T Visit online:www.atu587.com be maligned, harassed, and threat and harassed, maligned, be would they example. that Knowing failure to take apublic positionfor to take failure subsequent and meeting tive Board August Execu atof the attendance lack his explain can Officer Board Perhapsproposal. Executive that didn’t contract aposition on the take and August meeting the attend Executive who Board of the didn’t one member only is problems, there health with Officer Board ecutive Ex one retired than fact, other In agreement. proposed ofcation the ratifi recommending membership to the aletter signing in majority overwhelming the later joined ing August Executiveat meet Board the Several who weren’t attendance in majority. the against beliefs their up for standing strated courage in demon also ratification against voted who Officers Executive two by avoteproposal of 14 The to 2. contract concessionary a ommend to rec courage integrity and the ened, ahuge demonstrated majority

Executive Board is a perfect aperfect Executive is Board people. Union in best Our the out bring often ough times November 2014 Executive Board Kudos to the The President’s Report ------an interest arbitrator to fix the cus the tomer fantasy is complaint policy fix to arbitrator interest an much improved policy. Expecting worked collaboratively toward a (PACE)hensive Equity have and to Achieve Comprea Partnership we’ve managementin with joined policy, do neither we. That’s why complaint customer the Don’t like arbitrator. interest receive an from what we will than better is offer the doneither we. We simply believe irreparable harm. at would at and worst cause dobest nothing officers, Union as serve to were elected future who, the in if incompetents motivated politically cowards for are; who these they see enough to wise be will membership our Hopefully, lost. and office for ran election, last who,ards the in group of cow asmall from often onslaught an to attacks, and insults of personal subject are Officers isn’t easy. Your Representatives and elected? was he which to office the of responsibilities the meet and proposal contract the or against Don’t offer, previous the like Executive Board on the Serving Paul J. Bachtel by President, by - - - transit properties. It’s properties. transit up to you. workersfellow transit at like-sized their behind further and further fall aconsequence, as and years three every Officers inexperienced and new United elect States that the ATU many across the locals join Perhaps 587reelection. will Local for to run of alack desire pressed have many ex hostilities, vocal Unfortunately, due current to the Officers representing yourinterests. Union competent, hardworking, implementedare early next year. when new policies efforts for their them thank Please sense. common that demonstrated have committees the PACE of members and Officers fighting not Your them. Unionagainst elected management, with ing by work reached be problems can solution only to the some to realize when sense have common needed, and the rights your for fight both can who You Officers best. at need You have, most part, for the President Business/Representative Business/Representative President Paul J. Bachtel In solidarity, In - - MERAA 2014Holiday Celebration And Don’tForgetthePopcorn! Bylaw Amendment–VoteNO No SuperBowlineattle Regarding Metrodriver Pages 6&7 a CallforSolidarity Letters totheeditor U-nion-nity-nited restroom breaks Transit Workers You Gotta SeeIt! An Apologyand VOL. XXXVII,NO. 11 Page 9 Page 8 Page 7 Page 5 Page 4 Page 4 Page 3 Page 3 Amazing November 2014

The Month at a Glance Business of Executive Board the Membership Report

At the October cycle of member- We the membership authorize, October 28, 2014 ship meetings the following busi- and request the President of ATU ness was addressed: 587 to negotiate an agreement which would facilitate an accelerated pro- All Officers were present with the 2015 in Phoenix, AZ paying travel, Motion: By Linda Averill that motional process where needed to exception of Ludwig Becker who was hotel, registration and per diem at ATU 587 endorse the Halloween accommodate this need. attending negotiations at CTS, Kevin an estimated cost of $3,000.00. action of no bus cuts, no fare hikes, Motion carried. Banks, Cherise Millhouse and Randy no labor concessions on Oct 31st by Steinman. Motion: By Ray Mason that up to Shop Floor 587 Caucus and ask the Motion: By Harold Batson that $500 to be allocated to the “Still No King County Labor Council to also the President convene the election Motion: By Michael Moore to au- Contract” campaign in the form of endorse the action — and for ATU committee ASAP so that the nomina- thorized the merging of ATU Local buttons. 587 as part of its support to make tion dates, the primary election and 1384 with Local 587. (Motion to be courtesy details available. general election dates can be set and voted on as a referendum vote thru Motion: By Alfonso Isla to donate Motion carried. posted in the News Review and at all the cycle of membership meetings) $500 to Puget Sound Sage as stated of the worksites at least three weeks in the budget. Motion: By George McCain that prior to the first day of January 2015. Motion: By Cory Rigtrup that up this is a request by the member- Motion carried. to $500 be allocated to the “Still No Motion: By Nate Chappelle to ship of Local 587, requesting that Contract” campaign in the form of send up to six members of the CISM the President of Local 587, cease The Membership approves the armbands to be distributed as soon (Critical Incident Stress Manage- and desist from entering into fur- proposal to change Bylaw Article as possible. ment) Team to a CISM Training from ther agreements, including but not VIII, Sections 1 and 6 regarding December 2-5, 2014 in Bellingham limited to Memorandums of agree- Dues and Assessments of the Local Motion: By Alfonso Isla to pay paying travel, registration and per ments, letters of agreements, Letters Bylaws. our annual $3,000.00 per capita pay- diem at a cost not to exceed $4,500.00. of Understanding, or any forms of ment to sound Alliance as stated in agreements between King County The Membership did not approve the budget. Motion: By Charles Miller to ap- Metro and ATU 587 which would the proposal to change Bylaw XII, prove $ 3,078.4 3 for pr i nt i ng flyer s a nd in any way perpetuate an increase Sections 1, 15 and 16 regarding Gen- Motion: By Verita Alexander buttons for the Safety Sake campaign. use of Part-time Transit Operators eral Election — Election of Officers to send up to two members to the Northwest Conference January 14-18, Motion: By Charles Miller that outside of the collective bargaining of the Local Bylaws. continued on page 3 agreement. We, the membership, further re- The Membership approved the quest that any additional perceived arbitration request of Tim Brickell. needs for extra help to cover special Membership Meetings: work on weekends, due to perception The following members were that there is a shortage of Full-time October pot draw winners: drivers available to do the work, be James Reese, charter meeting, Ken fi l le d by pr omot i ng Pa r t-t i me d r iver s Newton, Saturday meeting, Terence Tentative Agenda from the approved list of Part-time Richardson, afternoon meeting, CHARTER MEETING JEFFERSON TRANSIT drivers waiting to go full-time, by Pam Thompson, JTA meeting and Thursday, November 6, 2014 Monday, November 10, 2014 means of promotion to full-time Jeremiah Reeves at the CTS meeting. 8:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. status, using where needed, an ac- The Clallam County Rolling Pot was The Labor Temple, Hall #1 Port Townsend Community celerated promotional process. won by Karen Martin. 2800 1st Ave., Seattle, WA Center, 620 Tyler Street, Port Townsend, WA

MORNING MEETING CLALLAM TRANSIT In Loving Memory… Friday, November 7, 2014 Tuesday, November 18, 2014 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. As long as we live, they too will live; The Labor Temple, Hall #8 Vern Burton Memorial Building for they are now a part of us; as we remember them. 2800 1st Ave., Seattle, WA Port Angeles, WA Jewish Prayer ~ Saturday MEETING Wednesday MEETING Lester Osborne, a retired First Line Robert Tuttle, a retired Transit Opera- Saturday, November 8, 2014 Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Supervisor, who last worked for Ser- tor, who last worked at Ryerson Base, 11:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. vice Quality, passed away on October passed away on September 27, 2014. The Labor Temple, Hall #8 The Labor Temple, Hall #1 13, 2014. Brother Osborne joined the Brother Tuttle joined the Local 587 in 2800 1st Ave., Seattle, WA 2800 1st Ave., Seattle, WA Local 587 in June of 1981. He retired in August of 1990 but has been a member February of 2012. He was 57 years old. of ATU since 1969. He retired in Sep- tember of 2010. He was 69 years old. Among Topics to be Discussed: Grievance and Arbitration Update Please notify the union office of any member’s passing so that this information may be shared with the rest of our union family. Unfinished Business:N one

