To:     Dale Easley, GLS Safety Manager                                         February 6, 2006

 

From: Paul Schneider, UTU Chairman

 

Re:     Accident Point Assessment Table

 

In reviewing the points system for accident determination, I noticed that the dollar amounts listed date from 1993, or earlier (actually, 1988).  Needless to say, inflation has had a profound effect in the Puget Sound area since that time.  I believe the number of accident points assessed for the dollar amounts listed is unrealistic and needs to be adjusted.  The case could be argued that these dollar amounts are way out of proportion to the original intentions of the point system established back in 1988.

 

The Consumer Price Index for the Puget Sound region indicates the annual growth rate by percent.  The following table shows a significant increase in the cost of living and demonstrates what a $1,000 assessment would be in today’s market.

 

                Year        % Rise in CPI          $1,000 Accident                      Year           % Rise in CPI             $1,000 Accident                                    

          1988        3.3                           1,033                                       1998                        2. 9                          1,537

                1989        4.7                           1,082                                       1999                        3.0                           1,583

                1990        7.4                           1,162                                       2000                        3.7                           1,642

                1991        5.8                           1,229                                       2001                        3.6                           1,701

                1992        3.7                           1,274                                       2002                        1. 9                          1,733

                1993        2.8                           1,310                                       2003                        1.6                           1,761

                1994        3.4                           1,355                                       2004                        1.2                           1,782

                1995        3.0                           1,396                                       2005                        3.4                           1,843

                1996        3.4                           1,443

                1997        3.5                           1,494                                      

 

Currently, if a driver has been in an accident with $1500 in coach repair costs, he or she would be assessed 3 points.  If the assessment table was adjusted for inflation, the driver would receive only 1 point under the coach repair costs section.

 

Accident Points Assessment Table

 

Current Dollar Amounts              Points Assessed                                 Modified for Inflation  ( x 1.843 and rounded off  to nearest $)

 

Other Damages - (Non-Vehicular)

$      0.   -   $     99.00                                     0                                      $      0.   -    $    182.00

    100.   -        299.00                                     1                                          183.   -          551.00

    300.   -        999.00                                     3                                          552.   -        1841.00

  1000.   -     And Over                                    5                                        1842.   -        And Over

 

Coach Repair Costs and Third Party Vehicle Damages

$      0.   -   $    99.00                                      0                                      $      0.   -    $    182.00

    100.   -       999.00                                      1                                          183.   -        1841.00

  1000.   -     2499.00                                      3                                        1842.   -        4606.00

  2500.   -     4999.00                                      6                                        4607.   -        9213.00

  5000.   -     7999.00                                      9                                        9214    -      14742.00

  8000.   -   10999.00                                    12                                      14743.   -      20271.00

 11000.  -   And Over                                    15                                      20272.   -     And Over

 

                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                -2-

 

 

$3,000 in coach repairs would earn 6 points currently, but only 3 points when the table is correctly adjusted for inflation.

 

On November 17, 2005, Gray Line held a Driver Recruitment meeting to brainstorm about creative new ways to attract new candidates.  I feel that it would be much more beneficial to see how we can retain the drivers that the company has already spent thousands of dollars on in training costs.

 

As we all know, the cost of living has affected everybody in this area.  Look how our health insurance premiums have soared with inflation.  The cost of gasoline has more than doubled.  Accident repairs have also increased dramatically. 

 

The Safety Dept. is long overdue in revamping the Accident Point Assessment Table.  We need a system that does not merely dictate a punishment.  We need to educate drivers if they show a weakness in some area of driving.   The Safety Dept. should be posting bulletins informing us of any dangerous spot where there is a high frequency of accidents.  The current system does little to motivate us to learn.  It simply creates more animosity between the company and drivers.  Often, we feel the preventability determinations are in error.  One driver just resigned because he felt unjustly accused.  

 

A new system is needed.  Back in May 1995, the Safety Manager at that time tried to create a new program.  Any accident ruled preventable would result in a “Notice of Infraction.”  These notices would also be distributed for any procedural/policy infractions.  If you got three of those, you were fired.  Had we agreed to that system, two drivers would have been fired immediately.  It was ridiculous.  The Union fought that program and it was never implemented.   So, when I say a new system is needed, it needs to be one that improves our safety record at GLS.  We need to work together on a new program that educates rather than terminates.

 

In order to move ahead on this, one of the first steps that the Safety Dept. could do, would be adjusting the Assessment Table for inflation.  If Gray Line chooses not to adjust this table, one could assume management is more interested in getting rid of drivers, rather than retaining them.  I am sure that is not the case here at GLS, so, I look forward to seeing positive steps implemented. 

 

I will be happy to assist in any way possible to get this moving promptly.

 

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

 

Respectively,

 

Paul

 

Cc:  Ben Atherly, Mollie Jones, UTU Board