SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON AT TRIMESS
Seen on Facebook:
Pre-Packaged
Sign up? No please. Let's not let the company get away with the kind
of block sign up proposed for this December 2013. Let freedom of choice
reign!!! So, if I wanted Thursday/Friday off during the winter months
no more choosing a night run of MY choice with runs of MY choice on
Sat/Sun. Would have to sign their pre-packaged deal of runs that I
would probable not have chosen for myself. No deal on this please. So
after being here since 1976 I will be reverting back to where I began in
choice of routes. Would this also apply to YOU?????(make sure you read the comment)
3 comments:
I too started my career at another huge transit agency in the northwest in 1976 and at the time we also picked by a "block system."
From my recollection (and it isn't too clear as it was a long time ago and I had very little seniority at the time so I just had to take whatever was left), the first person to pick the block set the block with the designated combination of runs and the remainder of the block would be filled in by seniority. The positions in the block were: first in the block had Sun/Mon off, second in the block would have Tueday/Weday off, third in the block would have Thurday/Friday off, and the "block position" would have Sat/Sunday off working the runs of each person in the block on their days off. Any resulting Saturday surplus was absorbed by the extra board. There were also a limited number of "no blocks" which were high seniority positions where an operator could pick the same run five days a week with Sat/Sun off. All combos were pre-set and the same combo had to be worked Monday-Friday.
Shortly after I started, the Union negotiated for an "open pick" where days off combinations are chosen first and then any combinations of runs can be pieced together incumbent upon a pre-set allotment of days off combinations. At the time we thought it was a breakthrough as we had the freedom of picking runs, routes, and lines we wanted to pick in any order we wanted to work them according to seniority. Freedom!!
I'm not familiar with the current pick process at Trimet but I have to assume it is something similar. So yes, I agree with the author that going back to any type of block system would greatly curtail freedom of choice.
What stance is the Local taking on this? This has to be a negotiated procedure, correct? Whatever the case, don't let them do it!!
I am the spouse of a driver and I see a much larger repercussion than having to drive the runs of others in the block that your seniority has given you the pleasure of not having to drive.
IT IS LOST PAY!
I am sure my husband is no different than many of his co-workers and our lively hood is based on his ability to pick his runs. Our house payment is determined on his ability to pick his runs.
If he has to rely on the hours others in the "block" have chosen, our household budget could be affected by $1000 each month. It's bad enough we are now having to budget for no COLA, healthcare premiums and more taxes being removed.
This change could be detrimental to many families and households employed by Tri-Met.
How can a company that pays desk jobs SIX FIGURES, be OK with putting the backbone of their company at such high risk and under more stress than the job already produces???
I am no stranger to corporate environments, as I was an HR manager. And I know the individuals a company should take care of are the ones that "butter their bread"! When is Tri-Met desk jobs going to realize ....
DRIVER'S BUTTER THEIR BREAD, without drivers there would be NO Tri-Met!
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