Hard to believe that this is the last newsletter of the 2006 -2007 school year!
Over the past few months, at various local functions and most recently at the year end BBQ’s and breakfasts, I have had an opportunity to get to know many more of our drivers in all of Southlands locations. That has been a real pleasure.
Additionally I would like to commend, the Calgary Operations dispatch team (Theresa and Bev) who initiated the idea of hosting a special dinner for drivers who, “ went above and beyond’ ; taking on extra runs and helping us get the job done. The dinner was also prepared by the Ops team and was a very professionally catered affair.
In closing, on behalf of all of us at the management level, we value the contribution that you make to South- land’s growth and success. Have a great summer - stay safe – see you at sign-up in August.
Southland Transportation
General Manager Tom Jezersek
June 29th, 2007
Ron Scheurkogel Charter Manager
Thank you one and all for all of your driving on our charters for the school year. We had a very successful season and I hope that you benefited from driving as well. When you come back to drive in the fall, please make sure that you sign up to do charters as this will be our way to ensure that you get on our list of drivers that are available to do charters.
We have lots of work in and around the Stampede. We need approximately 200 buses so if you want to make some money please sign up in your yard for the various jobs that are available. There is the Stampede Shuttle, the Stampede Crawls, Stampede bands, Globalfest and ongoing shuttle work that we do throughout the summer months.
We have openings for part time charter drivers if you are interested. We will be running a course in the later part of July for any that are interested. Please let anyone in charters know you are interested and we can put your name on the next class list.
Have a great summer!
NEW PAYROLL CUT OFF DATE
Over the past year, Southland has enjoyed tremendous growth. We appreciate the fact that this has
allowed us to serve our city more effectively than ever before. Such progress; however, does not
come without its challenges, particularly in the area of payroll. Some of you have been witness to
this fact, encountering errors in your pay stubs. To amend the situation and provide you with more
accurate payroll information, our cut-off date for payroll will now be on Wednesdays instead of Sat-
urdays. This ensures that our Operations and Accounting departments have sufficient time to review
and verify the data before processing it. If you have any questions about this modification, please
contact Stephen Ma at 287-1395 ext 244
While most of you are on holidays we are continuing to work on a number of projects that are due for comple- tion over the summer.
Buckaroos at the Stampede. Southland is the official sponsor of this ‘family’ spot in the lower level of the Big Four building. It you are going to the grounds please visit. There is a monster mural for the children to colour, a large inflated bus for them to play in and stage entertainment especially geared for children 12 and under. A Southland recruitment team will be onsite to provide information about working with Southland and about school bus safety.
Job Fair - Open House and Stampede Breakfast – Operations Yard in Calgary – Thursday, July 12 between 8 and10. Join us for our first ever Stampede breakfast. We’ve had them before and we’ve had them after Stampede but never during!
Stampede Parade – Southland is again partnered with the Calgary Board of Education and Cardinal Coach Lines in the 2007 Parade. Some of the Trustees from the Board are riding on Southland’s antique bus, in ad- dition to the original floats manned by Southland & Cardinal employees. The theme this year is “ Busing through the Decades” so watch for the fashions from the 40’s through to the present day worn by Southland models.
Pre-trip Training Film - Students from the CBE will again be working with our Safety and Training depart- ment to produce a unique Training film for “Pre-tripping a school bus”. The students from last year had al- most completed their second project, a training film focused on mirror adjustment and backtracking. That will be completed along with the new project this summer.
Students and our summer Work Co-op projects
Jeannie Peterson who joined us last May as a recruiter is with us again this summer as part of the communi- cations team in Operations, developing Procedures manuals for various departments. We are delighted she is back.
Ashley Guy – Ashley is part of our summer recruitment initiative, working out of the Ogden location with Au- brey and Rhonda. She is studying Human Resource Management at the University of Calgary and she is al- ready a solid contributor to the needs of the department.
Richard Martin – Richard is a Grade 12 student recommended by the Careerpathways program at the Cal- gary Board of Education. Starting July 3rd , Richard is assisting on the reception desk in Ogden just for the summer. He plans to study Business Administration in University.
Joceyln Moir – Jocelyn is a 4th year student at the University of Calgary studying Marketing. She is also starting with us July 3rd to help promote our recruitment drive, work on our busing workshops and assist with our community outreach program for the summer.
