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ATU Local 1005 The Executive Board will meet on Thursday, August 19, to discuss and make a recommendation to the membership on whether to accept or reject Metro Transit's offer. page 14, 15 Editorials / Obits page 23 The news and information publication of We are now working under a day-to-day extension of the contract that expired July 31, 2010. Negotiations are scheduled for August 30th, 31st, and September 1st, 2nd. ATU1005 Picnic For The People Who Know Where They Are Going
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The 1005 LineThe 1005 LineThe news and information
publication of
ATU Local 1005 Prepared and
distributed by the Education
Committee
For The People Who Know Where They Are Going
August / September 2010
Contract Update
There will be a special membership meeting at 11:00 a.m. on
Sunday, August 22 in the South Ballroom at the Minneapolis
Convention Center. The purpose is to discuss and vote on a contract
offer. Voting will take place from adjournment of the meeting until 4:00
p.m. It is important that you attend this meeting.
Copies of the proposed offer will be
available two hours before the meeting at
the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Voting on the proposal will also take
place on Monday, August 23 at the union
office, 312 Central Ave., from 9:00 a.m.
untill 5:00 p.m. for members unable to
attend the meeting.
The Executive Board will meet on Thursday, August 19, to discuss and
make a recommendation to the membership on whether to accept or
reject Metro Transit's offer.
We are now working under a day-to-day extension of the contract that
expired July 31, 2010. Negotiations are scheduled for August 30th, 31st,
and September 1st, 2nd.
As of publication, we do know what is on the table from management
Their present offer does not include an increase in wages
It contains a freeze on the progression wages of new employees
It contains a substantial increase in the cost of healthcare to the employ-
ees
And it calls for a revision in the sick policy where you are not paid ever
for the first day out.
There are still several contract negoiation meetings planned after the
scheduled vote and one can only hope that the company will come to the
table with a better final offer.
Make every effort to attend this meeting so you have a clear under-
standing of the company’s offer and how it will affect you!
"The American labor movement
has consistently demonstrated its
devotion to the public interest. It
is, and has been, good for all
America. Those who would
destroy or further limit the rights
of organized labor--those who
cripple collective bargaining or
prevent organization of the unor-
ganized--do a disservice to the
cause of democracy."
John F. Kennedy
What’s Inside...
Officer’s Corner
page 2
Union Meeting Highlights
page 3
Transit Safety & Security
page 5
Radio Guidelines
page 8
Workers’ Comp. Guidlines
page 10
Retirements / Anniversaries
pages 16, 17, 18, 22
ATU 1005 Picnic
page 14, 15
Editorials / Obits
page 23
OFFICER’S
CORNER
Page 2
Dan Abramowicz
Financial
Secretary/Treasurer
LOCAL 1005
OFFICERS
President/Business
Agent
Michelle
Sommers
Vice-President
Dorothy Maki
Recording
Secretary/Ass’t.
Business Agent
Dan
Abramowicz
Financial
Secretary/Treasurer
Tommy
Bellfield
Union Office
312 Central Ave.
Suite 438
Mpls., MN 55414
612-379-2914
email:
website:
www.atu1005.com
CalendarEducation
Committee Meeting-
11:30 a.m.
August 17th,
Setember 21st
Membership
Meetings
August 24 - Mpls.
Sept. 21st - St. Paul
10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
CAN-AM Conference
The 16th Annual Can-Am Conference was held July 20 - 25, 2010 in
Niagara Falls, Ontario. President Michelle Sommers, Rec. Sec. Dan
Abramowicz, Executive Board Members Russ Dixon and Chuck Feucht
attended as delegates.
The conference started with an opening prayer from Brother Fred
Westbrook and an introduction by Andrea Horwath, Leader of the NDP
Party of Ontario. After Conference President John Costa made his open-
ing statement, the Highland Creek Bagpipe Band treated us all to a brief
concert.
Many members of the ATU General Executive Board were present for
this conference, including newly appointed International Executive
President Ron Heintzman, who gave a short speech.
Labor attorney Ian Fellows gave a presentation on the possible bene-
fits and concerns about re-opening collective bargaining agreements.
Elliott Sclar and Dr. Elaine Bernard, both popular guest speakers at the
Can-Am, spoke about public/private partnerships in the transit industry.
The last scheduled speaker, Joshua Daitch, spoke about including real
estate investments to consider for unions overseeing their own pension
plans.
The information offered was appreciated and the surroundings were
picturesque. While many delegates took part in the golf tournament
which has become a regular part of the conference, other delegates
enjoyed a tour of the Niagara Falls area.
As an officer and a delegate, I would like to thank Local 1005 for
sending us and look forward to next year's conference which is planned
to be held in Florida.
Page 3
Union Meeting Highlights
Continued on Page 4
JulyArbitration Requests
A South operator requested arbitration after being discharged for
attendance/absenteeism. (We all know that "Records of Warning" can
take on a life of their own.) After an explanation in which the operator
appeared, a secret ballot was cast. This case will be going to arbitration.
A Heywood operator requested arbitration for discipline involving the
Cell Phone Policy. Management was looking at a bus video for some
other incident and came upon an eleven-minute cell phone conversation
involving the driver. The operator admitted to the cell phone use. There
was no paperwork to show why the video was pulled. The union feels
that it was a manager trolling for violations. The operator was issued a
final record of warning and a twenty-day suspension. After an explana-
tion in which the operator appeared, a secret ballot was cast. This case
will go to arbitration.
A Nicollet operator requested arbitration after being discharged for
gross misconduct, fraudulent collecting of workers' compensation while
working as a Personal Care Attendant for her mother. The company was
aware from day one of the second employment and it is documented on
forms. After an explanation in which the operator appeared, a secret bal-
lot was cast. This case will go to arbitration.
Arbitration for the TIC (Transit Information Center) was requested
after the implementation of a new procedure for customer service com-
plaints. It is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement.
Consultation prior to implementation did not take place with the union.
This policy grievance started with 3rd step. It takes away work from the
Customer Relations people and transfers that work to TIC. After an
explanation, a secret ballot was cast. This case will go to arbitration.
A Ruter operator requested arbitration for the failure of pay/compensa-
tion by the company. The operator had suffered an illness that was
severe enough to be initially held off of work for a DOT. Management
had said that she could not come back to work due to the nature of the
illness. They did not offer her restricted duty, which is the custom. Her
doctor had notified the company that the operator was okay to return to
work. After an explanation in which the operator appeared, a secret bal-
lot was cast. This case will go to arbitration.
A Heywood operator requested arbitration for discipline involving
cell phone use. The operator was in an accident involving the rear ending
of a Metro Transit police car. During the review of the videotape, man-
agement observed the operator on a cell phone prior to the accident,
although he was not on the phone at the time of the accident. The union
feels that these are two unrelated issues and that the cell phone use
should not be disciplined. After an explanation in which the operator
appeared, a secret ballot was cast. This case will go to arbitration.
An operator from Rochester Commuter Lines (RCL) is requesting
arbitration for discharge involving indecent behavior with a female cus-
Education
Committee
Advisor
Dorothy Maki
Chair
Melanie Benson
South
Liz Goldberg
Vice Chair
Heywood Office
Ilona LaDouceur
Rec. Secretary
Nicollet
Alec Johnson
Ryan Timlin
Twaya McIntosh
Debbi Sievers
Blayne Williams
Overhaul Base
Open
Ruter
Tim Robinson
East Metro
Philip Jarosz
Lisa Callahan
Heywood Garage
Faye Brown
Walter T. Curry, Jr.
