As difficult as it was to reach an agreement, now that the deal is signed, the real work begins.  The wage increases are simple to implement.  The retroactive pay will be 2.5% January 2010, 2% July 2010, 2% January 2011.  This will be paid July 22, 2011. We have asked for a separate check but this has not been confirmed as of this writing.  The remaining increases are as follows: 2% July 2011, 2% January 2012 and 2% July 2012.

    The other major changes are to deal with “breaks” and “end of day” finishes.  With the ability for Access Calgary to be able to move the breaks on day of service, the frequency of most other violations should be drastically reduced.  However, we need to monitor this very closely through feedback from the Operator’s to this office and/or to your Steward’s. Our Negotiations’ Committee is well on their way to completing their portion of the new grid system to address “end of day” violations and although we haven’t confirmed a completion date on this, we will not be able to have it done by the July 2nd date we had hoped for.  We will be meeting with the employer as soon as possible to find a mutually agreeable completion date.  Our Committee is ready to complete it now.  We will make sure Management is equally committed.

    Another important piece of the agreement is Article 16.05 and the language around appointments.  There is strong language to insure you are able to keep important personal appointments provided you provide the proper notice.  Again, this is something we have to monitor, based on your feedback.  We want to insure the Management at Access Calgary adheres to this language on behalf of Calgary HandiBus.

    For those that are fortunate enough not to know, progressive discipline is a well established business practice of increasing the level of discipline if an employee gets into trouble more than once within a certain period of time, usually a year.  Over the last few months there seems to be a shift in the way Operations is choosing to administer some of this discipline.  We have had a number of members with previous discipline on file that have had a second infraction that would normally lead to increased discipline.  On a very case specific basis, rather than go from a one-day suspension to a three-day, the previous discipline is referenced in the new letter of discipline, but it explains any mitigating factors and the discipline has then become something other than progressive.  Discipline is not supposed to be punitive and this practice certainly reflects that.  On behalf of our members I want to thank those Manager’s that are trying out this philosophy.

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS       DOUG JOHANNES

    It has been an interesting year.  There is never a shortage of work or even a break in the goings on that affect you the member.

     One of the hot issues today is:

114 Personal Activities in the Operator’s Rule Book it states, “Operator’s must not use any electronic device (personal stereo, radio, hand held, video game, cellular phone, etc.) or engage in personal activities (i.e. hobbies) while occupying the Operator’s work station. All personal items must be kept out of sight.”

    Management is committed to a zero tolerance policy when it comes to what Operator’s are doing in the seat, whether it is using a cell phone, reading the paper or doing a cross word puzzle.   Supervisors are watching all of the employees for any violation of the rules and addressing these issues with the Operator’s.

    Then there is the good Samaritan out there, or in some cases, people that need to get a life of their own.  As many of you know, a person in Toronto took pictures of an Operator texting while driving his bus.  This drew a lot of media attention and the Operator was disciplined.  (I guess it also made a lot of other people feel that they too could get some sort of notoriety out of doing the same thing).  In Calgary a number of employees have also had pictures taken of them and Management has taken action.  In one case the Operator of a train was dismissed (we are headed to arbitration on this matter).

    An Operator called me to inform me that he is being called in, again a person from the public, someone that in my mind needs to get a life, had sent in a picture to Management of this Operator sitting in the seat looking at his phone.   Interestingly enough, the bus was displaying “out of service” on the signage and the bus was empty, legally parked and shut off.  That is right, not even running.  The Operator was waiting to go into service.  Now, because someone was trying to make themselves look good, our Operator  has to defend his actions.

    So please, follow the rules.  If you are not sure of the proper course to take, then pull your bus over to the side of the road, properly secure it and get out of the bus.  With all the stress we have in our lives and the demands of the job, the last thing we need is to be called in because someone saw us sitting in the seat doing something that we have always done, reading the paper or a  book or whatever.  I would make it a practice not to sit in the Operator’s compartment anymore when I am at the loop.  If the weather is nice, walk around the bus or sit in the shelter.  If not, go to the back of the bus, just make sure that you are not in the cab.

     It is unfortunate that Management would put a rule in place that does not allow us to use our common sense while sitting at the loop, but they pay us to follow their rules, so by all means follow them to the letter.

