"Thousands of workers are unemployed because their jobs were outsourced overseas and those lucky enough to find new work are earning on average $12,000 a year less," Cleland said, adding, "When John Kerry gets elected president of the United States, he's going to stop the tax breaks for corpora- tions sending jobs offshore." Continued on Page 6 Mpls./ St.Paul
Sept / Oct 2004 Mpls./ St.Paul 2004 MINNESOTA AFL-CIO CONVENTION Continued on Page 6 The 2004 AFL-CIO convention focused on electing pro-work- er candidates in this year's elections. A "door knock" cam- paign is part of an unprecedented effort by the labor move- ment to register union members, educate them about issues and mobilize them to support labor-endorsed candidates. Max Cleland, the former Georgia senator and decorated Vietnam veteran, rallied labor leaders in a spirited address at the Minnesota AFL-CIO convention held at Rochester in August. A campaign manager for the Kerry-Edwards cam- paign, Cleland delivered a speech focused on the issues facing working families, "We are in deep trouble in this country and nobody knows it more than the working families of America and the working families of Minnesota -- the working fami- lies of America who've lost almost 2 million jobs." He compared the Bush record of shipping jobs overseas to the 22 million jobs created during the eight years of the Clinton administration. "You gotta work at that (losing jobs)," Cleland said. "The way you work at that is you adopt the Herbert Hoover mentality . . .put the money in at the top and hope it trickles down." While people with an annual income of $1.2 million a year have gotten $78,000 in tax breaks, "the other 99 percent of America hasn't gotten trickle down. They've just gotten trickled on." In addition, more than 25,000 Minnesota households filed for bankruptcy last year, "a 42 percent increase from when George Bush took office," he said, and 26,000 Minnesota families have exhausted their unemploy- ment benefits. "Thousands of workers are unemployed because their jobs were outsourced overseas and those lucky enough to find new work are earning on average $12,000 a year less," Cleland said, adding, "When John Kerry gets elected president of the United States, he's going to stop the tax breaks for corpora- tions sending jobs offshore."
Transcript
Sept
/ O
ct 2
004
Mpls./St.Paul
2004 MINNESOTA AFL-CIO CONVENTION
Continued on Page 6
The 2004 AFL-CIO convention focused on electing pro-work-er candidates in this year's elections. A "door knock" cam-paign is part of an unprecedented effort by the labor move-ment to register union members, educate them about issuesand mobilize them to support labor-endorsed candidates.
Max Cleland, the former Georgia senator and decoratedVietnam veteran, rallied labor leaders in a spirited address atthe Minnesota AFL-CIO convention held at Rochester inAugust. A campaign manager for the Kerry-Edwards cam-paign, Cleland delivered a speech focused on the issues facingworking families, "We are in deep trouble in this country andnobody knows it more than the working families of Americaand the working families of Minnesota -- the working fami-lies of America who've lost almost 2 million jobs."
He compared the Bush record of shipping jobs overseas to the22 million jobs created during the eight years of the Clintonadministration. "You gotta work at that (losing jobs)," Clelandsaid. "The way you work at that is you adopt the HerbertHoover mentality . . .put the money in at the top and hope ittrickles down." While people with an annual income of $1.2million a year have gotten $78,000 in tax breaks, "the other99 percent of America hasn't gotten trickle down. They've justgotten trickled on." In addition, more than 25,000 Minnesotahouseholds filed for bankruptcy last year, "a 42 percentincrease from when George Bush took office," he said, and26,000 Minnesota families have exhausted their unemploy-ment benefits.
"Thousands of workers are unemployed because their jobswere outsourced overseas and those lucky enough to find newwork are earning on average $12,000 a year less," Clelandsaid, adding, "When John Kerry gets elected president of theUnited States, he's going to stop the tax breaks for corpora-tions sending jobs offshore."
November 2nd is not far off; the elections are getting close. ThePresidency, as well as several U. S. congressional seats, is up forgrabs. There is also an opportunity for us to change the MinnesotaHouse this election.
As union members and working people we need to support candi-dates endorsed by the Minnesota AFL-CIO. We can make a differ-ence. We can affect change. Get involved. Get registered. Get outand vote!
If we don't succeed in making changes at the federal level as wellas the state level, I believe our jobs are in jeopardy. Democratscontrol the Minnesota Senate. By having that same control in theHouse we could have an outstanding opportunity - the best chancewe've seen in years to obtain dedicated funding for transit.
ATU 1005 members and their families must unite at the polls andturn our single votes into victory for all working people onNovember 2, 2004. Get out and vote!
VOTE IN NOVEMBERDon’t Forget About Local
Election Contests
At the 8/24/04 union meeting the membership voted to accept MetroTransit's proposal for two reduced Service Days, Friday, November 26thand Friday, December 24, 2004. Contract waivers will apply asin previous years.
Education Comittee
RON LLOYD
ATU 1005VICE PRESIDENT
ADVISOR
CHAIR
SHEILA MILLER
HEYWOOD OFFICE
VICE CHAIR
DEL HOPPE
SNELLING
RECORDER
STEVE BABCOCK
AT LARGE
JUAN PARKER
HEYWOOD
SCOTT LINDQUIST
RUTER
NONA WOOD
RUTER
TOM CAMPBELL
OVERHAUL BASE
ABRAM ISAACS
SNELLING
Education Committee
MICHELLE SOMMERSADVISOR
CHAIRMEMBERS ROTATE
VICE CHAIRTOM CAMPBELLOVERHAUL BASE
RECORDERLINDA KAUPEAST METRO
LAYOUTSTEPHEN BABCOCKOVERHAUL BASE
SOUTHLIZ GOLDBERGFRANK COLLINSRAY VANDER WYST
RUTERSCOTT LINDQUIST
NICOLLETJOHN SUTTLESSCOTT STONE
EAST METROK.H. RICE
HEYWOOD OFFICECECILE CLOUTIER
EDITORIAL BOARDDELROY SCHAFERDAN ABRAMOWICZKEN DOLNEYSHEILA MILLER
Page 3
THE AMALGAMATEDTRANSIT UNIONOUR STORY…OUR HISTORY
By Scott Lindquist
As Twin Cities transit workers stage a walkout, state officials attempt tokeep operations going. A general strike of union members is called. Thegovernor intervenes.
Sound familiar?
The 1995 strike by local bus workers has unusual historical parallels tothe 1917 Twin Cities streetcar strike, when workers were fighting toorganize a union. "It was the most important transit strike in the historyof Minnesota," said labor historian Hy Berman at the University ofMinnesota.
"The strike was used as an instrument to crush all organized labor inMinnesota by the Public Safety Commission in a fit of patriotic enthusi-asm," he said. "It pushed conservative labor leaders into the arms of theNon-Partisan League radicals, and the result was the creation of theFarmer Labor Party."
Center of StruggleThe labor battles of bus workers and streetcar workers before them, haveperiodically captured the headlines, although the history of their earlyconfrontations is not well known. "Transit workers have frequently beenat the center of labor struggles in the Twin Cities," said labor historianPeter Rachleff, a professor at Macalester College in St. Paul. Mass transitis a key component in operating a well functioning metropolitan area,and when the system shuts down, everone hears about it. "They gothrough neighborhoods and transit affects many people's lives," saidRachleff.
