Where the future of Metro Transit lies!

Answer to CRYPTO puzzle on page 13

The hurried passenger asked the bus driver for help getting dressed. “Suit yourself,” is all the busy driver could say.

Page 15

Thank You Juan Parker

The 1005 Line has lost a valuable and talented asset in Juan Parker,

operator #6212. Juan was hired as a bus operator in August

1992,and left service in February 2003. Juan has contributed many

illustrations been printed in The 1005 Line. Some of his work is

shown below. He also crafted a Twin Cities skyline that was used

for many Local 1005 ads in the souvenir books for the Black,

Latino and Women’s ATU Conferences. Our Thanks and Best

Wishes, Juan.

Page 14

Prepared by ATU Legislative

Department March 5, 2003

In addition to direct federal funding

of the federal transit program, new

innovative finance mechanisms, such

as state infrastructure banks (SIBS),

tax credits and tax exempt facility

bonds, provide an opportunity for nar-

rowing the gap between growing

needs and resources available to the

transit industry, potentially financing

important rail, bus and bus facility

projects. The ATU supports such

innovative finance mechanisms, as

long as applicable labor standards

apply to any projects funded

through such mechanisms. Pilot

SIBs programs meeting these require-

ments in California, Florida, Missouri

and Rhode Island have worked well.

When federal transportation dol-

lars are involved, compliance with

all important federally established

standards is required. They include

standards that safeguard the rights of

workers, the disabled, the elderly and

others, as well as protect the environ-

ment, public safety and civil rights.

The vigorous enforcement and appli-

cation of basic federal standards over

many decades has ensured that our

national transportation investment pri-

orities are consistent and compatible

with federal policies designed to pro-

tect the general public interest. Since

the objective of innovative finance

mechanisms, such as SIBs and tax

exempt financing, are to unlock new

sources of transportation investment

dollars - not to harm the rights of

workers and others protected by such

standards - it is essential that basic

federal standards apply when these

mechanisms are used. For workers in

the transportation trades, federal pro-

tections like the transit worker

rights provided in Section 13(c) of

the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C.

5333(b)), offer a measure of econom-

ic and job security. A project

financed by innovative finance mech-

anisms is dependent on federal invest-

ment, either directly or through tax

credits. A SIB requires equity capital

to get started, which is provided by an

initial infusion of federal dollars.

Once capitalized, the SIB may offer a

range of loans and credit options,

such as low interest loans, loan guar-

antees or loans allowing delayed

repayment of principal. Through a

revolving fund scenario,a SIB would

lend money to public or private spon-

sors of a transportation project.

Revenues generated from the project

would then be used to repay the loan

with interest. These repayments

replenish the fund so that new loans

can be supported. While such “second

generation” projects may not be

financed directly by the federal gov-

ernment, it is clear that such funds

would not exist but for the initial fed-

eral investment. Further, to be eligi-

ble, any “second generation” project

must satisfy the Department of

Transportation (DOT) planning

requirements. As Congress prepares to

reauthorize the Transportation Equity

Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), it

is important to ensure that transporta-

tion projects, whether financed direct-

ly or indirectly through federal inno-

vative finance programs, do not harm

the rights of transportation workers.

Such programs must be structured

in a manner consistent with impor-

tant federal policies and standards,

such as the transit

worker protections provided by

Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit

Act.

From the ATU websiteATU Position on Innovative Financing of Transit Projects

Duane Mevissen, employee #5241, retired in February after 25 years of service in the

maintenance department. Duane’s many talents will be missed at Nicollet Garage,

where Sy Sharp praised his abilities, saying, “Duane is the Best of the Best.”

The Dew Man, as he’s known to his coworkers, has been an outstanding mechanic and

the finest power train diagnosing mechanic Bob Boyle has ever encountered. Bob

admits that Duane “was almost good enough to show me a thing or two.” The Dew

Man’s always helpful to others, willing to share his knowledge. He had the ability to

be a real asset to the company and at the same time, he never snitched on anyone or

kissed management’s butt.

It’s been a privilege to work with the Dew Man, and he’ll always be a true union

brother and a credit to the ATU.

Page 13

AT THE GARAGE

East Metro

With security precautions at an

elevated level the front door to

East Metro will be locked 24

hours a day for the foreseeable

future. So, don’t forget your

key.

