buy articulated buses when we we won't have anyone to drive them and artics are proven to be less efficient due to the excessive time lost in and out of service stops?

Why in all of this has the District not even talked about laying off administrative employees??

So many of these questions will be asked and answered by your union before the next press release so that you will know the truth.

In the mean time don't fall for the evasive maneuvers the District makes. This is all standard procedure on every property before a contract comes up. It may be true we are heading toward layoffs of some degree, but we cant just let them off the hook because they say they are victims of a faltering economy.

They have run this same story in good economic conditions (its true!). Make no mistake our District Leadership is responsible for this mess and the campaign they have put out there trying to divert the blame elsewhere proves it. They have (to date) spent more money and more resources getting the message out to the public and to the employees that 'the sky is falling' then they have actually trying to fix the problem.

Remember, the only way we are going to get through this one way or the other, is by maintaining solidarity.We must stand together for we are only as strong as our weakest link

Brian Pasquali

Executive Board Officer

ATU 757 of Lane County

Here is the latest flier handout reminding you about Your Meetings & Your Union - if you missed it please take a look: Rally Cry

Bid Week: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2010-01-20T00:43:00.000-08:00

Bid week is upon us! Its a beautiful thing really. Now, generally most people handle it all fairly well, but the anticipation and build up is too much for others. Based on my humble observations, there are some 'boiler room' concepts I would like those few to consider ---

#1 Show up

If you don't - we bid as close to what you had last time from what work is still open in the current bid. There seems to be two repeat offenders in this department but the rule is applied in any case when an operator does not fill out a 'relief to bid', fails to turn in an 'absentee slip' or 'designated bidder form', and does not show when their number is called.

I am not trying to send a negative message regarding the bid but for me, the last thing I want to have to do is make the choice for you.

#2 Don't Stray

If you submit a 'relief to bid' form, remember that if your current run has a 'split' break, the relief slip does not hold the spot for you while in-between shifts, on your own time. If you get back from a run and see your number is close, don't go anywhere because we will not try and track you down off the property.

#3 The Clock is a-tick-in

Operators get ten minutes to make a choice. As with a no-show in the bid room, if you go over the time allotted, I have an obligation to pick for you. It has not happened recently but it has happened.

There can and have been exceptions to the time clock and there is ample warning but be aware that you get past ten minutes and are not making forward motion the union has the right to circumvent.

When walking into the room it is best to clear your mind of all that and focus on making your choices. Before going in, scan the 'unofficial post' in the driver lounge, so you can have more than one choice you can settle with.

Many people that end up with work they are not happy about, didn't think it through ahead of time. Still, hindsight is always 20/20 and you can never really know until your 1st week is through if the run is cake or if it is tight, but this may help a bit.

Never assume your number is FAR away from being called. Generally speaking it goes in waves, in the most favorable of circumstances we can process 20 bids in a half hour at times when we are on a roll.

#4 There is a cost to bidding...

...but it is minimal. If you are 'relieved to bid', by contract, you are not being paid to do so. While I am aware of the "time is money" formula and work to see that you lose a minimal amount of pay in the process, during the bid, it is not necessary to remind me of this nor is it appreciated.

Most people "get it" but it seems every bid cycle there is one member that feels they need to rudely point out that they have "waited "X" amount of time" and it has "cost them "X" amount of money".

In most cases it is less than an hour... In most cases it is a 10 to 20 minute wait upon arriving at the property... In most cases it won't be noticed on their pay stub... But for the few that feel they need to be snarky and run their mouth about how much money it is costing them, within earshot, while I am overseeing a bid, you need to get over yourself and realize the positives in being able to pick your work - FAR outweigh the cost of even an hour of mark off.

For the most part realistic folks get that, but if anyone has any further questions on the matter please seek out one of your union officers for assistance outside of the bid room, preferably during breaks in the process. Please present how much time you lost and how you propose we remedy the process. Like all contract suggestions it will receive attention.

#5 Overseen, but Not an Oversight

Another thing to remember is that while I oversee the bid and intervene when needed, I have no control over how the Operations Dispatcher schedules reliefs. If they make a mistake, or more often not, and there is a natural occurring delay or break in the bidding, it is too late or impossible to remedy.

Obviously I step in when we start talking about repeated and frequent delays but that rarely occurs. So far in this bid - the longest bid was 20 minutes and that is reasonable.

