Once again, on behalf of the Negotiating Committee, the Executive Board and myself, I would like to thank all those members within the City of Calgary bargaining unit for your support and patience during this round of negotiations.

In particular, we need to extend a thank you to all the Stewards on the floor who are continually inundated with questions around where we are in negotiations.   The very nature of negotiations limits the information that is released from the time we exchange proposals with the employer until we either reach impasse or a memorandum that we can recommend to you.   The Stewards have to provide you with updates based on this restricted information and I can assure you that at our monthly Steward meetings they are hungry for updates they can provide to you.   They don’t see the entire memorandum until the day before you do.   At that time we go through the agreement line by line so everyone has the same information.   Even then, many Stewards still come out to the Special Meetings to insure they have an accurate grasp of the information and can explain it clearly.   I know they appreciate your acknowledgement of the many hours they volunteer to accomplish this.

Your new rates should show up on pay period #5, March 10/11 and the retroactive pay should be on pay period #7, April 7/8.

We are deep into the HandiBus negotiations and have reached the contentious issues of “Breaks” and “Schedules”.   Both parties are eager to find a resolution to these items but regrettably Calgary Transit through Access Calgary controls the unknown factors and they don’t come to the table.   Unfortunately, they hold no allegiance to the  employees at Calgary HandiBus either.   If ATU 583 and Calgary HandiBus do not reach a Memorandum of Agreement it won’t be for lack of trying by either party.   Calgary HandiBus has been under attack from Calgary Transit since they pirated away the dispatching and scheduling functions in 2003.   Transits main reason for this attack is because they don’t like having to deal with some of the working conditions contained within our collective agreement.    They won’t sit down at the table and talk to us.   They want total control with none of the responsibility of an employer.   They want to accomplish this through threats.   They want our members to just surrender those key issues under the threat of …do it or we strip your budget and you’re out of a job…   This is a bully tactic.

With Calgary Transit raiding the HandiBus budget to siphon those funds directly to their “for profit” business partner Southland Transportation, they have destroyed any incentive for our members to try and come to a mutual agreement on these outstanding key issues.   The problem with bullies is they focus so much on what they perceive as ultimate power that they predetermine their victim’s response based solely on the fear they hope to instill in them. They forget that these are people with families, mortgages and a true dedication to the community they serve.   

Regardless, with the stroke of a pen they wiped out fourteen members jobs as of January 1 this year.   By wiping out any job security they have put our members in a position of Fight or Flight.   Our members have chosen to fight and at the end of the day Calgary Transit is going to have some explaining to do.
    
I have just received an e-mail from Mark Hambridge of the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners that may be of interest to any member of British origin that is eligible for a State Pension.   I cannot speak of the accuracy of his concerns or of the Alliance itself and only provide the information for you to peruse for yourself.   It deals with what appears to be an inequity of benefits for those members living in Canada compared to other countries.   I have included his contact information This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and web site address www.britishpensions.com for your convenience.


EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS             DOUG JOHANNES

I have spoken about this many times.   With the information equipment that we have today and the ability to reach someone immediately we are tempted to use these devices while we drive.   I cannot stress enough the importance of pulling your bus over to the side of the road to check your phone or to use it.   The best possible scenario is to leave it off until you get to the loop and then check your messages.   This is in all likelihood the subject of the majority of Operator call ins of late.   The employer is adamant that employees cannot use electronic devices while operating City vehicles.   We currently have had Operators given letters of counsel, warning, suspensions and even one that has been terminated.   The reasons for these vary from talking on the phone, talking on the phone while using a Bluetooth, texting while driving, making an illegal left turn while talking on the Bluetooth and causing a serious accident.  

Rule 114 Personal Activities – Operators  must not use any electronic devices   (personal stereo, radio, hand held video games, cellular phones etc.) or engage in personal activities while occupying the Operator’s workstation.   All personal items must be kept out of sight.  They say there is zero tolerance on this policy and their actions to date would lead me to believe that is in fact the case.   You may not believe it but we never used to have communication problems.   When we got home and we were told someone called we got back to him or her.   Not always the same day.   Life was simpler then, and I think,  we were more laid back, less worries and a lot less stress.   So please, don’t use your phones while driving.   There have been some horrendous accidents across the country because of this and no one wants to see anyone hurt or disciplined.

Now on a similar topic, the radios in the buses, in my opinion, are no different than a cell phone.   They cause you to be distracted every bit as much.   However, they are much harder to use.   I would suggest that you follow the same advice about their use as well.   If you are called, safely pull your bus to the curb and then answer it.   If you are involved in an accident because you are answering the radio there will be no leniency.   Don’t put yourself in a position where you may end up being disciplined.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Stewards for the work that they do.   They go well above and beyond the call of duty.   At a moment’s notice they could be asked to step into a meeting to represent you.   Normally  meetings are scheduled in advance and this is done by the Chief Steward Neil Armitage, and he works very hard to insure that a Steward is there with you.   However, there are times when someone sees them in the garage and asks them to help.  You may not know it but the work they do is all done voluntarily.   When you are called in to see management you are to be paid one half hour at regular rate and when they show up, in most cases, they are not being paid at all.   They do this work out of a belief in Unionism and fairness, to insure that you have a witness to what is being said and to have a record of the conversation.   Their notes are invaluable to me if things escalate to a point where discipline is levied and we need to file a grievance on the member’s behalf.  Last year alone this office filed 140 grievances.   So far this year  we are at 19.   The information I get from the Stewards goes a long way to insure that all the facts are taken into consideration and you the member get the best representation we can offer.

Another issue I deal a lot with is benefits and moving from short term to long term.   We seem to have a lot of trouble providing the information the insurance company requires.   If you are  not getting paid or are about to move from one coverage to another, please call if you are not certain what is needed.   We file many claim appeals every year and I have found that when the proper medical is received the claims are generally accepted.
    
