Bus Rapid Transit, redux

A few months ago, I blogged about the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) proposal in the East Bay, and Sierra Club support for it. Today I went for the first time to a Berkeley planning commission meeting. Though the meeting focused on a bunch of different issues, most of the speakers had opinions on BRT. Most of them were opposed. The opposition was coming a lot from neighbors to Telegraph Ave. (living on Hillegrass Street). They are afraid, that people will drive around Telegraph, and cut through Hillegras when Telegraph gets more congested after a BRT lane is installed (question: how about some speed bumps?) It was an interesting meeting. I finally met a lot of the people I have been reading and hearing about for some months. This was good. I am always impressed (or ...?) in Berkeley, how many people will sacrifice an evening of their time, to speak out on an issue, that is not even going to be decided for months.

On the way home, I ate at my favorite "dive" on Telegraph, naan n curry. Then I took the bus home on Telegraph Ave. (I had to walk 1 mile from the No. Berkeley Sr. Ctr. to Telegraph, and then again 1 mile from 40th and Telegraph to my apartment in North Oakland). The bus was half full - it was the new "rapid." I had to wait about 20 minutes for it (at 9.30 p.m.) It was a pretty quick ride down Telegraph - though there was hardly any automobile traffic.

It is always sobering, to see the people that rely on AC Transit at night time (not the commuters like me). There were some people that obviously can't afford to drive. I agree with those, who argue that AC Transit should be trying to improve the frequency of service on all routes, not just on BRT. However, I believe that a large part of the BRT money is coming from sources, that would otherwise not be available for transit improvement. I need to check on this. Too bad, the governor is currently shifting money away from public transit.

Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Group events

Sunday's Sierra Club, No. Alameda County picnic is coming up soon! The time of the picnic, in case you have not heard, is 12-3 p.m., at Cesar Chavez Park in the Berkeley Marina. Details are posted online at the Bay Chapter website, www.sfbsc.org > calendar, for how to get there. This event does not require r.s.v.p., but as usual, we'd like to know how many people to expect. Please call Joanne at the Sierra Club Chapter office at 848-0800 x315, if you know you are interested, and haven't already notified her (also please let her know, if you want to help us set up!)

It should be a good event - we're expecting about 20 guests. Weather is predicted to be partly cloudy - high of 74 (but probably cooler at the marina). You will probably want to bring a sweater or light jacket.

Also, please make a note, that our regular conservation meeting will be Monday evening, 7/23 at 7 p.m. Among other things, we will be welcoming / hearing from new interested candidates for NAC Group executive committee, and discussing NAC group housing policy. An agenda packet will follow in the next few days (as soon as I get around to producing it).

Oil Independent Oakland Task Force

Oil Independent Oakland (OIO) By 2020 Task Force
Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 19, 2007, 6pm to 9pm
Hearing Room 1 – City Hall.
One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Agenda can be viewed here.

Waste Management Lockout of Teamsters Local 70

OAKLAND, Calif., June 30 (PRNewswire) -- Negotiators for 500 Teamsters at Waste Management walked out of a futile round of negotiations with the company as the solid waste giant refused to honor its promise to not make any demands that diminish the current contract which expires Saturday, June 30, 2007.

In a letter dated July 17, 2001, Waste Management promised Teamsters Local 70 in Oakland, California that it would make no attempts to seek concessions from the 500 workers represented by the union in future negotiations. Despite this very clear and indisputable promise, the company has done nothing but make demands for takeaways in every negotiation session to date.

Waste Management locks out workers - Replacements will pick up trash, not recycling; no negotiations planned.

By Chris Metinko, MEDIANEWS STAFF Article Last Updated: 07/04/2007 02:54:13 AM PDT

East Bay garbage workers and Waste Management of Alameda County have no set plans to continue talks despite the company's lockout of the union's nearly 500 members late Monday.