There will be a potluck day

coming soon, probably april 10.

The planners are working on

something new. They want to

have something for everyone,

not only those who are around

mid-day. The plan is to have

something like bagels and juice

early morning; grilled chicken

breasts and a salad for lunch ,

and retain enough for the late

night crew. Additionally, there

should be a lot of good stuff to

be raffled off. Watch for

details.

Aerosol spray workshops are

being scheduled. The classes at

East are Saturday April 12 at

9:00AM and Thursday April 17

at 7:00 PM.

Congratulations to all recipients

of Outstanding Driver Awards.

Congratulations also to Don

Geislinger Driver #645 upon his

retirement after__ years.

CRYPTOS by PAT KELEHAN

Each letter stands for another. If you think X=O, for example, it would equal O throughout the puzzle.

Clue: P=E

CLP LZTTDPF GJBBPKMPT JBAPF CLP RZB FTDQPT SVT

LPWG MPCCDKM FTPBBPF. “BZDC XVZTBPWS,” DB JWW

CLP RZBX FTDQPT HVZWF BJX. Answer on back cover

From: Dan [drb1489@webtv.net]

Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 3:13 PM

To: TTOPresident@healthpartners.com

Subject: Audit Report

So is all the information on trips, big hotels, and other things

that folks from Health Partners took correct?..You know, I sure

would like to take one of those fine trips that the members

paid for... Hey better yet, how about reducing the premium that

we pay each month to repay us for all that waste you folks had

there?..

How about that?

It sure makes you wonder why insurance is so high..is it really

the drugs...or is it all the trips to places that I could only dream

of going....And I bet we don�t even get a free souvenir.

The only reason you folks sent this last little thing to us in the

mail is because YOU GOT CAUGHT and thats it.

Save the money..don�t mail me you lame excuses. And don�t

ask me to vote for any of you again.

Dan Boden

All material offered in the Let-itors

section is solely the opinion of the

author and does not represent

endorsement by Local 1005 nor the

Education Committee

Let-itorsLetters to the Editor

Page 12

Meet the Stockkeepers (continued)

Sharon Christenson

Heywood Lead Stockkeeper Sharon

has been with Metro Transit for 26

years and feels very good about her

position. “You have to be able to

work independently here; I like this

job because of that. Heywood is a

big garage with a lot of different

buses and large inventory of bus

parts, it’s very detail oriented!”

Sharon explained that each part or

piece of inventory is given a

detailed bar code, each individual

work order has a bar code and

every mechanic also has his own

personal bar code which is read

with a hand held scanner together

with the work order and parts.

Every detail is documented (parts,

time and labor), tracked and sup-

ported by the specialized software

TxBase, developed specifically for

Metro Transit and inventory control.

Steve Babcock

Nicollet Lead Stockkeeper Steve

has 30 years with the agency, with

eight years as a bus operator, and

has held many other positions at

Metro. “We’re an extremely

diverse department with a broad

variety of responsibilities. The three

shifts slightly overlap so that we

can talk to each other, advise each

other on upcoming problems. A

typical day for me begins

at 6 AM. There is a usu-

ally already a list of

things waiting to be done,

a set of problems for you

to solve and items to

locate. It gets added to

when the mechanics start

their day with a meeting,

the foreman delegates the

work out, then they all

come to the window for

their shop supplies, gloves

and boots. Next they scan

in on their work orders

and get the parts, as they

need them to perform

their tasks. It is a very

busy job with mechanics,

special orders, outside

vendors. You need to be a

problem solver, multitask,

and work well with people. Often

someone will ask you for “The do-

hickey on the thing-a-ma jigger”

and you need to figure out what

they actually need, find it, and get it

on the property if it isn’t. You better

not have dyslexia! Our customer

service performance is one of the

main determining factors of how

well our agency performs. The per-

formance of the “Stores

Department” affects every depart-

ment. We must keep accurate and

up-to-date inventories to promote

consistent maintenance. When this

department is behind, it hinders

everyone.”

AT THE GARAGE

South

Dispatchers have changed at

South. After 32 years with

Metro Transit, Gary Koll

retired recently. South is very

happy to have Tim Bell and

Mike McCabe back as dis-

patchers.

Greer Gentry has been reas-

signed to Heywood Garage.

