Two very short notes on a couple of subjects I would like to address.
Negotiations continue on a more positive note over at HandiBus. I’ll update you on the next newsletter.
Thank you very much to all those members that expressed their disappointment with Management and their support for your Local by boycotting this alleged Calgary Transit Appreciation Night. The interest was so low they cancelled it before we could even get a posting out. That’s Solidarity.
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT- OPERATIONS DOUG JOHANNES
So there seems to be a lot of talk about pulling your pension prior to turning 55. I was reading the Employer Union and Association News and found an article about this very subject. Presently, if you leave the City service and wish to withdraw your pension it is allowable. However, there are drawbacks. The first and most obvious is the fact that you will no longer have a pension with the LAPP! It will be gone forever and you will have no way of replacing it. Saying farewell to a secure lifetime income in the hopes that one can achieve better investment returns than the LAPP Investment Manager’s, is risky and speculative.
These 54/11 retirees (so called employees who take them are often 54 years and 11 months old) face several other challenges. Unlike the pension plan, funds outside the plan have no security or guarantees attached to them. We have all seen stocks that can fluctuate in a single day and you could have your investments significantly reduced literally overnight. Funds removed from the plan in the form of cash are taxable as income and rates can be as high as 40%.
Early withdrawal funds must be used to purchase an annuity (a private sector investment vehicle that provides monthly income in the same way that LAPP pension does). Annuities are not cheap. Using December 2006 interest rates - an annuity that will provide you with a monthly income of $3000.00 per month, you would need to have $700,000.00 in the annuity. As well, private sector plans are expensive, they carry with them high service costs and commissions. The LAPP has minimal service costs and no commissions.
There have been a few people that have taken the payout and have suffered for it. One former member took financial planning for a few years prior to making the decision to leave. We received a call a few days later and were informed that a $25,000.00 loss had been suffered over the first weekend. This money can never be recouped. We all know how long it would take to save $25,000.00 and like so many others this person was getting older and the earning power was greatly reduced. We have others that called and relayed other stories of a similar nature. Many have tried to buy back into the plan. I only know of one that was able to.
I am not trying to tell you how to manage your money or what to do. I can only ask that you are certain of what you are doing, know your investment person and be sure you can trust that person with your future and that of your family.
I also know that when I started here, part of the reason I stayed was that a pension was offered. I am approaching the retirement years myself (not for a few years yet) but to the point where I am looking to see what would be my best options for retirement and my long-term security. I do not have the necessary skills to know investments and I am not a risk taker, especially now that I am over 50. In my case a secure pension with a guaranteed income looks pretty good to me. Please, if you’re thinking about leaving early, be sure you have looked into all your options and you have received solid financial advice that you can depend on.
A simple fact, the LAPP has the 11th largest pension fund in Canada. It is also the 216th largest pension plan in the world. As of December 2006 there were assets of more than 1.4 billion dollars. I am confident that this plan will be around long enough to insure that every employee working for Transit today will have a secure pension plan when they are ready to retire as well.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER BILL LACROIX
I find it difficult that members believe that money is the only objective of this contract. There are many other items in the contract that need some correction and particularly among Community Shuttle Operator’s. Language that addresses shifts, relief points, sign-up and even part time and full time. Many Operator’s have worked hours in excess of regular part time jobs and they need to be treated fairly for the service they provide. It should not be at the whim and fancy of a dispatcher(s) as to whether they are receiving better or worse hours, longer shifts and days off that allow them to have a family life.
Most companies are indeed bending over backwards to entice employees to start and remain with the employer. We are seeing more resignations and retirements in the last few months, than occur in a whole year. Is there a common denominator? I will let you mull that suggestion over on your own.