Continued on Page 4
The following article was written by Randy Furst a Star Tribune staffwriter during our 1995 strike. It tells the story of how our union cameinto existence.
Labor History-- Bus strike parallels 1917 walkout.The World War I streetcar strike paved the way forcreation of the Farmer Labor Party and theAmalgamated Transit Union. The union was formedin 1934 after the biggest strike in state history, theMinneapolis Teamster truck strike. Transit workersare often at the center of labor struggles in the TwinCities.
Page 4
AT THE OFFICEHeywood
Contact Cecile Cloutier
There's been lots of movingabout at the office these days!
Nicollet driver #7726 SandraStearn moved to Payroll ClerkFloater
Customer Service epresentativeMary Jorgenson moved toClerk-Steno Stores
Convenience Fares representa-tive Roger Heil moved toPassenger Sampling Clerk.
Mary Mc Neill was hired asCustomer ServiceRepresentative
Aisha Dancy, Lisa Sovde,Amanda Beard, ChekeleaBrazelton, Felisha Burns werehired as Transit InformationRepresentatives.
Sometime in September, a rafflewill take place for two jacketsairbrushed by artist DanMansur (husband ofTransportation OperationsAdministrator Debbie Mansur,one of the coordinators of theevent). More information onthe raffle date will be forthcom-ing. One Jacket is picturedbelow.
History ContinuedThe first horse drawn streetcarappeared in the Twin Cities in1872. In 1875 Thomas Lowry, aHennepin County judge and realestate developer, began to consoli-date several such operations even-tually forming the Twin CityRapid Transit Co. "He worked oncourageously not alone for him-self but for his city and its resi-dents as well" according to a 1923History of Minneapolis.
He also destroyed the streetcarworkers union, in one of thebiggest strikes in Minnesota in the19th century, according to laborhistorian Elizabeth Faue. Streetcaremployees, organized into a localof the Knights of Labor, went onstrike in 1889 over a 15 percentreduction in wages and a companydemand that they sign an "iron-clad" contract promising never tojoin a union.
Anti-union campaignIn 1917, during World War I,union leaders attempted to organ-ize the streetcar workers again,but this time had to confront anewly createdstate organiza-tion called theMinnesotaCommission ofPublic Safety.HistorianSteven Keillordescribed it as"martial law inbureaucraticform."
The businesscommunityorganized a citi-zen militia, aparamilitarygroup. When 57pro-union
streetcar workers were fired inOctober 1917 and the strikebegan, the militia patrolledMinneapolis streets to ensure thatthe transit system operated. Withno militia in St. Paul, mass picket-ing halted all streetcar traffic.
The Public Safety Commissionordered strikers back to work.They returned with a promise that27 of the fired employees wouldbe reinstated and that the cases ofthe rest would be considered.
Strike ResumesThe short-lived peace broke downin December. Twin City RapidTransit set up a company unionopposing the existing union andrefused to allow workers to wearunion buttons. Organizing wasessentially banished.
In late November and earlyDecember, angry union localsthroughout the state convenedprotest meetings at whichunequivocal solidarity with the
Continued on Page 14
Early Trolley Cars in Downtown Minneapolis
Page 5
Transit Safety and Security CommitteeAugust, 2004 Summary
Mary Vasterling was introducedand welcomed as the new repre-sentative for South Garage.
Operators continue to questionwhy the TCC supervisors ask forso much detail on squad requests.Dakin explained that the transitpolice need the information. Lt.Elmers developed a handout onthe information the police need:"Head to Toe, We Must Know",published in the last 1005 Lineissue. Committee membersshould post this handout in allgarages; possible distribution of awallet size card is being explored.
The TCC TransitWise newsletterwill be sent to the garages.
Four TCC supervisors will attend911, channel 7 (warrant checks)and Dispatch training at the Mpls.
Emergency CommunicationCenter
Previous concerns:Hennepin Avenue at the Uptownstation has been striped. The main floor restroom atLeamington Ramp, locked forseveral months for security, willbe re-keyed to company lock.Meanwhile, go to ramp office forkey, leaving ID.
The very short signal light forright turn from 5th St. to ParkAve. on Route 94 has been report-ed to the city. Minneapolis is cre-ating permanent RR exemptionsigns for the DT crossings.
Route 717 operators report diffi-culty to/from the RobbinsdaleTransit Hub; district supervisorswill check. Possible installation ofa yield sign at 42nd and Hubbardor alternate routing.
The turn signals on new buses canbe relocated. It was tried on lastorder of buses, moved a small dis-tance, and cannot move more thanthat.
Bill Porter ordered buses withlonger curbside mirror arms (9inch vs. 7inch). If everyoneagrees, will implement. We heardthis in committee before and puton longer arm. Service garagesmay be changing; Bill will inves-tigate.
New concerns:Restaurant smoke near the layoveron Cedar at 6th / 5th in St. Paulhave generated driver complaints.Route 18 drivers have filedOperating Condition Reports(OCRs) about running and recov-ery time, schedule impossible to
make. Too many bus stops; morebus stop spacing would help.
It is possible to deploy the liftwith front door air released on the3100 artics; do not deploy liftunless air is on to front door. Thisis due to a computer error; themanufacturer is working to cor-rect. Safety sups and garage man-agers have been advised and anote is posted Dispatch windowfor drivers.
There is a problem with cars dart-ing in front of the buses stoppedat rail tracks at Hennepin. Mpls.Police has ignored, perhapsbecause it' the DT end of the line.MTP was notified. Also, cabs cutin front of buses then stop to dis-charge passengers, causing busesto sit on tracks, especially latenight line-ups on Hennepin andNicollet Mall. Joni will get thisout to police.
Nicollet Mall LRT crossings havenot been enforced; we need tostart tagging. Metro needs to con-tact city and request enforcementof pedestrians at crossings.
There have been at least four inci-dents where the gate arm camedown on a bus at LRT gradecrossing. Once red lights go onand bell starts ringing, only 3-5seconds before arm goes down.Industry standard is 3-6 seconds;they can't adjust the time longer.A white light gives 22 seconds.
Bus drivers should know that LRTroute 55 operators are willing to'hold' late at night if connection isdelayed; call TCC who will notifyLRT to decide whether to delaytrain.
Passengers are running across thetemporary MOA Transit Centerparking lot to board bus. District
Guests: TCC Supervisors DakinHargest, Kevin Sederstrom &Rebecca Davidson; BusTransportation: Sam Jacobs,Director & Georgia Stinson, Asst.Director; Dan Lueck, DistrictSupervisor; Dennis Dodge, MJRSafety; MT Police: Lt. JoniSchauer & Investigator MikeLavine; Stewart Rudi, SouthOperator; Bill Porter, Asst.Director - Maintenance; KellieMiller, ATU 1005 Business Agent
Continued on Page 7
AT THE GARAGENicollet
Contact Theresa Collins #1378or Scott Stone #6852.
