The 1005 Line The news and information publication of ATU Local 1005 Prepared and distributed by the Education Committee For The People Who Know Where They Are Going May /June 2011 " We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values...when machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered." - Martin Luther King, Jr. April 4, 1967 What’s Inside... Officer’s Corner page 2 Union Meeting Highlights page 3 Stay Healthy on the Job General Cleaning of Buses page 9 Hanley Elected to the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO Diabetes Part Two page 10 Transit Safety and Security page 11 Some Union History page 13 Local 1005 – 78 Years Strong page 14 Central Corridor Project Facts page 19 ATU Supports CTU page 22 Contract Offer Passes Continued on page 8 Metro Transit’s “Best and Final Offer” was read to the ATU Local 1005 membership on May 1st at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. Members were allowed to vote after an explanation of the proposed contract changes and an opportunity to ask questions about specific language and changes. Members not in attendance at the meeting were allowed to vote at the union office on Monday until 5:00 p.m. The membership passed the contract 78% for and 22% against. The term of the contract runs two years from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2012. The new contract has a lot of ‘clean-up’ language in regard to dates and work rules. When asked about the most difficult part of the negotiations, President Michelle Sommers said that it was the healthcare aspects of the contract. Another challenging area was the maintenance seniority system. They spent considerable time negotiating on that issue, only to reach no agreement. There are many changes that the company would not agree to, and the union will continue to work on these issues in the future. One example of this is the Bus Maintenance and Rail Maintenance seniority system. Another is the company's request to eliminate the nine- hour run. The following are a few of the changes: Top wage rates for all wage classes will be frozen for the life of this contract. A trial system for grievances will streamline the procedure from a
ATU Local 1005 One example of this is the Bus Maintenance and Rail Maintenance seniority system. Another is the company's request to eliminate the nine- hour run. The news and information publication of When asked about the most difficult part of the negotiations, President Michelle Sommers said that it was the healthcare aspects of the contract. Another challenging area was the maintenance seniority system. They spent considerable time negotiating on that issue, only to reach no agreement.
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Transcript
The 1005 LineThe news and information
publication of
ATU Local 1005 Prepared and
distributed by the Education
Committee
For The People Who Know Where They Are Going
May /June 2011
" We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values...when machines and computers, pro� t motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."
- Martin Luther King, Jr. April 4, 1967
What’s Inside...
Officer’s Corner
page 2
Union Meeting Highlights
page 3
Stay Healthy on the Job
General Cleaning of Buses
page 9
Hanley Elected to the Executive
Council of the AFL-CIO
Diabetes Part Two
page 10
Transit Safety and Security
page 11
Some Union History
page 13
Local 1005 – 78 Years Strong
page 14
Central Corridor Project Facts
page 19
ATU Supports CTU
page 22
Contract O� er
Passes
Continued on page 8
Metro Transit’s “Best and Final Offer” was read to the ATU Local
1005 membership on May 1st at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.
Members were allowed to vote after an explanation of the proposed
contract changes and an opportunity to ask questions about specific
language and changes. Members not in attendance at the meeting were
allowed to vote at the union office on Monday until 5:00 p.m. The
membership passed the contract 78% for and 22% against.
The term of the contract runs two years from August 1, 2010 through
July 31, 2012. The new contract has a lot of ‘clean-up’ language in
regard to dates and work rules.
When asked about the most difficult part of the negotiations, President
Michelle Sommers said that it was the healthcare aspects of the contract.
Another challenging area was the maintenance seniority system. They
spent considerable time negotiating on that issue, only to reach no
agreement.
There are many changes that the company would not agree to, and the
union will continue to work on these issues in the future.
One example of this is the Bus Maintenance and Rail Maintenance
seniority system. Another is the company's request to eliminate the nine-
hour run.
The following are a few of the changes:
Top wage rates for all wage classes will be frozen for the life of this
contract.
A trial system for grievances will streamline the procedure from a
1934 – Twin City Rapid Transit Company laid-off employees without regard to seniority in some cases. The Re-
gional Board of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Street Railway Union in its fi rst arbitration; all affected employ-
ees reinstated.
October 6, 1934 – Motorman / Conductor Ole Johnson was shot and critically wounded while resisting a hold-up.