My union officers, as well as The Districts personnel, do our best to prevent bid delays and keep waiting bidders apprised of delays when they occur and have vested interest in ensuring that the integrity of the bid remains whole.

I will never invalidate your reasonable concerns and constructive criticism on this issue.

Thank you and enjoy the your right to choose.

In Solidarity,

Brian Pasquali
Executive Board Officer
ATU 757 of Lane County

A Member Two-Fer: Missing Labor Press Articles Dec. & Jan. Editions

2010-01-03T22:26:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year Brothers & Sisters.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, our properties' NW Labor Press articles for December and January were not published in those recent editions sent out. I wanted to reassure you that the next article will appear in February's edition. To remedy this I am handing out this special flier to make sure that everyone gets a chance to read the words that would have appeared in both print editions.

2010 is a big year for our membership. I want you to know that your officers and stewards are working diligently to address the issues and your concerns. Not only can you read the monthly print article, but you can also get news on ATU 757 of Lane County's Blog : http://laneatu757.blogspot.com/ which will be featuring weekly articles from your officers and stewards, and our Facebook Fan Page : http://www.facebook.com/laneatu757 . Besides these 2 main sites Lane ATU 757 also has a facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000301373249 , or our friendfeed account http://www.friendfeed.com/laneatu757 (which gathers all of our pages info from different sources and publishes it to one stream). All these sites are designed with the membership in mind. Showing your support can be in many forms - getting involved can be in person or on-line. We appreciate your input.

December 2009 NW Labor Press Article

Happy Holiday's Brothers and Sisters! I recently returned from the annual Pension Trust/Benefits training seminar in Orlando Florida. I took a variety of courses on subjects ranging from Fiduciary Responsibilities of a Trustee, to Health and Wellness Programs. As one of the 4 Trustees on our pension, I am obligated and appreciate the huge responsibility that comes with it. The material provided through these courses ensures that I have the proper training to manage our fund responsibly. One thing is for sure, as 2009 comes to a close, we are breathing a little bit easier, fiscally speaking.

Pension and Health trust funds all over the country took huge hits during the early part of this year and adjustments had to be made where they could. Some Public plans such as PERS, while initially looked as though they would weather the storm, took massive hits (see Climbing PERS expenses face Oregon pension board, agency budget writers). Luckily we are not a PERS and have significantly more control over our Fund as it is fairly small and sleek. All in all, It looks as if the Market has finally bottomed out now, and while we can hope more for a "V" like recovery (a sharp down, followed by an equally sharp up), all indications are that the rebound will be more gradually with some additional bumps still to come.

Time To Prepare

As winter creeps in and negotiations on other properties progress, your local officers are hard at work gathering data, marking the date's, and setting the strategy for our sessions. While we cannot out and out divulge our strategy, there are some keys to remember as we make our approach:

1st Key - Whatever differences we have with one another...whether you have, or have not been in a union before...whether in the past you just felt left out of the process, or just didn't want to be involved...now is the time for us to come together in solidarity for our future. If you have questions or suggestions we are listening. Bottom line - If you want MORE, If you want YOUR voice heard - participate.

2nd key - Expect fierce resistance from the other side as we approach negotiations. Expect anything from ticky-tacky procedural write ups as a driver, to a full on sickening propaganda campaign. They will tell you that "you make enough", and are "lucky to have a job"... They will tell you "The District is struggling to pay for your benefits", and that you get "so much already"... And they will tell you that Your Union, "is the problem"...So they will be lying.

When you hear the proverbial smack talk going around - like say - a newer road supervisor, one that never attended ONE Union meeting much less participate in his short time as a driver, "casually" commenting that "your union is weak" - you tell him, Sorry - you already heard the truth: The truth is that even the so-called "respectable" pay and benefits he has now, as a supervisor, are the result of a struggle that started long ago with the Headly's , Boyton's and the Allred's and the other brave Union soldiers that wouldn't take NO for an answer, and that same struggle continues to this day! (He only forgot to mention those insignificant details.)

"Don't let any man into your cab, your home, or your heart, unless he's a friend of labor."-Jimmy Hoffa

In the spirit of organization, I invite you to join our Facebook Page . Also we have some great links being collected on delicious (a bookmarking site), which range from labor history, labor theory & law, to articles about the economy - which may be of some interest to you.