OFFICERS OF THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION, LOCAL 587: Articles/Letters to the editor

Paul J. Bachtel Pres/Business Agent Vehicle Maintenance Position #1 Cory Rigtrup Letters/contributions must include printed Vehicle Maintenance Position #2 Dan Kenny names, signatures, work ID numbers, ad- email – [email protected] Vehicle Maintenance Position #3 Randy Steinman Neal Safrin 1st Vice President/Assistant Facilities Maintenance Alfonso Isla dresses and phone numbers that can be Business Agent / email – [email protected] Supervisors Kevin Hendricks Special Classifications Eric Butler verified during working hours. Letters that Clint DeVoss 2nd Vice President/ King County Units Outside KCM Ninus Hopkins cannot be validated will not be published. Transit Operator Position #1 Andrew Jeromsky Assistant Business Agent, Maintenance Transit Operator Position #2 Verita Alexander All articles/letters are subject to editing and email – [email protected] Transit Operator Position #3 Tamieko Cook should be limited to 1000 words or less. Not Published monthly in Seattle. Paul B. Neil Financial Secretary Transit Operator Position #4 Lisa Nault Transit Operator Position #5 Cherise Millhouse all letters can be published due to space email – [email protected] Transit Operator Position #6 Nathanael Chappelle limitations. Cut off is close of business the Official publication of Amalgamated Judy YOung Recording Secretary Transit Operator Position #7 Linda Anderson Transit Union Local 587, AFL-CIO, Transit Operator Position #8 Ray Mason 15th of each month. Any submission from a Editor 587 News Review Clallam / Jefferson County Ludwig Becker representing employees of Metro/King email – [email protected] Rail Representative Chuck Miller member of Local 587 to the News Review County, Clallam Transit, Jefferson Minority Affairs Officer Michael Moore deemed unprintable by the Recording Sec- Transit, Seattle Personal Transit, and Web site: http://www.atu587.com retary shall be forwarded to the Executive First Transit. Board for final decision to publish. 2815 Second Avenue, Suite 230 Weingarten Rights Statement Seattle, Washington 98121 Send letters and articles as Telephone: 206-448-8588. I request to have a union representative present on my behalf dur- Affiliations: Washington State Labor Council, original Word documents King County Labor Council, Northwest Joint Con- ing this meeting because I believe it may lead to disciplinary action ference Board, ATU Legislative Council, Olympic taken against me. If I am denied my right to have a union representative to Judy Young at: Labor Council. present, I will refuse to answer accusational questions and any I believe [email protected] may lead to discipline. 2 November 2014 Bylaw Amendment Amazing – Vote NO By Chuck Miller Executive Board Officer, Rail & Streetcar Transit COPE Committee Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587

ote NO on the bylaw amend- The proposal, if passed, would ment at this month’s meet- likely result in the 2nd Vice President Workers ings. The proposal shows a being elected from Operators, simply Vlack of understanding of the history because the number of Operators far By Atlantic Base Shop Steward Chuck Lare of the 2nd Vice President position. exceeds that of any other classifica- About 5 years ago, members in tion. Three of the current Officers maintenance classifications acted elected at-large are Operators, and on their feeling that they were not the fourth is a Supervisor. Not much adequately represented in our local. maintenance savvy there. Having They amended the bylaws to create an Operator or Supervisor as 2nd a 2nd Vice President who would be Vice President defeats the purpose elected from maintenance and would of the office, which is to represent come into office understanding the maintenance workers. issues and how things work at Ve- We don’t need TWO Vice Presi- hicle Maintenance and Facilities, and dents who are Operators. We need knowing the players. Don MacAdam ONE Vice President who comes from was the first to be elected to the of- maintenance, to give maintenance fice, and he proved that it was good a voice. to have an officer who came from Vote NO on this proposal. maintenance.

E-Board Report, continued from p. 2

Local 587 supports the Rick Sepolen pursues the grievance of Ricco Tong Memorial Toys for Tots drive for 2014. to arbitration.

Motion: By Michael Moore that Motion: By Judy Young to the Local donate $1,000.00 to M.L. recommend that the membership mazing Grace, how unnecessary route cuts, planned King Celebration as stated in the approves the proposal to change “ sweet the sound, That fare hikes and the threat of future budget. Article III, Section 1 of the Local saved a wretch like me. bus cuts. And demand elected of- Bylaws. (The Executive Board voted IA once was lost but now am found, fic ia l s to f u nd t he ba sic hu ma n r ig ht Motion: By Clint DeVoss to not to recommend the proposed Was blind, but now I see,” waned to mobility. recommend that the membership bylaw change Article III, Section 1) the bagpipes and drums through the After leaving the steps of the Ex- pursues the grievance of Mark Kelly megaphone as background, funeral e c ut ive ’s of fic e t he pro c e s sion ra l l ie d to arbitration. Motion: By Dan Kenny to style, to the announcement/”burial” at the corner of Third Avenue and recommend that the membership of each of the twenty-eight Metro Pine Street. There amongst in the Motion: By Dan Kenny to pursues the grievance of John Marx bus routes eliminated. This public dense rush-hour ridership, more recommend that the membership to arbitration. protest and speak-out, “No Bus Cuts, speeches and sign waving was No Fare Hikes, No Labor Conces- greeted warmly by fellow operators sions”, on Wednesday afternoon, honking their support. September 24th , was conducted by These bus riders and transit work- both riders and ATU 587 transit ers were united in their awareness Arbitration Update workers, standing united on the of the hundreds of millions of dol- door steps of the King County lars available to fund mass public Executive. transit, by taxing King County’s 1. Symantha Cola: Grieved improper 10. Max Givenchy: Grieved termina- Standing united with the public, wealth. Instead of gouging work- vacations pick procedures; sched- tion for alleged violation of the ATU 587 members informed the ing and poor people with regressive ule pending. workplace violence policy; deci- Executive, County Council and taxes, fees, and fare hikes – while sion pending. 2. Rosemary Hernandez: Grieved public of the issues surrounding giving Boeing $8.7 billion in tax improper vacations pick proce- 11. Randy Richards: Grieved skim- the recent bus cuts and our fight for breaks – elected officials at every dures; settlement reached. ming of Local 587 work and failure a fair contract. ATU 587 members level need to fix Washington State’s to upgrade a Local 587 member; 3. Jerrod McKenna: Grieved nu- are beginning to develop the public tax structure – the most regressive schedule pending. merous contract violations in the relations necessary to counter what in the nation! subcontracting of work histori- 12. Dennis Echols: Grieved termina- appears to be an attempt to blame Demand public officials develop cally and traditionally performed tion for alleged gross misconduct; ATU 587 members for 80,000 hours progressive stable funding for Metro by King County Metro Vehicle scheduled January 27 & 28, 2015. of service cuts, “If Local 587 had ac- and the prioritization of existing, Maintenance Mechanics; schedule 13. Sina Siliga: Grieved termination cepted the wage freezes, 80,000 more lower-cost bus service over pricey pending. for alleged gross misconduct; service hours could be preserved.”, street car and light rail expansions 4. Deanna Levengood: Grieved ter- schedule pending. [Metro’s General Manager] said (ref. t h at b enefit wea lt hy develop er s a nd mination for alleged theft of Metro 14. Kelly Venable: Grieved termi- Seattle Times “Belt-tightening in drain public transit coffers. Require funds; decision pending. nation for alleged violation of Metro budget to save 150,000 hours funding bus service FIRST - rail will 5. Gary Archer: Grieved improper attendance probation; schedule of bus service” by Mike Lindblom, NOT get most to their neighborhood. assignment of overtime; schedule pending. 9/18/2014) And call on King County to cut the pending. On the steps of the Executive’s management fat, not the working 15. Carol Leak: Grieved termination office, were ATU 587 Executive muscle of Metro public transit. The 6. Andrew Galbraith: Grieved work for alleged violation of attendance being performed out of classifica- probation; schedule pending. Board officers, broad representa- call starts with the King County tion; schedule pending. tion from Metro classifications of Executive at 206-296-4040. 16. Goitom Tekle: Grieved suspension Vehicle Maintenance – Mechanics Further actions are planned to 7. Steven Trott: Grieved improper for alleged serious misconduct; and Equipment Service Workers, continue to broaden and deepen par- assignment of overtime; schedule schedule pending. Bus Operations, and the commu- ticipation of both ATU 587 members pending. 17. Tim Brickell: Grieved vacation nities of veterans, homeless, and and the communities we serve to 8. Patricia Westover: Grieved Local pick conducted in violation of con- mentally challenged represented get our message to the public, “No 587 work being performed by a Lo- tract language; schedule pending. by The Maslow Project Director, Bus Cuts, No Fare Hikes, No Labor cal 17 employee; schedule pending. 18. George Williams: Grieved ter- and the Ethiopian community Concessions.” 9. Tim Little: Grieved termination mination for alleged gross mis- represented by the President of the Through increasing public aware- for alleged violation of attendance conduct; arbitrator sustained the Ethiopian Transit Operators Asso- ness, the ultimate arbitrator, we can probation; decision pending. termination, grievance denied. ciation (ETOA). All were rallying win a fair contract. in opposition to the first wave of 3 November 2014 You Gotta See It! And Don’t Forget the Popcorn!