He died two days later. Two 17-year old boys confessed to the slaying, one youth was sentenced to fi ve to thirty
years.
February 14, 1938 – Valentine’s Day Strike lasts all of 36 hours.
1941 - Streetcar tokens were 7½¢ and cash fare was 10¢.
January 1953 - a strike vote was taken with the outcome: 1,850 YES, 38 NO. The strike was avoided when a
contract ratifi cation vote passed 1,103 YES and 65 NO.
August 11, 1953 – Monthly membership meeting attendance: 57
1959 - Strike of unknown length
1964 – Milwaukee and the Twin Cities are the last two areas in the country which have privately-owned transit
systems.
April 1965 – Editorial headline in Minneapolis Star reads, “Let’s Plan Now for Rail Transit”.
1969 - Strike of unknown length
1970 – Twin Cities Rapid Transit was purchased by the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), established by
the Met Council to operate the bus system.
March 15, 1975 – Legislators’ report opposes rail for transit.
October 1995 – Local 1005 strikes against MCTO for 19 days. Tentative agreement reached at Governor’s man-
sion with ‘independent’ consultant to be hired to examine work rules and practices.
Operator Wage Rates
Year Rate Year Rate
1933 43¢ 1980 $8.27
1941 77¢ 1985 $13.57
1946 $1.02 1990 $15.09
1949 $1.52 1995 $17.28
1960 $2.55 2000 $20.04
1968 $3.44 2003 $21.80
1975 $6.19 2009 $24.19
Contract Notes:
1940 - Regular trainmen shall not be required to work more than 6 days per week. Regular runs shall be a mini-
mum of 46 hours for the week.
Page 16
1949 - 7 days per year sick leave. Maximum bank = 35 days. Three weeks max vacation earned.
1949 – Sample pay rates:
Information Clerks - $197.68 per month.
Bookkeeper - $312.84 per month
Stock Keeper - $242.70 per month
Garage Clerk - $268.38 per month.
Electric Maintenance men - $1.53 per hour.
Motor Builders $1.77 per hour.
1978 - Wage rates began at $7.85/hr. Part-time operators hired.
1994 – Health insurance offered to part-time employees on a pro-rated basis.
1995 - Strike lasting three weeks
1999 - Part-time operators became eligible for 30-hour pay guarantee by letter of agreement; guarantee became
contract language August 2001, along with paid sick leave benefi t.
2003 – Local hosts North West Conference.
2004 - March - strike lasting six weeks after contract offer rejected. The opening of fi rst light rail line in June.
2008 - The passage of a quarter-cent sales tax increase by the fi ve counties to expand transit. August 5th - voted
to approve a two-year contract with Metro Transit.
2011 - May 1st: Voted on and accepted a two-year contract from July 31, 2010.
Other Notes: The Metropolitan Council was created by the state legislature in 1967 to plan for “the orderly and
economic development ... of the metropolitan area.” MTC, the Metropolitan Transit Commission, was created the
same year to “plan for a complete, integrated mass transit system for the metropolitan transit area.”
Since then, the evolution of transit decision-making in the metro area has included the TAB (Transportation
Advisory Board), the RTB (Regional Transit Board), the Light Rail Transit Joint powers
Board, and CTIB (the Counties Transitway Improvement Board). Confused yet? Check
out TLC’s 2010 report, Planning to Succeed? for more details. A brief history of transit
and land use governance is on pages 27-28 of their report. (www.tlc.com)
Historically, ATU-COPE (Committee on Political Education) has helped elect
local, state, and federal politicians who understand the importance of investing in qual-
ity public transportation. Those of us who are still fortunate enough to have a job know
that the tough economy is putting a tight squeeze on collective bargaining. Without
immediate action, unions and the middle class will be gone.
Any donation is appreciated. When combined with others, the funding can grow
into a powerful tool. Please donate a few dollars. It is set up with a payroll deduction.
Look for this form or see your union board member.
ATU COPE puts all our pennies together so that we can fight the billionaires. Greed
seems to have no satiability; and rules, morals and ethics go out the door. That's why
big business wants to do away with unions. We've got a lot of RULES, and we fight to
make sure discipline is fair and just. This summer, during our COPE drive, please give
what pennies you can.
Page 17
Rally to
Support
Wisconsin
Workers
ATU 1005 members rode
the bus to Madison, Wis-
consin on March 20, 2011, a
rainy, cold day.
