April 2016 - 689 Connector by atu689

The 689 Connector ATU Local 689 Newsletter April/May 2016 - Spring Edition

Let’s Talk Politics... From the Desk of President Jackie L. Jeter

OFFICERS

Happy Hundred Years, Local 689!

Jackie L. Jeter President

Esker Bilger Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Larry Lockley, Jr. Recording Secretary

Carroll Thomas First Vice President

Raymond Jackson Second Vice President

As most of you know, this past weekend our Local celebrated (and I do mean celebrated) our 100th year anniversary in style at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor. Even though our actual anniversary date was January 19, 2016, we are in our 100th year! This past weekend brought to mind all of the accomplishments our Local has achieved in its hundred years and the fact that those achievements were made through political involvement. As members of a union, we have a special responsibility to know how much politics affects us, our jobs, and our well-being. There are two sayings that come to mind when I think about unions and politics: everything is political and all politics are local. Those two sayings are probably as old as America itself, and they are truer now than they have ever been.

Earlier this year, Metro signed a $1.74 million contract with Jones Day and bankruptcy attorney Kevyn Orr, the mastermind behind Detroit’s historic bankruptcy that resulted in the raiding of many of the city’s workers pensions. That contract with Metro is all about politics. Now, WMATA Board Chairman Jack Evans has said publicly that they are considering closing a Metrorail line for as long as six months. Let’s be clear, as a union we will always support taking necessary safety measures to protect workers and riders, but we must also acknowledge that the reason the system has found itself in the state of disrepair it is in is because of politics. When policy makers make a decision not to make the proper investment into our transit system, we end up with a system in desperate need of repair.

But here’s the good news: THE POWER IS ON OUR SIDE. Don’t believe me? Look no further than the Friedrichs case that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. Friedrichs was a case that could have made it legally protected for public school teachers and all public-sector workers to enjoy the contracts and on-the-job protection of a labor union without ever Maryland paying a dime in union dues, Primary You’ve heard me say many times that our jobs like you and Election could be eliminated with the stroke of a pen. I do every Of course, there is nothing comforting about month. April 26 imagining the day that something that drastic could happen, but in this political era where Continued on Endorsements Republicans are dead-set on harming the Next Page... on Page 10-11 workers of America, nothing should ever be ruled out. Politics affect everything: the streets we drive and walk on, the hospitals we visit, the taxes we pay, the medicine we take, and even the air we breathe. More directly, the very existence of our jobs at WMATA is political. WMATA was made by a Congressional compact. This means that the 535 members of Congress, each elected by districts in every corner of this nation, had a say-so in the existence of the Metro transit system, how much money is allocated to it by the federal government, and our jobs.

In This Issue:

3 4 5 6 8 9

April/May Calendars February Membership Meeting DC Streetcar Grand Opening Member Spotlights Union Business with Raymond Jackson Kevyn Orr: What Local 689 Needs to Know

10 Jamie Raskin Endorsement 11 Donna Edwards Endorsement 11 MD Dem. Primary Endorsements 12 Union Politics with David Stephen 12 New Metro Hires 13 News You Can Use 14 Progressive Maryland

14 15 16 17 18 19 19

Legislative Update In Memoriam Paratransit Talk with Debra Carter MovingMetro March Membership Meeting Arbitration Resolutions Jan. & Feb. 2016 Retirees Meet the New Staff

Representatives and spending the last six years derailing every plan the president had. An election is how That case was funded by the Center for Individual Maryland ended up with a Republican governor who Rights, an anti-union organization that is funded by was sick with cancer and needed paid sick leave, but dozens of right-wing groups; some of them with direct opposes sick leave for working people like us. Years of elections is how the District ended up spending $200 ties to the billionaire Koch Brothers. million on a Streetcar project that stretches barely 2 Friedrichs was so important because our dues are our miles, while Metro continues to fall deeper and deeper power, and that I why those billionaires are trying to into disrepair with no dedicated funding. When we end it! Dues allow us to organize, litigate, negotiate don’t exercise our power and get political, these things good contracts and benefits, interest arbitrate, happen and can only get worse if we stay quiet. affiliate with others like the AFL-CIO and grassroots organizations, train and educate ourselves through Last month, I was privileged to be elected to the position courses, conferences and seminars, teach each other , of President of the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO have union halls, court suites, pay stewards and officers, Central Labor Council. For years, under the leadership and the list goes on and on. We must never let them of Joslyn Williams, the Washington Council has been a win! But if we fail to realize that politics is the name of progressive POLITICAL voice in this region that has pushed D.C. to be one of the most progressive regions the game, we are going to lose. in the country. During Jos’s tenure, which spans seven As I reflect on what these right-wing extremists are mayoral administrations and five presidencies, Williams trying to do by eliminating the ability of labor unions to was an influential voice for Washington-area labor. collect dues, it makes me wonder why so many of us in Over the last decade, in particular, the Washington the Labor Movement either don’t get it or don’t care. Council spearheaded a living wage campaign in 2015 The Koch Brothers see our power. The Republicans that led to the passage of a minimum wage indexed to see our power. Big corporations see our power. But, inflation—a first for D.C., which now claims one of the for reasons I have a hard time understanding, it is clear highest minimum wages in the nation. Montgomery that we, the union members of the United States, don’t and Prince George’s counties also passed minimum wage increases on his watch. see our power. And that has to change! Continued from Page 1...

