King Country Metro Buses to Run on New "Turnip Blood" Fuel

Mike Lindblom's article in the Seattle Times this morning, "Cash-strapped Metro targets drivers' pay," imparts the knowledge that currently King County Metro bus operators' average yearly income, "including overtime, is almost $61,000 a year." That turns out to be a salient point, the inclusion of overtime.

It takes six years for a driver to reach the top end of the pay scale (almost $60,000, before overtime), reports Lindblom, noting that last year, "255 drivers made more than $75,000, with 20 of those topping $100,000."

That is, about ten percent of Metro's drivers worked $15,000 worth of overtime, and 20 operators worked $40,000 worth. You might think they're getting rich off time-and-a-half, but here's the thing--it costs less to work an existing driver than it does to hire a new one. In fact, a King County audit says that rather than hire more full- and part-time employees and be stuck paying benefits, Metro should look at increasing its overtime hours.

When Washington Public Policy Center claims "Bus driver wages grow out of control" because of overtime, what they are noticing, ironically, is Metro's attempt to keep operator costs down.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 says the cost of living increase due drivers can come out of services, though union leadership may want to check with their membership about how hard they want to push this one--bus operators seem more exercised about how overtime is allocated than COLA increases. (Lindblom's article, while it ranks bus driver pay, does not rank Metro management's pay. I've asked Metro for this information before, but they don't seem to have it "on hand.")

It's great fodder for online commenters who think bus drivers should make as much as the counter person at a fast food restaurant, but anyone who's ridden in an accordion bus on a wet Seattle hill knows to appreciate a veteran driver's skills. But for perspective, keep in mind that Metro employs over 2,000 drivers, that total Metro operations costs in 2008 were about $223 million, and that its latest forecast shortfall, for 2010-11, from tax income is $213 million.

Arguing over who's giving up a cost of living increase doesn't fix much about that.