OCTOBER 2001 Vol. 25, #9 Print E-mail
Sunday, 30 September 2001 13:00

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

Some days working with the City feels like the old children’s song “the bunny hop.” Two steps forward and one-step back. Let me explain the steps forward. Clause 107.01 of the new collective agreement states in part that the union and management may meet to resolve differences informally. That is just what we did in the case of the pro-rated vacation issue. Local 583 had filed a grievance on employees having their vacation prorated due to the strike. We chose to attempt to deal with this matter as per 107.01. We now have a full resolve to the issue. It is as follows:

#1 – All employees who have completed their vacation by October 29, 2001 and who during their prorated week, either took time from their bank, unpaid book-offs or who worked, will be paid out by the end of 2001 for the time prorated.

#2 – Employees who are scheduled for their vacation after October 29th will have their vacation time adjusted accordingly.

I would like to thank Mike Kozielec, Manager of Human Resources, Land Use and Mobility plus Fred Wong and Amin Dhalla from Service Design for the hard work that they did with me to ensure that this time was repaid to all of the employees that were negatively affected by the City’s original ruling. Although I am confident we would have won this grievance, in this case the new language in clause 107.01 was the best way to deal with this issue.

I would also like to say that the management of Calgary Transit and ourselves have been meeting over the last few months and things are starting to get better. We are a long way from a good relationship but we are moving in the right direction.

The City is also offering Health assessments by an independent organization. The individual results of the findings will be shared with the employee only, with overall information reported back to management. I personally attended last year and found it very informative. It helped me make some personal decisions pertaining to my own health.

Now for the step back. There was an incident at the workplace where one of our members put a letter in another members’ lunch box. In this letter there was white powder. I know this is very serious and never should have happened. However, the employee realized the errors of his ways and prior to the other person opening the letter told him of the contents and that he never should have sent it, that it was only intended as a joke. The letter was opened and thrown into the garbage. End of issue right? One would think so. Both members were aware of the contents, both were satisfied with the letter being thrown away. Now, enter a third person. This person for whatever reason took the letter out of the garbage and put it on the foreman’s desk starting a chain of events that included the Fire and Police Departments being called to transit. During the subsequent investigation, the person responsible for the letter openly admitted to delivering it and went even further. He initiated discussions with management, never denied his involvement, was open and forthright at all times and was very remorseful. This is a 23-year employee with an impeccable record. The police interviewed him and no charges were laid. In fact, the officer stated that nothing further would come from that department. Now, enter corporate whomever and their discussions as to what should happen in this matter. After all was said and done there was no reference to the person that removed the letter from the garbage. The person that in my mind caused this issue to be more than just a simple joke between friends. No, nothing was said about this person. The only thing said was that there will be significant discipline levied to the person that was responsible for the letter. A ten day suspension. This is of a magnitude unacceptable to this membership. I can tell you that the calls I have received in this office and the hostility expressed towards management are numerous. The support shown towards this member has not gone unnoticed. I can assure you this Local has filed a grievance on his behalf and will continue to battle any and all injustices that this membership is forced to endure.

I don’t remember the entire words of the bunny hop but I truly hope that when the song ends the dancer is still not standing in the same place. I refuse to believe that we are just spinning our wheels in trying to deal with this type of management style. For the sake of the workforce we will get over the past and move to a place that will benefit all the employees represented by Local 583.

I know that Dean has touched on the upcoming elections. I just want to reiterate, know the candidates, know what they have to offer you as members and be sure to vote for the person that will best represent the interests of this Local.

DOUG JOHANNES



FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

The current three-year cycle for elected Union Representatives will end on December 31, 2001. As per Section 14.1 of the Constitution and General Laws, the successful candidates for the next term of office will assume their duties effective January 1, 2002. There are a number of proposed changes to the Local By-Laws that would take effect simultaneously with that term. This is done to allow anyone seeking office an opportunity to see what the duties of his or her positions will be.

One of the proposed changes to these By-Laws has to do with the voting process. If accepted, those changes would be implemented for the December, 2001 elections. The changes are substantial so I would encourage you to read the By-Law proposals posted on the Union bulletin boards throughout the work place. They will be voted on at the November 13th Charter meeting.