When the Supreme Court hit a deadlock last month and didn’t make a decision on the Friedrichs case, the labor movement dodged a bullet, but this is not over. Those who bank rolled this action to break our unions are still out there waiting for the next chance to strike! There is another saying that goes, “If you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.” And here we are in 2016, where a billionaire can fund an entire agenda, a political candidate, or even fund themselves as a political candidate, and do so with an unlimited amount of money due to Citizens United (another Supreme Court decision). This means that corporations can funnel as much money as they want to further their conservative causes. And where does that leave us, the working families of America?

Following Jos’s leadership leaves me with some big shoes to fill, but he didn’t do it alone and neither will I! As a labor community and movement, we must stand together and speak up, whether it is at the courthouse, the ballot box or in the streets. We must cover every front to be effective in a climate where labor is so much under attack. I know we can, and we must! I’m excited about the future for Local 689, the middle class in this region, and for progressive politics all over the nation, but what we absolutely cannot do is sit back and watch rights get stripped away from us because we won’t get aggressively involved in politics. I would close this address by telling you to get political, but we are already political. Now we have to GET TO WORK! So join us at Local 689 as we put the work in to protect and expand our rights, our work, and our livelihood.

Chances are that union workers like us in transit, or people in hospitality, the automotive industry, or postal service are never going to be multi-millionaires --much less billionaires --- but when each of us is able to Jackie L. Jeter is the President/Business Agent for pool together a few dollars a month we can become a Local 689. She can be reached at (310) 669-8221 or mighty force. Not just with our dollars, but also with jackiejeter@atu689.org. our vote and our voice! Elections have consequences. The 2010 election is how Republicans ended up winning the U.S. House of 2

SPRING 2016

APRIL

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Martin Luther King Jr. assasinated in Memphis, TN while there to support sanitation worker strike (1968).

Wednesday

Union Meeting 8PM

Union Meeting 10AM

Thursday

Friday

Benevolence Committee Meeting 10 AM

National Day of Mourning Commemorating workers whose lives have been lost or injured in the workplace.

Saturday

MAT Meeting 9 AM

Transit workers Assault Symposium Jackson Graham Building 9 AM - 1 PM

Movie Night at Union Hall 6:30 PM

Today’s Womens Caucus Meeting 10 AM

Happy Birthday Romoan Bruce

Executive Board Meeting 9AM

MAY

Sunday May Day

Monday

Tuesday

Union Meeting 8PM

Union Meeting 10AM

Mother’s Day

ATU International Black Caucus Kansas City, MO

Memorial Day (Office Closed)

Happy Birthday Marlene Flemmings-McCann & Quincey Jones

Wednesday

Thursday

Benevolent Committee Meeting 10 AM Cinco de Mayo

12 19

19th Amendment to the Constitution gives women the right to vote (1920).

ATU International Black Caucus Kansas City, MO

Friday

6 13

Saturday

MAT Meeting 9 AM

Movie Night at Union Hall 6:30 PM

Today’s Womens Caucus Meeting 10 AM

Executive Board Meeting 9AM

Happy Birthday Tracy R. Smith

ATU International Black Caucus Kansas City, MO

20 27

ATU LOCAL 689

FEBRUARY 2016 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Local 689 Membership Charter and continuation meetings were held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 8:00 PM, and continuation meeting on Wednesday, Febraury 3, 2016 at 10:00 AM, respectively. Highlights of Membership Meeting: • President announced that there was an operator Membership was notified that the dues amount total assult meeting held in January that was attended for all active members for the entire year of 2015 was by the Metro police Chief, Robert Potts, and others. $726.60 • There is a plan for a union summit on operator assualts. Management would like to have it Financial Report: collectively. President asked the membership to Motion passed to pay Labor Bureau bill of $77,311.91 save the date for March (date has been set for April 9 at Jackson Graham Building at 9:00 AM-1:00 PM) Highlights of President’s Report: • February 13 meeting was announced on planning • President announced there will be an election at the summit now set for April 9. all nine rail locations, Carmen Turner Facility and • President announced that a data entry and Union Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, 5:00 AM receptionist position at the Union Hall would be - 6:00 PM for Manager Division Shop Steward #1 posted (posting is now online at atulocal689.org/ and Rail Operation Shop Steward Region #1. careers). • President shared that she was informed by • The Jobs with Justice conference was announced management that there will be no “AWOLs” for the for February 12 and 13. snow emergency in January. • Membership Action Team (MAT) meeting • President announced shop steward meeting on announced for February 6. February 26. • President announced a planned conference with • Executive Board voted to endorse Donna Edwards Prince George’s County Executive Rashawn Baker for U.S. Senate in Maryland. Maryland primary discussing assaults on operators election will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. • President informed membership that she will be Grievances for December: having a meeting with WMATA management about • 18 settled (2 reinstatements) the new position being created for “Platform • 7 Dropped Customer Service.” • 4 voted into arbitration

Get Involved With OUR Union Political Advocacy David Stephen 301-669-8207

Benevolence Committee Vincent Miles (301) 356-8404

Membership Action Team (MAT) Faye Lawson 301-669-8206 Katie Traber 301-669-8221

Today’s Women’s Caucus Darlene Best 301-848-7229 Francine Bidgell 240-475-5703 Beth Page 571-235-0489

