Metro Transit's Fred T. Heywood Garage was transformed on Friday,February 20th for the annual Black History Month Celebration. Thedrivers’ room was equal parts cafeteria, dining room, art gallery, lecturehall and music club. A marvelous buffet was provided by Big Daddy'sRestaurant in St. Paul, and music was shared by Willie Walker and TheBound Band, in which FTH Driver 6377, Michael Johnson, played amean sax.

The Organizing Committee,volunteers and supporters put onan impressive event that featuredInsight News editor AlMcFarlane and honored three ofMetro Transit's own employees:Silas (Sy) Sharp, a Nicolletmaintenance manager who has45 years with the agency,Leonard Jacox, who has been adriver for 39 years and Shirrell Johnson, a ten-year employee. Their sto-ries were printed in a 20-page program distributed at the event. The pro-gram was dedicated to former driver and manager Michael Arden Price,who passed away on January 26th.

Wanda Kirkpatrick, Metro Transit's Director of Equal Opportunity,emceed the program entitled "Embracing Change," and Julie Johanson,Deputy Director of Operations, made welcoming remarks. A mime per-formance was offered by Keacia Robinson and Annette Williams. Artwork by FTH Driver 1348, Bill Ashford, was featured prominently.

Al McFarlane first acknowledged his life and business partner, hiswife B.P. Ford, also in attendance at the event (pictured above). Insightbegan as a monthly magazine in 1974, and is now a newspaper focusingon issues affecting the black community. His talk included biographicalinformation and an enumeration of his guiding principles: love ("Love isthe most powerful force in creation."); imagination ("Too often our peo-ple are nurtured to have low expectations."); recognizing that you besthelp yourself by helping others; the value of cooperation and collabora-tion; and having the courage to acknowledge and trust your gifts.

The music from the band, a combination of R&B, blues and jazz,reverberated from that high ceiling and had a few people up dancing.

The following people on the Organizing Committee deserve a roundof applause: Donathan Brown, Marjorie Lee, Traci Williamson, TraceyJackson, Tony Williams, Demetairs Bell, Michael L. Johnson and PatricaWilliams.

The 1005 LineThe 1005 LineMarch / April 2009

The news and information publication of

ATU Local 1005 Prepared and

distributed by the EducationCommittee

For The People Who Know Where They Are Going

What’s Inside...

Officer’s Cornerpage 2

Union Meeting Highlights page 3

Transit Safety & Security page 4

Employee Free Choicepage 6

1005 Website & Offer to Memberspage 7

Tommy Bellfieldpage 10

Women’s History/Timelinepage 11

ITSI Observation Reports - Part 2page 12

Retirement Partiespages 14,15,16,22

Bus Bloggingpage 17

By-Law Changespage 18

Obituariespage 23

,"A community is democraticonly when the humblest andweakest person can enjoy thehighest civil, economic, andsocial rights that the biggest andmost powerful possess.” -A. Philip Randolph, African-American labor organizer

Black History Celebration a Resounding Success

More Pictures on Back Cover

OFFICER’SCORNER

Page 2

LOCAL 1005OFFICERS

President/BusinessAgentMichelleSommersVice-PresidentDorothy MakiRecordingSecretary/Asst.Business AgentDanAbramowiczFinancialSecretary/TreasurerTommyBellfield

CalendarEducationCommittee Meetings- 2:30 pmMarch 17th April 21stat the Union Office

Executive Board& Union MeetingsMarch 24th - St. PaulApril 28th - Mpls.10:00 AM / 7:00 PM

Union Office Phone612-379-2914email:office@atu1005.comwebsite:www.atu1005.com

Recording Secretary / A.B.A.Dan Abramowicz

One of the many issues that has emerged in discussions is the recentpay issue involving part-time operators and their 30-hour guarantee.What happens in this instance doesn't normally affect weekend and holi-day part-time operators.

What has happened over the last few years is that the scheduling ofrostered part-time weekday work (actual work time = report time + driv-ing time) comes dangerously close to 30 hours.

EXAMPLE: Weekly Guarantee Scheduled Work Time Difference(allowed time) 30:00 28:45 1:15

When part-time operators submit O.E.R.'s for pulling in late, thoseminutes are "absorbed" into their allowed time. As illustrated in theexample, this particular pair of rostered stubs allows the operator to pullin up to 1 hour, 15 minutes late. If it is known that operators will definitely exceed their 30 hours, even by a single minute, they are to betaken off their work. This happens during weeks in which operators arepulling in very late, many times due to snowfalls.

There is an exception which permits part-time operators to go over the30 hours - when they require training for various reasons. The mostcommon reason for this training is route training for a new pick. Whenthese two situations - abnormally late pull-ins and training - come togeth-er in the same week, the problems begin.

When part-time operators are taken off their work to prevent themfrom exceeding 30 hours, they are paid as if they worked every piecewithin their schedule - including spread penalty time. This is where theconflicts arise.

When the two phenomena occur within the same week (an operatortaken off his/her work to stay below 30 hours and being trained for what-ever reason), there's a mistake many operators have been experiencing ontheir paychecks. When they're taken off their work, it shows up inPayroll as less time actually worked, which results in additional allowedtime. What they see is that an employee did not work a particular stub,so therefore they have a greater amount of time in which they can be lateduring the rest of the week or do training. They should be paid as if theystill have only 1:15 (as in the example) of allowed time so the amount inwhich their training goes over 30 hours is how much more their pay isfor that week. I know it sounds complicated, but it's true.

Part-time operators should be aware of exactly how many hoursthey pick, how many they work, and especially how many they'repaid. If anyone is not sure that they've been paid correctly, pleasecontact your Executive Board Member or call the Union Office at612-379-2914.Fraternally, Dan Abramowicz

Part-time Pay

Page 3

Education Committee

AdvisorDorothy Maki

Chair Melanie Benson

SouthLiz Goldberg

Vice Chair

Heywood OfficeIlona LaDouceur Rec. Secretary

NicolletAlec JohnsonRyan TimlinTwaya MacintoshDebbi SieversStephen Babcock

Layout

Overhaul BaseOpen

RuterScott Lindquist

East MetroPhilip JaroszLisa Callahan

Heywood GarageOpen

LRTMargo Trujillo

725 Bldg.Open

Editorial BoardKen DolneyMark LawsonGary Bier

Union Meeting HighlightsJanuary 2008 Meeting

Executive Board RecommendationsA donation of $5000 was made to the ATU Local in Ottawa, Canada,

that had been on strike for seven weeks.

The 42nd Annual Black Caucus Conference will be held in Albany,New York from May 14-May 17, 2009. Local 1005 will send one officerand two members.

The 23rd Annual Women's Caucus will be held in Atlantic City, NewJersey from June 14-17, 2009. One officer and two members will attend.

The By-Law Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. on February 4th. By-Law Committee members are Chuck Feucht, Cliff Bolden, Gary Bier andClarence Maloney.

Ken Dolney, Mark Lawson, Brian LaRoue and Cliff Bolden willattend the Northwest Conference.

Michelle Sommers, Gary Bier, Russell Dixon and John Zapata willattend the ATU East Can-Am Conference.

Michelle Sommers and Dave Gosha will attend the ATU MidwestConference.

Arbitration RequestsAn East Metro operator requested arbitration on the chargeability of

an accident and a Record of Warning. This case will go to arbitration.

An East Metro operator requested arbitration after being dischargedfor violating the Operating Policy and overall record. This case will notgo to arbitration.

An East Metro operator requested arbitration after being dischargedfor violating a Last Chance Agreement. This case will not go to arbitra-tion.

A Heywood operator requested arbitration on a filed complaint. Thiscase will not go to arbitration.

A Heywood operator requested arbitration after being discharged forviolating the Operating Policy and overall record. This case will not goto arbitration.

A Rochester City Lines driver requested arbitration on a chargeableaccident and a suspension. This case will go to arbitration.

Financial Secretary's ReportThe names of members who passed away during the past month were

read: Donald Rose and Linda Pfeil. Members stood for a moment ofsilence.

President's ReportOn the payroll issue: There will be a hearing at the St. Paul court-

house on Metro Transit's motion to vacate the arbitration award (grantingATU 1005 the right to represent the employees

Continued on Page 8

For complete details please seethe Safety and Security Boardlocated in every garage.

