Trimess

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

TriMet puts a whole new spin on dirty laundry

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:

Nedwell said...

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.

Al M said...

I would say your first option is correct.