PART 1
PART 2
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I guess they didn’t read “Empower, Trust, Stand Behind”
The mud slinging from the top continued last Friday in full force at the
City Club of Portland. General Manager Neil McFarlane spoke along with
David Knowles of CH2M Hill (a construction/engineering firm) on “Moving Forward While Cutting Back”. It’s interesting that TriMet is partnering
with CH2M Hill on this, as it highlights how the focus at TriMet these
days seems to be geared more toward development and less toward transit.
Not to downplay the importance of development (yes I realize there
wouldn’t be any rail at all without it), but I don’t like development at
the expense of existing service. The backgrounds of the board members
(Bruce Warner – Director of Portland Development Commission; Tiffany
Sweitzer – President of Hoyt Street Properties, recent appointee Craig
Prosser is a longtime advocate of MAX to Tigard,
etc) gives support to the idea that TriMet is currently more interested
in development than maintenance of existing service and operations, and
I don’t think I can agree with that stance if that is the direction
we’re heading.
FULL ARTICLE AT MAX FAQS HERE!
FULL ARTICLE AT MAX FAQS HERE!
OPAL
Right now, if you can’t afford a monthly or annual bus pass, you are
using cash or single tickets, and you try to get as much use out of
that single ticket as possible. This means $2.10 for a two-zone
round-trip to the nearest grocery store. Under TriMet’s recent proposal,
this simple errand will cost you $5.00.
TriMet is justifying these fare increases and service cuts with poor data, faulty analysis and a lack of transparency and accountability that leaves transit riders confused and in the dark.
First, TriMet is blaming its bus drivers for wanting the best health care. TriMet claims that the current contract will cost the agency $5 million to $10 million more than projected. We all should stand with the union in these negotiations, and they have every incentive to ensure service and ridership are maintained, as this protects their jobs. What’s important here is that this cost was foreseeable, and TriMet should not be driving a wedge between drivers and its riders due to its poor management.
Second, TriMet is blaming partisanship in Washington DC, projecting $4 million less in federal grant revenue in the next fiscal year. Regardless of what Congress eventually does with the federal transportation bill, the vast majority of federal dollars that come to TriMet are for capital construction projects, so should have little to no bearing on its service.
Third, TriMet is using too conservative of a forecast in projecting $3.2 million less in payroll tax revenue.
OPAL: TriMet fare plan unfair to poorer bus riders | For those who can’t afford free speech
TriMet is justifying these fare increases and service cuts with poor data, faulty analysis and a lack of transparency and accountability that leaves transit riders confused and in the dark.
First, TriMet is blaming its bus drivers for wanting the best health care. TriMet claims that the current contract will cost the agency $5 million to $10 million more than projected. We all should stand with the union in these negotiations, and they have every incentive to ensure service and ridership are maintained, as this protects their jobs. What’s important here is that this cost was foreseeable, and TriMet should not be driving a wedge between drivers and its riders due to its poor management.
Second, TriMet is blaming partisanship in Washington DC, projecting $4 million less in federal grant revenue in the next fiscal year. Regardless of what Congress eventually does with the federal transportation bill, the vast majority of federal dollars that come to TriMet are for capital construction projects, so should have little to no bearing on its service.
Third, TriMet is using too conservative of a forecast in projecting $3.2 million less in payroll tax revenue.
OPAL: TriMet fare plan unfair to poorer bus riders | For those who can’t afford free speech
Text MSG
winshield wipers only go halfway on drivers side ehen they r on delay...these people need to be shot..They don't work in these conditions!assholes!
A TALE OF TWO TRANSIT DISTRICTS
As Macfarlane said, Trimet is actually two distinct organizations. One focuses on building boondoggle projects that primarily serve business interests, the other focuses on serving the citizens of Portland and getting them where they need to go.
TRANSIT TRACKER ON THE FRITZ
TriMet @trimet
TransitTracker is currently displaying scheduled times for bus arrivals rather than real-time arrivals. The issue will be resolved tomorrow.
TransitTracker is currently displaying scheduled times for bus arrivals rather than real-time arrivals. The issue will be resolved tomorrow.
SO YOU STILL WANNA BE A BUS DRIVER?
SYRACUSE— A bus driver was acquitted Tuesday of homicide in the
deaths of four passengers killed when his double-decker crashed into an
overpass.
A judge announced the verdict after a non-jury trial for 60-year-old John Tomaszewski of Yardville, N.J. Tomaszewski would have faced up to four years in state prison on each of four counts of criminally negligent homicide.
He sat with his head bowed and showed no reaction as Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi read the verdict.
A judge announced the verdict after a non-jury trial for 60-year-old John Tomaszewski of Yardville, N.J. Tomaszewski would have faced up to four years in state prison on each of four counts of criminally negligent homicide.
He sat with his head bowed and showed no reaction as Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi read the verdict.
PHILIDELPHIA'S SEPTA REACHES ACCORD WITH UNION!
Averting a citywide transit strike, SEPTA made an expensive peace
with its largest union Tuesday, but it riled riders in predicting a fare
increase by July 1.
Expect a hike of about 15 cents, to $1.75 for a single token, SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said. The exact figure will be released this week. That price is equal to bus fare in San Diego, the highest in the nation.
