The news and information publication of
ATU Local 1005 Prepared and distributed by the Education Committee
The 1005 Line For The People Who Know Where They Are Going
Holidays 2014 Local 1005 Officers Elected With the runoff election on December 10, Local 1005 has returned an incumbent officer and elected a new officer: Mark Lawson was re-elected as Local 1005 President/Business Agent. John Zapata was elected Recording Secretary/Ass't. Business Agent. The new Executive Board will be sworn in by an International ATU Vice-President at the evening membership meeting on January 27 in St. Paul.
Teamwork in the Leadership and Solidarity in the Ranks United Auto Workers (UAW) slogan What’s Inside... Officer’s Corner page 2 Union Meeting Highlights page 3 Social Networking page 6 Our Union – The Best Holiday Present of All page 8 Rail~Volution Conference page 9 Holiday Stress page 10 St. Paul Retirement Club's Christmas Party page 11 Material Management Recognition Program page 12 Bus Operator Protection page 14 Retirements page 14, 15 In Memoriam page 15
Now that we've elected a new leadership, we should all be thinking about what we can be doing, as union members, to help out. Posted below is the notice provided by the union office on the upcoming contract negotiations between ATU Local 1005 and Metro Transit/Met Council. In order to know how to negotiate, the union leadership must know what kinds of changes the members would like to see in our current contract. For example, would we like to see improvement in wages and/or the wage progression? How about language regulating the number of times a driver has to make relief in any one day? How about language limiting how management can use information obtained through video surveillance? We could propose language limiting the Met Council's ability to contract out work to private providers. These are just some examples. What would you like to see for your department? What would make your job better and more fair? If we all talked to each other, we can come up with some good ideas and submit them as follows:
Contract Proposals The present Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) relating to wages, hours and working conditions between Metro Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1005 expires on July 31st, 2015. Any member wishing to submit amendments, revision or changes to the present agreement may do so by submitting proposals to the union office. They can be faxed, mailed, or emailed. Please use the following email address: office@atu1005.com. Each proposal submitted must be: • Legible • On a seperate sheet of paper • Signed by the member submitting it/them • Include the article and section of the CBA (contract) so they can be grouped by each Article and Section they affect All proposals must be recieved in the Union Office no later than 4:00 p.m. February 27, 2015.
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LOCAL 1005 OFFICERS President/Business Agent
Mark Lawson Vice-President
OFFICER’S CORNER Mark Lawson President/Business Agent
Dorothy Maki Recording Secretary/ Ass’t. Business Agent
John Zapata Financial Secretary/ Treasurer
Tommy Bellfield ATU Local 1005 Union Office 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed 12:00 - 1:00) 312 Central Ave. Suite 345 Mpls., MN 55414 612-379-2914 email: office@atu1005.com website: www.atu1005.com
Calendar Education Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. January 20th February 17th 312 Central Ave., Mpls. Room 577 Membership Meetings January 27th - St. Paul February 24th - Mpls. 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
I would like to take a moment to reflect a little on 2014, and look ahead at 2015. Local 1005 added hundreds of new members as we saw an influx of new operators due to LRT and bus service expansion. We are also seeing many members retire as the first of the year rolls around, and we wish them a long, happy retirement. The first of this year marks the beginning of the new term for the recently-elected Officers and Executive Board members. I wish to thank the outgoing Executive Board members for their service. Among them is Ken Dolney, who served eight terms (24 years) representing Snelling/East Metro Transportation. The year ahead is slated to be a busy one. The beginning of the year will see Local 1005 advocating at the capitol with the Move MN Coalition. This coalition is comprised of 200 groups from all aspects of transportation, advocating together (instead of against each other as was often the case in the past) for a transportation bill that meets the needs of everyone. As the new legislative session starts, let your lawmakers know you want this to be the Transportation Session. Phone, email, and hand-written letters are all great ways to get in touch. Remember to make it personal and make it urgent: Let him or her know why you care about transportation, and that you want a real solution in 2015! For example: “Dear Rep. ________, My name is Jim, and I’m a voter in your district. As a bus driver, I know that we need more bus service to meet the needs of our growing community. My car was damaged last