LRT
Stephen Babcock
Layout
Carl Rice
725 Bldg.
Scott Lindquist
Editorial Board
Ken Dolney
Mark Lawson
Gary Bier
MJR
Tim Robinson #1617
Best wishes to retiring Ruter
drivers Joyce Murschel #814 (30
yrs.), Steven Satre #628 (26 yrs.)
and Clifton B. Hammock #17 (35
yrs.). Cliff will be highlighted in
the next union newsletter.
Cookouts that build cama-
raderie are a big part of what
Ruter's about. Mechanics have
cookouts for all shifts a few times
a month, and the mechanics mak-
ing this possible are: Kathy Holste
# 64089, Dennis Conley #5414,
Roger Fetterly #64109, Dale
Woodcock #5141, Eldon Klinner
#5542 and Fred Snelson #5449.
This month (August) the drivers
put together another cookout to
provide funds for Black History
Month (February). Thanks go to
Lillie Loving #6828, Margaret L.
Stephens #9066, Alemu C.
Foluke #63113 and Lorene Love
#838. The good food and all the
hard work in providing it is greatly
appreciated!
Recently, Dispatcher Gordon
Raveling was deployed to Iraq.
We all miss him, and look forward
to his safe return.
The Ruter Garage has played
an integral part in the deployment
of the newest Artics and the new
1200 series 40-ft. buses. Allen
Carlisle #5575's work on the Trax
system is especially notable.
TV FUND
MJR drivers wishing to con-
tinue with the satellite TV service
will need to donate money towards
it.
Page 4 Union Minutes Continued from page 3
tomer. It involves a hug goodbye. Each accuses the other of initiating the
hug.
Financial Secretary/Treasurer's Report
Members stood for a moment of silence for the following members who
have passed away since our last meeting:
Gary A. Dahlberg #500, retired member
Eugene Seifert, retired member
Bernard (Bucky) Bryan, retired former Mechanical Board Member .
President's Report
Cell Phone Policy is still a major issue. Please put them away. Do not
do anything with them while in the driver's seat. (Just look at this month's
arbitrations).
Contract Negotiations: We are finally discussing some money issues
such as a healthcare plan design change. There is no raise on the table, and
they have not taken the progression freeze off the table. The three-step
grievance program may be streamlined to a two-step process. The contract
will be extended on a day-to-day basis after it has expired. We might see
an offer from management around August 22nd. This is just speculation on
our part.
Because of the Hastus program, we might see an elimination of three
dispatcher positions. In October, there might be two additional dispatchers
sent back to driving. Management has failed to talk to the union about this.
New Business
A standing vote was taken on the motion to add the "ATU Hardship
Fund" to the company check-off list as one of the contribution options. It
passed. Fund will be available July 2011
Delegate Reports
CAN-AM Conference (See Officer’s Corner)
Get Out The Vote Rally on August 5th, 2010
DFL Headquarters on Plato in St. Paul
ATU Local 1005 member Teresa Qualy connects with
state leaders for the ATU..
All the primary candidates now support Mark
Dayton .
State Senator John Marty, advocate of
health care insurance reform/Single
Payer
Congressman Keith
Ellison, ATU and tran-
sit supporter, sends his
best wishes to ATU
1005.
Pictured is
Margaret Kelliher.
after her speech.
East Metro
Philip Jarosz, Dr. #65015
Lisa Callahan, Dr. #6716
Hope everyone who attended
the picnic had a great time. If you
have any ideas for next year,
please let someone at the union
office know. Suggestions are
always greatly appreciated.
Say hello to some new faces:
Stephen Butler, Part-time Driver
2448 from Heywood
Sharay Houston, Part-time Driver
70030 from Heywood
Brian Narkka, Part-time Driver
9817 from South
Stephen Law, Part-time Driver
70073 from South
Congratulations to new full-time
drivers:
Pao Moua, Driver 68318
Pam Hillman, Driver 69055
Dan Drysdale, Driver 68314 from
South
Congratulations and good luck to
all of you.
If anyone would like to add or put
anything into the East Metro col-
umn, please let us know:
Lisa Callahan, Driver 6716
Phil Jarosz, Driver 65015
Ken Dolney, Dispatcher/ Union
Rep.
Page 5
Disclaimer:
Due to format changes, these columns are not exact
replicas of TSSC minutes. The exact minutes are posted
after each meeting at the operating garages.
Transit Safety/Security
Committee (TSSC)
TRANSIT SAFETY/SECURITY COMMITTEE (TSSC)
MEETING MINUTES
July 1, 2010
Members of the Committee Present:
Stephen Leko, Committee Chair
Diane Rude, East Metro
Debra Downing, Acting Management Advisor
Derese Tafesse, South
Christina House, LRT
Darrell Hanson, Nicollet
Others in attendance:
Michael LaVine, Police
Russ Dixon, ATU
Michael McNamara, LRT
Brenda Himrich, Safety
Chuck Wurzinger, Maintenance
Emily Anleu, Acting Recording Secretary
Eric Isakson, TCC
CALL TO ORDER
Stephen Leko called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. in Chambers.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
June minutes were approved.
POLICE REPORT
Mike LaVine in attendance:
Driver Assaults: Arrests were made in three of the four cases mentioned
last month.
YTD nine driver assaults, all but two have been solved.
You will notice more police presence on LRT and buses.
June 18, twenty two officers were riding the 5 line. Some were riding
from Olson to BCTC and then the rest were riding from downtown to
the MOA.
6 more were riding buses in the Safe Zone downtown Minneapolis.
June 26th, there were eighteen in St. Paul on the 64 and the 16.
We have Officers riding every day but have 6 additional Officers riding
on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in the Safe Zone. We have
special Details scheduled July 6, 13, 14, 26, and 29th.
There was a shooting that happened near Lowry and Penn. Two shots
Commuter Rail Big
Lake
Tree, dead ahead
The Saturday, July 17th evening
train, which returned Twins fans
from Target Field to the various sta-
tions, encountered a fallen tree on
the tracks. The tree was a result of
the severe storms that went through
the area that evening. The train
returned without any injuries, but
there was significant damage to the
504 lead locomotive. Northstar
VMF staff repaired the locomotive
and it was back in service within
three days of the accident.
Increased interest and ridership
for Twins games resulted in joint
participation of BNSF Northstar
Rail Employees and Big Lake VMF
to make up eight-car trains for the
special events. Ridership continues
to increase, partly brought on by
summer vacationers, who are driv-
ing to Big Lake from the Brainerd
Lakes and Fergus Falls areas and
then riding the Northstar to Target
Field. (doesn’t hurt that the Twins
are winning!) As several people
have indicated, they are not sure
which they enjoy more, the game or
the train ride, but in either case it is
a win-win situation.
On-Board Cameras – Installation
ongoing. to be completed August
2010.
This information was provided
from the Northstar newsletter.
Thank You, Jody!
Page 6
were fired at a passenger on the bus.
Minneapolis has a shot spotter that will pick up gun shots and can
instantly put out a location for Minneapolis and Metro Transit police.
Investigators were able to use bus video to identify the suspects and all
three suspects were apprehended.
TCC REPORT
Eric Isakson in attendance:
Sharon Peterson was hired as a TCC supervisor.
Bus bridge last weekend in June. Everything ran smoothly. At any one
time there were 18 buses operating the bus bridge.
SAFETY REPORT
Brenda Himrich in attendance:
Top 10 Bus Accidents YTD
1. Heywood Garage
2. East Metro
3. MOA
4. Nicollet Garage
5. University/Fairview
6. Unknown
7. 5th/Minnesota
8. 6th St/Hennepin
9. 7th St / Nicollet
10. Franklin/Nicollet
RISK
No Report
LRT
Mike McNamara in attendance:
Bus bridge this weekend went well. All the work that needed to be done
on the LRT route was completed.
