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The UTU News regularly contacts members at random to report their thoughts on a question of interest to the general membership. This month's question: |
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What issues do women face in the transportation industry? |
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-- Kelly D. Hoolehan, L-1977, Seattle, Wash.
-- Bonnie Morr, L-23, Santa Cruz, Cal.
-- Margie Wagenaar, L-1701, Vancouver, B.C.
-- Julie Watson, L-492, Roseville, Cal. |
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"I began my rail career in 1992. I'm a BNSF yardmaster, and I'm vice president of my local. I think child care is one of the biggest issues for women. Because the job can make demands on you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, traditional daycare approaches don't work. I have a five-year-old and a nine-year-old, and luckily, my roommate could watch my kids. For a long time, there was no dedicated ladies' rest room, and at one facility where I work, I still have to take a long walk to get to a rest room. But I've been treated well by the guys in the UTU."
"I've been a bus operator for 18 years, the last 12 of them with the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transportation District. I'm also a vice chairperson and legislative representative. We have about 170 drivers, and about 30% are female. This being a male-dominated profession, the tone or atmosphere that prevails is not always the most comfortable for women. Driving late at night can present some difficult issues, and the nature of shift work can affect my ability to be a mom and a wife. The equipment can be an issue. Most seats are built for the average 5'10" man."
"I'm secretary of my local, and a traffic coordinator (yardmaster) with CN Rail who hired on in February 1991. On the whole, I think we have the same issues as men, perhaps with a different focus. The maternity issue needs to be addressed within the collective agreement, and I think we need to address ergonomics. We're built differently and our areas of strength differ. Women are more high-profile in our jobs because there are fewer of us, but in terms of intimidation and harassment, it's far less than it was. The women who came through before I did corrected many problems."
"I'm a Union Pacific conductor in Roseville, Cal., and in 1978 I was among the first women who hired out. The issue that has been around forever has been one of always standing out, whether I want to or not. There are around 130 trainmen there, and I'm the only woman now in Roseville. I'm always aware that if I don't do my job as well, people will notice more, consequently, I always try to do my best. Even though I've been around 22 years, there are still times I feel I need to prove myself. There were more women in the industry in the late 1970s, and I miss the camaraderie we had."