For active members, these changes would restore the ballot boxes to the work areas on Election Day. Retired members and those on LTD would receive a ballot in the mail as in the past. It would be returned in a postage paid envelope addressed to a post office box. On Election Day the Chief Returning Officer and two of the Scrutineers would pick up the returned ballots from the Post Office at a pre-determined time and they will be processed as in the past.

Those members that do not receive a ballot in the mail could vote on Election Day at any of the work locations. There would also be an advanced poll set up the week before for members that cannot vote on Election Day.

If these proposed changes do not pass at the next general meeting, the vote will be set up as a complete mail out ballot similar to November 1998. The membership will make that decision at the Regular General Meeting in November.

We have opened negotiations for our members at Calgary Handi-Bus. The current agreement expires at the end of 2001 and both sides have stated they would like to reach an agreement in the not too distant future. I don’t think I am speaking out of school to say that schedules will be an important issue for us again this time around. In addition, there have been some business changes at Handi-Bus that cause some concerns. And of course, we always seem to differ on what is an appropriate wage increase. I guess we will have to wait and see where management is coming from when we get to the table, but a memorandum in the near future may prove to be a little too ambitious.

We are also in negotiations with the Civic Cafeteria. Fortunately, there are only a few issues outstanding, so we may have an agreement there soon.

We will keep you posted on the progress in these two work areas as things unfold.
MIKE MAHAR

For Your Information….



SUPPORT GROUP – CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

Do you need a food hamper for Christmas, or do you know of another A.T.U. Local 583 member who may be in need of one? If so, please phone Anne Farkas at 230-0707 after 12:00 p.m. All information will be kept strictly confidential.



THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED FOR FLOWERS/FRUIT BASKETS

Gordon Alexander Neil Armitage Lorne Carroll Adam Dorey

Pat Downes Don Fairbairn Ted Hughes

John Johnston Leanne Lamoureux

Jerry Martin



“CONGRATULATIONS”

On Their Retirement

(October 2001)

John Ens John Johnston William McNichol

Laura Palmquist Elizabeth Thompson

Don Weber



UPCOMING EVENTS




A.T.U. LOCAL 583

ANNUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Date: Sunday, December 9TH , 2001

Location: SPRUCE MEADOWS

Fun Begins at 11:30 a.m.

Santa will be there from 1-3 p.m.

ON GOING ENTERTAINMENT

Hay Wagon Rides Christmas Crafts

(Dress Appropriately) Indoor Games



Coffee and Hot Chocolate will be Available



OPEN TO ALL SIGNED UP MEMBERS OF LOCAL 583 IN GOOD STANDING.



Please ensure that any children up to age 12 are registered to receive a gift.

UNION MEETINGS



A.T.U. LOCAL 583

CHARTER MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13/01

10:00 A.M. & 7:30 P.M.

AGENDA:

- Regular Business

- Second Reading and Voting on the By-Laws

- Nominations for Election of Officers for 2002-2005 term

- Discussion on Local Authorities Pension Plans Move to Self Governance

HANDI-BUS LOCAL 583

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15/01

9:30 A.M. & 7:30 P.M.

CAFETERIA LOCAL 583

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21/01
5:00 P.M.


A.T.U. 583 UNION OFFICE
5325 – 1A STREET S.W.
ONLY SIGNED UP MEMBERS
OF LOCAL 583 MAY ATTEND



UPCOMING MEETINGS:

December 4/01 - Social Committee - 7:30 p.m.

December 5/01 - Stewards Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

November 12/01 - Support Group - 7:30 p.m.

November 21/01 - Health & Safety - 7:30 p.m.



RETIREES CORNER

The next luncheon will be November 20th, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. @ the Shamrock Hotel – 21st Ave. & 11th St. S.E. The next meeting will be December 3, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Park Garage.


Important Notice

Due to the volume of information this month, we are distributing an addendum to this newsletter. Please watch for it in your work area.



MM/sw
OPEIU #379
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Last Updated on Thursday, 14 August 2008 17:21