A jigsaw puzzle is always

under construction at South;

feel free to stop by and help.

Completed puzzles are glued

together and hung on the

walls. An auction notice will

be hung on the refrigerator,

watch for it if you’d like to

take one of the completed

puzzles home.

It takes four people to play

the card game ‘500’. Feel

free to ask to sit it and play.

The ‘500’ players will be

happy to teach you the rules.

Page11Windows, Word, Excel, email, and

fax machines. Be a team-leader and

give directive to other stock keepers

within union guidelines. Lead

Stockkeepers primarily work inde-

pendently and must make quick deci-

sions regarding specific material.

They are problem solvers. Lead

Stockkeepers determine the specifics

of how, when, where, and if the mate-

rials can be obtained and at what

level they will be maintained within

his/her location.

Job Activities: Load and

unload vendor trucks including

agency trucks, send receipts of ship-

ments to the Receiving Clerk.

Identify, locate and hand out parts to

mechanics on a demand basis.

Return parts to inventory for warranty

claims and ship. Return cores to

inventory and ship back to Central

Stores, OHB, for rebuilding.

Maintain and organize stockroom,

including labeling, binning, locate

new and move old parts, both physi-

cally and electronically. Identify new

parts with Material Planner. Drive

truck to pick up and deliver parts to

maintain supplies. Advise mechanics

of maintenance bulletins and parts

application. Take tank dips and enter

daily fluid readings on computer,

monitor for errors, make corrections

and notify of problems. Arrange for

disposal of wastes and unneeded

assets. Arrange for fixed assets, fur-

niture, tires and rims to be moved

from facility to facility as needed.

Perform cycle counts, enter and cor-

rect stock levels. Review MRP

orders and create additional orders for

parts on demand.

Meet the Stockkeepers Location

John Christensen Garage Stockroom Coordinator

Gary Lanz Central Stores Coordinator

Fred Eshleman Lead Stockkeeper, Warranties

Dept.

Lee Sathre Stockkeeper/Driver

Mike Glazek Lead Stockkeeper E. Metro

John Obregon Stockkeeper E. Metro 2nd shift

Steve Tangan Stockkeeper E. Metro 3rd shift

Jim Swoboda Stockkeeper / Driver

Bob Novak Receiving Clerk

Bob Buck Stockkeeper B Zone - OHB

Fred Foster Stockkeeper C Zone - CS

Mike Krakowski Stockkeeper A Zone - CS

Kent Hardy Stockkeeper Central - DZone

Frank Launderville Receiving Clerk

Arnie Libby Lead Stockkeeper Brake Shop

Rick Rolfson Receiving Clerk

Mike Swarek Lead Stockkeeper MJR

Dave Williams Stockkeeper MJR 2nd shift

Bruce Biddick Stockkeeper MJR 3rd shift

Steve Babcock Lead Stockkeeper Nicollet

Wayne Eastman Stockkeeper Nicollet 2nd shift

Mark Jessee Stockkeeper Nicollet 3rd shift

Sharon Christenson Lead Stockkeeper Heywood

Don Boelter Stockkeeper Heywood 2nd shift

William Neuenfeldt Stockkeeper Heywood 3rd shift

David Hopwood Lead Stockkeeper South

Roy Ellsworth Stockkeeper South 2nd shift

Melonie Bunner Stockkeeper South 3rdshift

Don Madison Lead Stockkeeper/BodyShop/CS

Rich Kasprzak Inventory Control Clerk

Mike Rood Lead Stockkeeper Floater

Sam Young Stockkeeper Floater 2nd shift

Trinity Jensen Stockkeeper Floater 3rd shift

Beth Radke Lead Stockkeeper Unit Overhaul

Mike Krakowski

Stockkeeper A-Zone/Central Stores

OHB Mike has 23 years with the

agency. “Just 6 or 8 years ago, we

did everything by hand. We had no

computers and no scanners, we used

cards that we filled out and filed.

Even now with all the technology

there is a lot of work that you don’t

see. I feel that we are underrated, we

are like the heart of MTC. Without us

they couldn’t proceed!”

Beth Radke

Lead Stockkeeper for Unit Overhaul/

Central Stores/OHB Beth has been

with Metro Transit for 6 years, 6

months as a full time driver.

