DOUG JOHANNES       INTERIM PRESIDENT/B.A.

As most of you know Civic elections are to be held on October 18^th, 2010.   The Coalition of Civic Unions was at City Hall on September 20^th to hand out questionnaires for prospective candidates.   This is the second year that we have done this and the responses of each candidate will be posted on www.calgaryvoters.ca.   We would like to encourage all members to look at this site and see if the candidates you are considering voting for have the best intentions for all City employees.   Know their platforms, as this can affect your family, and possibly, your employment.   You really have a chance to indirectly vote on who will be Your Boss.

There always seems to be something to make people unhappy. We have received a letter that was sent to the International about us not representing Community Shuttle Operators and that we do not support them.   My first reaction to this is it is a carry over from the documents that have been left lying around in the garages, and I am certain that they have been produced by the same author.   As you know this is an election year and some people will stop at nothing to try to get elected, even to the detriment of the Local itself.  In the letter it touches on a number of issues from a 14-hour day to no breaks with many additional questions being asked.

First let me address a couple of items.   No one can be forced to work over 12 hours a day.   A person can volunteer.   It is true that any employee, regardless of what area they work in, can be forced to work a 12-hour day.

Another issue is the fact that Shuttle Operators do not get breaks.   Employment Standards states that an employee has to get at least a 30 minute unpaid break after 5 hours.    This matter has come to the Board a number of times.   The last time, I think, was about 7 years ago.   It was presented by the Community Shuttle Executive Board Representative of the day.  Questions were  asked of management and assurances were given that an unpaid break would be given to each Operator within 5 hours of every day.   Again that is an unpaid break.   We held a Special Meeting for Community Shuttle and informed them of management’s agreement.   We also notified them that there would never be a straight shift again in Community Shuttle, as management would simply cut all pieces of work at 5 hours and under.   The members at the meeting voted overwhelming in favor of keeping the straight shifts and not to pursue breaks.

A number of other statements were made that no reasonable person that believes in unionism could ever believe to be true.     Comments like we turn down items that management wants to offer Community Shuttle and that we do not want them in the Union.   This Local has worked very hard to try to stop the division between Conventional and Shuttle.   In the last two collective agreements there have been many improvements, especially in the one before last, where there was over $2.00 per hour in increases given to Shuttle, much higher than what Conventional received.   A raise that was long overdue and very much deserved.

Many more comments were made that I feel need to be addressed in a public forum, where members can ask questions and receive answers.   Therefore, I will be scheduling a Community Shuttle Special Meeting in October to give everyone an opportunity to be heard.   I look forward to meeting the author/authors of this document.   I do not know who they might be, as they neglected to sign it, and used the return address of Victoria Park Garage.

HandiBus negotiations are still ongoing.   We met with management early in September and gave them a counter proposal.   They stated that they needed a little time to look it over and will have something for us in the near future.   I am always optimistic that we will be able to find some neutral ground to be able to get the best deal possible.     We will keep you informed as we move forward.   Remember it is you the members that will decide what is acceptable and what is not.

We have had a lot of trouble with the LRT from Crowfoot to Dalhousie Station.   On the inbound trip Operators have been letting the train coast.   As I understand it this is done to insure that passengers get a smoother ride.   The trouble with this is once the train reaches a track speed of 80 kph a buzzer goes off to notify the Operator that the train has reached maximum speed.   Many Operators have been shown how to let the train run and have the buzzer not come on.   A practice in place since I drove the train in the 80’s, a practice management is familiar with.   The problem is the trains were reaching speeds well over 80 kph.   We have been informed that this may have caused some mechanical problems with the traction motors.   This prompted management to look at the train records and is the reason they became aware of the speeds.   They are saying that to put the train into this position is in fact overriding a safety feature of the train.   I cannot necessarily disagree with this statement however, I have concerns as well that this practice has been known since the train started to run in revenue service.

There have now been eight Operators disciplined for traveling over the posted speeds.   We are grieving the discipline and will keep you informed of the outcome.   So to all you train drivers, you need to be sure that you stay at posted speeds at all times.   If you find that your train has the capability to surpass the top speed we need to be booking those cars.   Safety systems need to be in place for the safety of all.   If the system can be by- passed it is in my mind not safe.