Following a stop at a Mc-
Donald's for a late breakfast,
we were ready to march. After
circling the capitol a few times,
we went inside and chanted. We
were back home by 7:30.
Labor Constituent Meeting
with Steve SmithSponsored by the
AFL-CIO
Minneapolis Regional
Federation of Labor
Representative Steve Smith met with labor constituents on April 20th. For the last decade, Minnesota’s state
budget has been balanced on the backs of middle-class families. We need you to tell your lawmakers that it’s time
for a fair budget, time for the richest Minnesotans to sacrifi ce too. Steve Smith has the message and has been
endorsed by the AFL-CIO. Thanks to Bill McCarthy, president of the Minneapolis Federation of Labor, for setting
up these meetings.
Stephen Babcock meets his
Representative Steve Smith (R) out
at the Mound Depot Center and
yes, that is a Teamster union jacket
on Steve Smith.
Page 18
Tax Day - Make Them Pay Tax day is the day we do our civic duty and pay taxes. But while we
middle-class Minnesotans all pay our fair share, some billion-dollar corpora-
tions and the richest people do not.
Case in point: Exxon Mobil, with earnings of more than $45 billion, is the
world’s most profi table corporation. Be-
tween 1998 and 2008, it spent $5.7 million in
campaign contributions and $138 million in
lobbying expenditures, as reported by Think
Progress. Yet in 2009, it was not liable for
any taxes.
Even worse: Exxon Mobil, in 2009, re-
ceived a $156 million tax rebate.
Here in Minnesota, middle-class families actually pay a larger share of our
income in state and local taxes than than the richest do.
With little time remaining in the legislative session, it’s even more important to
make sure your legislators know you want them to protect middle-class families.
Most service garages have at least three cleaners. Depending on the number of buses at the facility, each bus is
thoroughly cleaned every 35-40 days or so.
Interrupting this schedule may be the need to clean buses referred to as “sick buses,” those which have been
contaminated by bodily fl uids and taken out of service. Special precautions (such as the wearing of masks, gowns
and gloves) must be taken when cleaning these buses due to the possibility of infection.
Cleaners and drivers would be grateful if other drivers would not make a mess in the driver compartment area,
especially with food items. No one likes to come to work and start with a dirty driver compartment for a shift up
to 10 1/2 hours long!
Take action to be considerate of your fellow employees. They will appreciate you.
Many thanks to Ralph Mason, Nicollet Cleaner, for his help with this article.
General Cleaning from p. 9
Page 19
CENTRAL CORRIDOR PROJECT/FACTSby Ilona LaDouceur
The Central Corridor Light Rail project is underway. Here are some facts about the project:
Ø The 11-mile line will run on University and Washington Avenues between downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, linking there with the Hiawatha LRT line and the new Northstar commuter rail line. The Central Corridor will share tracks with the Hiawatha Line when it meets downtown at the Metrodome Station.
Ø There will be 31 new light rail transit vehicles, each with 66 seats and comfortable standing room for about 70 people.
Ø Trains will operate every 7.5 minutes during peak hours, with travel time of 36 minutes between the two downtowns.
Ø There will be 18 new stations plus five stations shared with the Hiawatha line in downtown Minneapolis.
Ø Total cost $957 million
Ø The projected weekday ridership is 40,000 by 2030.
Ø The line is being built between 2010 – 2013 and is to open in 2014.
Ø The project is poised to create at least 3,400 jobs. These would be for engineering, construction, management and operating personnel.
Ø The corridor will continue to have Route 16 buses on University Avenue, running at 20 minute intervals, for riders traveling to and from locations not immediately served by rails stations, as well as express buses on I94 between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. The LRT line will be served by an expanded network of connecting bus routes to provide access to commuters traveling outside the corridor
Project Partners: Met Council (Lead local sponsor, Metro Transit, Minnesota Department of Transportation,
Ramsey County, Hennepin County, Counties Transit Improvement Board, City of St. Paul, City of Minneapolis
and University of Minnesota.
I will discuss some of the construction facts, timelines and other issues in upcoming issues. For more
information and updates on the project, check out the Met Council’s website: www.centralcorridor.org.