Transit Safety and Security CommitteeMembers

David Hanson, ManagementAdvisor, Street Supervisor David Rogers, Chair, Rail Op.Curt Botner, Nicollet Op.Michael Craven, MJR Op.Allen Juaire, East Metro Op.Jeffrey Thompson, Hey. Op.Mary Vasterling, South Op.Pamela Hamlow, MJR Op.

JanuaryOthers in Attendance

Dorothy Maki, ATUMike Robeck, TCC Mike McNamara, LRTMike Conlon, Director/Rail &Bus Safety Kim Muller, acting SecretaryDave Larrabee, Risk Jim Franklin, MTPBrenda Himrich, Safety Don Davis, MaintenanceJohn Cook, FTH AssistantGarage ManagerSam Jacobs, Director of BusOperations

MTP did not issue moving viola-tion, hybrid kiosks. Safety is thecornerstone of what we do.Safety MUST be in balance withoperational efficiency.

POLICE REPORT Jim Franklinin attendance. No December2008 numbers yet. Update onStudio 4. Working well, althoughthey can do more and will contin-ue to address the issues. Detailswill be given at a later date. Justknow they are still very active.Please look through monthlynewsletter for goals & numbersfor this year. Jim is going to a 3-month academy and will return inlate April. He will try to havesomeone in his place for TSSCmeeting, but is unsure of who willbe available. He will continue tobe accessible via email throughoutthe coming months.

LRT REPORT Mike McNamarain attendance. Possible policedetail on platforms between 2ndand 3rd St.?Vikings season went well this yearw/ extra bus cooperation. GoodHolidazzle year also - no troubleto report.Using "canned" responses to dealwith rowdy behavior on plat-forms; drivers must call RCC intimely manner to be effective.Hiawatha platform extensions willbegin in July probably being donein sections of 3 on overnightshifts. Northstar will open in November,testing to begin in Sept. & Oct.(unconfirmed)

SAFETY REPORT BrendaHimrich in attendance.Upcoming Right to Know regard-ing securing mobility devices

1st class to be at FTH on 1-10-09.Handout for Right to Know class.Maintenance will also participatewith this to talk to operators toimprove overall communications.No data received yet from prioryear, will post per garages onsafety board when they get themand will also pass out to members

RISK REPORT David Larrabeein attendance: Nothing new

TCC REPORT Mike Robeck inattendance. The two new man-agers will start their full duties on1-10-09. One more supervisor tobe hired. There was a softwareissue to download Decembernumbers, but it may have beensolved. He is currently workingon development and implementa-tion of training forums to helpdrivers understand what consti-tutes 'priority calls". This will behis last meeting because he isstarting a new permanent shift.

STREET OPERATIONS DavidHanson in attendance. Four newstreet supervisors will be "turnedloose." Layovers are NOT break times.Subzero temps and operators notletting passengers board.Operators need to accommodatepassengers - they are entitled toboard buses on layovers! This is adisservice to customers. It isrecovery time, not break time andnot allowing them to board is aviolation. Secure their bus if theoperator leaves, otherwise, theyneed to let them on. (ATU - oper-ators need a few minutes to them-selves and this is not too much toask. Morale issue.)

MAINTENANCE REPORT DonDavis (for Chuck) in attendance.

OTHER REPORT Mike Conlon,Director of Rail & Bus Safetyreported on Safety Presentation onMT Public Outreach Campaigns.2001-2002 The Yield law , DMVquestions on test, bus backs, redtriangle on back of bus, 2003-2004 Look. Listen. Live - (Focuson LRT) mainly with brochures.2005-2006 Stay Alert, Stay SafeCampaign. 2007-2008 "SharedResponsibility", sidewalk clings,cyclist brochures, measuredenforcement leaflet for cyclists if

Page 4

Page 5Operator protection barrier dis-played & discussed.

OTHER Adjourned to FTHGarage for operator protectionbarrier demonstration wheremotion was made to fit three (3)buses with prototype of this pro-tective shield and have operatorsfill out a survey regarding theshield’s effectiveness.Respectfully submitted,Kim Muller, acting RecordingSecretary

FebruaryOthers in Attendance

Eric Isakson, TCCMike McNamara, LRTBrenda Himrich, SafetyEmily Anleu, RecordingSecretaryChuck Wurzinger, MaintenanceDorothy Maki, ATUSam Jacobs, Director of BusOperations

POLICE REPORT No report.Police presence was discussed.

LRT Mike McNamara.Overnight platform extensionsbegin April 2009. Three plat-forms at a time and they plan todo them in sections. Northstar -Training the operators this sum-mer. Training is still in the plan-ning phases. Opening date isNovember 2009. Would like torun some trains so operators canget the feel of it. Train scheduleswere discussed. Operators havecalled in to the RCC and are hav-ing them make personalannouncements to customers "Heyyou…get off the platform." etc.Seems to be effective. Jumpyodometers were discussed. MikeMcNamara will check into it.

SAFETY REPORT BrendaHimrich. Share the Road cards -Safe operation of bicyclists and

rules of the roadDiscussed article titled, "TheWell-Tempered Cyclist".

Year-end results Accidents per100,000 miles. Report every-thing, in case the person comesback and files a claim. Unlessthere is a claim the report isn'tcounted in the garage numbers.Any collision is included in theresults. Last year's results weregood. 2008 and 2009 goals werediscussed. Monthly results werediscussed.

Safe Winter Driving Programstarted in December. The pilotprogram will run from December2008 through April 2009. Busoperators at each garage withoutany responsible accidents or cus-tomer falls during a winter monthshall be entered into a drawing fora paid day off. At the end of thepilot program management willevaluate the program. Top 10 Bus Accident Locations -

Brenda will run this report month-ly.

RISK REPORT No report

TCC REPORT Eric Isakson.New TCC shift pick. Incidentresponse time report: January,There were 18 Priority One calls.Average time was 2.6 minutes.Highest time was 9 minutes.There were 120 Priority TwoCalls. Average time was 8.1 min-utes. Highest time was 59 min-utes. Erik will provide CurtBotner with all 18 Priority Oneresponse times. During badweather they call in more people.We can understand that it’s frus-trating when operators are askednot to call. We are just trying todeal with stuck buses and emer-gency situations.

STREET OPERATIONS DavidHanson. Priority Service event

Continued on page 6

such as: Bad Weather. Badweather procedures were dis-cussed. Additional staff is avail-able. Transit Supervisors can con-tact you from the street. They canbypass the TCC when it is reallybusy.March 16 Marquette and 2nd Avedetours will begin. Will be simi-lar to last year. Schedules won'tchange for this project. Changeswere discussed. Projected to becompleted in Dec 2010. Passingpolicy was discussed - No passingon Marquette.

MAINTENANCE REPORTChuck Wurzinger. Bus purchases- 26 MCI coaches coming in Juneand July 2009. Coach companies are reluctant tomaking changes to their coaches.They won't do adjustable pedals.Different - taller, 45 ft long, faster,57 passengers. New buses willprobably be out of South andEast. Training will be provided Eleven Artics in June and July -copies of last year's models. AreUrban Partnership Agreement(UPA) buses. New 40 ft bus issues. Air dryers - timers that switch theair flow is going out.Rear door issues - issues with thesoftware. Reacts differently tocold air. Manufacturer came inand reprogrammed all doors.Please report any problems.

Mirrors - Hadley - mirror manu-facturer. Chuck will talk to themabout the issues and will report.

Four Artic buses out of East hadhot brakes this winter. CalledNew Flyer engineers that day.They don't have an answer. Cameclose to burning a bus. Enginesfail on the street. Detroit Series50. Met on Monday to talk aboutit. We're putting more miles on theengines then before. They are

Page 6dealing with issues that theyhaven't had to before.Fuel filters are clogging. Workingwith fuel providers to remedyissue.

Spit Shield - Three shields wereput on 40 footers 1150, 1151,1152 out of FTH. ATU was asked to conduct surveyof operator opinions (DorothyMaki will follow up). Standees in coach buses were dis-cussed. Jeff Thompson requeststhat Steve McLaird reissue

DSSC Minutes Continued from page 5standee report bulletinNicollet op asked about mirrorthat used to be on 40ft low floorbuses, not on the new buses.Wondering why they went away. A meeting with operators, man-agement and people from trans-portation decided on mirrors andtheir positioning. Lights at the back door that aren'tworking very well. LED steplights not working on low floorbuses. Fleet defect filed withGillig. When we reach a certainpercentage of buses that have the

same problem that is called a fleetdefect. Gillig comes to fix it andthey are only done when we signoff on it.

