in transit - january/february 2014

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION | AFL-CIO/CLC

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014

PROPOSED REFERENDUM COULD

SAVE KING COUNTY, W

A, JOBS

- SEE PAGE 17

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IN TRANSIT | January/February 2014 3

LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President

JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. International Executive Vice President

OSCAR OWENS International Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSLARRY R. KINNEAR

Ashburn, ON – [email protected] M. MURPHY

Newburyport, MA – [email protected] M. HYKAWAY

Calgary, AB – [email protected] G. McLEAN

Reno, NV – [email protected] M. BORCHARDT

Madison, WI – [email protected] BOWEN

Canton, MI – [email protected] R. KIRK

Lancaster, TX – [email protected] RAUEN

Clayton, NC – [email protected] BARNES

Flossmore, IL – [email protected] RIVERA

Lilburn, GA – [email protected] SALAZAR

Thornton, CO – [email protected] JOHNSON, SR.

Cleveland, OH – [email protected] WEST

Halifax, NS – [email protected] COSTA

Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected] WATSON

Syracuse, NY – [email protected]

CLAUDIA HUDSON Oakland, CA – [email protected]

BRUCE HAMILTON New York, NY – [email protected]

MICHELLE SOMMERS Brooklyn Park, MN – [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVESANTHONY WITHINGTON

Sebastopol, CA – [email protected]

DENNIS ANTONELLIS Spokane, WA – [email protected]

STEPHAN MACDOUGALL Boston, MA – [email protected]

ANTHONY GARLAND Washington, DC – [email protected]

CANADIAN DIRECTORMICHAEL MAHAR

Rexdale, ON - [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS NEWSBRIEFS

First Student memo exposes worker rewards for cutting corners

A “secret” corporate memo which told First Student managers in St. Louis that if they cut corners and reduced costs, they would receive a payout or bonus was exposed by school bus drivers during a news investigation. Concerned about student safety, drivers said the memo was at “the root of all the dangerous problems” including breakdowns and bad brakes. “It’s clear

profits come before safety at First Student,” says ATU International President Larry Hanley. “It also raises significant questions about the impact of all the cost cutting that is happening in this safety sensitive industry. What exactly are we saving as we demand discount public services?”

Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald.Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept.ISSN: 0019-3291. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361.RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:APC Postal Logistics, LLC, PO Box 503, RPO, West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6.

DebtLife StadiumPeyton Manning and his Broncos lost the Super Bowl in New Jersey, but the real losers are New Jersey taxpayers. Why? The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates MetLife Stadium is more than $800 million in debt from unwise spending, projects way over budget and politicians who used it as a giant patronage mill. And it’s the citizens of New Jersey who will be paying for decades for this big fat political fumble.

Corporations riding the gov’t gravy train, no new jobs, pensions distorted

State lawmakers who are considering drastic cuts to the retirement benefits of state workers are simultaneously giving away billions of dollars in corporate tax subsidies and loopholes, often in amounts far exceeding the cost of pensions, a new report from Good Jobs First (GJF) finds. “The lost revenue of states from corporate tax breaks and loopholes far exceeds the states’ pension

obligations,” said GJF Executive Director Greg LeRoy. “In the majority of states it was 2-1 ratio in revenue lost to pension obligation.” The report can be found at www.goodjobsfirst.org/

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUSInternational President Jim La Sala, ret.

International President Warren George, ret.

International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret. International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret.


20 million riders cannot be ignored

LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

You should start feeling it in bus depots and garages all over the U.S. and Canada – we are moving, fighting back, and saying, “Hey, we’re here, and we have something important to say!”

We are moving local members to action in every corner of the Union, and the members involved love it.

Trainings have started or been planned everywhere from New England to Seattle, and from Ontario to the Bay Area of California.

Current campaigns

We do this while we also have ten major campaigns at some level of development, which include:

• We are working with Local 1287 to fight privatization in Kansas City, MO, and we continue to struggle against privatization with Local 732, in Atlanta, as well.

• We pushed back and won a reprieve from privatization with Local 1145, in Binghamton, NY.

• Washington, DC, Locals 689 and 1764 get it, and are building a campaign to get big community support for a fair transit system.

• In New York City, Local 1181 is hammering away every day to get 2,000 members back to work after former Mayor Bloomberg gutted their contracts and job security. Despite success in court, we have not yet gotten corrective action from the new progressive mayor, Bill de Blasio.

• As you read this thousands of ATU members in Local 587 in Seattle are being trained and called upon to

volunteer in a campaign to pass a transit referendum on the ballot in April. There the issue of raising taxes for transit will determine the job security of 500 members and service security of tens of thousands of riders.

False sense of security

All over our two countries the attacks keep coming. In some places there is a false sense of security where members think, “It can’t happen here.” Trust me, bad things do happen to good people and good communities.

Across the U.S. and Canada transit riders and workers have been the “Rodney Dangerfields” of public service. “We don’t get no respect – no respect at all.”

Here’s your chance to change that. We have declared May 2014 International Transit Month:

We are asking every member to join in events in your town or city during the month of May. We will be reaching out to the riders – our natural allies – to stand with us for better transit.

We will send a message that 20 million riders can’t be ignored.

Our voices must be raised in all our cities. Are you IN? v

Please visit www.atu.org for more information and the latest ATU news.

4 January/February 2014 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | January/February 2014 5

2 International Officers & General Executive Board

NEWS Briefs

3 InternationalPresident’sMessage: 20 Million Riders Cannot Be Ignored

4 Index Page

5 InternationalExecutiveVicePresident’s Message:Consider, if you will, the following...

6 InternationalSecretary-Treasurer’sMessage: Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 Needed to Preserve the Right to Vote

7 LegislativeReport:ATU Releases Recommendations for New Transportation Bill

8 Hanley Calls on Congress for Transportation Bill That Enhances Nation’s Mobility

9 Letter to the Editor: Plymouth Pres Reveals Little-Known Fact About US Pro Sports Leagues

Little-Publicized NTSB Report Backs ATU Driver Fatigue Warnings

11 Kansas City, MO Transit Workers Fight Outsourcing

Transit Workers, Riders Applaud Bill to Modernize Voting Rights Act

12 Rochester, MN Transit Workers Ratify Strong Contract

ATU Scores Organizing Wins

13 Report Reveals Bloomberg School Bus Plan Would Cost NYC Millions

14 ‘Poor Mouth’ Portland Agency Gives Managers Big Raises

Portland President ‘disheartened’ by Tri-Met Audit Report

Former US Transportation Secretary Urges 10¢ Gas Tax Increase

CONTENT15 ATU, Residents Assail Possible Outsourcing in Binghamton, NY

Marketing Strategy for Privatizer National Express: Cut Driver Wages

16 Lack of Milwaukee Public Transit Highlights Nation’s Jobs Issues

US DOT Secretary: ‘Buses Provide Access to Jobs’

17 Proposed Referendum Could Save King County, WA Jobs

18 Driving a Bus Is Hazardous to Your Health

Justice, Safety for Women Transport Workers Goal of New Global Campaign

19 Above and Beyond: Less Fortunate have hero in Camden local’s ‘Momma G’

ATU ‘Angel’: Unidentified Winnipeg Member Saves Woman from Dangerous Cold Weather

20 New Transit Construction Booming, While Systems Face Budget Woes

21 ATU Hero: Alert Boston Service Agent Helps Save Commuter’s Life

Bad Streetcars are Bad Transit

22 Greyhound Driver Viciously Attacked

Suspect in Brutal Beating of Tri-Met Driver Released Pending Trial

23 Hanley Joins National, Minnesota Leaders to Push for Transit Equity

Vancouver Members Fight Back Against Driver Assault

24 85 People Own As Much As Entire Bottom Half of World

Reward Offered in Reopened Murder Case of Retired Norfolk, VA Local President

Gainesville, FL Members Declare Impasse

25 Bible saves Dayton bus driver in disturbing gang initiation shooting

International Mourns Death of Retired IVP Joe Welch

26 Attack On Kenosha Bus Driver: Blaming the Victim

Yuma Negotiations Continue Despite ‘No Confidence’ Vote

27 Translations (Spanish)

30 In Memoriam

31 How to Apply for and Enroll in Obamacare Health Insurance

32 It’s Only Fair...

2014JAN/FEB

Vol. 123, No. 1

ATU KICKS OFF ‘SPRING TRAINING’ 10


Consider, if you will, the following…

JAVIER PEREZ, JR., INTERNATIONAL EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT

A bus operator pulls into the company parking lot. An infrared beam scans the license plate and compares

it to a computerized list of authorized vehicles. The pre-assigned parking space registers that he has parked in the correct spot.

