2nd Vice President

April 5, 2010

Brothers and Sisters of Local 308,

We are coming upon the spring months, so let’s make sure that we are in the proper uniform for summer.  We have a lot of our members wearing all kinds of unauthorized garments to work.  Look in the mirror before you leave home and make sure you have on the proper work clothes.  Have some pride in how you look.  The last few months have been hard on the membership as a whole.  I ask that you stay strong because this “too shall pass”.  Summer Uniform - May 1 - October 14th.

Clerks:  We are in the process of putting a pick together for the summer, so stay tuned for that.  Also while performing your duties and responsibilities make sure that when members are reporting for work that they are fit to perform their duties.  Recently we had issues with members under the influence of illegal substances and attempting to perform their duties.  These individuals could have seriously injured themselves or someone else or become a fatality!!  So let’s stay on top of that.  We don’t want anyone to get hurt.  As a matter of fact, let’s try to look out for each other!!  Operators: Make sure you’ll holding your head out of the window before opening your doors.  And please make sure you hold the master controller until the train comes to a complete stop.  Make sure you are aware of how many cars you have in your consist before you leave the terminal.  Do not be in a hurry to get from one end to the next.  Take your time and be safe.  Give a safe comfortable ride.

Switchman:  In the yard watch your footing in the yard, take your time, make sure of the move that you’re given is correct.  Also watch out for sleepers on your lay ups to the yard.

C/A’s: Our front line members:  You are the first employees that the customer see; so make sure that you are there to greet the customers and help them with anything that they may need.  A first impression is sometimes the best one. (so lets continue to make the customers happy).

Instructors:  Continue to do a good job of teaching.  Remember that the information that you give out is what we take out to the field. There are some new instructors so lets make sure we give them the respect that they deserve and work with our instruction department because each and everyday they do a good job of distributing information throughout the system

Supervisors:  Keep up the good work and make sure that when you attempt to correct a situation try to be professional and empathetic.

I would like to say something to our female employees:  Due to the schedule that you work during the course of the pick you may fall into bad habits by not eating right, getting improper rest and not having an exercise program in place to keep fit it can have a negative effect on your body so please make sure you do not ignore yourself!  Make sure that you stay healthy.  By eating right, exercising, and getting the proper rest.  Take time out for yourselves. We appreciate you.

In Solidarity,
Eric Dixon
edixon@atu308.org