Sports Alexis Bobo 240-620-9826

SPRING 2016

DC STREETCAR GRAND OPENING February 27, 2016

On March 4, 2016, the DC Streetcar workers voted Overwhelmingly to join Local 689. Welcome to the movement! ATU LOCAL 689

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS ZURI TESHEIRA A person was struck by a Metro train at the L'Enfant Plaza station on Friday, February 26, 2016 and some Metro riders experienced delays on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. Surveillance video showed the person who was on the tracks intentionally fell in a failed suicide attempt. Thanks to Local 689 member Zuri Tesheira, a AA road mechanic leadman, the customer who jumped on to the tracks was safely delivered to paramedics after the incident. Tesheira was notified on radio that an unauthorized person had come on to the tracks a little after 6:00 PM on that Friday. Zuri went down to inspect and found a man with soot on his face, a missing left foot and a right foot mangled, who was hysterical and praying. Zuri stayed with him for about five minutes waiting for the fire department to arrive. When asked about the incident and how he felt about potentially saving the man’s life, Zuri said, “It was a humbling experience. You just never know what someone else is dealing with.” Bravo to Zuri Tesheira for going the extra mile!

DERRICK BEY Derrick Bey is a general equipment AA mechanic, but when he’s not working hard for Metro, he’s working hard as the founder of the Redefine Your Mind Project, an organization that implements character development strategies for incarcerated young people between 12 and 18 years old. Bey, who has run the organization for the last two years, instructs young people on yoga and meditation as well as teaching health and wellness with vegan and plant based diets. At any given time, you can find Derrick instructing a dozen or more young people where he hopes to inspire them by telling them about his time as a troublesome teenager, and how he changed his life through yoga and veganism. Asked why he does the work he does, Bey says, “I want to reach the ones who are deemed incorrigible and destined for a life of crime.” Bey says introducing these new strategies, like breathing techniques for anger management, isn’t easy, but putting in the work shows the young people that they are worth it. Bey does work with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, the Free Minds Book Club, DC Department of Young and Rehabilitation Services and the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau. Derrick Bey thank you for the great community work you do!

SPRING 2016

TIANA WITHERSPOON Two years ago Local 689 member Tiana Witherspoon decided she was going to do more than just shake her head about the homeless problem in DC and get involved in making a difference. Tiana, along with some family members and coworkers, decided to come together to start the Betta Dayz Organization where they go out once a month to feed the homeless in Franklin Square. Betta Dayz is currently in the process of getting its legal status as an organization. Currently, the group goes out the second Sunday of every month to Franklin Square, they have given out turkeys for Thanksgiving, sponsored children in need for Christmas, and put together care packages for the city’s homeless; all with money out of their own pockets. Local 689 members Russell Archie, Shed Dawson, and Craig Dudley are also a part of the organization. Local 689 solutes Tiana and the Betta Dayz Organization for what they do for people in need in the District! For more information on the Betta Dayz Organization, email them at bettadayzorganization@yahoo.com.

DEREKE W. JONES Local 689 member Dereke W. Jones wants to give people in the District a “hand up,” but he doesn’t call it a “hand out.” Whether it’s feeding the area’s homeless, donating clothes, or even furniture, Dereke, through his organization “Hands Out, Hands Up,” is anxious to help those who are in need. Dereke says that because of the blessings he has been privileged to receive, he will always be anxious to help those in need. That dedication is why he and friend Tammy Woody, the motorcycle club Touch of Class of Coral Hills, and others enjoy getting together and riding around D.C., including to Franklin Square, to give people in need food and other items. When asked why he’s been dedicated to doing this work for the last four years, Dereke says, “I don’t take things for granted. We’re only a paycheck away from being there ourselves,” Dereke W Jones, people like you make D.C. great! If you know of a Local 689 member that should be featured in the member spotlight, contact Communications Coordinator David Stephen at (310) 669-8207 or dstephen@atu689.org and let him know who it is.

ATU LOCAL 689

Union Business with Raymond Jackson Raymond Jackson

Let’s Get the Facts Straight!

There is a lot of misinformation being passed out to An arbitrator took the health care; the union never the membership concerning the retiree health care for gave it away. If you are really interested in knowing people hired after January 1, 2010. SO LET’S SET THE the truth, come to the union hall, and read the entire RECORD STRAIGHT RIGHT NOW. award, known as the Kasher Award. Below is an exerpt from the award regarding the health care. There is not a union in this country that would negotiate away health care benefits for it members. If 689 Raymond Jackson is the Second Vice-President had given away health care, the local would have been and Assistant Business Agent for Maintenance and placed into receivership immediately, and there is no Construction of Local 689. He can be contacted at way the International would have allowed the admin- (301) 669-8215 or rjackson@atu689.org. istration to stay in office, so here are the facts:

SPRING 2016

Bankruptcy Attorney Kevyn Orr: What Local 689 Needs to Know

Imagine: working all your life in a “good government job” that has a great pension and benefits. You’re set for life, right? Well, thanks to Bankruptcy Attorney Kevyn Orr and the work he did in Detroit, that security may no longer be the case. Orr, who has spent more than a decade as a bankruptcy attorney for the law firm Jones Day, served a key role in Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy, led Detroit through the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, and has now been hired by WMATA to “advise the agency on ways to work through its financial challenges,” as reported by the Washington Business Journal. In theory, when an entity like Detroit files for bankruptcy, the lion’s share of the “pain” should be felt by the city’s creditors. However, according to the The Wall Street Journal, 21,000 of Detroit’s retired city employees and its 9,000 current ones were the hardest hit. What Orr did while in Detroit… In March 2013, Orr was appointed Detroit’s emergency manager by Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder. Based on Michigan’s Emergency Manager law, Orr’s authority essentially nullified the elected mayor’s leadership, and gave Orr more power than the mayor, including the ability to fire both union and non union workers. At the time, Orr severed his professional relationship with Jones Day so that he could accept the position in Detroit, but that didn’t stop him from awarding Jones Day a lucrative $57.9 million contract with the city, according to reports from the Detroit Free Press. Yes, Jones Day made nearly $60 million on Detroit’s bankruptcy led by Orr, its former employee. Less than four months after beginning his position in Detroit, Orr recommended Detroit's Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing, which was authorized by the governor. Orr then lead the city’s restructuring process through the end of 2014. Facing an estimated $18 billion in debt, Orr led a fairly swift bankruptcy process that shaved $7 billion off of the city’s $18 billion in debt. While leading this effort, Mlive.com reporter Susan J. Demas reported that Orr was enjoying crab cakes and calamari on taxpayers' dime in a penthouse hotel suite. Orr also made a $275,000 annual salary and brought on former Detroit City Councilman Gary Brown to handle dayto-day city operations (while the city still had a mayor on

payroll) and a new police chief, to each take home $225,000 a year. Once Orr completed the bankruptcy proceedings for Detroit, he returned to Jones Day in its Washington D.C. offices. What Bankruptcy Did to Detroit City Workers… While Orr and his colleagues were raking in healthy sixfigure salaries, Detroit’s unions were in negotiations to help pull the city out of its financial troubles without having to file for bankruptcy. Upon Orr’s arrival in March 2013, AFSCME Council 25 (the largest of Detroit’s public unions) signaled their willingness to impose deep wage and benefit concessions on the city’s 3,000 AFSCME-represented members, but they asked that bondholders be forced to take some losses, as well, in order to give the appearance of equal sacrifice. Those efforts were snubbed. Once Orr imposed his cuts on workers, Bloomberg reported that pension checks for the city’s retirees had been shrunk by 4.5 percent and the future cost-of-living raises for 12,000 Detroit retirees, beginning in March of 2014, had been eliminated. In addition to absorbing pension cuts, almost 11,000 retirees and current employees have to now repay an estimated $212 million in excess interest they accrued in a city-run savings plan, which was separate from the pension fund. Bloomberg reported the annuity plan guaranteed a 7.9 percent annual return even when the pension lost money, and employees also received bonus interest in some years. All that will now have to be repaid. Henry Gaffney, a retired bus driver and former President of ATU Local 26, told Bloomberg that he’ll pay back $56,000 of the $300,000 he saved by deducting $428 from his monthly $3,100 pension check for 19 years. He said he also pays $375 more for health insurance each month now. What Will Kevyn Orr Do at WMATA? Sources have told the Washington Post that Orr will serve as a “part-time strategic executive adviser” to the new General Manager Paul Wiedefeld. In addition, Metro is now under a $1.74 million contract with Jones Day. A Metro official who spoke with the Washington Post anonymously said, “We’ll have discussions with the jurisdictions. We might have discussions with the unions, either in the context of contracts or in the area of pensions and other benefits. There’s a potential for a lot of engagement on reducing our expenses.” With hints like those floating, now is the time for Local 689 and the other unions that represent workers in Metro to stand firm for their members, their benefits, and a stronger transit system. WMATA’s financial mismanagement must be addressed, but the unfortunate truth is that with Orr at the steering wheel, bankruptcy and a significant loss to worker pay and benefits is always on the table. Upon Orr’s arrival in Detroit, many asked, “Why hire a bankruptcy attorney unless you are filing for bankruptcy?” That question was valid for Detroit then, and it is valid for Metro now. Fortunately for Metro workers, Orr won’t have the unilateral control he had in Detroit. At least not yet.

ATU LOCAL 689

State Senator Jamie Raskin (D-Silver Spring) ATU Endorsed Candidate for Congress in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District Thank you, ATU, for your endorsement of my surging campaign for Congress in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District! I wear this endorsement with pride, and I will go to Congress as a passionate champion for your interests and values. Let’s create a Green Deal for America and reinvest in the ailing American infrastructure—our oncespectacular Metro system, our rail and bus systems, our water systems, and our ports—in a way that unleashes the renewable energy technologies that will be our necessary salvation from climate change.

the system is running on time! To improve our suffering Metro system—which I grew up with and which was the apple of my eye as a boy—we need to bring a laser-like focus on improving safety, on-time performance and the riders’ overall experience.

As the State Senator from Silver Spring and Takoma Park (District 20) and the Maryland Senate Majority Whip, I’ve been at the center of breakthrough policy changes enacted over the last decade in Maryland. I led the fight in the Senate for marriage equality, to abolish the death penalty, to ban military-style assault weapons, to pass a strong transportation package, to pass strong environmental protections and to lower greenhouse gas emissions, to restore voting rights to ex-offenders, and to raise the minimum wage.