By Verita Alexander

was planning on making sure silencing, haters, threats, crabs-in- bullying incidences they would pub- lies and intimidators, their friends/ that I made it to the Nov 6th a-barrel, ageism, paparazzi, set-ups, licly embarrass me and this would family, people who ran against me at Charter Meeting to support harassment, retaliation, vendettas, be splashed on the union boards. any point, that still leaves less than IVM and Facilities in keeping their political tampering, sexism, public There is no such thing as member 10 people, who also don’t know my ability to have peer representation ridicule, and downright “catty”ness vs. member issues just employee vs. side of the story, but would like to from their own classifications in that has been more than 5 years in employee, I see that now. My belief in see charges go forward so that they the position of the 2nd VP. Prior to the making. union sister/brotherhood was only may hear my side (I can’t help but the 2nd VP position being created, For those of you who need more real in my head, so call me young be a positive person). when was the last time (and how than just a teaser, the incidences and hopeful. There is so much more to this often) has any other classification are truly about workplace bullying Of the 34 people who signed the story but maybe you should come see other the transit operator held a that has been occurring at Atlantic petition (a lot) less than 5 actually how the members of your union and full-time position, in the history of and East Bases for years. Members witnessed the events in their en- coworkers like to do business and this century old union? Hopefully from Atlantic and East base came tirety or at the entire main event waste your union dues! Come one, you all are eager to learn the answer to Ryerson base to harass me, video being at Ryerson Base). Only one come all to see how union charges and will attend the next meeting. record it and then post it on Facebook person from Ryerson Base signed are always a clever form of coworker But if that’s not enough to get in order to embarrass me. After this on, which is strange considering the versus coworker issues/harassment. you to the meeting maybe this will and other bullying over the last 5 events that took place there. Most of As you can recall from the Wak- help. Yours truly has been brought years I reported it to management the petition signers were from At- enight vs. Campbell dispute and the up on some very interesting charges (for the second time). Once man- lantic and East Campus (the two VM other playground courtroom antics through our union. The folks in- agement started the interviews/ people who signed were not even at that have preceded this. FYI, I like volved don’t want you to miss an investigation sometime after Sep- the work sites the events happened my popcorn with extra butter please. opportunity to crucify me! Keep in tember 10th, the Atlantic base bullies at either). Many signed because they mind that just because I am a union decided to charge me through the are friends with the individuals bul- In solidarity of fic er do e sN OT mean that I a m her e union because I finally gave push lying and threatening me (2 of the (if there is such a thing in ATU 587), for you to abuse, tell you what you back after 5 years of turning the people who signed the petition had Verita Alexander want to hear or agree with you. It’s a other cheek. By having people sign family members sign as well). With tale of conspiracy, bullying, racism, a petition regarding a few of the my math if you subtract out the bul- U-Union- Atu 587 Cope Campaign Contributions for the Unity- 2014 Election Cycle United Submitted bySara Franklin, COPE Chair Submitted by Hal Poor HOUSE SENATE, CONTINUED 1ST LD Position 1 - Derek Stanford $950 30th LD Senate - Shari Song $950 1st LD Position 2 - Luis Moscoso $950 32nd LD Senate - Maralyn Chase $950 or almost a year now we have been talk- 2nd L D Po s i t i o n 1 - G r e g H a r t m a n $ 9 5 0 37th LD Senate - Primila Jayapal $950 ing about the Contract/TA that our Union 5th LD Po s it i o n 1 - E s s i e H ic k s $9 5 0 42nd LD Senate - Seth Fleetwood $950 and King County has brought before us 26th LD Position 1 - Nathan Schlicher $950 44th LD Senate - Steve Hobbs $950 expectingF us to cave into their needs and accept 26th LD Position 2 - Larry Seaquist $950 45th LD Senate - Matt Isenhower $950 the rhetoric they have fed us. We have rejected 27th LD Position 2 - Jake Fey $950 46th LD Senate - $950 both TAs that were presented and we did it as a 28th LD Position 1 - Mary Moss $1900 48th LD Senate - Cyrus Habib $950 Unified Union. 28th LD Position 2 - Dawn Morrell $950 This needs to continue as the norm. We have 29th LD Position 1 - David Sawyer $950 been divided against Performance Positions (clas- 30th LD Position 1 - Greg Baruso $950 CONGRESSIONAL sifications) too long. This is what KC wants, if we 30th LD Position 2 - Roger Freeman $950 1st Congressional District - Suzan Delbene $2500 are fighting among ourselves we are not paying 33rd LD Position 2 - $950 8th Congressional District - Jason Ritchie $1800 attention to what they are trying to accomplish. 34th LD Position 2 - 9th Congressional District - Adam Smith $2500 The Officers that are in Office at this time 41st LD Position 1 - $950 are smirking at the arguments and confronta- 43rd LD Position 1 - Brady Walkinshaw tions that occur at the Charter Meetings (I have 44th LD Position 1 - Hans Dunshee $950 JUDICIAL witnessed this myself). Again, if we are arguing 45th LD Position 1 - $950 Seattle Municipal Court Position 7 - Damon among ourselves we are not concentrating on 46th LD Position 2 - Jessyn Farrell Shadid $1900 the task at hand. 47th LD Position 1 - Chris Barringer $950 King County District Court NE Division Position Getting a fair Contract that will benefit all 48th LD Position 2 - Joan McBride $950 2 - Ketu Shah $1900 members of the ATU. This is OUR UNION, we should control what SENATE happens, and that is our mission in the future. 6th LD Senate - Rich Cowan OTHER Protect what you have and move forward to better 21st LD Senate - $500 Thurston County Auditor - Mary Hall $950 the members as a whole. We need to project what 26th LD Senate - Judy Arbogast $950 could happen in the future if we allow things to continue as they are. We will fall apart. We should be standing shoulder to shoulder against those THE COPE COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTE that would take advantage of us, not deciding AND SUPPORT THE COPE PROGRAM. COPE IS THE VOICE OF TRANSIT WORKERS AT ALL who should get the short end of the stick. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. UNION DUES ARE NOT USED TO FUND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. I ask the members NOW to stand with each VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO COPE ARE USED TO HELP ELECT PRO-TRANSIT AND PRO- other for the good of the Local and ALL members LABOR CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICE. WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN of ATU 587. WIN THE FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES. 4 November 2014 Regarding Metro driver restroom breaks