year from a pothole and was expensive to fix. Our whole transportation system needs an investment. Please work towards a real solution in 2015 – it’s urgent!” You should personalize the message to your circumstances, and remember to include the message to fix transportation now. Learn more at movemn. org. Also this year, two collective bargaining agreements expire: Metro Transit on July 31st, and First Transit Rochester on December 31. If you would like to see additions or changes to the CBA (contract), you will have the opportunity to submit proposals. See the Union bulletin board for more information. Contract proposals for the Metro Transit Contract must be submitted to the Union office by February 27th. And finally, please remember to protect your license. Unfortunately, we have seen a rash of members receive DWIs this holiday season. Don’t put your CDL and your job in jeopardy - don’t drink and drive! In Solidarity, Mark
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Union Meeting Highlights October Nicole McCarthy from American Income Life appeared before the Executive Board. Local 1005 will renew our relationship with American Income Life and send a mailing to the membership regarding the life insurance benefit. Ms. McCarthy spoke at the membership meetings. Requests for Arbitration An MJR operator requested arbitration over a Record of Warning issued after a second responsible accident. This case will not go to arbitration. A South operator requested arbitration for a responsible accident while being a LRT Operator. This case will not go to arbitration. A South operator requested arbitration for lost pay incurred while being held off work by the employer. This case will go to arbitration. President’s Report President Lawson summarized the other arbitration requests heard by the executive board this month. Arbitration awards received since last month’s meeting were announced. Members were reminded to vote on November 4th. Door knocking and phone banking is still being done through Election Day. The recent shooting on Route 19 this past weekend was the third shooting incident in the last month involving buses. Metro Transit Police will be questioned about their perceived lack of presence on the tougher bus routes. Brother Steve Babcock inquired about Metro Transit re-issuing the memo on how members are to schedule time off work to vote. Obligations Erik Skogen #73759 and Jane Hanson #68279 took the obligation. (page 5) Vice-President’s Report Vice-President Maki thanked all members who have volunteered during this mid-term election season. New Business The preliminary ATU Local 1005 Budget Proposal for 2015 was made available for members’ comments and questions. Fin. Sec. Tommy Bellfield explained some of the changes made for 2015. Brother Mike Sieberlich asked about work on the LRT Green Line apparently being done by non-ATU personnel. Inquiries will be made. Brother Mike Qualy asked if retirees who have not paid their dues for some time, can they be reinstated by paying all their back dues? Brother
Education Committee Advisor Dorothy Maki Chair Melanie Benson South Theresa Collins Rec. Secretary Heywood Office Ilona LaDouceur Joylenna Sims Nicollet Alec Johnson Ryan Timlin Joshua Freeze Ruter Jackie Williams Joseph Oladipo East Metro Doug Barton Heywood Garage Faye Brown Vice-Chair Debbi Sievers LRT Carl Rice St. Paul OMF Lisa Callahan Rail Support Facility Stephen Babcock Layout Editorial Board Ken Dolney Gary Bier
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Lowertown Facility St. Paul OMF
Bellfield said it depended on how long they have been delinquent in their dues; and before any member is deleted from the system, they are contacted to see if they wish to remain a member. Joshua Freeze commented about a recent Labor Notes publication about violence on transit systems throughout the country. Report of Rochester
Lisa Callahan #6716
Starting in January, to earn money to pay for our TV, we are going to be selling tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half the money will go to the winner and the other half to the TV fund. Please support this, or come up with some other ideas to keep this fund going so we can continue to enjoy Direct TV. Sorry about the Chili Feed not happening in November. We have rescheduled it for February. More info to come. Last, but not least: Happy Holidays! Have a wonderful and joyous season and good health and happiness for the New Year! Just a reminder: Kids are out of school for a few weeks, and that’s a lot more foot traffic. Please be extra observant and cautious when entering and exiting the platforms. Watch your speeds and your times out there. Big brother is watching and riding.
Dave Gosha reported: First Transit is short drivers. Much overtime available to other drivers. Mayo Clinic is preparing an informational handout about the Ebola virus. Employees returning from areas of Africa where the virus has been found will be put on a 21-day hold (paid administrative leave) before allowed to return to work. Members were urged to vote in the mid-term elections. American Income Life was briefly discussed.