Dave Williams Retires
On March 14, 2011, Dave Williams, Stockkeeper at MJR (second shift) retired from
Metro Transit with over 16 years of service. Dave started as a bus operator on
November 21, 1994 and transferred to the Material Management Department on March
20, 1996.
Dave had planned to have a retirement
party, but an accident a few days before his
party prevented that. He is now recovering
successfully.
Dave plans to spend time at his lake home
and also take trips in the RV he purchased
last year. Beatrice, Dave's dog, has con-
vinced him it is time to go to the lake.
Page 20
Knowing that ignorance of issues leaves us vulnerable to voices proclaiming half truths and outright
lies, we must do our homework NOW. We have to help our wonderful governor follow through with
getting the corporations and rich to pay their fair share of taxes. And no, we ARE NOT in that category.
The Oscar for best documentary this year went to Inside Job. I believe it was Director/Writer/Producer
Charles Ferguson who accepted the award. While accepting the award, he said none of the big players in
these corporate schemes have gone to jail. COME ON, PEOPLE! We have to do better than that. WE
have to keep the pressure on our government to plug the loopholes, add language to NAFTA that protects
us better/add incentives, and pursue white collar criminals. But we can’t do the right thing if we have no
knowledge of it, or if we are too busy enjoying the fruits of our forefathers, only to leave OUR CHILDREN
with barren trees.
I watched Inside Job, and here’s a quote from the ending:
“For decades the American financial system was stable and safe. But then
something changed. The financial industry turned its back on society and corrupted
our political system and plunged the world economy into crisis. At enormous cost,
we’ve avoided disaster and are recovering, but the men and institutions that caused this
crisis are still in power and that needs to change. They will tell us that we need them,
and that what they do is too complicated for us to understand. They will tell us it
won’t happen again. They will spend billions fighting reform. It won’t be easy, but
some things are worth fighting for.”
Inside Job is an awesome film!! Do some homework, watch a few documentary films and get
yourself educated. That does not mean sitting down and watching only entertainment channels. Yes, I
said entertainment channels!
Here are the documentaries that were up for Oscars this year:
Gasland
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Wasteland
Inside Job
Restrepo
It’s a year for middle class Americans to SACRIFICE OUR TIME in the fight to keep what our
forefathers have fought for and given us.
Sitting back and letting a handful of our ATU 1005 members pull the weight of 2,600 of us is
unacceptable. YOU! Yes, I am talking to you. Make calls to or email your representatives. Go to the
Local 1005 website (www.atu1005.com) and see if there is a meeting at the capitol you can make… a
rally you can attend… SOMETHING. If we all pitch in, we can be a force. It’s a time for sacrifice for
ALL of us middle-class people.
WAKE UP! Preventing the elimination of the middle class is worth fighting for.
Offi cer's Corner continued
Run Time Committee If you want to volunteer, contact the union offi ce to be put on the list. Please designate which problem routes
you have knowledge of. This committee starts in the September pick. (Please see contract article page 8 for
details.)
Mike’s family has three cabins and he imagines that he will
be spending plenty of time there fi shing and taking care of the
cabins and their lawns. He may do volunteer work and/or be a
ranger at the Hiawatha Golf Course. He loves golfi ng.
Bus 7200 has been dedicated to Mike Krakowski as a retiring
30-year employee, and a plaque with his name and picture will
be displayed at the Heywood Offi ce Building.
On Friday, March 25, the
Minneapolis Fire Department
paid a visit to LRT. Someone
had been using the grinder in
the Welding Shop and set off
the alarms. It has happened
a few times in the past six
months, and remedies are
being
considered.
RAINWATER CAFE CLOSES!‘Kracky’ Retires After 30 Years
The main cook for the Rainwater Cafe, Michael
Krakowski, closed the café’s doors on April fi rst (an
appropriate date).
‘Kracky,’ #5520 of the Material Management
Department, started at the MTC on March 30th, 1981
as a bus mechanic. He was laid off three years later
and given an opportunity to work in the Stores
Department (now Material Management). He survived
30 years of service.
Early Employment Shot
The Rainwater Cafe started when Kracky was in the main Overhaul
Base, and then moved to the Brake Shop when he became their
stockkeeper. One Friday, during a building fire inspection, the fire
marshal wrote Kracky up for having extension cords running all over the
place. Management thought they had finally gotten rid of the food
establishment. But by Monday, Kracky had the electrician over and had
the place rewired. The Cafe was still in business.
