Newsletter

In This Issue

·    Vision Insurance

·    Accident/Incident Notification

·    EPIC

·    Safety Issues

·    Shop News

·    Log News

·    Office News

·    Miscellaneous

Contact Us

800-541-2140

Milk Dispatcher  x1

Fuel Dispatcher  x2

Melissa     x 311

Barney     x 312

Kelly        x 313

Rena        x 314

Brad        x 315

Donna      x 317

Brian       x 318

Floyd       x 319

Fred        x 320

With our health insurance plans this year (with the exception of the Agri-PPO), we have a vision plan through Cole Managed Vision.  You must use a participating provider.  Some providers are:  Empire Vision, Sears Optical, Target, Pearle Vision.  For specific providers in your area, visit www.colemanagedvision.com or see Kelly in the office.  Through the plan, the cost for a routine eye exam is a $5 co-pay.  There are discounts available on lenses and frames also.  Please see Kelly if you do not have Cole Managed Vision cards.

It is imperative that any incident (no matter how small) be reported immediately to the dispatcher on duty.  Take photos of everything: the other vehicle(s), our units, the area or circumstances which attributed to the accident, people involved, etc.  Complete and turn in the accident report and camera at the end of your shift. 

If you are a senior, you may qualify for a NY State sponsored prescription drug program, EPIC.   Who can join?  If you are 65 or older, and have an annual income of $35,000 or less if single, or $50,000 or less if married ◊ Seniors with other prescription coverage can join EPIC to cover drug costs not covered by that coverage ◊ Individuals enrolled in EPIC may also be eligible for the Medicare Drug Discount Card.  EPIC is a cost-sharing program.  For more specific info, pamphlets are available at the dispatcher’s desk or call 800-332-3742.

Ø                    Notes from the Safety Director

The Alnye Safety Committee and management met on April 4, 2006 to discuss and analyze the July – Dec 05 Safety program.  Unfortunately the entire balance of $50,000 was used to cover the expenses incurred for incidents and accidents.

Unsafe backing was the largest single reason for 21 incidents (which is completely unacceptable); followed by poor driver judgment (7) and merging too close (3).  In every case, these could have been prevented.

It has been determined that several drivers have, and continue to, drive safely and use their professional driving skills.  For this reason, Alnye has improved their safety rating with the insurance industry.  Don and Gary are going to reward these drivers for their contribution and support of the Safety Program.  Drivers who were qualified for the Safety Program from July – Dec 2005 will be rewarded as follows:

Full-time drivers–newly designed Alnye jacket, noting the 2005 Safety Award

Part-time drivers –newly designed Alnye shirt, noting the 2005 Safety Award

A committee is working on a new logo for Alnye, which will be put on the apparel. 

Safety is extremely important and is everyone’s responsibility!  Safety Manuals have been developed and will be distributed and will be adhered to by management and employees.

Ø Safety Awareness 2006                                                                             The Safety Committee met this month to discuss the 2006 program and is excited about the implementation of a new fund designed to award safe drivers, even if the balance in the Safety account is fully depleted.  The committee reviewed 2005 issues and the results of a negative balance in the safety account arising from unsafe drivers.  The committee is aware that there are several drivers worthy of an award and should be compensated.  A spring cookout will kick-off the 2006 safety program.

Ø June is National Safety Month                                                                       This year’s theme is “Making Our World a Safer Place”.  June 5-9 focuses on “driving” and June 12-16’s focus is “workplace”.   

Ø Unit Parking                                                                                              There should be no parking of units on the South side of the building (where office personnel park).  If you need to come into the office, do so while your unit is parked, either before or after your shift. 

Ø       Clean your unit.  Please be contentious of how you leave your tractor for the next driver.  ٭ Please take the time to take out what you took in.  There is a garbage can at the fuel pump for your convenience.  ٭ Remove your shoes before climbing into the bunk. ٭ Please do not place trash in the back boot of the tractors.  Please be respectful of the equipment and your fellow drivers. 

Ø       Please do not throw the trailer seals or cigarettes on the ground. 

Ø       There is to be ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING inside the building.  This includes entryways into the building. Smoking is permitted outside the building only.  We’ve also noticed cigarette burns on the seats of several tractors.  One cover has already been replaced and this is costly.

Ø       The day-time running lights are on the vehicles for your safety.  Please do not pull the day-time running light relay – there is no benefit to doing this.  We will be monitoring this as it is a safety issue.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

Ø       Pre-trip Inspections - We’ve recently noticed damage to units that has not been reported.  It’s mandatory that all damage be reported immediately.  It is the responsibility of every driver to do a thorough pre-trip inspection, in fact it is mandatory.  ANY damage should be noted immediately on a VIR and turned in to the dispatcher.    

We have a new software system that allows us to audit driver’s daily logs. Overall, everyone is doing a good job with their logs; however, some issues were discovered:

- The grid indicated the driver was off-duty; however, the fuel pump indicated the driver fueled sometimes 2-3 hours later.

- Off-duty time did not match the dispatcher’s log for return time.

It is illegal to complete your log prior to the event happening.  If your log is reviewed by a DOT official and they discover the log completed, the driver can be issued a personal ticket that has a substantial penalty.

Driving Violations – if you receive a driving violation, whether business or personal, on the job or off, please let the dispatcher know and provide them with the original or a copy of the violation (original if business / copy if personal).  The copy will be given to Kelly and you should arrange to see her. It’s important that you never plead guilty to a violation.  You should always mail in your violation signed not guilty so you have a chance to talk to the assistant district attorney to ask for a lesser charge or points.  With the strict guidelines our insurance company places, it’s important to keep your points and/or moving violations to a minimum.  Please see Kelly if you have any questions.  She’ll be happy to help you with this issue.  

Our main phone number is now 315-497-3329.  We are phasing out the 315-496-2261 number as it’s very costly for us because it’s considered a foreign exchange line.  Calls made to 2261 will be automatically forwarded for a few months until we can notify everyone of our number change.

Ø    Congratulations to Brian & Johanna Nye on the birth of their baby, Drew Donald.

Ø    Ken Nelson is in our thoughts as he recovers from heart catheterization.