Two new supervisors: Eric Anderson and Dana Alexon
Mirrored glass behind the operators has been installed on all the vehicles.
Installed for safety of the operator, so people don't study how we operate
the train, and to help
deter graffiti.
The drink holder will not be moved. Please don't put drinks on the dash.
Some signals are hard to see because of the sun.
They are going to adjust the shroud or change the light to LED to help.
STREET OPERATIONS
Debra Downing in attendance:
There is a lot of construction and events that result in multiple detours.
Operators need to remember to print paddles and be familiar with
detours.
Due to large numbers of detours (or detours on detours), please call TCC
if there is confusion.
We would like the LRT (and Northstar) operators to make an announce-
ment asking people to use the
crosswalk at Target Field.
5th St. Garage issues were discussed.
Stephen: Can operators volunteer to help direct pedestrians in the
Light Rail
Facility
Stephen Babcock
Carl Rice
We would like to welcome to
Rail Thomas Myers #9039 and
Patrick Long #68040, both from
Nicollet. They started training
August 7, 2010.
We would like to also say
goodbye to the following opera-
tors: Stan Pfeil #7661 to South
and Jack Souter #9620 to East
Metro.
The new pick will start on
September 11, 2010. We have a
new call time added to the
September Pick - 7:00 a.m.
A reminder to our fellow bus
operators: Please remember that if
a gate comes down on your bus,
you must call it in to TCC. As
train operators, we must call it in
to RCC every time.
Construction schedule for the
Central Corridor: September 2010
- December 2010, Washington
Avenue Bridge foundation work
for more details:centralcorridor.org
Three major events: September 2,
2010, Minnesota Vikings pre-sea-
son game at Metrodome, 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota Twins at Target Field,
7:10 p.m. Minnesota State Fair
Siemens was found to provide
the strongest technical proposal
along with proposing the lowest
cost for the new rail cars. The
panel unanimously recommended
Siemens for production and deliv-
ery of 41 low floor light rail vehi-
cles.
Page 7
garages?
Brenda: Let's see if we can get a station ambassador to meet that need.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
Chuck Wurzinger in attendance:
Lowering streetside mirrors on 40-foot buses that came in 2008. That
should be done soon.
29 New Flyer buses will be parked at MJR.
They can't be used right now because of some rules about how long we
have to keep the old buses
and we need to get the communication equipment on them as well.
New 40' buses from Gillig will arrive at the rate of 5 per week until
September. These will replace the 400 series buses and any remaining
300 series buses.
920 about a week ½ ago had stiff steering. There was a bus change
scheduled at BCTC, bus didn't make it and blew hydraulic oil all over
Lyndale Ave. We are going to work with TCC to solidify the procedure
about sending a bus change when there are issues with steering or brakes. .
Stephen: Are driver's seats cleaned?
Chuck: Yes, there is procedure. I will follow up on that
Diane: Can we change the seat in 561? The seat won't go down as low as
some of the other seats.
Chuck will check into it. .
Russ: What happened to bus 459 that rear ended a semi?
Chuck: It's at FTH.
This accident was discussed.
Darrell: Passenger put a very small bike on the rack and the spring
loaded arm wasn't able to hold it on the rack.
Chuck: Will discuss this issue with the rack manufacturer.
OTHER
Smith St. Garage issues were discussed
Signage was installed.
Russ: During days of Twins games there is security guard in the upper
lot, but there isn't one in the lower lot so the public is parking there. .
BCTC
If you unlock one door then the other door unlocks as well.
The lighting is much better.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Anleu, Recording Secretary
CRYPTOEach letter stands for another. If you think X=O, for example, it would
equal O throughout the puzzle. Clue: Z=H (Answer on page 8 )
Submitted by Pat Kelehan, Facilities Tech. #5470
Z A Y B X A C W B 2% D B V F T B G S B 40%
V G H D T B F T V G Z T B Q W Z V G F C D B G H T A K
T D
3 N T B D F? V W Z V G M V'L F V H M!
Nicollet
Melanie Benson #854
Twaya McIntosh #9002
Debbi Sievers #64222
Alec Johnson #66034
Ryan Timlin #66279
Blayne Williams #77
Rummage Sale
The Nicollet Garage
Rummage Sale was held Saturday,
August 7, in the parking lot across
Nicollet Avenue. Items donated
by countless numbers of people
were displayed from 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. Some were on tables
loaned by the church across the
street.
Dozens of volunteers helped to
sort, set out and sell clothes,
strollers, household goods, elec-
tronic items, books, shoes and
other things too numerous to men-
tion.
Approximately $1,100 were
raised. The maintenance depart-
ment gets $400 of that amount,
and the rest will go to help pay for
cable TV in the drivers’ room,
which is $89 per month. All of the
volunteers and donors deserve a
lot of credit for the hard work they
put in to make this event a suc-
cess. More volunteers next year
are welcome.
Transit History Tour
Nicollet Garage was one of the
stops on the Minnesota
Transportation Museum’s Transit
History Tour August 7. Blayne
Williams from the Maintenance
Department drove the old-style
bus through the garage.
See article in this issue for
more information.
Page 8
Radio Guidelinesby Deb Sievers
(Info from Chad in TCC)
IMPORTANT: An Operator is required to call the TCC immediately to
report all accidents, injuries, or security incidents.
Before sending a call, identify the type of call you need to make. Use
the guidelines listed below. The response you receive from TCC will
depend on the type of call you send. The information you give is critical
for safety, security, and service delivery.
ROUTINE REQUEST TO TALK (RTT): Use for situations that do not
need an immediate response.
For example: Minor mechanical problem, bus update, farebox prob-
lem or question, customer information. Routine calls may take 5 minutes
or more.
PRIORITY REQUEST TO TALK (PRTT): Use for situations that
need a quick response.
For example: Accident with no/minor injury, serious mechanical prob-
lem, security-related incident in or around the bus.
EMERGENCY REQUEST TO TALK (ERTT) (OVERT): Use for
emergencies that require an urgent response.
For example: Accident with serious injuries, serious illness/injury to
you or passenger or citizen, fight in progress, serious security incident in
or around the bus.
COVERT (SILENT) ALARM: Use for an emergency requiring an
urgent response when you feel that talking on the radio could escalate the
situation.
Send call by pressing the button on the side panel beside your left
knee. Pressing this button activates a hidden microphone that allows TCC
to listen to the activities on the bus. Police will be dispatched to your
location, but without any incident information. When you are able to do
so, downgrade your call (to PRTT or ERTT) and give additional informa-
tion, e.g., person is physically threatening you or person has a weapon.
I got this info from TCC. I hope this will help. One thing that is not in
the info is that if your MDT does not boot up and you cannot log on,
your alarms do not work.
Also, please stay off of your cell phones and make sure they are
turned completely off and stowed. They will be watching and you could
end up with a whole month off. I could not afford this and I do not know
anyone who can.
AnswerTo CRYPTO:
HOWABOUTA2% RAISE AND A40% INCREASE
IN HEALTH
INSURANCE OVER 3 YEARS? I THINK I'M SICK!
South
Liz Goldberg #1630
Exciting July elections for
Safety/Security Committee Rep
among four most worthy candi-
dates resulted in a run-off election,
with Lisa Benson Op #9143 as
South's new TSSC Rep. Congrats
and good luck, Lisa!
South looks forward to visit-
ing Instructor Jerry Larsen #9763,
here for twelve weeks beginning
in September for OJE (On the Job
Experience) for the ATM On the
Ladder Program. He's a charming
guy with a unique accent and a full
repertoire of jokes. South wel-
comes Mr. Personality!