“Actually, I loved driving!” Beth was

a fueler for two years before coming

to Central Stores. “We’re a small

group of people but each of us does

something different, each of us has a

different (job) description and func-

tion. We support every department

within the agency; almost everything

purchased comes through Central

Stores, it’s the backbone of the sys-

tem. Everything, all the parts needed

by maintenance for buses is received

here and then shipped out to the dif-

ferent garages.”

Meet the Stockkeepers

Page 10

To monitor, procure, dispense, and

advise on availability of all material

used within the organization.

Maintain and determine adequate

inventory levels of parts and supplies

in Metro Transit’s assigned locations.

Under the Department of Finance in

the Purchasing and Stores division is

the position of Stockkeeper, with the

responsibility to maintain and track

the vast and varied inventory for most

Metro Transit departments.

Each of the thirty-four stockkeeper

positions carries a separate job

description according to responsibili-

ties and locations. Stockkeepers pick

for specific shifts and responsibilities,

such as floater, truck driver, inventory

control clerk, garage stockkeeper or

stock-pickers, as well as Lead and

Head Stockkeeper, and Garage and

Stores Coordinator positions.

Each of the five bus operations and

servicing facilities, Nicollet,

Heywood, Ruter, South and East

Metro, have three Stockkeepers per

stockroom, including a Lead

Stockkeeper. Central Stores, located

at Overhaul Base, the major bus

maintenance and repair facility, has

19 Stockkeeper positions. These

include one Central Stores

Coordinator, one Garage Coordinator,

one Inventory Control Clerk, two

Drivers, two Receiving Clerks, five

Lead Stockkeepers (one each for Unit

Overhaul, Brake Shop, Warranties

Dept., Body Shop) and one

Stockkeeper each for stockroom zones

A, B, C, and D, as well as three

floaters.

Prime purpose: to supply parts and

materials to building maintenance,

office and bus maintenance, and to

serve as a life support for Metro

Transit by maintaining the integrity of

the perpetual inventory system.

Inventory includes almost every item

that can be purchased by Metro

Transit. This includes thousands of

bus parts used to support and main-

tain Metro Transit’s fleet of 792 40-

foot Gilligs, Low-floor buses, 120

articulated Flyers and Low-floors, two

MCI coaches, two Diesel electric

Hybrids and a small number of

Federal buses. At any given time a

minimum number of parts for each

model and type are systematically

grouped, stored and monitored. Also

included are parts used for the mainte-

nance of non-revenue vehicles, such

as Metro Transit Police cars, tow

trucks, sweepers, forklifts, supervisor

vehicles and other agency vehicles.

Central Stores at Overhaul Base

boasts 18,000 parts. Janitorial and

maintenance supplies for the five

operations facilities, Heywood Office

Building, Overhaul Base, and

Instruction Center, are ordered,

received, counted and stored, as are

fixed assets (computers, chairs, office

furniture and miscellaneous equip-

ment). Stockkeepers are also respon-

sible for the monitoring and tracking

of commodities such as heating oil,

diesel fuel, motor oil and anti-freeze.

Positions and responsibilities:

Receiving Clerk: Responsible for all

parts and materials received at Central

Stores (OHB). The receiving clerk is

responsible for the identifying and

accurate recording of all incoming

and outgoing parts including receipts,

bills and transfers, and must verify all

freight bills, packing slips, purchase

orders and invoices.

Central Stores Coordinator: Leads and

directs Overhaul Base Stores and the

nineteen Stockkeepers.

Garage Stockroom Coordinator:

Provides work direction for the

garage Lead Stockkeepers at the vari-

ous garage facilities. Responsibilities

include maintenance of accurate

inventory and inventory levels, and to

monitor and verify various functions

within each stockroom.

Stockkeepers: Must stock and main-

tain supplies, bus parts and other

maintenance materials at the stock-

rooms and/or warehouses. Issue and

transfer repair parts; store and issue

other fixed asset materials as required.

Skills include the ability to reference

a parts manual, have good figure apti-

tude and accurate record keeping as

well as data entry skills with an accu-

racy minimum of 5,000 characters per

hour on a 10-key adding machine.

Lead Stockkeepers: Knowledge of

bus/truck/auto parts, how and where

they are applied. Knowledge of

bolt/screw/pipe thread sizes and

grades. Reviews orders for material

needed at work locations. Analyzes

usage and demand for parts and sup-

plies. Inspects for incorrect parts, ana-

lyzes and compares cross-reference

parts to avoid stock duplications.

