Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
LETTER SENT TO MERLO MANAGERS
I sent this e-mail to all three Merlo managers because I am not sure which one to actually talk to. I get memo's, letters, and conversations from all three.
.................................................................................................................................
Greetings Ruth, Gregory, Greg;
Bob Crouley showed me a memo whereby he was advised that the respectful workplace class was canceled.
He further advised me that I would also be receiving said memo.
When I came in from my run on Friday there was no mail for me.
Be advised that I would prefer NOT to attend this meeting as it will play havoc on my personal schedule.
However, I have taken it upon myself to review HR-171 respectful workplace regulations.
http://trimetofficialinformation.blogspot.com/2009/04/hr-171-respectful-workplace-conduct.html
I had an informal meeting with Josh Collins, communications director, and asked him the following question.
"If a schmuck like me can make hundreds of video productions in my spare time as a hobby, why is it that the TRIMET training department can't put these training seminars onto video so that people can view them as time allows?"
Thank You
Al Margulies #2387
.................................................................................................................................
Greetings Ruth, Gregory, Greg;
Bob Crouley showed me a memo whereby he was advised that the respectful workplace class was canceled.
He further advised me that I would also be receiving said memo.
When I came in from my run on Friday there was no mail for me.
Be advised that I would prefer NOT to attend this meeting as it will play havoc on my personal schedule.
However, I have taken it upon myself to review HR-171 respectful workplace regulations.
http://trimetofficialinformation.blogspot.com/2009/04/hr-171-respectful-workplace-conduct.html
I had an informal meeting with Josh Collins, communications director, and asked him the following question.
"If a schmuck like me can make hundreds of video productions in my spare time as a hobby, why is it that the TRIMET training department can't put these training seminars onto video so that people can view them as time allows?"
Thank You
Al Margulies #2387
Sunday, April 26, 2009
MAX CRASH
MAX train, car collide in North Portland
by Brent Walth, The Oregonian Saturday April 25, 2009, 12:38 PM
It was a MAX train vs. a car in North Portland at noon on Saturday.
The train won, and nobody got hurt.
A gray Pontiac Grand Am going south on North Interstate Avenue turned on to North Ainsworth Street and into the path of the yellow line MAX train, also heading south. TriMet spokeswoman Denise Woodward said the train was going about 30 m.p.h. She said the operator hit the brakes but couldn't stop in time.
None of the people in the car -- the driver and two passengers -- was injured, nor was anyone on the MAX. The car was towed and the train was delayed only a short time, Woodward said. She said TriMet officials are still looking into the incident.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
MAX shutdown for Portland Mall work
This is a playlist of different movie clips. To view individual movies go to "rosecitytransit" at Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=489418A6F041FD16
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=489418A6F041FD16
Jeff Mapes reads from "Pedaling Revolution",The Oregonian's senior political reporter at Powell's City of Books, March 19th, 2009
This playlist is comprised of several different movies. Go to "rosecitytransit" at Youtube for individual episodes.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7887BAD15DCD6ACB
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7887BAD15DCD6ACB
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
WHO GETS LAID OFF?
The language that provided for MINI RUNNERS to be all laid off BEFORE FULL TIMERS is no longer in the working and wage agreement!
THE LEWIS AND CLARK EVENT-3 PARTS
**to the event**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXRBRJ_LOWE
**the event**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgmmbDag8Bs
**heading back from the event**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZixhC48Vp_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXRBRJ_LOWE
**the event**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgmmbDag8Bs
**heading back from the event**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZixhC48Vp_w
MAX OUT
Due to a car accident at Mississippi and Interstate Avenue this morning, Yellow Line MAX service in both directions has been disrupted. Shuttle buses are providing service between the Interstate/Rose Quarter and Expo Center stations. Repairs to a damaged overhead power pole are expected to be done by 8 a.m. Riders taking shuttle buses should expect delays. More
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Another yellow card rejected!
Thanks to Dan Sheck for his assitance in this matter, I knew of course that it was a lost cause, they never accept any advice other than their own.This was the first yellow card I had written in 10 years, which I gave up on before I even submitted it. I learned long ago you can't fight city hall, or TRIMET MANAGMENT!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
TOXIC BUSES
Dear Steve Banta,
I spoke with someone at TriMet recently who suggested I might want to contact you.
