Because of 695 Metro doesn't have ENOUGH bus drivers???

greenspun.com : LUSENET : I-695 Thirty Dollar License Tab Initiative : One Thread

Res ipsa loquitor, as the Romans used to say. (The thing speaks for itself) From the metrokc website (http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/out/I-695routes.htm): Because of temporary transit funding relief in Gov. Gary Locke's proposed state budget, Executive Sims announced that Metro would postpone service cuts originally scheduled for 2000. But uncertainties caused by Initiative 695 have led to a shortage of bus drivers. Metro cannot operate all routes in the system now without more drivers.

Metro is aggressively trying to recruit the part-time drivers needed to restore transit service to full levels. We do plan to restore service on all routes as enough drivers become available. No service reductions are planned for June or September 2000.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 03, 2000

Answers

Why don't they just call Manpower or Kelly?

BTW: that was primarily a rhetorical question as I presume the union wouldn't allow contracting with temporary agencies.

-- Brad (knotwell@my-deja.com), January 03, 2000.


Brad,

I believe you are not correct. It depends on the contract language negotiated in the last bargaining agreement. Many transits reserve the employers right to contract out a portion of the work. I hear Kitsap is trying to contract out some of their Bainbridge Is. work to a tour bus company.

In Kitsap Transit's last bulletin, the offer of an interview at Metro was included.

The problem with hiring a temp is that they must have a valid class "B" license with air and passenger endorsements, a clean driving record, no criminal record and be familiar with the area. Not a category most Temp agencies specialize in. Finding qualified people who want such low paid work in this economy is no easy task. But because of I-695 there are some unemployed drivers in the state. Former Intercity Transit Drivers may be looking for work.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 03, 2000.


Marsha--After reading your response, I went to the DOL website and read the CDL requirements. From my reading, the lack of a class B license (+ endorsements) is not a real impediment to hiring temp workers. In any case, it seems that one could look at temp positions like this as a form of training. They need someone to work for 6 months and metrokc could spend a reasonable (approx 40 hours???) amount of time sponsoring people to get the licenses they need. It's conceptually similar to programs designed to put doctors in rural or inner-city areas.

-- Brad (knotwell@my-deja.com), January 03, 2000.

"Finding qualified people who want such LOW PAID work in this economy is no easy task. " Marsha- You naive little devil. This is a Government job! From the Metro Human Resources site (http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/jobs/transit.htm):

King County Employment: Part-Time Transit Operator Positions

Great pay and benefits

$14.07 per hour to start; top step $20.10/hour; paid training: $8/hour Weekends and holidays off Monday-Friday, a.m. or p.m. hours Medical, dental, vision benefits (coverage includes domestic partner) Vacation/sick leave Retirement Free transit pass No experience (or CDL) required; training provided upon hire Requirements

21 years of age Washington driver's license Reliable transportation to work Acceptable driving record Ability to communicate effectively in English

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 03, 2000.


Craig,

I know what the ads says. I also know they would rather hire folks who have experience at this point in time. (cheaper to train) These will probably turn out to be temporary positions that they would rather not invest too heavily in.

Part timers get few real benefits. And really, do think that is alot of money to drive in that traffic in an articulated vehicle? If the pay is so good, then why do they have such a hard time keeping positions filled? There are alot of jobs that pay $14.00 an hour to start, for 40 hours a week that are ALOT easier. Almost any delivery job pays that much to start. (bread trucks, beverage trucks etc.) Any idea what life is like for part timers? How about two three hour shifts and one 2 hour shift in a 15 hour spread to get that 8 hours. It's called a tripper. (they don't get the pick of the best schedules, which are bid on by seniority, they get the worst) Even split shifts at 4 and 4 aren't fun. Report at 0400 and work till 0800, then come back at 1500 and work till 1900. Yuck. They don't have much hope of becoming full time with full time benefits either, it could be several years. Stress is major part of the problem too. It is what causes most new hires to quit. People love to pull out in front of you so they don't get stuck being behind you, and you have to lay on the brakes big time. You have to worry about running over pedestrians and squishing them. Even if someone else is at fault in an accident, you will likely be charged with a preventable accident on your record. No, I don't think they get payed too much. Middle and upper management gets paid too much. Who needs an overpaid road supervisor who's main job is to catch you doing something wrong?

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 03, 2000.



Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, they may get no garuantee of how many hours they will get in a week. It may only be 16. Or, it could be 50. (very common practice is to use part time employees for full time work, and skipping the full time benefits.)

If any of you DO ride the bus, be nice to the Driver, he/she is probably an exceptional person with loads of patience.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 03, 2000.


Correction, benefits begin within the first six months and Transit operators are eligible for partially paid benefits for the employee only; additional benefits may be purchased for dependents and domestic partners. Minimum guaranteed pay of 2 hours and 20 minutes per day, and you must join the Union. (initiation fee probably, and dues) By the time you pay your own portion of the benefit cost, and Initiation/dues, then taxes, your broke.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 03, 2000.

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