Eddie wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 15:05:43 -0800, "Dave Bugg" <dbuggatcharterdotnet>
> wrote:
> Dave, a little OT. I also drive transit bus. However, it's
> full-time. We have no part-timers.

Link Transit, beginning with those hired with me, has started hiring ONLY
part-time. They plan on only hiring part-time even for replacements of
full-time retires or resigns. We are strictly limited to no more than 20
hours per week. It eliminates any requirement to pay benefits including sick
leave or vacation leave. Cuts costs ya know. :-(

> I work for VTA, covering Santa Clara County. Local 265 ATU.
> You ATU?

Yup, it's a closed shop and they ain't pro-rating the initiation fees ($300)
or monthly dues ($60.00) even though we're part-time.

> We just got a new 5 yr. contract. For the first time we have to
> contribute to medical. $25 a month. We also had to defer pay raise
> this month. Was 5%. We got 1.5% instead. Then 1.5% every three
> months. Our top pay is now $25.15.

Our top pay is $13.55, and I am covered by my wife's insurance to the tune
of $365.00 per month. But I don't cry too much, since Jill's salary as an RN
is in excess of $40.00 per hour and we do fine on her salary alone -- thank
the Lord!!

> I retire Nov. 1.
> We have 00, 01 and 02 Gillig Phantoms, low-floor, 35 and 40 footers.
> One yard (we have three) has Flyers artics. I don't drive artics. We
> also have light rail, but I'm strictly bus.
> When and where will you be driving?

Link Transit is located in Chelan and Douglas counties in central Washington
state. Two of our routes are two hour round trips. Another is a 90 minute
trip. Ah, the joys of rural transit. We drive 35 foot Orions and 30 foot
Opus. I also drive paratransit services which use cutaways and minivans.
Dave