SEPTA's current $1.60 charge, however, masks major discounts for multiple purchases of tokens for subway, bus and trolley rides. For example, a two-pack of tokens now sells for $2.30.
SEPTA settles, but fare rise nettles A fare increase of about 15 cents can be expected as part of the agreement. Riders quickly announced their displeasure. - Philly.com
Expect a hike of about 15 cents, to $1.75 for a single token, SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said. The exact figure will be released this week. That price is equal to bus fare in San Diego, the highest in the nation.
SEPTA's current $1.60 charge, however, masks major discounts for multiple purchases of tokens for subway, bus and trolley rides. For example, a two-pack of tokens now sells for $2.30.
SEPTA settles, but fare rise nettles A fare increase of about 15 cents can be expected as part of the agreement. Riders quickly announced their displeasure. - Philly.com
YOU WANT THIS JOB? LOOK WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO
RTD Contract Bus Driver Charged In Passenger's Death - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver
A Denver transit bus driver has been charged with careless driving resulting in death after an exiting passenger leaning on the bus fell under the wheels when the driver pulled away, authorities said on Tuesday.
The victim, 60-year-old Mario Castro, died from his injuries several hours after the Feb. 7 incident, said Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney's Office.The bus driver, Tadese Asefaw, 35, was served a criminal summons and complaint and is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on March 19 to be formally advised of the charge, Kimbrough said.
A Denver transit bus driver has been charged with careless driving resulting in death after an exiting passenger leaning on the bus fell under the wheels when the driver pulled away, authorities said on Tuesday.
The victim, 60-year-old Mario Castro, died from his injuries several hours after the Feb. 7 incident, said Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney's Office.The bus driver, Tadese Asefaw, 35, was served a criminal summons and complaint and is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on March 19 to be formally advised of the charge, Kimbrough said.
RICHARD RIZK will sue for you!
On February 16, 2012 a Tri-Met bus hit a
female pedestrian attempting to cross Pacific highway at Walnut Street
in Tigard Oregon. Tigard Police responded to the accident scene to help
the wounded pedestrian and investigate. The pedestrian was rushed to
Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) with apparently severe injuries.
Her condition has been described as critical.
Tigard
police believe poor visibility, rain and the pedestrian’s dark clothing
contributed to the crash. Neither the Tri-Met driver nor the pedestrian
was cited.
Tri-
Met has recently adopted a mandatory “recertification” process for its
drivers. Many older drivers see the recertification process as an
attempt by Tri-Met management to clear its ranks of “old timers”. Others
believe Tri-Met is attempting to respond to a series of tragic Tri- Met
Crashes in recent years. Once of the worst Tri-Met crashes occurred in
April 2010. Several pedestrians were killed in that event involving a
younger Tri-Met driver who was eventually fired by Tri-Met in the wake
of intense public pressure.
Richard
Rizk is an Oregon attorney who helps persons seriously injured in
Tri-Met crashes due to the fault of another. He can be reached at (503)
245-5677.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Road to Hell is Paved with People Who Don't Believe in Road Paving
In this week's issue of THE WEEKLY STANDARD I have a long feature on how America's hipster theme park Portland, Oregon, destroyed its infrastructure and jobs base in order to indulge a bizarre obsession with public transportation and other cultural fetishes. Among other things, I noted that the city isn't budgeting for "major road paving" for the next five years.
SOME CRAZY FACTS BEING POSTED TO PORTLAND A-FOOT
http://portlandafoot.org/2012/02/help-us-visualize-trimets-budget/
1 hour of bus service (adjusted for inflation, 1995-2010) $135
1 hour of bus service (adjusted for inflation, 1995-2010) $135
Pdx Bus Driver
Male threatening a female on a line 33 at Milwaukee transit with a knife police responding
ATU Communication sent to the TriMet Board of Directors regarding the Lift Audit
February 28, 2012
Bruce Warner, Chair TriMet Board of Directors 4012 SE 17th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97202 Re: TriMet Lift Audit
Dear Chair Warner,
At the February 22, 2012 TriMet Board of Directors’ Meeting, you indicated that yourself and other Board members were interested in learning more about the 2008 Lift Audit report prepared by Lauka and Associates, Certified Public Accountants. That was welcome news. TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane, at the same Board meeting, made comments suggesting that TriMet managers were going to come up with their own numbers. That was not so welcome news.
Bruce Warner, Chair TriMet Board of Directors 4012 SE 17th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97202 Re: TriMet Lift Audit
Dear Chair Warner,
At the February 22, 2012 TriMet Board of Directors’ Meeting, you indicated that yourself and other Board members were interested in learning more about the 2008 Lift Audit report prepared by Lauka and Associates, Certified Public Accountants. That was welcome news. TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane, at the same Board meeting, made comments suggesting that TriMet managers were going to come up with their own numbers. That was not so welcome news.
INFORMATIONAL PICKETS BEING MOVED TO TRIMET ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
ATU 757 will be conducting informational pickets in front of TriMet main headquarters 4012 SE 17th Avenue in starting in APRIL.The pickets will be held weekends.
TriMet employees are finally reaching the breaking point thanks to Neil Macfarlanes constant bullying in front of public audiences.
Also being discussed are informational pickets in Salem at the Governors office!
GOLD PLATED HEALTH INSURANCE-RIGHT!