OTHER Forums: FTH forum2/25 11-12 lunch 12-3 speakers.South - April. Nicollet, East,MJR. Emily will take care of theweb page from now on. Minuteswill be posted on the website.Police ride alongs were discussed.

Respectfully submitted,Emily Anleu, Recording Secretary

Bailed-Out Bank Uses Taxpayer Cash to Fight Employee Free ChoiceWhen Congress entrusted billions of dollars to banks last fall, it wasn't with the expectation our taxpayer

money would be used to hustle for political campaign cash, spread disinformation and fight legislation aimed atimproving the economy for everyone. Yet that's exactly what Bank of America did last fall, coordinating CEOsand lobbyists to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act.

According to reporting by Sam Stein in The Huffington Post, within three days of being approved for $25billion in taxpayers' money, Bank of America officials hosted an Oct. 17 conference call with key corporateleaders to strategize about the upcoming election and how to fight the Employee Free Choice Act in the nextCongress. Stein obtained audio of the call, led by mega-lobbyist Rick Berman and Bernie Marcus, founder andformer CEO of Home Depot. The call, which included major finance industry figures and representatives frombig corporations (including AIG, itself a recipient of $85 billion in taxpayer-funded loans), featured apocalypticrhetoric and demands that those on the call donate to anti-Employee Free Choice Act politicians.

The audio Stein obtained features a hysterical Marcus calling the Employee Free Choice Act "the demise of acivilization" and insisting that corporate honchos who didn't donate big sums to anti-worker incumbent senators"should be shot, should be thrown out of their [expletive] jobs." In the audio of the call, Berman lays out thecorporate lobbyists' post-election strategy: to try and scare members of the Senate up for election in 2010, hop-ing to create the appearance of unpopularity and weaken senators' resolve. The disinformation campaign isalready under way, with a bevy of anti-Employee Free Choice Act front groups dropping huge sums of moneyfrom undisclosed corporate donors into TV ads and lobbying.

Why are these industry leaders so scared of the Employee Free Choice Act? Because they know the samething that the bill's proponents know: that right now, U.S. labor laws are badly tilted in favor of bosses, andunder the Employee Free Choice Act, workers, not companies, would have a say in forming a union and bar-gaining for health care, pensions, fair wages and better working conditions.

The better question, of course, is why, after being slated for billions from the federal government, Bank ofAmerica used its time and resources to coordinate a disinformation campaign aimed at soliciting political dona-tions and preventing a stronger, fairer economy and the freedom to form unions and bargain. It's a sign of thehubris and lack of accountability in the corporate community that Bank of America thought they could get awaywith this-and it's a sign that we need the Employee Free Choice Act to restore fairness to the economy.

Politicians, pundits and the press should listen up: America's working families understand that a strongereconomy and a thriving middle class depend upon restoring workers' freedom to bargain for a better life. They'renot buying into anti-worker disinformation campaigns. It's time to listen to that message and pass the EmployeeFree Choice Act.Source: http://blog.aflcio.org/author-bios/ by Seth Michaels, Jan 28, 2009

Page 7

SPORTSMEN and SPORTSWOMEN!!!!!Those of you who made the union meeting on Feb. 24th already

know the news of the Union Sportsmen's Alliance. This club is for allunion members or family members. It's just $25.00 to join and youreceive a variety of gifts that include a buck knife, a one-year sub-scription to a top outdoor magazine (Petersen's Hunting, In-Fisherman or Guns & Ammo) and a $25.00 gift certificate fromBeretta Field Gear!! Plus you are entered into multiple drawingsthroughout the year.

Inaugural Sportsmen DinnerThursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m.

IOUE Local 49 Hall2829 Anthony Lane South

MinneapolisSpecial Guest Speaker - Outdoor writer/TV host Ron Schara.

$60.00 will include your membership /door prizes/and dinnerALL SEATS RESERVED, NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOREarly Birds with tickets paid in full by April 1, 2009 will be entered

into an Early Bird Drawing for a $200.00 Cash Prizewww.UnionSportsmen.org or 877-USA-2211

What's Going On with the Union?Communication between local union leaders and members happens in a number of ways, some more effec-

tive than others.

There's the monthly membership meeting, which in most unions is only attended by a small percentage of themembers. There's a union bulletin board in each facility, but space is limited and it needs constant updating. Inmany local unions, there's a newsletter such as The 1005 Line which reaches a certain number of people. Thenthere's always word of mouth, which may or may not transmit accurate information.

In ATU Local 1005, as in many other union locals around the country, technology has made it possible formembers to stay updated electronically. True, not every member has access to a computer (in fact, it would beinteresting to learn what percentage of our members are 'on-line'). For those who do have this option, the unionwebsite is a very attractive, very comprehensive site that provides all kinds of information:- Pictures of the union officers- A list of the Executive Board members- Related labor/transit websites- Updates on pending legislation and upcoming transit hearings- Upcoming retirement parties- A copy of the union contract- Copies of The 1005 Line going back a few years- Names of Committee members- Notices of upcoming meetings- Arbitration vote results - Pictures from retirement parties and other events

The list goes on. The website is updated regularly by Vice-President Dorothy Maki and Assistant BusinessAgent/Recording Secretary Dan Abramowicz. It's a very impressive site and well worth navigating on a regularbasis.

Page 8in the Payroll Department). The decision is due on February 3rd.

Some things are negotiated outside of the contract: 1)There will be a new program, an incentive for safewinter driving. Winners of the drawings held in January-March will receive an extra vacation day. The unioninsisted that any accidents disqualifying a driver for the drawing must be driver-responsible only. There will betwo drawings each month, one for part-time (4 vacation hours)and one for full-time (8 vacation hours); 2)There is some discussion of the ability to trade shifts in TIC; and there are two new wage class increases.

Board members have had two days of training at the Labor Education Service at the University ofMinnesota and three more are scheduled. A half-day with new board members will include role playing and amock grievance.

Part-time drivers taken off for a snow day should not be getting slighted on pay. Check with your boardmember if this is a problem.

We haven't sent members to the Women's and Black Caucus Conferences for a number of years. We will bebringing resolutions to these conferences.

The following members are appointed to the Education Committee: Steve Babcock, Melanie Benson, LizGoldberg, Phil Jarosz, Alec Johnson, Twaya Macintosh, Deb Sievers, Lisa Callahan, Scott Lindquist and RyanTimlin.

Mark Ammend has been appointed as the union's Sentinel for the next three years.

There was an accusation that an LRT instructor gave a book and test to employees ahead of time. The reso-lution to the problem is that everyone will get a study guide five days before the test.

The Officer's Corner in the newsletter this month was about DWI's and drug tests. It is so difficult to takecalls from members losing their jobs because of these two things when there's nothing we can do to help. Ifyou think it can't happen, it does. If you think it won't happen, it will.

The Minnesota State Retirement System is 90.18% funded, much better than other retirement programs.Deferred Comp fees are down. It used to be that the Health Care Savings Plan funds could not be passed on toanyone except a spouse or dependent, but now Minnesota is one of only two states where another person can bedesignated.

New BusinessThirteen by-law proposals were read for information only, nine submitted by the union office and four by

members. They will be discussed at the By-Law Committee meeting and voted on at the February membershipmeeting.

February 2009 MeetingJim Klatt from the Union Sportsmen's Alliance appeared and spoke to the membership.

Executive Board Recommendations approved by the membership

The local will pay the registration fee, banquet fee, airfare, hotel, per diem, and applicable lost time forPresident Sommers, Russell Dixon, Gary Bier and John Zapata to attend the ATU Eastern Can-Am ConferenceSeptember 30-October 3, 2009 in New Orleans.

Local 1005 will support the Fare for All Express Program of Working Partnerships.

Local 1005 will support a resolution by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace WorkersLocal 1833, which is having a rally on Sunday, March 29, 2009. More information will be posted.

Local 1005 paid $1000 in 2009 dues to the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition.