November Requests for Arbitration An LRT operator requested arbitration after being discharged for a pedestrian accident. This case will go to arbitration. An East Metro operator requested arbitration for a contract language dispute regarding travel time for relief operators. This case will not go to arbitration. An LRT Helper requested arbitration over a Memo to File. This case will not go to arbitration. Other Business The proposed budget for 2015 was discussed. The Executive Board voted to recommend the proposed budget to the membership, and the membership approved it. Financial Secretary/Treasurer’s Report The following members passed away since last month’s meeting: Roger Haas, retired operator Harry Parker #9428, retired operator Members stood for a moment of silence. President’s Report President Lawson summarized the case that the Executive Board recommended for arbitration. He also updated several other arbitration cases that have been settled or that we are attempting to settle. Mid-term election results have concluded. The MN House of Representatives has now become majority Republican. The new chair of the House Transportation Committee is Tim Smith who has stated that MN roads and bridges will be a “priority” this year. Vice-President’s Report Vice-President Maki mentioned her progress on raising donations for the Hardship Fund and COPE. She also announced that a “coat drive”
Page 5 originally started at South Garage will now have drop boxes at most of the Metro Transit facilities and urged members to donate an old coat.
Nicollet Garage
Report of Rochester Dave Gosha reported: Members were reminded of the union election run-offs being held on Wednesday, Dec. 10. There was much confusion regarding the health insurance plan design being offered through First Transit. The “conversion” did not go well but most of the problems have been addressed and corrections should be complete on members’ next paychecks. Some issues were discussed about how to instruct drivers to “move up” while in shared bus stands. Drivers were reminded that they are responsible for information written on their D.V.I.Rs and that if a bus is unsafe, they are to document it on their report - especially malfunctioning horns. Several buses have serious mold growing inside them. Photos will be collected and shared with members of the Rochester City Council.
Oath of Membership
Erik Skogen #73579 and Jane Hanson #68279 took the oath of union membership before the November membership meeting.
Thanks, Dan!
Dan was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to Local 1005 as board member and Recording Secretary/Ass't. Business Agent.
Melanie Benson #854 Alec Johnson #66034 Joshua Freeze #73473 Garage Renovation Renovation is still in full swing. While the drivers/dispatch trailer is in constant disarray, at least our new building is starting to take shape. There may even be a light at the end of the tunnel. Rumor has it that we ‘may’ be moving into the first floor by February. Knock on wood… Management Changes There’s been another change for the management team, as ATM Donathan Brown, who had been Acting Garage Manager since Ellen Jackson passed away, has accepted a position at Heywood Tower as Manager of Business Systems Administration. ATM Tony Harris has been temporarily moved from FTH to Nicollet to be Acting Garage Manager until the position is filled. Instruction The Nicollet Instruction Department is finally fully staffed! After the addition of three instructors last summer, and now three more in December, we now have a total of nine. We’d like to welcome #64279 Amanda Walker, #67251 Mohamed Geire and #6977 Gayle Gilman to the team. “It’s a new era at Nicollet,” says senior Instructor #2245 CJ Camp. “New coordinator, new instructors, new managers and a whole new, state-of-the-art building. We’re all super excited to make this a fresh start that will invigorate and redefine our whole operation here at the garage.”
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Rail Support Facility
Social Networking Theresa Collins #1378, South A social network is a social structure made up of a set of social actors (such as individuals or organizations). - Wikipedia I am on Facebook often, and so are many of my co-workers. I have read many interesting rants and raves from one coworker to another, or from an employee about our place of employment.
Stephen Babcock #3128 I want to thank the membership for their support during my almost 20 years on the Education Committee. I have resigned my "layout" position but look forward to remaining on the committee for a smooth transition. I plan on retiring by 2015, maybe. (LOL!) Still looking for someone to come forward at the RSF to write this column. It doesn't take much effort and our member, Melanie Benson, Committee Chair, will proofread and make suggested changes (so you do not have to be great at grammar).
I have also read newspaper articles and have watched news reports about people losing their jobs because of statements they have made on their social networking site, whether Facebook, Twitter or any of the other many social networking sites out here. Please be careful of what you write or photograph because, like many other large companies, there are eyes and ears from Metro Transit reading our Facebook pages, and everything you put on your page can be read by your employer. You don’t want to lose your job for writing something stupid or illegal. Please be careful of what pictures you post when on Metro Transit property and be careful of what you write about concerning the many policies, procedures and passengers that we have. Our union is great, but they may not be able to help you if you post something that is against policies and procedures. Please remember that the maximum penalty for using any electronic device while operating a transit vehicle is a 20-day suspension without pay, and the second time it’s termination.
Please do not bash our union, but be grateful we are union. (In my opinion, it’s immature and irresponsible.) In the future, please be more diligent about what you post. I would hate to see any of my union brothers or sisters lose their jobs over social networking.