I have multiple chemical sensitivities and must ride near an open window to avoid negative effects on my health from perfume residues, exhaust, plastic off-gassing and the like. Recently, on my way home from downtown, I got on a bus and found I could not get the window near my seat to open. There was a severe "new-car smell" in the bus, which was one of the new buses with windows that do not open and an inadequate automatic "ventilation" system that is not adjustable by the driver. For the next
week, until I was able to get an appointment with my acupuncturist, I suffered from severe exhaustion and depression, a typical result for me of exposure to these types of toxic gases.
week, until I was able to get an appointment with my acupuncturist, I suffered from severe exhaustion and depression, a typical result for me of exposure to these types of toxic gases.
In a way, I'm fortunate, because I react to toxic gases like this immediately, so I have to limit my exposure to them, and am therefore less likely to suffer serious damage from longer term, more frequent exposure. I'm concerned about my own situation, of course, because I can no longer use the bus system to get around town, and since I don't drive, this really limits my ability to get around. However, I'm also very concerned about the exposure of other passengers and, especially, of bus drivers assigned to these new buses who are exposed to the toxic off-gassing during working hours throughout the work-week. The San Francisco Chronicle ran a very informative article about the gases implicated in "new-car smell" in 2006, which you can access here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/18/INGAUJDPVI1.DTL . There is a risk of liver damage for prolonged exposure to some of these chemicals. Others are still not well studied.
It does seem to me that it should be possible to retrofit the new buses to make it possible for the windows to open. I understand TriMet made a deliberate decision to order buses with windows that would not open, in order to prevent interference with the cooling and heating systems on the buses. I think anyone who thought about it for a moment or two would prefer to be a bit chilly or warm, in order to avoid exposure to toxic fumes!
I hope you can do something about this. Please let me know if I can help.
It does seem to me that it should be possible to retrofit the new buses to make it possible for the windows to open. I understand TriMet made a deliberate decision to order buses with windows that would not open, in order to prevent interference with the cooling and heating systems on the buses. I think anyone who thought about it for a moment or two would prefer to be a bit chilly or warm, in order to avoid exposure to toxic fumes!
I hope you can do something about this. Please let me know if I can help.
Thanks!
2875 SW Raleighview Dr.
Portland, Oregon 97225
503-297-1203
mdonsbach@q.com
TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON-STEVE BANTA
4/15/09 What do additional cuts mean for Operations?
by Steve Banta — last modified Apr 15, 2009 09:55 PM
September service cuts to go before TriMet Board next week. July non-direct service cuts to be deeper, and potential for December cuts on the horizon.
Stephen R. Banta, Executive Director Operations
The budget situation is creating anxiety for many people. I want to assure you that any rumors concerning specific numbers of job eliminations are just that: rumors. We are carefully evaluating where we have to make workforce reductions. It is still too early to draw any conclusions as to where the cuts will be and whose jobs may be at risk.
Our goal continues to be to preserve as much service as possible for the riding public and to limit personnel reductions. We are in the process of evaluating every part of Operations to find areas where we can do with less, and where we can do without. In some cases, we are going to have to change the way that we do business in order to focus on the core service to our customers.
I am still hopeful that we will meet our targets for September service reductions without layoffs of operators and maintainers, because of retirements, the staffing of Green Line and vacant positions. In mid-February I indicated to you that Operations needed to cut five percent across the board, but that I was holding off on impacting maintenance positions. Unfortunately, the five percent cut is not going to be enough, and I cannot hold maintenance harmless under additional cuts.
General Manager Fred Hansen indicated in his March 24 notice to employees that due to the financial crisis, our budget reductions would need to be greater than originally anticipated. This means deeper cuts—an additional three percent, for a total of eight percent—in non-direct service areas effective July 1. To clarify, "direct service" only includes bus and rail operators, bus and rail mechanics and the materials/supplies needed to operate the vehicles. "Non-direct service" is everything else in the division.
In mid-May we will see our first quarter payroll tax receipts and will determine if additional direct service cuts will be needed in December. I cannot guarantee that there will be no direct service layoffs for December. We will do everything we can to manage personnel cutbacks through open job vacancies and attrition.
At the end of the day, the last things we want to do are eliminate service or take someone's job away. Decisions over layoffs are difficult. They need to be transparent, discussed with ATU and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
NEW LOGO FOR TRANSIT SLEUTH ADRON HALL
Adron Hall, renowned writer, meticulous researcher,outspoken blogger, talented photographer, has now entered the the world of the videographer! I can't wait to see what he does with video!
See his first video here:
http://adronbhall.com/blogs/my_transportation_obsession/post/2009/04/11/New-Transit-Sleuth-Logo!.aspx