The University of Minnesota Labor Education Service is sponsoring the Minnesota Union Women's

Union Meeting Notes Continued from page 3

Page 9Leadership Retreat at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge. The retreat will happen from April 22 - 24, 2009 and anyoneinterested should contact the L.E.S. by phone at 612-624-5020 or at www.workdayminnesota.org.

President Sommers will attend the ATU Annual Legislative Conference March 8 - 10, 2009, in WashingtonD.C. and will be paid five days' per diem.

Two Local 1005 members will attend the 20th Anniversary ATU Latino Caucus Conference September 10th -14th on the Carnival Cruise ship Ecstasy. Local 1005 will pay registration fees, cruise reservations, airfare, air-port fees (if any), applicable lost time, and per diem of $40.00 for each day.

President Sommers and Dave Gosha will attend the ATU Midwest Conference Board meeting in Iowa City,Iowa April 18 - 19, 2009. Local 1005 will pay mileage, hotel, registration fee, and per diem.

Local 1005 donated $150.00 to the Resource Center of the Americas.

Local 1005 will sponsor one team (max. four bowlers) at a cost of $200 in the 6th Annual Labor Bowl forthe Working Families Fund to fund election activities in the Rochester area.

Requests for ArbitrationA driver from Nicollet Garage requested arbitration. He had been discharged after receiving a violation for

having an earphone in his ear while driving, thereby violating his Last Chance Agreement. After an explanationand discussion during which the driver spoke, the members voted on his request. This case will go to arbitra-tion.

A driver out of Nicollet Garage was discharged for absenteeism. After an explanation and discussion duringwhich the driver spoke, the members voted on her request. This case will not go to arbitration.

The request for arbitration of an FTH Vault puller was not read because the member contacted the Union andrequested his case not be read or voted on by the membership.

Recording Secretary's ReportTommy Bellfield announced the deaths this month: Anita Jacobsen, South Operator 9784 and Richard

Nymoen, Retiree 5163. Members stood for a moment of silence.Obligations

Willie Beasley and Dennis A. Jones took the obligation at the morning meeting.

President's ReportThe Met Council is proposing a bill to the Minnesota State Legislature to prohibit the use of wireless elec-

tronic devices on Met Council vehicles by Met Council employees (HF 928).

The judge ruling on the case of payroll employees requested an extension.

Transportation stimulus money is coming to Minnesota, but right now it's all being put toward capital spend-ing, not operating costs. Layoffs are not expected at this time for Metro Transit, and the governor's wage freezebill is currently stalled in the legislature.

A HealthPartners Wellness assessment will be conducted on the properties at no cost to the Met Council.Members are not required to participate.

ATU Local 1005 is participating in training of new full-time operators in dealing with difficult situations:"Life Behind the Wheel."

Buses at the Mall of America are being monitored for speeding.

There was an update on the hiring progress for the Northstar Commuter Rail Working Foreperson.

Members were reminded to be careful about alcohol consumption and over-the-counter medications.Members are losing their jobs over needless DWI's.

Union Meeting notes Continued

Page 10

Tommy BellfieldHi… this is Ilona LaDouceur, and I would like to welcome another of our newly-

elected officers, Mr. Tommy Bellfield, as our Financial Secretary/Treasurer. In an excit-ing year in politics, we elected our first African-American President. This is also thefirst time we have an African-American elected as an officer of our local union.

Tommy, I appreciate the time and thought you put into these questions:

What elements of your previous job as a dispatcher are you able to utilize in thisposition?

Coming from the dispatchers' ranks, I've learned many aspects of using MicrosoftOffice. These skills really helped me during my transition into the Financial Secretary/Treasurer position.Knowing how to use the formulating power of Microsoft Excel is my greatest asset. As a dispatcher, I had donequite a few operators' picks, and with the help of other dispatchers, we created different spreadsheets to helpkeep things organized and running smoothly. I've used Microsoft Word to create many documents, and that hasaided me in writing the many letters that are required of me as Financial Secretary. Jerry Ewald was a greatinspiration to me. Also coming from the dispatchers' rank with no accounting skills, he was elected FinancialSecretary/Treasurer two terms ago. I thought to myself "I can do it!"

What duties/expectations of this position were the most surprising to you, the most challenging?

Once I was elected and started my training process, it became apparent to me that the duties of FinancialSecretary/Treasurer are enormous. As I watched Chuck Gudknecht carry out the day-to-day duties of this posi-tion, I wondered if I really could do it. I became more at ease with each day as I came in, took notes and askedChuck lots of questions. The most challenging part of this position is the unknown, things that didn't arise duringmy training period. I learn something new and challenging every day.

Over the next three years, what do you hope to bring to the union? What changes/additions/subtractionsdo you see?

During my term and after I get more comfortable with the position, I "HOPE" to help increase memberknowledge and participation in the union. I will make more garage visits and talk about the importance of hav-ing good strong unions, especially during these trying times in America. I will develop an outline of the dutiesthat are required of the Financial Secretary/Treasurer, so that the transition to the next person elected will be asmooth one.

Tommy…whenever I see you, you are smiling. What are you thinking?Some people think I smile too much or I always seem too happy. My answer to them would be, "I smile

because I woke up this morning! Usually if you bring a smile you'll get a smile!" Life is too short to always bemad at the world, so make the best of the time you have here on earth. Remember that whatever adversities youface in life, "This Too Shall Pass!"

Tommy’s Bio

My name is Tommy L. Bellfield Sr. I'm 40 years old. I was born and raised right here in South Minneapolis,Minnesota . I attended Wilder Elementary School , Phillips and Sanford Junior High Schools , and finally SouthHigh! I'm the oldest of five brothers raised by a single mother. I have four children of my own, three daughtersand one son. I'm married to a beautiful woman who is an employee of Metro Transit. I started in the workforcewhen I was 15 years old, working at Burger King, then a nursing home, Chrysler parts depot, driving a schoolbus and finally making it to MTC as a bus operator in 1991. Very early in my career at MTC (1992) I noticed aposting for relief dispatchers that I applied for and got. I really didn't know all the duties of dispatchers, but Iwas up for the challenge. I stayed on the relief dispatchers' list for ten years until I was appointed to a full-timedispatcher in 2002.

Page 11

MARCH WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

How it beganLiz Goldberg

International Women's Day was first celebrated on March 8, 1911 in Europe. In many European nations andthe United States, women's rights was a political and a highly controversial topic. "Woman’s Suffrage" (or win-ning the vote) was a priority of many women's organizations at that time.

During the economic depression of the 1930's and through World War II, women's rights went out of fashiontemporarily. In the 1950's and 1960's after Betty Friedan pointed to the "problem that has no name" - the bore-dom and isolation of the middle-class housewife who often gave up intellectual and professional aspirations - thewomen's movement began to revive. With "women's liberation" in the 1960's, interest in women's issues andwomen's history blossomed.

By the 1970's, there was a universal feeling by women that "history" as taught in school was incomplete andnot attending to "her story" as well. In the U.S., calls for the inclusion of Black Americans and NativeAmericans helped some women realize that women were invisible in most history courses. In the 1970's, manyuniversities began to include the fields of women's history and the broader field of women's studies.

In 1978 in California, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Womenbegan a "Women's History Week" celebration which actually coincided with International Women's Day onMarch 8. The response was positive. Not only did schools begin to host their own Women's History Weeks, buta strong movement formed to convince Congress to declare a national Women's History Week.

Three years later Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week. Co-sponsors ofthe resolution, demonstrating bipartisan support, were Senator Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, andRepresentative Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland. So successful was the participation by schoolsand organizations that in 1987, at the request of the National Women's History Project, Congress expanded theweek to a month.

To further extend the inclusion of women's history in the history curriculum, the Presidents Commission onthe Celebration of Women in History in America met through the 1990's - and one result was the establishmentof a National Museum of Women's History for the Washington, DC area.

The purpose of Women's History Month is to increase consciousness and knowledge of women's history; totake one month of the year to remember the contributions of notable and ordinary women, in hopes that the daywill soon come when it's impossible to teach or learn history without remembering these contributions.

Source: About.com/women's history

U.S. WOMEN’S HISTORY TIMELINE

1777 - Abigail Smith Adams, wife of the second president John Adams and mother of the sixth president John Quincy Adams writes that women" will not hold ourselves bound by any laws which we have no voice."