Thank you, Ken Dolney! Ken Dolney was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to Local 1005.
Ken served eight terms (24 years) representing Snelling/East Metro Transportation.
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South Garage Holiday Party
South
Theresa Collins #1378 The annual “Butch Schiro” Chili Championship winners are: 1st place: Bob Benson, garage coordinator 2nd place: Terese (Tess) Blanchard #74030 3rd place: tie between ATMs Barb Keener and Amina Wolf The “All-Star Operator Quiz” winners are: 1st place: Dennis Weinberg # 72344 2nd place: Jerry Olson #1504 3rd place: Lynnette Olson #1624 4th place: Anna Penland #68310 5th place: Fassil Gebrtsadick #66102 Transit Safety and Security (TSSC) South’s new representative is Thomas Joerndt (Santa Claus) #70196.
On Thursday, December 18, South held its annual holiday party. Thank you to everyone who brought a dish to share in the fabulous array of food that we were all able to enjoy. A big ‘thank you’ goes to the South Siders who volunteered at the event. Raffle tickets were sold for many awesome prizes. (A list will be posted with all the winners from the raffle.) Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets. All monies collected for any event will be used for any future endeavor that is held at South Garage. The garage was festive with a Christmas tree and decorations, thanks to the drivers who helped with the decorating. We even had Santa Claus show up for the event. (Tom Joerndt #70196, better know as Santa Claus, showed up all decked out in his Santa suit.) The event was festive and it’s always nice when an event is held at the garage. It brings a camaraderie to all of us co-workers that is very enjoyable. Thanks again, South Siders, for hosting this event.
Training Pam Davis #65184, Jonathan Thomas #70025 and Fassil Gebrtsadick #66102 are South’s newest relief instructors. Maintenance Chris Ziegler and Dan Kraemer are the newest shop supervisors. The shop office will be receiving a remodel. Union Reps Art Hayne and Tim Dixon are the board members for South. Art again won the recent election to represent drivers and dispatchers, and Tim was unopposed to represent maintenance. Make sure to thank them for their hard work. About Tattling Again, there has been too much tattling to management. If a union brother or sister has a problem with another union brother or sister, talk to your union steward to take care of the situation. Remember: You can be fined by the union trial board for going to management, rather than through the union.
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Our Union – The Best Holiday Present of All Joshua Freeze # 73473, Nicollet I was going to submit the first of two serious pieces for this issue of The 1005 Line. I plan to write one about the union’s obligations to members, and another about member obligations to the union. However, in the holiday spirit, I’m writing a lighter piece, something more about presents and less about duty. For many, the only regular reminders of our union are the monthly deductions from our paychecks for dues and arbitration assessments. It makes the union look like a tax, when it is really the best thing we have. Pay I’ll start with the thing many care about the most: our pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May of 2013, the average urban transit bus driver made $17.16 per hour. At that time, the base driver pay here was $24.67 per hour. The difference is $7.51, meaning a top pay driver pays their union dues with the difference in one full time day’s pay. The rest of the month is gravy that we wouldn’t get without a union. Even a secondyear driver earns enough extra to pay their union dues in about a week. If the only difference were pay, a firstyear driver would not look so well off, but of course ATU gets us much more than a paycheck (and before long, a first-year driver is a second-year driver!) Health Care Our health insurance is golden. We should be proud that we have held onto it. Non-union workers pay about twice as much of their premium for insurance as union workers. Union workers are also far more likely to receive, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits as part of their package. Once we add the value of the insurance in, even a first-year driver comes out ahead. Vacation and Sick Time Union workers get 28% more paid vacation than non-union workers. The difference is even starker for sick pay: Only 29% of non-union workers get full pay for time off sick. Retirement I’m lucky enough to start laying out The 1005 Line in January because my predecessor, Stephen Babcock, who has done it for years, is about to retire (maybe, inside joke) with his pension. Fewer and fewer workers have pensions any more, and I doubt there are any non-union bus drivers who will get one. We’re in a good spot to still have them here. Work Rules All of these things wouldn’t matter if you could be fired because some manager didn’t like you. Probably the most important thing about a union is that it forces management to treat people more equally. If they violate the rules in the contract when disciplining or firing you, the union can put a stop to it. This is not the case in any non-union job. Thanks, Santa So, when you see that line at the bottom of your pay stub telling you what was taken out for the union, remember – it’s money well spent. Without it, we’d be a lot worse off, and there would a lot fewer presents under the tree. On a brief serious note, of course the union isn’t really some portly, magical, jolly elf in a fuzzy red and white suit who brings presents to good transit workers. We get these benefits because we and past workers fought for them and refused to back down to management. Bear that in mind as we head into contract talks in 2015, but for now, enjoy the holidays and remember that they are enriched, both literally and metaphorically, by our union.