I had a dental emergency yesterday.
I ended up losing a day of work and out of pocket $1300 (a paycheck and a half for me) AFTER my crummy Trimet dental insurance.
That was for a root canal and a crown on top of the tooth.
These dentists and doctors are greedy MTHAFKRS....
YOU GOTTA PAY UPFRONT TO GET FIXED.
Dental problems are the unheard of crisis in the sick country of ours.
Nobody can afford it!
WHO'S GETTING PAID $91 AN HOUR
This really is an outrage. A tax funded agency wants a tax payer to pay them for PUBLIC RECORDS?
We are passing the hat to fund this operation. So far we have (1)Steve Fung, (2)Jeff Ackerson, (3)Dan Schenk,(4) Ross Wrede, (5)Rob Halman,(6) Gordon Duncan (7)myself for $70- we need 2 more people willing to put up $10 and then we will move forward on getting the list of all management pensions of $4000/mo or more.
To make a pledge leave a comment with your email address or visit Union Brothers and Sisters1 on Facebook and make your pledge there!
ANOTHER AWARD WINNING COMMENT ON OREGONIAN "FAIRY TALE"
Transit workers have a much higher rate of heart disease, and blood pressure related illness. (Strokes), skeletal degeneration. and many other illness. This is due to the fact that driving a bus is ranked as one of the highest stress jobs in the world. many studies point this out. The sad truth is that while it may sound outrageous that bus drivers get health care for life after retirement, a large number of them don't live long enough to really tax the system. There is a reason why they fought so hard to get good health care, it is because the job is very unhealthy.
WOULD MACFARLANE LIE?
- fuel $10
- wage for driver $35
- fringe benefits for driver $33
- fuel & tires $11
- maintenance $22
- nonvehicle maintenance $9
- general admin $22
- other $2
- power $7
- wage for driver $27
- benefits for driver $24
- maintenance $33
- nonvehicle maintenance $40
- general admin
MEDIA BIAS
The most commonly discussed forms of bias occur when the media
support or attack a particular political party, candidate, or ideology,
but other common forms of bias include
- Advertising bias, when stories are selected or slanted to please advertisers.
- Corporate bias, when stories are selected or slanted to please corporate owners of media.
- Mainstream bias, a tendency to report what everyone else is reporting, and to avoid stories that will offend anyone.
- Sensationalism, bias in favor of the exceptional over the ordinary, giving the impression that rare events, such as airplane crashes, are more common than common events, such as automobile crashes.
JON HUNT HAS MY RESPECT
FOR HAVING THE WISDOM TO STAY AWAY FROM ALL THE PORTLAND MEDIA.
NO GOOD WILL COME TO PROVIDING AN INTERVIEW WITH ANY OF THEM!
Monday, February 27, 2012
BEST COMMENT FROM EDITORIAL BOARD HACK JOB
Great, just what we need is another "board" to tell us what is wrong
with TriMet, oh sorry, what's wrong with the horrible Union Employees
who want decent pay for a hard days work. The people that actually make
"TriMet Roll" every day. The ones that are up at 3am to get the buses
and trains ready for first pull out of the day. The people who are up
all night working on the buses, trains, overhead wires, track
maintenance, while management eat dinner, having a night cap and off to
dream land. The employees that saved TriMet millions of dollars working
on "PIP" (Productivity Improvement Process), to streamline processes
and make TriMet more efficient. Oh, what happened to the money that was
saved by PIP? We were all praised by management for all of our hard work
and input towards making TriMet a better place for everyone. Had Neil
McFarlane come to the table with something that was at least "not
laughable" I'm sure the union would have been open to dialogue. Across
this great country working people are being told to take one for the
team, while corporate earnings are the highest they have ever been.
Neil's opinion on who he considers "critical" people to hire are
different than mine. Without the people that get their hands dirty, have
limited bathroom breaks, shear fingers off while truing a train wheel,
inhale chemicals, work with 750 volts of electricity that can kill you
in an instant, get spit on, cussed at, these are the "critical" workers
in my opinion. It is back breaking and emotionally draining work and the
workers deserve every penny they earn.
End stranglehold on TriMet | OregonLive.com
End stranglehold on TriMet | OregonLive.com
IT TAKES 20 BUS DRIVERS TO EQUAL 1 FRED HANSEN
The pension that Fred is raking in could fund the pensions for 20 FULL TIME BUS OPERATORS for 10 YEARS OF SERVICE
7 BUSES STUCK
Erik Halstead @sp_redelectric
Come on #trimet you have SEVEN BUSES stuck on 99W and no alert for it?? That is UNACCEPTABLE!! Start doing ur job, that's seven buses!!!
Come on #trimet you have SEVEN BUSES stuck on 99W and no alert for it?? That is UNACCEPTABLE!! Start doing ur job, that's seven buses!!!
BUS ATTACKED
Pdx Bus Driver @PdxBusDriver
Line 87 bus had an object thrown through windshield at 181 and glisan big hole in window
Line 87 bus had an object thrown through windshield at 181 and glisan big hole in window
CAN'T FIRE TRANSIT EXECUTIVES WITHOUT PAYING THEM BIG TIME
They sure as hell don't need a union, unreal.