Submitted by Ann Ziegler

SHA 29 CFR 1910.141 states when needed. If a driver contracts that employers are required Each driver needs to take the initiative an illness due to dehydration, or gets to provide means of access in an accident due to full-bladder or toO safe, sanitary toilet facilities. to protect their own health, regardless of dehydration-related distracted driv- ATU.org implies that regarding the ing, the only person “left holding OSHA statute, drivers need to take tight schedules or inadequately supplied the bag” will be the driver—neither personal initiative in restroom use Metro management nor Metro cus- when specific facilities have not been restroom facilities. tomers will be stepping in to help. provided by management (http:// Why do we not “work to the rule” www.atu.org/atu-pdfs/STRAT_ on my route a usable restroom chronic dehydration, and urinary every day? Each driver needs to BathroomBreakHandout.pdf). The can be found, securing the coach tract infections can be brought about take the initiative to protect their Book 9/2014 edition sections 8.12 per the Book. by not urinating often enough. De- own health, regardless of tight and 8.15 don’t specifically prohibit • If facilities are inadequate on my hydration and urination stress are schedules or inadequately sup- unauthorized stops for restroom route (because I drive at night even more inadvisable for people plied restroom facilities. Any Metro use. I do not see any policy in the when businesses are closed using medications with body fluid driver reprimanded or harassed by current Metro Policy & Procedures and my route doesn’t go by any side effects, or for those with under- management for needed restroom listing posted on the Transit Opera- Metro facilities, either at all or lying medical conditions. Symptoms use should keep a personal written tions site that restricts what OSHA when needed), I can contact the of inadequate hydration include record of the incident, including has outlined in the above statute. coordinator for off-route options. attentional distraction, fatigue and supervisor name, nature of the My interpretation of this is: • If restroom facilities have been light-headedness—all inappropri- reprimand, the route, run and trip, • At my terminals, if using a re- suggested for my route but they ate states behind the wheel. the restroom facility in question, stroom takes longer than my are clearly unsanitary or unsafe, While our customers and su- times involved, and any other perti- scheduled break or my “union I have the right to locate alternate pervisors are looking to us drivers nent details. Having fully recorded five,” I can take the time needed facilities on my route. to maintain often unrealistic bus details of reprimands or harass- without penalty. Hydration and excretion are schedules, we need to protect both ment by management that appear • If no restroom facilities are avail- basic but critical bodily functions our personal health and safety to contradict OSHA statutes will able at my terminal, I can stop that flush out waste and bacteria. records by maintaining adequate be invaluable for filing any OSHA my coach at whatever location Kidney stones can be caused by hydration and using restrooms complaints, or Union action. Driving on Solid Ground/We are Family

By Ninus Hopkins, Executive Board Officer

mong the several Metro solid-ground.org/Tenant/Pages/de- contractors that operate AC- fault.aspx) including a hotline and CESS para-transit vans, only King County’s use of Solid Ground as comprehensive online resources to oneA is a union shop. In partnership help with landlord tenant issues. with ATU members, Solid Ground an ACCESS contractor is a uniquely Transportation (SGT) operates a Financial Fitness Boot Camp, fleet of ACCESS buses as well as the beneficial use of taxpayer funds. workshops and one-on-one free Downtown Circulator, bringing support to get your financial accessible transportation to people house in order (http://www.sol- living on low incomes, the elderly id-ground.org/Programs/Hous- the most important thing is to be a and resources they need to thrive. and people living with disabilities. ing/Financial/Pages/default.aspx). warm spirit. We realize by doing Last year Solid Ground helped This partnership is consistent with this type of work you are not going 991 formerly homeless families Solid Ground’s anti-poverty and Family Assistance, which pro- to have a Rolls Royce. You are not make progress toward thriving in pro-human dignity mission. AC- vides information and referral, going to live in a mansion. You are long-term housing. They helped CESS vans driven by these ATU advice and direct legal representa- not going to have people waiting on prevent homelessness for over 3,000 brothers and sisters are distinctive tion to individuals who have had you hand and foot. This job is done people through counseling and in that they lack a recruitment mes- t hei r st ate publ ic a s si st a nc e b e nefit s from the heart and out of love. We’re financial support. sage on the rear of the vehicle. (e.g., Basic Food/food stamps, Med- blessed to be in an environment Solid Ground’s school, communi- In 2013, SGT provided over nearly icaid, ADATSA, TANF, Disability where we can shine by going that ty and farm based nutrition classes 400,000 rides that make our com- Lifeline) reduced, terminated or extra step. My years doing this job helped over 4,000 people cook more munity more livable for our most denied. (http://www.solid-ground. has shown me that any one of us nutritious meals and make better frail neighbors. Solid Ground was org/Programs/Legal/Family/Pages/ can become frail — whether from health and fitness choices. a pioneer in providing door-to-door default.aspx). age or accident — and so each rider These are the services offered by para-transit in our community in King County’s use of Solid is a case of will do the best I can. Solid Ground that are potentially the mid 1980’s, well before Metro Ground as an ACCESS contractor is While transportation is the big- available to ATU members as part was required to serve people who a u n iquely b e nefic ia l u s e of t a x payer gest component, Solid Ground is of the community: are unable to use standard transit. funds. By doing so, not only does better known for its housing, home- Mortgage counseling (http://www. My wife Kathy and I have been Metro provide critical para-transit lessness prevention, hunger and solid-ground.org/Programs/Housing/ driving for Solid Ground (and its to those who would often have no nutrition programs, and advocacy Mortgages/Pages/default.aspx) that predecessor the Fremont Public As- other means to travel outside of programs. For example, each year can provide information, advice sociation) for 25 years. We are the their homes, but the funds remain more than 55,000 King County resi- and advocacy to people threatened company’s longest tenured operators. entirely in the community. Other dents come to Solid Ground to meet with or involved in foreclosure. For all these years our motives “outsourced” service contracts are their urgent transportation, housing have been to be professional, to be held by foreign based multi-national and food needs, and to get skills Tenant services (http://www. caring and to be safe. Also, I think corporations. 5 November 2014 Letters to the Editor…