When he reaches the trainmen’s room, the operator taps his wallet containing his ID on an automatic reader, which identifies him, opens the elevator door, and grants him access to a designated floor. At the dispatcher’s window a computer records the time he arrives, and saves it to his personnel file. Had he not been on time his name would have flashed as an exception on the dispatcher’s screen.

The operator places his hand on a special rectangular “fitness for duty” pod on the window. The dispatcher reads the blood pressure, and the levels of cholesterol, glucose, alcohol and other drugs in his system. No exceptions in these levels are noted. The operator proceeds to the bus storage area.

Computer performs several tasks

The operator taps his ID card on the automatic reader on the fare box in the bus, which sets its computer in motion performing several tasks. Instantly the operator’s seat and mirrors self adjust to his preset comfort and safety positions, the radio is set, and the fare box keys itself in. Finding one tire’s air pressure a tad low the bus inflates it with air from the bellows. It checks fluid levels – but a human may still have to top off the oil if needed.

Pulling into the yard, the operator checks three small video screens on the dash displaying blind spots that can now be seen due to rear and side mounted cameras. The bus windows self-adjust to natural light to protect occupants from the UV rays of the sun and aid the vehicle’s climate

control system.

From this point on the operator’s only responsibility is to drive the bus on route and on time.

Next a mechanic – an Iraqi war veteran – pulls into the parking lot. Her license plate is scanned; she taps her ID, and places her hand on the fitness for duty pod.

Now she turns from the window prepared for work.

The Snap-On-Tool van pulls into the lot. The mechanic looks inside and sees a strange looking glove with a small “whatcha-ma-call-it” attached to the palm. The salesperson inserts the blade of a screwdriver in it, closes his hand and the blade whirs into action. The salesperson opens his hand and the blade stops. The salesperson hands her the glove and beckons her to check it out. She is amazed at the amount of dexterity it allows, and that it requires no batteries.

The future is made in the present

You LAUGH! You say this will never happen? But, the technology exists today.

The future is where we will live the rest of our lives. The future is made in the present. What will we need to know to do our jobs in the future? What are we going to do to insure it’s the future we want? v



Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 needed to preserve the right to vote

OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

There has always been a connection between the U.S. civil rights movement and buses.

In 1955, Rosa Parks’ defiance of laws that required African-Americans to sit in the back of the bus helped set the civil rights movement in motion.

In 1961, the Freedom Riders risked their lives by riding in mixed racial seating arrangements on intercity buses throughout segregated states, and entered stations together to move the civil rights agenda forward.

In 1963, buses brought thousands of people to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., deliver his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Voting rights pass

After years of struggle Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – a law that prohibited discrimination in voting – one of the hallmark achievements of that era.

Since that time, African-American voters have gone to the polls, and African Americans have been elected to office – including the highest office in the land. And by exercising that basic right much progress has been made. But, while most acknowledge that racism still exists, I don’t think people really believe that the Jim Crow era could ever return.

I suppose that’s why there was so little outrage when the Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act last year and some state governments started playing games with their polling practices to suppress minority voting.

One popular tactic has been to pass laws that practically require a citizen to have a driver’s license to vote.

These laws virtually guarantee that citizens without a driver’s license – people who ride buses – will find it difficult, if not impossible to vote. And that’s how persons of color, persons with disabilities, and seniors will be disenfranchised in the 21st Century if nothing is done.

Integrity?

Oh, they say it has nothing to do with racism – just ensuring the integrity of our election process. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

Well, they had “reasonable reasons” for segregation in 1955 too – but the system was still racist and immoral.

No one should be fooled by reasonable sounding words that have the effect of denying anyone their basic rights. Voter ID laws are just as racist and immoral today as literacy tests for voting were during segregation.

This is why a new bill, The Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, introduced in Congress by Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-WI, and John Conyers, D-MI, is so important. This legislation will reinstate the vital protections that the Supreme Court took away. The ATU was among the first unions to endorse it. (See story, page 11)

So, I urge you to tell your senators and representative in Congress that you support The Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, and ask them to support it too. Our right to vote is too important to let slip away. v



ATU has released its comprehensive proposal to Congress with new ideas on how to improve transit nationwide. The current law expires in October.

Doors Opening, Transit Workers and Riders United for America’s Mobility, notes that people are flocking to our cities. Without better transit, our nation faces total gridlock. ATU calls for doubling the size of the federal transit program to meet our mobility needs.

The proposal calls for local control of federal transit dollars so that transit systems can use those funds for operating assistance if needed.

ADA mobility crisis

The centerpiece of the proposal calls on Congress to address the poor quality of service provided for people with special needs. More than 20 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) demand-response service has been overrun with problems that seriously impact the quality of life of millions of Americans. ATU’s proposed TREAD program would provide $1 billion annually to address this mobility crisis.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing of fixed route bus service has more than doubled in recent years. The result has been deteriorating service, fare hikes, lower wages and reduced benefits. This leads to major turnover issues, resulting in training problems, safety issues, etc. Doors Opening calls for the rejection of federal policies that provide an advantage for the private sector.

Safety

Passenger safety has become a huge issue in fixed route transit, as we

have seen a dramatic increase in the level and intensity of senseless attacks on defenseless operators, putting everyone on the bus at risk. In addition, in too many cities, tight, computer-generated schedules and increased traffic congestion have created shifts in which no time is available to use the restroom, leading to highly distracted operators. Both of these issues raise major concerns, and ATU proposes common sense solutions to enhance operator and passenger safety.

Driver Fatigue

Safety is also an issue on intercity buses, which are now crashing at an alarming rate as the culture of the industry has changed dramatically. Bus drivers are falling asleep at the wheel because they are working grueling hours at abysmally low wages. And since intercity bus drivers are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime provisions, many drivers are forced to work second jobs during their so-called “rest period” in order to make ends meet. Doors Opening makes the case to lift the FLSA exemption.

The entire proposal is available at www.atu.org v

ATU releases recommendations for new transportation bill


Hanley calls on Congress for transportation bill that enhances nation’s mobility

Citing exploding urban populations, worsening traffic jams, young people forgoing cars and stressed public transit systems, International President Larry Hanley called on the U.S. House Transportation Committee to set forth a major urban transportation agenda at the first hearing on the reauthorization of the transportation funding bill.

MAP-21 is set to expire on October 1, setting up another potential battle in Congress over transportation funding.

One of only four witnesses, Hanley stressed to the committee that increased, and more flexible transit funding, enhanced transit health and safety efforts, expanded paratransit service, concerns with outsourcing transit systems, and workforce development are key elements to a comprehensive transportation bill.

Future worse than NJ ‘bridgegate’

“If you think the petty political trick that caused a traffic jam in New Jersey was bad, wait until you see the traffic jams across America as urban populations burst at the seams,” warned Hanley, calling on Congress to double mass transit funding over the next six years. “Where will

people get transit to get around as young people shun cars and more people move to cities?”

Hanley talked of the mass transit crisis, as 80 percent of transit systems across the country have had to cut service and raise fares, due to the economic downturn and flatlined transit funding.

“There has been a bipartisan decision in Washington that we can’t raise taxes on millionaires, yet as we watch income inequality growing, we ignore the fact that the decision not to fund transit has caused taxes to be increased again and again on those Americans who rely on transit to get around.”

He pointed out that Americans have overwhelmingly passed ballot initiatives raising their taxes to fund public transit.

Transit more than transportation

“We need to think beyond dollars and cents, and pass legislation that promotes what’s most important to us all,” Hanley continued. “Transit is more than transportation. It’s access to a job, a way to the doctor and better health, access to an education. It creates an opportunity for a better future for all.”

