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Continued on Page 4

What's On the Line for the2008 Legislative Session?Plenty.

Source: Transit for LiveableCommunities

Plans are afoot to reintro-duce and pass the trans-portation bill from lastsession...the one that fellonly two votes short ofoverriding the Governor's veto. Plus, the Central Corridorlight rail transit line needs $140 million in state bonding tostay on track. Hang on folks, it's going to be a nail-biter of alegislative session, and we're going to need your help.

Real leadership requires saying yes to appropriate invest-ments in Minnesota's future. Now, more than ever, we needyou to keep the pressure on our state legislators and the gov-ernor to do what's right for transit in Minnesota. Here's whatyou can expect to see on the agenda:

1) Reintroducing and passing the transportation bill fromlast session. Last year's comprehensive transportation billwould have brought the Met Council and Mn/DOT off theirstarvation diets, providing a needed infusion of funding forboth transit and roads. The bill fell just two votes short of anoverride, so we expect to see it come up again this session. Itmay be the same bill, or it may be a slight variation. Eitherway, passing a version of this bill would go a long waytoward meeting Minnesota's transit needs.

2) Ensuring that the Central Corridor light rail linereceives needed bonding. The Central Corridor needs $280million to stay on track for a critical 50 percent federal match-ing grant, and $140 million which needs to come from gener-al obligation bonding. The upshot? If the bonding doesn'tcome during the 2008 session, the Central Corridor light railline is in serious jeopardy.

Here's what you can do:

OFFICER’SCORNER

Page 2

LOCAL 1005OFFICERS

President/BusinessAgentMichelleSommers

Vice-PresidentJerry Ewald

RecordingSecretary/Asst.Business AgentScott Tollin

FinancialSecretary/TreasurerChuckGudknecht

Calendar

EducationCommitteeMeeting2:30 pmDecember 17th atthe Union Office

Union MeetingsDec 18 - Mpls. 10:00 AM / 7:30 PMJan 22 - St. Paul10:00 AM / 7:00 PM

Union OfficePhone612-379-2914email:office@atu1005.comwebsite:www.atu1005.com

Jerry EwaldVice-President

ScholarshipsIt is always a challenging time when our children reach that college age. What's

the best way to pay for it, is there any aid available how about scholarships etc? Local 1005 has assembled various scholarships available to Local 1005 members.Because of your union and credit union membership you are entitled to apply forthese scholarships. Last year several of our members won scholarships from theAFL-CIO.

ATU members may apply for the following scholarships:# Amount Deadline Date

Minnesota AFL-CIO ( 5) $1,000 05/01/2008AFL-CIO Bill Peterson (12) $1,000 04/01/2008AFL-CIO Martin Duffy ( 2) $ 500 04/20/2008

ATU International (5) $5,000 03/15/2008ATU International (1) $2,000 03/15/2008

Credit Union members may apply for the following Scholarships:

Transit Credit Union (13) $ 500 02/01/2008Transit Credit Union ( 2) $1,000 02/01/2008

Affinity Credit Union (4) $5,000 01/31/2008

ATU Local 1005 also has (4) scholarships available for $2,500 each open to allATU members. Watch for more information in early 2008 about these scholarships.

If you need more information or need to find out the requirements there is a linkto the various scholarships on our local web page at www.atu1005.com.

Fraternally,Jerry EwaldVice PresidentATU Local 1005

Page 3

Education Committee

AdvisorScott Tollin

Chair Members Rotate

SouthLiz Goldberg

Vice Chair

Heywood OfficeIlona Mitilla

NicolletMelanie Benson

Overhaul BaseOpen

RuterScott Lindquist

East MetroOpen

Heywood GarageDorothy Maki

LRTOpen

725 Bldg.Stephen Babcock

Layout

Editorial BoardKen DolneyDan AbramowiczChuck Feucht

Union Meeting HighlightsOctober 2007 Meeting

President's Report

We met with the Met Council five or six times on the DisabilityManagement Policy without coming to an agreement. When they imple-mented the policy, we filed a grievance. Not all members have receivedthe policy. A provision requiring a doctor's slip for a three-day sickoccurence is a throwback to a very old policy. Another provision willgreatly impact employees on disability who need time to get back towork: After six months, you maybe tossed aside with no ability to comeback and retain seniority or other benefits.

Another issue is how to define when an operator’s time ends for theday. This has been a matter of debate for years, with a general perceptionthat your time ends when you pull in, park the bus and shut it off. Wefinally have an agreement that allows the operator to pull in, park the busand shut it down PLUS THREE (3) MINUTES. This should allow timefor filling out DER reports. Be aware that when you fill out DER's, thisprobably triggers them to review the information to look at your actualtime. So, don't get caught up in padding your time and let your co-work-ers know.