Darrell Hanson #9289 won thirdin state Rodeo - Way to go!Our safety goals are being met.Our accidents per mile Goalwas 6.75 per 100,000 miles, wemade it to a rate of 5.75. This isnew territory for Nicolletgarage. Steve Jaeger is veryproud. "I knew we could do it!"
The Garage Sale will be held onSat., Oct 2nd. We need all thedonations we can get. The pro-ceeds go to our Nicollet Club.
We need volunteers to help theday of the event. ContactTheresa Collins, any manager,dispatcher or Joel Terrell,garage coordinator.
Free flu shots will be given toMetro Transit employees andtheir Health Partner dependentsat a clinic to be held at Nicolleton Oct 26th in the driver's roomfrom 7:30 am to 10:30 am.
Theresa Collins is the new rep-resentative at Nicollet for theTransit Safety & SecurityCommittee (TSSC). Please con-tact her with your concerns.
We had a fund raising BBQ onAug 18th to raise money for acharitable drive. We sold all thefood in record time. Thank you.
Please remember to fill out anOCR. Changes will not happenwithout an OCR (OperatingConditions Request)
Page 6
Cleland also condemned the Bushadministration attacks on healthcare, Medicare and SocialSecurity. And he pledged that ifJohn Kerry is elected, he willmaintain strong ties with the labormovement.
"We need someone in the WhiteHouse who doesn't just supportworking families in general . . .but actually supports organizedlabor," Cleland said. "You are hisband of brothers and sisters andhe will always stick by you andyou will never be disappointed."
Unions are "more united than atany time in the past" to mobilizemembers to defeat RepublicanPresident George W. Bush andelect Democratic nominee JohnKerry, John Sweeney, the presi-dent of the national AFL-CIO tolddelegates to the state labor federa-tion convention. "Bush has turnedhis back on working families,"Sweeney said. "Brothers and sis-ters, we have to replace George
AFL-CIO Convention - Continued from Page 1
Bush this year or we have no hopeof stopping the pounding beingtaken by working families." IfKerry is elected, he will addressthe nation's economic problemsand will sign the "Employee FreeChoice Act," legislation that willmake it easier for the 45 millionU.S. workers who want a union toget one, Sweeney said.
Delegates also considered morethan 50 resolutions, including sup-port for national single-payerhealth insurance; proposals thatthe Legislature authorize InstantRunoff Voting; that the state offer"reasonable financial incentives"to keep Ford's Twin CitiesAssembly Plant open; and that theMinnesota AFL-CIO create a newconstituency group to increase theinvolvement and influence ofyoung union members.
The importance of the 2004 elec-tion was stressed over and over.
Reference Source:www.WorkdayMinnesota.com
John Sweeney and Ron Lloyd take a moment to talk issues at the Convention
AT THE GARAGEHeywood
Contact Cecile Cloutier
Heywood driver #7012 RonaldLong retired again after return-ing as a PT Retiree Operator.
The roof is still being workedon. Good news - the heavyequipment is no longer blockingthe parking lot.
Bad news - it's blocking some ofthe bus pull-in lanes. It's esti-mated that the job will be com-pleted in late September.
It's State Fair time, and thegarage is gearing up forincreased service hours. Thanksto Marketing Department nego-tiators, Ridgedale is once againserving as a State Fair Park 'n'Ride. As in the past, buses forthis route will run out ofHeywood Garage.
The Northwest Athletic Clubvisited the garage, answeringquestions about membershipsfrom employees.
The YMCA, YWCA, and otherfitness facilities offer discountedpackages to transit employeesmeeting certain criteria; phoneFit For Life Coordinator LisaMansavage at 651/602-1347 formore information.
The Charitable Giving GarageSale netted $838.00 for manygood causes.
Page 7supervisors were asked to postsign stating this is not a bus stop;nothing has been done yet.Conflict with MVTA policy thatpassengers can board bus any-where? (Note: Return to regularMOA Transit Center in lateSeptember will resolve.)
When is the next pepper sprayclass? Can video be available atgarages so that operators canreview?
Metro buses cannot make turn at38th St. Station due to MetroTransit trucks parked there.
The driver's seat is installed toofar forward on the latest issue ofGillig buses. Gillig is working onit. There's a problem with thesteering wheels in the Gillig 1000series; in trying to fix the horns,they made a bigger problem.
A driver and mechanic will be onfuture bus selection panels.
Joni introduced Investigator MikeLavine. Misconceptions aboutwhat have or have not beencharged were explained. Assaultsare a priority. Mike passed photosaround of weekend assaults.When operators are physicallyassaulted they should followthrough; it is a felony. One indi-vidual identified from photo andclothing description confessed. Apellet gun was used in a St. Paulassault; the subject was charged.Where there was a tape as theassault actually happened, therewere charges. We can distributesuspect photos but cannot givename to press.
Theresa asked how often policeride undercover; coverage forbuses has not changed due to rail.Additional officers were hired forrail. Plain clothes officers have
not been on buses in quite sometime unless there is a specificproblem, contact TP. They areusing plainclothes on rail due tofare evaders; the fine is $183.00for rail and bus. Revenue goes tojurisdiction.
Stored Value Cards (SVC) - busoperators are supposed to issue aRail Only transfer when request-ed. New rail customers may notask specifically for rail-only trans-fer. A pocket card for operatorshas been developed regardingfares.
Right turns in front of bus are notillegal. Pulling out and not yield-ing is a violation. Jim Macchitelligot the correct 'yield to buses'statute. They'll print about 100signs and install as space allows.Currently all the space on theback of buses is paid advertising.Committee agrees that 'middleground' is best and to go forwardwith sign used a year ago; discussfurther in October meeting.Marketing is still working on busplacards regarding behaviors onbus.
African American Men Project(AAMP) and Mad Dads rodebuses to educate public regardingwho they are and what they do. Itwas almost impossible for anyoneto act out because of the positiveatmosphere and spirit on bus.Association could have a positiveimpact even when they are not onbus. They are very connected withcommunity.
The TSSC Operators' Forum willbe held September 15, 2004, 10am-2 pm at MJ Ruter Garage.The next regular TSSC meetingwill be held Thursday, October 7,10 am-noon, at FTH Chambers.
TSSC From Page 5
Page 8
Thoughts on the "One Day In July" FestivalBy Cecile Cloutier
It's important to remember the struggle and sacrifice ofthe Teamsters from Local 574 wounded and slain in anambush by the Minneapolis police on Friday, July20,1934. And the organizers of "One Day in July" streetfestival, held on Saturday, July 24 in Minneapolis'Warehouse District, didn't let the real purpose of thegathering get lost in the festivities.
Event volunteers wore black armbands with "574" onthem; a gallery displayed front pages from the strikeeditions of the Union Organizer newspaper.
A sculpture installation that paired olive green plaster castings of workshirts with posters pointing out the gains of the 1934 strike: "Overthrowof the Union against Unions", "8 Hour Day", "Better Conditions".