The contract between the company and Teamsters Union Local 70 — which represents drivers and equipment operators — expired Sunday after what both called "fruitless" talks. On Monday, Waste Management locked out the union, and brought in more than 200 replacement workers.

Teamsters Local 70 Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack said members will not strike, but he called the lockout "irresponsible" and said members will picket at Waste Management facilities. "It's unfair to the workers and the people of Oakland, Hayward and the other areas we serve," Mack said Tuesday.
Monica Devincenzi, a Waste Management spokeswoman, said the company decided on the lockout because it needed to protect itself in case the union was planning a strike. Mack stressed the Local 70 picket lines are not a strike. The union had pledged not to strike during contract talks, he said. Representatives of two other unions at a press conference Tuesday, Machinists Local 1546 and WarehouseUnion Local 6, said they will honor Local70 picket lines, but Waste Management said everyone reported to work Tuesday.

Waste Management serves Albany, Emeryville, Oakland, Hayward, Newark, Livermore, the Castro Valley Sanitary District, the Oro Loma Sanitary District, parts of unincorporated Alameda County and San Ramon Advertisement in Contra Costa County. It has about 200,000 customers.

Waste Management said replacement workers are now collecting garbage in those communities but in most they aren't collecting recyclables.

Waste Management plans on normal trash collection Bay City News Service

Article Last Updated: 07/07/2007 06:00:21 PM PDT

Waste Management of Alameda County notified customers today that regular weekly trash collection will return on Monday, but union and worker representatives are doubtful that service will be business as usual.

Waste Management spokeswoman Monica Devincenzi reported today that an advertisement in the Oakland Tribune and pre-recorded phone messages notified customers today of the planned return of normal service.
Beginning Monday, Devincenzi said Waste Management is "going back to regular weekly trash collection, regular commercial trash collection (and) weekly residential yard waste for most communities." Devincenzi noted they will also pick up any extra trash that has accumulated.

But Chuck Mack, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 70, is unconvinced that Waste Management will be able to deliver on their promise. "They keep making these statements and we sit here scratching our heads because it's so far off from reality," Mack said today. "For them to suggest that garbage service is going to return to normal next week is stunning when you look at what's happened in their pick-up areas."

MY TAKE:
WMI is a for-profit, stockholder-driven waste hauling company with $3+ billion dollars in revenue and a recommended stock by Standard and Poor's. It earns money by contracting for trash removal, by manipulating landfill costs, and driving smaller competitors out of business. Despite being hugely profitable, this company is failing to live up to its promises to its workers, especially regarding healthcare benefits.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
WMI has a record of claiming to be environmentally friendly. However, documented actions and strategies of the company show it to be interested more in profit than in reducing or recycling waste. One of WMI's greatest lies is the claim that waste is "turned into power." They do this through incineration of garbage. This simply spews toxic chemicals over a greater distance than the original landfill.

Despite being 10 years old, the following site is useful as a counter to WMI (formerly WMX)'s promise of environmental stewardship:
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=4370

Also see the following more recent example of WMI's landfill politics in Wisconsin:
http://www.stopwmx.org/pheas.html

It's time to consider an alternative for Oakland!

Polystyrene Ban Enforcement

I wrote the City of Oakland regarding the polystyrene (styrofoam) ban enforcement. I have observed some restaurants not following the new rules. Of course, some of these restaurants are my favorite places to eat lunch. So I don't want to make too many enemies :-) Anyways, here is the answer I got:

*****
Citizens can call the Recycling Hotline at 510-238-SAVE (7283) to make a
report.

They should include the name of the restaurant, address, and the date of
their observation. It would also be helpful to note the type of container
where polystyrene was still being used. (i.e. hot drink, to-go clamshell,
soup container, etc.)

Recycling staff will contact the restaurant and follow up on the complaint.

Dave

David Finacom
Environmental Services Assistant
City of Oakland Public Works Agency
Environmental Services Division
(510) 238-7694 Fax: (510) 238-7286
dfinacom@oaklandnet.com
http://www.oaklandpw.com/