In Solidarity,

Brian Pasquali
Executive Board Officer
ATU 757 of Lane County

January 2009 Labor Press Article

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters! We are not sure what happened to the last report as far as it making it into the Labor Press but sorry for the error. Never the less the report for December is available for viewing on your local property's Blog: http://laneatu757.blogspot.com/ There are also links on the blog to our Facebook page, Twitter and FriendFeed.

I encourage those of you that don't attend meetings regularly to use these online tools to keep up with Lane ATU 757's current events. Guessing by the stats - people are visiting both of these sites and participating at an increase. Also judging by the last two months of our meeting sign-ins, more people are showing up in the flesh as well. All of this is good news and I expect it to continue as we approach contract talks. So know that you can show your Solidarity in many ways.

Nov. 13, 1946 - Dec. 16, 2009

While he was a quiet man for the most part, John Gonzalez had a away about him that didn't require him talk allot for a person to understand just how good of a guy he really was. In conversations I had with John, whether on stand in the drivers lounge, or at union meetings, it was evident to me that - while he didn't speak many words, the words he did speak always had substance and were genuine in nature. And that's how I will remember him. That and that awesome "Rollie Fingers mustache". We will miss you John. Rest in Peace.

We are now hurdling toward a new contract season. The District is posturing for their epic PR campaign which will entail not-so-subtle attempts to get the public behind them. But it is a tough sell. How does one have the minerals to start announcing service cutbacks to a community (one that bye the way - isn't getting any smaller and needs transit more than ever), while simultaneously driving on with a BRT project that you are now obligated to match funds for in the millions? How do you sell "less for more" to the tax payer?

While a recent letter to the editor in the local paper (written by a District Board member no less) spoke of our GM's "vision" and "ingenuity", nothing was said about his over-ambition and recklessness when it has come of the entire EmX project. If his "vision" was that the EmX be installed at all costs, and at a loss to the regular system, then this has come to fruition. The letter also didn't speak of the all the departmental spending spree's and the ridiculously top heavy administration that his "ingenuity" has given us and that is now crippling our once grand bus system. Maybe I am being a little unfair but he seems to have enough people out there praising his every word and worshiping his every step, so for now I will attempt to balance things.

In Solidarity,

Brian Pasquali
Executive Board Officer
ATU 757 of Lane County

Pensions, Propaganda and Labor --- OH MY!

2009-11-17T22:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday's Brothers and Sisters! I recently returned from the annual Pension Trust/Benefits training seminar in Orlando Florida. I took a variety of courses on subjects ranging from Fiduciary Responsibilities of a Trustee, to Health and Wellness Programs. As one of the 4 Trustees on our pension, I am obligated and appreciate the huge responsibility that comes with it. The material provided through these courses ensures that I have the proper training to manage our fund responsibly. One thing is for sure, as 2009 comes to a close, we are breathing a little bit easier, fiscally speaking.

Pension and Health trust funds all over the country took huge hits during the early part of this year and adjustments had to be made where they could. Some Public plans such as PERS, while initially looked as though they would weather the storm, took massive hits (see Climbing PERS expenses face Oregon pension board, agency budget writers). Luckily we are not a PERS and have significantly more control over our Fund as it is fairly small and sleek. All in all, It looks as if the Market has finally bottomed out now, and while we can hope more for a "V" like recovery (a sharp down, followed by an equally sharp up), all indications are that the rebound will be more gradually with some additional bumps still to come.

Time To Prepare

As winter creeps in and negotiations on other properties progress, your local officers are hard at work gathering data, marking the date's, and setting the strategy for our sessions. While we cannot out and out divulge our strategy, there are some keys to remember as we make our approach:

1st Key - Whatever differences we have with one another...whether you have, or have not been in a union before...whether in the past you just felt left out of the process, or just didn't want to be involved...now is the time for us to come together in solidarity for our future. If you have questions or suggestions we are listening. Bottom line - If you want MORE, If you want YOUR voice heard - participate.

2nd key - Expect fierce resistance from the other side as we approach negotiations. Expect anything from ticky-tacky procedural write ups as a driver, to a full on sickening propaganda campaign. They will tell you that "you make enough", and are "lucky to have a job"... They will tell you "The District is struggling to pay for your benefits", and that you get "so much already"... And they will tell you that Your Union, "is the problem"...So they will be lying.

