8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 5, Number 8

1/5

Vol. 5 No.8 OAKLAND, D EC EMBER 1962

District, Union Sign New Contract;

Other Employees Also Get IncreasesWage increases added a special touchof cheer this month to th e 1388 employees of AC Transit .

A new labor contract, giving bu s drivers a 32-cent hourly wage increase overthe next two an d a half years, went intoeffect Dec. 1 after approval by the boardof directors and the Carmen's Union.

The agreement also boosted wages forother organized employees.

Some 175 supervisory personnel andoffice employees were voted a 4.46 percent salary hike, effective Ja n . 1, at theboard meeting of Dec. 12.

The contract with the union, reachedafter nine weeks of bargaining, assurescontinuing labor peace in transit operations in the East Bay and was cited bydistrict and union representatives as "fairand reasonable."Liberal Fringe Benefits

Along with a three -step wage hike, itincludes liberalized retirement provisions, increased health and welfare contributions and other benefits. (Principalprovisions of the contract ar e itemizedon Page 3.)

Under the agreement, the 950 bus

drivers received a 4.46 per cent boostDec . 1, raising their wages from $2.69 to$2.81 an hour. Another 3.56 per centraise next Dec . 1 will increase wages 10cents to $2.91. A third 10 cent boost willbecome effective Dec. 1, 1964.

Other union employees, with the ex-

ception of top mechanics, dispatchersand parts clerks, will get the same hourlyincreases.

Raise For Mechanics

Class A mechanics received 18 centsan hour hike Dec. 1 , for an hourly wageof $3.32. They will ge t an additional15 cents next year an d 10 cents in Dec.,1964. Class B mechanics, parts clerks anddispatchers receive hourly increases of17, 15 an d lO cents over th e same period.

The contract with th e union raises thedistrict's costs by $1,819,500 over the lifeof the agreement, according to KennethF. Hensel, general manager. He said theadded expense could be financed, however, ou t of current fares and taxes, atleast during the remainder of th e fiscalyear.

Hensel cited the contract as "a majorstep in maintenance of good morale an dharmonious relations." F . Vern Stambaugh, union head, and W. J. Bettencourt, board president, also praised "fairness an d cooperation" on both sides.

Non-union workers also will receivea 3.56 per cent hike on Jan. 1, 1964 an d

another 3.44 per cent increase on Jan. 1,1965.In addition, the directors approved lib

eralized health and welfare and grouplife insurance benefits for supervisorypersonnel an d office employees at an annual cost of $57,200.

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 5, Number 8

2/5

Northbrae Tunnel Provides Fast RouteRiders on Berkeley trans bay and inter

city express lines got faster and moredirect service this month when the district started operating through historicNorthbrae railroad tunnel.

Closed since 1958, the tunnel-repavedfor vehicular traffic-opened with a "railsplitting" ceremony, band music, the appearance of dignitaries and a wheeledcaravan.

One of the district's new "Transit Liners" took part in the ceremonies, symbolizing the third transportation phaseinvolved in the tunnel.

Because the Key System ha d franchises on direct routes to the ThousandOaks area, th e Southern Pacific wasforced to take a direct route back in1910. They cut away the hill, laid a cement tube for their trains, then piled the

dirt back on top, to make the tunnel.The tunnel was used by the S.P. from

1911 until 1941 and by the Key Systemfrom 1942 until 1958.

By operating th e trans bay F line andthe 33 express through the tunnel, thedistrict has cu t two to three minutesfrom previous schedules. Use of a loading terminal on the roadway off TheAlameda also has eliminated the necessity of buses parking on The Alameda atSolano.

Because of installation of traffic signals at Solano and The Alameda,opening of the tunnel has caused th e rerouting of northbound coaches on Line 43A,which now will travel via The Alameda,Marin Ave., Colusa Ave. to Solano Ave.Southbound buses maintained their present routing.

Holiday Guide, Cards Help to ExtendChristmas Greetings to Passengers

A special "Merry Christmas" was extended by the district again this yearthrough distribution of a free holidayguide for things to see an d do during theYuletide season.

Bus drivers also dispensed their own

personal "season's greetings" to passengers through Christmas cards made available by the district.

Some 20,000 cards were given to thedrivers so they could extend their traditional holiday message to patrons, particularly the regular riders who ha d become familiar customers during the year.

Th e guide, entitled "Operation SleighRide," invited residents to plan their holiday sightseeing by bus. It listed information on decorations, locations of Nativityscenes and other displays; where to findSanta Claus and where to see specialChristmas trees.