Page 21
ATU Supports CTU
Transit Supports Teachers
Public Transportation Supports Public Education
by Melanie Benson #854
Karen Lewis, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, spoke in
Minneapolis at the United Labor Center on April 9th. In a show of solidarity,
ATU Local 1005 paid for the meeting room and endorsed the event.
According to Ms. Lewis, the ATU in Chicago has also been supportive “every
single step of the way” of the teachers’ struggle in Chicago itself, where
corporate interests are trying to dismantle public education.
The meeting, which attracted about 100 people, was chaired by Rob
Panning-Miller, a teacher from South High. He first introduced Pamela from
City View, a popular inner city school that was closed because, according to
the Minneapolis School Board, it had “no future” and was to be replaced by a
charter school;
Mel Reeves from the North High
Community Coalition (also in danger of
closure) who spoke against the
privatization of education and for
community control of the schools;
Brandon Madsen from the University of
Minnesota and a member of Socialist
Action, who outlined the threats to higher
education from cuts in funding that would
cause much higher tuition for the students and layoffs, furloughs and cuts in wages and benefits for the
workers. He recommended taxing the banks and corporations that are sitting on trillions and not paying
taxes.
Ty Moore of the Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota (PEJAM), who had spent three
weeks in Madison, Wisconsin during the mobilizations, gave a timeline on how the fightback developed
and involved so many people. In the face of devastating proposals to weaken unions and cut funding for
essential programs, the students and teachers in the public schools staged walkouts until 30 school
districts were shut down. Those who went to testify at the State Capitol became an occupying force, and
created human blockades of the House and Senate chambers.
Currently, the proposed legislation is held up in the courts and the movement has died down due to
the focus on a recall/electoral strategy, Ty reported, but he credits the movement in Madison as being
inspiring: “The whole country won’t be the same. We may lose the
battle, but the war is on! Ordinary people stood up, defied laws,
built coalitions and showed solidarity. They built networks and
drew lessons.”
Karen Lewis, member of the Caucus of Rank and file Educators
(CORE) and President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)
Karen Lewis began her remarks by holding up the flier
advertising the event saying, “Do you think you could have found a
better picture of me than this?” After the laughter died down, she
proved to be down-to-earth, extremely knowledgeable and very
inspiring.
Page 22
Chicago’s business community is going through a
Chicago Renaissance 2010, and well-funded public schools
are not part of its business plan. The attack on the public
schools is multi-faceted: Unfair standardized tests are
setting impossible goals, and then students and teachers are
punished for not making them. Then the argument is used
that the public schools aren’t working, schools are closed,
and charter schools (for profit) come in to take their place.
School closings lead to gentrification, where inner city areas
are developed for the wealthy. School closings also lead to
spikes in violence as students’ environments are changed and schools are scrambling for resources. The students
are the ones who get blamed. Some of these changes were spearheaded by Arne Duncan, former CEO of
Chicago Public Schools, now Secretary of Education in the Obama cabinet.
In response to these attacks, teachers, students and community folks found their voice and flooded the
hearings on school closings. The media were not responsive because they’re corporate-controlled, but Ms.
Lewis and others found it important to “speak truth to power, to be heard.” In conducting this struggle, some
teachers saw their (former) union president for the first time. Caucuses within the union helped elect Ms. Lewis.
Karen Lewis is an advocate of direct actions in the fight to protect public education, such as school
occupations, sit-ins, arrest if necessary, “changing the script.” She sees the necessity of working in coalitions,
and advises, “People have to agree to a platform and give it time and space to work. It’s all about relationships
based on trust and honesty. Have a mission statement. Values keep us together. Ask if people can testify, do
grievances and arbitrations, participate in direct actions. It’s all about direct action. Work with people who have
experience with it. Reach out and make coalitions happen. The rank-and-file is where it needs to be. The
voices of the people who do the work every single day are not being heard.”
Ms. Lewis cited the crucial elements of planning:
1) Does it unite us?
2) Does it make us stronger?
3) Does it build our power?
She continued: “Democracy is worth fighting for. Ask the people in Cairo. Public education is the last
bastion of real democracy. We can take our country back from the people who have stolen it. If you try to do it
by yourselves, they’ll roll right over you. Tax the rich. Instead of giving charity, make them pay.”