Committee members praised President Hanley and ATU members for their hard work each day in getting people safely and securely to their destinations. Members from both sides of the aisle asked pointed questions about the impacts of transit cuts, how to fund the bill and other key issues. Hanley in engaged in friendly and sometimes heated exchanges with committee members.

“We want to work with Congress,” Hanley emphasized. “We need Congress to start thinking big when it comes to public transit, which when done well has been and continues to be a great ladder of opportunity for all. Let’s pass a bipartisan bill that enhances mobility for all of us.” v


I was reading the In Transit and saw the article about football. In addition to tax breaks and free land deals that are given to sports teams there is another fact that not everyone is aware of. The NFL, NHL, PGA and ATP Tennis are considered to be “not-for-profit trade associations” and are tax exempt as a 501(c) (6). MLB was also until 2007 when it changed its tax status.

The NFL earned over $10 billion last year and the league office in New York made over $225 million from dues and other payments and paid no taxes on this money. They pay no taxes on their Park Ave. offices or property.

Sen. Tom Coburn from Oklahoma has proposed a bill (S.1524 - Pro Sports Act) that would eliminate this but it is going nowhere. The billionaire owners of the NFL and NHL have many politicians they support financially so this tax money that could be used for transit and other programs that could help many is being protected for the wealthy – “our government in action.” v

— Local President Charles Ryan, 1548-Plymouth, MA

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Plymouth pres reveals little-known fact about US pro sports leagues

Little-publicized NTSB report backs ATU driver fatigue warnings

A little-publicized National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, “Safety Challenges and Oversight in the Motorcoach Industry: Attitudes and Perceptions of Driv-ers, Roadside Inspectors, and Federal Investigators” pub-lished in 2012 confirms ATU’s long-standing concerns about driver fatigue.

The report’s authors conducted focus groups of drivers, fed-eral safety investigators and state motor carrier inspectors, and found drivers had “problems with getting sufficient sleep, pressure from companies to drive longer than per-mitted, and fears of motor carriers giving them less work if they turned down driving jobs.” Drivers described holding multiple jobs to earn an adequate income.

Inadequate sleep

The federal safety investigators and inspectors expressed concern about falsified logbooks, inadequate sleep among motorcoach drivers, hazards from speeding motorcoaches, practices by motorcoach carriers to mask ownership and avoid oversight, and difficulties keeping up with rapid motorcoach industry growth.

“This report shows the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemption for intercity bus drivers entices operators to overwork their low wage drivers rather than pay them the overtime they deserve,” says International President Hanley. “This forces many drivers to work second jobs just to make ends meet. Until overtime and other regulations for bus drivers are restored and enforced, we will continue to see carnage on our highways.” v

The entire report can be read at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3503431/


Football season is over, and the thoughts of many North Americans are now focused on just one thing – spring training. Yes, as the weather grows warmer, baseball fans’ hearts skip a beat evaluating the new players on their team, pouring over a schedule that stretches to October, and handicapping their chances to win the pennant.

That excitement is being generated within the ATU, as well, as our own spring training is underway. ATU officers and members are now participating in the next generation of union instruction. Participants are learning new strategies to empower members to get involved, make our locals stronger, and prepare for the battles ahead.

Louisville, KY: ‘Engaging, thought provoking’

More than 35 members of Local 1447-Louisville, KY, took part in the daylong training conducted by labor educator Paul McCarthy. Instruction covered how to be an effective union member in a hostile work environment, building rider and community coalitions, strategies for bargaining, and other topics.

Local President Jonathan Dooley observed, “When the training started, it took less than 15 minutes for everybody to become comfortable and ready to learn. It was engaging, direct, and thought provoking.”

“Another Local 1447 trainee said, “I learned the importance of getting all members involved, and that we need to think outside the box to achieve that. We also need to build coalitions with our riders because without them we would not have a job. I now feel empowered to make a difference in my union.”

Ontario: ‘Eye opening, informative’

Locals 1572-Mississauga, ON; 1573-Brampton, ON; 1587-Toronto, ON; and 1602-St. Catharines-ON; gathered to take part in the first Canadian training. Fifty-five members spent the day with McCarthy learning the roles and responsibilities of an active and constructive union member.

McCarthy discussed the difficult climate created by anti-union governments, corporations, and the billionaires who control them. He warned that those forces are working every minute to divide and conquer and make sure non-union workers see union people as the enemy. Members cannot leave it to their executive board and stewards, he said, to lead the charge without the members solidly and actively working behind them.

“The training was eye-opening and informative,” said Local 1572 President Nick Bye. “The members left ready to build a strong union; ready for any fight that comes their way.”

Vital first step

The ATU instruction is a vital first step in animating our membership and galvanizing our riders into a potent political force that will have an impact on local and national legislation, the U.S. Congressional elections in November, and key municipal elections in a number of Canadian provinces.

There’s a lot more training events to come. ATU encourages all members to take part in this exciting educational program. Contact your local officers and tell them you want ATU training or email us directly at [email protected] v

ATU kicks off ‘spring training’ in Louisville and Ontario


Kansas City, MO, transit workers fight outsourcing

Privatization schemes are on the docket at transit properties across the United States and Canada. But in several major metropolitan areas, privatization has taken on a new form.

Instead of the usual claims that they can improve existing bus and train service and cuts costs, outsourcers are building “premium” transportation, like streetcars, that do little to expand options for working people while delivering huge profits to developers and downtown real estate interests. In the process, they divert millions of dollars away and intentionally starve our public transit systems. See, also “Bad Street cars are bad transit,” page 21)

The result?

Higher fares for bus and train passengers; and wage cuts and job losses for ATU members.

That’s what some have in mind for Kansas City, MO – but Local 1287 is ahead of the curve and fighting back! Local 1287 members have begun a campaign to keep Kansas City transit public. They are also pushing back against a threat from the city manager who says he will contract out 40 percent of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s existing service if he doesn’t get the results he wants from arbitration.

More than 125 fired-up members attended a meeting to learn how to empower each other and organize their riders. They will be mobilizing their sisters and brothers, coordinating with community allies, and hosting transit town halls to engage the entire city in a frank discussion about the future of KC public transit. v

Transit workers, riders applaud bill to modernize voting rights actCOMMON SENSE, BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION PROTECTS VOTING RIGHTS OF MINORITIES, TRANSIT RIDERS, ALL PEOPLE

ATU and Americans for Transit (A4T) released the following statement in response to the introduction on January 16, of the “Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014”:

“We applaud the introduction of this bipartisan legislation that will provide vital protections for all voters against discrimination at the ballot box and ensure every American their right to vote.

“This bill will address the Supreme Court’s 2013 Voting Rights Act decision, which turned the clock back to the Jim Crow-era when state laws prevented people of color from voting – creating a permanent underclass in American society. That ruling, which requires that particular picture IDs be provided in order to vote, virtually legalizes voter suppression in those states, and encourages it in others. It especially hurts transit riders, the poor, seniors, and persons with disabilities, who rely on public transit, often don’t possess driver’s licenses, and are vulnerable to disenfranchisement efforts.

“We urge Congress to pass this bipartisan bill to protect the most fundamental right of our country – the right of every American citizen to vote.” v

Rep. John Lewis, D-GA., accompanied by fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus express disappointment in the Supreme Court’s decision on Shelby County v. Holder that invalidates Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)


ATU welcomes new members to our ranks. Locals have been waging and winning hard fought organizing campaigns, giving more transit workers a voice on the job. The following are the new members who recently voted to join ATU:

✓ November 26, 2013: 32 Standard Parking employees who operate buses at the Richmond Airport, joined Local 1220-Richmond, VA.

✓ December 13, 2013: 89 MV Transportation employees who operate paratransit and foster care transportation for the Fairfax (VA) Connector, joined Local 689-Washington, DC.

✓ December 19, 2013: 98 Durham School Service employees operating school buses voted to join Local 1564-Detroit, MI.

✓ January 15, 2014: MV Transportation voluntarily recognized Local 689-Washington, DC, as the labor representative of 308 employees (could rise to as many as 400) providing transportation for Head Start.