Ability to find and cross-reference

parts in over 25 different parts books

and many more technical bulletins.

Must have basic computer skills in

Meet Our Union MembersMetro Transit is comprised of specialized departments that function independently, but at the same time inter-dependently with one

another. This series introduces you to these unique departments and to the role ATU Local 1005 members play.

STOCKKEEPER

Page 9

amp Special

ded a request by a 1005 member for donations for Camp Special. Many

Special is. Terry Johnson, East Metro Driver #2090 the founder and

d the above letter.

mp Special. They need fishing equipment, use of a pontoon boat and

cial help. Contributions are needed by June 1.

mmer camp for people with

opmental Disabilitiesd by East Metro Driver Terry Johnson

Page 8

Camp S

In the February issue of the 1005 line we included a r

people subsequently asked exactly what Camp Special is.

Director of the camp provided these photos and the above letter

Terrry extends an invitation for support for Camp Special.

motor, volunteers for transportation and financial help. Contributions ar

Contact Terry at 651-642-9919

An annual summer camp for people with

DevelopmentFounded and Directed by East Metro Driver

Proactive (continued from page 1)

as you work to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st

Century (TEA 21).

As a result of the predictable, increased funding provided by TEA 21

over the past six years, transit agencies across the country have been able

to engage in long-term planning, enabling them to expand service

through the more than 360,000 highly skilled transit professionals, such

as myself, who provide safe, top quality public transportation.

In order to maintain and improve this level of service, it is crucial that the

next surface transportation bill preserve the existing firewalls that ensure

guaranteed funding for the federal transit program on an annual basis,

and provide for substantial increases in transit funding, while maintaining

the longstanding 80/20 split of total surface transportation spending

between highways and transit.

In addition, Congress must ensure that the rights of transit workers con-

tinue to be protected as the federal transit program expands. When feder-

al funds are used to acquire, improve or operate a transit system, my

workplace rights, as well as those of my fellow transit workers, are cur-

rently protected under Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act. This sen-

sible, balanced system fosters unmatched labor- management stability,

ensuring a highly trained, experienced, safe and professional workforce,

allowing for the development of significant technological, structural, and

productivity improvements.

I urge you to support the continuation of the critical transit employee

labor protections provided by Section 13(c), and application of Section

13(c) protections to any new federal transit programs or innovative

financing mechanisms created through TEA 21’s reauthorization.

In summary, I urge you to continue the progress made under TEA 21 by

maintaining a strong federal role in providing the guaranteed resources

necessary to maintain and improve the quality of America’s public trans-

portation systems.

I’d appreciate hearing your views on the reauthorization of the surface

transportation program, including those issues addressed above.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Your address]

Amalgamated Transit Union

Page 7

AT THE GARAGE

Nicollet

Just a friendly reminder: before

leaving the driver’s seat, be sure

to put the bus in neutral, turn

wheels to curb, set emergency

brake. Don’t rely on the rear

door brake to secure your bus,

especially when you leave it.

Duane Mevissen, Senior

Mechanic, Power Train Specialist,

retired in March with almost

twenty-five years at Metro

Transit.

Do you have a contribution for

the Nicollet column? Give it to

Theresa Collins, Dr. #1378, and

she’ll get it in.

Compensation for active duty advances

The war has breathed new urgency into legislation to prevent state employees

from losing pay when activated for military duty.

Less than a day after war in Iraq began, the House Ways and Means Committee

approved a bill providing a differential for state employees who receive smaller

paychecks from the military than they did in their state jobs.

The bill, which also provides continuity in health coverage for deployed

reservists’ dependents, was sent to the House floor.

Under the measure, the state would make up the pay difference for any state

worker mobilized since Sept. 11, 2001. It provides for back pay.

Published March 21, 2003 Minneapolis Star Tribune

Bill to compensate for

Military Duty

Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act

(SSCRA) of 1940,

The act caps interest rates on all debt at 6 percent and makes

it illegal to evict most military families from their homes dur-

ing the time of service. The law also demands leniency with

apartment leases and has explicit rules for employers.

What the banks need

All lenders must comply with the law, but there is paperwork

to demonstrate hardship.

