Let’s talk about Part-Time operators

One day talking with Al M he had commented to me about how he hated being referred as a Mini-Runner and until he had said something I thought nothing of it. Now that I think about it I am ashamed about this label that has been placed on Part-Time operators. As I looked around at many forms of documents, that label is placed all over the place (TriMet postings, signup sheets, websites, and many other documents including our contract). Full-Time operators are not called Maxi-Runners and when the term Mini-Runner is used around customers or the general public it has to be explained that it is in reference to Part-Time operators and not in reference to the operators that drive the lift vans or smaller busses.

Why has this label been placed on this group of operators?

The label makes this group of people stand out as different from the rest. Part-Time operators have been left to feel that they are easy to overlook. Yes, there are less operators in that group and yes, they do not put in as many working hours in a week as full time operators. This does not mean they should be respected less. All of our members try to always put their best foot forward and work hard for their families, job and union.

All of our members deserve the same respect from each other. We each have a role in this family and we each pull our weight to make this a strong union. Labels can harm this respect and put members out. We need to take away anything that might divide us including LABELS.