I was fortunate enough to attend the NorthWest Conference Executive Board meeting in January.   The focus of the meeting is to deal with the welfare of the locals and to deal with the agenda for the summer meetings. As many of you will know, Mr. Ron Heintzman was appointed to the position of International Executive Vice-President. He was also present at these meetings, affording us an opportunity to spend some time with him and get pertinent information from the source.   Every three years, to coincide with the International Convention the NorthWest Conference and the California Conference hold their meetings at the same time and location.  This is done so that all delegates will be able to benefit from education that is offered.   It also lets us prepare as a group for the up coming convention.


FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER       RICK RATCLIFF
          
One more thing on the Drive Cam.   If you need to manually activate it for personal safety reasons, please contact your supervisor and let the supervisor know there is an event that needs to be reviewed.   Apparently sometimes it is not always obvious that the activation has a recognizable reason.   We have had a few situations where incidents have been overlooked.   It is advised that you record the pertinent information for your records as well.   Call Darrin Walker @ 403-537-7756 to have the event reviewed and perused.

This is a little late because of wrapping up negotiations but we at ATU 583 hope everyone enjoyed the coffee and donuts offered on Christmas Eve morning.   It is a joint venture with Calgary Transit picking up the coffee and our Local getting the donuts.   This year the Local also delivered tins of Christmas cookies to the later shifts to try and get everyone a Christmas treat.   Thanks to Bill Johnson for picking up and delivering the cookies.
    
Is it just me or is the topic of heat and passenger comfort on the buses in the news clips monthly?   The articles never seem to mention Operator comfort, which ultimately leads to the safe operation of the vehicle.   Remember your comfort is paramount in staying healthy and focused on the job.   Make yourself comfortable in your “work station”.
    
We have received a few complaints recently from Operators who have called in 10-12 on their school trips and have been told school trips can’t be 10-12.   A full bus is a full bus whether regular service, school service or charter.   Continue to call in your full buses so the information can be passed on to Service Design and adjustments can be made.   Statistics on overloads are monitored only if reported.   If the radio is busy at the time of going 10-12 wait until the airwaves clear and call it in at a convenient time and safe location.


RECORDING SECRETARY – MAINTENANCE/OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE        WALTER MOODIE

I would like to thank the membership for their support during our recent round of negotiations.   An 87% acceptance of the memorandum was very uplifting for your Negotiating Committee.

With the news now that the Mayor’s Office position will be wide open for all I’m sure we will receive numerous calls on whom we should support.   Support candidates that support Labour and whom you feel will do the best job for the citizens of Calgary.   One thing is being informed as best you can about all candidates either for the Mayor’s position or any Aldermanic position and exercise your right to vote.
    
The Union Office is still very busy with grievances, meetings and answering numerous questions by members with their concerns.   Your President, Mike Mahar has resolved numerous grievances that were slated to go to arbitration.   This, I see, is good that we can resolve these grievances before we go to arbitration.   Numerous times we have been advised that ATU 583 files more grievances against its employer than other Civic Unions in Calgary.

Oliver Bowen is in operation now and we will be going through another sign up.   Just those members that are in LRV will be bidding for permanent positions as agreed to by the membership.   I hope that this sign up goes as smooth as the one in November since we have cleared up certain members job function times and employment records that were incorrect but have been revised and updated.   Again thank you to all who helped in the sign up process and helped in correcting these important factors.
   
Safety is paramount in our industry.   The transportation industry and the safety for our members are of great concern for us in ATU.   As you should know the ATU Canadian Council is still lobbying the politicians to make changes to the criminal code on people that attack transit workers.   Personally, I hope this comes quickly and we see stiffer sentences towards attacks on transit workers.

I also wish to bring to your attention the ongoing member vs. member conflict.   ATU 583 has a Conflict Resolution Committee and we request you utilize this Committee instead of going to management with your concerns.   We have experienced members ending up with letter of counsel or letters of warning and even worse, termination of fellow Union members.   Give the office or a Steward a call if you are having a problem with a co-worker.

Garage cleaning is a big task with our maintenance shop personnel.   With spring coming soon it has to be expected that the buses and our garages will be dirtier than usual.   Please be as patient as you can as our sisters and brothers are trying to keep our work areas as clean as they can.

I also want to advise all members that your concerns do not land on idle ears.   Sometimes the issues you raise may take longer to resolve than others.   We all must be patient and work towards a positive resolve and get all the information before we jump to conclusions and start to accuse individuals of not looking after their interest.
Your Union Office is working for you and you should be proud that you have a Union that does work with your interest in mind.   Be Proud To Be Union and show your ATU Pride.
 
THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED

Bob Becker                     Christopher Murray           
Gene Blood                    Family of Carol Nelson
Frank Bouchard               Karen Pedersen
Madalene Cadwell            Stephen Sampson
Shirley Campbell              Blessing Sapahla
Colin Holden                    Edward Scherger
Conrad Johnstone            Wendy Weir
Neil Kennedy                   Justin Wishart

Ron Layne

CONGRATULATIONS   On Their Retirement

Jean Bedard – Maintenance – January 2010
Mike Barton – Operator – January 2010
Sheldon Barber – Operator – January 2010
Stephen Sampson – Office – January 2010
Ron Mitchell – Operator – January 2010
Derek Yu – Operator – February 2010

RETIREES CORNER

Just a Reminder:  The next meeting will be March 1, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m. at Spring Gardens garage.  The next luncheon will be March 16, 2010 @ 1:00 p.m. at Swiss Chalet (South) – 8900 MacLeod Tr. SE.

/sw  COPE #379