    The other day a thirty plus year member was in the office talking about how things have changed on this job.  He mentioned that Operator’s don’t let other buses in and out of traffic.  He said that a bus would more than likely be hit by another one when trying to leave the stop.

    I went down town and stood in the bay parkade and watched between 4:30 and 5:30, I was amazed at what I saw.  The Operator was absolutely correct.

     It is the norm to not help each other out.  Buses would go as far as making sure that the buses would not get in front of them.  I don’t understand this.  We all work for the same employer. We are all paid to carry our passengers from point A to point B, yet we act as if we are on our own and it is every one for themselves.

     Did you know that it is a proven fact that if we all let our co-workers in to traffic they will do the same for us and we will actually get out of downtown faster.  I know I am a little archaic and have not actually driven for a while but when I was driving we were taught in training to help each other out, and shown how that would make it easier for all of us.  I will be contacting the Training Department to see if this is in fact still the process and if not, see if it can be added to the training program again.  In the meantime, please yield to your fellow drivers, they in turn will return the favour.
      
 FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER         RICK RATCLIFF

    I would     like to start this month’s column by thanking Steve Hansen and Simon Tusek for inviting the Full Time Officers to O.B.M.F. to get a firsthand look at the “Series 8” LRV’s.  When these vehicles were first introduced many of our members felt that there should have been more training made available to those who wanted it.  Steve and Simon listened to our concerns and told us additional training would be made available to Operators that requested it.  A further positive note relating to the “Series 8” is the reinstatement of an Operator who felt he was inadequately oriented on this vehicle, and who had been terminated for a procedural error.

     So after getting a favorable resolve on the “Series 8”, why can’t we get one on the Anderson Garage Lane 16 doors?     These doors will close on a train even if the motion sensing light beam is obstructed!  Just the opposite of a garage door opener.  LRT Operations Executive Board Member and LRT Rules Committee member John Harwood, advises the office that he has been informed that the lane 16 doors have a special procedure for use since the door mechanism was upgraded a few years ago.  The problem is not everyone knows the procedure and the doors will close on a passing train.  It is well known to a number of Anderson Garage staff that the doors have closed on some trains and there have been numerous close calls.  Some staff have even witnessed the doors being “repaired/investigated”.  John suggested to the Garage Coordinator that a bulletin be issued on the peculiar operating features of the motion sensing light beam, its time out procedure and its impact to the doors suspect operation.  This suspect door has never been addressed via the educational process, just the disciplinary process (a current one day suspension for the doors moving into the train?)  John was offered a meeting with LRV Training to address the issue instead of a bulletin.  I believe a bulletin on these doors will certainly educate the train Operators far quicker than our rep could.

    Biohazards refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily human health.  There are many classifications of biohazards, the worst of which can cause fatal disease in healthy humans.  Bodily fluids and waste can be biohazardous which means that the biohazard must be dealt with using gloves and facial protection as the minimum standard.  If you find yourself in a position where a biohazard is present, protect yourself and your patrons by evacuating the contaminated area.  If you are asked to carry on in a contaminated vehicle, you have the ability to say no.  I always found the smell of vomit disgusting enough to keep me distracted from driving my bus safely.  Calgary Transit has members who are specially trained to deal with sick buses, let’s use this expertise.

    Please don’t forget about the annual ATU 583 Family Picnic.  It is being held on July 24th at Bowness Park.  Check your work area for posters with all the details or call the office at 403-258-1258.

    Another poster is circulating addressing our 100th Anniversary logo.  Remember the submission deadline is September 30th!!  This date will be upon us in no time.

    Also it should also be mentioned that three members (four children) took advantage of our Local’s $1,500.00 subsidy to the annual Alberta Federation of Labour Kids’ Camp.  Thanks to the AF of L for letting us register later than advertised.  Thanks to the membership for endorsing the subsidy!
     
RECORDING SECRETARY - MAINT./OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE        BILL JOHNSON

    As everyone gets ready for what hopes to be a beautiful summer, it is once again time to bring the membership up to date     on the daily business that we work on each day in the office.