Th e data was grouped by city andincluded information on how to reach

2

th e location by bus.Printed on green paper, the guide fea

tured a drawing of an AC Transit bus,with Santa, his sleigh and reindeer"hitching" a ride on the top.

The guide was distributed to the pub

lic through th e general offices and byvarious chambers of commerce and otheragencies.

Hensel, larson ElectedTo United Fund Board

K. F. Hensel, AC Transit general manager, and John F. Larson, treasurer-controller, have been elected to the boardof governors of the Alameda CountyUnited Fund. Hensel was chairman ofthe Public Employees division in th erecent 1962 appeal. Larson served as ACTransit campaign chairman for the 1961and 1962 drives.

CONTRACT SIGNING-Representatives of the Carmen's Union and of AC .Transit ~ e ~ tat the conference table for signing of a new contract termed by both Sides as fairand reasonable." Seated are F. Vern Stambaugh, left, union president, and K. F.Hensel, general manager. Standing, left to right, Emil Scala, business representative for the mechanics; W. C. Castlebary, financial secretary-treasurer of Carmen'sUnion; L. V. Bailey, operating business agent for union; H. D. White, operationsassistant to general manager; H. M. Davis, executive assistant to general manager;D. J. Potter, transportation manager; and Brooks Rice, maintenance manager.

PrincipalContract Proposals ItemizedH ere are some of the principal features

of th e ne w contract approved by ACTransit directors and union officials:

A 12-cent hourly wage increase forbus drivers on Dec. 1, 1962, raising salaries from $2.69 to $2.81 an hour. Another 10 cent boost on Dec. 1, 1963, increasing wages to $2.91; a third increaseof 10 cents an hour Dec. 1, 1964, to $3.01.

Class A mechanics, 18 cents an hourincrease on Dec. 1, 1962, boosting h ourlywages to $3.32, plus an additional 15cents next year and another 10 cents inDec., 1964.

Class B mechan ics, par ts clerks, dispatchers; 17 cents an hour Dec. 1; 15 an d10 cent boosts over contract period.

Other union employees get same

hourly increases as bus operators, 32-cent wage hike over contract period.

Provides for pension retirements atage 62, on reduced pension formula asprovided by Federal Social Security Act.Also removes age restrictions for permanently disabled employee with 20 ormore years of service.

Grants increase in sick leave accumulation from 30 to 40 work days.Provides for weekly sick leave pay.

Increases the amount of payment tounion medical plan in two steps from$9 to $11 pe r employee pe r month.

Provides $1,500 of group life insurance by district for each union member.

Increases amount of contribution topension fund for union distribution tounion members by Bf cents per hour.

3

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 5, Number 8

3/5

Record Increase TalliedOctober patronage on East Bay local an d express

lines showed the greatest single monthly increase sinceAC Transit went into operation two years ago.

East Bay riders increased by 11.2 per cent over October, 1961, while business on trans ba y lines was up6.9 pe r cent. Total passengers carried for the monthcame to 4,802,000.

Transbay commute book sales also showed a healthygain of 12.2 pe r cent over th e same month a year ago.

For the nation's entire transit industry, riding experienced an increase of 0.8 pe r cent.

Passenger revenue for October of $1,126,000 plusother income of $80,200 was adequate to meet all operational costs, which were up 7.9 per cent over October, 1961. This income provided for amortizationan d depreciation, bu t was not sufficient for bondeddebt requirements, leaving a deficit of $4,335 for th emonth.

Miles operated in October totaled 2,023,000, an i n ~crease of 110,168 or 5 .8 pe r cent over October , 1961.

4

OCTOBERPASSENGERS

Percentage Changefrom Previous Year

_ ACTRANSIT~ U.S. TRANSIT INDUSTRY

JUST ASK ST. NICK - Don'ttell, bu t this Santa is reallyAC Transit's ow n St. NickNick Alevizos, superintenden t of the Richmond division-playing his usual Yuletiderole. Alevizos, wh o ha s beenacting as Santa for over 30year, keeps so busy with volunteer Chr is tmas appearances he doesn't have l'imefor ow n gift shopping .

Santa on Wheels; St. Nick Rides AgainBy Virginia Denniso n

Santa Claus ma y visit most places inDecember, bu t AC Transit has hi m theyear around-their own Nicholas P. Alevizos, who is probably the oldest practicing Santa in this area.