“There is a checklist. It calls for copies of their reservist

orders and proof of existing pay rates. With this information

the wheels will be set in motion internally.

Call your bank for additional information.

Page 6

FACES MISSING AT METRO TRANSITBy Dan Boden

I'm not much of a writer, and never claimed to be. Maybe I should have paid more attention in school when we had

to write essays and all, but I didn't. Thus, writing about someone who you haven't worked with before, or have

never met, is a hard thing to do.

In the Maintenance Dept., there isn't much of a chance to meet a lot of operators or anyone else in other parts of Metro

Transit; operators probably say the same thing. It's impossible to know everyone.

The point is that many of our co-workers who we may know by face and not by name are on military leave to serve our

country. It's interesting that in the Metro Transit paper (Insights) put out weekly, they've never mentioned them; wonder

why? Budget and all; money, shortfall, Light Rail; all very important things that may affect operations at Metro Transit?

As are the people - important! Many who we don't know by name, and some we've never met, who are busy doing their

duty for our country, having set aside their daily lives. I hope the day comes soon when they all return - safe! And then,

maybe in that company paper that is put out on Fridays with all the latest news, the stuff that's so important, finally good

news, something to make you feel good for a change, the names of all those brave co-workers who have returned to their

jobs here.

The following Metro Transit employees have been out for various lengths of time due to military leave since 9/11/01:

Bob Benson, #2538, South

David Berry, #7730, East Metro

Bruce Biddick, Stockkeeper, Ruter

James Dalton, #477, Nicollet

Dennis Dworshak, Supervisor of Central Counting

(June ’03)

Dean Grothem, PT Transit Officer

Randy Hanson, #61, Heywood

Roger Heil, Convenience Fares

Howard Helser, Maintenance Manager, Ruter

Hernandez Hill, #6972, Heywood

Tim Jacobsen, Mechanic, East Metro

Donald James, Mechanic. Ruter

Don Madison, Stockkeeper,

Ralph Mcgill, #3812, Ruter

Shea Lozano, #7783, Heywood

Murray Olson, Maintenance supervisor, Nicollet

Gordon Raveling, #9445, Heywood

Mike Rood, Stockkeeper

Mike Sabaka, Electro Mechanic Foreperson, Rail

O & M

Fred Stallings, # 2145,

Scott Tammen, #6434, South

Kevin Tesmar, Mechanic, Heywood

Daniel Wills, PT Transit Officer

W e apologize if we failed to list anyone, as many

sources as possible were consulted in this quest. Our

thanks are extended to all the brave, patriotic men

and women, named and unnamed, who serve our

country.

In the meantime, to those folks we haven’t met, we

wish them and their families well, and when they

return, we look forward to the chance to meet and get

Page 5

FTH Celebrates Black History

AT THE GARAGE

HeywoodSenior Mechanic/Electrician and

ATU Local 1005 Executive Board

Member Greg Hall recently was

re-elected for his second 4-year

term representing Heywood

Maintenance and 701 building.

Greg, a twenty three-year veteran

with Metro Transit previously rep-

resented Snelling Mechanics for

five years before coming to

Heywood.

“I like working for Metro Transit

and I really enjoy the work I do

for the union. I have fun doing it!

If I didn’t have fun I wouldn’t do

it. You could say I have the great-

est job in the world- I get paid to

fight with management! I try to

diplomatically convince manage-

ment of other perspectives. I’ve

known most of the managers for

years- it helps knowing where

they’re coming from”.

“As a Board Member, not every-

one is going to like you. You rep-

resent everyone to the best of

your ability. You listen to them

and try to see the issue from their

point of view and take the time to

get to know people and their

lives. Hopefully, you’re able to

resolve problems before manage-

ment even knows that there is a

problem and before they become

disciplinary issues”.

“You need the mindset that you

are the center of calm- the eye of

the hurricane- with the turbu-

lence all around you. It’s just my

personality. I take time to know

people, management and union

members alike. I want them to

know me and because of this they

know where I am coming from”.

Page 4stood in solidarity to make a better

life for themselves and their co-work-

ers. It is their persistence and belief in

the ATU that has made this Union

great.

When you read this book, we are sure

you will feel the same pride we have

always felt in our accomplishments.

You will quickly learn that “Proud to

be ATU” is far more than a simple

slogan.

