ATU Local 757 unhappy with TriMet audit

Leaders of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 are unhappy with the results of a comprehensive audit of TriMet by the Oregon secretary of state.

The audit, released to the public Jan. 29, made 23 recommendations for change, from safety and scheduling to labor-management relations and unfunded liabilities. The audit was ordered by the Oregon Legislature last year after the Oregonian exposed secret pay raises for TriMet managers and shift scheduling practices that left bus drivers so sleep-deprived as to be potentially unsafe on the road.

Since then, TriMet general manager Neil McFarlane has promised more transparency, and a policy was worked out by union and management that requires at least 10 hours off between shifts for drivers.

The audit concluded that strained relations between management and ATU, low morale and employee mistrust of management, are adversely affecting TriMet and its operations. Its recommendations include:

• A waste, fraud and abuse hotline for employees to report concerns;
• Formal meetings with the union outside of contract negotiations in order to repair a contentious relationship;
• Addressing the adequacy of bathroom facilities;
• Ensuring adequate time for operator breaks;
• Reducing the complexity and cost of bus operator signups;
• Allowing hiring of maintenance employees with prior training or experience;
• A formal evaluation process for all frontline employees that includes written constructive and positive feedback when warranted; and
• Following up with operators about whether their suggestions can be implemented.

“TriMet must work to improve a contentious labor-management relationship in order to solve its fiscal challenges and continue to provide critical services to Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas County residents,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown in a press statement accompanying release of the audit report. Brown said TriMet’s $1.1 billion in health care and pension liabilities are its most significant challenge.

But Local 757 President Bruce Hansen, in a press statement responding to the audit, said he felt disheartened on reading the report. Union representatives met with the auditors and provided them a list of 25 concerns about safety, service and sustainability.

“There was no followup, and not one of those issues is addressed in the audit report.”

Hansen said the audit report conveys TriMet’s official line on the causes of its problems, and highlights many TriMet initiatives, task forces and committees.

“Highly paid managers are constantly attending meetings,” Hansen said. “Yet the people on the front line seldom see any positive outcomes to justify the time and money being spent on going to meetings.”

TriMet’s McFarlane responded to the audit with a pledge to implement all of its recommendations, prioritizing those that enhance safety. TriMet provided details and a timeline for how it will do that in a 10-page response to the audit.

Two days later, TriMet signaled its intent to move to mediation in contract bargaining with the union, closing down face-to-face bargaining after the 150-day minimum the law requires. The previous contract expired Nov. 30, 2012, and bargaining for a new one got off to a much-delayed start September 7. Calculating from then, 150-day period ended Feb. 4.

Under Oregon law public transit workers cannot strike, so if a settlement cannot be reached via negotiations, an arbitrator selects one of the party’s proposals.