Karen Lewis made it clear that she prefers teaching in the classroom, but this is a fight that needs to be
fought. In response to a question about what the future holds, she left us with, “As long as there’s life, there’s
always hope.”
Page 23
What is the Education Committee?from the ATU Local 1005 Education Committee By-Law 98
98. There shall be an Education Committee which shall consist of members interested in working in the
following areas:
1. Encouraging attendance at local union meetings by distributing information about the meetings and
soliciting suggestions about possible speakers and/or programs that would be of interest to the membership.
2. Developing good public relations with community groups and organizations.
Page 24
TIC Humor
Actual True Stories
Well, today a lady said, “ I am going to Brooklyn Center Transit Center, and I need to get there at 10 a.m. I asked, “Where are you standing now?”
With all seriousness, she said, “I am standing in my bedroom.”
I had a senior lady who told me she was 83 and needed to catch a bus. It came up that she would
board at 6:28 p.m. She laughed and said, “Well, if I walk slow enough, when I walk on the bus I can scan my pass at 6:31.” She was a hoot.
I completed a three-bus trip. When it came time to end the call, I asked the caller, “Is there anything else I can do for you? She responded, “Not on the phone, hon.”
Another -
What time is the 19 on Penn?
Where are you going?
Downtown
Where on Penn are you?
38th.
Are you at Dowling and Penn?
Yes.
Standing on Penn at Dowling, the 19 Downtown will
be traveling south on Penn at 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
What?
At 2:15 and 2:30
Huh?
At 2:15 and 2:30
So it comes between 2:15 and 2:30?
No, at 2:15…
(She hung up.)
Okay, here is a call I just recently received -
(Synopsis: I’m giving route information to a customer for the 444 leaving MOA)
Customer: “Hold on just a moment, let me grab a pen…(pause)…Ok, go ahead.”
Me: (I start telling him the times the 444 is leaving the MOA)
Customer: “Wait! Hold on, this is a lighter. I need to get a pen.”
LOL…I got a chuckle out of it.
Okay, one more -
Customer: “Can you please tell me what time this
21A bus will get downtown St. Paul?”
Me: “Ok, where are you right now?”
Customer: “I’m on the 21.”
Me: “Ok, but where are you?”
Customer: “I’m sitting towards the back of the bus.”Me: “I realize you’re on the bus, but where is that bus right now so I can see what your arrival time in St. Paul is?”
Customer: “Oh! Well we’re just coming up to St. Paul.”
Me: (…just puzzled???)
Recently, my boyfriend’s 63- year- old mother’s car broke down. Unbeknownst to us, she had been walking a half mile daily to the Brooklyn Center
Transit Center, to catch a bus to work.
I came home in the evening and went to check on the ol’ lady and ask how her day went. “My day went just fine,” she said. “As a matter of fact, today I
received a little blessing from the heavens.”
“Really?” I replied, “What happened?” “Well you see, I was walking to the station and my legs were just tired - and do you know that out of nowhere, a bus pulled up just behind me and the lady driver motioned for me to hop on! It was like a blessing from the
lord."
I laughed so hard I began coughing. “Ms. Bev, I
don’t think that was a divine intervention, I think that
was the 724 on its regular route to the transit center!”
Caller: I need to know where to catch the 766 in downtown Minneapolis.
Me: Ok, well, where are you in downtown? I’ll find your closest stop.
Caller: I’m on 5th Street Avenue.
Me: Hmmm. . . are you on 5th Street or 5th Avenue?Caller: 5th Avenue
Me: Ok, well, walk about 3 blocks west over to 2nd Ave and the 766 will be traveling north on 2nd
Avenue. What is your cross street?
Caller: Nicollet
Me: Oh ok, well you must be on 5th Street then, just walk 2 blocks north to 3rd Street and stand on 3rd at Nicollet for your bus.
Caller: Ok, is that Hennepin?
Me: NO, that’s Nicollet.
In Memoriam
Martin J. Ruter, 88, from Hanover, passed away on March 23rd. He had been a
bus driver for the MTC for 48 1/2 years and an ATU member for 66 years. The MJR
Garage on Shinglecreek Drive was named after him. Martin continued farming
throughout his years. He would bring in huge gunny sacks of fresh corn for all to share.