Signed,

James La Sala

International President

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We want to thank the dedicated com-

mittee from the international office

who researched and wrote this book.

That committee was chaired by

Assistant General Counsel Benetta

Mansfield. Untold hours of research,

writing, rewriting, reviewing, proof-

reading, picture selection and coordi-

nation were contributed by Benetta,

General Counsel Earle Putman,

Associate Counsel Leo Wetzel, In

Transit Editor Shawn Perry, Research

Director Joseph Jaquay, Assistant

Research Director Patricia Moline,

Director of Information Systems Matt

Kurkjian, Controller Gene Parker and

Legislative Director Robert Molofsky.

Research support, editing and clerical

assistance was provided by Marie

Ferguson, Assistant to the

International President and Josephine

Crawford, Secretary to the General

Counsel.

A special thanks to the International

Vice President and GEB Member

Warren George for supplying sound

advice and moral support and to

retired International Vice President

Roger Burgess who did the early his-

torical research and helped edit much

of the book. Although too numerous

to name individually, we are deeply

grateful to the many people both

within and without the ATU who

answered our questions and supplied

us with documentation and information.

Black History Month at Heywood

The annual Black History Month celebration and potluck at Heywood Garage

on February 21 was a huge success. Several performers who moonlight as

transit employees entertained and enlightened with song, spoken word and

selections of art.

Charles Pierro, FTH #7762, reigned as master of ceremonies and Manager Jeff

Wostrel welcomed visitors to the garage. Special guest speaker Mahmond El-

Kati of Macalester College inspired the crowd with his stirring analysis of his-

tory and what remains to be done. Visitors included retirees, family and

friends, and employees from other facilities.

Kudos to the organizers and all the wonderful people who gave their time and

resources to make this event so special.

THE

AMALGAMATED

TRANSIT UNIONOUR STORY�OUR HISTORY

By Scott Lindquist

Education

Comittee

RO N LLOYD

ATU 1005

VICE PRESIDENT

ADVISOR

CHAIR

SHEILA M ILLER

HE Y W O O D O FFICE

VICE CHAIR

DEL HOPPE

SNELLING

RECORDER

STEVE BABCOCK

AT LARGE

JUAN PARKER

HE Y W O O D

SCOTT LINDQUIST

RUTER

NO N A W O O D

RUTER

TO M CAMPBELL

O VERHAUL BASE

ABRAM ISAACS

SNELLING

Education

Committee

MICHELLE SOMMERS

ATU 1005

VICE PRESIDENT

ADVISOR

CHAIR

SHEILA MILLER

HEYWOOD OFFICE

VICE CHAIR

DEL HOPPE

EAST METRO

RECORDER

STEVE BABCOCK

NICOLLET

DAN BODEN

EAST METRO

LIZ GOLDBERG

HEYWOOD

SCOTT LINDQUIST

RUTER

NONA WOOD

RUTER

TOM CAMPBELL

OVERHAUL BASE

LINDA KAUP

SOUTH

Page 3

History of the ATU

From the book – A History of the

Amalgamated Transit Union 1892-

1992; Written by the ATU Staff;

Published by ATU; 5025 Wisconsin

Avenue NW, Washington DC 20016-

4139; Library of Congress No. 92-

72715

The following are the Foreward and

Acknowledgments sections of the

book, which has been used as fodder

for this column. We wish to give

credit where credit is due.

FOREWORD

Shortly after the founding convention

of the Amalgamated, William D.

Mahon, a great leader of the

Amalgamated for over five decades,

said, “We find ourselves together

from the natural adhesive force of

affinity of common interest.” No less

today than in 1892, the common

interest of working men and women,

our members, binds us together in the

ATU.

Many of the battles we are fighting

today are similar to those our mem-

bers fought, and sometimes died for,

50, 75 and 100 years ago. The health

benefits, wage rates, retirement pro-

tection and the amount of free time

we have to spend with our families

and friends all have their roots in the

sacrifices and foresight of the leaders

and members who came before us.

They fought and won for us safer

equipment, shorter workdays and

workweeks and the contractual rights

to resolve disputes through arbitra-

tion. They secured for us in the halls

of the legislatures and parliaments the

great social and worker legislation of

the twentieth century. They provided

us with dignity in our work places

and security in our homes. To the wis-

dom of these men and women who

came before us we owe the funeral

and disability benefit fund and the

defense fund.

