Clallam Transit mulls service cuts
THE CLALLAM TRANSIT BOARD FINALIZED CONTRACTS
with both transit and paratransit workers.
The board has approved a five-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, which gives Clallam Transit workers a 1 percent raise beginning July 1.
Subsequent raises are 1.5, 2 and 2.5 percent over the next three years. The maximum wage increase is 6 percent.
Negotiations with the Seattle-based union were "very professional," Terry Weed, Clallam Transit general manager, said.
"We came away with a contract that we can certainly live with," Weed said. "It's an appropriate contract."
Paul Bachtel, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 president, agreed.
"Clallam Transit has a professional group of managers who I really enjoy working with," Bachtel said.
"They are honest people. I respect them."
Negotiations with Bremerton-based Paratransit Services on a three-year contract for Paratransit workers in Clallam County didn't go as smoothly.
Paratransit workers voted 25-0 to strike in early January after negotiations came to a stalemate. However, van service for the elderly and disabled was never interrupted.
With the help of a federal mediator, the two sides reached a settlement on Feb. 17. Paratransit union workers approved the settlement on Feb. 28, Bachtel said.
The contract gives Paratransit workers a 2 percent raise this year. It has a 5 percent ceiling and provides bus passes.
Paratransit Services is a nonprofit organization that has been serving Clallam County since 1988.
The company operates under a contract with Clallam Transit.
with both transit and paratransit workers.
The board has approved a five-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, which gives Clallam Transit workers a 1 percent raise beginning July 1.
Subsequent raises are 1.5, 2 and 2.5 percent over the next three years. The maximum wage increase is 6 percent.
Negotiations with the Seattle-based union were "very professional," Terry Weed, Clallam Transit general manager, said.
"We came away with a contract that we can certainly live with," Weed said. "It's an appropriate contract."
Paul Bachtel, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 president, agreed.
"Clallam Transit has a professional group of managers who I really enjoy working with," Bachtel said.
"They are honest people. I respect them."
Negotiations with Bremerton-based Paratransit Services on a three-year contract for Paratransit workers in Clallam County didn't go as smoothly.
Paratransit workers voted 25-0 to strike in early January after negotiations came to a stalemate. However, van service for the elderly and disabled was never interrupted.
With the help of a federal mediator, the two sides reached a settlement on Feb. 17. Paratransit union workers approved the settlement on Feb. 28, Bachtel said.
The contract gives Paratransit workers a 2 percent raise this year. It has a 5 percent ceiling and provides bus passes.
Paratransit Services is a nonprofit organization that has been serving Clallam County since 1988.
The company operates under a contract with Clallam Transit.
By Rob Ollikainen
Peninsula Daily News
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Clallam Transit's operating expenses are projected to outweigh operating revenue $7.9 million to $6.8 million this year, said Terry Weed, Clallam Transit general manager.
Upcoming public meetings
The governing board of the public organization plans hearings on both the proposed service reductions and fare increases:
• At 1 p.m. Monday at the Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.
• At 1 p.m. Monday, May 17, in the Forks City Council chambers, 500 E. Division St.
A public hearing only on the proposed fare increase -- since a hearing on service cuts was held in Port Angeles in February -- is set:
• At 1 p.m. Monday, April 19, in the Clallam Transit headquarters, 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
Fare increase
The proposed fare increase would raise the base fare from 75 cents to $1 on all fixed-route and paratransit modes of travel.
The premium day pass fare would increase from $2 to $3.
Summer quarter youth passes would increase from $10 to $20.
No change to the monthly bus pass rate is proposed.
"This current comprehensive change proposal reflects the current need for additional revenues, especially in light of the elapsed time span from the last fares adjustment," Weed said in a notice of the hearings.
Clallam Transit's last fare hike took place in 1997.
Service cuts
Clallam Transit is proposing cutting service on Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Veterans Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
Clallam Transit buses do not run now on Sundays and on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
If approved, the service changes would take effect in July and first impact Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
No public comment was taken in the first public hearing in Port Angeles on Feb. 22.
Transit cut its bus service on the same holidays between 2000 to 2005, Weed said.
"We did not have service on those holidays in recognition of budget constraints, so we're kind of going back to that," Weed said.
"We're assuming it's a short-term fix."
Economic conditions would determine how long the service cuts would remain in effect, Weed said.
Clallam Transit typically runs buses Monday through Saturday.
Information about the proposed changes is available at the Clallam Transit office at 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, or by phoning the office at 360-452-1315 or 800-858-3747.
Written comments on service reductions will be taken until May 7. They can be mailed to the Clallam Transit office in Port Angeles.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: March 08. 2010 11:07PM
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