Firing TTC's Gary Webster could cost Toronto $500,000 in severance | Posted Toronto | National Post
Firing TTC's Gary Webster could cost Toronto $500,000 in severance | Posted Toronto | National Post
HERE THEY GO AGAIN-THE BOREGONIAN EDITORIAL BOARD
Last week, TriMet's mild-mannered (looks are very deceiving) general manager, Neil McFarlane, attempted to grab this region by its collar.
In a speech of extraordinary power (malice is more the word) and candor, McFarlane warned that TriMet is "slowly strangling from a union contract that desperately needs a reset."
End stranglehold on TriMet | OregonLive.com
In a speech of extraordinary power (malice is more the word) and candor, McFarlane warned that TriMet is "slowly strangling from a union contract that desperately needs a reset."
End stranglehold on TriMet | OregonLive.com
DR JEFF SOLVES THE BUDGET CRISIS!
In Which I Solve The Budget Crisis, Repeatedly
Last week, I wrote about the fact that TriMet was trying to divide us into separate rider groups.
There are choice riders, says TriMet, and there are transit-dependent
riders. I went into some detail about how these are arbitrary
categories. I thought that maybe we should all just bond over the fact
that we are riders. Then it hit me… instead of nit-picking at this
little crap why not just do what really needs to be done? Why not SOLVE
THE BUDGET CRISIS?
Ambitious? Sure. Impossible? Hell yes. But this is just a stupid little blog post, so bear with me, skeptics. Throw aside your jaded hipster transit geekery and come with me on a magical ride into the imagination. Come with me to the land of balanced TriMet budgets, where lemonade flows in the streets and your transfer is made of solid gold.
There have been a number of proposals on the table, as you’ve seen. TriMet has even invented a little budget balancing game. It has become clear that TriMet brass would like to simply have the union pay for all of their own benefits, and Neil McFarlane has proposed that union members perform minor surgeries on each other, with instruments that will be provided by the company. Bypassing expensive hospital care and going to one of your fellow transit operators for appendectomy or simply heart valve replacement seems like a no-brainer, and would save approximately 278 dollars after the increase in death benefits is factored in. So, cool story, bro, but not workable in the world of MY budget ax.
Ambitious? Sure. Impossible? Hell yes. But this is just a stupid little blog post, so bear with me, skeptics. Throw aside your jaded hipster transit geekery and come with me on a magical ride into the imagination. Come with me to the land of balanced TriMet budgets, where lemonade flows in the streets and your transfer is made of solid gold.
There have been a number of proposals on the table, as you’ve seen. TriMet has even invented a little budget balancing game. It has become clear that TriMet brass would like to simply have the union pay for all of their own benefits, and Neil McFarlane has proposed that union members perform minor surgeries on each other, with instruments that will be provided by the company. Bypassing expensive hospital care and going to one of your fellow transit operators for appendectomy or simply heart valve replacement seems like a no-brainer, and would save approximately 278 dollars after the increase in death benefits is factored in. So, cool story, bro, but not workable in the world of MY budget ax.
Then there is the CHAMPION of CHAMPIONS!
SP Red Electric
McFarlane is flat out being dishonest with the public and is pitting people against people to suit his own personal agenda. His background is in building light rail lines and other mega-projects like the Convention Center; he has ZERO experience in actual day-to-day operations of anything, and right now he's protecting his babies (specifically WES and MAX but also the Portland Streetcar) - and willing to sacrifice anything to get his way.
Never mind that TriMet consistently refuses to address many of my 24 specific ways TriMet could cut its budget.
Never mind that TriMet need make only TWO CUTS to balance its budget (before the recent ruling against TriMet for negotiating in bad faith) - cut WES, and cut the Portland Streetcar subsidy.
McFarlane is flat out being dishonest with the public and is pitting people against people to suit his own personal agenda. His background is in building light rail lines and other mega-projects like the Convention Center; he has ZERO experience in actual day-to-day operations of anything, and right now he's protecting his babies (specifically WES and MAX but also the Portland Streetcar) - and willing to sacrifice anything to get his way.
Never mind that TriMet consistently refuses to address many of my 24 specific ways TriMet could cut its budget.
Never mind that TriMet need make only TWO CUTS to balance its budget (before the recent ruling against TriMet for negotiating in bad faith) - cut WES, and cut the Portland Streetcar subsidy.
One of my favorite anti Neil Oregonian quotes
Where I have concerns is in the number of managers needed:
Seven Executive Directors: "Legal Services", "Capital Projects", "Operations Administration", "Communications & Technology Administration", "Government Affairs", and two "Finance Administration" Executive Directors. All but one of these positions could be eliminated, and even that one "Operations Administration" could be merged with the General Manager's duties if he'd spend less time on the speaking circuit, less time on an airplane, and more time dealing with the transit system he's supposed to be running. That would save a million in unnecessary labor.
Or the 13 "Director II"s, the 17 "Director I"s, the 63 "Manager II"s or the 12 "Manager I"s. Or the 9 "Analysts", the 9 "Landscape Maintenance Mechanics", the 6 "Accountants" AND the 5 "Financial Analysts", the 3 "Database Administrators", the 3 "Business Systems Analysts", the 3 "PC Specialists", the 14 "Programmer Systems Analysts", and the 14 "Software Systems Engineers". The 3 "Graphics Designers". 7 "General Counsel" and 4 "Litigation Specialists". 3 "Executive Secretaries".