He is survived by wife, Gladys; children, Kathy Septen-Johnson (Rick), Mark (Kandy),
Lynn Tiemann (Mark) and Paul (Dee).
Kenneth R. Brooks, retired 50 year member, age 87, of Apple Valley passed away March 20, 2011. He was pre-
ceded in death by his brother, Robert. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathryn; children: Linda (Roger)
Bristol, Scott Brooks, Russell (Debra) Brooks, Jane (Ron) Kompelien, Julie (John Albright, and Jackie Brooks;
grandchildren: Brandon, Katie, Kimberly, Amy, Ashley, and Jake; great grandchild: Josey; also by other loving
relatives and friends.
Page 25
Do Not Support the Koch Brothers Industries!!
Brothers Charles and David Koch, with a combined worth around $35 billion dollars, are waging a war against
unions!
The Koch brothers are the majority owners in Koch Industries, America's second-largest private company with
revenues of $100 billion in 2009, and 80,000 employees in 60 countries. Koch Industries main source of revenue
is from the manufacturing, refi ning, and distribution of petroleum. They are major fi nancers of the Tea Party.
They also are providing money to run anti-democratic ads.
Do not allow your money to be used to sponsor the Tea Party. Don't buy these products!
Koch Industry/Georgia-Pacifi c Products:
1. Angel Soft toilet paper
2. Brawny paper towels
3. Dixie plates, bowls, napkins
and cups
4. Mardi Gras napkins and towels
5. Quilted Northern toilet paper
6. Soft 'n Gentle toilet paper
7. Sparkle napkins
8. Vanity Fair napkins
9. Zee napkins
CRYPTOEach letter stands for another. If you think A=F, for example, it would
equal F throughout the puzzle. Clue: B=E (Answer on page 31 )
Submitted by Pat Kelehan, Facilities Tech. #5470
A Z B B X B Y B C A Z W D V F B D Z V T
A V C A D G S T. G T T Z B Z V Y G C W
L G C G M D S M S B C A T?
"We Are One" Rally Spirits were high and chants resounded in the streets of St. Paul on April 4th, as 4000 people marched to the
State Capitol on behalf of workers’ rights.
This event, one of 1000 across the nation, was called by the AFL-CIO to respond to increasing threats to work-
ing families. April 4th was also the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Mem-
phis, where he was standing up on behalf of striking sanitation workers. King’s message of unity was echoed in
the theme of the actions: We Are One!
In St. Paul, thousands of teachers, government workers, transit workers and Teamsters, electricians and many
others were joined by the unemployed, peace activists, students and children in a powerful display of solidarity.
The chants were powerful: What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like! What
does democracy feel like? This is what democracy feels like! Negotiate, don’t legislate! What’s disgust-
ing? Union busting! No justice – no peace! Who does the work? WE DO!! WE ARE ONE!!!!
Veterans for Peace carried a banner asking, “How is the War Economy Working for You?” Children carried
signs saying, “I am not a test score.” Union banners and fl ags abounded. Union buttons were worn on union
jackets. A festive yet fi ghting spirit was felt throughout the crowd. Hooray for the AFL-CIO and everyone who
turned out and made it a memorable day!
Page 26
Retired Members’ Clubs
Northside Breakfast ClubMeets 8:30 AM the 2nd Tuesday of each month
at Barnacle Bill’s, Shingle Creek Parkway and
Freeway Blvd, Brooklyn Center.
Southside Breakfast Club Meets 8:00 AM the 1st Wednesday and the 4th
Thursday of each month at the VFW Post, 67th
Street & Lyndale Ave in Richfi eld.
St. Paul Retiree Lunch ClubMeets 12:00 PM the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Mattie’s (formerly Wells Lanes ) So. Concord St., South St. Paul 55075
Metro Transit Mechanic TeammateMeets at 12:00 PM the 3rd Tuesday of the month
at Old County Buffet (by Petco), 2000 South Rob-
ert St., West St. Paul
RetirementsCongratulations to February Retirees
02/05/11 Glenn Goetz, EM Op. 2698
02/04/11 Steven Gilman, Nic. Op. 6462
02/06/11 Luther Manning, Nic. Mech. Tech. 5422
02/05/11 Howard Melco, OHB Body/Paint Mech.