We have agreed that a temporary position in customer service will bean ATU position. At rail, two track maintainer trainees are doing the jobof full track maintainers. We are looking at whether federal law allowsthem to move into the full category now or whether there must be a two-year training.

New Union Pins - We have designed new pins that will embrace theentire state of Minnesota. We are down to the last 100 of our current pinsand need to get new ones for new members.

On the Republican National Convention: As most of you know, Ihave refused to sign a Labor Peace Agreement .

Results of Union Meeting VotesMotions - The reduced service days for 2008 (including Friday,November 28th, Wednesday, December 24th and Friday, December 26th)were presented to the members for their consideration by standing vote.Motion passed.

President Sommers presented the question of bringing the newly organ-ized workers at Rochester City Lines into Local 1005 for considerationby the members. Motion passed.

Chuck Gudknecht announced the deaths this month… Gerald Daniels,Barney Dickinson, Earl Lovelace (retirees), Donald Boehner and DanJohnson (active).

Continued on Page 15

Page 4

At the 725BLDG.

Contact Stephen Babcock

Someone needs to take a homeeconomics course on how to makecoffee. On Monday morning, anun-named employee plugged inthe left-over coffee made onFriday, and then proceeded towatch every employee come andtake a cup.

Radio installations were complet-ed on the first series of New YorkHybrid buses.

Next year look for the introduc-tion of a a new-style farebox, thenext generation from GFI.Funding is allowing us to buyfifty of them.

1) Volunteer with Transit for Livable Communities. We'll need yourhelp in our grassroots organizing outreach. Stay posted.

2) Talk to your legislator. You can meet with your legislator, talk tothem on the phone, or send an email. Your legislators need to hear thattransit is a priority for you this legislative session. To find out your legis-lator's contact information, http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/dis-tricts/start.html

3) Send a letter to the editor of your local paper talking about howtransit investments can help your community. Give us a call or an email with any questions about the upcoming legisla-tive session (651-767-0298 or tlc@tlcminnesota.org). We need your sup-port in 2008!

And if you want to keep up on the corridors, check the followinglinks:

MINNESOTA TRANSIT CORRIDORS, PLANNEDCentral Corridor http://www.centralcorridor.org Midtown Greenway Rail Corridor http://www.midtowngreenway.org Northstar Commuter Rail Corridor http://www.northstartrain.org Red Rock Commuter Rail Corridor http://www.redrockrail.org Riverview Corridor Bus Rapid Transit http://www.riverviewcorri-dor.org Rush Line Corridor http://www.rushlinecorridor.com Southwest Transitway Corridor http://www.southwesttransitway.org/ Source: Transit for Liveable Communities. www.tlc.com

Clay Townsend Retires in StyleClay Townsend, #5313, lift mechanic, retired from Heywood Garage

with 27 years of service. Prior to working for Metro Transit he was self-employed. His friends directedhim here. He started as a cleanerand eventually worked up the lineto a lift mechanic. Most of histime was spent at Ruter, with short periods at other facilities. He isgoing to relax, enjoy his grandkids and stay out of trouble.David Hopwood, Heywood stockkeeper, arranged for complimentary service from Bella Viaggio Limo Service. The large gathering had outstanding food!

TLC Continued from P. 1

Page 5

From Our ATU Family

to Yours

For complete details please see theSafety and Security Board located inevery garage.

Page 6

Transit Safety and Security Committee Meeting Minutes

Members:Jim Chisholm, Management Advisor, TCC David Rogers, Chair, Rail, AbsentJerry Larsen, HeywoodMary Vasterling, South ABSENTTheresa Collins, NicolletDennis Engebretson, East MetroVan, Ruter OperatorJeffrey Thompson, HeywoodOperator, Curt Botner, Nicollet OperatorABSENT

OctoberOthers in Attendance

Christy Bailly, Asst. Manager,Street Ops, Dave Larrabe - RiskManagementMichael Guse - RailTransportation Manager, Phil Walljasper - RiskManagement Brenda Himrich - Manager ofBus & Rail Safety, Georgia Stinson - Asst DirectorBus Trans.Sam Jacobs - Director of BusOperations, Bill Porter - Deputy ChiefOperations Officer Bruce Howard - Director ofMarketing, Deputy Chief A.J Olson - MetroTransit PoliceJanelle Campbell, MJROperator, Scott Tolin - ATU

yearRMS - Record ManagementSystemPIMS - Police InformationManagement System

MAINTANCE: Chuck Wurzinger:Bus Procurement, Paper workdone, to be presented to theMetropolitan CouncilTransportation Committee regard-ing 314 new 40 foot buses. 314to be approved at the next fullMetropolitan Council meeting. 80new 40 foot buses for the RNC,45 hybrid, 35 standard, 132 newbuses next year .