✓ January 31, 2014: 300 First Transit employees providing transportation for Metro Access paratransit, joined Local 689-Washington, DC. v

After more than a year of negotiating, Rochester, MN, bus drivers and dispatchers ratified a contract with First Transit, which manages the city’s transit system.

The 55 members of Local 1005- Minneapolis, MN, overwhelmingly voted for the three-year contract, that includes pay increases, back pay, and improved benefits. They had been working without a contract for a year.

Local President Mark Lawson said members were glad to have this behind them. “It is nice to be able to move on and keep providing good transit service in Rochester. That’s the goal of everybody, and it’s nice not to have this hanging over everybody’s head.” v

Rochester, MN, transit workers ratify strong contract

ATU scores organizing wins


Report reveals Bloomberg school bus plan would cost NYC millions

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to save money by not requiring long-standing employee protection provisions (EPPs) in its schoolbus contracts would actually cost taxpayers millions while jeopardizing the safety of students, a new report finds.

The study by Peter Donohue of San Francisco’s PBI Associates for ATU found Bloomberg’s changes to schoolbus service contracts would increase costs between $60 million to $239 million, rather than save the $20 to $40 million the mayor claimed.

International President Larry Hanley calls the plan misleading and adds, “The ‘supposed savings’ promised by Bloomberg through contracts without EPPs, in place since 1979, will not come from cutting the cost of schoolbus service but from shifting its costs onto displaced bus workers, other city agencies, the state, students, their parents, and taxpayers. We call on the incoming city controller to hold the contracts for a thorough review.” v

STAY CONNECTEDFor the latest ATU News and Action Alerts please check

out the ATU’s social media network

Facebook: facebook.com/ATUInternational

Twitter: twitter.com/ATUComm

YouTube: youtube.com/user/stpatuorg

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/atuinternational/


The general manager of Portland, OR’s Tri-Met transit agency said he was done giving secret raises to his managers last year, after he was caught doing that while cutting service and raising fares.

So he very publically gave a 12 percent raise to his director of revenue operations, and a 6.2 percent raise (they call them “market adjustments”) to his safety division manager this year.

Meanwhile Local 757 and Tri-Met remain locked in tense negotiations in which the GM has asserted that ATU members need to accept benefit cuts.

“It’s frustrating when they’re preaching transparency and poverty and blaming the union employees for their financial problems,” says Local President Bruce Hansen, “yet they continue to find money for big raises.” v

‘Poor mouth’ Portland agency gives managers big raises

Local 757-Portland, OR, has complained about safety and health problems for years at Tri-Met, the city’s transit system. Now, in its first-ever comprehensive agency audit, Oregon’s secretary of state has noted more than two dozen areas that management should work on, from safety and scheduling to labor-management relations and unfunded liabilities.

Local President Bruce Hansen remained unimpressed by the findings.

“When I finished reading the report, I felt pretty disheartened,” he said. “The auditors just seem to be in lock-step with Tri-Met on every key issue.”

Meanwhile, Tri-Met has asked the state’s Employment Relations Board to mediate a settlement with Local 757 in negotiations which have been ongoing since the previous contract expired on November 30, 2012. v

Portland president ‘disheartened’ by Tri-Met audit report

Congress should raise the federal gas tax by 10 cents and index it to future inflation. That’s the opinion of former U.S. secretary of transportation and longtime Republican member of the House, Ray LaHood, who’s urging the president to adopt the increase to help fund the nation’s transportation priorities. He’s promoting the idea in his new role as co-chair of the organization, “Building America’s Future.”

“I think what the Congress ought to do is look at what the states are doing,” he says. “Just about every state or city that has had a referendum to raise the sales tax one penny or whatever, they almost always pass. So if people are afraid that the electorate is going to heap some kind of retribution on them if they raise the tax, they need to look at cities and states that have done it, where it has passed.” v

Former US transportation secretary urges 10¢ gas tax increase


ATU Local 1145-Binghamton, NY’s comprehensive campaign to fight privatization has won a big battle as Broome County, NY, officials and legislators have put the decision to issue a “request for proposals” (RFP) from private transit contractors on hold.

The move comes following the signing of a concessionary contract by the local.

Local President Peter Schiraldi reports that, “most county legislators feel that it’s going to be hard for the county to privatize now that… we did take concessions with cost savings to the county.”

ATU has fought the privatization proposal for months. Earlier this winter, the local helped organize a “Speak Out” forum in which lawmakers heard from of over 80 citizens who opposed the idea.

Schiraldi told officials that, “Outsourcing critical community services like public transit… to private companies who are primarily interested in squeezing out as much profit as possible rather than serving the people of Broome County is a major mistake…We will not stand for it.”

The local president says that the county deputy executive now “feels that so long as things are improving there is no need to issue the RFP.” v

Binghamton privatization on holdLOCAL 1145 CAMPAIGN SEES SUCCESS, FIGHT CONTINUES

When ATU negotiates with private transit companies like Veolia, First Transit, and MV Transportation, it’s clear from their tactics at the table that one of their chief goals is to cut drivers’ wages any way possible.

Now a marketing presentation from National Express, a United Kingdom-based transportation company that runs school buses in 29 states and two provinces, reveals that truth. In a document under the company’s “Strategic Initiatives,” National Express lists “Reduce Driver Wages” as a selling point to school districts and transit agencies. v

Marketing Strategy for Privatizer National Express: Cut Driver Wages


When Milwaukee resident Shawn Brown-Troop fell behind on car payments, he lost more than his car. He had to give up his job in a suburb because he could only get there by public transportation.

He is one of thousands of Milwaukee residents who struggle to find work without a car as available jobs grow outside Milwaukee – beyond the reach of a weak county transit system. It’s also a problem for businesses that can’t fill jobs because qualified applicants have no way to get to work. Many cities across North America are experiencing similar issues.

Transit and workforce advocates, and companies are working to find solutions including exploring the development of a regional transit system to help fund an expanded system that would meet the demands.

“If there was a bus going out there, I’d still be working, even if it was an hour trip,” said Brown-Troop. v

Lack of Milwaukee public transit highlights nation’s jobs issue

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx toured the nearly completed East-West Circulator Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in downtown Orlando, a project that reflects how transportation can help create the type of economic

opportunities President Obama called for in his State of the Union Address.

The BRT project will offer free transportation to thousands of hard-working families who need reliable access to

Orlando’s major employers, schools, health care facilities and other services

“In his State of the Union Address, the president called on us to build new ladders of opportunity to help more families join America’s middle class and to give them a shot at creating a better life for their children,” said Foxx. “This project is a great example of how Orlando’s growing network of transit buses will connect families from communities like Thornton Park and Parramore with access to jobs, education and basic necessities like the grocery store.” v

US DOT secretary: ‘buses provide access to jobs’SAYS PROJECT REFLECTS HOW TRANSPORTATION HELPS CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY


In a long-standing battle over public transit, “this is a do-or-die” moment says the University of Washington’s transportation services director. He’s referring to a proposal to hold an April referendum on a county tax measure that would preserve current service and save Local 587 members’ jobs.

The measure would increase the sales tax by one-tenth of a cent per dollar, and set an annual car-tab fee of $60.

The new funding would erase Metro’s expected $75 million deficit, and cancel plans to cut 74 routes and reduce service on 107 others in September – cuts that would effect 80 percent of the county’s bus riders and put 30,000 more cars on the road.

On Jan. 28, at a rally sponsored by Local 587, riders and transit workers expressed outrage at impending and current cuts. Bus drivers spoke about not even having time to run to the bathroom, thanks to cuts in schedules that eliminate rest breaks. Riders suffer from late buses, greater distances between stops and drivers who are grumpy from overwork and stress. But the good news is that both transit workers and riders talked about the urgent need to build a movement with a labor-community alliance as the foundation. v

Proposed referendum could save King County, WA, jobs


Driving a Bus Is Hazardous To Your Health

Chronic work-related diseases are hard to see just by looking at someone.

Take bus drivers. Recent research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows that bus drivers and other “passenger transit workers” suffer greater rates of illness than workers in many other industries and occupations.

Transit work is one of the top three jobs in which you face the highest risk of contracting 10 common diseases.