CRYPTO Each letter stands for another. If you think M=E, for example, it would equal E throughout the puzzle. Clue: X=E, and V=S A Z B X X C W B F V F X V G B J T X A Z X H C K L M Z......... V A J P R, V A H P R, V A L P R! (Answer on page 13) Submitted by Pat Kelehan, Facilities Tech. #5470
W B.
S B J P G
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Minneapolis /St. Paul 2014 Rail~Volution Conference Melanie Benson #854, Nicollet Close to 1500 people attended the 20th Annual Rail~Volution Conference ‘Building Livable Communities with Transit’ that took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis September 21-24, 2014, making this year’s conference the largest yet. What is “Rail~Volution?” In their own words: “As a learning network, Rail~Volution brings together people, like you, who are passionate about building livable communities with transit.... Rail~Volution is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that is the intersection of transit, livable communities and transit-oriented development. Whether an established expert or a new professional Rail~Volution can help you: jumpstart a project with fresh ideas for both public and private sectors, engage your community with useful tools for advocates and elected officials, shape the future with new contacts and perspective and energize your career. Rail~Volution consists of three full-time staff, several contract workers, a Board of Directors, and a National Steering Committee made up of representatives from each of its Partner and Affiliate organizations. A Local Host Committee is formed each year and is made up of representative interests from that year’s host city or region, as well as additional representatives from Partner and Affiliate organizations in that region.” Who are the Partners? Some of the Partners are national or even multinational corporations whose business includes design, architecture, engineering, construction and transportation. Some are law firms. Many are transit authorities from around the U.S., the equivalents of Metro Transit here in the Twin Cities. Another is the American Public Transit Association. Conference Content The 2014 conference program itself is 64 pages long. It lists the Partners and Sponsors of Rail~Volution, lays out the format of the conference, gives bios of the speakers, describes all of the workshops and ranks the workshops for attendees with different levels of expertise. The conference included two plenary sessions, 80 workshops (averaging three to five speakers each) and 24 mobile workshops that demonstrated transit-related amenities all around the Twin Cities, such as the Union Depot in St. Paul and the Northstar commuter train. Close to 250 volunteers from the cities, the counties, the Met Council and Metro Transit (among others) helped to facilitate the tours and other aspects of the conference. Workshop topics included bus rapid transit, redesigning cities, biking and walking, transit-oriented development, public-private partnerships, skills for managing critics - and so many more. Cost and scholarships Registration for the conference cost about $500 per person. Partners contributed so that some community members who could not afford the registration could attend. Next Rail~Volution Conference Dallas, Texas will host the 2015 Rail~Volution Conference from October 25-28, 2015. Ironically, the Minnesota AFL-CIO Conference was taking place simultaneously in St. Paul, so a lot of the union leaders whose members would undoubtedly be affected by these topics were unable to attend.
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Watch Out for Holiday Stress Lisa Callahan #6716, LRT (LOTO) Happy Holidays, and I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year - but, for some, the holidays bring a lot of stress and the onset of depression, for many reasons: money, not having a stable job, loneliness, shopping , cooking, parties, baking/cleaning/entertaining. Here are some keys to try to cope with the holiday season, from the Mayo Clinic: Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do, take a walk, try yoga, exercise. Just take time for yourself it’s so important to you mind. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. If you feeling depressed, please seek the help of others. Here at the job we have Dor and Associates (they can be a life saver). Please see someone if you’re feeling you can’t cope. We also have a great team of peer support. They can help get someone headed in the right direction. Even managers can help sometimes. Please - if you or someone you know is in need of some help during the holiday season, please reach out to them and just lend a helping hand or support. It just might take that friendly gesture to put someone on the right track. Thank you. Have a happy and joyous season, and remember: If you’re at a holiday party or family get together, Don’t Drink And Drive! It’s your job on the line. Be careful and be safe.
Editors' note: So what if the holidays are over - These are good ideas any time.