But there was celebration, too. There was food (smelled great!), vendorsand music (the bands donated their time, according to Britt Robson inCity Pages article, allowing the festival to come off on less than $7000).
I had to leave after a couple of hours, but managed tocatch fiery speeches by AFSCME's Gladys McKenzieand our own ATU vice-president Michelle Sommers,and a lively re-enactment of the 1934 strike timeline,complete with costumes and enthusiastic amateur act-ing.
I was fired up when I left, but something nagged at mewhen I got home. I told my husband, "They're preach-ing to the converted."
It was highlighted further by Robson's own feelings inhis article: "You didn't need a union card to fit in onSaturday, just a visceral feeling from being disenfran-chised, a stubborn resentment toward authority, and
Photo remembering that fatal day
Supporters wearing arm bands
Michelle Sommers, Dan Abramowicz & Gladys McKenzie
Page 9an illogical faith in justice."
And that's important. With a truly demoralizing climate from unions these days, yougotta get together and celebrate your victories without reservation.
But that can't be it. I'm hardly in the frontlines, but I 've stopped counting the thought-less remarks about unions I've heard fromeveryone from conservative Republicans tolongtime progressives.
"Unions coddle the mediocre." "You can'trun a successful business with a union thesedays." I had a lifelong Democrat, who sup-ported ATU during the strike, tell me "unionsare really just for lazy people."
After I put my dropped jaw back in myhead, and fired back with about five differ-ent examples, he nodded and said "that's allwell and good, but we don't need them now."
That he can say this after he's put in criminal hours of overtime, andworried about his work getting outsourced to India should tell us where our real work lies.
We have to stop the continuing perception of unions as a worthy but irrelevant cause, a footnote in the historybooks. Unions benefit everyone, even if indirectly.
That's just as true in 2004 as it was in 1934. And it's the one lesson weshould take away from Bloody Friday to teach others.
Poster on the building wall where Teamsters were massacred Live Music Provided
Reprint of paper at the time
One of the manySpeakers
New General Manager AppointedBy now most people have heard that Brian Lamb will be returning as general manager of Metro Transit on Sept20th. From 1993 to 1999 he was director of service development at Metro Transit. He will be paid $140,000plus performance incentives. We look foward to a new relationship.
Page 10
AT THE GARAGERuter
Contact Scott Lindquist
PEER SUPPORTDerrick Robinson, driver #5931has become a peer support rep-resentative. Peer support is notjust for when you are involvedin a altercation, it is a volunteerservice which can be helpful tonew or longtime drivers.Everyone encounters stress onthe job and may wish to talk tosomeone confidentially. Derrickinvites you to talk to him at anytime. He will also be speaking atthe Safety and Security Forumdetailed below.
NEW POW-MIA FLAGOur old POW-MIA flag was inbad shape. Seeing this, veteranPaul Caouette, part-time driver#2480 was able to obtain a newflag from his friend, formerVFW post Commander StanKowalski. With the new flag inhand it was then up to Vietmanveteran Jim Debill to raise itand to raise anew the continuingcause that it stands for.
SAFETY AND SECURITYFORUMJames Merkl driver #557,Ruter's Safety and Security rep-resentative, will be hosting aSafety and Security forum atthe garage on Wednesday,September 15th from 10AM to1PM. Come and listen and dis-cuss with the following - SamJacobs, Bill Porter, Lt. Elmersof Transit Police, MarkFurmann-Acting GeneralManager, Sheri Gingerich ofLight Rail, Lee Bennett of StreetOps and a presentation from theAfrican American Men'sProject. Please plan on attend-ing and bringing your ques-tions!
Hiawatha Light Rail Part Two: The Language of Light Rail
Liz Goldberg
Light Rail and its uniqueterminology involves lan-guage that reflects not onlythe operations of the sys-tem itself and its compo-nents, but also a highlydeveloped and integratedsafety and security proto-col. Part 1 covered fromAbsolute Block-Frog. Part2 Covers from GeneralOrders to the end.
General Order: A rule issued inwriting by the Assistant, RailGeneral Manager Operations orhis designee supplementing therule book and having the force ofa rule R100.10.Governing Signal: The waysidesignal or hand signal, whicheveris more restrictive.Grade Crossing: A crossing overthe track at track level by a roador footpath.Guard Rail: A rail installed paral-lel to and inside of the runningrails of a track to hold wheels inconed alignment to prevent theirflanges from striking the points ofturnout or crossing frogs or thepoints of switches.Hand Operated Switch: A trackswitch that is operated manually.Speed over all hand-operatedswitches is not to exceed 5 mph.These switches are not to betrailed.Hand Signal: A signal whoseaspect is given by the motion orposition of a persons hand or arm,or by the motion of position of a
flag, lantern or other prescribedlights or other object held by theperson. Hanger Wire: A fitting by meansof which the contact wire is sus-pended from the OCS.Hazard: Any real or potential con-dition that can cause injury, death,damage or loss of equipment orproperty.Head: The top part of the railwhich the train wheel runs on.Headway: The timetable separa-tion between two trains travelingin the same direction on the sametrack.Hi Rail Equipment: Tire mountedvehicles, normally used for con-struction, with flanged steelwheels that can be moved on andoff the tracks.Horn Signal: A signal indicationgiven by a horn.Hot Stick: An extendible fiber-glass device for determining thepresence of 750 volts electricalpower on the Metro Transit cate-nary system.Incident: An unforeseen event or
AT THE GARAGEEast Metro
Contact Kim Rice #5975 or Eboard reps Ken Dolney or GaryRosenberger.
We did it again, another jobwell done at this year’s StateFair. The job is never easy, butour people always do a greatjob.
Our charity breakfast was alsoa success. Thank you to every-one for a fine effort!
Our driver complement is 338at this time, this includes 264full time, 62 part-time weekday,and 12 part-time weekenders.
Congratulations to our 4 newemployees and the 4 transferswho joined us. We lost 8 totransfers out, so our status isunchanged.
Our training unit has turned in25 new full time employees.Good luck to all of them.
Metro Transit Police recentlycaught an individual roamingour parking lot, looking in ourcars. Don’t forget to lock up,and keep temptation out ofsight. We should also rememberto see that our main door isclosed when we enter or leave.
Former Executive Board mem-ber Warren Henricks passedaway. He is a big loss to those ofus who knew him.
We also hold in high esteemour war and 911 heroes.