Job-related hazards also contribute to the fact that these workers have 120% above the average rate for nine chronic diseases.

Tim Bushnell from NIOSH found the startling numbers by looking at the employer-based group health insurance medical claims of two insurance companies. They reflect people’s real health problems, rather than incomplete workers’ compensation claims.

Bushnell studied the records of 214,413 workers in 55 sectors – two-thirds of all possible types of workplaces. “Passenger transit workers” include all types of bus drivers, as well as commuter rail, streetcar, subway, van pool, airport limousine, taxi, and ambulance drivers.

Over 40% have high blood pressure

The scariest finding: 41.5% of the transit workers had hypertension (high blood pressure), compared to 27.6% for all the 214,413 workers studied. High blood pressure leads to all kinds of other health problems, including heart attacks and strokes. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Reprinted with permission by www.worksafe.org v

Justice, safety for women transport workers goal of new global campaign

The International Transport Workers Federation - ITF - has started a global campaign to fight for justice and safety for women transport workers. The campaign and its action plan were initiated at a conference of 270 ITF women transport workers in Delhi, India, January 27-28.

The ATU is increasing our investment and working more closely with the ITF.

A RadioLabour report on the campaign featured Diana Holland, chair of the ITF’s women’s committee and assistant gen-eral secretary of Unite, one of the UK’s largest unions. The report also features Alison McGarry, the ITF’s women transport workers coordinator and Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the ITUC. v

Go to: http://www.radiolabour.net/itf-women-050214.htm

Preliminary numbers show transit drivers have these diseases at rates above the average for workers in 55 industries/sectors. The star indicates when they are in the top three for that condition.”


The homeless and less fortunate have a true hero at Local 880-Camden, NJ, looking out for them and setting an example for all Union members.

Sister Gloria Smith, a bus driver for 28 years, has organized a holiday drive to collect food, clothing and toys for the poorer citizens of Camden City, the last few years.

Rather than spending Christmas Day with her family, Sister Smith (on the right in the photo) and her volunteers handed out food, clothing, blankets, coats, toys, and games while serving hot dogs and coffee to the less fortunate citizens of Camden City.

‘Heart of Gold’

“Sister Smith has a heart of gold and would do anything for everybody. She is affectionately known as ‘Mom-

ma G’ to her passengers,” says Local President Stephen Knestaut. “She always offers to help when she sees someone who is down on their luck. Sister Smith has an infectious smile and brightens the day of everyone she comes into contact with. She is truly a selfless person who definitely gives back to society.”

ATU applauds Sister Gloria Smith for going “Above & Beyond.”

If you know an ATU member like Sister Smith who goes the extra mile for your local or community, nominate him or her for ATU’s “Above & Beyond” by emailing [email protected]. v

Less Fortunate have hero in Camden local’s ‘Momma G’

Canadians are used to cold weather, so a Winnipeg, MB, woman waited outdoors so she wouldn’t miss her bus home even though temperatures dipped to -38 degrees Celsius.

A bus driver on another route stopped and insisted the woman get on his bus and warm up. He then drove her to a stop on his route where she could wait for her bus inside a heated shack.

“He said that he saw icicles falling from my eyelashes, and he knew he had to get me on that bus,” said the rider, who called the unidentified bus driver her “Transit Angel.” v

ATU ‘Angel’UNIDENTIFIED WINNIPEG MEMBER SAVES WOMAN FROM DANGEROUS COLD WEATHER


New transportation projects will open or be under construction this year all over North America. Billions of dollars are being spent on transit capital undertakings, while, in America, operating expenses get short shrift. The question facing the U.S. Congress will be whether they will include money to hire the workers needed for the new service in the next transportation reauthorization bill, which must be passed by October 1.

New transit lines will open this year in cities where ATU represents transit workers such as Minneapolis, MN; Edmonton, AB; Dallas, TX; and Calgary, AB. Streetcar lines will open in Atlanta, GA; Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC, among others. And new bus rapid transit will begin in Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Orlando, FL; Los Angeles, CA; and outside Toronto, ON.

New construction will begin or continue in New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Fresno, CA; El Paso, TX; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Portland, OR, among others.

In Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper revealed that a $14 billion infrastructure fund is contemplated there.

According to TheTransportPolitic.com, “It’s a veritable circus of construction activity, almost everywhere. In total, 737 miles of new lines or line extensions, in addition to 10 new stations or major station renovations, will be either complete or under construction in 2014, accounting for a total of $80.7 billion in programmed funding.” v

New transit construction booming, while systems face budget woes

Graphic by Transport Politic


Kevin Bossart, a 24-year-old MBTA commuter, has quick-acting Customer Service Agent Karen Kane, 589-Boston, MA, and MBTA Training School Instructor Tomas Gon-zales to thank for saving his life.

Bossart, who has a pre-existing heart condition, suffered sudden cardiac arrest at a Quincy station causing him to pass out, fall down some stairs and strike his head. Kane saw him and quickly got Gonzales to rush over and begin administering CPR.

Gonzales performed CPR for about 45 minutes before an ambulance arrived to take Bossart to the hospital. Bossart’s father, Bob, says doctors credit the CPR with saving his son’s life.

Bossart remains in critical condition and has a long road ahead of him but his family wanted to meet Kane and

Gonzales to thank them for helping their son, who will celebrate his 25th birthday next month. v

ATU HeroALERT BOSTON SERVICE AGENT HELPS SAVE COMMUTER’S LIFE

Streetcar projects are all the rage these days. From Kansas City to Cincinnati to Los Angeles to Washington, DC, to New Orleans, cities across the country have started or are proposing streetcar lines. The federal government is fueling this streetcar revival by giving out money for capital expenditures, but nothing for operations.

The other problem is that the majority of these streetcar lines aren’t located in communities that need and rely on public transit, but instead in tourist areas of cities, running less than four miles long, according to a recent study by Transit Cooperative Research Program. As a sign of the further isolation of the streetcar, many agencies are out-sourcing the operations to private companies such as Veolia, RATP-McDonald and others.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley is so fed up with his city’s streetcar project that he threatened to overhaul the board that runs Metro, Greater Cincinnati’s largest public transportation agency. “The fact is they (the board) were willing to cannibalize bus service…The streetcar is basically a luxury item that people believe may or may not spur economic development. No one really believes it’s a transportation system. Even the supporters say it’s a luxury item that will make our city ‘cool,’” Cranley says. “Buses get people from their homes to their jobs.” v

Bad streetcars are bad transit

From left: MBTA Customer Service Agent Karen Kane, 589-Boston, MA, Trish Bossart, MBTA Instructor Tomas Gonzales, and Bob Bossart. The Bossarts came to thank Kane and Gonzales for saving the life of their son who suffered cardiac arrest at a Quincy station.


Courts still seem not to take bus driver assault seriously. Pamela Thompson, 757-Portland, OR, was just beginning to heal up from the beating she received from a passenger, when she received news that her alleged attacker was

released from jail under close supervision, pending trial. “I was hoping he would go straight from the arrest to trial to jail,” said Thompson.

Thompson was taken aback by the release of the man who she says attacked her over a fare and transfer dispute.

“He jumped up and grabbed me and turned me around and threw me behind the driver’s seat and pinned me between the driver’s box and the driver’s seat and proceeded to pound my head 15 times,” she remembers. While the driver’s physical wounds are healing, she is still too traumatized to begin driving again. v

Suspect in brutal beating of Tri-Met driver released pending trial

Another over-the-road driver has been viciously and senselessly attacked.

This time, a passenger thought to be “hallucinating” got past a protective shield and began punching a Greyhound operator in the face as he was driving from Los Angeles to Dallas.

During the attack the bus crossed the median on an Arizona highway. Passengers helped fight off the attacker and regain

control of the bus. Twenty-six passengers were injured.

As assaults on transit workers continue to rise across North America, ATU has been pushing for increased safety measures including transit police and other actions. v

Greyhound driver viciously attacked


Vancouver members fight back against driver assault

Fed up with the more than 116 assaults on transit workers last year, Local 134-Vancouver, BC, members will be launching a campaign to fight back against these violent attacks.

The Vancouver transit workers will wear buttons that read, “Stop assaults on transit workers” to spread awareness about the growing problem.