RICK RATCLIFF                    FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

 (On vacation)

 RECORDING SECRETRY/ MAIN./OFFICE REP.                              WALTER MOODIE

Sisters and Brothers, I would first like to thank all the friends and members that took the time to call me or send a card when I was recently off due to medical.   This was very helpful and again put faith in me that there are people that care.   Thank you!

Upon my return I see that really nothing has changed.   Yes, some changes in management have happened with rolling some positions into others.   This comes from the direction of City Council, to reduce expenses by 5% in all departments.   Hiring and getting new positions are, as I’m told by management, a long detailed process.   There was never any Union direction or initiative.

We have received numerous calls from members that want to do a good job but with less staff and more users using the system, it is hard to keep up with the volume of work.   Cutting corners and “just get the job done” is discouraging to some very conscientious  members.   Safety must be our number one priority for both workers and safety for the public that we serve.

It is very evident to me that there are double standards in the City of Calgary.   If our members are deemed not truthful during an investigation they are held accountable with suspension or worse, termination from their employment.   As I have witnessed, some management can and will not be truthful in meetings or grievances.   This Local has addressed this kind of action and I hear that other Civic Unions are experiencing the same kind of double standard.   This must stop if we are all to proceed forward.   Trust is one foundation that any good company or corporation must work and strive for.

There are still members having disputes with co-workers going on in our work places.   ATU 583 has a Conflict Resolution Committee and I encourage members to give their Union a call, and hopefully, we can help resolve the issue between members.   We do have a very good success rate at seeing resolves to most issues around conflict in the work place.

On September 6, 2010 I attended and participated in the 2nd Annual Labour Day BBQ at the Civic Plaza.   I was so pleased to see some ATU members and retirees attend this very important function.   Thanks to UFCW and all the Calgary and District Labour Council members that worked together to organize, feed and provide information to many homeless and unemployed people in the city.   A job well done again, and I was proud to be involved as an ATU representative.    Mayoralty hopefuls were in attendance and I took the opportunity to speak to them face to face.   Some really will tell you what you want to hear.

United Way is now having their Corporate Challenge fundraiser going on.   I hope more members are getting involved in this very worthwhile, fun endeavour.   Fleet Service members are enrolled in the Hockey Challenge and I want to wish them all the best.   I hope that more members become involved in the United Way Corporate Challenge.

All members of a Union should be working towards Values of Unionism.   We must work, support and help one another.   Yes, we come from diverse work areas but the principals are still the same.   STAND UP, BE  PROUD THAT YOU ARE UNION AND PROUD TO BE ATU.

CHIEF STEWARD – OPERATIONS                   NEIL ARMITAGE

This will be my first newsletter so please be patient if I don’t keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipation.                  

Having recently returned to work from S&A it was no surprise to me that the same issues are still causing problems in the workplace.   Multi Nova tickets are costing anyone who exceeds the speed limit while operating city vehicles, hard earned money out of their pocket that could be put to better use.   These “fast driving awards” can also cause problems for the member, with the employer pursuing the progressive discipline route indiscriminately.   Follow the posted speed limits and, I hate to sound like a bank commercial here, SAVE YOUR MONEY!

In reviewing Operator assault statistics for the summer it seems that one third of reported assaults involved some kind of fare dispute.   The City policy gives the Operator the discretion to avoid pursuing payment of fares to the point of confrontation.   It’s the Operator’s duty to inform passengers what the fare is; it’s not our job to enforce the fares. 

The new NOVA buses have started to show up and it should only be a matter of time until we see them hitting the streets.   As with all new equipment there will be a period of time getting used to the differences from our present fleet.   When you get your hands on one and in the course of your time behind the wheel, if you find something that causes you concern please give us a call to let us know.   Sometimes we don’t hear about a problem that could be a simple fix if addressed early enough and it saves other Operators from having to put up with an aggravating problem, like we all don’t have enough of those already.

It was brought to my attention that some of the buses with installed bike racks are missing the right hand corner convex mirror that allows you to observe the position of the rack.   This could lead to you momentarily forgetting about it and getting a nasty surprise.   Please make sure to book the bus when returning to the garage for attention, talking to the body shop, they have plenty of them in stock and they know how to use them.