Metro’s They had been talking on a that you have not seen them for a They were soon trapped, altered, layover at 4th and Pike when he wh i le. Her e i s t he stor y a nd update: and examined, and they were very budget woes suddenly leaned over and kissed healthy. We now have Mr. Pumkin, her on the cheek. We came into an existing family Ms. Sweet Pea, and Ms. Tigra. We Dear Editor: of 2 - Ms. Metra and Mr. Buster (who set up shelter and food for them, Shocked at himself, he drew back had to be put down last year due and they learned the safety of living Metro’s budget woes are not the and stammered an apology. to an advanced injury), they had in/around the busy transit center. result of transit workers who re- already been altered and who we They eventually began to come to jected a contract offer that contained She smiled disarmingly; told him just found out happen to be siblings. us; they are so sweet and loving. $100 million in takeaways. Rather, not to worry about it. In comes Mr. Coal — again trapped blame rests at the feet of County and altered. Last April a new feral Marlene and I knew we were Executive Dow Constantine, who And neither one ever did. mom came to the Toyota Dealership relative “short-timers” and had lobbied for $8 billion in tax breaks (a feeding area) and brought with to find “forever” homes. In comes for Boeing, new stadiums, and other It was one of those moments her 3 babies. The mom was trapped Darrell and Shannon Shay and of- fancy pet projects, while facilitat- when co-workers reach a simpatico; and spayed. The mom then brought fered a home for the babies. Far ing cuts to basic services including a mutual base comprised of trust her babies to BTC 3 different times, away on a farm! After “the kids” Metro bus service. and solidarity. and on the last time she left them for were gone Metra became lonely us. Metra stepped in as a fabulous and depressed. Once again I asked The gutting of Metro, an agency A moment made to swerve stepmom and raised them (you’d the Shay’s to also take her, and they that once earned top honors for around second hand gossip and never know they were not hers). agreed. I hear they are doing very providing quality public transit, is brake into a smooth stop. Coal left as fast as possible (no well, and the Shay’s are probably shameful. The state legislature has comment)! Metra did a great job. continued on page 7 refused to fix the funding crisis Like a clematis vine, they have — but the solution is obvious in twined through the decades on a reconfiguring our tax system to get trellis of friendship. To: All Members of Local 587 revenue from wealthy companies From: Recording Secretary Judy Young such as Costco, Microsoft, and Vul- Climbing higher and higher, each can Inc... This, along with eliminat- has weathered a different reason to ing massive subsidies to companies face the day. Proposal To Change Bylaws like Boeing, would provide enough revenue for all the state’s budget Each has been rerouted and woes — including county public still chose reasons to bloom. ARTICLE III, Section 1 health clinics that are about to close. This moment has traveled far in Chopping top-heavy management Submitted by Andrew Price would also help. a pocket of their heart. September 16, 2014 The Times Editorial neglected She has taken those contents out, to mention that transit workers and even now, can still detect a faint sacrificed $60 million in their fragrance of that memory while fast In accordance with the Article XV, listed in the current labor prior contract. More concessions idling for a few seconds. pertaining to bylaw proposals, agreement with King Coun- and worsening work conditions the following proposal will be t y/Met ro. drove the No vote of Amalgamated He w i l l r ema i n a blo s s om t uc k ed published in the October News New Proposed Language: neatly into her heart on the trellis Transit Union members. Lack of rest Review, read into the records at ARTICLE III Officers breaks, or time to even go to the at 4th and Pike. the Executive Board Meeting and Section 1. The Regular Officers bathroom is destroying the health subsequent cycle of membership of the Local of bus drivers. The solution to the Annette Bishop meetings and will be voted upon bus cuts is not gouging taxpayers #2764 through the November cycle of (a) President/Business Repre- or transit workers, rather it is going Union meetings. sentative where the County’s vast wealth is, Current Language: (b) Vice President/Assistant and that is at the top. ARTICLE III Officers Business Representative Thanks To (c) 2nd Vice President/Assistant Section 1. The Regular Officers Sincerely, Business Representative - Everyone of the Local Linda Averill Maintenance (a) President/Business Repre- (d) Financial Secretary/Trea- sentative surer The Trellis at 4th I would like to take a minute of (b) Vice President/Assistant (e) Recording Secretary/Cor- your time to give a HUGE Thank Business Representative respondent to In Transit and Pike You to everyone who has had any- (c) 2nd Vice President/Assistant (f) Candidates for President/ thing to do with the Burien TC over Business Representative - Business Representative, Vice After the death of a well respect- the past few years. For the past many Maintenance President/Assistant Business ed union sibling, someone relayed years we have been taking care of (d) Financial Secretary/Trea- Representative, Financial this story to me which resulted in a few feral kitties. And I know that surer Secretary/Treasurer and these words. most of you have expressed concern (e) Recording Secretary/Cor- Recording Secretary/Corre- respondent to In Transit spondent to In Transit shall (f) Candidates for President/ be elected by the membership Send In Your Opinions Notice to all Readers Business Representative, Vice at large. Letters/contributions must include print- President/Assistant Business (g) Candidates for 2nd Vice ed names, signatures, work ID numbers, Views and Representative, Financial President/Assistant Busi- addresses and phone numbers that can Secretary/Treasurer and ness Representative - Main- be verified during working hours. Let- opinions Recording Secretary/Corre- tenance shall be nominated ters that cannot be validated will not be expressed in spondent to In Transit shall from and elected by the published. All articles/letters are subject be elected by the membership membership at large in- to editing and should be limited to 1000 News Review words or less. Not all letters can be pub- at large. cluding but not limited to lished due to space limitations. Cut off is articles are (g) Candidates for 2nd Vice Presi- by all members within Ve- close of business the 15th of each month. dent/Assistant Business Rep- hicle Maintenance; Facilities Any submission from a member of Local those of the resentative - Maintenance Maintenance; Rail Vehicle 587 to the News Review deemed unprint- shall be nominated from Maintenance; Way, Power able by the Recording Secretary shall be authors and not and elected by all members and Signals, and Streetcar forwarded to the Executive Board for final necessarily the decision to publish. within Vehicle Maintenance; Maintainers as listed in the official position Facilities Maintenance; Rail current labor agreement with Send letters and articles as original Vehicle Maintenance; Way, King County/Metro. Word documents to Judy Young at of Local 587 Power and Signals, and [email protected] Streetcar Maintainers as opeiu8aflcio 6 November 2014 Letters to the Editor…

very tired of me asking. I will try times it’s a disgruntled passenger says, “customer is always right and a bathroom, and they cannot stretch to stop bugging them. whining because a driver did not just take the abuse, and you’re the their legs because they are stuck in a break a rule to accommodate them.) professional.” Then we get it from t ra f fic ja m on t he f r e eway. I r ead t he There is the update. Now I want Way to start the day! the road raging SOV driver who Facebook 587 drivers forum…it is to take a bit of time to give thanks to w it h t he hor r ible t ra f fic cond it ion s crazy how bad things are out there. everyone: drivers, supervisors, PD, I think most every bus driver these days has gotten more insane. I feel for all of you that have years a Chief, and a very big “Big-Wig,” comes into work wanting to give If that is not enough, now these to work at this job. King County and all the babysitters who helped 110 percent to the job of getting ignorant King County Council Council needs to wake up and see when we were gone. Even if you safely through the day serving members and Managers want to L&I injuries are going to escalate didn’t like them you made sure they our customers. How deflating to listen to these audit pencil pushers unless working conditions improve. were safe, fed and watered. Many of get a whining complaint or PR for that have no idea how insane the Good luck to you all. And try to you took your breaks and went over being early. Thank you METRO schedules have become. “Work to Rule” to save your body. and visited and talked to them. They for making my day. Now I get to were part of our working environ- go out and hear from the abusive These schedules are killing Ruth Wilson #3927 ment. They are very much missed. passengers that have gotten MORE the drivers, they cannot drink North Base Operator abusive because METRO culture water because they cannot get to I get lots of south base drivers who have been approached by other bases and asking questions about them. I watch as drivers go over there and just look around for them. They were part of our job that many drivers looked for- ward to during their shift. We had something to look forward to for a minute of peace.

Bottom line…they are safe, healthy and happy. Darrell and Shannon thank you so very much for offering your home to them.

Morgan Len Michaels #3717 Marlene Horner #2727

Final Rant

I have been a driver with METRO since 1978. At the time I started I had four young kids, all now graduated from college with thriving families and great jobs. Time to retire, I de- cided. This job is killing me. When I started I loved my job, I felt sup- ported and appreciated, passengers were thankful and complimentary. We had a good working team at METRO…those were the days of “driver appreciation day,” and “cul- tural diversity,” when we met with other job groups to hear their issues.

