During the meeting a number of concerns were raised and discussed.  One of the most disturbing issues that these Operators face is a perceived feeling of contempt shown toward Shuttle Operators by Conventional Operators.  I find this disturbing as both areas are vital to the operation of Calgary Transit. It is even more so when you think about the work that is performed by all Operators.  We all do the same job. I know Management will disagree, however, after 36 years on the job I cannot tell the difference.  We all report to the garage to be assigned a bus to take into revenue service, where we pick up the paying public.  We all give out information to passengers and take the same abuse.  As I say, we all do the same job, yet we do not treat each other with the same courtesy, I have to ask why?

Shuttle has been around since 1985, longer than most of the employees have been.  It has been integral in helping to grow the Transit system and getting service to communities far sooner than would normally have been possible.  When Shuttle first started, Management converted lower ridership routes and this caused a problem with some of the more senior Operators as it looked like the cushier work was going to Shuttle.  Conversions were only done for a few years with limitations on how many routes could be converted.  Now it is strictly new work that Conventional operations would not be performing if it were not for Shuttle.  All of us are brothers and sisters performing work for the same employer. We should all treat each other the way that we would like to be treated.

I committed to the members at the meeting to attempt to outline the difference between the two areas and how we are compensated by that same employer for the work that we perform.  I will agree that Shuttle has a number of differences as there are Full Time/Part Time, and Part Time employees.

First, all Conventional Operators are either Probationary or Full Time and have all provisions of the Collective Agreement.  Only 30% of the Shuttle Operators are Full Time and they do not get all the provisions.  What they are entitled to is more than the Part Time Operators but still not the same as Conventional.  The reason for the discrepancy is monetary.  The City insists that this work be done as cost effectively as possible.  Shuttle Operators have to apply to go to Permanent Part Time.

Conventional Operators get paid either 60 or 75 hours.  60 hour Operators who make up the bottom 16% of Operators will move up to 75 hour according to the total amount of Conventional Operators.  

Full Time Shuttle Operators work five days a week (minimum 37.5 hours).  Part Time Shuttle are guaranteed 15 hours if they work Saturday and Sunday.  

Conventional Operators have three steps starting at $23.34 per hour, then $26.25 per hour, and finally the top rate of $29.17 per hour.  LRT Operators get additional premiums.
The only rate for Shuttle is $20.18 per hour.  

Probation period for Conventional is twelve months.  For Shuttle it is eighteen months or having worked more than 1957.5 hours.

Conventional Operators - overtime is time and a half after 7.5 hours or after 8 hours on Spare Board. Double time is paid after two hours of overtime. Anything over a 12 hour spread is overtime or double time.
Shuttle - all overtime is time and a half.
                                            
Conventional – working a day off – double time.
Shuttle - working a day off - time and a half.

Missed Relief – Conventional – double time.
Missed Relief – Shuttle - time and a half.

Conventional – get through time on runs where the break is 29 minutes or less between pieces of work.
Shuttle – nothing.

Clothing language for Shuttle is in a Letter of Understanding and gives them less than Conventional (one less pants, one less shirt, one less socks).

Conventional – training pay, when operating with student drivers, receive an additional 35 cents.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – spread time, if work is not completed before ten hours, pays 60 cents a day after ten hours or $1.10 per hour after eleven hours.
Shuttle – Nothing.

Conventional – double time in case of emergencies.
Shuttle – time and a half.

Conventional – additional quarter time for Sunday premiums.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – vacation, two weeks after one year, three weeks after two, up to a maximum of seven weeks.
Shuttle – vacation, two weeks after the first year, then it is dependent on hours worked, not on years worked.  Temporary employees get a vacation pay out.

Conventional – service pay, after ten years, $120.00 up to $300.00.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – get four additional hours pay for December 24th.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – get coffee money in lieu of breaks.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – get travel time, they are paid back to the start point of their day and from the end of each piece to the start of the next piece.
Shuttle – nothing.

Conventional – get sign up relief.
Shuttle – have to find someone to work for them so that they can sign up and when they get there, approximately the first fifty are allowed to sign on whatever they want.  After that, employees have to work either a Saturday or Sunday as more employees sign up.  Management may decide they need more Operators on both Saturday and Sunday so they will have to sign up on work that works both days plus a Monday or Friday.  The picture is always changing and they don’t know what they will have to do until they arrive to sign up.

We may have missed some of the differences, however I think this will show you all what a difference there is in the compensation package.  We have continually attempted to make improvements in the Community Shuttle area in every round of negotiations that I have been involved in.  I will also ensure you that we will continue to strive for better working conditions in the future.
                                                                                    DOUG JOHANNES
                                                                                    INTERIM PRESIDENT/B.A.

DJ/sw  
COPE #379