Seven Executive Directors: "Legal Services", "Capital Projects", "Operations Administration", "Communications & Technology Administration", "Government Affairs", and two "Finance Administration" Executive Directors. All but one of these positions could be eliminated, and even that one "Operations Administration" could be merged with the General Manager's duties if he'd spend less time on the speaking circuit, less time on an airplane, and more time dealing with the transit system he's supposed to be running. That would save a million in unnecessary labor.
Or the 13 "Director II"s, the 17 "Director I"s, the 63 "Manager II"s or the 12 "Manager I"s. Or the 9 "Analysts", the 9 "Landscape Maintenance Mechanics", the 6 "Accountants" AND the 5 "Financial Analysts", the 3 "Database Administrators", the 3 "Business Systems Analysts", the 3 "PC Specialists", the 14 "Programmer Systems Analysts", and the 14 "Software Systems Engineers". The 3 "Graphics Designers". 7 "General Counsel" and 4 "Litigation Specialists". 3 "Executive Secretaries".
Sunday, February 26, 2012
INSUFFERABLE PORTLAND
The same year Portland began implementing its urban growth boundary,
Neil Goldschmidt became mayor. Goldschmidt quickly recognized that the
land-use-transportation connection could be exploited to political ends,
and this insight would make him the state’s largest powerbroker for
decades to come.
In 1974, Goldschmidt canceled a major interstate freeway project before it broke ground. Aside from the usual gripes about a freeway reducing nearby property values, Congress had just passed a law allowing federal highway funds to be used on capital improvement for public transportation. More public transportation looked like a good way of helping Portland stay within its urban growth boundary.
The problem was that the feds had allocated so much for the highway project that the city couldn’t possibly absorb it all in buses. Goldschmidt had to find an irrationally expensive new mode of public transportation, and thus began liberal America’s love affair with “light rail.” And light rail had another advantage over buses, namely that the laying of tracks and the placement of stations allowed Goldschmidt even more power to manipulate land use, making him a kingmaker among developers. Naturally, Goldschmidt’s pioneering of a public works project distinguished by its exorbitant cost earned him a job as Jimmy Carter’s secretary of transportation.
Vaunted though it might be, Portland’s light rail system hasn’t been the success its planners hoped. It’s called “light” rail not because the trains are less heavy, but because it’s more lightly used by the public than, say, New York’s subway or Washington, D.C.’s Metro. Over the course of the 1980s, the city’s first light rail line was finally completed, and the percentage of Portlanders using public transportation declined.
READ THIS FASCINATING ARTICLE HERE
In 1974, Goldschmidt canceled a major interstate freeway project before it broke ground. Aside from the usual gripes about a freeway reducing nearby property values, Congress had just passed a law allowing federal highway funds to be used on capital improvement for public transportation. More public transportation looked like a good way of helping Portland stay within its urban growth boundary.
The problem was that the feds had allocated so much for the highway project that the city couldn’t possibly absorb it all in buses. Goldschmidt had to find an irrationally expensive new mode of public transportation, and thus began liberal America’s love affair with “light rail.” And light rail had another advantage over buses, namely that the laying of tracks and the placement of stations allowed Goldschmidt even more power to manipulate land use, making him a kingmaker among developers. Naturally, Goldschmidt’s pioneering of a public works project distinguished by its exorbitant cost earned him a job as Jimmy Carter’s secretary of transportation.
Vaunted though it might be, Portland’s light rail system hasn’t been the success its planners hoped. It’s called “light” rail not because the trains are less heavy, but because it’s more lightly used by the public than, say, New York’s subway or Washington, D.C.’s Metro. Over the course of the 1980s, the city’s first light rail line was finally completed, and the percentage of Portlanders using public transportation declined.
READ THIS FASCINATING ARTICLE HERE
Ever notice?
How there is NEVER any follow up to any questions that the board or anybody brings up at one of these board meetings.
Neil will always agree to do some follow up, or send somebody to do followup, but then the issue is never heard from again.
The TriMet board meetings are clearly a stage show, something that is done because they are required to go through the motions.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
Neil will always agree to do some follow up, or send somebody to do followup, but then the issue is never heard from again.
The TriMet board meetings are clearly a stage show, something that is done because they are required to go through the motions.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
Albert Einstein
Unions, not manufacturing, key to economic revival
If there's a single reason the median wage has dropped dramatically for
non-college workers over the past 3 1/2 decades, it's the decline of
unions. In the 1950s, more than a third of American workers were
represented by a union. Now, fewer than 7 percent of private-sector
workers have a union behind them.
In context: What a bus driver's day looks like
CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL
It's frustrating that for the duration of the transit strike, now in its 24th day, we---the public---are left hearing competing versions of the scheduling and overtime issues that are at the heart of conflict, but haven't been provided with much information beyond talking points.
Fortunately, yesterday a bus driver gave me the actual scheduling documents used to assign shifts, called the "run cut," and the proposed documents that the city wants to use. I don't know why neither the city nor the union made these documents public before, but now people can look at the documents and form their own conclusions.