"St . Nick" officiates as superintenden tof th e Richmond division, bu t once th eholiday seasons rolls around, he also b ecomes Santa, delighting kids at schools ,hospitals, institutions and part ies - including the division's own Christmasgathering.

Alevizos has been "ho, ho, ho-ing " forover 30 years, ever since fellow membersof Aahmes Temple of th e Shrine put thered and white "bee" on him to help the irefforts in behalf of crippled children .

In th e years since, Nick has worn ou tthree Santa costumes and put considerable wear on a fourth . There's exp ensesto this Santa business, too. He has hi sbeard "washed and set" each year-thebill this Yuletide came to $17-just forwhiskers .

Probably because he 's a ve t era n in the

transportat ion business , Nick fixed up anold Ford to resemble , in a "way-out" sortof way, Santa's sleigh. He climbs aboardan d with great bell-ringing an d whistleblowing, makes his appearance onwheels . Th e deer are there, though, jutting out from th e headlights.

The district's Santa is probably one ofth e few to ever remember street car and

bus riders. Back in th e days of East BayTransit Co. in 1939 he delighted andstartled riders transferring to th e Richmond bus at Ashby and San Pablo Aves.in Berkeley by putting up a tree andhanding out token 'holders, balloons an dcandy .

H e averages 20 or so volunteer appearances each holiday an d takes care ofas many requests as h e can. Bu t one datehe wasn't able to keep last year.

The press of other Santa business kepthim from accepting an invitation to letEffie, th e elephant at the Knowland StateArboretum and Park, sit on his knee toask for h er Christmas wish-a boy elephant for company .

5

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 5, Number 8

4/5

Central Dispatcher Taken by DeathDonald G. Bennett, 52, central dis

patcher for the district for the past fiveyears, died suddenly on Dec. 11 of aheart condition which ha d sent him tothe hospital two weeks before.

out to serve during World War II withthe Army's combat engineers.

He lived at 1015 Buena Vista Ave.,Alameda, with his wife, Violet.

The deaths of pensioned workers alsowas reported during the month.

ne of five regular dispatchers, Mr.Bennett handled everything that mightaffect bus service, including fires, accidents, "stalls," bus breakdowns, occasional robberies an d complaints.

L. C. Willie, of 2118 Fifth Ave., Oakland, died Nov. 18. Mr. Willie, 83, wentto work on the street cars in 1912 andwas pensioned in 1946.He recently figured that the central

dispatch office-nerve center of the district-handled 250 radio calls an d 300 to400 telephone calls in a normal 24 hours.

A. F. Valladao, 67, who died Nov. 20,entered service as a street car operatorin 1920, switched to buses in 1948 .and

was pensioned in 1960. He lived with hiswife, Maria, at 466 43rd St., Oakland.Mr. Bennett credited his calmness atthe mike to "show biz." He played thetheater circuit in a give-away programan d later served as assistant manager ofthe Granada Theater in Oakland beforehe changed roles in 1938 an d followed hisfather, the late Michael Bennett, into KeySystem.

Charles A. Perry, 77, former trainman,went to work in 1908 and left the company in 1953. He lived with his wife,Ruth, in Clovis and died Dec. 4.

Edward H. Baker, 85, died Dec. 4. Helived at 87 Linda St., Oakland, with hiswife, Emma. Mr. Baker worked on th etrains from 1917 until 1943.

Mr. Bennett worked previously as abus driver an d supervisor, taking time

Andreas Kasotakis

6

Greece RememlJers WarHero Afler Loss on Bus

When he lost a brief case on an AC Transit bus a yearago, Andreas Kasotakis, 79-year-old Greek war hero, a l ~ olost his only link with a past of courage and glory. n

The little case contained two Greek war medals, a ribbon and photograph paying tribute to his heroism inGreece's bloody war with Turkey in 1912 and in Bulgariain 1913.

The district was unable to find the case, bu t the Greekconsulate in San Francisco and the Greek governmentremembered. This month Kasotakis received duplicatemedals from his homeland through efforts of the GreekArmy Department, Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Greek military attache in Washington, D.C., and thelocal consulate.

He paid a visit to the district's general offices to displaythe medals and to weep happily and silently. Althoughhe's affiuent in seven languages, Kasotakis was left without a voice in 1945 by removal of a throat tumor. Buthe now has a new case and again is carrying his symbolsof honor with him constantly: the medals and a newshoulder ribbon he made himself, with the years of hisglory in gold lettering.