The Metro is too often crowded, plagued by escalator breakdowns and track closures, and riding it can be dangerous to life and limb. The management needs to invest meaningfully in Metro infrastructure, riders’ experience, and recruitment, retention and cultivation of the best possible workforce. As a Congressman devoted to efficient mass transit, I would work to secure a stable funding stream and to press for the passenger safety, anticrime, on-time arrival, and stable funding goals needed to restore Metro to its once-and-future glory. As a Metro rider, I would personally monitor changes and insist upon rebuilding and restoring the most beautiful and efficient system in the world.

The reason that Attorney General Brian Frosh, the Sierra Club, the Maryland State Education Association, the 72-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, and dozens of other elected officials and labor unions, like the ATU and AFGE, have backed my campaign is because they know I have been a relentlessly effective progressive leader in Annapolis and I will bring a proven track record of creative legislative success to Congress.

After a decade in public service as an effective progressive leader, I present to you a record of legislative success and political activism that makes me a proven ally of ATU and an excellent candidate for Congress. Together with the thousands of ATU Local 689 members who live in my district, I look forward to organizing for a big victory on April 26th and for many important legislative breakthroughs ahead.

From the day I take my oath of office, one of my top priorities will be restoring the freedom of working Americans to organize unions. I am a passionate supporter of the labor movement, which is essential to healthy democracy, and will fight back against right-wing attacks on union organizing and collective bargaining. I will be a creative intellectual leader and political organizer in Congress for reviving the right of the people to organize, to bargain collectively, and to participate in the economy with dignity and fairness. And I won’t just cast votes. I’ll caucus with you in our community and help lead in your struggle for recognition and representation.

Please email me at jamie@jamieraskin.com to come spend some time with me on the campaign trail and sign up for my list at www.jamieraskin.com--you’ll never be lonely again! Million thanks for your solidarity!

My wife Sarah, three kids and I live near the Metro and we are ardent advocates and users of public transportation. If elected, I plan to ride the Metro to Capitol Hill—assuming

All The Best, Jamie Raskin Jamie Raskin is a Democratic State Senator from Silver Spring and Takoma Park and the Majority Whip in the Maryland Senate. He is also a professor of constitutional law at American University Washington College of Law. He is a candidate for Congress in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, and has been endorsed by ATU and numerous other unions.

SPRING 2016

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) Candidate for US Senate Endorsed by ATU Local 689 My Fight for Working Families  I have spent my entire career fighting for progressive values that put working families first.

charge to stop corporations from donating unlimited dollars to politicians, and refused to take donations from the big Wall Street banks in my own campaign.

As a single African American mom, I know firsthand how special interests can dismantle the middle class Barbara Mikulski has spent nearly three decades in and hurt our most vulnerable. I have never shied the Senate fighting for women and working families. away from fighting back. When developers were set When I step into her shoes, I’ll continue the fight to to block my neighborhood’s access to the Potomac make sure women receive equal pay for equal work, shoreline, I fought back, negotiating with them to and that we protect the victims of domestic abuse, create good union jobs and protected access to the not the aggressors. I will continue to stand up to shore. In Congress, I’ve taken on the big Wall Street the Tea Party and anyone who would put politicians banks that wrecked our economy and held the NRA between a woman and her doctor. and the politicians they've bought responsible for the In the Senate, I will always stand with Maryland’s culture of gun violence. working families. And when I am elected, I’ll fight to And when politicians of both parties give special create well-paying middle class jobs, address income interests more influence by drawing congressional inequality, provide debtfree college, and make critical districts that disenfranchise voters or allow the NRA investments in science, technology, engineering, and to secretly buy off politicians, I stand up to them, too. mathematics for our students. Today, there are no African American women in the United States Senate. At a time when Social Security and Medicare are I will bring a unique and important voice to the table under assault, I will never cut Social Security and when decisions are being made. Medicare benefits or raise the retirement age. In fact, I am leading the fight to expand Social Security Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards represents Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, comprising portions of Prince by closing tax loopholes and making the wealthy pay George’s and Anne Arundel Counties since her election in their fair share. June 2008, becoming the first African American woman to represent Maryland in Congress. She is a candidate for U.S.

And I have long championed the progressive fight to Senate in Maryland and has been endorsed by ATU Local 689 get big, corporate money out of politics. I’ve led the and numerous other unions and grssroots organizations.

Maryland Democratic Primary Election April 26, 2016 Endorsed by Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO U.S. Congress (Maryland)

District 1 District 2 District 3

Jim Ireton C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger John Sarbanes

District 5 District 7

Steny Hoyer Elijah Cummings

ATU LOCAL 689

Union Politics with David Stephen THE FLINT WATER CRISIS The “Flint water Crisis” has become a horrifying example of what happens when rightwing extremists are allowed to make decisions impacting the lives of citizens. This is why ATU Local 689, along with the A. Philip Randolph Institute Greater Washington DC Chapter, and the National Action Network came out to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearings when government leaders were questioned about their role in the crisis on February 4 and March 17, 2016.

