Washington Post Article from President Jackie Jeter:

No Overtime, No Metro

Sunday, October 7, 2007; B08

It's easy to blame excessive overtime as the cause of a Metro fare increase ["Discussion of Metro Fare Hike Postponed," front page, Sept. 14]. But do Metro's patrons really want to reduce overtime in the transit system?

Overtime is a fact of life when operating a transit system. It would be great if the timetables of bus and rail routes could be cut into nice, neat eight-hour chunks, but unfortunately that's rarely the case.

While Metro's scheduling department works diligently to reduce the amount of overtime, it cannot eliminate all of it. The extended rail hours on Friday and Saturday nights require longer hours. If there is a fire that causes traffic to be re-routed, buses will be late and that can cause operators to continue past their regular off-duty time in order to finish the route and serve the remaining passengers.

Each time there is a special event, it requires extra service. There is no pool of qualified bus operators and train operators who are sitting at home and who can come in two hours before or after regular openings or closings and perform the work. This has to be done on overtime.

If an unusual number of train cars require repair in the short time between the system's closing one night and its opening the next, overtime is required to put sufficient service on the rails.

When there is an emergency, such as a snowstorm, employees are called in early (at overtime pay) to clear snow and prepare buses and trains for service. When there is an emergency on the system that closes a rail station, the bus bridge around the closed station is provided on an overtime basis.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the union have sought to deal with these issues in contract negotiations. Retirees can now be used throughout the system for specific part-time assignments, which helps to alleviate some overtime. WMATA management can probably do a better job of forecasting and filling vacancies that could lead to some overtime reduction. But don't expect either of these efforts to offset WMATA's funding needs.

Of course, the circumstances I described above could all be eliminated. Bus bridges could be forgone and people could make their own way around the station closures. Snow removal could wait for regular hours. If there aren't enough trains or buses to make the normal schedule, it could be operated with fewer, and passengers could be left at the stations and bus stops to wait for the next one. Additional service for special events could be eliminated, leading to crowded trains, buses and, let's not forget, roads as more people drove their cars to events. Bus and train operators could simply offload passengers when their eight-hour shift is up and return to the yards.

Is this what anyone really wants?

The members of ATU Local 689 would be glad if overtime were reduced so that they could spend more time with their families, but they understand the additional hours they have to work are necessary to provide adequate levels of service to the public.

-- Jackie Jeter

Largo

The writer is president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689.

Message from the President:

Some days the saying ‘stop and smell the roses’ is all I need to remind myself that life goes too fast. We forget to stop and think about what we are missing by rushing through life. The summer is almost over, the kids are going back to school, and the next holiday is Labor Day, jeez, where did the summer go? Let’s review what has happened since we last spoke. Local 689 had it’s first Benefits Seminar on June 9th. The entire day was filled with discussions about retirement, health benefits, Worker Compensation, Long Term Disability, important information on buying a house for the first time, NGP offering additional insurance, and AFLAC, just to name a few. Our purpose for kicking off this type of seminar is because of the number of questions we receive about pension benefits, and the number of members who have inquired about changing their pension selection after they return. We need to get information out so that members can make an educated decision. The information given at the seminar proved invaluable for all who attended. The next seminar will be held in December or January and I hope to see you there. Oh, by the way, changing your selection is irrevocable once you’ve received your first check.
The Annual Six Flags Family Fun Day was a hit on July 14th. We sold 3200 tickets and ate lunch with 3200 members and their family’s. The weather was beautiful and hot. We all had a blast!
The Metro Retirees North Carolina Chapter held their 2nd annual week-end adult reunion social affair in Rocky Mount, NC on the 20th and 21st of July. The President of that chapter, Joel Chappell, and the other officers gave us two full days of southern hospitality and it was truly a pleasure to fellowship with retired co-workers as well as still active. Seeing all of the old faces is a true experience. Four of the present Officers of Local 689, several Shop Stewards, and members of Local 689 Retirees Association were present for the entire weekend. I can truly say we had a ball, and are looking forward to next year.
The Local 689 Softball League season came to a close. Congratulations to all the members who played throughout the season. Northern and Royal Street played in the championship game. The Northern Bombers, coached by Gerry Garnett, won the championship. We must also recognize and thank the oldest continuous player in the league, Bennie Queen. Brother Queen plays for the Bladensburg Pirates. He personifies true sportsmanship, love of the game and the support of his team. Thank you to the 689 Sports Committee, and Rob Loman for making this season such a success. A special thanks to Brother Jesse Powell for stepping in on short notice and cooking fish at the championship game. Local 689 is truly fortunate to have a Basketball and Softball League. I urge every member to come out and support a team. It is members and their support through participation and attendance that make our local one of the few in the ATU that has a yearly season. Both leagues are co-ed and all you have to do is be a member to join a team. Again, congratulations to all of you and I look forward to pitching the ball out next year. Let us take a moment to remember Reggie Collins who played on Four Miles’ team for many years, our dear friend and Union Brother, passed away earlier this year. We truly missed his presence in the game and his side line commentary. He will always be Local 689’s softball pitcher in our hearts.
 ‘The Team’ started August with a bang! We have scheduled visits to the various work locations. Every time members get a chance to ask questions first hand and talk about issues that may concern them specifically, it strengthens our union. Right now, during this positive re-building effort, it is important that members receive answers to their questions; and get the straight truth about the many different issues facing us. I have heard the rumors, myths, and embellished facts, and I am astonished and saddened by how we got to this point. But at the same time I am giddy and excited about our future. Only we, together, can decide and implement a program to positively change our future. Building confidence in our local union and the leadership is the most important task we can perform. We have been speaking to you via the website, union meetings and the last newsletter in an effort to bring the issue to the forefront of every members mind. The Officers, Executive Board members, and Shop Stewards had meetings last month to discuss about this issue. Good representation is the best cure for what ails labor unions and specifically Local 689. On August 10th, we were at Greenbelt from 11 am– 5 pm. All five Officers of Local 689, Jackie, Butch, Garland, R. Jeter and Lockley, as well as assistant business agent, Shelia Quarles-Alston visited the members of the maintenance facilities, track equipment mechanics, and radio technicians as well as train, interlocking, and start up operators. The next visits will be at Shady Grove on Monday August 20, 2007 at 6:30 in the Shop and August 31, 2007 at Bladensburg from 11 am -5:00 pm. I look forward to seeing you soon. The next topic is one that has caused our local to be thrust into a state of flux for the last 6 months.
The source of our irritation is two the bills introduced in the Senate (S-1446) and House (HR-401); our retirement plan, the Examiner newspaper and OVERTIME. This topic has spawned much conversation. I can truly say that it’s got us talking to each other. Some of the talk has been in the positive, and some negative. Let’s take the positive first. In August 7th Washington Examiner, an article was run concerning the above mentioned bills. It quoted Tom Davis as stating that he knows that the bill for Metro to receive the 1.5 billion in funding will go through but the amendments will be stripped beforehand. That is good, but we must continue to be cautious, and continue to lobby to the House Oversight Committee until the measure is voted on the floor. Congress is in recess so we will still have to patiently await the full floor vote. The Senate bill is clean with only those amendments that don’t concern collective bargaining. I would like to thank all of the members who took the time to protect our collective bargaining rights. That’s what having a union is all about. It is not each man for themselves, but clearly through collective efforts we can make a difference in what happens to all of our brothers and sisters.
We can no longer bury our heads in the sand and pretend that this didn’t happen and we must honestly look at the why! This is where the rubber meets the road. Recently there has been a great deal of clamor concerning managements attempt to place limits on overtime. Let me simply state that just like in the case of these bills, we have a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by both the Authority and the Union. We both have agreed on the terms and conditions that every classification can be assigned overtime. If that isn’t followed, we must file grievances. You must not allow violations to occur on your behalf. The publicity from the Examiner rose the jurisdictions interest through to stick their nose in our lively hood. We know that the entire story was blown out of proportion. The Examiner took 175 people out of 10,000 employees and attempted to make it appear hat the sky was falling. According to them, every employee of the Authority was stealing overtime. The implication was ludicrous and it caused a knee jerk reaction which created the amendments that Tom Davis penned in HR-401. We must change the perception that we don’t work hard for what we have, that we haven’t earned our salary, and that we are rude and arrogant employees who are destroying this company. We know that this is not true, the Authority knows that its not true. We must display that we can give 100% with no sweat because we are union labor and we are the best at what we do!! The Authority has allowed complacency because they ignore ideas of employees and lack of trust in those who are in charge. But we believe in ourselves and our abilities. We made WMATA number 1 once and we will again. And that we will be respected in this construction effort. Senior Executive Board member/Shop Steward, Michael Myrick called it Union Power, and I think that is a perfect fitting title.

May 23, 2007

RE: Retirement Rumors

To all Local 689 Members,

There have been many calls and inquires addressed to the union hall about a cruel joke that I have retired from Metro. This is completely untrue. I made a commitment to all Local 689 members when I was elected to office and will remain committed until members decide otherwise.

I am sorry for the confusion, but as always please remember that when in doubt you can always call the Union Hall at (301) 568-6899 or check the website www.atulocal689.org where we have recently created a page entitled ‘Straight Truth’ that will be updated with all current union issues.