19 hybrid buses to go to Nicolletnext week, Install instructiondecals on buses for DSSC brandseats. Loss of air in driver's seats.Air tube will be moved so air sup-ply is not cut off. Test Fan: 10buses fitted - 2 from each garage.Survey was sent out, but wasworded poorly so once rewordedit will be sent out again.. Steeringwheels have been updated.Coating has been removed. Testpadding on Douglas steeringcolumns on two buses fromNicollet to protect driver's knees

STREET OPERATIONS: ChristyBailly: Metro Transit Street Opshave been working with theMidtown Exchange SecurityCollaborative in regards to a fenceat the Chicago Lake TransitCenter. It is very dangerous forpassengers to cross the streetthere. However, it is a historicalpreservation so the MidtownExchange Security Collaborativeis against putting up a fence.

SAFETY REPORT: BrendaHimrich: Survey about test fans has been

distributed, but due to some word-ing issues will need to bereworked and redistributed.Safety still attempting to collectdata and analyze. Bus Roadeo -55 operators participated, downfrom last year, but hopefully num-bers will increase next year.Would like to offer belt buckles asa prize for next year. Star Tribune was on location anddid a very nice piece on the event.Due at next meeting- a pocketguide draft for operators on pre-venting passenger falls. Moreinformation will be providedabout the hybrid buses.Information tags will hang nearengine and inside the buses.Demonstrated Q-Straint brandrestraints. Still need to work outthe details as they relate to howthe restraints will be assigned,either to the driver or to the bus.East will help test the restraints. New safety awards program - Seehand out. Rail will be included,One classification- won't be sepa-rated into PT and FT, change incriteria

RISK MANAGEMENT: DavidLarrabee: Top Ten List - See handout. In regards to the requestfrom Safety and Security regard-ing the top ten locations of acci-dents.

POLICE REPORT: A.J. Olson: Operator Assaults - 2 inSeptember, arrests in both cases.On Board effort : (the followingstatistics are preliminary and onlyreflect activity on the 5 Line. Notsystem-wide.) Met summer goalof 1500 hours. 12,000 hours thisyear versus this time last year2,500 hours. Don't want to drawconclusions based on these num-

TCC: Jim Chisholm: Upgrades topolice dispatch will help speed upresponse time.CAD - Computer Aided Dispatchshould be up and running late this

bers, because they need more timeto collect data. Robberies down40 %, Assaults down 17%,Trespassers booked 36 versus lastyear 2, Damage 20%, BookedFare evaders 31 versus last year 6,Need longer time span to showcorrelations.

OTHER: Marketing - BruceHoward, "Your image and voicemay be recorded…" sticker isbeing reworded and is waiting tobe approved by Legal. The word"may" is taken out.

Engineering & Facilities - WayneSchafer, Ceramic glass panels, Asof 1 year ago 1400 have beenreplaced panels in 120 shelters.There are 11,000 panels systemwide. There used to be 25-50panels a week that were graffitied.Since the switch they have onlyhad to switch out 3 shelters.

Deputy Chief Operations Officer -Bill Porter, Stroller Policy, Treatthis policy same as fare policy.Ask once and if they don't listenthen let them go. Use commonsense and be reasonable.

Respectfully submitted, EmilyAnleu, Recording Secretary

NovemberAll Members Present

Others in AttendanceLee Bennett, Asst. Manager,Street Ops, Georgia Stinson - Asst DirectorBus Trans.Lt. Jim Franklin, MTPD, Scott Tollin - ATUBrenda Himrich - Manager ofBus & Rail Safety, Chuck Wurzinger - Maint Asst.Dir. Tech SupprtDave Larrabe - RiskManagement, Jeff Woestrel - East MetroGarage Manager

Chad Loeffler, TCC Supervisor,Jay Kluge - Asst. TransManager, East Metro

Continued on Page 12

New member introduced - AllenJuaire, East Metro Operator 63085will replace Dennis Engebretsonwhose term had expired. Thanksto Dennis for all the work he hasput in for the committee.

TCC: Chad Loeffler/JimChisholm: Extra service and ontime performance continues to bea high priority for TCC on routes10, 25, 61, 250, 260, 261.

MAINTANCE REPORT: ChuckWurzinger: Bike racks that hold 3bikes versus 2 bikes - MetroTransit will not install bike racksthat allow for 3 bikes. Gillig willnot install bike racks for 3 bikes atfactory due to headlight interfer-ence. Maintenance tested withbike rack and State Patrol agreedthat headlight interference is anissue. Maintenance will continuewith bike racks that allow for 2bikes only.

