NOVEMBER 2009

The previous agreement expired on July 5th of this year and we met several times prior to its expiration in an attempt to reach a new one in a timely fashion.  To that end we continue to meet at each opportunity and have gotten down to the critical outstanding issues.  We expect to be able to present the City with a package addressing those issues within the next couple of meetings.  The City has dropped some of their takeaways but there are still things that need to disappear before we can recommend a Memorandum of Agreement.      

One difficulty we’ve faced in the past is that our agreement expires six months after most of the other Civic Unions. So many things can change from the time they settle until we do.  This is one of the reasons we meet regularly with the other Civic Unions.  As a result of our membership with the Civic Labour Coalition and the pro-active work done within this group, we have all but locked in and protected a wage increase that we can bring back with a recommendation to accept.  We just need to finish dealing with those items specific to our Collective Agreement.  

We are optimistic that we may reach a deal before the end of the year, but our goal is to bring back the best deal we can, not the quickest.  We will update you on the results of any package we present and/or receive.

We have also opened negotiations with Calgary HandiBus.  This agreement expires on December 31st  and there  is a  new CEO there so it will be interesting to see how this goes.  We had placed a survey on our web site for input on proposals and distributed a hardcopy for those members that prefer that.  We reviewed these replies with the Chair and Vice-Chair and presented the results at a Special Called meeting on October 22, 2009.

Based on that information and the feedback at the meeting, the membership gave us a mandate on the proposals for this round of negotiations.  

Calgary Transit funds Calgary HandiBus through Access Calgary and there is a very aggressive attack on our members as a result of that arrangement.  Transit doesn’t come to the table in negotiations but they control all the strings behind the scenes.  As soon as we served HandiBus “notice to negotiate”, Access Calgary served notice they are cutting HandiBus funding by $1,000,000.00  If they were at the table they would be guilty of Bargaining in Bad Faith, but they conveniently hide behind the mask of Access Calgary.  This is going to be a very difficult round of negotiations for the HandiBus bargaining unit.  Our members have provided a service second to none to the special needs community for over 30 years.  Calgary Transit could care less.  They have no allegiance to anybody and will contract to the lowest bidder no matter how inferior the product….and do it in a heartbeat.


EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS                  DOUG JOHANNES

So Calgary Transit is 100 years old. To celebrate they have done a few things for the employee.  A pin, a BBQ and a set of books.  My favourite was the book collection, in my opinion, it was extremely well done, especially the “Moment in Time” book.  The pictures are great and the stories are even better. It depicts a place where people were appreciated and the decisions they made were backed up.  If the decisions were not what Management thought should have happened then coaching was done.
 
Today things are very different. You do as you are told and don’t cause a problem. If you do, you are disciplined with them quoting the rule book and telling you to follow it, period.  On page 74 of the book a “Moment in Time”, it has a brief bio on a long term Operator.  He tells a short story about a high school girl that rode his bus and forgot her pass daily.  He did not want to deny her transportation, so instead he got her to sing, not only one day but also a second day.  Before he could get her to sing on the third a passenger yelled that he would pay the fare if she did not sing.  A cute story, however as I said, today things are different.  Another Operator had a passenger getting on his bus, she was singing at the stop and was in a good mood, she had been drinking.  This Operator also encouraged the young lady to sing (as we all know it’s better to have a happy passenger than one that is not, especially when one has been drinking).  The Operator pointed out to her that she was being recorded and he pushed the record button.  His actions were not looked at in the same way as the one in the book.  This Operator received a three-day suspension.  As I have said, things have changed and in my mind not for the better.  Again, try telling the employee what your expectations are, a person learns from these types of occurrences.  Does this sound fair to you?

Drive Cam, we have been having a number of incidents where the drive cam goes off without any reason. Management has classified these as “spontaneous action”.  In two cases that we are aware of, the Operator’s have been using a cell phone.  As there is no visible reason for the activation,  people thought that the drive cams could be activated remotely.  This is not possible.  Mr. Jim Ryan, Coordinator of Spring Gardens garage contacted the company and sent us a letter confirming that there is no ability to activate the camera remotely.  I also contacted Drive Cam and I believe talked to the same person.  The comment was they do not have that capability and they are not considering pursuing this technology at the present time.  If you notice the drive cam activate for no reason, please be sure to book the bus.  Also, if the camera is not pointed straight down the center of the bus  please do not adjust it yourself.  Call Control and have a Maintenance employee come to your bus to adjust it.  In the City’s own words, “this is a piece of safety equipment, insure it is in position to insure your safety”.

