Caltrans Work Schedule
Everybody knows traffic is getting worse and worse, and several authorities predict gridlock for Los Angeles within the next few years. But what the public doesn’t know is how Caltrans itself is contributing to the coming gridlock. It’s ironic because Caltrans is the lead transportation agency.
For six years, Caltrans employees in Los Angeles have been able to work 10 hours a day four days a week (4/40). And for about as long, Caltrans has been spending 5 million tax dollars a year to get private employers to do the same thing.
Why? To reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Just last year, Caltrans encouraged more employees to go on the 4/40 plan during the Olympics!
Caltrans still wants the private sector to keep up the good work. Trouble is, Caltrans itself is going to give up, not keep up, the good work!
The department plans to cancel its employees right to work 4/40, effective June 1. If they’re successful, more will happen than the inconveniencing of employees. The whole idea of relieving traffic congestion and smog will go down the drain as far as the state’s main transportation agency is concerned. Caltrans will continue to demand of private industry what it itself doesn’t want its own employees to do!
The public has an interest in this issue. It’s not just some little in-house matter. Everybody should oppose Caltrans’ plans to discontinue 4/40.
ROBERT L. CREASY
Cerritos
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