It's frustrating that for the duration of the transit strike, now in its 24th day, we---the public---are left hearing competing versions of the scheduling and overtime issues that are at the heart of conflict, but haven't been provided with much information beyond talking points.
Fortunately, yesterday a bus driver gave me the actual scheduling documents used to assign shifts, called the "run cut," and the proposed documents that the city wants to use. I don't know why neither the city nor the union made these documents public before, but now people can look at the documents and form their own conclusions.
NAZI COMMENT UNFOUNDED?
I've gotten some criticism from people about my Nazi comment when talking about Macfarlanes latest speech.
I admit it's extremist, but Hitler did declare war on unions and on MAY 2, 1933 he did abolish all labor unions.
I don't think its much of a reach to see that Macfarlane's end goal maybe the destruction of ATU 757.
But Macfarlanes technique of PROPAGANDIZING the dispute with the union is not that much different from Hitler making a speech looking for scapegoats. I thought MACFARLANE'S speech was brutal and unfounded.
Sure its extreme, Macfarlane is obviously not Hitler, but his propagandizing is very similar to historic events.
I admit it's extremist, but Hitler did declare war on unions and on MAY 2, 1933 he did abolish all labor unions.
I don't think its much of a reach to see that Macfarlane's end goal maybe the destruction of ATU 757.
But Macfarlanes technique of PROPAGANDIZING the dispute with the union is not that much different from Hitler making a speech looking for scapegoats. I thought MACFARLANE'S speech was brutal and unfounded.
Sure its extreme, Macfarlane is obviously not Hitler, but his propagandizing is very similar to historic events.
BEST COMMENTS FROM COVERAGE OF NEIL MACFARLANES HATE SPEECH
Despite a propaganda campaign who's viciousness is worthy of Nazi Germany, Macfarlane is not living in dumbfuck America. Most Portlander's have an education that enables them to see above Macfarlanes gambit of using the unionized workers as scapegoats for management bungling. Of course there are the usual anti union baters, who will never be happy until all American workers are living at the Standard of the Chinese workers, but the majority of Portlander's see right through that nonsense. The following are some of the COMMENTS from the Joe Rose Oregonian article. The Oregonian by the way is rabid anti union.
PORTLAND FALLS APART WHILE THEY BUILD STREETCARS
It won't be quick enough to see the end of the Sam Adams tenure in this city.
Why can't Portland repave its rutted roads? | OregonLive.com
Why can't Portland repave its rutted roads? | OregonLive.com
Jack Bogdanski commentary
Tri-Met brass: It's all the union's fault
The head of Portland's insolvent transit agency has taken to badmouthing his employees' unions these days. But he can't seem to make that the speech without a "planning" consultant from CH2M Hill next to him. Ah, those consultants -- who make the millions setting up money-burning rail projects like the insane WES train and the equally nutty Mystery Train to Milwaukie. Yes, the unions have overreached in recent years, but when Tri-Met ends up in bankruptcy and the workers get maneuvered out of their pensions, you won't see CH2M Hill giving back any money.
Tri-Met brass: It's all the union's fault (Jack Bog's Blog)
The head of Portland's insolvent transit agency has taken to badmouthing his employees' unions these days. But he can't seem to make that the speech without a "planning" consultant from CH2M Hill next to him. Ah, those consultants -- who make the millions setting up money-burning rail projects like the insane WES train and the equally nutty Mystery Train to Milwaukie. Yes, the unions have overreached in recent years, but when Tri-Met ends up in bankruptcy and the workers get maneuvered out of their pensions, you won't see CH2M Hill giving back any money.
Tri-Met brass: It's all the union's fault (Jack Bog's Blog)
The O on Tri-Met: "All is well"
Rah rah, siss boom bah, here's how Portland's newspaper "covers" its dying transit system. The headline writers over there must start drinking at breakfast. "With WES leading the way" -- yes, one of the biggest transit flops in history is certainly a fitting image for Tri-Met these days. The subsidy per boarding ride on that thing is $15. But hey, they make it up in volume.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
THE FOLLOWING QUESTION WAS POSED IN THE PRIVATE ATU FACEBOOK AREA
Does anyone know if this is Trimet management or union management?
Tony was back to work Friday
Says he was treated well by TriMet management in the aftermath of the incident.
MACFARLANES CRONIES PILE ON THE BULL SHIT
His connections to big business are OBVIOUS and DISTURBING , the 'power elite' 1%'s of the Portland cabal of legalized robbers who have profited from our transit system and continue to do so. Fred Hansen retired a MILLIONAIRE with a FAT PENSION OF $15,700 A MONTH.
Who knows how much Macfarlane has taken in so far as TRIMET'S TOP criminal for over 20 years.
His pension will probably be $20,000 a month.
BUT HERE THEY ARE, THE PORTLAND FAT CATS, TELLING THE WORLD THAT ITS ALL THE UNIONS FAULT THAT THIS TRANSIT SYSTEM IS IN SUCH A MESS.
WE HAVE HEARD IT AT GENERAL MOTORS, WE ARE HEARING IT IN EUROPE (see what happened to the Greeks) AND NOW WE ARE HEARING IT HERE.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS IS THE RISE OF FASCISM IN AMERICA...DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY OR WE WILL END UP LIKE GREECE
Now read the sickening speech given by one of MACFARLANES BUSINESS CRONIES
(WITH MY VERY INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS, MAKE SURE TO CLICK ON THE LINKS INSIDE THE COMMENTARY)
With WES Leading The Way, TriMet Ridership Continues To Grow In January
That is the type of shameless fraudulent propagandizing that TRIMET is WORLD RENOWN for.