When you hear the proverbial smack talk going around - like say - a newer road supervisor, one that never attended ONE Union meeting much less participate in his short time as a driver, "casually" commenting that "your union is weak" - you tell him, Sorry - you already heard the truth: The truth is that even the so-called "respectable" pay and benefits he has now, as a supervisor, are the result of a struggle that started long ago with the Headly's and the Allred's and the other brave Union soldiers that wouldn't take NO for an answer, and that same struggle continues to this day! (He only forgot to mention those insignificant details.)

"Don't let any man into your cab, your home, or your heart, unless he's a friend of labor."-Jimmy Hoffa

In the spirit of organization, I invite you to join our Facebook Page . Also we have some great links being collected on delicious (a bookmarking site), which range from labor history, labor theory & law, to articles about the economy - which may be of some interest to you.

In Solidarity,

Brian Pasquali
Executive Board Officer
ATU 757 of Lane County

Meet Your Lane ATU Crew

2009-09-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hello again brothers and sisters. I am trully sorry for the delay in updates. In all honesty since being reinstalled as EBO I have been running my Italian ass off. However, Now that we have the new officers and stewards up and running it has allowed for some relief for me.

Your Officers

Stepping in as Extra-Board Liasion, Darryl Whitacker has been handling issues on the Extra-Board very well. In his first couple of weeks he insured two run around's were awarded to the membership. Nice work D.

Newly elected Rec-Sec John Gelsomino has made a name for himself amongst the membership as a problem solver around the drivers lounge. We want to hear your concerns, comments and questions and with Johns' dedication and persistance many of you have began showing your interest in the union again, or in many cases for the first time.

Tom Shakleford, as always brings his experience to the table as the Fleet Services Liaison.

In addition, Carl Faddis has rejoined the crew as Extra-Board Steward and Rebeca Bailey has signed on as our EmX Steward.

Jim Stinson, upon returning from leave, will resume his role as our "Night Watchman" (Full Time Steward - Nights).

You may be wondering - why so many Union positions? For one, I can't be everywhere at once and there are still twice as many Supervisors to keep in Check. Secondly I want every faction, every form of work to be represented. So we will continue to have presence and we want you the member to continue to approach us, inform us of activity pretaining to our Unions workplace and utilize us.

On The Table

Currently we are at step 3 with two grievances. Recently an agreement was reached regarding cell phone use awarding 2 days of pay, making whole, to one Operator and settling for a more reasonable discipline for another Operator by returning one day of pay to another.

More to come by the end of the week.

In Solidarity,
Brian Pasquali
Executive Board Officer
ATU 757@ LTD

Vaco Board Update

2009-05-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

As always - thanks for all of your support with recent events. I have heard some good feedback from members on this blog. I want ATU 757 brothers & sisters to feel at home here, and think of this site as a tool that we all can benefit from.

No Contest.

Resolution of the vacation board problem proved to be more than either side was willing to move on. While we could have conducted a Union run Re-bid, the District was unwilling to alter/ switch back the days off to the preferred, logical days off.

Unfortunately there is a past practice here in the sense that when vacation weeks have become vacant in the past - as in, when a operator terminates employment after bidding vacation but before bidding their work- that week and the days off that went with it has traditionally became property of the district. The week becomes an extra board slot on the VACO board and depending on what days off the District deems, it is what it is.

I'm not saying it is a fair thing. Its not. But past practice is what we live by and in this case die by. It goes without saying that when you bid work - any type of work, it can come with some unexpected pitfalls. However The District has been made aware that the way this info was communicated was unacceptable and we expect to see a better way to communicate these anomalies to the membership when they become known.

Momma always said "clean behind your ears".

There is another issue we have to discuss that doesn't effect all of you or even a fraction of you but it needs to be talked about. Ear buds. No --- not that gunk in your ear that gathers for weeks and is fun to play with (Sorry maybe that's just me). What I mean is: phone and radio accessories.

While we haven't had a problem with that as far as safety goes, no one has wrecked due to the use of these items, it has been rumored that some drivers still keep an ear bud, in while they drive or on occasion take a call. I don't know if any of this is true but if it is, whoever it is: Cease and desist. If you chose not to, well I will put it to you this way --- I am a victim of Drunk Driving, I was permanently injured 2 years ago by a highly intoxicated flatbed truck tow truck driver. I look at driving while using devices of this nature as the same, and research does too.