David Stephen

The story of how 100,000 people were poisoned by their own government is best understood in terms of right-wing ideology. The people who were charged with making decisions for Flint can be described as typical right-wing extremists. They are EPA-haters, regulation-opposers and science deniers. These underlying beliefs allowed Republicans in Michigan, beginning with the governor, to find ways to get around the “evil EPA” with all its “oppressive, costly and unnecessary regulations.” Republicans constantly call for smaller government and lower taxes, believing that these two things are the key to resolving virtually any problem America faces. And it was the attempt to make government smaller in Flint that lead to a staggeringly high level of lead in the drinking water that has poisoned hundreds --- perhaps thousands --- of children in that city, and could potentially cause them permanent brain damage. When Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder testified before the committee, he repeated for nearly six hours that the crisis should be attributed to “a failure of government at all levels,” while avoiding the notion that as the head of the state government he is the ultimate authority. Members of the committee delivered fiery criticism to him and several called for the governor to resign. The Flint Water Crisis is a lesson in the function and purpose of government and what it ought to be doing when it comes to protecting its citizens. It is not a stretch to see that the same policy makers who believe it OK to put a population in danger with unsafe drinking water would do the same when it comes to other government services like transit, postal service and protecting the environment. This is why every citizen should be paying attention to what is happening in Flint. The decision-makers in Michigan failed its citizens beginning with the governor. But it is incumbent upon voters to make sure that those like Snyder, who have proven themselves incapable of leading the government, are not voted into leadership in the first place. If, as voters, we do not, we will find these small government right-wing ideologues hurting every aspect of life to citizens not wealthy enough to avoid their decisions. David Stephen is the Communications Coordinator for Local 689. He can be reached at (310) 669-8207 or dstephen@atu689.org.

NEW METRO HIRES JANUARY 2016 Operations: 18 Maintenance: 22

FEBRUARY 2016 Operations: 42 Maintenance: 6

Visit ATULocal689.org • Get the Latest Transit News • Download Pictures from Local 689 Events

• Read the President’s Blog • Learn arrangements for deceased members

SPRING 2016

News You Can Use MAYOR PROPOSES INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 BY 2020 --- In her State of the District address, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser called for increasing the city’s minimum wage to $15 by 2020, dedicating her second citywide address to what she called a “bold” plan to make good on her motto to create “pathways to the middle class” for residents. SUPREME COURT DEADLOCKS IN DECISION AND GRANTS LABOR UNIONS A SHORT TERM VICTORY --- On March 29, the Supreme Court delivered a major --- although likely short-term --- victory to America’s public labor unions by deadlocking 4 to 4 in a case that threatened to cripple the ability of public unions to collect fees from workers who chose not to join their workplace’s union. The case, known as Friedrichs, is the starkest illustration yet of how the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia last month has blocked the power of the court’s four remaining conservatives to move the law to the right. Scalia’s death changed the balance of power in this case, and most likely in many others, although 4-4 decisions mean an issue remains open and could return to the court in short order. In the case of the Friedrich ruling, which sets no precedent, unions have experienced a short-term victory where the ruling of the lower court to require non-union members to pay “association fees” will stand. For now, the clout of the court’s four-member liberal wing has increased significantly. Its members — Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan — can create deadlocks and they can also sometimes attract the vote of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy to achieve a liberal result. Should Senate Republicans relent and confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee Judge Merrick B. Garland to the Supreme Court, the power of the court’s liberals might only grow.

LOCAL 689 AT GM’S ADDRESS AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

Metro’s new general manager spoke on March 7, 2016 at the National Press Club, where he told the audience that when he began his position in November of 2015 the system was "much worse” than he expected. Photo Courtesy of Derick Nabors

Local 689 members Derek Nabors and Marc Philhower attended the press conference where the new GM, Paul Weidenfeld, told those in attendance that he was committed to being transparent about what needs to be fixed, how to get it fixed and ensure all stakeholders can monitor the progress. In his presentation, Weidenfeld talked about assembling a “Team of Champions,” who report to him directly on safety and service reliability challenges, as well as how to address them. Wiedenfeld was forthright with sharing that challenges with system are bigger than what is being reported, and he is genuinely concerned about the system moving in the right direction. After meeting Nabors and Philhower, Weidenfeld expressed that he was pleasantly surprised to see two maintenance workers there representing Local 689. He was especially interested in learning the challenges of rail maintenance. After being hired by Metro, Weidenfeld moved from Baltimore to Washington D.C., with his wife, and rides the Metro to work daily. During his presentation he acknowledged his guest Station Manager Montenette Odom, who serves the station he rides on his way to work. Citing that Weidenfeld takes the Metro to work everyday, Nabors and Philhower agreed that the tone of his presentation gave them a different feeling than they have had with previous general managers. Both are cautiously optimistic about the future of the system under his leadership and believe the press conference was a step in the right direction.

ATU LOCAL 689

Progressive Maryland is a nonprofit, multi-issue advocacy organization building power in the communities it serves by promoting social, economic, and racial justice through grassroots organzing, policy advocacy and leadership training. ATU Local 689 is an affiliated organization of Progressive Maryland and President Jackie Jeter serves as a member of the Board of Directors.