I wondered how I would ever leave METRO and not miss it. Well let me tell you, I cannot wait ’til my day of separation from this place. The horrible work conditions and attitude of the high up managers have destroyed the morale of those of us that really do the work to keep METRO a top notch agency. My sister is a manager at Microsoft. She has to do evaluations of her employees. So I asked her to give me an example of what you would say to someone that is a bad employee. She said she would start by saying, “You do such an excellent job in this and this and this. But maybe for the next year you could work on this and this.” Wow, how different at METRO. I would say that every day a bus operator gets back to the base wit hout some horrific incident is an accomplishment, but do we hear about that??? No, but oh how METRO likes to make sure we hear about every little insey winsey little boo-boo. We may report to work and bam, right there is a note first thing “See Chief”…Complaint (many 7 November 2014 No Super Bowl in Seattle

Submitted by VM Board Officer Cory Rigtrup

eattle might be good enough $52 an hour, 22 holidays a year; you for similar pay? Reality is there are Maintenance is upset because we to send a team to the Super should come work for the Port!” better paying jobs across the street. know the truth. Rather than ad- Bowl. But as far as having the Wow! A glimpse of another real- An employer can only catch fish dressing our main grievance of bigS game come here, forget about it! it y wa s fla shed r ig ht b efor e my eye s. from the waters they’re fishing in, low wages, Metro threatens us with Last year the “Hawks” made This guy had my car, my occupation, and lately fishing hasn’t been good going to arbitration and stripping us proud in New Jersey. The day just not my wage. My mother raised for Metro! away the very perks that motivated after the game, there were as many me to live life with no regrets. To A couple of winters ago Metro many of us to accept this job in the headlines about the mess in transit, always strive to better myself and came to the Union and asked for our first place. Maybe this is all a case as the game itself. So when I hear accept defeat as just one step in a help in attracting talent for future of reverse psychology, but if Metro certain council members or the staircase. Yep, my mom is awesome! mechanic recruitments. We were takes away everything that makes press making recommendations I believe a good mechanic is in told people just don’t want to be us want to work here, quality, reli- that the answer to Metro’s money demand in these parts. I believe mechanics for Metro anymore, and ability and safety will improve. woes are another audit, or to not King County takes pride as being recent recruitments have suffered. Back to Seattle hosting a Super invest resources into transit, I start the nation’s leader in utilizing multi- After a heated debate within Union Bowl and another audit. The only to wonder if they have a clue what propulsion fleets. I believe Metro’s leadership to allow non-represented way the NFL will ever allow a game the public really wants. mechanics duties here have evolved labor in the shops, the Union agreed to be hosted here is for King County I’m going to tie all this together in to include traditional electrician du- that an investment into the future to prove well ahead of time we a bit, but first aCraigslist story. Last ties. I believe mechanic wages don’t was in the public’s best interest; and can move large numbers of people weekend I searched the internet reflect this evolution because of the so began the Mechanic Internship with ease. So let’s look at how the for old Goat parts. I came across an hazards entailed. I believe might and Program. last audit (2009) got Seattle closer ad from a guy in Redmond selling will can help establish these beliefs. It’s time the council stands up and to making the Super Bowl a reality. metal from a ’67. I called him up Make no mistake I like my job! I invests in the future like the Union The last audit slashed recover and told him I’d bring cash, because take pride in my work! I like serv- has, and shows as much concern time to where running late is now we’re likely to become friends. ing the public of King County! But about tomorrow as it does for today. normal. Last audit extended mainte- It didn’t take long to realize my I can only take so much. Why must Retaining and acquiring a compe- nance intervals to where the public appetite was fatter than my wal- my family suffer because some tent and committed workforce is is becoming familiar with mechan- let. In between all the haggling we politicians lack faith in transit? If paramount when quality, reliability ics. Last audit reduced brakes and managed to do some B.S.’ing. As an arbitrator must take food from and safety are the agencies mantra. training resulting in an escalating coincidences go, he is a foreman my family’s mouth, so be it! And, These budget woes that “those number of job injuries, accidents, mechanic for the Port of Seattle. if I choose to stay my family will who lack faith in transit” are le- L&I complaints and a lawsuit. Are At one point I told him I couldn’t adapt to getting less from me, so veraging against us, (the numbers you getting the point that audits afford an extra set of doors. He in- will Metro! that drive our service levels) are our focus more on political agendas quired what I did for a living. I told Are you picking up that I’m un- politicians’ problem. Our wages are than actually improving service to him I’m a mechanic for Metro. He happy? It’s just not fair to compare our family’s problem! Don’t confuse the public? replied, “Well then you should be our wages to some agency from the two! Maybe some of our elected S o wh at ’s a Hawk s fa n to do? Give able to afford it.” I explained to him across the country. How ludicrous officials have forgotten the golden up on the dream? HELL NO!!! This my wage and that some people be- is this argument when it comes to rule. “Stand up for the public’s is our gut check time, and WE go for lieve we’re overpaid. He stammered retaining or attracting talent? As if employees; they’ll stand up for you the win! Do what our President is w it h d i sb el ief, “For r ea l? Then you’r e I would quit King County, sell my come Election Day!” calling for; motivate our politicians working in the wrong place. I make house, accept a job a few states away So here we are today. Vehicle to invest in transit? RISE!

Andy, NOT our Union Brother!

fter reading your article in management and we need some- us our votes count for the member While we admire your Don Quix- the February 2014 News Re- one who knows and understands we want. This position has given otism drive, we are saddened by the view, we responded (March our daily issues. Not someone who maintenance ownership in this Stalinist principals you put forth 2014)A in an attempt to dispel some needs to call for help because they local, an empowerment we were in this bylaw. Please leave the bull of your questions, address some don’t understand. never able to achieve in the past pen and your social media sites, and of your opinions and shed some We ask you Brother Andy would election history, and it comes with make contact with the other mem- truth to your incorrect statements, you want a VM/FM member at the no takeaway to operators! bers in this local, the non-drivers, and we realized we failed, and for table representing operator issues? If you must change, for the sake we are approachable, hell I would that we apologize. It is with heavy We seriously doubt it, no more than of changes, write a bylaw so only like to spend some time with you. So hearts we now read your latest at- we want you to represent VM/FM operators can vote for the first VP, go on and get out there at the bases tempt to revert to the old way of issues. the maintenance members I talked and ask us non-operators what we doing business with regards to your You accuse VM/FM of stacking to would support this. Run it by the think of your bylaw, we’re thinking current submitted bylaw and how the meeting, I ask you brother Andy International, as we did when we you’ll get a lot of HELL NO’S! it will weaken the representation were you there? Do you truly un- received approval for our second The reality is we don’t have the of the minority 587 classifications, derstand what this current position VP Maintenance. numbers to vote this bylaw down, the non-operators, Vehicle Mainte- means to VM/FM? We do question the timing of and we “non-operators” have you to nance, Facilities Maintenance and Do you understand the history your bylaw, at a time when we are remind us of this fact again, “thanks Rail. You made several accusations of why this position was created? without a contract, and have voted Andy, my union brother.” in your article, but you didn’t do Obviously not. no on two offers brought before your research then or now. Instead Once again, if your bylaw passes, us. Your current bylaw proposal Mike Whitehead you seem ill focused on an unknown the “tyranny of the majority” will only weakens us and if passed will Transit Parts Specialist, agenda to hurt us all. fall upon the lesser number mem- further the animosity within our 33 years as a 587 member, Rather than seek out the original bers of this local, please don’t vic- membership, is that what you really 4 terms as VM Board Officer. makers of this bylaw and obtain the timize us again. The position of the want? In this current state of frus- facts, you fall right into manage- second VP Maintenance and how trations of all us 587 members, we Jeff Stambaugh ment’s hands to divide and conquer. our classifications under our cur- question your timing of this bylaw. Lead Mechanic, Right now our VM and FM brothers rent bylaw, only vote on the second Now is the time for solidarity not 15 years as a 587 member, and sisters are under attack from VP Maintenance position assures divisiveness. 2 terms as VM Board Officer 8 November 2014 An Apology and a Call for Solidarity

