Detroit evening times., 1945-09-12
.DSR RContra(t
Ups Sickness
BY JOHN CREECY

commissioner rank RlSlnE one
OF the three men entrusted with
directing the policies OF the DSR,
popped into Mayor JeffrieS office
and told reporters;
II understand that 100 coach
drivers reported sick this morn
ing. Looks like an epidemic
100 sick out OF 1000 drivers.
You ought TO look into that"
Since the DSR has pleaded that
It's recent slump in service is due
solely 10 lack OF manpower the
suggestion seemed a good one
The Times looked into IL and
this is what was found:
JUST USUAL NUMBER
Rising was correct in stating
That I60 drivers had reported sick
yesterday lie was wrong in
assuming that this number was
an unusually high number.
AS a matter OF fact. II was an
unusually low number
THE boys are cooperating
with US pretty well during this
crisis" said a DSR spokesman.
Yesterdays figure of l60 was by
far the lowest recorded this month.
During the first eight days of Sep
tember the number ranged from
lS3 TO 1872. On Aug. 81 it was 20l.
Thus, since there are 1000 coach
drivers, the daily sick list has
been running about 10 per cent.
80 JUST DON'T SHOW
In addition, there are usually
about 30 who fail TO show up, but
do not claim TO be sick
Bus driving is hard work, a fact
which doubtless accounts for a
considerable measure of the illness
reported Neither drivers nor COM
pany officials, however, claim that
accounts for all of II.
Drivers give a large share of
the blame to the sick leave clause
in the union contract.
On the theory that it would
discourage malingering. the COM
mission, in negotiating its contract
with the union, refused TO pay
sick leave 10 man Who is off
only one or two days. The contract
was made to specify that he must
be off at least three days in order
to receive pay for the sick time
TAKES EXTRA DAY
The practical result of this has
been that If man is legitlmately
i'll for one day or two, he is in
clined to stay home the extra day
in order not 10 lose his pay.
Still another regulation Is
thrown in the way of the driver.
who, after recovering from his
illness, is ready TO come back To
work.
IL ne doesn't call the terminal
a full day in advance he will not
be put on the schedule
"A man who stays home with
a headache or other minor all
ment may find that he Is all
right by afternoon" said
driver. "Even II he IL con-
scientiOus enough to forfeit his
sick leave pay by going back Ia
work immedist tely, he will have
to wait an additional day il he
wants TO get his regular run.
HIRING STANDARDS UPPED
Another factor bearing upon
the manpower situation is that
in recent months the DSR has be
come considerably more chOoSey
about whom il hires.
Roughly, in June, the DSR hired
one of every five applicants. In
July, one out of six, and in August,
one out of IA. Thus far in Septem-
Der. with Is hired out of 349, the
ratio is about ] 10 %
According 10 DSR spokesman
this is true partly because appli-
cants lately have been of lower
qualifications, partly because i'm
mediateIy after VI Day, the DSR
reverted TO its peacetime stand
ards.
The age limit has been lowered
by the Civil Service Commission
form As to 35, higher physical
and mental tests must be passed
and all new operators hired must
qualify as bus drivers.
The world at your door! Phone
Tha--., QQnn n.Ia. Thn na