Page 11occurrence which does not resultin injury or property damage.Indication: The information con-veyed by the signal aspect.Interlocking: An arrangement ofswitches and signals so intercon-nected that functions must suc-ceed each other in propersequence, thereby permitting trainmovements over controlled routesonly if safe conditions exist.Interlocking Control: Systems ordevices capable of controlling thefunctions of interlockings remote-ly.Interlocking Limits: The trackscontrolled by extreme opposingsignals of an interlocking.Interlocking Signal: A fixed way-side signal governing movementthrough interlocking.Isolator: A space in the overheadcontact wire at a specific loca-tion(s) to isolate the flow of trac-tion power within a defined tracksection.Local Control Panel: A controlpanel located near an interlockinglocation for use in unusual situa-tions.LRV: Light Rail Vehicle,Bombardier model LF-70.Lunar Signals: White aspect sig-nals located at grade crossings.Lunar signals allow the operatorto know if the crossing signals areactivated.Main Track: All tracks outside theyard used for scheduled trainoperations. Main Line: The territory con-trolled by the Controller, consist-ing of main tracks.Manual Block System: A proce-dure that may be used by the RCCto authorize trains to proceed onsight from one specific point toanother through Train Orders tothe Train Operator. This proceduremay be used when the AutomaticBlock Signal System cannot be
used and for special purposesincluding moving work equipmenton rail systems rights-of-way.Manual Blocking is not used forunsignaled single-track move-ments.Manual Crossovers: Crossoversconsisting of hand operated non-remotely controlled switches.Messenger Wire: The longitudinalwire or cable of an OCS fromwhich the contact wire is suspend-ed.MilePost Sign: A sign along thetrack right-of-way indicating thedistance in miles from the yard orterminal.MPHPS: Miles per hour per sec-ond usually used to describe a rateof acceleration or deceleration.Non-Trailable Switch: A trackswitch which must be lined forboth facing and trailing moves.Normal Speed: The maximumspeed at which a train may beoperated and is the lowest of thespeed allowed by a wayside sig-nal, the speed posted on a waysidesign, a hand signal given by anauthorized person, a written orverbal speed instruction given byan authorized person, the speedallowed by sight distance, or thespeed allowed by track or streetconditions.Normal Train Operation: The sys-tem by which train movement iscontrolled by the Train Operator,in compliance with Rail RuleBook, General Order, TrainOrders, Rail Bulletins andStandard Operating Procedures.Occupied Block: A block whichcontains one or more trains.On-Track-Equipment: (OTE)Includes Maintenance trucksequipped with rail capabilities,work cars and other hi-rail equip-ment.O&M: Operations andMaintenance.
Continued on Page 12
Page 12
AT THE GARAGELRT
Contact Robert Boyle
Hiawatha keeps moving aheadat an increasingly rapid pace.
Dead wire testing has been com-pleted to the 28th AvenueStation, and live wire toBloomington Central,Lindbergh Stations.
Still no accidents, and steadyridership is still confoundingDick Day and Phil Krinkie.
The Lindbergh Station is almostdone. 1005 is providing a solidproduct.
OCS: Overhead Catenary System:Also referred to as the overhead(wire). That part of the overheadline equipment consisting of: con-tact wire, contact wire supports,messenger wires, isolators, count-er-weights, hangers and otherequipment and assemblies thatdistributes DC electric powerfrom substations to the light railvehicle. Operate on Sight: Operate pre-pared to stop within range ofvision.Outbound Train: A train headedaway from the city.Pantograph: The device on top ofLRVs which collects power (bydirect contact) from the overheadcontact wire (OCS) to providepropulsion power and controlpower to the vehicle.Pocket Track: A track locatedbetween the two primary tracks onwhich an out-of-service train maylay over or reverse its direction.Power Operated Switch: Oneoperated electrically from RCC ora local control panel.Preference (Train) by Direction:Regular Northbound trains havepreference over regular outboundtrains except Monday throughFriday between 3:30 p.m. and6:30 p.m. when regularSouthbound trains have prefer-ence.Preference Train: A train havingprecedence over another train.Rail Bulletin: An order, issued inwriting by Assistant GeneralManager, Rail Operations orhis/her designee notifying rail sys-tem personnel of change in proce-dures, special checks, farechanges, etc.Rail Vehicle:A self-propelledvehicle operating on tracks eithera passenger vehicle (LRV), hi-railvehicle or other truck and trackequipment.
RCC: Rail Control Center: Thedesignated location from which allMetro Transit Light Rail opera-tions are authorized and directedby Transit Supervisors. RCC islocated on the Third floor of theRail O&M Facility.Red Tag: A two-part red identifi-cation tag issued by a Controllerto designated construction, testingor maintenance personnel to workin an area where the OverheadContact System with no be ener-gized, and train operations willnot be conducted while the RedTags are in their possession.Red Tag Area: An area where theOverhead Contact System will notbe energized and train operationswill not be conducted while a RedTag is issued for that area.Regular Train: A train designatedby schedule.Restricted Speed: A speed thatwill permit stopping with on-halfrange of vision. It will also permitstopping short of a train, car,obstruction, stop signal, derail oran improperly lined switch. TheTrain Operator must keep a look-out for broken rail. Restrictionwill not exceed 15 MPH.Reverse Running: The movementof a train or trains against the nor-mal current of traffic.Route: The designed course orway a train is to operate.Rules of Light Rail OperationBook: Transit System Rulesissued in this book by order of theAssistant General Manager, RailOperations, which must be obeyedby all rail system employees. TheRules for Light Rail OperationSystem Rule Book may be supple-mented by General Orders, TrainOrders and Rail Bulletins.SCADA: Supervisory ControlAnd Data Acquisition: A complexmonitoring and control systemthat incorporates computers,
Cool Website: http://ter-raserver.microsoft.com/
1) Select the link "AdvancedFind"
2) Select the link "Address"
3) Key in your address and select"GO".
4) In the "Available Image" col-umn select "Urban Areas"
What you'll see is a satellitephoto of your house. In fact, keyin any address and you can viewit, enlarge it, zoom it and pan it.
Some of the houses you see verywell and some are an arial photo,the actual house doesn't show upvery well.