Submitted by Andrew Jeromsky, Executive Board Officer

ister Lorri Kurth has asked me name from mine, because in an contract vote is in, we need to do Until 2000, Metro had a progres- to apologize for including her unrelated incident, I decided to get everything we can to improve our sive, stable source of funding via name in my article last month up and walk away instead of run- chances in arbitration. One of the the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. I-695 onS our latest Work-To-Rule. I told her ning to tell management when one best things we can do is to help get changed all that. The bulk of Metro’s I would, but that I would include of her rivals did something stupid. Prop 1 passed! operating budget then became reli- an explanation of why I included I want to make it perfectly clear ant on increasing percentages of it in the first place. To begin with, I that I still support the WTR, and PROPOSITION 1 local sales tax. The problem with included her name because I didn’t that my motion for the union to UPDATE sales tax revenue is that it is unpre- want to be rude by not giving her rec- “Support SAFE’s work to rule cam- Now that further cuts are off the dictable. Under county code, Metro ognition for her efforts on the WTR. paign, further actions to follow” still table, the new vision of Prop 1 is to mu st u s e t he for ec a st f rom t he O f fic e Secondly, I wanted the membership stands. Support the WTR! Support increase service. From the text of of Economic and Financial Analysis. to recognize her as a contact person our union! Prop 1: “Any remaining revenues That forecast predicts uninterrupted for the WTR. The article itself was ON SOLIDARITY may be used to address overcrowd- sales tax increases from 2011–2024, the result of conversations I had with ing, reliability, and service fre- and this is what the agency’s future her, in-person and online, before the An atmosphere of turning on quency within the City of Seattle.” is currently being banked on. This article submission deadline of the each other is becoming pervasive in is very shaky ground, and our Local th. Passage would generate $45 million 15 Sister Kurth wrote to me several our union. There have been several per year, earmarked specifically must continue to do what it can to times asking such things as: “Let’s instances of members turning their for bus service. There is no oppo- pressure politicians in Olympia to start a work to rule… I’ll help make brothers and sisters in to manage- sition statement in the KC voter’s re-establish secure funding for Met- flyers…Can we do this?” and I“ ’m ment for discipline. One member pamphlet, and support is coming ro. Lawmakers in Olympia didn’t going to help make pamphlets and lost their job! (It’s being arbitrated) from a variety of groups, including provide a permanent, stable funding then we need to get them out to the I will defend my reputation and our Local, the King County Labor solution during this recession when bases and get support” and “I also honor if it’s unjustly slurred, but I’ll Council, the Transit Riders Union, Metro was imploding. How much want funding for it and buttons.” do it through the union or through and unexpectedly, the Seattle Times harder will it be to motivate them I agreed to help with the WTR this Newsletter, not management. I editorial board. now? We have our work cut out for and told her I would write an article always encourage my brothers and The downside is that the funds us on many fronts. supporting it. I also said that I would sisters to speak out as well, but can’t come attached to more audits. Coun- In the meantime, please support recruit other drivers, work to help we s t op fig ht i n g e ac h o t h e r a nd u n ite cilmember Dembowski wants an Proposition 1 and Work to rule! secure union funding, and make a our collective frustration and energy annual audit of Metro, and Mayor (http://www.yesforseattletransit. motion supporting the WTR. I then in positive ways? One avenue to re- Murray wants to create a transit org/index.html) went and did all those things. After newing our union is through greater office within the city DOT. Do you In Solidarity, the article came out, Sister Kurth individual member participation in remember what happened to work- Andy sent me an angry email telling me its processes. I’m happy to see that ing conditions after the last audit? that she wanted to dissociate her gradually increasing. Now that the In Memory of Brother Mark F. TRANSIT Mclaughlin WORKERS ENDORSE LEGISLATORS

This year marks the 16th Anniversary of the tragic event on the Aurora Bridge in which our Union Brother Mark WHO VOTE Mclaughlin was killed. This year we will be dedicating a park bench in memory of Brother Mclaughlin at Mark F. Mclaughlin Park located at North Base. The dedica- tion will be Friday, November 28, 2014 at 10:30a.m. Light refreshments will be served. PRO TRANSIT Prior to the bench dedication, flowers will be placed on Brother McLaughlin’s grave at Holyrood Cemetery, 205th. St. and 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 9 November 2014

Vice President Safrin’sBy Neal ReportSafrin Vice President’s Journal for November 2014

S.A.F.E. - Safety Always downhill, and the bad schedules is the amount of information that is tion should be voice messages, not First for Everyone create an unsafe environment for being texted to us via our radio sys- text. At our most recent Joint Safety our members and for our ridership. tem or Driver Display Unit (DDU). Meeting I brought up our concerns S.A.F.E. Week took place from Wear your S.A.F.E. buttons and show Many of the texts do not apply to and requested a study by the Safety October 13 – 17. At this point, it is your solidarity with your brothers the type of work that we picked. But Department on the part that the unclear what impact that it had. and sisters. If your riders ask what somehow, in order to maintain the DDU plays in driver distraction and However, as many of you have they can do, tell them to call the DDU in full working order, we have what can be done to minimize it. I pointed out, following all rules and King County Council and tell them to acknowledge the text in order to will be reporting back to you in the regulations is the manner in which to Fix The Schedules! clear the screen. Another driver that coming months on this issue. we should be operating at all times. Safeguard your health and I know calls the DDU the “Driver This is the only way that we can TAKE YOUR BREAKS! Distraction Unit.” Nowadays, while Until next month- safeguard our health. This is the driving a bus, we are bombarded In Solidarity, most effective tool that we have in Texting and the DDU by constant beeps that tell us that Neal our tool bag; this will demonstrate Our jobs have changed in many there is information on the DDU to Metro and to our ridership that ways in response to technological that needs to be acknowledged. Our our schedules are unrealistic, our changes. One of the changes that eyes often leave the road, to glance working conditions are still going many members are concerned with at the DDU. Much of the informa-

Vice President DeVoss’By Clint ReportDeVoss ATTEND THE MEETINGS, VOTE NO on the By-Law Change to have an Operator as the Maintenance VP!

n Operator or group of limited to”, this means everybody All the people in Maintenance would want to run for, or vote on the Operators have proposed a gets to run and vote. that do not want an Operator as Maintenance VP position. They do By-Law change that would Change to Article 3, Section 1: the Maintenance Vice President not know about RAIL Maintenance, makeA anyone including Operators (g) Candidates for 2nd Vice must attend one of the meetings in VM or FM. Since they do not know eligible to run for the Maintenance President/Assistant Business Rep- November to vote and VOTE NO! anything about Maintenance, we VP position AND all union mem- resentative – Maintenance shall be will be back to the same position bers, including Operators, can nominated from and elected by the November meetings are on: we were in before we had a VP vote for the person running for the membership at large including but November 6 (8:00 pm – Seattle); representing us. Some of our former Maintenance Vice President. not limited to by all members within November 7 (10:30 am – Seattle); Executive Board officers worked The proposed By-Law change Vehicle Maintenance; Facilities November 8 (11:00 am – Seattle); very hard for a long time to get a is underlined and the part that Maintenance; Rail Vehicle Mainte- November 10 (7:00 pm – Port Full-time Officer for Maintenance; takes away VP from Maintenance nance; Way, Power and Signals, and Townsend); November 12 (3:30 pm do not let the Operators take your is Underlined and Bold. Do not be Streetcar Maintainers as listed in the – Seattle); and November 18 (7:00 representation away! fooled by the language after “by current labor agreement with King pm – Port Angeles). Please attend the membership at large”, it says Cou nt y/Met ro. one meeting! In solidarity, including maintenance “but not I cannot tell you why Operators Clint 10 November 2014

The Financial Secretary’s Report By Paul Neil Puget Sound Labor Agency

he Puget Sound Labor Agency(PSLA) was founded by the labor Unions of King and Snohomish counties to aid Union members when they are in need such as when they are laid off or on strike. The PSLA runs a food bank, helps with utility bills, builds wheelchair ramps and provides many other services. I know not Teveryone can donate but if you can please do. Just designate the Puget Sound Labor Agency, AFL-CIO, code #9306 on your donation form. You can donate each payday, once a month or make a onetime gift. The deadline for the annual campaign is November 21st.