Dispatch is in the News
With the October Dispatch
Pick, a reduction of three FT dis-
patchers will affect South, Nicollet
and Heywood (one from each
garage determined by seniority).
Frank Collins is currently working,
but recovering from surgery.
Kim Fleming is out and recovering
from surgery. A speedy recovery is
wished for both members. Kim,
get well soon. We miss your posi-
tive attitude and lovely presence!
Ten New 40 ft Low-floors Coming
With minor upgrades, ten new
Gilligs- series 1221-1230 are cur-
rently on
the way to South.
December Pick
South will operate limited-stop
DT route 135# and South will
begin operations through the 46
On-Line Station with routes 535,
576,579 and 597. South will be the
only garage involved in routes that
operate through this new
innovative station.
Page 9
Shades of the Past
1976
Buses were RED.
Bus stop signs were RED with WHITE circle T's.
Drivers' uniforms were ARMY GREEN with MINT GREEN shirts that
had an ORANGE patch with a WHITE CIRCLE T on the sleeve. Plastic
badges that slipped over the shirt pocket were ORANGE and WHITE.
Paddleboards (scheduled pieces of work covered with acrylic) were in an
ORANGE frame.
Drivers' courtesy card kits were ORANGE and WHITE.
Trip sheets, where a driver had to write down every trip's statistics, were
YELLOW.
Punches used for defect slips, punching riders' tickets, and punching
transfers were SILVER/GREY. They were used all day, every day.
Transfers, made out of newsprint and coming in long, narrow tablets were
OFF-WHITE with GRAY, BLUE and RED printing. Drivers punched out
the route number and the direction, then punched the transfers received
on the line.
Schedules, kept in a rack on the inside of the farebox, were MAROON
and WHITE.
Salazar, Johnson Appointed International VPs
Yvette SalazarYvette Salazar was just 15 when her grandfather started telling her
that she "really should get a good union job with good union benefits."
She says she really didn't understand why getting a union job was so
important, but when it came time for her to start earning a living she got
a job as an RTD operator and joined Local 1001-Denver, CO.
Sister Salazar became a shop steward for the local in 1998, and an
executive board member in 1999. Her enthusiasm for the work made her
a natural for these jobs. Her co-workers encouraged her to run for record-
ing secretary.
Salazar was elected recording secretary and three years later ran
unopposed for local president - the first time that had happened in the
local's history.
During her time as local president Salazar took the local out on strike
over a contract offer that would have effectively given her members a
wage decrease - and the local won! In fact, the new contract gave her
members the largest wage increase in the local's history.
In 2007, Salazar was appointed international representative, and she
has just been appointed international vice president to serve the
Continued on page 11
Heywood
Ilona La Douceur #66048
Faye Brown # 6331
Walter T. Curry, Jr. #3815
TIC Rep. Kelly Craven #2005
has moved to the Big Lake
Northstar Station, taking the posi-
tion of Cleaner 1, a shorter com-
mute for her from Monticello.
TIC has posted job openings
for three TIC reps. The closing
date for applicants is August 16.
New hires will hopefully begin
their training in October.
TRAINING: Drivers, let's
remember that the Marquette and
2nd Ave. express lanes were creat-
ed to help with congestion, effi-
ciency and safety. If you have any
concerns or questions, please con-
tact your training department.
There are other bus lines travelling
these two streets, so let's make
sure we are doing our best.
Three part-timers come in to
service August 16, and 28 part-
timers go full-time system-wide on
October 28.
SAFETY: Thanks to the drivers
and extra safety personnel for
staying safe while construction
was completed at the bay doors.
Remember, as always, to have
your foot ready to STOP, eyes
LOOKING and ears LISTENING.
Let's keep it a safe workplace.
MAINTENANCE: Check your
garage bulletin board for monthly
maintenance reports. New buses
are coming in every week and are
being fitted to Metro's specifica-
tions.
A Recognition Picnic Lunch
was held for the mechanics July
22 to congratulate them on keep-
ing our buses running. GOOD
JOB!
Page 10 Workers’ Compensation
At the May membership meetings, two attorneys appeared to discuss
issues relating to workers' compensation. They prefaced their remarks by
acknowledging the importance of unions, and why they matter:
"Unions are worth fighting for. Unions still represent one of the best
hopes for middle class working people on issues like worker safety, pro-
tecting workers against unjust firings, as well as securing better pay, ben-
efits and working conditions for their members. Historically, unions have
done much in America to bring workers together across divides of race,
gender, religion and social class."
They then presented their remarks on workers' comp:
In case of an on-the-job injury:
1. Report your injury in writing to your supervisor, keep a copy, and
send a copy to your union steward. Insurers are looking for a reason to
deny your claim. Don't give them one by not promptly reporting. Be
specific, but brief. You need to report an injury, not just symptoms while
at work.
2. Go to your own medical doctor as soon as possible after the injury --
don't wait to get treatment. Going to your own doctor provides you with
the proper treatment you need. Document your injury history. Make
sure you clearly describe the work injury to your doctor. Example: "I
was struck by a tree branch in the right shoulder while clearing a downed
power line." Make sure your doctor accurately records any and all
injuries you suffered.
3. During your time off work you may be under surveillance by pro-
fessional investigators, so don't ever exceed your medical restrictions.
The insurance company may be taking videos to damage your credibility.
Don't do anything outside your home that would compromise your case.
4. At the end of your healing period, make sure your medical doctor
examines you and makes a final permanent disability rating. Only by
having such a rating will you guarantee that future medical benefits to the
same body parts are covered.
5. Make sure that you talk to an attorney as soon as possible about
potential third-party rights on any serious injury to you or your family
that occurred on or off the job. You may have compensation coming
over and above worker's compensation if your job injury is caused by
negligence of a third party, such as a careless driver running a stop sign
and hitting your company vehicle or a defective tool that breaks and
causes your injury.
6. For serious lost time injuries, select your own QRC, not a company-
appointed disability case manager. You are entitled to choose a trained
professional to help you return to your old job with light duty accommo-
dations or even get retrained at the insurance company's expense. If you
let the insurance company choose, you risk getting a QRC who probably
thinks a minimum-wage job with no retraining is a great result. If you
are seriously injured, call immediately so a fair QRC can be selected.
We thank these attorneys for coming before the May union member-
Page 11
ship meeting and giving a presentation on workers' compensation rights.
This was not a full description of the workers' compensation system.
For a more extensive free booklet or free consultation on your situation,
please contact Joseph Herbulock (Workers' Compensation Law) or Todd
Gadtke (Personal Injury Law and Lemon Law Litigation) at 763-315-
4548. These attorneys have worked with union members for over 33
years.
Salazar, Johnson Appointed International VPs Continued from page 9
remainder of the term vacated by the retirement of International Vice
President Don Hansen.
The new IVP appreciates what the labor movement, and in particular the
ATU, can do for people. Not surprisingly, today she finds herself telling her
children, "You know, you really should get a good union job with good
union benefits."
Gary JohnsonGary Johnson, Sr. has been an active ATU member for 25 years.
Because Johnson loves to talk a lot the executive board member of the
Hayden District of Local 268-Cleveland, OH, appointed Johnson to be his
steward in 1994.
In 1997, Brother Johnson was elected to the local's executive board as
an operational representative from Cleveland's Hayden District. And in
2000, he was elected assistant business agent for operations.
In 2003, Johnson was elected president of the local and served two
terms in that capacity until 2008. In 2008, the local president was appointed
international representative, and this year International President Ron
Heintzman appointed Johnson international vice president to fill the vacan-
cy created by International President Warren George upon his retirement.