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St. Paul Retirement Club's Annual Christmas Party Every year the retirees throw a Christmas party at Mattie's Bowling Lanes on Concord Street in South St. Paul. The officers were able to attend on December 10th. Dorothy did her yearly dance with George.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Good Time, Good Food, Good Music!
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Material Management Recognition Program Stephen Babcock #3128, RSF
First, serious business: Chow down and socialize - followed by a review of the past year in inventory statistics.
Let the Games Begin! (Pictionary) As creatively as Lynn Chebanyuk (below, left) would try to get her team to guess at the phrase she was trying to get them to say, but they did not accomplish the task in the allotted time. Anthony Mills (above) gets his across in record time.
Awards Presented Awards were given for years of service.
I am not sure if it was the "Boy Scout" signal because Kent Hardy is such a "Boy Scout" or they are misplaced rabbit ears. Whatever the case, fun was in the air. As a Christmas Bonus, every Material Management employee recieved a bag and uniform accessories.
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ATU names new training center in honor of Rosa Parks and Tommy Douglas The ATU General Executive Board has approved International President Larry Hanley's recommendation to name the former labor college and new ATU training center after Rosa Parks and Tommy Douglas, heroes ATU members honor as two of North America's most courageous leaders. A woman who risked her personal safety and perhaps her life for the freedom of all Americans, Rosa Parks (Feb ruary 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) took bold action by refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, AL, bus in 1955. Her action came to be regarded as a watershed moment in the history of the civil rights movement. "Rosa Parks was the most effective transit passenger organizer in the history of our nation," Hanley said. "America is a better place today because of the singular stand she took on a bus against segregation. But the struggle is far from over, and we call upon all Americans to demonstrate the same determination Rosa Parks did in fighting injustice today. Dedicating the building to her memory where we train new leaders will be constant reminders of the faith, courage, and commitment she exemplified – essential qualities of any activist leader," Hanley said. The man who led the fight in Canada to provide health insurance for all, Thomas Clement "Tommy" Douglas, (October 20, 1904 – February 24 1986) was often called "the greatest Canadian." A Baptist minister and champion boxer, he left the pulpit for a political platform. A powerful orator and tireless activist, he was elected to serve as a Member of Saskatchewan's parliament, and later, premier of the province – an office he held for 17 years. He introduced the continent's first single-payer, universal health care program; a program that would eventually be adopted across Canada. After setting up the Saskatchewan Medicare program, Douglas was elected as the first leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), formed in 1935, to advance the cause of Labour. He was a strong advocate of the Canada Pension Plan and was considered the "conscience" of Parliament on matters of civil liberties. "A staunch supporter of public transit, Douglas believed in the crucial role of civil rights and the great potential of cooperation for the common good," said Hanley. "He is a role model for the next generation of progressive leaders. "The Parks/Douglas Center will open its doors to train many generations in the tradition of these two leaders," Hanley continued. "Future generations of organizers will draw from the brilliance, strength and courage of these two models of community action and leadership and we will forever celebrate the generosity of their spirits and legacies. They will live in us."
Please pass this message along to your fellow members and tell them to sign up for the latest ATU news and action alerts at atu.org for a chance to win an ATU jacket. Source: ATU Dispatch
Crypto Answer THREE WORDS DESCRIBE THE AWFUL MR. GRINCH..........STINK, STANK, STUNK! These are actual lyrics from a Christmas song and the last three words make it Christmastime Crypto Challenge! Happy Holidays, Pat Kelehan
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Hawthorne Vinson Retires Out of FTH Hawthorne was hired as a part-time driver on September 29, 1997 and was promoted to full-time driver on April 11, 1998. He retired from Heywood Garage on October 23, 2014 with 17 years of service. We wish him well in his retirement!