TIME IN TRANSIT-A total of 210 years of work time is represented by women fromtreasurer-controller's office shown in photo above at a luncheon for Miss Ursul Have!"s, retiring after 42 years of service. Left to right are Mrs. Alyce Seright, Mrs.Allee Heywood, Mrs. Mabel Firchow, Miss Havens, John F. Larson, district treasurercontroller, who played host; Miss Catherine Metzner, Mrs. Thelma Lanthier, MissMargaret Desmond. .

eAed 7fluUtz ~ C I UUp

The 'Woman Who Pays' Decides to RetireA lot of time in transit-about 210 years

worth-was represented when six womenfrom the treasurer-controller's department got together this month to honorthe gal who holds top seniority at thegeneral offices.

Miss Ursul Havens will retire the en dDecembe r after 42 years of concern withwhat makes things run. She knows theanswer-money.

Miss Havens is th e one who writes thechecks to pay the bills. As "accounts receivable and payable," she pays out over$1,000,000 each month and, over theyears, has probably written checks totaling well over a billion.

She's also the rare woman who keepsher personal accounts straight, balancesher own check book and even makes outher income tax returns.

The fellow workers who feted her at

a retirement luncheon at the Athens Athletic Club also have veteran status.

The group included Mrs. Alyce Seright, who has worked 3 7 ~years; MissMargaret Desmond, 36 years; Mrs.Thelma Lanthier, 31 years; Mrs. Alice

Heywood,2 7 ~

years; Mrs. Mabel Firchow, 20 years, an d Miss CatherineMetzner, 16 years.

John F. Larson, treasurer-controller,played host at the luncheon.

Miss Havens, who lives at 313 Broadmoor Blvd., San Leandro, likes to readan d garden. She also expects to havetime now for a real "busman's holiday"to do some traveling on her own.

She went to work for the Key Systemin the accounting department at 22ndand Grove Sts. in 1919, and moved fromthere with th e general offices to 1106Broadway in 1943.

7

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 5, Number 8

5/5

~ . , I t.... , , ~ ~ ~ . . . _ , -./ ' , "

, t ' ,

t ~ , ~ , ~ , < ,~ ,

At an adjourned regular meeting November

28, 1962,the Board

of Directors: Approved new contract with Division 192, Amalgamated Association ofStreet, Electric Railway an d Motor CoachEmployees of America (AFL-CIO) , onmotion of Director Coburn.

Authorized rerouting of Lines 33,43A and F in connection with openingof Northbrae Tunnel, and approved expenditure of $1850 for improvem ents toBerkeley Park & Ride Center , on motionof Director Coburn.

* * *At th e regular meeting December 12,

1962 , the Board of Directors:

Approved wage and salary adjustments for non-organized employees, onmotion of Director Coburn.

Established unrestricted policy onleasing either privately or publicly ownedpremises in connection with studies onrelocation of general offices, on motionof Director Barber.

Declared official results of election

T R A N S I T T I M E S

BOARD OF DIRECTORSWM. J. BETTENCOURT. President

Ward IVROBERT M. COPELAND Vice President

Director at LargeROBERT K. BARBER Director a t Large

Ward I

WardI I

Ward II IWard V

WILLIAM H. COBURN, JR.

WI LLIAME. BERK

J OHN McDON NELLE. GUY WARRE N .

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSKENNETH F. HENSELROBERT E. NISBET.JOHN F. LARSON .GEORGE M. TAYLOR .~ 9

General Manager. Attorney

Treasurer-ControllerSecretary

held November 6, 1962, for district directors , on motion of Director Coburn.

Amended rules of procedure to allow election of President and Vice President at first reg ular meeting of Board ofDirectors in January , on motion of Director Coburn .

Seminary Division Wins Double Honors

Workers at the Seminary divisionbasked under double honors in N ovember, as operators won the safety "bogey "contest and the maintenance crewwalked off with the road call trophy.

Safety honors were taken by the driv-

T R A N S I T T I M E S

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Distri ct1106 Broadway

Oakland 7, CaliforniaReturn Requested

ers with a record of 13,476 miles peraccident-a figure that meant coffee anddoughnuts for all hands on Dec. 14.

The maintenance trophy moved to th edivision for th e first time with the recordof 12,251 miles per road call.

BULK RATE

U.S. POSTAGE

PA I DOakland, Cal if.

Permit No . 2105

THOMAS R BOLD5 687 'MILES AVE.OAKLAND i 8 ~ CALIF.11-1