Among
its 400+ proposed contract changes, TriMet now wants diesel mechanics
to wash their coveralls at home! These are heavy duty outfits that get
extraordinarily dirty with grease and other toxic chemicals. The
detergent necessary to get the grease and chemicals out, as well as the
substances themselves, creates a serious clean water problem under
Oregon law. In the past, some commercial laundries have rejected TriMet
coveralls for cleaning because their facilities did not have the waste
water treatment capability needed to meet Oregon’s wastewater discharge
standards. Now TriMet is proposing that these same work clothes be
washed in employees’ family washing machines. Not only does this violate
state law that says employees can be required to wash work clothes at
home ONLY if the clothes “can be washed with regular laundry”, but also
exposes employees and their families to hazardous chemicals. In
addition, this policy would result in highly toxic wastewater being
dumped into community sewers and water systems without being subjected
to proper treatment. There is one group likely to benefit from this
proposed contract change: washing machine repairmen!
TriMet puts a whole new spin on dirty laundry :: TransitVoice.org
2 comments:
The cynic in me says that Trimet sees this outrageous change as something to "surrender" on in bargaining sessions to give the impression they're being reasonable.
Like proposing drivers be chained to their seats at shift start and then saying, "Ok, we're reasonable people. We'll concede on that change."
Or else, it's to see if the union officials actually read all the proposed changes.
I would say your first option is correct.
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