The campaign is being launched as unions have started offering $15,000 rewards to people who come forward with information leading to convictions of attackers.

“We will continue to fight the fight and hopefully there will be a resolution at the end of the day,” said Local 134 President Geoffrey Devlin. “We all have to wear this pin and all stick together and all come together for the same common good.” v

Hanley joins national, Minnesota leaders to push for transit equity

Calling for more development and investment in Minnesota’s transit systems, and better transit equity to serve small communities, International President Larry Hanley

joined politicians, community organizers, and transit leaders at the “Everyone Deserves a Seat: Transportation, Jobs, and Equity Forum,” in St. Paul, MN.

Hanley informed the forum about ATU’s work organizing transit riders across the country to fight for more buses, more routes, and better bus schedules. He urged a partnership between union members and transit riders saying, “our workplace is how you get to yours.”

Organizers said the forum was a success, bringing together many of the organizations working on transit and transit issues. “If we’re going to be successful in moving a bill – a major investment in our future, in our infrastructure – we need everyone working in a coordinated fashion,” said one organizer. v

There’s a big wide world out there, and it’s tough to keep up with all the events which can affect your profession and your livelihood. One of the easiest ways to stay informed is by visiting: www.atu.org.

Don’t stay in the dark! Find out what’s going on.

Visit www.atu.org.


Citing stalled progress at the bargaining table, Gainesville transit workers have declared an impasse in negotiations with the Regional Transit System.

At the heart of the disagreement is wages. The drivers are among the lowest paid of any fixed route transit system in Florida or Georgia. It is nearly impossible for drivers and other workers to reach the top end of the pay scale through the current system the city now offers. Local 1579, which represents the workers, says this is why RTS is struggling to retain drivers. v

Gainesville, FL, members declare impasse

In 1998, ATU lost a loyal friend and respected brother when retired Local 1177-Norfolk, VA, President Ben Owens was shot and killed during a robbery at a gas station in Chesapeake, VA. The case was never solved, but was recently reopened after authorities found some possible leads.

The International is once again assisting Chesapeake police by honoring its offer of a $6,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. v

Reward offered in reopened murder case of retired Norfolk, VA local president

Economic inequality across the world continues to grow, threatening global, political and economic stability.

A new Oxfam report “Working For The Few” concluded that one percent of the global population controls half of the world’s wealth. Researchers based the report on Credit Suisse’s “Global Wealth Report 2013” and Forbes’ latest list of the world’s billionaires.

The report also found that the world’s 85 richest people own the same amount as the entire bottom half of the world’s population.

Ramifications

Not surprisingly the ramifications of such inequality may be dire, the report suggests. Instead of moving forward together, the report says, people are increasingly separated by economic and political power, inevitably heightening social tensions and increasing the risk of societal breakdown.”

The full report can be found at http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/working-for-the-few-economic-inequality. v

85 people own as much as entire bottom half of world


Retired International Vice President Joe Welch, 83, passed away, February 13. Beloved and respected by all who knew him, Brother Welch served the Union in various capacities for 37 years until his retirement in 2010.

A veteran of the National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps, the future IVP began working as a bus operator and became a member of Local 580-Syracuse, NY, in 1955. He was elected president of the local in 1973, financial secretary/business agent in 1974, and IVP in 1986.Hard working, tireless, and loyal, Welch was known for providing extensive and useful assistance to locals across New York State. He had a pivotal role in the creation of true and fair standards for the federal Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and developed an ATU program to prepare operators to take the test.

Not just an officer

Welch was an expert on local union matters, but he’s remembered most for caring personally about everyone with whom he came into contact. He was not just an officer, but a real friend.

Welch is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karin Kremin Welch, his eight children, 16 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

One of Welch’s daughters says, “We shared daddy with thousands of brothers and sisters of the Amalgamated Transit Union. ATU runs through my veins.” ATU thanks the Welch family for sharing him with us. v

International mourns death of retired International Vice

President Joe Welch

In what some are calling divine “intervention,” Local 1385 Steward Rick Wagoner’s life was saved by a pocket New Testament that stopped two bullets allegedly shot by one of three teens seeking to become members of a gang.

“This unprovoked attack should outrage every member of our community,” says Local President Glenn Sayler, who is pursuing measures to protect his members and passengers with RTA and local officials.

Wagoner, 49, was inspecting his bus, which had just broken down, when the teens approached from behind. He heard one of them say, “If you want to be all the way in the club, you have to kill the polar bear,” just before the bible in his

pocket prevented the bullets fired by a one of the teens from taking his life.

The driver was shot again in the leg, and stabbed in the arm as he wrestled the gun and knife from his assailants. He thinks he might have shot one of the suspects with their own gun as they fled to a waiting car.

Wagoner managed to drive his bus to the next hub where he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

RTA workers are understandably disturbed by the apparent initiation rite in which prospective gang members target a uniformed worker for death. They have received strong support from riders, who are equally concerned with the safety and security on RTA buses. v

Bible saves Dayton bus driver in disturbing gang initiation shooting


Negotiations are expected to resume in March between the Yuma County members of Local 1433-Phoenix, AZ, and contractor, “Transportation Concepts,” after months of discord between the two parties.

Yuma negotiations continue despite ‘no confidence’ vote

A Kenosha, WI, operator has gotten his job back after being dismissed for defending himself against a vicious assault. The violent attack is yet another example of the increasing risk transit riders and drivers across North America face each day in their commute.

A member of Local 998-Milwaukee, WI, the driver was assaulted by a passenger on his route and then fought back

to protect himself and his passengers. Kenosha Area Transit fired the driver, blaming him for the incident.

The International and local protested the firing, and after meeting with the local, the agency agreed to bring the driver back after a five-day suspension.

‘Outrageous’

“These senseless violent acts continue to afflict transit operators all over the United States and Canada, putting passengers at serious risk,” says International President Larry Hanley. “It is outrageous that a driver who acted to defend himself and quell the violence that threatened his passengers is fired for his actions.” v

Attacked Kenosha driver gets job back after outrageous dismissal

In the meantime, the Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority announced that it will “publicly acknowledge” its support for YCIPTA Director John Andoh who has come under fire from employees for “irresponsible” management of the agency.

Taking a page from the British parliamentary system, the local’s 36 Yuma members unanimously voted “no confidence” in Andoh who they charged had created a “hostile work environment.” v


20 millones de pasajeros no pueden ser ignorados

Usted debería a empezar a sentirlo en las estaciones/terminales de autobuses y garajes por todo los Estados Unidos y Canadá – nos estamos moviendo, estamos contraatacando, y diciendo, “¡Oye, estamos aquí, y tenemos algo importante que decir!”

Estamos moviendo a los miembros locales hacia la acción en cada rincón del Sindicato y a los miembros que participan les encanta.

Los entrenamientos han empezado ya o se han planificado por todos los lados, desde Nueva Inglaterra (New England) a Seattle, y desde Ontario al Área de la Bahía de California.

Campañas Actuales

Hacemos esto, mientras que también tenemos diez campañas mayores en algún nivel de desarrollo, lo que incluye:

• Estamos trabajando con el Local 1287 para luchar contra la privatización en Kansas City, MO, y también continuamos luchando contra la privatización con el Local 732 en Atlanta.

• Contraatacamos y ganamos un aplazamiento en la privatización con el Local 1145 en Binghamton, NY.

• Los Locales 689 y 1764 de Washington, DC lo entienden, y están construyendo una campaña para conseguir mucho apoyo de la comunidad para un sistema de transporte justo.

• En New York City, el Local 1181 está trabajando duro cada día para devolver 2,000 miembros al trabajo, después de que el Alcalde Bloomberg destripó sus contratos y su seguridad de trabajo. A pesar del éxito en el tribunal, aún no hemos recibido acción correctiva del alcalde progresista Bill de Blasio.

• Mientras usted lee esto, miles de miembros de ATU en el Local 587 de Seattle están siendo preparados y llamados para que sean voluntarios en la campaña

para pasar un referéndum en la votación de Abril. Ahí el asunto de aumentar los impuestos para el transporte determinará la seguridad del trabajo de 500 miembros y la seguridad del servicio de decenas de miles de pasajeros.