The new cameras installed on buses at Spring Gardens are on a trial basis and your ATU negotiating team is drawing up language to ensure that the use of it is for your benefit, proving assaults and non-preventable accidents. I have already been told that there were a couple of incidents which the camera helped determine the non-preventability of 02’s and I understand J.P. doesn’t mind Operator’s trying it out like they were auditioning for Canadian Idol, if it helps you understand how the camera works and enables you to determine how it works. Practice, Practice, Practice. There are some Operator’s trying to determine the efforts being made to help protect them with the use of these cameras. Please don’t try to alter their effectiveness by harming Company property, abusing the camera or covering it up with tape or foreign objects. It could benefit you greatly in the event of an accident, assault or incident proving beyond doubt that you reacted to the event in an appropriate manner. It does record inside and outside the bus, ten seconds before and ten seconds after it is triggered. Wonders of technology! It is always recording but the images and sound are only stored in the camera when it is triggered. We feel that it will be very beneficial to all Operator’s to have something totally impartial to prove your innocence and to enable the law to deal with unruly customers. We still have to resolve the issue of use for discipline.
If you are taking a bus out of the garage without a headlight, non-functioning brake lights or soft brakes stop and think, you become a safety hazard on the road and are responsible for that vehicle. You do not have to drive an unsafe vehicle, regardless of the time or your schedule. You have the right to refuse unsafe work and that is definitely unsafe. They pay big bucks to help with scheduling, such as the radio controller who can determine who else may be available to pick up passengers on your schedule or the passenger can wait for a safe bus to drive them to their destination. If it is too cold to carry on, then you should park it and wait for a change off. Because there are too few people to do change offs or repairs is not a good enough reason toCARRY ON. You must assert that it is unsafe to CARRY ON and you will wait for a new bus before continuing.
If you feel that an assault is imminent or the patron is abusive, key open the microphone on your radio. Control will get the message and it will be on tape. They also can determine what bus you are driving and look up the route, key and general area you are in, to send an appropriate response. If that is not possible, then you should stop in an area where there are people who may come to your assistance. It has been noticed that it is sometimes necessary to use your cell phone, dead radio spots or fouled up radio make communication with Control or Supervisors impossible and kudos to those who follow up with their cells.
We get reports at our office that Operators are not following up with the police when they arrive to deal with customers who throw snowballs or assault you in any manner. You are not part of the equipment and are entitled to a safe work environment, free from harassment from the general public and co-workers. You should take the responsible way and prefer charges when it is appropriate. This is for your safety and well-being as well as your fellow employees. Thanks to Sandy in Control for this advice on Sunday.
Just a reminder that when you are scheduled to be Out of Service, it means that your passengers will need to take another bus or train and you should not be intimidated into carrying on.
There were a couple of incidents over the past month that was disturbing to me. A female Operator was involved in a 0-1 where a pedestrian walked or ran into the side of her bus and fell underneath. Fortunately, the Operator stopped the bus immediately, but the person suffered some injuries. It could have been fatal. We received a call from the Supervisor on scene requesting that a Union Officer attend. I was able to go and meet her and we waited for over two hours for a support person from FGI or CISM and no one was available. Mr. Bill Thompson assured me that this would be investigated as to the availability of support, as this is provided by the City of Calgary.
I attended two funerals of active members over the last couple of months and it was noticed that there was no one in attendance from the City of Calgary Management team. Shows how much appreciation there is, doesn’t it? Even more ironic, on Steve Hubbard’s funeral folder, inside was a picture of a Calgary Transit bus with Route 1 showing on the destination sign. Strange that he made so much of his job that it was reflected on by his family, even in death, yet the very company that benefited from his successful working career certainly did not mirror any respect for him after 27½ years.
I also attended the funeral of Donna Stunzi at Mountain View Funeral Home where I had the privilege of meeting her family. It was well attended by many of her peers, taking their own time and effort to pay their respects and there was again no MANAGEMENT person to be found. Surely they could have allowed a Supervisor to attend and show some respect for a 21 year employee. I expressed our disgust to Mr. John Geals and to Mr. Bill Thompson on your behalf.
RECORDING SECRETARY-MAINTENANCE/OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE WALTER MOODIE
In my opinion 2007 has been comparable to the old Clint Eastwood movie, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The Good is the patience you the membership have shown as negotiations have proceeded. Keeping the course with the Work to Rule that was implemented by the membership has raised numerous concerns and calls. Yes, this is your livelihood, wages and working conditions that are being addressed at the negotiations table. Your patience and Union support will help to get a new Collective Agreement.