As for my comments about the use of the cell phones, please do not operate any City vehicles while talking on the phone.  Pull over, park the bus and leave the driver’s seat.  As I stated earlier, things have changed and discipline is a way of life here.

I received a call about the condition of the tires on some buses.  The Operator that called was stuck in the snow and he was very upset that the tires were bald, in his words, “racing slicks”.  He wanted to know how a bus with such poor tires could have been sent out in service?  I have checked with the tire shop and once a bus is sent in for tires they try to insure that they are back on the road in two days.  The issue is, how does the tire shop know that tires are needed.  The buses are checked every 5,000 miles, this is called an A check and it is a visual inspection.  If anything is noted it is sent for repair.  The next thing is a B check, this is done at 10,000 miles and includes an oil change and full service.  Again, if anything is noted, it goes for repair.  However, first and foremost, the best way for them to know is for the Operator to book the bus.  This means that you will need to add to your walk around the inspection of tires, but this only takes a minute and could avoid a potential problem.  Government Standards state, on front tires we have to have 4/32 tread depth and on the back 2/32.  With the type of weather we have in Calgary it is important to insure the bus you are operating is in good working condition.  Please take your time and be safe out there.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER                      RICK RATCLIFF     
      
Recently I have been approached by some newer members who felt forced into situations which made them feel awkward and used. These members were unaware of a few basic protocols available for their use.

Late Report Removal – If you are booked with a late report and you have a good reason for being late, don’t get into a conflict with a front line dispatcher over the reason.  Within five days of incurring the late, contact your performance partner and explain your reasoning.  Your P.P. will assess your reason and may remove the late.  If your P.P. chooses not to remove the late, contact Amin, the Dispatch Coordinator. He will review the situation with your P.P. and the late might be removed as a result.

Call Ins and Invites Into A Supervisor’s Office      - You are allowed to have a Union Steward with you.  Beware of the “buddy, this won’t take a minute style”, of invitation into a Supervisor’s office.  Ask if the investigation could lead to discipline.  If it could, schedule a meeting at a time to include a Steward.  All too often a letter gets issued and the member had no one to support and document what was said.  Then that letter gets referenced at a later call in and could lead to another letter or a suspension.  This now leaves you caught in the cycle of discipline and an easy target for a diligent Supervisor.

Sick Buses – Pull the bus over to a safe location and wait for a “change off”.  Advise your passengers to catch the next bus if necessary.  Calgary Transit has protocols in place to deal with sick buses and are obliged to follow them.  Body fluids are bio hazards and need to be dealt with by specially trained staff.  With the added scare of H1N1 there is no need to jeopardize your health.

Change Offs – Operator’s, please don’t volunteer to do them!  Calgary Transit employs Fleet Line Up Attendants who have specialized training in dealing with mechanical deficiencies.  These members are the experts, it is their job to move “Bad Order” buses.  Again, please leave the change offs to our specialized members and don’t volunteer your bus or risk your license.

Incident Reports – You have 24 hours to fill one out.  It is not unusual to feel rattled immediately after an incident.  To fill out your report properly you may have to take some time to review the details and accurately document them.  It is important to get all the facts documented.  Take your time and fill out the report thoroughly and don’t forget to book your overtime for writing the report.

These are just a few examples of situations you may find yourself in.  Don’t be coerced into an unsafe or uncomfortable position, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right.

Please don’t hesitate to call the office with any concerns or talk to one of the Steward’s on the Steward’s list.  ATU Local 583 is here to address membership concerns.

A concern coming from the membership regarding Calgary Transit sponsored meals, is that there is no mention of catering to special dietary needs at BBQ type events.  There are a large number of employees that can’t eat dairy, pork, sugar, gluten etc.  It would be nice if posters to these events offered to address these dietary requirements.

Don’t forget the Children’s Christmas Party on December 6, 2009.  A good time is in store for all members and their families.  Please check our bulletins and the web page for more details.