Sensación de Seguridad Falsa

En todas partes en nuestros dos países los ataques siguen. En algunos sitios hay una sensación de seguridad falsa donde los miembros piensan, “No puede pasar aquí.” Confía en mí, las cosas malas si le pasan a la gente buena y a las comunidades buenas.

En todo Estados Unidos y Canadá los pasajeros de tránsito y los trabajadores han sido los “Rodney Dangerfields” del servicio público. No nos respetan – nada de respeto.

Aquí está su oportunidad para cambiarlo. Hemos declarado Mayo de 2014 como el Mes Internacional de Tránsito:

Le estamos pidiendo a cada miembro, que se una a los eventos en su ciudad o pueblo durante el mes de Mayo. Vamos a contactar a los pasajeros – nuestros aliados naturales – para que se levanten con nosotros para un tránsito mejor.

Vamos a mandar un mensaje de que 20 millones de pasajeros no pueden ser ignorados.

Nuestras voces tienen que elevarse en todas nuestras ciudades. ¿Está usted con NOSOTROS? v

Por favor visite www.atu.org para más información y las últimas noticias de ATU.

Considere, si lo desea, lo siguiente…

Un operador/conductor de autobús entra en el estacionamiento de la empresa. Un rayo infrarrojo escanea la placa de matrícula y la compara con una lista computerizada de vehículos autorizados. El lugar para


estacionarse preasignado registra que él se ha estacionado en el sitio correcto.

Cuando llega a la sala de taquillas, el operador golpea ligeramente con su cartera, que tiene su documento de identificación, en un lector automático que lo identifica, abre la puerta del elevador/ascensor y le permite acceder a un piso designado. En la ventana del despachador un computador registra la hora a la que llega y la almacena en su archivo personal, Si no ha llegado a tiempo, su nombre aparecerá marcado como una excepción en la pantalla del despachador.

El operador coloca su mano en un receptáculo rectangular especial para verificar la “aptitud para el trabajo”, que está situado sobre la ventana. El despachador lee la presión arterial, y los niveles de colesterol, glucosa, alcohol y otras drogas en su sistema. No se identifica ninguna excepción en estos niveles. El operador procede hacia el área de almacenamiento de autobuses.

La computadora realiza varias tareas

El operador golpea ligeramente con su tarjeta de identificación el lector que está en el dispositivo de cobro de billetes del autobús, lo que hace que la computadora ponga en marcha distintas tareas. Instantáneamente, el asiento y los espejos del operador se auto-ajustan a sus posiciones predeterminadas de seguridad y comodidad, se ajusta la radio y el dispositivo de cobro de billetes del autobús se conecta. Si se encuentra que la presión de una llanta/rueda está un poco baja el autobús infla la llanta con aire de las bombas/fuelles. Verifica los niveles de líquidos, pero una persona puede que tenga que rellenar el aceite, si es necesario.

Al entrar en el patio, el operador verifica tres pequeñas pantallas de video en el panel de instrumentos que enseñan los puntos ciegos, que pueden verse ahora debido a las cámaras montadas en los laterales y la parte de atrás. Las ventanas del autobús se auto-ajustan para proteger a los ocupantes de los rayos ultravioleta del sol y ayudar al sistema de control de clima del vehículo.

Desde este punto en adelante la única responsabilidad del operador es manejar el autobús dentro de su ruta y a tiempo.

Después, una mecánica – una veterana de la Guerra de Irak – llega al estacionamiento. Se escanea su placa de

matricula, ella golpea ligeramente con su documento de identificación, pone su mano en el receptáculo que indica su aptitud para trabajar.

Ahora se aleja de la ventana preparada para trabajar.

La camioneta de Herramientas-Que-Encajan (Snap-On-Tool) entra en el estacionamiento. La mecánica mira dentro y ve un guante extraño que tiene un pequeño artilugio unido a la palma. El vendedor inserta la hoja de un destornillador en el artilugio, cierra su mano y la hoja se pone en acción zumbando. El vendedor abre su mano y la hoja se para. El vendedor le pasa el guante y le hace señas para que lo pruebe. Ella se queda sorprendida de la cantidad de destreza que permite y de que no necesite baterías.

El futuro se hace en el presente

¡Usted se RÍE! ¿Usted dice que esto nunca sucederá? Pero, la tecnología existe ya hoy.

El futuro es donde viviremos el resto de nuestras vidas. El futuro se crea en el presente. ¿Qué tendremos que saber para hacer nuestros trabajos en el futuro? ¿Qué vamos a hacer para asegurar que es el futuro que nosotros queremos? v


Ley de Enmienda de los Derechos de Voto del 2014 es necesaria para preservar el derecho a votar.

Ha habido siempre una conexión entre el movimiento de los derechos civiles en Estados Unidos y los autobuses.


En 1955, el desafío por parte de Rosa Parks contra las leyes que exigían que los afroamericanos se sentaran en la parte de atrás de los autobuses, ayudó a poner en marcha el movimiento de los derechos civiles.

En 1961, los Pasajeros de la Libertad (Freedom Riders) arriesgaron sus vidas montando en autobuses interurbanos que cruzaban entre estados segregacionistas, yendo sentados en lugares mezclados racialmente, y entrando juntos en las estaciones de autobuses para mover hacia delante la agenda de los derechos civiles.

En 1963, los autobuses trajeron a miles de personas al Memorial de Lincoln en Washington, DC, para escuchar cómo el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., pronunciaba su discurso “Tengo un Sueño” (“I Have a Dream”).

Aprobar el derecho a votar

Después de años de lucha, el Congreso aprobó la Ley de Derechos de Voto de 1965 – una ley que prohibía la discriminación en el voto, una de los logros distintivos de esa era.

Desde aquella época, los votantes afroamericanos han ido a las urnas, y los afroamericanos han sido elegidos para cargos públicos – incluyendo el cargo público más alto de la nación. Y al ejercitar su derecho básico se ha progresado mucho. Pero, mientras que la mayoría de la gente reconoce que el racismo todavía existe, no creo que la gente piense realmente que la época de Jim Crow pueda volver en ningún momento.

Supongo que es por esto por lo que ha habido tan poca indignación cuando el Tribunal Supremo abolió parte de la Ley de Derechos de Voto el año pasado, y algunos gobernadores de estados empezaron a jugar con sus prácticas de voto para suprimir el voto de las minorías.

Una táctica popular ha sido pasar leyes que prácticamente requieren que un ciudadano tenga que tener una licencia de manejar para votar.

Estas leyes virtualmente garantizan que los ciudadanos sin una licencia de manejar – la gente que monta en autobuses – lo tengan difícil, si no imposible, para votar. Y así es como las personas de color, las personas con discapacidades y los ancianos se verán privados del derecho al voto en el siglo 2, si no se hace nada.

¿Integridad?

Oh, ellos dicen que no tiene nada que ver con el racismo – simplemente es la forma de asegurar la integridad de nuestro proceso electoral. Suena razonable, ¿verdad?

Bueno, ellos también tenían “razones razonables” para la segregación en 1955 – pero el sistema aún era racista e inmoral.

Nadie debería dejarse engañar por palabras que suenen razonables y que tienen el efecto de negarle a alguien sus derechos básicos. Las leyes de documentos de identificación (IDs) de votantes son simplemente tan racistas e inmorales hoy en día como las pruebas de alfabetismo lo eran para los votantes durante la segregación.

Esto es por lo que una nueva ley, la Ley de Enmienda de los Derechos de Voto del 2014, presentada en el Congreso por los Representantes Jim Sensenbrenner R-WI y John Conyers, D-MI, es tan importante. Esta legislación devolverá las protecciones vitales que el Tribunal Supremo eliminó.

