McFarlane writes an editorial blaming the union for all the problems

While I understand the union’s duty to represent its members, I am calling on the Amalgamated Transit Union to end unreasonable challenges to what are common sense disciplinary actions. The behavior of the few discredit the great work of the majority. I am putting our union leadership on notice that there will be a new course that ensures timely action and accountability


http://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=132269010433454300

NEIL MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS ON THE TRIMET SERVER WHICH IS INTERESTING:

We’ve had a lot of press lately focused on our lack of follow-through regarding customer complaints. First I want to emphasize that the overwhelming number of our operators do an outstanding job every day – like the terrific operator I met on my home last night on the #12. We can’t forget the heroes among us – most recently Operator Silverman – who saved a 2 year old from 82nd Avenue traffic. Overall our operators average about 5 complaints each over the last 10 months – and as we know, not every complaint is the Operator’s fault. That's good performance overall given our 330,000 daily rides and customer interactions.

But we have a very few operators (18 to be precise) that have more than 5 times the average. Let me be clear – that’s not acceptable and it paints all of us at TriMet with a broad brush which simply isn’t fair. We need to focus and refocus our attention on programs to help these operators improve their performance, but if not – we’ll be stepping up the progressive discipline process. Randy Stedman, our new Labor Relations and HR exec, is leading a small team to identify the training and monitoring resources we need to do this fairly, and well.

We will post an ‘In My Opinion’ piece submitted to the Portland Tribune – which challenges us to do better – particularly with these ‘extreme’ cases. Some will tell you this is anti-labor. Baloney, it's pro-TriMet. It's pro the 98% of our operators and staff who work every day to build our reputation for service. It's aimed at making sure the few don’t drag down the many.

I’ll keep you posted on changes in any policies and procedures ahead.

Thanks to you all for the great work every day!

Neil


My comment;

Hmmmmm?

Let's see here....

Trimet MANAGEMENT has recruited, trained, and retained hundreds, even thousands of drivers.

Is Mr McFarlane putting forth the argument that it is the UNIONS fault that there are problem drivers out here?

I don't think the union is responsible for hiring anybody are they?

Did it ever occur to Mr McFarlane that the pressures of bad scheduling, poor work schedules, overcrowded buses and lack of behavioral standards enforcement might end up impacting the emotions of operators for the worse?

What we see in Mr MacFarlanes editorial is what Mr Macfarlane does best:

BLAME OTHER PEOPLE FOR MANAGEMENT FAILURES!

Sorry Neil, your way off base, as usual.