NEW School Busing Workshops for School Administrators
Southland recommended to the Calgary Board of Education that we host a pilot project with them: a special workshop for the school administrators responsible for busing. The objective is to improve lines of communi- cation and support one another. The Public Board takes place in the third week in September and the Catho- lic School District early in October. We are in the midst of preparing all the details for these presentations.
Youth Week – Ogden Mural – Landscaping during the summer
The final stage to the Youth week project involves painting the east and west walls a solid blue and then pre- paring the area around the building for landscaping.
Lots of changes….lots to do…see you all in September. Have a great summer!!
June Read Communications and Employee Development
Congratulations to Laura Guzman
#2005 Winner of $400.00 for finding the Hidden Employee NumberThe Loss Prevention department staff would like to Wish All of You and Your Families a Great Summer Vaca- tion and we look forward to seeing you ALL back next year.
We shall continue with our GOAL the “Journey to Zero” in Preventable Accident frequency, and with every- one’s Professional Attitude, Knowledge and Skills I am confident that together we can meet our GOAL.
We will still be operational in the administration building; so if you are passing by stop in and say Hi!
Please remember to Drive Safely this Summer.
Message from Loss Prevention Dwight Kawalik
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Kyrie Geurts Operations Manager
WHEW!! We made it. This year wasn’t without some bumps along the way, but I can certainly vouch to all of the hard work put in by all of the drivers and all of my dedicated operations staff. You guys are AMAZING!!
We are hoping that with our yard separations, things will only get better in the fall.
Sign up is scheduled to start on August 20th, so we’ll be in touch. I want to wish you all a wonderful, safe and sunny summer. We can’t wait to see you in September!!
Don Allan Cochrane Manager
The Drivers and Staff wish to send our condolences to Trish Bennie-Morley whose Mother passed away and to Ron Wright whose Mother-in-law passed away.
The Office Staff want to thank the Drivers for their efforts during the school year. Your co-operation has been great.
Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board stating that you will be returning next year. As well, there are a number of sheets for different charters that are also posted.
Remember, clean your bus and receive $25.00 extra on your final cheque. We will have to check it out be- fore you qualify.
Have a great summer.
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Donna Den Boer Rural East Operations Manager
Another year has come and gone and I would like to Thank everybody for their dedication and support. We have had many Rookie drivers this year and with the support of the long term drivers they have seemed to fit into our team very well. Special Thank You to Michelle Smith in Brooks and Linda Lacher in Drumheller for leading their teams to another great year. I could not do it without each and every one of you. I hope every- body has a great 2 months off with their friends and families and hope to see everybody back in September.
Just a reminder of the sign-up dates:
Drumheller Aug 14th @ 10:00 at Linda’s Brooks Aug 16th @ 10:00 location TBA
Strathmore & Chestermere Aug 17th (I will call you with your times) in Rockyford Michelle and Linda would like to also Thank their drivers in Brooks and Drumheller for the dedication, pa- tience and support. There is no I in “Team” and we all work well together!!
August Sign-up
August 15th is the date set for sign-up. For any drivers who know that they will be away on this date, please contact Michelle Kupchanko at 938-3966, or 863-0838 to confirm other arrangements.
I would like to express my “Thanks” to all of the High River and Okotoks drivers. Each day for the last year, you have shown your commitment in transporting our passengers to and from school safely. Regardless of the weather conditions, the students, and myself relied on you to be there, and you were.
I would also like to thank Mike, Jamie, and Tony for keeping our buses going throughout the school year.
We’d be stuck without you guys!
Sandy and I look forward to seeing everyone back in August!
Commuter Drivers
For the past 8 and 15 years Okotoks has been fortunate enough to have two very reliable commuter drivers.
As all things change, these two fellows will be making a bit of a career change.
Rick Giesbrecht will be stepping down as the Commuter #1 driver at the end of June. Rick will be working more in the Calgary Body Shop. “Thank You” Rick for your 15 years of driving the Okotoks commuter.
Ed Weirmeir, who has been driving the # 2 commuter for 8 years will be stepping down from this position at the end of July. Ed will be joining the Okotoks driver team, driving school routes at the end of August. We are very happy to have Ed not completely leave Southland Transportation.
“Thanks” to both of you for providing our commuter service in Okotoks many years of safe, reliable driving!