The Bad is the ever-growing problem of members reporting on members of possible policy or work related wrong doings. We all have an obligation to this Union and your word should be your oath. The constant increase of members doing other members work is also of grave concern. We all have our own jobs and duties to do so please concentrate on your own job and remember someone else has their jobs to do. Please take the time to treat another Brother or Sister, as you would like to be treated. If a disagreement does occur with another member, contact your Union Steward or Union Office as we have a Conflict Resolution Committee that can and will help to try to resolve the dispute between yourself and another member.
The Ugly is the way negotiations have turned. Tremendous stress has been created and with close to a year of bargaining there is still more hurdles we must go through.
With the recent 5% or 10% increase given to some certified trades and other certified Trades receiving no percentage increase, it has created numerous calls, grievances and ill feelings between employers and employees. We have seen more and more Trades Personnel leaving either for early retirement, 54 and 11 or just resigning. This is something that Management should be concerned about.
With negotiations ongoing and the path we must take through the Labour Board is also causing concern to members. Our Sister Local in Edmonton has a signed negotiated contract without having to go the direction that we are having to. Yes, politics is a major part of the problem but sooner or later someone has to understand that we are in the same Province, have almost the same size of membership and the same concerns about hiring and retention of employees.
Good working conditions along with a wage compensation for Calgary’s economy is all we are asking for at the negotiation table.
This movie script has been here before but never so alive as I see it. We are all players in this script and yes we can change the outcome of this Labour drama. Keep the course members, observe the Work to Rule and together we can have a positive outcome. Show your ATU Pride and stand up for your rights. We have a diverse Union and these negotiation proposals touch all our positions. Remember, we are a Union and theme-me society has no place in our Union. Stand together, show your pride and hold your head high.
Thanks for your support.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION…..
HAVE YOU MOVED??
If you have not received information from American Income Life (yellow card) in the mail, then we don’t have your current address. Please call us at 258-1258 to see if your address is correct, especially if you have moved in the last year. If you change your address with the City it does not mean that you have
changed it here. Thank you for your cooperation.
A.T.U. SUPPORT GROUP
Thank you to all Officers and Members of A.T.U. Local 583 for your generous donations of food/cash for 2006. Eighteen hampers were distributed to our members in need at Christmas time. We were also able to help members before and after as well.
Colleen Holden
Support Group
THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED FOR
FLOWERS/FRUIT BASKETS
Sherry Ardagh Ron Johnson
Family of Les Baxter Hans Knauf
Syd Banks Ray Klassen
Paul Becker Clifford Kornfeld
John Berry Leonard Kornfeld
Family of Murney Blixt Lucio Kortman
Beulah Camus Ward Lakeman
Mario Champagne Ed Lichkowski
Family of Jim Durant Peter Mudryk
Heather Eakett Richard Naylor
Ed Gajecki Dawn Resch
Family of Steve Hubbard Scott Riddall
Nelson Huckle George Wiley
Doug Johannes
CONGRATULATIONS
On Their Retirement
Ray Bergeron HandiBus – December/06
Joan Goulder Cafeteria – February/07
Brian Hopkins Maintenance – February/07
Larry Johnson Operator – February/07
Peter Mudryk Operator – January/07
Larry Parder Operator – February/07
Robert Forbes Community Shuttle – March/07
John Leese Operator – March/07
Bob Libal Operator – March/07
Howard Perdue Maintenance – March/07
Peter Palmer Operator – March/07
Ken Johnston Operator – April/07
Gordon Jorgensen Operator – April/07
Hans Knauf Community Shuttle – April/07
Ken Livingstone Operator – April/07
Pete Nielsen Maintenance – April/07
Bill Bridgman HandiBus – April/07
William Pardy Maintenance – May/07
Joe Gale Operator – May/07
Wendy Arnold Operator – May/07
Fred Punchard Operator – May/07
Jean Green Maintenance – May/07
Dennis Neufeld Operator – May/07
Clifford Campbell Operator – May/07
David Chu Maintenance – May/07
John Van Drunen Operator - May/07
Bernd Janke Operator – May/07
Stewart Penney Operator – May/07
Craig Staines Operator – May/07
Brian Haig Maintenance – May/07