Making itself famous using self promoting shameless propaganda.
HERE is a good article about that.
SO MANY LIES AND DISTORTIONS
Looking at Macfarlane's pathetic speech, its so full of boastful claims and downright lies, but here is the biggest one:
This translates to a Blue Cross bill
averaging $22,000 per year for each union employee – nearly twice the
industry average – and twice that of non-union TriMet employees.
This number the media has thrown out over and over.
It started at $1,600 a month for every employee;
Then it went to $1,800 for every employee;
A complete lie, my FAMILY blue cross is $1,600/mo.
There are many SINGLE EMPLOYEES who's blue cross is $1,200.
There are MANY employees who have KAISER, which is substantially less than Blue Cross.
Yet Macfarlane, master of half truths and distortions, attempts to paint the picture that TriMet is paying $22,000 for EACH EMPLOYEE!
A DOWNRIGHT LIE.
Michael Levine sums up the truth about Macfarlane HERE!
Fact-Checking McFarlane
So...if what McFarlane is saying is true, let's see the proof in the pudding.The Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail will carry riders for:· $1.50 each· compared to nearly double what it costs on the bus system ($2.90)
How much does it cost for a Green Line rider between Gateway and Clackamas TC?
Now...now much does it cost for a 72 line rider between I-84 (the 82nd Avenue MAX station) and Clackamas TC?
McFarlane is citing the cost of one line, against the AVERAGE of all bus lines. Which means, he's trying to compare ONE MAX line to the 84 Kelso/Boring line (because that one bus line that costs a Godawful amount of money throws the bus system average). Clearly, that the AVERAGE is only $2.90 shows that there are many buses that aren't anywhere near as costly.
And, TriMet's CFO even confirmed to me that many bus lines are just as cost effective - or in some cases, MORE cost effective - than MAX. Like the 72 bus. MORE cost effective than MAX. MORE cost effective than the Green Line.
Apples to apples, not apples to the whole freakin' damn orange tree orchard.
Did Neil McFarlane really say THIS?????
Those who know our business know that the MAX system has been the best thing that ever happened to the bus system…
Friday, February 24, 2012
THE COWARDS THAT CALL THEMSELVES TRIMET MANAGEMENT
The post you are about to read is somewhat brutal in nature. It is an extreme illustration of how I view the use of viscous propaganda
MACFARLANE BULLSHITTER IN CHARGE OF TRIMET
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City Club Speech
February 24, 2012
Thank you City Club President Melody Rose and thank you to the Program Committee Members
I’m grateful for the invitation to speak to the City Club, and I’m honored to be here.
I’ve attended many City Club presentations – listened to many statesmen and women – and I hope I do the podium justice.
As noted in the introduction – I became TriMet General Manager 20 months ago after nearly 20 years at the agency.
I inherited an agency inspired by a Dickens’ novel – I call it – A Tale of Two TriMet’s.(give us a break will ya)
TRIMET-WORKING HARD TO GET YOU!
Busting citizens with exorbitant fines (The base fine for not having a valid fare is $175, but fines may go as high as $250) for not having a $2.10 ticket, one of the highest fare evasion fines anywhere in the world, that's right, the WHOLE WORLD!
AIN'T GONNA WORK!
Probably you have heard of Mcfarlans big plan to short line Red line trains at Terminus turnaround @11th and Morrison. Good luck Neil, 3A switch is out of service again due to band aid fixes falling apart again. Better tear up the streets and fix it right first. Track substructure there is totally beyond worn out.
Macfarlane continues his anti union ranting...
Loud applause from some TriMet managers as (frequent TriMet contractor) Knowles calls for an end to the no-strike rule. @pdxcityclub
Crossover joke from @ch2mhill's David Knowles at @pdxcityclub: 19-year-old PDXers seeking early retirement should become TriMet bus drivers.
Since legislature approved no-strike law, McFarlane says, "TriMet had found itself mired in what seems like a Byzantine legal process."
At @pdxcityclub, TriMet GM McFarlane tells city elites that agency is "slowly strangling from a union contract" that "needs a reset."
http://PortlandAfoot.org
THIS IS FASCINATING!
Bus riders support driver who was suspended - YouTube
(notice the ADVANCED technology of audio as well as video and notice the REAL transparency of this transit company providing the video the day after the event,unlike some Districts that we know of, like Trimet)
(notice the ADVANCED technology of audio as well as video and notice the REAL transparency of this transit company providing the video the day after the event,unlike some Districts that we know of, like Trimet)
I think Keith Shultz is great
I love his signature "raincoat" mocking TriMet's claim of transparency!
Wanna be a bus driver?
Better think twice before going there:
KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say a bus driver who was stabbed in the face with a pen while trying to resolve a dispute with a passenger has been suspended.
Cobb County spokeswoman AikWah Leow tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/AxIjA1) the driver was suspended with pay for not following protocol. She says he should have stayed in his seat and called the Cobb County Transit dispatch.
