7/22 Oakland Speakout By ATU 192 Drivers TWAC & Passengers At Ca-OSHA Hearing

7/22 Oakland Speakout By ATU 192 Drivers TWAC & Passengers At Ca-OSHA Hearing

UNITY TWAC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Transit Workers Action Caucus, a group of AC Transit workers, is calling on all interested people to join them in protesting inhumane conditions on AC Transit buses. For years bus operators and passengers have suffered in the summer months from heat related stress. Now in these times of global warming and with the addition of the controversial Belgian Van Hool buses the situation has gotten worse.

In November of 2007 AC Transit was cited by Cal-OSHA for:

1. 3203(a) (6) Accident investigations not done for at least 7 employee injuries. Penalty imposed $335.

2. 3395(c) No water provided for bus drivers exposed to heat illness hazards. Penalty imposed $560.

3. 3395(d) No shade provided for bus driver exposed to heat illness hazards. Penalty imposed $560.

4. 3395(e) No heat illness procedures, no employee and Supervisor training on procedures and heat-related hazards. Penalty imposed $560.



AC Transit has appealed the citations claiming that the regulation is new to Transportation / Transit and will have widespread impact on many transit agencies. TWAC points out that most California transit agencies have air conditioned buses. Only 20% of AC’s buses have A/C but those buses are primarily used on Transbay routes - not the inner city routes that serve over 90% of AC riders and mostly communities of color. Despite four serious heat waves this spring and summer, AC Transit has done nothing to comply with the above regulations.



On May 17th 2008 Cal-OSHA found heat on AC Buses between 97 and 102 degrees. As a result they decided to expedite AC Transit’s appeal hearing to July 22, 2008.



PASSENGER SAFETY IS COMPROMISED WHEN DRIVERS SUFFER FROM HEAT STRESS AND DEHYDRATION.

Heat illness and dehydration can occur at temperatures over 80 degrees.

Heat illness and dehydration causes headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

In the extreme, heat stroke can be fatal

In May, farm worker Isabel Jimenez died after being denied water and shade. Also in May, a pregnant AC Transit passenger fainted from the heat and on the bus was
taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

TWAC wants the public to be aware of these problems and to come out to support Drivers and passengers at the Cal-OSHA hearing.. The hearing will be held at the State Building, 1515 Clay Street on Tuesday July 22nd - at 10am. Cal-OSHA requests that members of the press arrive no later than 9:30 am.



For more information contact Dave Lyons at 510-325-1268.