Silent alarm switch new buses3230 to 3239, there are 2 buttonscould that could be used as silentalarm switch. Some of our newNew Flyer buses did not comewith a silent alarm switch. TheRadio shop asked for advice andput a silent alarm button in.Maintenance is working on mak-ing switch easy to reach and easyto identify.Air pressure problems - some airtanks go down when seat pressuregoes down, Maintenance isattempting to identify busesinvolved and resolve the issue.Please write bus up and attempt toidentify specific buses involved ifoperators have problems.

The fan survey has been distrib-uted. Be on the look out for sur-vey so that determination of suc-

At the GarageLRT

Contact Bob Boyle or Mark Ammend

We have just weathered the f i rs tsnowstorm of the season and camethrough with f lying colors. Thewater/ice in the airport tunnel issti l l being worked on.

Ridership cont inues to be heavywith the shopping season and theresurgence of the Vikings.

Construction of the Northstarfacil i ty in Big Lake is underway;stil l no definitive word on whetheror not A.T.U. will be doing themaintenance.

Rail Systems Maintenance wil l begett ing a new director in January,to replace the departed ArtCrabtree. We wish everyone a Safeand Happy Hol iday Season.

At the GarageNicollet

Contact Melanie Benson

Garage Co-ordinator JoelTerrell reports that the October6th Nicollet Garage Sale was“very successful.” Thanks toall who participated.

There will be a holiday partyin the drivers’ room at Nicolleton December 20th. from 10 amto 4 pm. Employees areencouraged to bring dishes tocontribute.

Page 7

Page 8

Lizbeth Goldberg

Our world is a tapestrywith 6 1/2 billion people:

194 countries and 6800 languages.80 million people are added to the globe each year.

People are our greatest asset.

Our very survival in this world rests on our abilityto accept and understand one another. Just as important

as accepting the differences, to also realize our common ground similarities.Our workplace is a microcosm of the amazing world that we live in.

This series will attempt to introduce you to the unique members of our union who make up this excitingkaleidoscopic tapestry of diversity, and to show that no matter where we originate from, or what language we

speak or culture we embrace, our goals and dreams for the good life are all the same the world over. Observe our world around us- it is obvious that divided we shall never achieve these dreams easily. Only

together can we even hope for Peace and Prosperity and Happiness.

Leke Solomon Adeloye

"My wife used to own a convenience store and we operated it together. Oneof my regular customers was a man who used to come in and buy a cup of coffeeand a donut. He was a bus driver from the Heywood Garage and he used to tellme that I should get a job with Metro Transit. My wife eventually sold the store. Iworked nights at the post office for some time but I was not happy working atnight.

" I remembered the advice of my customer, the bus driver; and I appliedfor an operator’s position at Metro Transit in 2001. They called me in 2002 and Iwas jumping, I was so happy! I was driving a school bus then with junior highkids and oh boy, they were a problem! Soon I went from part-time to full-time andit was then I really learned about customer service. One day somebody did notwant to pay the fare and I treated them as I would when I worked at the conven-ience store in a similar situation, and I got in trouble because of it. When I talked to my manager, I was so upsetI almost burst into tears and I told him, “ I'm quitting!” He called the union rep and then told me to sit downand relax and gave me some very good advice: He told me to greet my customers and to always respect them, tonever show when you are mad, and if I do this I will stay at Metro Transit for a long time. I have followed hisadvice and I am very grateful to him for it and I want everyone to know that I respect him because of this.

"I have been here at Heywood for five years as an extra-board driver. How do I like it? I love it! I love it!I want to stay at Heywood until I retire. This is my garage, I am happy here. I don't know why, but everyoneseems to know me and people seem to like me. I think it’s because I don't want to offend them and I try torespect everyone. I feel it is very important to keep a clean work record and I am proud of my safety and atten-dance record: I used to wear all my outstanding driver awards and safety pins on my hat."

Leke came to the United States in1980 from Nigeria when he was 23 years old.

Tapestry

Page 9

Nigeria, one-third larger than Texas and the most populous countryin Africa, is situated on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. Swamps andmangrove forests border the southern coast and inland are hardwoodforests. Population:131 million, with population density 375 per sq. mi.;Life expectancy 47.1; Language: English (official) as well as 200 otherlanguages among over 250 ethnic groups; Religion: Islam 50% andChristian 40%; Literacy rate is 68%; Per capita yearly income is $1000.Government: Multiparty government in transition from military rule tocivilian rule.

Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore,coal, limestone, lead, zinc, and arable land. Major exports: $52 billion inpetroleum and petroleum products (95%), cocoa and rubber.

History: Migration and settlement 500 BC. First states before1500, Igbo and Savannah states 1500-1800, British Colonization 1800-1960, Independence in 1960 and military rule and civil war 1960-1979,Civil War 1967-1970, Second republic and more military rule 1979-1999,return of democracy 1999 to present.