1784 - Hannah Adams is the first American woman to support herself by writing.1819 - Emma Hart Willard writes her "Plan for Improving Female Education" which, although unsuccessful,

Continued on page 12

Page 12defines the issue of women's education at that time.

1826 - The first public high schools for girls open in New York and Boston.1828 - Former slave, abolitionist, and feminist Isabella van Wagener is freed and takes the name Sojourner

Truth. She begins to preach against slavery throughout New York and New England.1833 - Oberlin College in Ohio is the first co-educational college in the U.S.1838 - Mount Holyoke College is established in Massachusetts as the first college for women.1840 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton, feminist, dress reformer, and editor, omits the word "obey" from her marriage

vows.1840 - Lucretia Mott is one of several women delegates to attend the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in

London. As a woman, she is forced to sit in the gallery and cannot participate.1848 - The first Women's Rights Convention is held in Seneca Falls, N.Y.1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S. Women

doctors are permitted to legally practice medicine for the first time.1850 - Women are granted the right to own land in a state (Oregon).

The female (later Women's) Medical College is founded in Pennsylvania.1852 - Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton form the Women's NY Temperance Society.1860-1865 - American Civil War1866 - Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, Martha Coffin Pelham Wright and Ernestine Rose found the

American Equal Rights Association.1868 - The 14th Amendment denying women the right to vote is ratified.

Women lawyers are licensed in U.S.1869 - The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and the American Woman Suffrage Association

(AWSA) are formed.1870 - The 15th Amendment enfranchising black men is ratified.1872 - Susan B. Anthony is arrested for attempting to vote.1874 - The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is founded.1878 - For the first time, a Women's Suffrage Amendment is introduced to Congress.1890 - Wyoming is the first state to allow women to vote. The NWSA and the AWSA reunite to form the

National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Women begin to wear knickerbockers instead of skirts for bicycle riding.

1903 - The Women's Trade Union League of New York is formed to unionize workingwomen. This group later becomes the nucleus for the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)

1913 - 5,000 suffragists march in Washington, D.C. for the women's rights movement.1915 - A petition with 500,000 signatures in support of women's suffrage amendment is given to President

Woodrow Wilson.1920 - The 19th Amendment is ratified, allowing women the right to vote in federal elections.1923 - Alice Paul and the National Women's Party first propose the Equal Rights Amendment to eliminate

discrimination on the basis of sex. It has never been ratified.1934 - Florence Ellinwood Allen becomes first woman on US Court of Appeals.1939-1945 -World War II1961 - Eleanor Roosevelt is appointed to chair the Commission on the Status of Women.1961 - The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by Betty Goldstein Friedan.1970 - 50,000 people march in New York City for the first Women's Strike for Equality.1971 - U.S. Supreme Court rule ends sex discrimination in hiring.1972 - U.S. Congress passes the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

Equal Rights Amendment passes Congress but fails to be ratified.1975 - Ella Grasso is first woman Governor (Connecticut) to be re-elected.1977 - 3,000 women march in Washington, D.C. on Women's Equality Day to support the E.R.A.1981 - Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.1995 - Lt. Col. Eileen Collins becomes the first American woman to pilot a Space Shuttle.1997 - Madeleine K. Albright becomes first woman U.S. Secretary of State.

Women’s History Timeline Continued from page 11

Continued on page 17

Page 13

Observation Reports - Part 2Melanie Benson

Please note: There was an error made in the first installment of this article: ITSI, the company that does theobservation reports, is International Transit Security, Inc.

ITSI contracts with the Metropolitan Council to check to see if Metro Transit drivers are calling streets andtransfer points as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The questions asked in the previousarticle concern whether or not the reports are accurate and whether or not the Observation Reports are beingadministered evenly.

Lately, it seems that these Observation Reports have been raining down on Nicollet drivers like confetti.One driver has had six reports in the last year. One said no streets were being called, four were commendationsfor calling all streets, and another said 'some' streets were called. In conversations with other drivers, a lot ofquestions were raised about the fairness and accuracy of these reports.

ITSI 2008 SummaryThe 2008 Summary lists each report made by date, time of day (of boarding the bus), route and letter, and

whether the driver called "all", "some" or "no" streets. No mention is made of how long the observer was oneach bus. Nor is there any mention of the driver's badge number.

The report is organized into quarters. There are some months in which no reports were made (April, May,July, most of September and October, most of December),others where the observer rides eight to ten days amonth, mostly weekdays, some Saturdays and a rare Sunday. The reports are divided into a.m. and p.m. Thevast majority of the a.m. rides are between 6:00 a.m. and noon, the p.m. rides from noon to 7:00 p.m. Thiswriter could find fewer than six reports made after 7:00 p.m. On the days that the observer rides (DG, accordingto his initials), he generally writes between 30-40 reports on a weekday. These routes are almost exclusivelylocal routes.

Breakdown by garageEach quarter's statistics are listed by garage. The percentage of drivers being observed out of each garage

per quarter is consistent. What's interesting is to compare the number of drivers per facility to the number ofreports being written. In 2008, Nicollet Garage led the list - 328 drivers total, 515 Observation Reports; FTHGarage - 355 drivers total, 322 reports; MJR Garage - 184 drivers, 93 reports; East Metro Garage - 380 drivers,288 reports; South Garage - 230 drivers, 215 reports. These reports clearly aren't evenly distributed to beginwith, and some drivers are receiving more reports than others at each garage depending on the shifts they drive.(Number of drivers per garage is approximate.)

CompensationThe "contractor" for these Observation Reports is under a two-year contract with the Metropolitan Council.

He's required to perform 2880 "field audits", 120 reports per month, and is paid $17.00 per report for a total overtwo years of $48,960.00. If he writes 30 reports a day (on the low side), he earns $510 per day. If he writes 40reports, he earns $680 per day. That's a lot of money even if the reports are accurate, which can only be deter-mined by the driver being observed. Based on this writer's experience, they sometimes aren't.

The writer of this article would be interested in learning about other drivers' reactions to the ObservationReports they have received. Maybe this topic needs a Part 3.

If these reports are not accurate, the drivers should contact a union representative before inaccuratereports are placed in their file. Reports indicating "called some" will result in counseling for the firstoccurrence and a Class B violation for the second. Reports indicating "called none" will result in a ClassB violation for the first occurrence and a Class A violation for the second. Both of these are within arolling calendar year. "Further disregard for the Policy and the Federal Regulations could result in fur-ther disciplinary action, up to and including discharge." THIS IS SERIOUS.

Sources: Observation Reports 2008 Summary, Contract between Metropolitan Council and International TransitSecurity, Inc., Metro Transit 2005 Operating Policy

Organizing 101by Ilona LaDouceur

After my experience over the summer working at the St. PaulRegional Labor Federation with other unions on the Obama andFranken campaigns, I decided to venture down another avenue withthe union and learn more. I had first come into contact with MarlinJensen, Chair of the Local 1005 Organizing Committee, a couple ofyears ago to get involved with some organizing opportunities inRochester, but wasn't able to at that time. We touched base this pastNovember at a union meeting, and I expressed my interest in gettinginvolved.

On Saturday morning, January 17th of this year, we met at the Mallof America.. For me, this was another new experience…very much outside my comfort zone. I think I wouldcompare it with "cold- calling" sales (yea, my feeling exactly). How we worked this was when drivers came inon their breaks, we took the opportunity to introduce ourselves and asked them about any work issues they mayhave, and if they had any interest in organizing. We also asked if they had any names of people we could con-tact who might interested in speaking with us.

Because it was a Saturday, there were probably only a handful of different drivers that we could speak to.Another issue was that many of these drivers were retired part-time or regular part-time drivers. A few of thedrivers did talk to us about issues they had, and we got a few contact names.

It was very low-key experience, but I learned a lot and got a feel of "where it all starts." I was done and outof there in about three hours. I really look forward to learning and doing more of this in the future.

Page 14

Fred Bell's Retirement Party

Fred Bell, Driver 345 of Nicollet Garage, retired on February 13, 2009 after over35 years of service. He was praised by Garage Manager Brian Funk for being anexcellent and reliable employee all the way until the end of his career; by SafetySupervisor Jon Uzpen for his thirty years ofsafe driving; and by his wife and brother forbeing a good man.