As an international representative, Johnson provided valuable assistance to many of our local unions and has
been an effective negotiator across the table from private companies and public sector employers alike. He just
recently finished aiding in the stewardship of Local 282-Rochester, NY. Before that Johnson assisted in the suc-
cessful campaign to turn back the Teamster raid of Local 241-Chicago, IL.
Internal organizing is one goal that Johnson has in his new job. He wants to "make sure members understand
what the ATU is all about and what we stand for."
The new IVP says that being a member of the ATU has meant a lot to him and his family. "None of us would
be where we are today without the International Union," he says, adding that, "This didn't happen overnight. We
benefit from over 100 years of work of ATU members who came before us."
Rochester City
LinesYour name here
RCL’s contract is up at the
end of this year. A negoiating
committee has been formed, but
no dates have been set with the
company.
The Company brought back
a driver who won through an
arbitration. He has been off
since April 1st, 2009. He
recieved partial back-pay from
April 1st to May 22nd. There is
a possibility of additional back-
pay if certain conditions are
met.
An operator from Rochester
Commuter Lines (RCL) is
requesting arbitration for dis-
charge involving indecent
behavior with a female cus-
tomer. It involves a hug good-
bye. Each accuses the other of
initiating the hug.
Larry Hanson #9245 Retires
Larry retired at MJR on June 3rd with 18 years of service. He received a jack-
et from Dorothy Maki. Many co-workers and friends came to say goodbye. Larry
started at Metro Transit on April 13, 1992. Prior to Metro Transit, he was in the
liquor industry.
Left to right: Craig Oliver, Leeann Broten, Dennis
Hill, Dave Tuveson - Fellow employees enjoy retire-
ment cake with Larry. Good Luck, Larry!
Page 12
THE 2010 STATE BUS ROADEO IN ALEXANDRIA, MNby Deb Sievers
A group of us left for Alexandria on Thursday, July 15, for a weekend of
having fun and cheering on our co-workers as they competed in the State
Bus Roadeo on Saturday, July 17 for the titles of the best transit drivers in
the state.
Bernie Martinez, Theresa Collins, Jeanne O'Neill and I met up with Bo
Bondy #321(retired) at a place called Bug-a-boo Bay. What great food! If
you ever get to Alexandria, check it out. We started out on the patio. As the
clouds started rolling overhead, they got darker. Our waiter, Sam (a cute
blond 20-year-old who had the ladies drooling) came out to inform us that
we should move inside, which we did. The next thing we knew, we were
asked to move away from the windows. Then we got moved into a small
room where the pop syrup and the electrical boxes were stored. There was a
report of a tornado that had touched down at the Interstate, so the police
called to let the restaurant know they needed to evacuate. We drove back to
the hotel. Fun first night!
On Friday we got dressed, had breakfast and went to
town. Of course we had to go see Big Ole, the large
Viking statue at the end of town. We also visited the
Runestone Museum. The story behind this is that there
was a Minnesota farmer who dug up a stone with writ-
ing on it. It basically indicates that the Vikings were the
first to find North America, not Columbus. That is
something that you need to see and decide for yourself.
I, being Scandinavian, believe it's true.
After that, we hit the amusement park and played on
the bumper boats, then went to drive the go-karts. What
a blast! Then it was on to putt-putt golf, 18 holes of
good times, many laughs and numerous do-overs. The girls each got a hole in one, but I got two....he-he! Sorry
girls...better luck next time.
We met up with some people we have had fun with at past roadeos. It was a great day and great night even
though it rained that night as well.
Saturday was the roadeo. We had our banner up and
wore our shirts that said "BAD GURLZ OF METRO
TRANSIT!" Everyone loved them. Our participants
were Darrel Hanson, Nicollet driver/relief instructor
who went fifth. His daughter, Gigi, was there to cheer
him on. Marshall Freeman, East Metro driver/peer sup-
port, went second. His wife and three very handsome
boys were there to cheer him on.
After the long bus competition, we all piled on buses
to go over to watch a bus being torched. It was fully
engulfed within 3-5 minutes. What an eye-opener. Let's
hope this never happens to any of us. Okay, it would be
The heckler girls: Deb Sievers
64222, Bernie Martinez 5989,
Theresa Collins 1378, Jeanne
O'Neill 2116.
The whole Metro Transit crew...dressing in our fun
stuff.
Page 13
unusual for the hecklers not to do something funny...We brought marshmal-
lows to roast. The fire chief brought out the propane torch so we could get
our marshmallows roasted. (There are pictures on our Facebook page, under
"Heckler's Row"). The day was absolutely beautiful. Great times!
That night we went to the banquet, where we
enjoyed great food, wonderful people and the best
news of all:
Marshall won first place. We finally beat St.
Cloud...Great Job, Marshall!!!
Now we are getting ready to plan for next
year. We are going to need more cheerleaders
because the 2011
State Roadeo will be
in St. Cloud. So if
you are interested,
you can either con-
tact me at 612-695-
0238 (or my e-mail address Gabbespal@hot-
mail.com) or on our Facebook page, Heckler's
Row. The roadeo next year will be July 22-
24, 2011.
Darrell Hanson and Marshall
Freeman having fun after they ran
the course...very lovely, guys!!!
Marshall Freeman,
State Roadeo Champion
for 2010!!! Way to go,
Marshall.
Here are all of the roadeo champs. On left are the winners in the
large bus category, with Marshall taking Number 1, of course.
Page 14
ATU 1005 ANNUAL PICNICSunday, August 15th, a beautiful and breezy day, was perfect for the annual picnic. Members with their fam-
ily and friends (more children than ever) enjoyed good food, entertinment, and lots of great prizes!
A huge thank you goes out to all the people who helped planned, organize and pull
off this enjoyable event. Good work everyone!