Your President,

Jackie Lynn Jeter
Local 689

April 26, 2007

Dear ATU Local 689 Members,

          I am writing this letter to you to request your help and support during this very troubling time here at ATU, Local 689.  Over the last week we have been addressing the articles and subsequent articles that have appeared in the Examiner and now the Washington Post. The incorrect and careless information concerning our salaries has taken on new meaning.  Let me update you on the facts concerning the issues of the articles and the concerns of the membership.
          General Manager Catoe requested additional Federal contributions for maintaining and improving the transit system. A bill entitled HR-401: the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) funding bill has been introduced to give Metro additional funding over the next ten (10) years.  Not one cent of the 1.5 billion dollar appropriations would be used for operating wages. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee added two amendments to this much needed source of funding.  One amendment would cap overtime pay by withholding funds to WMATA unless the agency certifies that the amount of overtime paid to any employee of the transit authority in any pay period would not exceed one-third of the employee’s rate of basic pay for such period.  The other amendment would exclude overtime pay in calculating annual salaries used for determining the amount of retirement annuity. Although, we have a Collective Bargaining Agreement, this bill, if passed, would attempt to add language to the National Transportation Act of 1969 (the Compact).  
        The most upsetting part of this situation is that the information placed in the Examiner is the same information that was obtained in 2005 from then Acting General Manager Dan Tangherlini.  Our attorneys promptly sent a letter to the General Council’s Office of WMATA protesting the release of this information.  In resent telephone conversations with Mr. Catoe he assured me that he would not and did not release the information.  The articles that appeared in the newspaper have led to the actions of the introduced amendments. The same individuals who are responsible have been attempting to place pressure on WMATA to carry out a series of unrealistic actions at their behest for a long time.  Whether WMATA is short staffed or not, is really not the issue, there will always be overtime of some sort because we are a transit system which is driven by the demands of the public.  The fact that Metro’s ridership is up to the point of the need for 8 car trains, and rush hour service operates every one and a half minutes is one of the true driving forces behind the overtime, which are a public and a Metro Board demand.  I have had many conversations with WMATA managers and they understand how we got to this point.  If the operators stop working the overtime the system will not be able to function to its full capacity, and that means not getting people home/home.  Metro just boosted that they broke their ridership record. This was achieved by a dedicated, professional work force.  That’s reality and they can’t have it both ways.
           Let me set your mind at ease. We are not prepared to idly sit by and just let this happen without a fight. Maybe if an action was taken to prevent this in 2005 we would not be fighting this now, but I can’t talk about what was not done I can only do something to stop these senseless actions now.  As a union we have watched WMATA attempt to negotiate our contract in the newspaper, the Metro Board, and the non-riding public. Now is the time for us to say enough is enough.  As President I refuse to negotiate our contract in the newspaper, and certainly not the character smearing newspaper articles in the Examiner or the Washington Post. 
          Let’s make it clear for the record; the pension fund and the operating budget are two separate issues.  Our pension plan has been over funded since 1995 the sound investment strategy and oversight of the Trustees.  The Authority was required to make its first payment of the $18 million last year.  The Pension Fund is not in need of any contributions to pay our benefits. The Trustee’s didn’t want to wait until 2013, which was the year they were scheduled to begin funding the plan to make one large payment. The Pension plan doesn’t have anything to do with Metro’s $119 million dollar budget short fall.  It is very irresponsible for the Examiner or an uninformed Congressman to pretend that it does. You have a union and our contracts are negotiated.  The members ratify every contract before it’s implemented.  Every round of contract negotiations the Authority makes a proposal to cut our benefits.  Our contract doesn’t end until July of 2008.  We are not into contract negotiations.  In order for a change to occur in our contract we all have to take part in that process. This Union will never negotiate that option away, we may make it better, but I will never take it away from you.  Only an Arbitrator or Congress can reduce our current benefits.  If you visit our Website and click on the “A Call to Action”, get more information, you can get all of the statistics.  More importantly we can not sit back and not take action.  I need your support to send the message to Congress and the Oversight Committee to get their hands out of our pockets.  This is a Collective Bargaining issue, let’s bargain in good faith and stop targeting the members of our union.
          On April 23, 2007 we had a meeting at the union hall; we discussed our course of action. We are now asking all of our members, retired and active who live in the districts of the members of Congress who sit on the House Oversight Committee to send letters to their representatives opposing the attachment of the two (2) amendments to bill HR.401.  We sent the first letters objecting to the actions of this committee concerning the amendments on April 24, 2007. We request that you come to the union hall and sign a form letter. We will send them to the appropriate person on Capital Hill.  If you live in Montgomery County, or work at Western, Montgomery or Shady Grove, we are asking that you go to the ATU, International at 5025 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, WDC 20016 and ask for Jeff Rosenburg.  He will give you a letter to sign and he will send the letter to the appropriate representative.  Call the union hall or contact your shop steward for the appropriate form.  We have also begun the process of scheduling to meet with those representatives who sit on the Oversight Committee.  We will find out if they are friends of labor.  We have contacted the other affiliates’ from the various labor organizations and requested their assistance.  We are also writing the newspaper requesting a retraction and or apology from the newspaper.  I suggest that all of us should be writing to the Examiner describing our disgust for the tasteless cartoon depicting us as unfeeling concerning the fatalities that occurred.
          This action takes the participation of every member of this local in order for us to be victorious.  Conversations are continuing with the Oversight Committee and other Labor Organizations as the development unfolds, I will keep you posted of any details as they emerge.  I have always said that our voice is our vote, now is the time that we make our voices heard here at Local 689.  Remember, the website has the most up to date information about Local 689, www.atulocal689.org.

In Solidarity,

Jackie Lynn Jeter