[PRCo] Re: Herb's New Work Area

[Herb Brannon]

Maybe in a few years.
The story is that I have COPD. The diesel smoke and CNG fumes were not
helping me. I did stay off work for just under six months. Under our labor
agreement you can return to your former pay rate and service credit just so
the time off is under six months. I did retain a lawyer who reminded RTA
that COPD is an illness covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act. RTA
was compelled to make 'reasonable accomodation', in this case operating
electric vehicles rather than diesel and CNG. I did have to make one small
consession going from full-time to part-time status. However, at the Rail
Division, on a weekday schedule, there are enough runs for 120 operators.
Right now the Rail Division has 72 full-time and 19 (counting my class of 6)
part-time operators. Far short of the required 120. Also, this does not take
into consideration operators off on vacation, extended leaves or Saturday
and Sunday operations. Most weeks the managers "declare an emergency"
(shortage of qualified operators) which allows all part-time operators to
work up to 39 1/2 hours. During weeks when no emergency is declared
part-time operators can work up to 32 1/2 hours. I am at the top of the pay
scale (over $25 per hour) so I'm not really seeing much difference between
full and part time. It is also rumored that rail service is about to be
increased do to very high ridership. This will require more
operators/motormen. RTA and the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio received a lot
of the ARRA money which is earmarked to extend the Van Aken Blvd light rail
line under Warrensville Road to a new terminal at the University Health
System administrative offices. This would add almost one mile to the line
and will require more runs to maintain current service levels. There is
plenty of work now and in the future. If anyone wants to operate light and
heavy rail just apply to Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. They
are supposed to hire a few more rail operators in about three months.

So, I would rather be working than sitting. It keeps one in better shape
than just sitting around. I will move near the museum sometime in the next
20 years. ;-0

On Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 4:00 PM, Phillip Clark Campbell <pcc_sr at yahoo.com>wrote:

>
> Mr.Brannon;
>
>
> I thought you retired for health reasons;  you had mentioned moving close
> to
> the museum.
>
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>
>
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Herb Brannon <hrbran at cavtel.net>
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 8:12:13 AM
> > Subject: [PRCo] Herb's New Work Area
> >
> > NOTE: This is a CLEVELAND related post.............Hit the delete key if
> you
> > don't like CLEVELAND
> > The silver cars are GCRTA Heavy Rail (Red Line) cars which run as
> singles,
> > two-car and three-car trains. Three car trains have a crew of a motorman
> and
> > conductor.
> >
> > Car 833 is a GCRTA light rail (Blue/Green/Waterfront Lines) car. These
> > cars are articulated and run as singles or two-car trains w/ conductor &
> > operator
> >
> > The cab photo is the light rail car cab. I will bore you all later with a
> > heavy rail car cab.
> >
> > My class is still in training. We started 2.9.09 and completed light rail
> > training on 3.20.09. Heavy rail training began on 3.23.09 and is
> continuing
> > until 4.9.09. Final written and road exams are 4.10.09. Then on 4.13.09
> the
> > fun begins !!!
> >
> >
> > Herb Brannon
> > On America's North Coast
> >
> >
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-- 
Herb Brannon
On America's North Coast