"Nigeria had been under British rule with the official languageEnglish, so everyone speaks English in Nigeria. We were run by the mili-tary but now it is democratic. The money was there but the country wastoo corrupt to help the people. I have very warm feelings towardsEngland. I love London and I stop there whenever I go home to visit myMom, four sisters and three brothers in Nigeria. The weather was perfectin Lagos where we lived and it is a very pretty state. My mother isMoslem and my Dad Christian- I was raised Christian, which can be aproblem in certain areas of Africa who have little tolerance. I have beenin the States now for almost 28 years and Oh Boy- This is my country!

"My advice to new hires? Make sure you're here everyday, don'tcall in sick when you’re not, keep a clean record and - of course -respect your customers.

"My future? My intention is to stay here at Metro Transit andretire in 15 years. Tomorrow- I don't really know what will happen - I puteverything in God’s hands."

Leke has three children: One twenty-one year old son and twogirls, sixteen and twelve.

Leke Solomon Adeloye: Charming, friendly, loyal, joyful and opti-mistic, he will hook you with his smile, which is as wide as Africa itself.He loves people and people like him. Why? Because he respects you andwho you are - a natural talent Leke was born with. As wise as his nameimplies, he is a pleasure to meet - and once you do you'll leave with asmile on your face - a smile as wide as -Africa itself.

Adeleke Solomon Adeloye, Heywood Operator #3836

At the GarageSouth

Contact Liz Goldberg

News Round the Campfire Reconstruction has begun inearnest here at South amid thethunder, dust and jackhammers.For now a temporary drivers’lounge and management area is setup using space in the newly con-structed southwest addition (whencompleted it will be the newWellness area and Operators lockerroom), while the old drivers’ room,locker area and managerial tombare presently being deconstructed.The major portion of garage furni -ture and supplies are stored away inan immense storage facility outsidewhile inside truckloads of buildingsupplies line A bay. It's a bit likecamping out without the cozycampfire or s’mores- but hold on-keep those marshmallows handy-three more months are estimateduntil completion of the New andImproved South Garage.

South’s Annual Holiday PartySouthsiders Annual Holiday Party

will be held Friday, December 14from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.Although downsized this year dueto existing space constraints,Southsiders will offer a turkey andham dinner with potatoes, rice andveggies for the nominal price of$4.00. Deserts are needed! Pleasebring one to share.

Driver Recognition and South'sGrand Re-Opening Celebration

"The Event of the Year" will bringboth major events together on thesame day in February (exact dateforthcoming). Plan to attend thishistoric event!Also a number of exciting raffleprizes will be given away which willfund new counter stools and sofa.

Page 10

Peer support consists of employees from all areas of the company. They receive professional development eachquarter to better support all employees that are in need of someone to talk to. Remember, peer support personsare a safe extra shoulder to lean on when things happen.

PeerSupport

A tour of the New Flyer plant out-side of St. Cloud was insightful:Workers don't get paid much andtheir contract is up in March……hmmmmm, good time tohave tough contract negoiations because they are so busy.

Brad McNaught of DOR Laurie Burns, peer support facilitator

National Training InstituteMetro Transit Instruction Center hosted NTI (National Training Institute) this year. It was held on Nov. 21-24 atthe Radisson in downtown Mpls. Instructors made presentations as well as had a chance to take classes andmeet other Instructors from through out the country.

A Canadian transitcompany ordered(on their NewFlyer) an areawhere the wheel-chair customergoes in backwardsand the soft cush-ion is what keepsthem safe fromthe stoppingforce. Cool! Iwant those too!!

New FlyerTour

this food.

After all, what’s an almond toyour body if you don't chew it upwell first? It will just come outthe other end with no use inbetween but possible injury toyour intestines.

outside. Examples: Dark circlesunder the eyes are a sign of thekidneys in distress, which meansyou should be careful of yourintake of salt and liquids; longears and lobes are very strongconstitution. (That’s why you seemany of our grandparents with bignice ears and long lobes and manyof us newer generation withsmaller ones.)

Sodium and potassium arethe primary antagonistic and com-plimentary elements in food. Theymost strongly determine its char-acter--- that’s the long explanationof yin/yang. Our bodies need abalance of yin foods and yangfoods.........Strive to keep in bal-ance.

Foods are the foundation ofhealth and happiness.

Grain is properly the staple foodof man.

Food should be unrefined, wholeand natural.

Food should be grown locally.

Food should be eaten in season..

Food should be chewed well.