Way to go Barb
Hi there!! For those of you who don’t know me I’m Barb Bexson. For those of you who do, CAN YOU IMAGINE ME WITH OUT HAIR?????
WELL THAT IMAGE BECAME REALITY on FRIDAY- JUNE 8, 2007 as of 10:30 pm as you can see from the picture.
YES, I shaved my head to raise money for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and Cancer research be- cause I have the choice rather than like those who have NO choice and are affected by this horrible disease.
I am once again committing myself to THE WEEKEND TO END BREAST CANCER 60 km walk this July 28 & 29, 2007
Cancer has touched several parts of my life, especially recently and if I can make even the smallest contribu- tion to help end this incredibly destructive and devastating disease I am willing to loose my hair over it, liter- ally. Think about it, 1 in 9 women will be affected by breast cancer. 1 in 9 . That is a really scary statistic. I wanted to make a difference.
I am very proud to say I have raised over $4,500 to date and I hope this number keeps climbing. If you feel inclined, please donate to my hair raising (or losing I guess I should say) experience. I’m sooo pumped. My hair will grow back unlike that of those unfortunately and tragically affected by the disease.**** If you would like to donate, please fill out a donation form and return to me or mail it in. Or you can go online endcancer.ca (enter Calgary, click on donate and type in my name, then scroll down and click on Bexson, Barb) to a credit card safe site to donate also and your tax receipt will be e-mailed directly to you. Any donation over $10.00 is 100% tax deductible. ****
SO PLEASE, JOIN ME IN THIS FIGHT!!!!! I KNOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!
Don’t forget to clean your bus before returning it to the yard. $25.00 will be added to your last pay providing it pass the Inspection.
¾ Turn in defect slips….. don’t leave them in the bus
¾ Summer help required : body shop help – paint touch-ups, sanding etc.
Bus cleaners – interior cleaning for the summer months Seat repair person
Yard and shop maintenance – cleaning etc.
Have a great summer see you at start up.
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Fernando De Sousa Quick-Fix Lead Hand
Message from Pat Saulteaux Safety & Training Manager
Stephen Ma Accounting Manager
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE *** CHANGE OF PAYROLL CUT-OFF EFFECTIVE PAY DAY JULY 27, 2007 Our payroll period starts from a Sunday and ends on a Saturday for a total of 14 days. The pay day is the following Fri- day.
As an example, the current pay period no. 13 starts from Sunday June 10 and ends on Saturday June 23 for a total of 14 days. The pay day is Friday June 29.
To meet with our demand for growth of our business and to better serve all employees with timely and accurate payroll, it is necessary to introduce a one time 3-day change in our payroll period as follows:
For pay period no. 14, it will be business as usual. The pay period will start from Sunday June 24 and ends on Saturday July 7 for a total of 14 days. The pay day is Friday July 13.
For pay period no. 15 – the transition period, the pay period is 11 days or 3 days shorter. The pay period will start from Sunday July 8 and ends on Wednesday July 18. The pay day is still Friday July 27.
For pay period no. 16, the pay period is back to 14 days and will stay the same in future. The pay period will start from Thursday July 19 and ends on Wednesday August 1. The pay day is still Friday August 10.
Pay period no. 17 and subsequent periods, the cycle will repeat itself.
That is, for pay period no. 17, the pay period is 14 days. The pay period will start from Thursday August 2 and ends on Wednesday August 15. The pay day is still Friday August 24.
Due to the above changes, your supervisors will provide you with new timesheets, etc., if applicable.
If you have any questions or concerns about the above change, please contact your supervisor.
Starting July 1, 2007, you will be able to claim a new non-refundable tax credit of $2,000 for each child under 18 years of age at the end of 2007. For further details, please see the attached form – Notice to employees – 2007 Child amount.
Records of employment will be issued on pay day July 15 with your pay cheque.
If you start receiving CPP this year, please bring in the Award letter at sign up.
Have a safe and relaxing summer and see you all in the fall.
2007- 2008 Safety Meetings
To give a variety to employees for the upcoming school year, we have scheduled different topic meetings in addition to the regular safety meetings. These additional meetings will also count towards your safe driving award providing the other criteria is met. Headings for these meetings will be Internal Audit, Core Values and Maintenance.
For the drivers who have attended the Driver Attitude meeting, we will be having a 4 hour SMART driver program. You must qualify for this 4 hour meeting, details are in the NEW handbook.
