SERVING ORGANIZED LABOR IN OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON SINCE 1900 INSIDE OUTSIDE PAGES NORTHWEST HE TOFFICIAL PUBLICBATION UOF LLETIN LABOR Amalgamated Transit Union PRESS Local 757 VOLUME 121, NUMBER 23 PORTLAND, OREGON DECEMBER 4, 2020 President’s Vice President’s Report Roundup Please be kind to one another By Shirley Block By Jonathan Hunt out and getting into trouble when they normally Season’s greetings Sisters and Brothers, wouldn’t. I would like to encourage you to check in with Hello, Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are all able to have your fellow sisters and brothers! First, I want to say I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanks - a safe holiday with your family. At this point in time it doesn’t appear we’re go - giving. I know this year has been hard on everyone and very dif - With so many things chang - ing to have regular Union Meetings for a while. ferent. I know that none of us thought we would still be dealing ing all around us, we need to However, we are having monthly check-ins and with this virus. And I know that it hits harder when it starts affecting give each other space. We need small Zoom discussions. Please reach out to me the holidays. Most folks that I know stayed home with the family to practice social distancing, but if your work group would like to have a Zoom they live with and relied on Zoom and phone calls to reach out to we also need to be kind to one meeting. everyone else. I hope that we can all band together and do what we another. Don’t allow someone Wishing you all success during these difficult have to do to get through this, so that we can all be with our fami - else’s chaos to become yours. Being in the union times. Be safe! You are heroes, and we appreciate lies, in person, again soon. is watching each other‘s back. I have seen too you! I have been working hard trying to kick TriMet in the teeth over many member against member cases; folks acting calling for impasse and going to arbitration. I have hosted six Town Hall meetings through the International leadership with their sup - port. We have ran ads on two radio stations, Z100 & 107.5. We will Secretary Treasurer’s Report continue all avenues of outreach that are available to us. But we will not be successful without your participation! If someone calls you about the CURRENT CAMPAIGN, PLEASE PARTICIPATE! Union elections will be held next year BARGAINING UPDATE: By Mary Longoria • We are still working with Walla Walla on attempting to the Election Committee or running for an Officer get a one-year rollover on their contract. We were able to get an Happy Holidays, Sisters and position that when it is time, they submit their pa - MOU in place so that they receive COVID hazard pay. Brothers, perwork in writing instead of showing up in per - • We have had two meetings with Yamhill County Transit. son. We will make sure that all voices are heard, This Holiday season and going and nominations are fair. If you are thinking about We have most of the language agreed on. Now comes the meat and into 2021 will be one that no one potatoes. Medical and wages. Of course, we expect them to cry running for office you should read ATU’s Bylaws here has lived through before — on Nominations, Election Committee, and the job broke, but we are prepared for that, and anything else they try to I don’t think anyone has anyway! throw our way. description of the position. Section 13 – Nomina - As the U.S. elections conclude tions, Section 14 – Elections, Section 15 – Elec - • As you all know, TriMet declared impasse and we are (hopefully soon), we should be likely headed to Interest Arbitration. The parties have each filed tions, and Sections – 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 which are the looking forward to our ATU 757 elections next elected positions job descriptions. ULP's against each other, so there will be a hearing prior to that ar - year. International has sent some guidance, which bitration. I will update you next month on the outcome of those This will be a challenging election cycle, but I basically is, elections must go on. We will be fol - hope everyone exercises their right to run for a ULP's! lowing our Bylaws, but we must also follow the The winter is fast coming on. As always, I want to stress to every - position and vote. Look fLoarb noorm Pinreastis ons and elec - state guidelines for COVID-19. We are currently tion information in the in February one give yourself plenty of time throughout the day and get enough looking at different venues to accommodate a safe rest to stay safe. Your paddle is only a guide. Don’t kill yourself and March 2021. space for the Nomination meetings where there I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and trying to make that paddle work. This is for every individual out will be social distancing and mask wearing, de - there behind the wheel of those buses and trains: Safety is the first a Happy New Year, with the hope that soon we pending on the Governor’s orders at the time. I do will be able to get together in person sometime thing you should be thinking of. NO RUNNING lights, NO encourage if anyone is interested in running for ROLLING THROUGH STOP SIGNS. Take your needed break. If next year. you’re late getting to the end of the line, notify your dispatcher\con - troller and then let them know when you are leaving. Do what you neeCdD toL ds:o. Yes, there is a waiver for CDL expirations, but it is almost up! Get in early! Appointments are already hard to get and will Santa Claus Won’t Be Visiting This Year only get harder!! Do NOT wait until the last minute! The best Christmas present for ATU would be that Doug Kelsey We’re sorry, but due to the pull his head out of his “Gluteus maximus” and pull Laird Cusack off the negotiation table and put someone there with common sense. Governor’s restrictions over Kim has the skills but scared to decide without Laird. Sam Desue is not allowed to participate. Now do the math. COVID-19, Santa Claus Kelsey is trying to break the union the wrong way. When we get won’t be visiting the Union mad, we fight. We are not scared to fight. Look at the bond measure that went down in flames because he couldn’t see he had thousands Hall this year. We hope to see of votes that voiced their opinion because they were SCREWING you all next year! ATU MEMBERS. What a big fool. PAGE 2 | December 4 , 2020 | ATU LOCAL 757 BULLETIN/NW Labor Press ATU LOCAL 757 OFFICER REPORTS the workplace, then we have no choice started to flourish and thrive with diver - TriMet Powell First Student Portland but to work together in one accord. sity. Suddenly, TriMet pulls the plug. As reported by Do not allow for us to be demarcated. TriMet vehicles and equipment are Maintenance ANNA TOMPTE Stand firm, contest for more favorable made property-specific, no one person As reported by working conditions. Attend the Q & A could come off the street and start work - MIKE FRANCOIS Zoom meetings with ATU leadership, ing on TriMet equipment without proper send questions, check the ATU Facebook safety review, training, or review train - Hello, Brothers and Sisters, To all Union Brothers and Sisters, and website for updates, attend Shop ing. The training system was one of the I just want to wish everyone a blessed Stewards trainings, sign up to receive best in the country and to throw it out is I have filed two new grievances in the Holiday season and hope all is well for text notifications for updates, and partic - unwise. I have witnessed many of my co- last month. I have had one suspension for everyone. ipate in the campaigns. workers who graduated from the appren - a face mask violation. Sorry, but not a whole lot to report. If you have questions on how to join ticeship programs and have moved into We have had three people test positive We’ve had some Operators working, is - any of these events, please contact the management positions; Trainers, Train - for COVID-19 in the Powell Mainte - sues and meetings, and one termination. Union hall at 503-232-9144. Number one ing Supervisors, Engineers, Supervisors, nance and Yard Crew area, and a couple This is not the way any of us expected to threat to bosses are informed members! Managers, and Directors. There are prop - other people are quarantined for contact spend 2020, and I really hope it gets bet - erties all over the USA that are modeling with the positive people. I have been to ter. That’s all for now. In Solidarity. TriMet Light Rail their training/apprenticeship programs multiple meetings for time loss. It’s up to Maintenance after TriMet. It’s really unfortunate that you to manage your time. Call the Reed As reported by TriMet doesn’t see the value in their em - Group or there are people at TriMet that JOE RUFFIN III ployees and its communities anymore. can help you if you’re having problems Brothers and Sisters, let’s show re - with the Reed Group or COVID leave.