Progressive Maryland Issues During 2016 Maryland Legislative Session

Paid Sick Leave: Everyone gets sick and no one should lose their job as a result of an illness. We won paid sick leave in Montgomery County and are working to pass a state bill that will allow workers to take the time they need to care for themselves and their families. Ending Police Brutality: We are working to end police brutality in Maryland by supporting legislation that will restore trust between communities and law enforcement and assure corrupt police are held accountable for their actions. Voter Empowerment: Civic engagement is the cornerstone of democracy and we believe all people should be allowed to exercise their right to vote regardless of race or ethnicity, class, criminal history, or other discriminatory factors. We are working to ensure all Marylanders voice is heard and actively engage politically underrepresented groups in the legislative process. Fighting Income Inequality: Poverty is a blight on our society and completely preventable, but the economy is rigged against everyday people in favor of a wealthy few. We believe in an economy that puts people over profits and work tirelessly to protect labor rights, promote sustainable development, improve benefits and wages, and fight for a fair tax code that ensures corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share. For more info on Progressive Maryland visit progressivemaryland.org

In Memor y of Our Deceased Local 689 Brothers and Sisters January, February & March 2016

Bruce J. Bell Harry E. Bowles Samuel Brinkley Alan M. Brown

Walter Clark Jr.

Barbara C. Coatley Kenneth C. Crooker

Derek D. Dove Bobby G. Enoch

John Foxcroft

Harry V. Gross Bobby R. Hicks Elmo L. Keller Freddie L. King

Walter Lasecki Donald N. Neddo Johnny L. Phillips Marion S. Richardson Russell E. Roberts Jr.

Frank A. Spadaro Jason Tillman Jr.

The Benevolent Committee exists to give Local 689 members the opportunity to extend empathy and love to the families of deceased members.To get involved, call Chairman Vincent Miles at (301) 356-8404. 14

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Paratransit Talk with Debra Carter Dozens of disabled riders and MetroAccess drivers came out on Saturday, February 20 at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church in Adelphi to raise their voices to Prince George’s County Executive about the need for improvements to paratransit service in the region. During the action, Operator Kimberly Lynch gave a rousing speech where she proclaimed, “Today we stop getting mad at each other and start holding WMATA accountable,” as she lambasted the $13.48 an hour wage of paratransit operators calling it a “living in poverty wage” that is producing high turnover at MetroAccess.

operators Genoa Greene and Curtis Black who said that dispatchers don’t welcome their input, and the policy of collecting fares outside the vehicle is unsafe and needs to be changed. Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker expressed that he was very concerned when he addressed the crowd. Baker was asked to draft a letter to his WMATA appointee and the rest of the Maryland delegation to request that they place the issues brought up at the action on the agenda of a WMATA Board meeting before June. He agreed to do so.

February’s action is a part of an ongoing campaign to earn a living wage for paratransit operators, increase safety for paratransit riders and create an overall more reliable system. It will be up to us, the “It’s totally unreliable. I have been abandoned members of Local 689 and the riders we serve, to more times than you can imagine,” says Rev. Gloria get it done AND WE WILL. Swieringa of Fort Washington, a MetroAccess rider Debra Carter is the Assistant Business Agent for who is blind. Para-Transit. She can be reached at The action and rally also included testimonies from dcarter@atu689.org or (301) 669-8222.

Both riders and drivers on the program stated their complaints of being victimized by poor service.

Photos by David Stephen & ATU International

ATU LOCAL 689

You’re The Best When You Stress Less! Everyone is stressed out these days in one way or another and we don’t have to tell you how much stress can impact your daily life. What exactly is stress? Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Without positive outlets for stress, it builds up over time impacting us mentally and physically. Potential Negative Side Effects of Stress o Fatigue o Chronic muscle tension o Headaches o Chest pain o Rapid heart rate o Frequent colds o Skin rashes like hives o Excessive sweating o Intestinal problems o Menstrual problems o High blood pressure o Asthma o Cold sores o Changes in appetite o Insomnia

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Teeth grinding Depression Anger Irritability Fear Anxiety Forgetfulness Feeling alone Low self esteem Feeling trapped Apathy (not caring) Difficulty concentrating Impulsiveness Impatience

Challenge Yourself… Find two or three positive ways to relieve stress that you enjoy and practice one on a daily basis. Examples of positive stress relief include…          

Reading a book Exercising Listening to music Taking a peaceful walk Taking a bath Spending time with friends Deep breathing Praying Meditating Laughing

Everyone experiences stress but don’t let it get the best of you, take action to limit the negative side effects of stress today. Seek help from a qualified mental health care provider if you are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, have suicidal thoughts, or are using drugs or alcohol to cope. Learn more about the 689 Moving Metro Wellness Program by visiting www.tehw.org or “Like” us on Facebook!

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MARCH 2016 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Local 689 Membership Charter and continuation meetings were held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm, and Thursday, March 2, 2016 at 10:00 am, respectively. Highlights of Membership Meeting: Nominations were held for Station Manager Division Shop Steward #1 (Shady Grove, West Falls Church). Financial Report: Motion passed to pay Labor Bureau $74,466.82. Motion passed to donate $1,000.00 to Action Committee for Transit (ACT). Highlights of President’s Report: • President thanked membership for coming out to DC Streetcar opening and announced that the union vote for the Streetcar workers would be held that Friday (3/4/2016). • There was a bus quarterly meeting that was attended by 68 people including shop stewards from bus operations and maintenance. At the bus quarterly assaults were discussed. • First Vice President Caroll Thomas addressed the membership and reported on the discussions of operator assaults, restrooms, breakrooms and bus shields at the bus quarterly. • President announced that Close Call reporting is now extended to bus side. • The Membership Action Team (MAT) meeting was announced for March 5, 2016. • The Friedrichs Supreme Court case, a case dealing with dues paying for people who do not wish to be affiliated with public sector unions, was discussed. • President announced that the A. Philip Randolph Institute Greater Washington DC chapter will be holding a symposium on voting rights on April 2, 2016. • President announced on March 8 a “Right to Work” bill was introduced to the Maryland general assembly. • President presentedthree new sargeant of arms. • President discussed the hiring by Metro of Bankruptcy Attorney Kevyn Orr and that she expects this round of contract negotiations to be difficult. • President read letter from General Manager that said there would be no nonessential spending. • President announced a transit employee assault symposium to be held at Jackson Graham Building on April 9, 2016. Old Business: Financial Secretary-Treasurer Esker Bilger announced that President jackie Jeter has been elected to be the President of the Metropolitan AFL-CIO DC Labor Council.