Bus Operator Protection Jackie Williams #66180, MJR The problems drivers are having at various transit centers/stations are all too real. The challenges are real, the injuries are real, the smell of alcohol and weed are real. The question is, where is the real protection? Bus operators are being accosted to buy weed, buy stolen property and give transfers. Female and male operators are being asked for phone numbers. Again I ask: Where is the protection? As bus operators, we are also government employees without the satisfaction of having protection. As I set out to do this research, I spoke with Christy Bailly, who directed me to Metro Transit Police Captain Mike LaVine. In our conversation, I asked him about operator safety in having substations at high crime transit centers. Capt. Mike LaVine stated, “We have a substation at 7th and Nicollet. Problem is the incidents don’t always happen at 7th and Nicollet. When the Captain was asked about driver shields to surround and keep drivers protected from being spit on or punched, Capt. LaVine stated, “Maybe in the future, but not now because drivers don’t want to be boxed in.” Another posed question was, “What about a driver door onto the street?” Captain LeVine responded, “That would be too dangerous, since drivers would have to exit onto traffic lanes. (Don’t tell the Captain, but all other vehicles have a driver exit door onto traffic.) What Capt. LaVine shared with me was good information. He informed me that we are the eyes and ears for crimes committed. As operators, we should get a good description. We should get a direction of travel, and possibly the number of assailants. Operators are constantly being spit upon, threatened, punched, etc. When the Captain was asked, “What then?” he responded there is protection for operators, some faster than others. Almost a year ago, in September of 2014, the penalty was ‘gross misdemeanor p/c’ (probable cause arrest) for an assault on a driver. Now it is aggravated assault. To date, there are no suspects charged that are serving time for assault on a bus operator. Metro police ride the trains constantly, approaching fare evaders, issuing $180 citations. Captain LaVine was asked about the same courtesy for buses, at least plainclothes police, and the response was, “We are trying, but there are just not enough officers available.” If operators can at least get a marked squad to be parked at the high crime transit centers and other areas, this would be a major deterrent. Capt. LaVine, can you make that happen, at least? We applaud the Metro Transit Police for their consciences, but operators are running from a full bus because someone was shot on that bus! Operators are being punched repeatedly for being late! Operators are being forced to retire because of injuries! It’s just a bit much, we need protection now! One day, Grasshopper, one day!
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Norman Anderson #556 Retires
Retired Members’ Clubs Northside Breakfast Club Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 AM. at Coon Rapids American Legion 11640 Crooked Lake Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 Southside Breakfast Club Meets 8:00 a.m. the 1st Wednesday of each month at the VFW Post, 67th Street and Lyndale Ave. in Richfield. Metro Transit Mechanic Teammate Meets at 12:00 p.m. the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Old Country Buffet (by Petco), 2000 South Robert St., West St. Paul St. Paul Retiree Lunch Club Meets 12:00 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Mattie’s (formerly Wells Lanes ) So. Concord St., South St. Paul 55075
Norman was hired as a parttime driver on January 27, 1986 and was promoted to full-time driver on February 15, 1988. He retired from East Metro on December 23, 2014.
Retirements Congratulations to November 2014 Retirees 11/21/2014 Donald Rossebo MJR Bus Op. #64348 If you have pictures or announcements of retirements, please contact your Education Committee member or the union office.
South Coat Drive
If you want to join the St. Paul Retiree Club, contact one of the following: President Howard Osterkamp (651) 731-2428 Vice-President Peter Lam (651) 770-8968 Treasurer Jim Cody (612) 308-8374
Thanks to Art Shelton of South Garage and Schedule Maker Lisa Benson for helping to organize a collection of 300 coats (along with mittens, hats and scarves) that were collected in the facilities and delivered to distributing agencies.
In Memoriam Kenneth Day #2547 passed away on December 9, 2014. He was hired June 21, 1971 as a full-time driver, spent his career at the Old Snelling Garage and then East Metro, retiring September 25, 2014, after 43 years. There was a private service for family only.
'Happy New Year' from the Education Committee! Left to right, front row: Ilona LaDouceur, Carl Rice, Stephen Babcock Left to right, back row: Ryan Timlin, Theresa Collins, Melanie Benson, Lisa Callahan, Joshua Freeze Not Shown: Jackie Williams, Joseph Oladipo, Faye Brown, Joylenna Sims, Doug Barton, Debbi Sievers and Dorothy Maki, our advisor
NOTICE OF ANNUAL BY-LAW COMMITTEE MEETING The By-Law Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Union Office, 312 Central Avenue, in Minneapolis. Members wishing to appear before the committee regarding any by-laws submitted may do so between the hours of 1:30pm and 3:00pm on the above date.
All requests for by-law changes MUST be submitted to the Union Office by 4:00 P.M., Friday, January 16, 2015. All by-law changes must be signed and each must be on a separate sheet of paper. By-law changes submitted will be read at the January 27 & 28, 2015, meetings for information only, referred to the By-law Committee for consideration and read and acted on at the regular meetings on February 24, 25, 2015.