Now that the weather is starting to change and you have to dig out the winter gear, some would say that’s any time after the Stampede Parade, here’s a bit of good news to take the bite out of the air.   There seemed to be a rumour floating around when I retuned to work recently that the Community Shuttle Operators were going to have to pay for their winter boots if they wanted them instead of summer shoes.   Having one group of drivers excluded from having a choice of footwear didn’t sound right when the language in the contract was virtually identical.   After much discussion between the negotiating team members, the president contacted the management of Calgary Transit and entered into a favourable discourse where he presented our position and they agreed with us.   So now the Community Shuttle Operators have a choice of footwear at the bargain price of $0 (issued yearly – Letter #3 in the contract).    As the saying goes, membership pays!

That is one of the benefits of having your representative informed of what members encounter in the workplace.   The Stewards are the eyes and ears of this Union and when people are told something that just doesn’t sound right they can and should talk to the reps out there or give us a call.   Sometimes it takes some good old fashioned talking one on one to resolve a contentious issue.   Other times it is necessary to go through the grievance process when the resolve isn’t that easy and you don’t always win.   Having the experience and leadership in this office is a benefit that can sometimes be taken for granted.   It also helps when you have managers the caliber of someone like the SG Co-ordinator willing to listen to your position and work with you on resolving the issue.

In closing I would like to thank all the Stewards and Officers who helped to cover my duties while I was out of the loop and thanks for the calls at home.    

CHIEF STEWARD MAINTENANCE                 BILL JOHNSON

As promised in my last newsletter we were able to have our meeting with management and three of our Shuttle Operators on the ARBOC issues.   The ramps, driver seats, mirror, blind spots, angle of front doors, mobility issues on the ramp and bell issues were discussed.   There are 35 LP Spirits on order of which 5 will be Hybrid’s.   These new buses are expected to arrive towards the end of this year.   I would like to thank Jan, Cheryl and Keith for their input into this discussion.   We understand some Operators like the ARBOC’s as they are, but we are looking at overall improvement to this bus, that will benefit everyone.   Local 583 would like to be involved in the decision making process when it comes to ordering new equipment, as it is the Operators that spend countless hours behind the wheel of these buses.

We have been very busy with grievances and arbitrations, which leads me to touch on a couple of our members who have returned to the employ of Calgary Transit.   First of all the resolve to get one member back to the LRV Service Lane at Anderson Garage in early June, 2010.   This was a huge win for her as she is truly enjoying a different work area and will soon make her permanency.   Also as you may have heard, Local 583 has received the decision back from the arbitrator on another member and I am very happy to report that he too has returned to the workplace as of September 15, 2010.   In my opinion, it has cost the City well over $100,000.00 dealing with the employer-employee issues in the work area.   I am confident, with the new management at the Anderson Garage Service Lane that all members will do very well.   Welcome back.   Having been back in the work area several times, I have certainly noticed a change in attitudes.   It can present challenges in any work area when you have several different personalities working together.   PLEASE, if you are having difficulty with another member contact the Union office.   Local 583 does have a Conflict Resolution Committee in place to deal with member-to-member issues.   Keep in mind that if we are not kept in the loop and it goes to management, generally a paper trail follows i.e. discipline.

Once again it seems the grievances and call ins are on the increase.   There is a wide spectrum of issues from attendance management issues to over speed, both bus and train and several different issues in the maintenance area.   I would like to thank all the Stewards who help with the call ins.   Taking good notes and covering the call ins certainly helps the Officers to prepare for the grievance hearing.

 FOR YOUR INFORMATION…..

THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED

 Brenda Bourassa           Lloyd Ackerman

 Upcoming Event….

  ATU Local 583

63rd Annual Fall Banquet

In Honour of Our Retirees

When   – October 16, 2010

Where  – Glenmore Inn – 2720 Glenmore Trail SE                                                                                  

                Time   -   Cocktails - 5:30 p.m.

                Dinner -     6:30 p.m.

                Dance:       9:00 p.m.

Price   -   Members - $35.00 per couple

          -   Non Members - $75.00 per couple

 Tickets available from the Union Office

 A very Happy Birthday to Ken Bardell who celebrated his 84th birthday on September 10, 2010

 CONGRATULATIONS

On Their Retirement

Gordon Cox  -  October  2010

David Black  - September 2010

Vern Webster – July 2010

Anicetus  Wickremasuriya - September 2010

RETIREES CORNER

Just a Reminder:  The next meeting will be October 4th, 2010  @ 7:00 p.m. at Spring Gardens Garage, +15 (3rd Floor). The next luncheon will be October 19th, 2010 @ 1:00 p.m. at the Swiss Chalet South, 8900 Macleod Tr. SE

 /cg  

COPE #379