Food should be consumed with-out liquids until after it has start-ed to digest awhile. This allowsthe digestive fluids from yourmouth----as you chewed yourfood well (smile), to get to yourstomach, and lets your stomachacids mix to give you the optimalabsorption of the nutrients from

Holistic HealthMacro(Great)biotics(Life)

by Dorothy Makidmsilva9082@aol.com

Page 11

When I was 19, I got marriedand the next week left for Oregonin a U-Haul truck to start a newlife. We had some family outthere, Dick and Ann and theirfour small kids. Ann was alwaysin the kitchen and I learned howto cook many things from her.She gave me my first good cuttingknife (I still use it everyday) alongwith a book by Michio KushiHow to See Your Health; Book ofOriental Diagnosis.

This introduced me toMacrobiotics and has greatlyinfluenced how I have approachedmy eating habits and health. Idon't get fanatical about anything.Remember, we have the control ,we can balance!

The word Macrobiotics wasfirst used by Hippocrates, theFather of Medicine. Macrobioticscovers a vast area of topics relatedto what we eat and how it effectsall aspects of our health.

I don't want to date myself, butit was a long, long time ago----kind of like, two lifetimes ago!!Here are a few teachings I remem-ber from that book:

Constitution is your physicalmake-up given to you by yourmom and dad. Some people havehealthy constitutions to beginwith, others don't. Think of it as agene pool constantly mutatingfrom generation to generation toits enviroment (pollution, chemi-cals, hybrid foods, water, etc.)

Our insides are visible on the

As with all vitamins and food sup-plements, seek advice from your

physican.

Have you noticed those snappyunion ads that are airing onTV? Look at the union logos atthe end and you will see ATU1005’s logo among them.

Page 12

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

cess/failure/no change can bemade. 19 new buses fromRochester have arrived and willgo into service in mid -November. All buses will run outof Nicollet. Inserts for passengerseat comforts will be arrivingsoon.

STREET OPERATIONS: LeeBennett: Street supervisors areassigned extra buses to helpRoutes 10, 25, 61, 261 in the AMand PM to assist with loads andon time performance. Newest 240buses are being retrofitted withnew DVRs. Downloading videois being done by street supervi-sors. New buses will have newfront end, the front end will be 1foot longer. Maintenance will belooking at new buses next week tosee what vision issues may exist.

SAFETY REPORT: BrendaHimrich: Safety is planning a testfor 7 to 10 operators at East Metroon specific routes that have a highpercentage of lift passengers.

Operators will be given straps andtrained on how to use them toassist in strapping in lift passen-gers. Operators will have tocarry straps with them for testperiod. No permanent locationfor straps onboard buses has beenlocated yet. Tips on preventingPassenger Falls pocket guideexample handed out to bereviewed. If font appears to betoo little, a 4th panel can possiblybe added to increase font size.Review and bring feedback tonext meeting. Accident statisticsfor September passed around.Heywood appears to be doingwell for year.

RISK MANAGEMENT: DavidLarrabee: If person is on cellphone or distracted in any otherway when they fall while board-ing, include that information onincident report and when callinginto TCC so TCC can add infor-mation to SSR. In regards tonew DVRs - There have been two

instances where extra camerashave already assisted in 2 accidentinvestigations.

POLICE REPORT: Lt. JimFranklin: Lt. Franklin will be newprimary contact. For month ofOctober, 3 operator assaultsoccurred. Onboard goal was metand police will continue to havepresence onboard buses. Holidaytimes tend to see an increase incrime.

No LRT report this month.

OTHER: Jim Chisholm: Stickerabout video on buses still beinginvestigated and determined howto proceed.Curt Botner: For next month'sagenda - can passengers on busesat layover be discussed. Jim toput as action item for next month.

Respectfully submitted, ChadLoeffler, Recording Secretary

DSSC Continued from P.7

The Education Committee & TheEditorial Board wishes

“Happy Holidays to you andyour family!”

Page 13

Wiring the NewYork ElectricHybrid Buses

Metro Transit police cars also get strippeddown and rebuilt over at the 725 building.

This photo shows the funky wing-swept design ofthe new hybrid buses. The buses are nowwrapped in green for Metro Transit’s “Go Green”promotion.

CRYPTO by PAT KELEHANEach letter stands for another. If you think X=O, for example, it would equal O throughout the puzzle. Clue: C = T

Z A Y B Y X C W V A Y B Y Z D Y F G X H U F G C Y K X

C T Y B K X C A G B C C G W Q R. W K K Q R W Z Q Y W

H L U R K N B K G W Z X C T Y R C K B Q Z X M R

C T Z R B T A Z R C L G R.........................G M G Z X!

C=T(Answer on page 15 )

When new buses are received, they have to betorn apart to install wiring for new radios andfareboxes. How would you like to deal withthis mess?