RECORDING SECRETARY – MAINTENANCE/OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE          WALTER MOODIE

In September, Calgary held one of the most successful World Skills Competition for Trades which stressed that apprenticeships’ in the trades is the way of the future.

ATU Local 583 has always supported and promoted apprenticeship programs for our membership.  Fleet Services, over the years have shown that they believe in the apprenticeship program and have had numerous members successfully obtain their trade certificate.  Calgary Transit has apprenticeships for Certified Trades that they find hard to fill with qualified Tradesman.  Yes, Heavy Duty Technicians are needed but we also need other Apprenticeships for our other Certified Trades within our Collective Agreement.

We do have members inquiring about Apprenticeships within our Local and want to apply for these positions.  ATU 583 is urging Management to fill the current open Apprenticeship positions for our members.

I want to bring attention to the fact that we all must be careful and aware of using proper language or gestures in the workplace.  This has become an issue as of late with a probationary member being dismissed for inappropriate language.  Another member made inappropriate comments on a radio, which is being grieved as we feel the discipline levied was too severe.  What was acceptable before is not acceptable now.  Be cautious and aware of what you say either among co- workers or using electronic devices as it could be seen as offensive to someone else.

The Movement of Personnel sign up in Maintenance for the new Oliver Bowen Building took place last month.  We held a number of membership meetings for those who would be affected with this sign up.  Numerous hours were spent being sure that job function time and employment records were correct. The Full Time Officers along with members helped in making this sign up go as smooth as it did.  Bernie Lair and Sabina Alicajic helped tremendously in this process and we wish to thank them for the extra effort they put in.

The Oliver Bowen Building is being used even though it is not fully completed.  As a new facility there will be some glitches that need to be repaired or corrected.  This is a beautiful new complex that our staff should and do appreciate.  Yes at times growth can be painful.

All members need to be aware of the attacks the Alberta Government is doing to our Health Care system.  Major cuts to programs and staffing cuts are going to hurt the people that need our medical system the most.  The elderly, the people in need and the young are the most vulnerable to many of the proposals being looked at and promoted by the current Conservative Government.  We must stand up and show our displeasure in what is being proposed.

Hiring freezes, along with staff cuts and contracting out current services will only burden the current health care system.  Support the health care workers of this Province and voice your displeasure towards the proposed health care changes.

There have been more and more conflicts arising among members.  Your Union has a Conflict Resolution Committee that can help resolve most of these conflicts among members.  Please talk to a Union Steward or the Union office if you are having a conflict with a co-worker.

In closing, I want to applaud you the members of ATU Local 583 for you are what makes this City run.  Keep up the good work, hold your head high and be proud to be ATU.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION…..   
     
                      ATU 2009 Memorial Scholarship Recipient

We are happy to announce that Audrey Cheung, daughter of Sunny Cheung, was selected as one of the recipient’s of the ATU 2009 Oliver W. Green Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000.00. We have had a number of our members’ children receive this award in recent years, so please note that the 2010 competition is available on our web site until January 31, 2010 and is well worth applying for. Our sincere congratulations to Audrey on this outstanding achievement.  

THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED FROM:

Family of Garth Becker          Roberto Pena           Sarbjit Gill                           Art Schmunk
Bruce Horne                         Arnie Scott               Conrad Johnstone                Navraj Sidhu  
Darlene Kohut                      Gordon Smith           Family of Kevin Lawson         Geraldine Strickler
John Muto                            Ed Thomas  


CONGRATULATIONS   On Their Retirement

Bob Bourassa – Operator – September/09
Wilbert McCallum – Operator – October/09
Frances Gaudet – C.S. Operator – October/09
Roberto Pena – Operator – October/09
Ralph Bach – Operator – October/09
Gojko Acimovic – Maintenance – October/09
Abdul Lalji – Operator – November 2009
William Humby – Operator – December/09

Congratulations to the following Retirees and their spouses for celebrating milestone Wedding Anniversaries: Ed and Lorna Thomas, 50 years on September 4, 2009. Al and Hanneke McDonald, 41 years on November 16, 2009. Bram and Rita Tenbrink, 56 years on November 18, 2009.


RETIREES CORNER

Just a Reminder:  The next meeting will be December 7, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m. at Spring Gardens garage.  The next luncheon will be November 17, 2009 @ 1:00 p.m. at Nick’s Steakhouse.




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COPE #379