Tech. 5137
02/05/11 Keary Olson, OHB Body/Paint Mech.
Tech. 1462
02/04/11 Kathleen Lindberg, MJR Op. 9848
02/01/11 Paul Manning, So. Op. 4486
02/18/11 Gerald Vernon, So. Op. 2476
02/28/11 Donald Lynch, Transit Store Cashier
Mpls. 3070
Congratulations to March Retirees
03/01/11 James Mathison, Nic. Op. 9347
03/05/11 Jerome Vietor, Hey. Op. 7028
03/09/11 Barry Palmquist, Nic. Op. 9056
03/18/11 Donna Standifer, Hey. Op. 5827
03/26/11 Diane Kelleher, Nic. Op. 844
Solidarity Meeting Members met April
6th to discuss legisla-
tive actions and strate-
gies to counter the "Tea
Party" and cuts to transit
funding by the Repub-
lican-led legislature. A
postcard campaign with
Transit for Liveable
Communities developed.
The 1005 Line
Remember, you can always access past and present issues
online at www.atu1005.com on the education page.
You can also see the results of arbitration votes and other
meeting results.
Page 27
Patrick Whelan #3476, cleaner II at E.M. retired on
4/24/11. Photos and details will be in next issue...,
Retirement Clubs
Merle Seils #3061 (on left) drove for six
years on the streetcars and 34 years on the buses.
“There were coal boxes placed around to heat the
streetcars. A supervisor was hiding in the coal
box across from the State Fair grounds. He would
snoop by cracking the door a bit. A conductor
came along and got his coal and locked it like he
was supposed to. Snoop got locked in the coal
box!”
‘Gorgeous’ George Hruza #2879 (on right) is a
retiree who attends the St. Paul monthly luncheons
at Mattie’s on Concord Ave. He started driving at
the Snelling Garage, where he drove for four years
as a tour guide for Grey Line (until the line was
taken away) He spent three years dispatching and
fi nally was in management for another 14 years. “I
took pride in handling my garage problems at my
garage.”
Lawrence Beyer #3304 (on left) was the last
person to be hired for streetcar. He retired in 1985
with 34 years.
Jerry Johnson #2600 (on right) retired in 1992
with 35 years. (In case you are wondering - the
luncheon was on Ash Wednesday!) He retired in
1992. His dad was a conductor/motorman back in
the days where if you operated a one-man car you
got 10 cents, and a two-man car 5 cents.
Page 28
Submissions for Letters to the Editor are subject to approval of the
Editorial Board and space considerations. Letters to the Editor are
solely the opinion of the author and do not represent endorsement by
ATU Local 1005 or the Education Committee. If you have an editori-
al to submit, please contact a committee member or our
THE ELEVENTH GRADER HAS TANTRUMS. IS SHE HAVING JUNIOR
MOMENTS?
DRUG TESTING RIGHTSIf you do not use the specific wording when you request results from a positive drug test, the agency has no obligation to
comply. All they are required to do is give you a paper stating the results are positive. Every employee has the legal right
to request, in writing to the Medical Review Officers (MRO), copies of: the Litigation Package* of the initial test. (this will
tell you how your test turned up positive); the Confirmation (breaks results down into specific levels); the Threshold levels
(baseline of all tests)
The Litigation Package can be nearly 100 pages of technical data, which cannot be analzed or understood by a layperson,
including union officers. Professional interpetation is available at member’s expense, starting at about $50 minimum.
WEINGARTEN RIGHTS STATEMENTIf disciplinary action is suspected, read this statement to your foreman: I request to have a union representative present on
my behalf during this meeting because I believe it may lead to disciplinary action taken against me. If I am denied my right
to have a union representative present, I will refuse to answer accusational questions and any I believe may lead to
discipline.
A Night at the Bureau of Mediation Services
On April 15th the Executive Offi cers of ATU Local 1005 sat down to negotiate a contract with management
at 9:00 a.m. At 5:00 p.m. management wanted to adjourn for the day. The of-
fi cers pressed to keep going. They called out to some members to come and
show support. Members fi lled the building and were also outside. The night
went on, with an announcement of a tentative agreement about 11:30. It was
1:30 a.m. before it was recommended by the Executive Board. The member-
ship vote was postponed until May 1st because of the Good Friday and Easter