Congratulations to employeescelebrating Anniversaries

December 07

5 YEARS 12/2/2002, Anderson,Douglas, Bus Op. FT, 03861,E.M. Gar.12/2/2002, Prahl,Aaron Mech., 03860, So. Gar.12/2/2002, Akins-Ross,Francene, Helper III, 03864,Nic. Gar.12/2/2002, Rogers,Deborah Helper III, 03865, Hey.Gar.12/2/2002, Lee,Kao, Bus Op. FT., 07411, E.M. Gar.12/2/2002, Hudson,Tomas, Bus Op. PT Day, 03867,Hey. Gar.12/2/2002, Gabrawy,Magdy, Bus Op. WKEND-PT Day,07645, E.M. Gar.12/2/2002, Prahl,Willa Joy, Bus Op. FT, 03859, E.M.Gar.10 YEARS 12/6/1997, Foster,Alfred, Bus Op. FT., 06738, Hey.Gar.12/6/1997, Lee,Elmer, Bus Op. FT., 06733, MJR. Gar.12/6/1997, Simon,Willie, Bus Op. FT., 06739, So. Gar.12/8/1997, Trujillo,Margo, Track Maint. Trainee,06741, Rail Op & Maint. Fac.12/8/1997, Williams,Anthony R, Bus Op. FT., 06745,Hey. Gar.,12/20/1997, Hink,Corey, Bus Op. FT., 06748, Nic. Gar.15 YEARS12/7/1992, Blair,William, Train Op., 06256, Rail Op &Maint. Fac.12/7/1992, Prestemon,Johannes, Bus Op. FT., 06257,E.M. Gar.12/12/1992, Kukowski,Lawrence, Bus Op. FT., 06258,Hey. Gar.12/12/1992, Larson,Jeffrey, Bus Op. FT., 06260, Hey.Gar.12/12/1992, Moe,Mike, Bus Op. FT., 06259, Nic. Gar.20 YEARS12/7/1987, Hanson,Wendell, Mech., 01329, So. Gar.12/7/1987, Samuels,Sonnie, Gen. Disp., 01337, Nic.Gar.12/28/1987, Hammonds, Erma, Bus Op. FT, 01374,Nic. Gar.35 YEARS12/19/1972, Miller,John, Mech. Bldg. Maint. 01480,Hey. Office & Oper Fac.12/21/1972, Chadha,Sat, Vault Puller, 03131, Hey. Gar.

January 085 YEARS1/4/2003, Flatz,Charles Iver, Bus Op. FT, 03870, Hey.Gar.1/21/2003, Stein,Mark Edward, Electro-Mech.al Tech,39046, Rail Op & Maintenance Facility,10 YEARS1/5/1998, Cich,Kathleen M, Clerk Floater-Accounting,03596, Hey. Office & Oper Facility,1/5/1998, Harper,Edward P, Mech., 05553, Hey. Gar.1/5/1998, Hermansen,Marlys A, Bus Op. FT., 09806,Hey. Gar.,1/5/1998, Madison,Earl L, Bus Op. FT., 09804, E.M.Gar.1/5/1998, Wiemelt,Glenn M, Bus Op. FT., 09803, Hey.Gar.1/10/1998, Eaves,Michael E, Bus Op. FT., 09809, E.M.Gar.1/10/1998, Freeberg,Steve H, Bus Op. FT., 09811,MJR. Gar.1/10/1998, Prahl,Terry L, Sen. Mech., 09810, MJR.Gar.1/24/1998, Rood,Michael P, Receiving Clerk, 06330,Overhaul Base,1/26/1998, Maslow,David A, Bus Op. PT Day, 06350,E.M. Gar.1/26/1998, Mshar,Nikolay V, Bus Op. FT., 09815, So.Gar.1/26/1998, Powell,Kabaar R, Bus Op. FT, 09819, MJR.Gar.1/26/1998, Ruffell,Rodney R, Bus Op. FT., 09818,Hey. Gar.15 YEARS1/25/1993, Jones,Ronald, Bus Op. FT., 09304, MJR.Gar.1/25/1993, Scott,Margarita, Bus Op. FT., 09307, E.M.Gar.1/25/1993, Tyler,Joanne M, Bus Op. PT Day, 09306,E.M. Gar.20 YEARS1/21/1988, McConnell,John, Bus Op. FT., 08803, MJR.Gar.1/25/1988, Micklin,David, Bus Op. FT., 08806, Hey.Gar.30 YEARS1/23/1978, Hall,Douglas, Sen. Mech., 05182, Nic. Gar.1/30/1978, Blumberg,David, Bus Op. FT., 00097, Nic.Gar.

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Answer To CRYPTO:

I RECENTLY RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON THE CONTRACT TALKS.LOOKS LIKELUMPS OF COAL IN THE STOCKINGS THISCHRISTMAS..................AGAIN!