October 2014 Membership Meeting Report

New Member Applications Expenses: are $48,831.78 or 2.8% above projections. Overall submitted to the Per Capita payments totaled $65,368.86 are net is $25,585.51 below budget. ATU International in September: other bills for payroll, rent, legal, etc totaled Please note that the budget includes all $242,703.01. This amounts to a deficit of expenses and income except those related to In the month of September 2014, we reported $65,753.07 for the month. assessable items due to their high variability. 8 new members to the ATU International; 2 at Clallam Transit and 6 at SPT. This brings our Year to date compared to last year: My activities for the month: total active membership to 3925. This is a de- Total income is up $21,420.42 or 0.9%, Per • Our auditor Herman Lindsey has com- crease of 176 members compared to this time Capita payments are up $6,357.30 or 1.2% and pleted the 2013 audit. last year when we had 4101 active members. all other expenses were down $175,005.82 • The office server has been replaced. or -8.3%. For the year we have a surplus of • But ton s a nd bro c hu r e s h ave b e e n pr epa r ed Bills: $53,171.25 compared to a deficit of $-136,897.69 for the “For Safety Sake” campaign. last year at this time. • The Local 587 Audit Committee has A l l fi n a nc ia l fig u r e s a r e sub j ec t to t he r eview completed the six month audit for the period of the Executive Board. Budget ending 6/30/14. Income: Income is $11,762.92 or 0.5%below budget projections. Per Capita payments are $35,009.19 In September total income was $245,996.66. or 5.9% below projection and all other expenses

Happy KEEP YOUR Thanksgiving! ADDRESS CURRENT!! (A request from our Local 8 Union office staff)

Throughout the year Local 587 mails letters to our membership. With each mailing sent, the union re- ceives a small percentage of letters returned due to improper address.

Local 587 maintains a database that in part includes the names and addresses of our King County Met- ro members. The King County Metro section of the database is updated monthly from data provided by King County Metro.

If you are a King County Metro employee and your name and address is not current with King County Metro, you may not receive Union mailings. Please keep your name and address current with King Coun- November 27th ty Metro. 11 November 2014

Retirees’ The View from Corner the Buses By Bob Morgan, Retired First-Line Supervisor

OW...summer seemed to I can’t really say what occurred since by the State not paying into the car in southeast King County. Not pass me by this year, just I wasn’t there for the arguments, fund since 1974 would be a way to su r e how but a sig n i fic a nt a mou nt too busy I guess. Took a but feel this is still wrong. As luck “force” a vote and signing of a bill of white bird feathers were float- Wcouple of short RV trips and had would have it a couple of days after to reinstitute the COLA. If all PERS ing out of the sky. Joe called in to an enjoyable time, except the first the ruling my doorbell rang and 1 retirees or those still working report that it was snowing (bird week of September when we went there was a man and woman. He would get onboard with this, well feathers) on East Hill of Kent. to Banff, Alberta and woke to almost was Christopher Hurst and repre- to put it bluntly, it could bankrupt Well again the TV/Radio station a foot of snow. And someone talks sents the 25th legislative district. the State if we won. They both fell scanners picked up on this. And about global warming; well they The woman was Cathy Dahlquist, silent and did not answer, but I felt once more they never heard “bird should have been there. Locals said she was the other representative I had hit a chord somehow. feathers” —only the word snow! it’s the earliest significant snowfall for the 25th district, but is in a tight Hopefully there will be some Okay, this time a memo went out that most of them had ever seen. race for the 31st Senate against Pam kind of resolution on this. Oh to make sure everyone under- Just my luck! Roach. Cathy is a Republican and and one other thing—if you are stands that people listen and to Saw that the membership over- Chris a Democrat. Together they on PERS 2 or 3 watch out because be sure to talk clearly. I thought whelmingly turned down the have worked across the aisle quite you’re next according to them. Also, it was funnier than all get out, contract offer. At the October north well. I asked them in and we started be watchful on the defined 401(k) but some say I’m a little warped. breakfast I was talking to former talking and I mentioned the PERS replacement for all PERS plans in 587 President Lance Norton. We 1 lawsuit and its outcome. They the legislature. This action is com- Was sorry to hear of the pass- both remembered the 1980 contract both had voted against the removal ing from both sides of the aisle and ing of a good friend of mine and and arbitration that occurred then. of the COLA and expressed their is once again gathering steam for a many others, Rick Sepolen. He Went well into 1981 and finally both displeasure with the ruling. I then vote so be aware! Realize also that was more a friend than a Union sides realized that BOTH of them mentioned a form letter being cir- la rge i nvest ment fir m s a re bac k i ng officer to me. were going to lose more than they culated via email by Metro retiree this so they can reap the rewards. Also heard from Lou Torres would gain and settled. Would be Ron Moore asking the legislators to My opinion is they don’t care at that Jim Vaughn was dealing with nice for all if that occurred again, consider passing a law reinstituting all about the common individual. some more health issues. Not sure but with the current management I the COLA. They both said it could They just want our pensions in their of what, but hope he will fight it. don’t think that is likely. Since I’ve possibly pass, but both felt that companies. Saw Gary Grout, former Fa- been away from transit for over eight current Governor Inslee would veto cilities Maintenance retiree at years I won’t go any further on this... any ruling favoring the reissue of Jokes: the October retiree’s lunch. He let’s face it the job has changed more any COLA. I then looked them both As some may remember from mentioned that he had a battle than even I would like. in their eyes and asked them if any past articles written by me, there with kidney cancer and he had the Well the lawsuit against the State form of a lawsuit to repay PERS 1 was a fair amount of pranks played left one removed in June. He said of Washington pertaining to the loss the monies due by either the State on bosses and others as well dur- he felt fine and the doctors were of a yearly COLA for PERS/TRS 1 borrowing from PERS 1 coffers at ing my time at Metro. As I also seeing him every few months just was lost in the State Supreme Court. $3.9 billion, or the $4.0 billion owed mentioned in an earlier article, and to check to make sure there it’s not some of you may remember, Metro spreading to other organs. So far had in the Control Center a separate so good for him. soundproof room for radio traffic Was able to get together with reporters. More than a couple of Dan Sheppard and his wife at least pranks were played upon them. 4 times over the summer, was nice One I’ll always remember was when to see them both. the late Jim Walker called into the Roger and Stephanie Cady control center on a regular bus buttoned up their B.C. place and channel and reported that there are now back in the Tucson area. was “considerable water” over the Unfortunately, we weren’t able to roadway at 65 Ave E and E Pike. Not see one another on their south- on ly d id t he Met ro t ra f fic repor ters bound trip. hear this and report this, the local Also was able to spend some news stations, both radio and TV time with Dan Linville. He flew reported this as well. 65th Ave E into town and used me as a taxi and E Pike is near the center of Lake service while getting his Harley Washington! No one incurred any out of storage in Eatonville, was punishment for this, even though a nice visit. And yes he did ride everyone knew who did it. Oh, and it back to Arizona. the stations made sure to really Some of you may remember listen to the scanners when the info Frank Falsini who for many was coming from Metro! years was the #1 operator then Another one was when we were retired and came back as a part on the 12th floor of the Exchange time operator at North Base. At building. Dan Brown would go into the retiree’s breakfast someone the radio control room and login asked him a question about the with a fake route run and use his first female operators and when old drivers ID. He would give the they were hired. He couldn’t trainee info that the bus wouldn’t remember so then he was asked go. Of course the trainee would when he started at Seattle Transit, ask the location and Dan would it was 1943...geez I wasn’t even on calmly say “I’m at the corner of this earth then! Walk and Don’t Walk.” Trainee And finally heard that good was so involved with the situation friend and my former chief in it would sometimes take a few Service Quality, Rudy Allen, is minutes to sink in what they had going to retire before the end of heard and written down, this usu- the year. Congrats and welcome ally happened when a supervisor to the club! was called to go and check on the coach and when the location was I hope the upcoming Holiday given, that is when the “light” went season will be wonderful for all.... on in the trainee’s head. Another one if you will. The late Bob Morgan Joe Sisseling was working a District 12