I am not trying to guilt trip anyone. We all have lives. Some of us have difficult situations going on with the home front. You still have to turn it off, figuratively and literally.

For the 0.1% that are rumored to partake in this type of activities warning: They are ramping it up due to nation wide attention on this matter. Do not be that guy or gal who ends up on you tube or the one they show on the evening news. And for the 99.9% of you drivers that don't thank you for being professional.

Rolling ON

The site is gathering momentum and we are tricking it out. There are many ways to be involved with this blog and get updated besides the normal ways of subscribing to posts via our RSS feed or by email --- such as following us on twitter, as well as friendfeed or our calender of events.

A page with our contract which has been broken down and posted by Department and by section, so you can download and have access to what sections you need - without downloading the whole contract. (There is no seniority list available for download, for privacy purposes.)

Always remember, as I am often on different work day to day, a good way to ask questions is right here on this site. Post away.

Four Take Leave - Four Releaved

2009-05-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

As Four Operators Take The Furlough - It Allowed Four Other Operators Jobs to Be Saved

Without a doubt the Furlough program was a success. There was a minor problem that can be corrected I will mention later in this post. The first three were gone before day one of the bid was complete and the 4th closed the offer after a handful of people bid on the second day. Those that bid the summer furlough seemed very happy to be able to do so while keeping benefits and seniority rank while the 4 that in turn were able to keep employment at least until we cross the next bridge are somewhat relieved they do not have to search for a Job in this unforgiving Lane County job market.

I have heard from many of you that it would be nice if this was a regular offer and that many more of you would have accepted the leave had it made it to your seniority level. I agree, and I will be working with the District to explore our options in the future-layoffs or not. It may be something we look to get added either before or during Contract talks. I will keep the membership informed but I see this as a possible way the District can save some money and the Membership can take a few months off

One flaw was detected on the last day of bid week that was brought o my attention by someone that had bid vacation board and was waiting to select which weeks to sign for. Basically those who took furloughs also had bid vacation weeks for the summer back in March. Because these operators had the took the furlough, the days off were undetermined but it was reasonable to assume that as the 4 nearly always bid Sat and Suns as their days off-it would stay that way. So their names were posted as taking the furlough, but, days off were not posted as with other bidders at the time the vacation board operators signed up for the VACO board. Those considering bidding the Vacation Board have a very good idea how many weekends are to be available due to the fact that the operators scheduled for vacation that week have already picked a run showing their days off or have routinely pick the same days off in the past. So when any operator signs for the VACO board they sort of gauge what they see other operators s have taken for vacation during that bid and sign up, or don't sign up accordingly. If the four furlough takers listed normally take Sat and Sun off for their normal week it would be a reasonable assumption that that those days off would remain constant even during a furlough. When the District designated bid room personnel made the choice to change those consistent days off from Sat and Sun to other combinations of Days off they did so after the bid began and after the vacation board operators signed up for the Vacation board. While they have the right to do this they needed to notify all operators considering to sign for the vacation board so to ensure proper warning. Instead it became an unfair practice and because it made what vacation board bidders use as a long standing practice for making their choice of work it the ATU will likely request a Vacation Board rebid. I will be asking we restart the process of selection of VACO weeks based on this. The process should take only 8 hours but those hours will be broken up over the course of 4 or 5 days. I will conduct the sign up personally in an effort to save the District the cost. In addition I will try to do so in the without mark off by catching up with drivers before and after their scheduled run. So with this section of the bid being conducted by the ATU at almost no cost tot he district, the request for VACO Board rebid with the appropriate days off reset, shouldn't be denied.

What I will say about this oversight is that being the Furlough program was a ground breaking, one these types of anomalies are inevitable. But as the District bid personnel deliberately changed the days off and failed to properly notify the Operators or the Union before operators had signed up-the request to rebid is based on the principle of unfair notice. While I check over the run cut thoroughly before the bid is posted and before it begins, it makes it harder to stop the train after the bid is underway. Lets hope the District does the right thing here.

Furloughs - Not Just For Criminals... Anymore!

2009-05-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Oh FURLOUGH where out thou?