Page 15
Page 16
RetirementsCongratulations to June Retirees
06/01/10 Douglas Bailey, OHB Mech. Tech. 5140
06/02/10 Joyce Murschel, MJR Bus Op. 814
06/02/10 Michael Cope, MJR Mech. Tech. 1520
06/05/10 Larry Hansen, MJR Mech. Tech. 9245
06/11/10 Larry Clark, EM Bus Op. 6357
06/12/10 Thomas Smith, FTH Bus Op. 2431
06/18/10 David Hanson, OHB Mech. Tech. 3269
Congratulations to July Retirees
07/09/10 John Vargason, Nic. Skilled Helper 5427
07/10/10 Teng Her, EM Op. 64172
07/01/10 Robert Rubbelke, OHB Mech. Tech. 1568
07/02/10 Keith Dilling, FTH Op. 801
07/02/10 George Hogetvedt, FTH Op. 425
07/02/10 Keith Dilling, Instructor 801
07/02/10 Thomas Hillyer, OHB Mech. Tech. 5279
07/06/10 Rodney Pederson, EM Gar. Op. 1114
07/06/10 Eric Stigen, OHB Mech. Tech. 5250
07/07/10 Steven Satre, MJR Op. 628
07/08/10 Thomas Jellings, Rev. Elect.Tech. 6321
07/10/10 Clifton Hammock, MJR Op. 17
07/24/10 Robert Lorentz, OHB, Mech. Tech. 5124
07/31/10 Mark Williams, OHB, Transmission
Overhaul Spec. 5202
Congratulations to Employees Celebrating
Anniversaries
September
Five years
09/24/05 Michael Alexander, 65139
09/19/05 Senaida Casarez, 65118
09/10/05 Steven Duncan, 65115
09/10/05 John Edwards, 65116
09/19/05 Thomas, Frazier, 65120
09/19/05 Deona, Griffo, 65125
09/19/05 Kenneth Gross, 65121
09/19/05 Joseph, Martin, 65124
09/24/05 Legesse Urgessa, 65140
Ten years
09/09/00 James Hansen, 2125
09/09/00 Richard James, 2122
09/07/00 Jean O'Neill, 2116
09/09/00 Daniel Tedford, 2129
09/09/00 Carol Thompson, 2123
09/07/00 Jerome Vietor, 7028
09/09/00 Kevin Whelan, 2127
09/09/00 Amy Yotter, 2126
Fifteen years
09/05/95 William Carlstrom, 9509
09/16/95 Daniel Till, 9513
Twenty-five years
09/23/85 John Czyscon, 619
09/23/85 Margaret Decker, 544
09/23/85 Helga Fabianski, 540
09/23/85 John Gomez, 632
09/09/85 Thomas O'Brien, 5450
09/23/85 Marion Swentik, 562
Thirty years
09/02/80 Timothy Bluml, 3130
09/02/80 Charles Feucht, 5355
Thirty-five years
09/02/75 David Jungwirth, 2840
OctoberFive years
10/29/05 Chantal Boyongo, 65175
10/17/05 Phillip Forseth, 65164
10/03/05 Hassan Johnson, 65151
10/17/05 James Johnson, 65159
10/03/05 Wa Seng Lee, 65148
10/29/05 Gregory McClellan, 65176
08/22/05 Annie McCraney, 65110
10/17/05 James Shannon, 65162
10/03/05 Addis Teklie, 65146
10/03/05 Robert Tompkins, 65142
10/17/05 Allan Waldon, 65160
10/03/05 Richard Welton, 65149
10/17/05 Yee Xiong, 65163
Ten years
10/07/00 Anthony Fitzgerald, 2141
10/05/00 Daisy Frantz, 2133
10/07/00 Paul Johnson, 2137
10/14/00 Maurice Thornton, 2143
10/07/00 Sarah Ulness, 2134
Fifteen years
10/02/95 Christopher Sagerer, 3523
10/02/95 Lisle Vickerman, 3525
Twenty years
10/08/90 Roger Heil, 3438
Department Of Labor Election Challenge DecisionUnited States District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson has ordered that the election challenge filled by the
Department of Labor against the ATU
Local 1005 for the 2008 election of offi-
cers and Board members be DIS-
MISSED. The judgement was entered
August 11, 2010
Hardship Fund/Charitable GivingThe ATU membership voted to add this option to the company’s
Charitable Giving Campaign 2010! Look for it labeled 'Working
Partnerships/United Way'.
Page 17
Retired Members’ Clubs
Northside Breakfast Club
Meets 8:30 a.m. the 2nd Tuesday
of each month at Barnacle Bill’s,
Shingle Creek Parkway and
Freeway Blvd, Brooklyn Center.
Southside Breakfast Club
Meets 8:00 a.m. the 1st
Wednesday and the 4th Thursday
of each month at the VFW Post,
67th Street & Lyndale Ave in
Richfield.
St. Paul Retiree Lunch Club
Meets 12:00 p.m. the 2nd
Wednesday of the month at
Mattie’s (formerly Wells Lanes )
So. Concord St., South St. Paul.
Metro Transit Mechanic
Teammate
Meets at 12:00 p.m. the 3rd
Tuesday of the month at Old
Country Buffet (by Petco), 2000
South Robert St., West St. Paul.
ATU Members
Donating
Working
Partnerships
Working with
United Way
ATU 1005
Members are
helped in their
time of need
There will be additional pamphlets
at all facilities this fall with details
of what the money will do for ATU
1005 members.
This would be part of the Charitable
Giving Campaign 2010.
Working Partnerships would admin-
ister the hardship fund. They are
located in our building on the 5th
floor.
This fund is designed to help
members pay a vendor up to $300.00
under the following circumstances:
When a spouse or child has died;
when a medical condition occurs;
where the member cannot work;
when a catastrophic event takes place
(fire, flood, tornado, etc.); when a
fired member is voted to arbitration.
Twenty-five years
10/21/85 Glory Gloudemans, 822
10/21/85 Diane Kelleher, 844
10/07/85 Ronald Maddox, 694
10/07/85 Dale Patrin, 715
10/21/85 Douglas Sandvos, 823
10/21/85 Cornelious Sykes, 847
Thirty years
10/30/80 Darrell Krepsky, 5373
10/06/80 Thomas Logan, 1468
10/15/80 Jody Theisen, 3233
Thirty-five years
10/09/75 Douglas Bailey, 5140
10/27/75 James Chamberlin, 5185
10/20/75 Lois Johnson, 3174
10/20/75 Bobby Logan, 769
10/20/75 John Mattson, 1563
Forty years
10/21/70 William Crowder, 1454
Page 18
Rodney Pederson, Driver 1114, Retiredby Lisa Callahan
Rodney retired on July 6, 2010, and I want to share some
very wonderful things about him. He was a great person to all
his fellow employees and to all his passengers. He was quiet,
yet respectful.
Did you know that Rodney won the Elite Driver Award
after 20 years and the Outstanding Driver Award 23 times?
He had 29 Years of Safe Driving and he received many, many
commendations in his 31-year career here at Metro Transit,
all of it in Saint Paul.
When Rodney retired, he asked Steve Jaeger and anyone else who had to know not to let the word out. I
came in on the morning of July 6th to a couple of tables filled with doughnuts and rolls that Rodney had pur-
chased. He asked that the cake money be donated to the drivers’ fund. There he was, standing there in street
clothes, with his wife by his side. We were all so surprised that he was announcing to colleagues that he had
retired. So, from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., many fellow employees wished him well.
Rodney, I know you're busy working on your farm now, but I was told you would receive a copy of this in
the mail. I sure hope you and your family are doing well. I really wish you the best of luck. Thanks for showing
me and the rest of your fellow colleagues that there are remarkable people out here. Oh - and don't work too
hard on the farm. Thanks again - Drivers from East Metro.
Can you believe it’s STATE FAIR time again!?
This year Metro Transit will provide express service from six sites around the Twin Cities every 15 minutes
and four express services every half hour, with private providers doing the rest of the express service. The free
Park & Ride service will once again be operated by private providers, as required by federal law. Buses on all
State Fair routes will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to midnight.
Remember the good old days when we did all the work for the State Fair?
If you are going to the State Fair, don't forget to buy your admission tickets and the food booklets at Cub
Foods.
Tom Smith, Heywood Dr. #2431 Retires
Tom started on November 5th, 2001. He grew up as a kid in
Northeast Minneapolis, Prior to Metro Transit, he worked as a
salesman for a bulk
oil company. After
he retired from there,
he came to Metro
Transit. He and his
wife (shown in pic-
ture) renovated a
cabin up on Farm
Lake just north of
Lake Mille Lacs.
Tommy Bellfield presents Tom with a
union jacket.
Page 19
My name is Tim Robinson. I am the newest member of the Education Committee
representing the Ruter Garage. I am very appreciative of all the union has done for
me during my 26 years at Metro Transit.
Metro Transit has changed since 1984, the year I was hired, but the needs of the
workers have remained much the same. By being part of a union, we are assured that
we will have an advocate in our disputes with management; we are able to appreciate
the fine benefits provided in a contract that addresses the workers' needs; and, by
sticking together, we help keep Metro Transit focused and accountable to respect the
people who work for them.
I am very happy with what I have found in the union newsletter. This newsletter
not only allows us to see what is in the hearts of the union leaders we have elected, but it also serves as a vehicle
for sharing helpful information and for keeping us aware of the significant workers' events happening around us
(such as the union picnic).
I feel that the experience of driving a bus for 26 years and of dispatching for ten years will help me in pro-
viding articles which will promote camaraderie and a strong union. Graduating from the Leadership Academy
program and the experience with management have given me additional insights. One of my goals is to have
management and the union working together instead of at each other's throats.
