Paul Slesar
To my TMSA Maintenance Buddies:
It's been several months since I posted which only means there isn't a lot to talk about.
The fish of the summer was a 6" sunnie (only got out 2X) and it's time to get out the rifles and get ready for deer hunting. Did not take a shot during last season, hope to have a bit better luck this year.
I've had several questions about 2 topics lately, Supervisor vacancies & the Contract.
1. I spoke with Jan on Wednesday about the Supervisor vacancies. He stated that he had a Requisition in front of Brian that he expected to be approved. It will probably be an Internal/External Posting. Hope to see new faces by the 1st of the year.
2. We continue with Contract. We did not negotiate during the state shutdown and that carried thru past the State Fair. We have met once since then with another session tentatively scheduled. We are SERIOUSLY working on a method to raise us past the midpoint in our pay grades. The Council realizes they have a problem and seem sincere on trying to change it.
Contract negotiations ranks somewhere between clothes shopping with your wife and watching paint dry...
But, I believe we are making progress.
3. The T supplies jackets for the Maintenance Supervisors. If your jacket is more than a couple years old, ripped, torn or tattered talk to your Manager about getting you a new one.
4. I always harp on safety shoe & safety glasses reimbursements. The T pays for both, up to $90.00 for shoes and paying $80.00 for your safety glasses. Send the shoe receipt into Julie Obedoza and she mails you a check. For eyeglasses: http://councilinfo/safety/Metro_Transit/PPE/eye_protection.asp There is no reason for you to beat up your everyday eyeglasses at work.
Other notes: Don Paschke had Rotator Cuff surgery on 8.10.11 and has been out sick since then. Don should be back next month.
Terry Avery retired out of Nicollet this summer. Terry & I were hired at the same time, along with Mike Joyce and went thru orientation together. Terry literally had a U-Haul truck in the parking lot. Terry and "The Blonde" as he referred to his wife had sold their house, packed up the stuff they wanted and were heading to Arizona to start a new life. I'm happy for them & wish them well.
TMSA Elections take place again this fall and I’m up for reelection. Hope I can count on your support.
Otherwise, not much happening, show up on time, do your job to the best of your ability and stay off the computers except for Council business and all should be well.
To quote my old buddy Al Eklof who retired some 10 years ago out of Nicollet "Carry on!"
Thanks,
Paul Slesar
TMSA Maintenance Representative
612.349.5009 or 5054