Fred accepted these compliments modestly,saying that his commitment to his job "paidthe bills" and "kept (me) out of trouble."

He encouraged younger employees to respecttheir jobs.

The celebration was well-attended by otherretirees as well as active members. Fred will bemissed, but can still be seen on one of his manywalks along 38th Street.

Marlin Jensen, Ilona LaDouceur andRick Steffels at the Mall of America.

Joel Terrell, Fred’s brother Tony, wife Maggie and friendDon Wintheiser, Driver 9 out of East Metro, join Fred forthe party.

Local 1005 Vice-President DorothyMaki has a laugh with Fred.

Sharon Christenson RetiresHired originally as a convience fare clerk, Sharon

began her 31+ years of service in 1977. In 1979 shewent to payroll and did the driver’s and union officepayroll for a few years. Looking for a change, she wentto vault-pulling in 1994, then to a cleaner, to a fuelerand back to a cleaner. In 1996, she landed a stockkeep-ing job and remained there until her retirement onFebruary 5th, 2009.

She now enjoys “just not driving to work,” andplans on working on her garden. She eventually islooking to move to South Dakota.

She wisheseveryone welland enjoyedworking withus. She prom-ised to checkthe union web-site for upcom-ing retirementparties.

Page 15

CRYPTOEach letter stands for another. If you think X=O, for example, it wouldequal O throughout the puzzle. Clue: C=E (Answer on page 19 ) Submitted by Pat Kelehan, Mech #5470

A B C X Y Z D E F U X A V Z Y A W V

G E X H F V C J E H A C V B F X

H F V X A J E K G F A B L C A V W

A V E U X F A. B C A B W Z N B A

E M M B C U C C J C J G E X E

J F P C V ' X M F Y C U X C.

Showing the cake with her supervisior, Mike Rood

Receiving her jacket from ATU Vice-President Dorothy Maki Former supervisor Willie Taylor comes

back to congratulate Sharon."If hard work were sucha wonderful thing, surelythe rich would have keptit all to themselves."

Lane Kirkland, formerPresident of the AFL-CIO

Page 16

Scott Tollin Retires

After more than 35 years of service toMetro Transit as a bus driver and lightrail operator and years of service to ATULocal 1005 as an Executive Board mem-ber and a full-time officer, Scott(Operator 347) earned his well-deservedretirement.

His retirement party February 24th inthe training room at the light rail facilitywas well-attended by folks both from theunion and from management, representingall levels of the organization.

Management commended Scott forhis respectfulness and even temperwhile handling grievances andother union business.

Local 1005 President Michelle Sommers teased that Scott "want-ed to be the bad cop sometimes," but didn't get the chance. Shealso noted that it was Scott who first got her involved in theunion when she worked with him at Shingle Creek Garage(Ruter) back in the mid-90's.

Whether spoken by management or by the union, the consensuswas that Scott Tollin served both Metro Transit and ATU Local1005 well, that he showed integrity, honesty and responsibility -and was always willing to serve others.

Scott - you'll be missed. Good job, good work and good fortunein retirement.

ATU President Michelle Sommers congratu-lates Scott with a union jacket.

Mariela, Scott’s wife, helps him with thecake.

Sheri Gingerich presents Scott witha declaration of Scott Tollin Day. Bill Porter tells his tall tales about Scott.

Friends and coworkers join in the celebration.

Page 17

Did you ever have a bus story that was so funny - or just rubbed you the wrongway? And wondered who would listen to the story?

by Debbi Sievers

Well, three of your fellow co-workers have found someone to listen. They have gone into cyber-space (theInternet) to tell their stories.

The first one is Ryan, Nicollet Driver #2165. His blog is www.Driver2165.com. He won an award for thebest blog by City Pages a few years ago.

Next is CJ, Driver 2245, also out of Nicollet. His blog can be found at www.TransitLibrarian.com. Youhave to read it to appreciate his sense of humor.

Last but not least is Jeanne Ree, Nicollet Driver 2116. She has the best blog when it comes to bus driver sto-ries. Her blog is www.pickingupstrangers.com. She has a way of writing a story so the readers can feel likethey were actually there when it happened. She held a contest called "Can you find me?" She gave a briefdescription of herself and a clue to what kind of route she would be driving. She had a catchphrase, "Does yourmom know that you are picking up strangers?" So did she have a winner? You bet she did. On the 4 line, a malepassenger got on the bus and said the catchphrase. He was so excited to win the prizes that she had for him!Then she made an announcement over the P.A. that she had a winner. Jeanne also got picked by a transitnewsletter for one of the top blog stories of the year. That can be found at www.TransitTalent.com, anotherblogging site for transit news from all over the country.

Some of our passengers have gotten into the blogging frenzy as well.

Bus Tales is a brand new web site that's essentially “Overheard” for the bus. You can browse by route. I par-ticularly enjoy driver stories.minneapolis.metblogs.com

The views expressed on the blogs are those of the writer and not endorsed by the union.

Women’s History Timeline Continued from page 122000 - Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the only First Lady ever elected to the United States Senate.2005 - Condoleeza Rice becomes the first African-American woman to be appointed Secretary of State.2008 - Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the only First Lady ever to run for president.

Source: history.com/women's history timeline

Check your Union Bulletin Board

On page 7 in this issue of the newsletter is a description of the kind of information available on the ATULocal 1005 website. This is good to know when members have the time to sit down at their computers (if theyhave one). When you need your board member's name and phone number immediately, however, the union bul-letin board is always right there.

Each facility that includes union members is required to have a union bulletin board in a prominent location,most commonly in the break rooms for maintenance and clerical folks, and in the drivers' room for drivers. Itcan often be found very near the exit to the bays. The union board should be updated regularly by the ExecutiveBoard member at the location and contains, among other things: a list of the contact phone numbers for all theofficers and Executive Board members; notices of and agendas for upcoming meetings; scholarship information;etc.

It only takes a minute to stop by the union bulletin board, and it's well worth the effort. Please take theopportunity to do that soon - and remind your fellow union members that it's there for them, too.

Note: The bulletin boards are locked to prevent unauthorized people from posting things on them. Pleasedon't post anything on the outside of the glass. This will ensure the integrity of the information on the board.

Page 18

The following changes in our Local By-Laws were submitted to the ATU International for approval. The By-Law proposals were read at three (3) meetings and acted on at the third meeting in accordance with theInternational and Local By-Law procedures.

Local By-Law #27The Executive Board of this Local shall consist of the following:

One Board Member from the Overhaul Facility shall be elected from and represent all members at that location.

One Board Member from each service garage shall be elected from and represent Maintenance personnel,Stockroom personnel, Janitors, Maintenance Clerks and Revenue Security personnel at that location.

One Board Member from Light Rail representing Train Operators, Dispatchers and Instructors; and one Boardmember representing Maintenance members.

One Board Member from each operating garage shall be elected from and represent the Operators andDispatchers at that location.

One Board Member shall be elected from and represent members from the Heywood Office employees, TransitInformation Department, Data Collectors and Customer Relations Department.

One Board Member shall be elected from and represent members from Rochester City Lines.

One Board Member shall be elected from and represent members from Northstar Commuter Rail.

Organizing - The Executive Board has the authority to add Executive Board members from newly organizedproperties.

Local By-Law #30No member shall be eligible to any elective or appointive office, or as a delegate or alternate of this Local, or tobe able to attend any caucuses or seminars unless they have been a regular member of this Local for a period ofnot less than two (2) years, and shall have attended not less than six (6) regular meetings each year during thetwenty-four (24) months prior to and including the nominations meetings except; in the case of member beingconfined on account of sickness or injury the duration of which would prevent them from attending the requirednumber of meetings.

When Local 1005 represents employees of a non-public (private) employer during nominations for any positionin Local 1005, the following requirement shall not apply: "The member shall have attended not less than six (6)regular meetings each year during the twenty-four (24) months prior to and including the nominations meetingsexcept; in the case of member being confined on account of sickness or injury the duration of which would pre-vent them from attending the required number of meetings."

