There are many issues that we have within the work force, but the number one issue is safety.

When a driver reports to work for an assignment and when customers board the buses, we all think of our safety.

It is seldom that schedules are wanded to detect items that should not be on board a bus. The only security that the driver has is a gate, used to separate a potential problem passenger from the driver. As we all know, the gate isn't working. Many drivers have been attacked and pinned in with the gate.

The Company should hire more security and wand the schedules. Remember, Safety First.

The number two issue is the equipment.

If you went to a store to purchase duct tape, there wouldn't be any. The company has bought it all! The buses are being duct taped. One bus pulled into the Dallas terminal with duct tape and rope to secure a door.

We've been told for over a year that the company is buying 200 new buses. Now it's down to 150. Where are they? Why isn't this company concerned about the increase in road failures, rather than coming up with new ways not to pay the run guarantee, due to the road failure. If the buses were road worthy, we wouldn't have these issues. Remember, Saftey First.

Accidents

The majority of discipline issued within the region has been due to accidents.

When an accident occurs, the Company's policy in the drivers rule book S-1, Section VIII states: "Drivers must complete and submit an accident report (Form C-2) to a Company supervisor within 24 hours after the accident. The only exceptions to this are when a driver is physically unable to do so or when gien an extension by a supervisor".

Do not allow yourself to feel intimidated by a supervisor to fill the report out. Remember that you have 24 hours to do so. After an accident occurs, normally we are nervous that the accident has occurred. Go home! Let your body rest and collect your thoughts. You may have done everything correctly, but when pressured for the report, you may forget something, and it could make the difference in being charged or not charged with an accident.

Grievances

When there is a violation of the contract or an injustice has occurred, we should first speak with a supervisor to remedy the situation. If that doesn't work, file a grievance.

When filling a grievance, PLEASE take the time to state that facts. What happened? When did it happen? It is very time consuming to determine what has happened with a one line grievance.

It is important to put your desired settlement on the grievance. If you put nothing, you get nothing. Know what it is that you are due and write it on the grievance.

After you complete the grievance, sign it and also get it signed by a supervisor. Allow the supervisor to make a copy, leave a copy for the steward in the union box, keep a copy for yourself and fax and mail the grievance to the Vice President of the Region.

Settlements

Some may think that it doesn't do any good to file a grievance, and they are wrong. While it is true that we don't win every grievance, we always try to.

In the month of December in region 4, we recovered $1,162.81 in the grievance procedure.

So far, for January and February 2008, Region 4 has recovered $6.402.76 in the grievance procedure.

In addition to monies that have been paid, we have been successful in reducing the amount of discipline that was issued and, we have also been effective in getting some disciplinary items removed from the record, due to the Company exceeding the contractual time limits.

If you filed a pay claim and you have not received a response within two weeks, file the grievance. Don't allow the 30 days to go by and the grievance isn't timely.

If you are not sure if you have a grievance, file it anyway.