Gray Line of Seattle has shown a propensity over the years to take a passive stand in the preservation of meal breaks and rest breaks as outlined by law. Any of you having driven for a number of years, has at one time or another, found yourself in a position requiring you to perform work duties for periods exceeding three hours and periods requiring you to exceed five hours without a meal break. As many of us are Type II Diabetics, that can be particularly dangerous.

The Union began to pursue this by requesting pertinent information from the Company, such as the names of anyone failing to receive their mandated meal breaks for the Starbucks, Boeing, or Microsoft moves, and other related information. To date, the Company has failed to provide this information and has gone so far as to threaten termination of a Union Official if direct contact is made with the customer. There is case law indicating not only that the Union can contact the customer when necessary, but that it is legally required to do so!

Communications with the State appear to be proceeding much faster than the Company is forthcoming with requested information. Although this seriously weakens the Company's position in the long run, it is not an uncommon stand.

It would be most helpful for those of you involved in this work to let your officers know if you did not receive your breaks. This will allow the Union to continue its pursuit in spite of the Company's lack of cooperation.

Please follow this link to send e-mail to your Union Officers.