Page 13SCADA screens and communica-tion lines. Located in the RCC,Transit Supervisors are responsi -ble for the monitoring of the sys-tem. SCADA terminals can beused to request information, issuecommands and respond to alarms.Schedule: The portion of atimetable that designates themovement of regular scheduledtrains.Sectional Insulator: A brief stretchof overhead where electric poweris not present.Siding: A track adjacent to themain track for meeting or passingtrains.Signal Aspect: The appearance ofa signal conveying an indicationas viewed from the direction of anapproaching train.Signal Indication: The informationconveyed by a signal aspect.Signal Section: A length of trackbetween two consecutive signalsof any type.Single Track Operation: The bi-directional movement of rail vehi-cles over a single track wholeoperating within defined limits onthe mainline.Spring Switch: A track switchequipped with a spring mecha-nism arrange to restore switchpoints to normal position afterbeing trailed through by a train.When trailing through a springswitch no reverse movement canbe make until the entire trainclears the switch. Spring switchlocations are designated in thetimetable.Spur Track: A single-ended siding.Standard Operating Proceduresand Instruction: SOPs:Explanatory detail, oral or writtenwhich describes how to performspecific duties, conveying infor-mation and etc.Station: Designated place forreceiving and discharging passen-
gers.Station Terminal: The stationlocated at each end of the rail sys-tem where Turn back operationsare normally made.Stock Rail: The running railagainst which a switch rail oper-ates in a turnout.Street Speed: Operate on sightcomplying with all traffic lawswhile operating trains on streetswith particular attention to trafficand pedestrians crossing in frontof train.Sub Stations: Facility used totransform High AC voltage to 750volts, DC for distribution to theOverhead Contact Systems.Sweep Train: The first train tooperate over any section of theMainline right-of-way each day orafter an interruption of serviceexceeding one hour must be oper-ated at restricted speed. TrainOperators to be alert and stopshort of obstruction on the track,damage to track, contact rail, way-side signals, improperly alignedswitches or any conditions whichcould be hazardous to the opera-tion of the train. Hazardous condi-tions require the train to stop andcondition reported to RCC.Switch: Special track work withmovable points to divert a trainfrom one track to another.Switch Point Indicators: Signal,which indicates the position ofswitch points.Test Track: Any track designatedfor training and testing purposes.Timetable: A publication contain-ing instructions relating to themovement of trains or equipmentand other essential information.Rack Circuit: A length of trackwhich forms a path for an electriccurrent used to detect the presenceof a train.Trailing Movement: Switch pointswhich face away from the
approaching train movement.Trailing Switch: A switch soplaced that when a car approachesthe switch, two tracks merge intoone.Train: One or more rail vehiclesoperated as a single unit.Train Operator: An employee whodirectly controls the movement ofa train.Train Order: An order issued inwriting by Assistant GeneralManager, Rail Operations ordesignee to operating employeesnotifying them of an activity orcondition affecting system opera-tions.Transit Supervisor: The designat-ed employee on duty in the RCChaving authority over train move-ments and other activities affect-ing train movements and systemoperations.TVM: Ticket Vending Machine: Amachine or group whose purposeis to receive a monetary transac-tion and dispense tickets to cus-tomers. Machines to be located onstation platformsWayside Signal: A signal of fixedlocation along a track indicating acondition affecting the movementof a train; interlocking signal,block signal or dwarf signal.Work Vehicle or On TrackEquipment (OTE): Any vehiclespecifically designed for railmaintenance including but notlimited to hi-rail, tamper or etc.Work Zone:A section of trackmarked with work signs and traf-fic warning and/or protected by aflagman through which trainsoperate at restricted speeds due towork crew, maintenance equip-ment or some condition on or nearthe track.Yard: A system of tracks withindefined limits used for the makingup and storing or other purposes.Yard Limit Sign:A posted sign
Continued on Page18
Page 14
Our industrial partners in transit are all our craft & support people. Thatmeans that drivers, mechanics, office, supply and administration person-nel need to be part of a cohesive team.
Author Harville Hendrix asks the pointed question, what makes peoplebelieve that hurting their partners will make them behave more pleasant-ly? This riddle is easier to understand if you consider our earliest learn-ing.
When we were babies, we didn't smile sweetly at our mothers to get themto take care of us. We simply opened our mouths and screamed. Dr. Philtells us that relationships are managed, but not cured. The oldest style ofmanagement is by threat & intimidation, but this is usually counter pro-ductive.
The quality of relationships is a function of mutual respect and meets theneeds of the parties involved. We are not hopeless babies who don't havea choice, let's choose well.
Raising The Bar - Part IIK.H. Rice
Driver #5975, East Metro Garage
AT THE GARAGESOUTH
Contact Liz GoldbergSouthsiders annual "CharityCookout" held on August 12thwas again a huge success. Thefund-raiser brought in $419donated to a number of worth-while charities.
October signals anotherSouthsider annual event theMechanics Appreciation Dinnersteak cookout originated by thebeloved and now retired SouthDispatcher, Edith James. Theevent features a steak dinner withall the trimmings provided to themechanical members of South.
September Pick ChangesChanges for September 11th toDecember 3rd, twelve weekStation pick signals few signifi-cant changes for South routes:
Rt. #19 Eliminates St. Croix rout-ing. Rt. #111, Rt. #52A numberchange. Rt. #155 Routing changebetween Airport and MOA. Rt.#460 New NB route. Rt. #465Marq/Wash checkpoint moved toMarq/4th.
"Hearty Congratulations":Roark Johnson #15: JulyRetirement.Celebrating 30 years of service:Richard Larson#427 South Oper.,Twenty-Five years of service:Kerry Shiro#1071: South Oper., Gary Thurber#1072 South Oper.,Twenty years of service:Nathaniel Allen: South Mechanic,Lizbeth Goldberg#1630:SouthOperator, Lynnette Olson#1624:South Operator.
Tranfers:Jeffry Couillard: #64065 SouthOperator to Nicollet Vault Puller.Adam Hernandez: #9694 SouthOperator to Helper.Robin Gerdesmeir: #9360 SouthOperator to Heywood Dispatcher.Donald James: MJR Mechanic toSouth Mechanic.
streetcar men was loudly pro-claimed. A group of workersattacked streetcars in St. Paul.Governor Joseph Burnquistordered Ramsey County SheriffJohn Wagener suspended forallegedly failing to quell the disor-der.
With streetcar workers on strike,15,000 other workers walked offthe job in the Twin Cities, the firstand only general strike in thestate's history. Four hours into thestrike, secretary George Lawsonof the Minnesota Federation ofLabor called it off.
Railroad workers were amongthose on strike and in Washingtonthe Wilson administration fearedthat a general strike would haltmilitary transport. Lawson waspromised a presidential mediationcommission headed by Secretaryof Labor William Wilson.
History - Continued from Page 4
Angry at DemocratsThe labor movement had beenhoodwinked by the government,the commission met until the endof the war but the strike was bro-ken. Labor, fed up with theDemocratic Party which did notsupport them, moved to create anIndependent Farmer Labor Party,a dominant force in Minnesotauntil the 1940's.
The Amalgamated Transit Unionwas organized in 1934, in themidst of the biggest strike inMinnesota history, theMinneapolis Teamster truck strike.That struggle helped galvanize thetransit workers, who signed theirfirst contract in 1934. From 1889to 1995, the struggles of transitworkers have involved the rest ofthe labor movement.
Page 15
CRYPTOS by PAT KELEHANEach letter stands for another. If you think X=O, for example, it wouldequal O throughout the puzzle.Clue: P=T
X Y Z A B Y L X M D A L A B F L A F O G L R A F H P B F
J G E M J B L P U M B U T M G W B A X P G T E A F H
U B T A P A D L. P R M K' X I G P R M I Z M G P
G I B Y F X P R M Z Y L R.
(Answer on page 18)
LRT Succe$$Tom Campbell
Metro Transit and ATU Local1005 have achieved success withLRT. July ridership exceededgoals, by almost double the num-ber of riders.
Fares collected in the first monthof operation came to $360,000,about $105,000 more than expect-ed.
The earnings came from an esti-mated 462,463 riders, nearly dou-ble the forecast. Midday andevening hours accounted for near-ly 62 % of the monthly rides.
This information shows that 61percent of the July rides were onweekdays, while trips during rushhours am and pm were 38 percentof the total trips.
Approximately 70 percent of therides were at midday, evenings,and on weekends.
The success is great news for alltransit supporters. The final sec-tion of the LRT line through theMinneapolis / St Paul Airport andcontinuing on to the Mall ofAmerica opens in December.