Authorities say he was suspended by Lombard, Ill.-based Veolia Transportation, which provides drivers for the system.
Veolia spokeswoman Valerie Michael told The Associated Press Thursday morning the company was still investigating. She wasn't able to discuss details because it's a personnel matter.
Police say a female passenger grabbed a pen from the driver's pocket and stabbed him several times in the face on Monday in Kennesaw.
Bus driver suspended after pen stabbing - WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports
KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say a bus driver who was stabbed in the face with a pen while trying to resolve a dispute with a passenger has been suspended.
Cobb County spokeswoman AikWah Leow tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/AxIjA1) the driver was suspended with pay for not following protocol. She says he should have stayed in his seat and called the Cobb County Transit dispatch.
Authorities say he was suspended by Lombard, Ill.-based Veolia Transportation, which provides drivers for the system.
Veolia spokeswoman Valerie Michael told The Associated Press Thursday morning the company was still investigating. She wasn't able to discuss details because it's a personnel matter.
Police say a female passenger grabbed a pen from the driver's pocket and stabbed him several times in the face on Monday in Kennesaw.
Bus driver suspended after pen stabbing - WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The check is NOT in the mail!
If operators are expecting some sort of payment to be forthcoming you are in for a big disappointment!
It could be quite some time before any money is received as this winds its way through the system
Via Jeff Ackerson
Fred's mail piling up
Our $15k/mo man has sold his nw condo (at significant loss)!
He provided the wrong forwarding zip code so all his mail is piling up at the post office!
He provided the wrong forwarding zip code so all his mail is piling up at the post office!
Tony driving "training bus"
That's right. Operator involved with Tigard crash being "retrained". He is in this bus. 
Regarding those 1,100 jobs.....
A conservative (which I am far from being) would do the math and
misleadingly say that 1,111 jobs from a $1.5 billion project means each
job cost over a million dollars to create. This would be misleading
because it doesn't factor in the cost of the raw materials nor does it
consider the value of the finished project or product. Since Trimet,
however, is a transit agency, the real questions should be more about
the fact that these are largely temporary construction jobs as opposed
to permanent transit jobs. The one dimensional, one trick pony aspect of
more and more light rail sacrifices creativity and resources that could
better be used to build a robust transit agency. A modern total transit
system, conveniently serving all neighborhoods of the region, would
build ridership and revenues through frequent and reliable service.
Implementing bus rapid transit as well as electric trolley buses are
just a couple low cost (relative to rail) ways Trimet could go about
improving it's service and sustainability while creating good, permanent
transit jobs. The federal matching funds for doing this are there,
management needs only to go after them.
JC VANETTA
He was in the background of the speakers at the TriMet board meeting!
His name is JC Vannatta.
His name is JC Vannatta.
THINK YOUR JOB IS STRESSFUL?
Zook used to drive a bus for an urban transit district in Northern
California. There was much about the job that she loved, especially the
economic rewards -- decent pay, good family medical benefits, and a
great pension. But after 10 years behind the wheel, Zook hit the wall.
Squeezing a 20-ton machine through city streets rife with traffic jams,
potholes, road construction, jaywalkers, bike messengers, double-parked
trucks, and often heedless motorists had taken its toll. The job's
day-to-day stresses on her body and nerves had built up over the years
and emerged in clenched muscles and crying jags.
FULL ARTICLE HERE!
FULL ARTICLE HERE!
Insightful commet left at Portland A-Foot
THIS COMMENT was left on Michael Anderson's blog in his interview with Cynthia Chilton:
The financial problem has been a long time in the making. Ask any employee of TriMet's Training Department, and you can discover that this is a hole dug by TriMet management a long time ago. Three decades ago, full retirement was at age 62, with a 20 year vesting for Union employees. The pension was tiny. But there was the promise of improving seniority over time, and health care in retirement. Employees could retire early at age 55, but with a much-reduced pension -- out of compassion for drivers who developed health problems and could no longer drive. It was hard to survive retirement at 55 with no social security until 62, and a tiny pension. TriMet is not part of PERS.
The financial problem has been a long time in the making. Ask any employee of TriMet's Training Department, and you can discover that this is a hole dug by TriMet management a long time ago. Three decades ago, full retirement was at age 62, with a 20 year vesting for Union employees. The pension was tiny. But there was the promise of improving seniority over time, and health care in retirement. Employees could retire early at age 55, but with a much-reduced pension -- out of compassion for drivers who developed health problems and could no longer drive. It was hard to survive retirement at 55 with no social security until 62, and a tiny pension. TriMet is not part of PERS.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
TriMet: Bus driver who hit Tigard woman on Oregon 99W has 'good record'
The TriMet
bus driver who struck a woman crossing Oregon 99W in Tigard last week
has been identified as 64-year-old Tony Dauenhauer, a six-year veteran
who has a clean driving record with the transit agency.
Dauenhauer remains on administrative leave as TriMet conducts its own investigation. “He has a good record,” said TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch.
Joe Rose Here!
Dauenhauer remains on administrative leave as TriMet conducts its own investigation. “He has a good record,” said TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch.
Joe Rose Here!
Lift passengers get the hike
TriMet: News Release - TriMet board approves phased-in fare increase for ADA LIFT rides
Flatpicker John February 28, 2012 at 11:20AM