Requests for ArbitrationTransit Store Cashier - terminatedfor misappropriation of Councilfunds. No to arbitration.

November 2007Meeting

President's Report

We ordered new ATU hats thatare available for purchase, as wellas being a door prize starting atnext month's union meetings.

There is a new non-operatorattendance policy or program. Weare grieving directly the third stepwith Bill Porter. This shouldcome up for an arbitration votenext month. One question that weget is, “Do they have the right tomake changes like this mid-con-tract?” The answer is yes. “Do wehave the right to grieve?” Yes.There are other requirements,such as meeting with the union,etc.

We met with Brian, Sam, Julie,Vince and Porter to discuss the1987 transfer policy.Management has agreed that thetransfer policy will no longerapply to PT going FT. Also, com-mendations will now count aspositive points for probationers.Under the current policy, they donot count as any point value.

The payroll arbitration willcontinue on December 13th in

Union Meeting Highlights Continued from P.3place of a scheduled negotiationdate.

We are working with the trackmaintainers on upgrading theirpay, and management seems to beworking with us on this point.

New bus cameras: Five cam-eras will see everything and twomicrophones will hear everything.The part we are concerned aboutis that police will be able to fol-low you and monitor the videofrom their car. The problem comesin when they want to make thispractice available to garage man-agers, etc. The problem comes inwhen they want to extend this tonon-police personel.

Arbitrations: Tina Hacker’swas held, Tom Charly's is thisweek, and Chuck Robinson’s willbe January 7th .

The case of the two vaultpullers has been settled short ofarbitration, along with the manag-er’s arbitration. We were able todispute their statements. This wasnot concluded to my complete sat-isfaction.

Rochester negotiations startMonday December 2nd and MetroTransit negoiations will startTuesday, December 3rd.

I have appointed TIC employ-ee Ilona Matilla to the EducationCommittee.

Chuck Gudknecht announcedthe deaths this month: recently-retired East Metro Op. 220 AllenEngen, recently-retired dispatcherWilliam Gleb and retiree WilliamCharles Anderson.

Requests for ArbitrationSpread penalty time for part-timeoperators - Yes to arbitration

FTH operator - Filed customercomplaint. - Yes to arbitration

V.P. Report Jerry reported on thetotal amounts awarded for schol-arships that are available to ourmembers and reports that a flyeris available with the variousscources and totals.

Delegate Reports Greg Hallreported on the ATU-APTA stan-dards that NIASE is setting fortransit mechanics across the coun-try. We have completed docu-ments outlining the training. Thereare 40 properties involved.Information is available on theAPTA Standards web site.

New Business Proposed By-Law#3 was read. Management’s con-tract proposals were read forinformation.

The next Union Meeting isTuesday, December 18, oneweek early due to Christmas

William Gleb, Retired Dispatcher 2809Hired in June 1975, Bill spent much of his career as a dispatcher in bus and rail. He

retired on August 30, 2007 and moved to Lebanon, Missouri. Married to Cec Gleb for32 years, Bill had six children and eight grandchildren. He spent 22 years in theNational Guard. (Notice he is not wearing his trademark sunglasses and cap. )

Allen Engen, Retired Operator 220Allen was hired January 12, 1976 and retired September 30, 2007, completing nearly

32 years of accident-free service. He was at Snelling and East Metro Garages his entirecareer and never picked a run, but always worked the extra board. When the PM Boardbecame available, he remained on that for the balance of his career. He was the “go-to”driver and knew the eastside like the back of his hand. He loved deer hunting wheneverhe could.

Dan was hired on June 13, 1978, and lived in Blaine. One day in November, hecame to work at the Overhaul Base, became ill and died at the hospital. Johnson, DanielF. "Dan" age 50, of Blaine. Preceded in death by father, Floyd. He will be deeply missedby his loving wife, Sonna; son, Sean; mother, Doris; siblings, Thomas (Paulette), Paul(Mary), Kristi (John) Hazen; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Brad Maki, Retired Operator Maki, Bradley R. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and dear friend. Brad, age 46,

of Coon Rapids, passed away on November 27, 2007. He was a retired Metro Transitemployee and ATU 1005 local union member, married to Dorothy Maki, instructor.Brad loved nascar racing and was a car enthusist. He owned seven collector cars. Thefamily thanks all the wonderful friends and co-workers from Metro Transit. With muchlove and gratitude for this time spent on earth and beyond. A memorial scholarship willbe established in his name.

In MemoriamDan Johnson, OHB Mechanic 691

Anderson, William C. Born March 20, 1924, Austin, Illinios and passed awayNovember 18, 2007. Survived by wife Loretta, daughter Debbie (Mark) Gregg, andgrandchildren Andrew, Michael and Katie. Retired from the MTC in 1987.