    I know that I touched on this first issue in the last newsletter, but I feel we need to revisit the issue again as it is taking on a whole new life of its own.  It is hard to believe that all the talk about coming out of the recession has an undesirable effect on our workplace.  I am talking about CONTRACTING OUT.

    In the last newsletter I spoke about the issue of the windows in the SD’s being done by Big Rig up at the Oliver Bowen Building. That process is now well under way and talking with our Tradesman that are overseeing the project, there are some issues, but it is moving along.  We had discussions with Management just prior to this project proceeding and Local 583 got the impression that Management was not going to go down this road again.

    But for some reason, unknown to us, Management seems to come up with other ways of contracting our work out.  I have heard from some of our members at Spring Gardens about engine work being sent out to Waterous and Cummins.  Now there are some rumours floating around about contracting out the cleaning of the West leg when it opens in 2012.  We met with Management and they informed us that the capital overtime work over at Track and Way is going to be contracted out as well.

    Unfortunately we don’t have any language on Contracting Out in our Collective Agreement at this time.  Your Negotiating Committee will be working hard to protect our work from going out the door.  That will be our task at the end of this year when the current Collective Agreement expires.

    It seems that no area is safe from contracting out.  We have proven over time to Management that contracting out doesn’t work.  I receive calls in this office on a regular basis concerning our members, if you will, having to clean up after contractors.  Case in point:  the bus shelters, if they are not being kept clean and the public calls into 311, that information is then passed down to our members that have to go out and take care of the issue.  I can’t tell you if the Contractors are being charged back for our members having to do that work.

    Management seems to have several reasons for contracting work out that range from cost savings to quality of life.   In the long run, are there really any cost savings when our members have to go and fix what the contractors were supposed to take care of.  When it comes to quality of life, I believe our members can decide what quality of life they desire, rather than Management.  It has been proven time and time again that cheaper isn’t always better. YOU, the members are the experts at what you do and that is why the work should remain in house.

    Another issue that I would like to talk about, at the end of May, I had a meeting with members of the Machine Shop at Spring Gardens.  The issue that the members were concerned about, was overtime distribution.  The senior members wanted to be included in the overtime distribution list for overtime on the diesel shop floor.  The past history at Spring Gardens was that the Machine Shop was a separate work area and has been for many years.  Management, many years ago attempted to bring down the wall between the Machine Shop and Diesel Shop and Local 583 fought to protect the Machine Shop and that is where it remains today.

    Local 583 received a letter from several concerned members in the Machine Shop and it was an Executive Board recommendation and passed by the membership to follow up on the issue.  I have sent out a letter to the concerned members outlining the process that would have to take place to change the Collective Agreement which expires at the end of 2011.

    It looks as though our summer season has finally arrived.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the members and their families a very happy, hot and safe summer.  For those of you that don’t have summer vacation, I hope to see you all at the family picnic.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION…..

Congratulations to Adam and Rose Dorey for celebrating 66 years of marriage on June 5, 2011.

Important Bulletin Correction

    Please note that there was an error on the recent bulletin regarding Notice Of Preferring Charges Against A Union Member.

    The list of names incorrectly listed Brother Richard Sproule as one of the signatures preferring charges.  The name should have read Robert Spence.  We apologize to Brother Sproule for this error and any inconvenience it may have caused him.

THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED
 
Ann Cartwright                    Don McKinstry
Dave Collins                        Dennis Nate
Tracey Devine                     Steve Pushie
Roger Doubleday                Scott Riddall
Jean-Michel Dumoulin         Alan Slupski
Jack Flannery                    Geraldine Strickler
Jim Hutton                         Stacey Watts
Ken Kwan                          Jack Wyse
        

CONGRATULATIONS
On Their Retirement – 2011

James Blackstock – Operator – June – 7 years
Ann Cartwright – Operator – June – 32½  years
Gerald Stone – Operator – June – 36¾ years
Janis Graham – Operator – June – 9½ years
Tom McGregor – Office – June – 17 years
Muzaffar Ahmad – Operator – July – 34¼ years
Maung Maung Oo – Operator – July – 10½ years
Carol Arch – Operator – July – 9½ years


RETIREES CORNER
Just a Reminder:  There will be no meetings or luncheons in July or August 2011.  See you in September!!

/sw     
COPE #397