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Minutes of Meeting ofLocal 880 General MembershipTuesday, June 10, 2008
Call to Order: President Sullivan opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and asked for a moment of silence for the following members: Brother Robert Winston, a pensioner who passed away; Brother Tamir Muhammad, whose mother passed away; Brother Orlando Marrero, whose father passed away; Sister Patricia Myers, whose brother passed away; Sister Patricia Henessee, whose mother passed away; Brother Joe Baals, whose brother passed away; Brother Sam Nicolosi, whose son passed away; Brother Claybrook Lindenmuth, whose sister passed away; Brother Marty Egan, whose grandson passed away; Sister Elise Still, whose step-father passed away; Sister Rashannah Rasheed, whose is ill; Sister Carmalinda Hook, whose is ill; Brother Anthony Muttillo, who is ill; Sister Kathy Lannon, whose husband is ill; Brother John Shinn, who is ill.
Minutes: President Sullivan said the minutes were posted in all locations and asked for questions. There were none. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Brother Thomas Witts and seconded by Brother David Nickodemus. Motion passed.
Financial Report: Secretary-Treasurer John Campanella read the financial reports, which were also posted on the bulletin board, and asked for questions. There were none. A motion to accept the financial reports was made by Brother Larry Wagman and seconded by Brother Anton Koeppl. Motion passed.
President Sullivan reminded members how much the last contract negotiations cost this local and the local was able to pay the large bill without any assessment.
New Business: President Sullivan told bus operators not to physically touch any passengers. If you are attracted to someone, exchange your personal information only. Do not touch anyone except to defend yourself. Do not take any passengers to your layover point.
President Sullivan told members to park in approved parking spaces on all NJ Transit properties.
President Sullivan told members that when coming to work in their personal cars to stop at all railroad crossings when the gates are down, especially at the railroad crossing on River Rd. near Federal St. New Jersey Transit Police will give you a ticket for going around the gates. Avoid this crossing by using the State St. Bridge.
President Sullivan told members that thanks to the help of Tom Licata, from the NJ Transit police, the railroad tracks near the Pleasantville bus terminal have been taken out of the ground and paved over. This will eliminate any further confusion over this railroad crossing.
President Sullivan told members that the Union and the Company have met twice for contract negotiations. Currently, there are no major disputes like our last contract. There was no buyout mentioned at this point. However, the Company is considering eliminating some positions in Newark Shops through attrition.
President Sullivan said he was at the AFL-CIO convention in Atlantic City. Our COPE dollars are being well utilized. We have made friends with politicians that support transportation. Also, we are supporting a bill that would make it difficult for New Jersey Transit to privatize bus lines.
President Sullivan said that the contract for Salem County bus lines is expiring and the ATU made an agreement with NJ Transit to bid on this work. The work would be for part-timers and we want to bring in more work. The bid for this work must be based on part-time rates to make it competitive.
President Sullivan said that there has been a supervisor change in the garages. Nancy Giammusso is transferring to Egg Harbor Twp. and Steve Donato is transferring to Newton Ave.
A member asked who the Union is backing for President. President Sullivan said he believes the International Union will be supporting Barack Obama.
President Sullivan told members that 92% of the employees have less than four hits on their attendance. The Union would like to see some changes in the attendance policy, such as vacation days.
A member asked if we win the court case to get back run reassignments, will it be retroactive to prior occurrences. President Sullivan told members that anyone requesting a run reassignment should file a grievance until this case is decided.
A member asked what impact fuel costs have had on the Company. President Sullivan said the impact is huge and the Union is supporting efforts to approach the federal government for fuel subsidies for New Jersey Transit.
A member asked how much vacation time a part-timer working in the TIC can take. President Sullivan said there is no vacation time for part-timers in the TIC. If a part-timer needs time off, they should apply for a leave of absence.
A member said he put a grievance in over a month ago and has not had a second step hearing. President Sullivan said he will look into this situation. (Note: upon investigation it was determined that the supervisor never made a decision on the first step.)
A WRTC Starter told operators to make sure they stop at all stop signs in the WRTC and do not pass another bus. If there is a backup along the wall, use platform 1 or 2 to discharge passengers. Also, a Greyhound Starter asked operators not to stop to pick up passengers when backing off the platform; back completely off the platform before picking up passengers that did not board in time.
A member from Egg Harbor said operators should stay in the right lane on the Atlantic City Expressway because of a recent serious accident that occurred while an operator was traveling in the third lane.
A member complained that the Walter Rand Transportation Center is dangerous because pedestrians are walking in and out of doors that buses use to enter and exit. President Sullivan said he will bring this to the attention of the NJ Transit Police.
A member said the supervisors can watch operators on video from their offices to see if they are running stop signs at the terminals.
Vice-President Steve Knestaut said that there should be a NJ Transit Police Officer stationed at the WRTC when it is open. There have been problems with unruly and hostile people that the employees must handle alone. President Sullivan said the Union will ask for support from the NJ Transit Police.
A member said that while laying over in Trenton, New Jersey Transit police officers are asking operators to sign cards while they are on their breaks. President Sullivan said please cooperate with the police but he will request that the police get the drivers to sign the cards during arrival and departure times. A member said that the NJ Transit Police might be checking buses during layovers in response to an incident that happened there previously. President Sullivan told members not to let passengers stay on your bus during your layover.
A member said that an operator was robbed on the 452 line and asked if something can be done. President Sullivan said he is aware of the robbery and thankfully, the operator was not injured. President Sullivan said he will ask the Company to consider moving this layover point. A member said that the layover in Burlington is also dangerous; it is dark and isolated. A member suggested that the 452 line layover at the 36 St. station. A member said he was unaware of the robbery and it should have been posted to alert other operators.
Adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made by Brother Anton Koeppl and seconded by Brother William Martynek. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Sincerely, John Campanella Secretary-Treasurer
Note: The next general membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008. Hope to see you there.
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