The struggles and achievements

chronicled in this history make us

proud to be a part of this great legacy.

Each of our past presidents, William

D. Mahon, Abraham L. Sprading,

John M. Elliott, Daniel V. Maroney

and John W. Rowland, have per-

formed the duties of their office well.

They have contributed much to the

growth of the ATU and to the

increased living standards and well

being of out members. But these great

leaders did not stand alone. Our histo-

ry has many heroes and heroines—

rank and file members and local

union officers who took significant

risks and dedicated their lives to the

cause of the ATU.

Today we face different but equally

compelling challenges. It is the spirit

of these leaders and members that

must be sustained within all of us if

we are to continue to progress toward

a better world for ourselves and our

children.

This history is written for the mem-

bers; the ATU would not survive

without their contributions.

Thousands of men and women have

April

Calendar21

Education

Committee

22

Executive

Board

22

Union Meeting

Minneapolis

Local 1005

Officers

President/Business

Agent

Ron Lloyd

Vice-President

Michelle

Sommers

Recording Secretary &

Asst. Business Agent

Kellie Miller

Financial Secretary

Treasurer

Jerry Ewald

Union Office

Phone

612.379-2914

office@atu1005

TH E

PRESIDENT�S

CORNER

ATU Local 1005

President–Business Agent

Ron Lloyd

Page 2

Rumors! What’s true and what

isn’t? You’ve asked us, and

the officers want to know that

very same thing!!

On February 24, 2003, I called Mike

Setzer’s office and asked for some

hard numbers, both in terms of time-

lines and the number of people

involved in any projected layoffs. I

didn’t get any numbers from that con-

versation, but we did set up a meeting

for 10:00 AM on Friday, February 28,

2003. Present at the meeting were

Mike Setzer, Vince Pellegrin, Julie

Johanson and Ed Petrie for Metro

Transit and Michelle Sommers, Kellie

Miller and myself representing the

Local 1005.

The total dollar amount that needs to

be trimmed from the 2004-2005

budget is not cast in stone at this

point. On February 18, Governor

Pawlenty announced that 18.8 million

dollars would be cut from the transit

budget. The House has pretty much

the same amount and the Senate has

something else. The bottom line is

this: Until the Legislature has

adjourned on May 19, we won’t know

the exact dollar amount.

In response to the budget reduction,

Setzer has requested information from

all of his department heads on where

and what they may be able to cut.

Setzer says that nothing is sacred,

they will be looking at every possibil-

ity. At this time, it looks like there

will be no significant change or cuts

for the June Pick. Some minor

adjustments were made for March;

additional service adjustments will be

made for June. The Metropolitan

Council is required to hold public

hearings before significant service

reductions or a fare increase may take

place; these hearings have been

scheduled for the next two months.

In the Maintenance Dept., as of

Friday, February 28, there were twen-

ty-one empty positions that they don’t

intend to fill in the near future. There

is no hiring at all in the agency. Any

substantial lay-off will most likely

come with the September driver pick,

at the earliest, but it won’t be limited

to operators. Lay-off numbers will be

driven by what comes out of the

Legislature in May.

The best advice we can give at

this time is don’t panic or overre-

act to rumors. As soon as the

union office has definite numbers,

we will share them with you. Our

best hope is that attrition by

retirement will be enough to min-

imize the agency’s need to lay-off

in the face of the budget reduction.

The 1005

LineThe People who know where they’re going

Ap

ril

2003

Mpls./

St.Paul

Continued on Page 8

BE PROACTIVE!

Local 1005 President Ron Lloyd recently spent a

week in Washington DC for a series of meetings

on TEA 21 (Transportation Equity Act for the

21st Century). He urges all 1005 members to

utilize the ATU’s website to learn more. The

website offers a suggested message to appropri-

ate legislators regarding this important legisla-

tion.

Go to the ATU’s website at www.atu.org and click

on “TAKE ACTION!” Select an issue and

choose a message to send to your senator and /

or congressperson. The following is a sample

message regarding TEA 21.

SUPPORT A STRONG

FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAM

Dear Senator or Congressperson:

As a transit worker, I write to urge you to support the

continued growth of the federal transit program as you

work to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for the

21st Century (TEA 21).