I have also worked at all the garages except East Metro, though I worked at the old Snelling Garage for
many years. I have come to know many fine people at all the garages. Each garage has a special place in my
heart. Ruter was the first garage I worked at, and it's my present home. Snelling was the first garage that I
worked at full-time. Many of the people I first worked with at Snelling are now at East Metro. Heywood is the
garage where most of my years at Metro Transit were spent and where I learned to be a dispatcher. Nicollet was
the garage where I learned the new Hastus program, and South was the garage of my Leadership Academy train-
ing. Therefore I know many of the people in the Education Committee that I will be working with. I hope to
not only contribute helpful articles, but to also be a catalyst for others at Ruter in their communications.
Hopefully, many more people from Ruter will join the Education Committee, too.
Pride Parade - 2010by Deb Sievers
We had the Twins bus in this year's Pride Parade . Our driver, Jessica
Blodgett #68106 did a great job of driving the bus. Thanks, Jessica!
Several people showed up to hand out candy and walk in
the parade. What fun! Someone asked if you had to be gay to
walk in the parade. The answer is no!!! Everyone is welcome.
We hope to see more folks next year.
Thank you also to Kelci Stones, from Marketing, for her
help in keeping Metro Transit a part of the GLBT festivities.
And a big thank you to all who came out to walk with us.
Page 20
MINNEAPOLIS TRANSIT HISTORY TOURBy Ilona LaDouceur #66048
Saturday, August 7th was turning out to be a pretty nice day. It was in the upper 80's, there was some humid-
ity, but there was also a nice breeze if one stood in the right place. Saturday was the day of the Minneapolis
Transit History Tour my friend and bus driver Melanie Benson #854 had informed me about on Facebook. The
tour was scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The meeting spot was at 10th Ave and 5th St N, near the back park-
ing lot of the Heywood Garage. I drove up to the location around 1:30, and what I saw brought me back in
time (before my time, anyway).
First, let me tell you about our
hosts and driver for the event. Our
first host was quite a charmer. His
name is Phil Epstein. He is a retired
City of Minneapolis engineer, a long-
time mechanic at the Minnesota
Transportation Museum and Richfield
Bus Company, and a Motorman at the
Minnesota Streetcar Museum. He was
employed for three years by the MTC (Metropolitan Transit Commission). He is a
longtime union man belonging to AFSCME Local 90, ATU 1005 and IUOE Local
70. Our second host was Mike Buck, equally charming and knowledgeable, retired
after 30+ years as a high school teacher. Last, but not least, our driver for the tour
was Metro Transit driver and union sister Diane Rude #9204. She has been with
Metro Transit for 18 years and currently drives Route
21.
About 20 people showed up for the tour, ranging in
age from the early 20's to the 70's. I recognized a few
ATU members and retirees, including Scott Tollin, for-
mer driver and ATU 1005 officer.
We started our outing in a 1954 GM Model 5105 transit coach
(seats 51). This was one of 300 built for the Twin City Rapid
Transit Company. It has a straight 6-cylinder 426cid diesel engine,
a GM hydraulic drive automatic transmission and air ride suspen-
sion. At 19,500 pounds, it was considered very light for a big city
bus and this model became very popular in cities throughout the
USA. Simple design and strong machinery made this vehicle one
of the most reliable transit vehicles ever produced. There were
3,600 of them sold, with about 50 of them still around. All of them
running today have about 300,000 miles on them and many of
them have not yet needed to be overhauled. This fleet, along with
200 other buses already in the TCRT fleet, replaced the street railway system in the Twin Cities between 1950
and 1954. This particular bus ran in the Twin Cities for 20 years. In 1975, the MTC sold it to Lorenz Bus
Service, who ran it on North Suburban Lines for 10 years and then donated it to the Minnesota Transportation
Museum. It sat in storage until 2005, when it was overhauled and repainted to its original TCRT color scheme.
We drove through the downtown warehouse district, and one of our first stops was the Colonial Warehouse
at 212 Third Avenue N., formerly known as the Minneapolis Street Railway Company Building. The ware-
house was intended to be the powerhouse for a cable car system that was never built. Instead, it became an elec-
Page 21
tric carhouse, and the first electric power house for streetcars in 1890. The building housed the general offices
and the paint and woodworking shops during the horse-drawn streetcar era. Thomas Lowry, the head of the
Minneapolis Street Railway Company, chose this site as the firm's headquarters. It became the main offices of
the Minneapolis Street Railway until 1904.
We then continued through downtown, learning of the com-
plex and vast streetcar system. Streetcars were put into operation
around 1880 and ran until June 19, 1954. Something I found
very interesting was the fact that Twin City Rapid Transit had
"streetcar" boats. With names like The Hopkins, The White Bear,
The Harriet and The Minnehaha, they were in service on Lake
Minnetonka from about 1900 to 1920. The Minnehaha has been
restored and is now operating on Lake Minnetonka. There were
three lines that operated on Hennepin Avenue: Bryant-Johnson,
Bryn Mawr North and the Como-Harriet lines. We were on our
way to Linden Hills to ride some streetcars.
On our way, we stopped at the Nicollet Garage and met with Nicollet mechanic Blayne Williams #77, who
gave us a tour of the Nicollet Garage. Although I am already familiar with our garages, I did get to see and
learn about what the various machines were and how they operated. Then it
was off to the streetcars.
Arriving at the Linden Hills station, you may well feel that it's 1900 all
over again. There are a history exhibit and a cute little gift shop at the sta-
tion. Rail transit came to Lake Harriet in 1880. By 1891, Thomas Lowry's
Minneapolis Street Railway had electrified the line. In 1906, the now dou-
ble -tracked line of Lowry's Twin City Rapid Transit company was extend-
ed all the way to Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. Streetcars whisked
between the lakes at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The Como -Harriet
Line served southwest Minneapolis, downtown Minneapolis and St Paul,
the Capitol, Como Park, the State Fairgrounds and the University of
Minnesota.
We rode two different streetcars.
The first was No 1300. This car was
built by TCRT's Snelling shop in 1908
as part of an order for faster cars to be used on the St Paul-Minneapolis
Interurban Line along University Avenue. It ran for 46 years! The second
one was No 322, built by the St Louis Car Company in 1946, one of 140
delivered to TCRT between 1946 and 1949. This was in commission until
1953 when it was sold to the Newark, New Jersey subway system. This
was restored and returned to the Minnesota Transportation Museum in
2000.
At the risk of sounding corny, riding in these magnificent streetcars (especially No 322, for me) had me long-
ing for and imagining how truly wonderful these streetcars must have been during those years. They were rich
with history, so beautifully restored to their original state - the woodwork and detailing, the lamps and heating
system, the fareboxes, the controls and gauges. I especially loved looking at the advertisements of the day on
streetcars: Lana Turner for Cameo Pantyhose, Nabisco Crackers, The Lyndale Hotel , U.S. War Bonds and
Gluek Beer, to name a few.
I think we got back around 5:00 p.m., an hour later than scheduled - but that was fine with me. Our hosts
overloaded us with facts and stories, so I was tired when we ended our tour. There are so many things I haven't
got to share at this time but I am looking forward to hopefully taking a trip on the Minneapolis -St. Paul Transit
History route again.
Submissions for Letters to the Editor are subject to approval of the
Editorial Board and space considerations. Letters to the Editor are
solely the opinion of the author and do not represent endorsement by
ATU Local 1005 or the Education Committee. If you have an editori-
al to submit, please contact a committee member or our advisor
Dorothy Maki at: [email protected].