Así que le ruego que les diga a sus senadores y representantes en el Congreso que usted apoya la Ley de Enmienda de los Derechos de Voto del 2014, y que les pida que ellos la apoyen también. Nuestro derecho a votar es demasiado importante para dejar que desaparezca. v



1- MEMBERS AT LARGEALBERT M ANDRASCHKORAYMOND L BASSNORMAN J DRESSELREGINALD E GUILDERTHOMAS THURSTO STRANDEDDIE A WALTERS

22- WORCESTER, MARONALD D BAKSTRAN

26- DETROIT, MICHARLES SIROONIAN

85- PITTSBURGH, PAJACK C BOLLMANJOHN LLOYD FARKOSHDONALD C GRAHAMROBERT C KUBIAKJOHN H LASKYJAMES V MESSICKJOSEPH RUBINOSKIDONALD PAUL SHERMAN

107- HAMILTON, ONJAN GALAMA

113- TORONTO, ONGEORGE G B GASTONNICOLA IANNELLINAZZARENO LACARIAMATTHEW JOSEPH LAMONTGORDON MC PHIEWALTER PAUL SCHULZJOHN SEMBRATJOHN TRESCAKGEORGE W TRIPPWILLIAM JOSEPH ZAHRA

164- WILKES-BARRE, PAJOHN R MACOSKY

241- CHICAGO, ILMAURICE CLAYEVA COOKJOHNNIE B CURRYARLENE EVERETTROBERT J GAITHERHOSEAH JOHNSONEDWARD MC DONNELLROSE M OWENSMARCUS J SCOTTTHOMAS R SWOOPEDORIS J THOMPSONEARL WALKER

265- SAN JOSE, CAHENNING JENSENDAVID D MONDAINEJIMMY R MUNOZ

268- CLEVELAND, OHWILLIAM VALLI279- OTTAWA, ONCLIFFORD B GAGNONLEVITE THERIAULT

308- CHICAGO, ILMICHAEL BROWNKENNETH CURTISPHILLIP EGGLESTONNICK FIERAMOSCATERRY L HESTERL B JEFFRIESWILLIAM P KIESLINGPATRICK D MAHONBOBBY MC CREEDANIEL N MILLERANTHONY M MOORECLARA M SIMPSONBERNARD WALKER

425- HARTFORD, CTJAMES M PETERS

569- EDMONTON, ABJUDY WILLMAN

583- CALGARY, ABWILLIAM R PITT

587- SEATTLE, WAWILLIAM J ETHERIDGEGEORGE L VOLLER

589- BOSTON, MAFERN A ALFORDCHARLES P BRADLEYDAVID J DALEYDANIELLE DE MASEWILLIAM H MURPHYLAWRENCE NAVARROPATRICK J NEEJAY J WALDRON

618- PROVIDENCE, RIDAVID A BOOTHDONALD CHAMPLINRANDALL F KELLEY JR

627- CINCINNATI, OHPAUL OLIVER

628- COVINGTON, KYKENNETH D MILES

689- WASHINGTON, DCJAMES DAVID ANDERSONTHOMAS YARROW HACKETTDONALD F HARRISONENRIQUE C IGLESIAS

WILLIAM E JAMESHARRY CONWAY LACEY JRANTHONY A MASONJOSEPH N MORRISEYLARRY D POWERSMELVIN A STREETERRUSSELL B TALKINGTONGERALDINE P TAYLOR

690- FITCHBURG, MAANTHONY A DELMONICO

694- SAN ANTONIO, TXJOSE L BARRERA

713- MEMPHIS, TNJOHN W AUSTINGEORGE W CLOYS

725- BIRMINGHAM, ALJAMES THOMAS REIDMERTICE STOVER

726- STATEN ISLAND, NYBENJAMIN V VALLESE

757- PORTLAND, ORJOHNNY L SHORE

779- SIOUX CITY, IAWILLIAM D MC KENNA

788- ST. LOUIS, MOTERRY L ANDERSONRICHARD G FELDTWILLIE W FERGUSONRICHARD HELLERDONALD P KERNJAMES E ROCKWELL

812- CLARKSBURG, WVJOHN R MARPLE

819- NEWARK, NJMICHAEL CHIARELLALEO FITZSIMMONSCHARLES HART

824- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJJOSEPH DE MONICO

825- ORADELL, NJKENNETH LEHNERTROBERT W PAPE

836- GRAND RAPIDS, MIKENNETH F SWANSON SR

880- CAMDEN, NJTHOMAS HENNESSEYJAMES TOULSON

966- THUNDER BAY, ONROBERT BELL SINCLAIR

993- OKLAHOMA CITY, OKANNIE M SEYE998- MILWAUKEE, WICHARLES L BRUSHWOODFRANK D VETENGL

1001- DENVER, COELMER ALVERT HICKS

1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MNDEAN J GARETSONRICHARD C KERKVLIETDONALD J LAHDDONALD S OSHMANTIMOTHY M PEREZSTANLEY A THOMAS

1091- AUSTIN, TXERIC G TIMMES

1181- NEW YORK, NYVICTOR CUTRONAJOSEPH D’AMBRAFRANK J DE LILLORALPH DELIOJAMES M FAUVELLGLORIA FORTUNATOHARRY J GRECOMARY LEACHWILLIAM MC CARTHYNICHOLAS NUZZIMONILALL RAMJASWILLIAM SLADEVINCENT C SPINELLIMARIE VILNEUS

1182- ST. JOHN, NBRICHARD F DAVEY

1197- JACKSONVILLE, FLTHOMAS M KIRBYNORBERT THOMAS

1225- SAN FRANCISCO, CADONALD L ZYSKI

1267- FT. LAUDERDALE, FLTHOMAS J BARLETTA

1277- LOS ANGELES, CALARRY H KHANANTHONY M OWENSJOSE RAMIREZ

1279- JOHNSTOWN, PABERNARD CONWAY JR

1287- KANSAS CITY, MOROBERT W JONES

1321- ALBANY & TROY, NYHENRY A MINER JR

1342- BUFFALO, NYGARY L DAVIESRAYMOND KRISNOSKYFRANK S ORLOWSKI

1374- CALGARY, ABRICHARD M CLINEANGUS DOUGLAS GALEY

1415- TORONTO, ONWILLIAM ALEXANDERWILLIAM GOTTSCHALK

1433- PHOENIX, AZISAIAH R WILLIAMS

1447- LOUISVILLE, KYLESTER E MIDKIFF

1464- TAMPA, FLTHOMAS W MORROWTHEODORE R WILLIAMS

1498- JOPLIN, MOCHARLES E STORTS

1505- WINNIPEG, MBWESLEY G CRUMPMARCEL LAGACELESLIE PARKINROBERT B ROTCHIK

1517- IDAHO FALLS, IDEDDIE W ANDERSEN

1564- DETROIT, MIJACOB ROSKAM

1614- DOVER, NJCHRIS STROYNOWSKI

1624- PETERBOROUGH, ONSTANLEY HAMILTON

1700- CHICAGO, ILFRANKLIN L COXJOHN A KEYS

1764- WASHINGTON, DCKAREN D DOLESLUIS RIVERA

In MemoriamDeath Benefits Awarded November 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

30 January/February 2014 | IN TRANSIT


How to apply for and enroll in Obamacare health insurance

Most ATU members have health coverage through their employers, yet some may want different coverage, or have friends or family members who need health insurance. Obamacare is a great option. Here’s a guide that tells you how to enroll:

APPLY ONLINE

Go to: https://www.healthcare.gov/

Click on SEE PLANS bEforE i APPLy, answer the questions, and click on the Marketplace link provided.

Then follow these steps to apply for individual or family coverage:

There’s help available 24/7 at: https://www.healthcare.gov/contact-us/

DON’T HAVED ACCESS TO A COMPUTER? Here’s how to apply:

Apply by phone: Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

Find in-person help: You can apply with the help of an assister who can sit with you and help you fill out an online or paper application. Non-English language support available: https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/

There are several other ways you can apply for Marketplace coverage:

Direct enrollment: If your income is too high to qualify for lower costs on coverage: https://www.healthcare.gov/whats-the-difference/

Apply by mail: Fill out a paper application and mail it in. Download it at: http://marketplace.cms.gov/getoffici-alresources/publications-and-articles/marketplace-application-for-family.pdf

Local resources: You may be able to apply online at a local library or at a Community Health Center in your area: https://www.healthcare.gov/where-can-i-get-free-or-low-cost-care/

For the best online experience, visit www.HealthCare.gov on a desktop or laptop computer.

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