Out comes the sun finally. So I realize the first post was somewhat negative and I want to make it known that is not why we began the site. However, shortly after the first post we made some progress if not a breakthrough in averting the 4 layoffs.

4 furlough packages will be offered to operators wishing to take the summer bid off while retaining all health dental and vision benefits at no cost to them. Seniority will remain intact and vacations will still be paid out as they would have. This leave without pay furlough will be offered by seniority during the summer bid this week. Basically you have another choice besides a run. Not too shabby. This may be all we need to keep the 4. We shall see.

Furloughs - Not Just For Criminals., Anymore!

How did we get to this point?

Early this year and in late 2008 when the number was at its high point at 26 layoffs as opposed to the 4 now, your ATU leadership (Jon, Sam and myself) began to brainstorm for ways to keep people here. After suggesting many of these idea's at the LMC (labor management committee) the initial strategy the District and the ATU came up with was the retirement incentive packages.

OF course, shortly after getting this project underway, news of President Obama's stimulus package passing was a game changer. Where initially the District had entertained a higher dollar value for each package with the number of of layoffs being lowered there would be less need for incentive. The packages stayed but the buyout figure was less than what most operators felt would be a fair.

So bottom line at the last L.M.C meeting on April 23rd, the District informed us that there were no buyout takers on the Operators side. AS a result, Management informed us 4 layoffs would be likely made but set no time line. We had assumed as the initial threat of 26 layoffs was set for Fall, then that would be the time they would notify us. Also at that LMC the union was still suggesting alternatives. The furlough was brought up as well as a re-offer of the incentive packages. We left under the reasonable assumption more of an effort would be taken by all before layoffs were announced. Unfortunately this was not the case and Operations Directors made the announcement to each employee while the Union leadership was out of town on a business trip.

REMEMBER TO VOTE IN OUR UNION ELECTIONS. BALLOTS ARE ON THE WAY TO YOU IN THE MAIL.

Your Web User Guide

2009-05-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

Some people are new to the blogging scene and might not know the basic functions of a blog. If this is you - do not worry, I've outlined the main points to help enhance your reading experience, here, or out in the World Wide Web.

What is a blog? ^w

Diaries or Journals have been around for thousands of years in one form or another - from cave paintings, to hieroglyphics . The ability to publicize and express thoughts has been done throughout history. Penning one's thoughts to paper has been an important way to document personal and monumental events throughout history. You might have had your own journal of sorts.

Well a weblog, blog or blogging (verb) is a continuation of keeping a journal - just in an online form. Early on in the 1990's, standard websites were created and the information was not edited frequently. Then towards the end of the 1990's, slowly people started to add pages of entries frequently written, organized by date, and archive them upon their websites. This gave birth to early Internet journals. Eventually the trend caught on, and blogging platforms were born - online software provided by a third party, that allows people to create journal pages and archive them to be viewed later, with the ability to link to other sites and sources, and allow reader comments.

Today blogging is a powerful tool used to educate readers in all different forms and themes. around the globe. Blogs are now a recognized form of journalism. And blogs have been known to have eye witness accounts of situations before news syndicates have been on the scene.

Blogging is not limited to individuals - organizations and corporations are now finding it beneficial to have a blog, as this allows interaction with future consumers or supporters.

What is Microblogging?

Another form of blogging coined "microblogging" allows a user to make short frequent posts of 140 characters or less that can also link to other websites or pictures. This can be done from both the microblogging sites themselves or from third party software applications or a web enabled phone. One popular microblogging site is http://twitter.com

What is an RSS Feed?^w

RSS is a form of web formats that allows frequently updated content from a website to be published in a summary form. When you subscribe to a website's feed, this allows you to view the latest updates from a website without going and visiting that site.

There are software or sites, managed by a third party called feed readers or aggregators, specifically designed to allow you to subscribe and view multiple site feeds. The reader can be web based or you can download readers for your PC. Most are free to join or download.

For most people subscribing to a feed is the easiest and most convenient way to keep track of their favorite website or sources of information.

What Are Text Alerts? ^w

Short text messages (less than 160 characters) sent to a mobile phone or bluetooth enabled mobile device (such as a pda) , using the "Short Messaging System" or also known as SMS, which allows for messages to be transmitted from phone to phone.

Text alerts from a website let a reader know if there has been a certain content update , especially if subscribed by keywords.