This additional section will add toour ridership, and contribute tothe success of Metro Transit andATU Local 1005.
It should be easier in dealing withcritics such as Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna and Rep. Krinkie, R-Shoreview.
Dick Day was critical of the fig-ures. He has called for a closeaccounting of rail revenues andexpenses.
Rep. Krinkie is not only againstLRT but also sane lanes andMetro Transit funding.
Think About It
There are some people who arguethat you cannot change presidentsin the middle of a war.
Didn't Bush say "mission accom-plished!" when he landed on anavy carrier? To Bush, Iraq mustjust be a police action.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
"Knock, Knock", Who's There?Four more! Four more who?
Four more years of Bush’s labormisery if you don't get your buttout to Elect Kerry!
AT THE GARAGEOHB
Contact Tom Campbell
1005 PAC Makes History
The ATU Internationalapproved funding for a full time Local 1005 Political ActionCocoordinator, the first in ourhistory.
The union member appointed tothis position will be on a leave ofabsence. President Lloydappointed Ray Vanderwyst,driver from South Garage tothis important position. This effort will help elect Laborendorsed candidates andimprove all union members jobsecurity.
Good Luck, Ray!
Page 16
State AFL-CIO Convenes in RochesterThe Minnesota AFL-CIO 47thConstitutional Convention was heldAugust 16-18, 2004 in Rochester,Minnesota. The four union officersand the following three delegates rep-resented the ATU 1005; Tom Crooks,Russ Dixion and Mike Rossini.
All of the following speakersexpressed grave concern for theupcoming presidential election. Theydrove home the point that it is crucialthat our membership votes thisNovember.
John Sweeney, President AFL-CIO.Tom Keegel, Secretary of Treasurewith the Teamsters Council 32.Sean Keeney, Labor Management inthe Health Care Coalition of theUpper Midwest.Irasema Garza, Director of Women'sRights AFSCME.Senator Dean Johnson, MajorityLeader Minnesota Senate.Senator Max Cleland also took thestage as a keynote speaker. He is adecorated Vietnam Veteran and for-mer Senator from Georgia who wasdefeated in his bid for reelection in2002. He currently serves as a Co-Chair for the National Kerry-EdwardsCampaign.
Fifty-one resolutions that had passedthrough various committees were pre-sented and adopted at this convention.The following resolutions are particu-larly pertinent to our local member-ship.
Resolution # 14RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordcontinuing to make union membersand all Americans aware of the needfor federal legislation that would helppreserve American industries andAmerican jobs; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That all affiliates areurged to alert their members, their
families, friends and communities tothe necessity of buying union-madegoods and union services so that wecan keep the dream alive for theWorking Families of America.
Resolution # 20RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordsupporting a single payer, nationalhealth care plan for all Americans,and be it further
RESOLVED: That the affiliates of theMinnesota AFL-CIO use every politi-cal influence at their disposal toaccomplish that end.
Resolution # 25RESOLVED: That the 47thConvention of the Minnesota AFL-CIO recognizes the valuable servicespublic healthcare facilities provide;and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO oppose legisla-tion that would force the closure orprivatization of public healthcarefacilities at all levels of government.
Resolution # 30RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on record assupporting Instant Runoff Voting(IRV) as a needed electoral reform inthe great State of Minnesota.
Resolution # 35RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordurging the Unions and the membersof the Minnesota AFL-CIO to hiremembers of the NWU - TC for all ofthe writing assignments in theirnewsletters and other publicationsand is proud to have the NationalWriters Union Local 13 - Twin CitiesChapter as a member.
Resolution # 40RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordreaffirming opposition to further leg-islative restriction on public employ-ees strike rights including legislativeproposals to take away or limit theright to strike of public employeesincluding teachers.
Resolution # 43RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordopposing the use of retirement fundsfor private and political proposes,insisting that the State Board ofInvestments have as its only consider-ations the safety and soundness of allinvestments.
Resolution # 44RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordopposing adoption of the new GATS,FTAA, an CAFTA and any other newtrade deals that could force the priva-tization of public services; be it fur-ther
RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO goes on recordto work actively to ensure that mem-bers of the Minnesota CongressionalDelegation oppose adoption of thesetrade agreements.
Resolution # 51RESOLVED: That the 47thConstitutional Convention of theMinnesota AFL-CIO go on recordundertaking a partnership role with itsaffiliated union and the MinnesotaState Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, inplanning and implementing and con-tinuing a campaign to have full labor-voter registration and labor-voter par-ticipation in elections.
Submitted by Mike Rossini
Page 17
In early spring of 2003, the con-cept of a "collective garden" usingcontributions and volunteers wasvisualized by several SouthGarage members. But would itwork?
Spring emerged and the projectgrew into a reality with the acqui-sition of land. Then, someone lenta tiller, and someone else, a truck-load of mulch.
Drivers, Mechanics and GarageManagement donated seeds andplants, and helped with the plant-ing, weeding, and watering andcare of the garden. The projectappeared to be a success.
And something wonderful hap-pened in the process. The projectsoon developed into a collectivepassion.
Members eagerly worked on theirbreaks or after work pullingweeds. Each developing infantseedling and shoot was watchedover and encouraged lovingly bymembers like proud parents.
As a result, the garden respondedenthusiastically giving beauty,lush growth and produce.Amazingly, aside from the radish-es and carrots, "The Garden" gavemore back than anyone imagined.
The GardenLiz Goldberg
"To the right of the front door, the garden began gently with masses of yellow marigolds which lined the gardenboundaries. Inside, heart shaped leafed Hostas, pale yellow day lilies and rows of delicate green, red and varie-gated leaf lettuces; carrots; radishes and onions grew vigorously under the protection of the grinning ceramicgarden trolls. Against the wall, were trellises smothered with cucumber vines and under them stood the zucchiniand squash bushes, elbowing each other with wide fuzzy leaves in competition. In front, the tangle of bush beansnext to orderly rows of green pepper plants. On the far end of the garden stood an army of towering twenty-footsunflowers topped with round brown faces and yellow collars fluttering with the breeze in synchronized dancealong with the rows of corn stalks. Of the entire garden, the area most visited and scrutinized was the far cornerwhere the tomato plants resided. Each small green beauty was imagined by each viewer as large, red and ripeand in their possession."
The South Garage Garden
Page 18
identifying yard entry and exitlocations for rail traffic approach-ing from or exiting to the main-line.Yard Speed: Maximum speed per-mitted in the yard is 10 mph,except over switches which is 5mph. Rear trucks of LRV mustclear the switch before resumingthe 10 mph speed limit.Yard Track: Any track locatedwithin the limits of the yard usedfor car storage, servicing or repair.
Definitions LRT Continued Schedule of the Retirement Clubs
For those lucky enough to be retired or if you just want to drop in andsee old friend, you’re welcome to visit.
Northside Breakfast ClubMeets 2nd Tues. of each month at Barnacle Bills, Shingle CreekParkway and Freeway Blvd Brooklyn Center.