Local By-Law #89The contract negotiating committee shall consist of the President-Business Agent, Vice President, FinancialSecretary-Treasurer, and Recording Secretary-Assistant Business Agent. There will be one Board Member fromthe operating garages, one Board Member from the service garages/overhaul facility, one Board Member fromRail Transportation, one Board Member from Rail Maintenance, one Board Member from Commuter RailMaintenance and one Board Member from the Office/Clerical employees at the beginning of negotiations whendiscussing sections of the contract that pertain to their respective departments. These Board Members may alsobe brought in at a later time if necessary.

Local By-Law #107All Board Members elected to represent a group in a garage or department shall be paid no less than nine (9)

By-Law Changes

Page 19hours at their respective rate of pay on the day of a regular Board Meeting, except in the case of nine (9) or ten(10) hour drivers who would be paid their respective run time if it is their regular scheduled work day. Theymust attend both morning and evening sessions of a Local meeting. In addition to the above, they shall receivean expense allowance at the Metro Transit top operator's hourly wage times 25 hours per month for OperatorBoard Members and 25 hours per month for Office, Mechanical, Light Rail, Commuter Rail, and RCL Boardmembers to compensate for time, travel and other expenses involved in performing duties for the Local.

Board Members from properties that have separate membership meetings outside the Twin Cities area are notrequired to attend the P.M. membership meeting in the Twin Cities.

Local By-Law #108Full-time union officers required to attend meetings or functions relating to union business outside of the regularoffice hours shall receive two (2) hours pay at their regular rate. The hours of such meetings or functions mustbe beyond the control of the union officers.

Officers required to attend meetings at properties outside the Twin Cities and outside of the regular office hoursshall receive pay for actual time up to a maximum of four (4) hours at their regular rate.

Local By-Law #113Each delegate to all local affiliated bodies shall receive thirty (30) dollars for each scheduled meeting he or sheattends.

Local By-Law #116There shall be two (2) ballot clerks assigned to each ballot box at all times. They shall be appointed as evenlyas possible from all departments. All ballot clerks shall be present at the counting of the ballots. Ballot clerks'hours shall not exceed 8.75 hours per day exclusive of ballot counting. Ballot clerks shall receive the MetroTransit wage class 55 times twelve (12) per day as compensation. Those selected as ballot clerks shall haveattended at least six (6) meetings each year during the twenty-four months prior to and including the nominationmeetings. The ballot clerk who picks up the ballot box for the election shall receive thirteen (13) hours pay foreach election, primary and general day they serve as ballot clerks.

Election Judges shall receive Metro Transit top operator wage class 55 times thirteen (13) hours per day as com-pensation on election days they serve as Election Judges.

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTSIt has come to the Union Office’s attention that some operators are being spoken to about not calling TCC or

filling out reports when an accident or incident occurs.Management has stated that they will start disciplining employees failing to call Control or fill out the report

when an accident/incident occurs.Look at it this way: When something unusual happens out there, why not throw the ball of responsibility to

TCC supervisors? They can give you directions and advice so that they now are sharing the responsibility anddirection of the event. This covers their assets and your assets! Filling out the report upon pull-in is best whiledetails are fresh in your mind.

Remember, when something happens in or around your bus:- Keep your cool.- Make sure your passengers/customers are okay.- Call TCC.- Hand out courtesy cards.- Follow TCC directions.- Fill out accident/incident form by 8:00 a.m. the following morning.

Page 20

Retirements

Congratulations to December Retiree12/12/08 Steven Phillips, SO. Bus Op. 7913,

Congratulations to January Retirees01/02/09 Mary Dolney, FTH Off. Clerk, Acct’s. Pay./Rec.3065 01/03/09 Lawrence Witz, MJR Janitor 902801/03/09 Dennis Madl, NIC Bldg. Maint. 157901/03/09 Paul Deveau, OHB Body/Paint Mech. Tech.537901/03/09 J. Michael Kane, NIC Bus Op. 905201/09/09 Raymond Golding, SO Instructor/Bus Op. 912601/10/09 Loree Cullen, MJR Instructor/Bus Op, 23601/10/09 Jerry Anderson, MJR Bus Op. 153901/10/09 Amalio Perez, FTH Bus Op. 155401/10/09 Rosita Sandifer, EM Vault Puller 331501/10/09 Charles Logan, EM Mech. Tech. 513501/13/09 Benjamin Cardinal, SO Bus Op. 66004 01/28/09 Kenneth Johnson, FTH Bus Op. 5838

Congratulations to Employees CelebratingAnniversariesApril 2009

Five years 04/20/04 Ellen Nein, FTH Off. TIC Rep. 363104/26/04 Dean Alexander, LRT Traction Power Maint.,6411204/26/04 Scott McDonald, OHB Electronic Repair Tech.64108

Ten years 04/03/99 Jodi Fromenthal,FTH off. Stat. Acc't. 363004/05/99 Stanislav Voinarovsky, NIC Bus Op. 996304/05/99 Samuel Adams, FTH Off. TIC Rep. 363404/10/99 Alemayehu Abay, NIC Bus Op. 997504/10/99 Peter Huston, SO Bus Op. 997404/10/99 Kay Schossow, EM Bus Op. 998104/10/99 Sia, Xiong, EM Bus Op. 997904/19/99 Herbert Baker, SO Bus Op. 592804/19/99 Dessu Gobena, FTH Bus Op. 999404/19/99 William Smith, FTH Bus Op. 998404/19/99 Mary Titel, FTH Bus Op. 998504/26/99 Shirrell Johnson, NIC Bus Op. 5906

15 YEARS04/05/94 David Schaefer, FTH Helper III 945004/05/94 Michael Anderson, OHB Stockkeeper 945204/09/94 Peter Mellom, LRT Train Op. 946004/09/94, Andrew Solovjovs, NIC Bus Op. 946204/11/94 Michael Klukas, FTH Bus Op. 946604/13/94 Eldon Klinner, MJR Sr. Mech. 554204/13/94 Wallace Lawrence, MJR Sr. Mech. 554304/19/94 Samuel Baker, SO Bus Op. 9469

04/19/94 Gwendolyn McCall, FTH Bus Op. 947204/19/94 Ronald Shaw, SO Bus Op. 946804/25/94 Timothy Daniel, MJR Bus Op. 947804/25/94 Donald Kolodziejczyk, FTH Bus Op. 9471

Twenty years04/24/89 Tom Neng Vang, EM Bus Op. 8936

Twenty-five years04/24/84 Kent Smith, MJR Mech. 510104/30/84 David Salmen, OHB Electronic RepairTech. 3306

Thirty years04/04/79 Kevin Krepsky, LRT Sr. Mech. Bldg.Maint. 541204/10/79 Steven Holley, OHB Janitor 322204/19/79 Edward Anstett, OHB Sr. Elec. RepairTech. 305404/24/79 Sharon Reich, OHB Clerk Steno-Purch.3155

Thirty-five years04/29/74 Rita Miller, FTH Off. Serv. Dev. Admin.3213

May 2009Five years 05/03/04 Roger Fetterly, MJR Mech. 6410905/03/04 Alvin Hacken, EM Cleaner III 6411005/03/04 Michael Wind, FTH off. TIC Rep. 6411405/10/04 Perry Baker, NIC Op. 6412705/10/04 George Chea, FTH Bus Op. 6413905/10/04 Michael Gulickson, MJR Bus Op. 6413105/10/04 Thomas Noland, MJR Bus Op. 6412305/10/04 Scott Olafson, NIC Op. 6412105/10/04 James Waknitz, FTH Bus Op. 6413205/10/04 Bruce Weston, FTH Bus Op. 6412005/10/04 Patricia Williams, FTH Bus Op. 6412905/10/04 Ger Yang, NIC Bus Op. 6413705/10/04 Neng Yang, NIC Bus Op. 6414205/10/04 Mamo Ligdi, NIC Helper III 6413405/15/04 Dereje Tafesse, MJR Bus Op. 6415405/15/04 Girma Tesfaye, FTH Bus Op. 6415705/15/04 Valencia Wilson, SO Bus Op. 6415505/17/04 Craig Oliver, MJR Cleaner III 6414305/24/04 Hadiyyah Ahmed, EM Bus Op. 6417805/24/04 Gregory Bothwell, EM Bus Op. 6409205/24/04 Joseph Gordon, NIC Bus Op. 6416905/24/04 John Gutzmann, EM Bus Op. 6417305/24/04 Teng Her, EM Bus Op. 6417205/24/04 Radar McManus, EM Bus Op.6417105/24/04 Timothy Mulcahy, EM Bus Op. 6416505/24/04 Mark Neal, SO Bus Op. 6417505/24/04 Maurice Rhodes, NIC Bus Op. 6416405/24/04 Michael Wallerius, MJR Bus Op. 64168

Nicollet Maintenanceknows how to keep employ-ee morale up.... with another cookout!(Of course, the managershave to participate also.)