Letters
To The
Editor
Page 22
Vote No To Cuts!
On Sunday, August 22nd there will be a special membership meeting at 11:00 a.m. in the South Ballroom at
the Minneapolis Convention Center. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and vote on a contract that Metro
Transit has offered the union. Voting will take place after the meeting is adjourned and will last until 4:00 pm.
It is important that union members attend this meeting! If you cannot make the meeting, you can cast your vote
at the union office on Monday, August 23rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is Metro Transit's offer? The same offer as the first. A pay freeze for three years, with no progressions!
Health Care increases of 14.5% in 2011 and 2012 (this after a 9.5% increase in 2010)! This amounts to a loss in
pay!
Metro Transit is offering this with no regard to the situations we face day to day! Drivers get three-hour
splits, extending our workday to 12 hours. We get no recovery time because of improper scheduling, and no
proper bathrooms on some routes!
The mechanics don't have a proper tool list. (Some tools don't meet DOT regulations!) They are not given
enough time to properly inspect buses! And, in fact, the safety equipment on the coach buses is not inspected
(e.g. the fire extinguishers)!
There are not enough fuelers and cleaners to wash and clean buses under OSHA regulations. Metro Transit
tried to remove the Payroll department positions from being ATU without asking the payroll employees.
They even fired vault pullers (who now have their jobs back) for lying, when it was the company who was
lying about how they are supposed to take their breaks!
Metro Transit spent millions of dollars on a computer system to eliminate dispatch positions. In this econo-
my, when we need more jobs and when workers need what money we make, Metro Transit won't spend money
to have a properly- running system. But they will spend money to fire us and eliminate job positions.
This is not new. It is happening left and right in this economic crisis. And, since this economic crisis hit, it
has been workers who have paid for it, not the banks or those on Wall Street who put us in this situation. No,
they get bailed out! We get shut out!
We have some of the last good-paying jobs in the Twin Cities. If we accept these cuts, it is a loss for the
entire working class of the Twin Cities and Minnesota! We cannot allow this to happen!
Cuts don't create jobs. When cuts are accepted, it just opens the door for more cuts later down the road.
The state politicians who are backed by corporate dollars, and the unelected, unaccountable cronies of the gover-
nor in the Met Council are using the economic crisis to divide the public sector workers from the private sector
workers. They have no interest in helping us out or making it a better-running transit system! We need to show
the way forward for the rest of our working class brothers and sisters: If you fight, you can maintain and
improve your living standards!
In this economy, we need to keep what good-paying jobs there are out there! And transit is needed more
than ever. Let's fight back to keep jobs and transit running!
We cannot accept a loss. VOTE NO! on August 22nd. Send a strong message to Metro Transit that we will not
sit back and take this from them!
Ryan Timlin - Dr #66279
David Hanson #3269 RetiredDavid Hanson #3269 retired from the body shop with
42 years of service on June 18. He started on June 17th,
1968.
He lives in Northbranch.
Page 23
Tommy Bellfield presents David with a union
jacket.
In Memoriam
Gary A. Dahlberg #500, age 62, retired member, died from a fire in his home on
July 9, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He is sur-
vived by sisters Wendy (Les) Kuiper, Holly Dahlberg, Sharyl (Tom) Madison and
Lorrie (David) Mattson; uncle Richard (Marlene) Adair; nieces, nephews and
many friends.
Eugene Seifert, retired member, died July 18, 2010 (no other information avail-
able).
Bernard (Bucky) Bryan, retired former mechanical board member, died
July 19, 2010 (no other information available).
Robert "Bob" W. Anderson, age 48, of Shoreview, died unexpectedly on June 23,
2010. He was a loving father, son and brother. He is survived by his son Kyle;
parents, Jack and Phyllis; sister, Cindy(Don) Marx. He was a 30-year employee
of Metro Transit and a hunter and fisherman extraordinaire.
DRUG TESTING RIGHTS
If you do not use the specific wording when you request results from a positive drug test, the agency has no obligation to comply.
All they are required to do is give you a paper stating the results are positive. Every employee has the legal right to request, in writ-
ing to the Medical Review Officiers (MRO), copies of: the Litigation Package* of the initial test. (this will tell you how your test
turned up positive); the Confirmation (breaks results down into specific levels); the Threshold levels (baseline of all tests)
The Litigation Package can be nearly 100 pages of technical data, which cannot be analzed or understood by a layperson, including
union officers. Professional interpetation is available at member’s expense, starting at about $50 minimum.
WEINGARTEN RIGHTS STATEMENT
If disciplinary action is suspected, read this statement to your foreman: I request to have a union representative present on my behalf
during this meeting because I believe it may lead to disciplinary action taken against me. If I am denied my right to have a union
representative present, I will refuse to answer accusational questions and any I believe may lead to discipline.
Cities tackle traffic head-on with commuter options(Excerpts from an article)
Getting people to choose public transit, carpools, biking, telecommuting or other alternatives to driving to
work solo is a major part of a campaign to relieve congestion on I-35W and other roads here. The state is spend-
ing $500 million, including $133 million in federal money granted to cities running innovative projects, on a
broad effort to ease logjams on I-35W.
Commuter use of three Park & Ride lots serving the highway has increased by 16%, 19% and 25%; trips on
I-35W are an average 10-15 minutes faster, and the agency has achieved free-flowing traffic in express lanes on
the highway 98% of the time
Snarled traffic is a frustrating reality for the modern driver. It's also a walloping blow to the nation's econo-
my. Congestion costs the USA $87.2 billion a year in gasoline and lost productivity, according to Lomax's most
recent report. That's 2.8 billion gallons of wasted fuel and 4.2 billion hours of wasted time.
The Twin Cities try to ensure that transit riders and carpoolers avoid daily traffic tie-ups. The region has 300
miles of bus-only lanes, in which the right shoulder of highways is opened for buses during peak traffic; that's
more than the rest of the USA combined. Minnesota also recently added "priced dynamic shoulder lanes," in
which the left shoulder of highways is restricted to buses, carpools and single-car occupants who pay a toll.
The state rebuilt some key streets in downtown Minneapolis, widening sidewalks, eliminating on-street park-
ing and adding a second bus lane, which allows buses to pass stopped buses. Since December, those changes
have enabled buses on the affected streets to increase operating speeds by 60%, says Bob Gibbons, spokesman
for Metro Transit, which provides 90% of local bus service here.
The region, which has had just one light rail line since 2004, is expanding its network. A central corridor
connecting downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul is expected to begin service in 2014; a third line,
connecting Minneapolis and suburban Eden Prairie, was approved in May.
Minneapolis emphasizes alternative forms of commuting. Just 35% of workers downtown drive to work
alone, about half the national average; 40% use transit, 20% vanpools or carpools and 5% bike or walk, says
Dan MacLaughlin, executive director of the Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization,
a non-profit partnership between the city and the business community.
The collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River during the evening rush hour on Aug. 1, 2007,
prompted the state Legislature in 2008 to authorize a transportation funding package that will generate $6.6 bil-
lion over 10 years for roads, bridges and transit projects. It included an 8.5-cent increase in the state gas tax —
the first rise in 18 years — and granted seven counties in the Twin Cities metropolitan area the authority to
impose a quarter-cent sales tax for transit projects.
David Levinson, a civil engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, cautions that everything being
done here is "just pieces to a puzzle. I wouldn't say they solve the congestion problem by any means. Only a
small percentage of the workforce actually works downtown." Across the region, only about 2% of all work
trips are on transit. "That sounds pretty bad, and it is," he says. "But nationally, it's less than 1%."
Source: USA Today news, http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-07-26-1Agridlock26_CV_N.htm