Southside Breakfast ClubMeets the 1st Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of each month atBridgemans, 800 W. 66th Street Richfield.
St. Paul Lunch ClubMeets the second Wednesday of the month at 12:00 PM at the Well'sBowling Lanes at 365 North Concord in South St. Paul.
Metro Transit Mechanic TeammateMeets the 3rd Tuesday of the month - Old County Buffet - on 2000South Robert.
Answer to Cryto:DUBIOUS DECISIONS IN WASHINGTON MAKE MOST PEOPLEAVOID TALKING POLITICS. THEY'D RATHER BEAT AROUNDTHE BUSH.
Outsourcing Tied to bump in pay for CEOs
Chief executives of U.S. companies that outsourced the greatest number of jobs reaped bigger pay and benefitslast year, according to a study of executive compensation released August 31.
Average CEO compensation at the 50 companies outsourcing the most service jobs rose by 46 percent in 2003from a year earlier, compared with a 9 percent increase for CEO at 365 big companies overall, the study by theInstitute for Policy Studies and United for a Fair Economy found.
Outsourcing of jobs has become a sensitive issue, and President Bush has largely avoided the subject in publicappearances during the political campaign. Some of his economic advisers have said that exporting labor tolow-cost countries will reduce business costs, boost companies' financial performance and therby improve theeconomy.
The two groups' annual "Executive Excess" report said average CEO pay at the "top 50" outsourcing companieswas $10.4 million last year, compared with $8.1 million for the 365 companies.
The study also found that CEOs of the 70 companies that helped finance this summer's Democratic andRepublican National Conventions had an average pay increase of 49 percent in 2003, compared with a 9 percentaverage rise for CEOs overall.
The report noted that after two years of narrowing, the pay gap between CEOs and employees rose again in2003, to 301:1 from 282:1
Page19
Submissions for Letters to the Editor are subject to approval of the EditorialBoard and space considerations. Letters to the Editor are solely the opinionof the author and do not represent endorsement by ATU Local 1005 or theEducation Committee. If you have an editorial to submit, please contact acommittee member or our advisor Michelle Sommers at: [email protected]
LettersTo TheEditor
As the overseer of Met Councilbudgets, the legislators were partic-ularly interested in how the MetCouncil has found $2.5 million forthe Northstar when a year ago itclaimed it had no choice but to raiseMetro Transit bus fares and cutservice in response to state budgetcuts.
Rep. Bill Kuisle, R-Rochester,chairman of the HouseTransportation Finance Committee,said it was bad enough that the MetCouncil did not use the $2.5 millionto fill budget holes and ease busservice cuts, but "it's even worse tocreate a bigger [budget] hole bydoing a new project that we don'thave the money to support." Themoney the Met Council would usefor the Northstar would come frominterest earned over several yearson taxes collected in the metro areato pay for transit capital improve-ments that have since been paid off.
The Aug. 3 Star Tribune reports thatit would cost $136 million to designand build an extra lane in eachdirection on a seven-mile stretch ofInterstate Hwy. 494: that is, at acost of more than $19 million permile.
On the other hand, according to theAug. 4 Star Tribune, the cost of theproposed 40-mile Northstar line is$265 million, which is less than $7million per mile. Commuter rail is amore cost-effective solution to ourtraffic problems. I wonder whythere has been so much reluctanceon the part of the Minnesota
Legislature to approve Northstar.
Commentary:Way to go Gov. Pawlenty, upset thelegislators so they will cut our tran-sit funding even further!
Pawlenty is trying to play a win/win game. By ticking off the legis-lators with secret money from theMet Council for heavy rail, he isfurther down-scaling transit fund-ing.
The legislature will think that wehave more money stashed away inother hidden funds when justrecently the Council said they weregoing to have a $2.5 million short-fall, layoffs and reduced service.Contract is coming, always seemsto happen about this time. Connectthe dots…Hmmmmm!
Just as they misrepresented them-selves at the last contract time, itappears that we will be in for aneven a longer strike this timearound. Look what Mark Furmanwas recently saying, what a goodjob we have done, but we don'thave the money, (well at least nomoney showing - Do the StateAuditors go along with this creativeaccounting?).
How is Brian Lamb (our new GM)going to respond? His biggest chal-lenge is to have a fair, honest con-tract offer that is acceptable to theunion membership thereby avoidinganother strike. Actions are louderthan just praise.
Heavy Rail FundingStephen Babcock
Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, -Have you ever heard a positivequote out of this guys mouth? Justwhen you think things could not getworse, Govenor Pawlenty appointsMary Krinkie to the Met Council.Phil Krinkie is the #1 negativeLegislator. He has a skewed obses-sion with the Hiawatha light-railline. He is against "Sane Lanes", heis against "Heavy Rail" (Northstar).He is just against us - MetroTransit.
Wouldn't you think there is a con-flict of interest in having the num-ber one anti-urban, anti transit leg-islator's wife sit on what is supposeto be a pro-active,pro- urban, pro-transit council? Rep. Phil Krinkie,who has tangled with MnDOT overits handling of light-rail contracts,faulted the Legislature and the leg-islative auditor for not probingmore deeply into the department,has said more needs to be done tosee that the public's money is wellspent. These are code words forpaying less wages / benefits andnow his wife is on the legislativewelfare roll to support his right-wing agenda. Kind of a oxymoronfor a republican. I think thisappointment is one of the first of aseries of salvos to another transitstrike with the governor strengthen-ing his hand to privatize us throughMet Council.
Perhaps Krinkie could have helpedto pass a bonding bill, or done any-thing at all to justify his place as anelected public servant in the lastlegislative session.
Rep. Phil KrinkieStephen Babcock
Vote Your Job!By Raymond Vander Wyst
It's that time again, election season. Many candidates are vying for our attention and support, and willtell us many things to make us believe in them. But the most important issue we must consider is ourjobs!
We were just on strike, and we all remember how that was, and what the final toll on our contract is.We lost retirement health care for new hires, we lost some overtime pay rights, and we nearly had ourhealth care premiums raised through the roof.
Why is this happening to us? This is happening to us because of a Republican controlled house and aRepublican governor backed by the Met Council. A governor, who pledged not to raise taxes, but forceour cities and counties to raise our property taxes.
Did you know that we were almost privatized? It's true. The vote was 54 for privatization and 74against. 100% of the House Democrats voted against, and thank heavens 25 Republicans votedagainst also. But the Senate, it was a very different story….30 votes for and 31 against. That is TOOCLOSE FOR COMFORT!
How about Education Funding? It was cut in the House, the Republican controlled House, 74 to cut,51 not to cut. Who voted not to cut? -51 Democrats, again 100% of the Democrats.
Another big one for us, Transportation Funding. From this bill, Metro Transit will be cut by $14.5MILLION! Guess what? IT PASSED! 83 votes to cut, and 50 not to cut. Of the votes not to cut, 47were Democrats and 3 were Republicans, and of those to cut 4, Democrats crossed the aisle.
As you can see, DFL endorsed candidates are the people we really need to vote into office. If we wantto keep our jobs, get our funding, and support our families, it is a necessity!