All the food is “home-cooked,” which not only tastesgreat but keeps the cost down.

Page 21

05/24/04 Jason Endreson, EM Mech. 6416005/24/04 Anthony Harmon, FTH Mech. 6418305/24/04 Michael Maghrak, LRT Foreperson, SCADASig/Comm. 6418505/24/04 Kimberly King, FTH Money Counter 6416706/07/04 Xwm Yaj, EM Bus Op. 6417005/10/04 Timothy Perez, FTH Bus Op. 2299

Ten years05/03/99 Clarence Sanders, SO Bus Op. 591005/03/99 Norman Timmer, SO Bus Op. 590905/03/99 Teresa Qualy, FTH Maint. Clerk 363805/10/99 Ashley Browne, NIC Bus Op. 591205/10/99 Bruce Otiso, LRT Train Op. 592005/10/99 Scott Wasescha, EM Bus Op. 591405/10/99 Terrance Williams, FTH Bus Op. 591505/10/99 James Yang, EM Bus Op. 591705/15/99 Daniel Costello, SO Bus Op. 592405/15/99 Arthur Killingham, FTH Helper III 592105/17/99 Alan Marks, EM Bus Op. 592705/24/99 Mahamud Aziz, NIC Bus Op. 593605/24/99 Sheba Bynum, FTH Bus Op. 593505/24/99 Charlene Hamilton, EM Bus Op., 593005/24/99 Michael Mack, NIC Bus Op. 593305/24/99 Derrick Robinson, SO Bus Op.5931

Fifteen years05/03/94 Stephen Nichols, EM Bus Op. 948505/09/94 Alan Defrance, NIC Bus Op. 949005/09/94 Glenn Ferguson, NIC Bus Op. 948605/09/94 Joseph Young, EM Bus Op. 9488

If you have pictures of an event you would like inThe 1005 Line , please contact your Board memberor Education Committee member.

05/17/94 Russell Hoosline, FTH Bus Op. 946405/23/94 Scott Lindquist, MJR Instructor 640105/31/94 Richard Trettin, FTH Bus Op.640305/31/94 Ronald Vrnak, EM Bus Op.6404

Twenty years05/01/89 Txiaj Xab Lee, EM Bus Op. 894405/01/89 Leroy McShepard, NIC Bus Op. 894105/08/89 Anne Anderson, LRT Helper 3407

Twenty-five years05/07/84 Garold Campbell, FTH Bus Op. 126605/10/84 Gregory Stowe, FTH Mech. 512305/14/84 Billy Ashford, FTH Bus Op.134805/24/84 Michel Prudhomme, NIC Mech. 513305/29/84 Lionel Peterson, MJR Bus Op.145905/29/84 Timothy Jacobsen, EM Mech. 5142

Thirty years05/02/79 Frank Lorentz, OHB Sr. Mech. 541705/10/79 Gregory Lee, OHB Sr. Mech. 542005/10/79 Luther Manning, NIC Mech. 542205/14/79 James Leibel, EM Bus Op. 53505/29/79 Byron Poole, NIC Bus Op. 625

Thirty-five years05/11/74 Mark Williams, OHB Trans. Overhaul Spec.5202

Denny Madl retiresDenny started with Metro Transit in September 1974 as a cleaner at Nicollet Garage. A couple of months

later, he went to the old Northside Garage as a helper, and from there to a mechanic for a couple of months.

He went into building maintenance in 1978, first at old Northside, then to Heywood when they opened thenew garage in 1980. He went to the Overhaul Base for a short time, and then transferred to the new NicolletGarage when it opened in 1990.

Denny retired on January 3rd, 2009.He plans to fish and take it easy. Hegrew up in North St. Paul and nowresides up in Cambridge, Minnesota.

New Education Committee MemberPhilip M. Jarosz, Driver 65015, East Metro

Hired by Metro Transit in 2005, I came on board with eight years of busdriving experience. This was helpful in acquiring the Metro Transit stan-dards taught for a successful career. The standards are high and opportuni-ties great within the Union and Company. Volunteering with the picnic andjoining the Education Committee have been rewarding. These opportunitiesexist for personal growth and give satisfaction in serving others throughself. Being a recent recipient of a Good Neighbor Award and receiving apolice patch have helped fill a void created by my mother's passing awaythis summer.

This community (Union) has opened my eyes to living with good people having different characteristicsabout themselves. Respect overcomes individual rights when I humbly accept people where they are in life.

I like baseball and fishing. I am active in the religious community. I am single with no children. I believewe are all in this together and I will do my best to be good until relieved.

Page 22

Melodie Zehm, Local 1005 Sentinel for the last six years, has been replaced by MarkAmmend. We would like to thank Melodie for her years of service to the union member-ship.

Submissions for Letters to the Editor are subject to approval of theEditorial Board and space considerations. Letters to the Editor aresolely the opinion of the author and do not represent endorsementby ATU Local 1005 or the Education Committee. If you have aneditorial to submit, please contact a committee member or ouradvisor Dorothy Maki at: dorothy@atu1005.com

LettersTo TheEditor

Page 23

No editorials were submitted

In MemoriamMartin Kaup, Linda, age 53, loving mother, sister and friend, died Thursday,

December 25th in Woodbury after a long illness. She was preceded in death by parents,Charles and Lenora Martin; sister, Jan Martin. She is survived by son, Jonathan (Kelley),six siblings; many nieces and nephews.

Linda was hired by Metro Transit on May 28, 1996 and left service March 11, 2005.She drove mostly at South and at East Metro. She was a member of the EducationCommittee and an active union member.

Answer To CRYPTO:THE SCUBA INSTRUCTOR WAS FIRED AFTER HIS FIRST DAYWITH METRO TRANSIT. HE THOUGHT ALL HE NEEDED WASA DIVER'S LICENSE.

Jacobsen, Anita J. #9784, age 53 of St. Paul, passed away in herhome February 3rd, 2009, surrounded by her family and friends.She was reunited in death at last with her boyfriend VernonRobinson. She is the beloved mother of Sarah Schumacher,Matthew Jacobsen, Daniel Jacobsen and Emily Jacobsen. Sheleaves behind her parents Jeanne Mitchell and Gordon Kobett,sisters Patti Maitrejean and Laura Kobett, former husband andbest friend Mark Jacobsen, and grandchildren Amanda and Austinas well as many more dear friends and family. She will be greatlymissed by her friends at Metro Transit, where she worked for overeleven years, mostly at South Garage.

Donald Rose - No further information.

Oops…In the September/October issue of the newsletter was a story about Nicollet Garage driver Don Suerth's

retirement party. His badge number is actually 250. Sorry, Don.

Nymoen, Richard Alfred Feb. 9, 1933 - Feb. 7, 2009, of Richfield. Richard was hired at Metro Transit on2/30/63 and left service 3/2/95. He is survived by wife, Joanne; children, Patricia (James) Dolejsi, Peggy (Bob)Iacono, Robert A. and Richard T. (Jenny); grandchildren, Joseph and Michael Dolejsi, Christopher and DannyIacono, Emma, William, Thomas and Elanor Nymoen; brother, Donald (Gretchen). Memorials may be directedto Family Counsel of MN Veterans Home or the Alzheimer's Association. The family wishes to thank the Staffof the Minnesota Veterans Home (Floor 6-3 and Bldg. 17, 3 South). Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

DRUG TESTING RIGHTSIf 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 testturned 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, includingunion officers. Professional interpetation is available at member’s expense, starting at about $50 minimum.

WEINGARTEN RIGHTS STATEMENTIf disciplinary action is suspected, read this statement to your foreman: I request to have a union representative present on my behalfduring this meeting because I believe it may lead to disciplinary action taken against me. If I am denied my right to have a unionrepresentative present, I will refuse to answer accusational questions and any I believe may lead to discipline.