Safety & Training would like to wish you all a safe and fun summer, we will see you in the next school year.
Notice to employees - 2007 Child amount
Starting July 1, 2007, you will be able to claim a new non-refundable tax credit of $2,000 for each child under 18 years of age at the end of 2007. This credit was announced in the March 2007 Federal Budget.
If you are claiming this amount, provide the following information to your employer to decrease the amount of tax deducted at source from your salary, wages, commissions, pensions, Employment Insurance benefits, and other remuneration you receive.
Eligibility criteria for the Child amount - If a child born in 1990 or later resides with both parents throughout the year, either parent (but not both) may claim $2,000 per child. Any unused portion can be transferred to that parent's spouse or common-law partner. If the child does not reside with both parents throughout the year, the parent who is entitled to claim the amount for an eligible dependant can claim the child amount.
Send this information in writing, or electronically using this notice, to your employer or payer’s payroll profes- sional. It will be filed with your TD1 Personal Tax Credits Return, and the amount of tax deducted from each pay will be reduced. This change will remain in effect until you advise us that you are no longer eligible to claim the child amount.
If you do not give this information to your employer, your tax deducted at source will not be reduced. How- ever, you will still be able to claim the child amount when you file your T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return for 2007.
Payroll professional: Please file this notice in the employee’s personnel/pay file as a record of the request for the child amount deduction at source.
If you are eligible to claim other tax credits that will reduce the amount of tax deducted at source, complete and submit a revised TD1 return. To get form TD1 2007 Personal Tax Credits Return visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/td1/README.html or call 1-800-959-2221.
Your first name and last name:
Date of birth (YYYY/MM/DD):
Employee number:
Your address:
Your Social insurance number (SIN):
Number of children born in 1990 or later: × $2,000 =
Stephen Ma Accounting Manager
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Bev Herron North Yard Operations Outstanding Drivers
The drivers listed below have been recognized by the yard supervisors/dispatchers for their outstanding help this year. These drivers have gone Above and Beyond to help the dispatchers cover runs over and over again, not only sacrificing their own runs but in many cases they made personal sacrifices as well.
We want to thank them for all their hard work and dedication to Southland Transportation. We truly appreci- ate their help.
Bonnie Oviatt Heidi Glaze
Tracy Oviatt Jackie Blair
Anita Walsh Patti Kingdon
Abdul Hazari Bob Kennedy
Lorraine Oulette Bob Clarke
Theresa Hendricken David Daniels
Tara Lacusta Stella Abdul-Hadi
Donna Desaultels Don Schonfelder
TeriLin Lund Roy Arbuckle
Carey Batenchuk Christine Barker
Norma Livingston Carol Arnault
Toni Stratton Allan Gosling
Karey Welliver Gene Pawlak
Rick Robertson Tammy White
Judy Park Mary Ann Taylor
Daryl Park Jamie Matheson
Eric Miller Brian Savage
Bob Anderson Randene Udell
Rick Harvey Adrianne Berger
Ron Harrison Melanie Isles
Jennifer Chabot
A special dinner was held on the 20th of June in appreciation for these drivers hard work.
Chandelle Negrych McKnight Yard
The 2006-2007 school year has come to an end. Thank you to all the drivers for making this year a great suc- cess as well as an experience. Thanks to the drivers for doing their runs as well to all the drivers that have been there to get us out of unexpected situations. We would also like to Thank the floaters: Karma, Ross, Oakbye, Hiwett, Roxanne, and Sarabjit for all of their help this year. Great job and well done.
We look forward to seeing you everyone next year.
Have a safe and wonderful summer and we will see you at sign-up.
Perfect Attendance Sept 2007
Calgary: Norma Livingston, Alexendru Tarta Okotoks/Rockyford: Paula Gauthier, Karlene Keck Cochrane: Charles Jurek
Perfect Attendance Oct 2007 Calgary: Lisa Wapple, Nicola Rurak
Okotoks/Rockyford: Verna Hutchinson, Sandra Marshall Cochrane: Douglas Fehr
Perfect Attendance Quarterly for Sept/Oct 2007 Winner Company Wide: Gaston Mayumba
Perfect Attendance Nov 2007 Calgary: Janice Penman Strathmore: Lorena Waldner Okotoks: Andy Turcotte
Cochrane: Laurinda Barr-Crosbie Perfect Attendance Dec 2007
Calgary: Barry Ogden, Gene Pawlak, Nigel Proulx Okotoks/Rockyford: Twylla Bruhn, Dale Hedlund Cochrane: Debbie Crawford
Perfect Attendance Jan 2007
Calgary: Jeannete Moore, Mary-Jane Bellamy Okotoks/Rockyford: Janice Skelton
Cochrane: Robert O’Brien
Perfect Attendance Quarterly for Nov/Dec 2007 Winner Company Wide is: Christine Tulk
Consolation Winners Company Wide are:
Janice Penmand and ZaideHalid Perfect Attendance Feb 2007
Calgary: Angela Scarrott, Atefeh Sadeghi Ghasami Okotoks/Rockyford: Raymond Den Boer
Cochrane: Douglas Fehr
Perfect Attendance March 2007 Calgary: Eddy Ma, Navraj Sidhu Okotoks: Kathy Mahoney Cochrane: Robert Luscombe Rockyford: Patti Lintick
Perfect Attendance for April 2007 Calgary: Barry Jones, Lia Hagel Okotoks: Dianne Fox
Cochrane: Treena Smith Rockyford: Jenny Toth
Perfect Attendance Quarterly for Feb/Mar/Apr 2007 First Winner Company Wide is: Gerrit Hupkes
Consolation Winners Company Wide are:
Tracey Sheppard and Heather Brunell Perfect Attendance May 2007
Calgary: Petra Bollivar, Beverly Weaver Okotoks: Marilyn Letcher
Cochrane: Brian Graftaas Rockyford: Sharon Carter
Amanda Williams Payroll Clerk
Current Telephone Numbers and Driver Information
Please ensure that Pat @ the Ogden yard has your up-to-date contact information on file. With the school year coming to a close, Operations will need to be able to contact you in August with your sign-up time. We use the current information we have on file for you. You can either call 253-9322, ext 109, email
[email protected] or give your information to any Operations yard staff to for- ward to Ogden.
Commuter Driver is need for the Cochrane area.
Please contact Don Allan in Cochrane at 932-7100.
Safety Trainers needed for Calgary: All interested in becoming a trainer in our Calgary office, please call Pat Saulteaux for an interview at 253-9322.
Cochrane Opportunities Ogden Yard Opportunities
Bus Drivers needed: If you know someone who would like to drive, have them call the Recruiting depart- ment 253-9322. You will receive a $300.00 bonus after their probation period.
Summer child care needed Working mother of 2 needs child
care for Fridays only during the summer. One with Special Needs.
If interested, please call Kyrie at 287-1335 ext 232.
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Part-time Babysitters Needed: If you are interested in babysitting part time this summer in our babysitting centre please contact Heidi Glaze at 852-4211 for an interview.
•
Bus interior cleaners are still required for the summer.•
Seat repair person required. This would be between runs approximately 5 hours per day everyday starting immediately and continu- ing throughout the school year.•
Yard and shop maintenance - cleaning shop, lawn care etc.Please contact Ron Baas in the Maintenance de- partment if interested. 287-1335 ext 231.
Summer Employment Opportunities Okotoks Commuter Drive Needed
We are looking to fill the position for the #1 Commuter Driver for Okotoks. Drivers will need an Air Brake Endorsement.
This position will start July 1, 2007. If you are interested, or would like more information, please Michelle Kupchanko at 938-3966 or 867-0838.
Summer Day Home Full/part time Child-care in my home in Newbrighton during the
summer. July 1st - Sept 1st.
For more information please call
Jeanne Mputu at 457-9886
For Sale
1979 Glendatte 16 Foot Camper Trailer
$1,000.00 (Fridge, stove)
No leaks, Sleeps 4 comfortably call Maxine at 253-5768 Job Offer: Looking for people that are willing to work with the CBE in mapping and correcting routes for the summer. It’s a good way to get to know how the ins and outs of how the process works and make some extra cash while you’re at it. Contact Kyrie in Operations.
FOR SALE
8ft CAMPER WITH WASHROOM,FRIDGE, STOVE, SLEEPS 4 , 4 HYDROLIC JACKS SOUND/GREAT SHAPE!!STYLIN INTERIOR!! $1500.00
Please call 246-4485 Charters full time Administrative Assistant. If you
are interested please bring your resume up to charters or let Rhonda know in HR.