Grievances for December: • 30 settled (2 reinstatements) • 14 Dropped • 4 voted into arbitration

ATU LOCAL 689

Arbitration Resolutions February/March 2016

Howard Anderson - Partial Win Anderson pulled his cell phone out from his bag while on his bus that he had taken out of revenue at the end of route and used the phone outside of bus while on a 10-minute break. Anderson was suspended for 10 days for violating Electronic Device Policy. In addition, Anderson allegeded that he urinated into a bottle on the bus and was suspended for 1-day for not notifying central office of urine on the bus. These disciplines were taken as a result of video from the review of him making a report of a customer alleging he closed the door on said customer. Arbitrator resolved that1-day suspension for urination was credible and appropriate, because there was no evidence of him urinating into a bottle and he did not report that he had been riding around with a bottle of urine on the bus. 10-day suspension for violating Electronic Device Policy was rescinded as the rule is not clear that he violated policy because he took phone out of his bag while exiting the bus to use it outside. Voted to Arbitrate: February 2015 Award Date: February 11, 2016

George Parsons - Lost Parsons grieved that he was not given adequate training opportunities and materials that would have allowed him to gain the knowledge necessary to correctly answer questions on the written exam to be promoted to AA Electrician which is why his test score fell short. Arbitrator did not agree. Voted to Arbitrate: October 2015 Award Date: March 17, 2016

Frank Fulton - Partial Win Fulton was denied pay for two days he called out sick because Authority alleged he had not earned his six days of sick leave even though he had reached his 1-year anniversary date. Authority contended that employees do not earn their six days until the end of the calendar year and not on the employee’s 1-year anniversary. Arbitrator ruled that Fulton had earned his sick days after his anniversary date and was entitled to pay for 2 days he was out sick. Vote to Arbitrate: November 2014 Award March Photos posted to the ATU Local 689 Official Facebook groupDate: by Local 689 memebers1, 2016

Blyden Davis - Partial Win Equipment Operator Davis claimed he was denied overtime on two respective dates because management alleged he did not have an adequate 8-hour rest period. Arbitrator found that on one date there was no sufficient evidence that he had not rested for the required eight hours, but on the other date arbitrator ruled that he was not sufficiently rested. Voted to Arbitrate: May 2013 Award Date: February 22, 2016

Nicolas Finamore - Won Structural Evaluation Technicians (SETs) who work on AWS (Alternative work schedule) and were not scheduled to work on the President’s Day and Independence Day holidays in 2014 are entitled to 10 hours of holiday pay, (not just eight) for those days. Grievant will be made whole with two additional hours of pay. Voted to Arbitrate: March 2015 Award Date: February 5, 2016

Jason Wolfe - Lost (termination) Wolfe was alleged to not have completed maintenance work and falsified record indicating work was complete on an escalator at Dupont Circle. Authority took position that falsifying maintanence records is such a grave offense that it mandates a termination. Board found that Wolfe knowingly signed his check sheet for work that had not been done and termination was appropriate. Voted to Arbitrate: September 2014 by membership (Executive Board recommended that case be dropped). Award Date: Febraury 16, 2016

SPRING 2016

Congratulations!!!

January & February 2016 Retirees Aaron L. Acosta Anthony T. Alcorn Pablo I. Alvarado Dane A. Badman Earl T. Beatty Frank E. Beck Donald M. Boseman Bryson G. boushell Sandra A. Braddock Bobby Brown Jimmy C Burch Juan Cepeda Patrick Cipriano Charles J. Dukehart Joseph J. Dyson Sherry E. Evans Dion Fortune

Charles F. Hecker Gus Jackson Jr. Tyrone A. Lundy Garey T. Morgan Erlean L. Paige Jayesh Patel Nora D. Poteat William A. Pratt Beverly A. Robinson Theodore S. Shrope Demaris M. Sims Victor M. Sorb Tony L. Talley Johnnie Thomas Cheryl J. Washington Richard K. Williams Isaac Woldegiorgis

Meet the New Staff Brandon Graves is the newest employee of the Transit Employee Health and Welfare staff as the Worksite Wellness Specialist for the 689 Moving Metro Wellness Program. Born in Washington DC and raised in Prince Georges County, Brandon received his Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park after his internship for the METRO Wellness program at the Jackson Graham Building. Prior to this position, Brandon worked as the lead personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Alexandria. He strongly believes in being an example for an active, healthy lifestyle.You can always find him in the gym, and he enjoys spending his time with his family. To contact Brandon call his cell phone at (202) 679-6206 or email bmgraves@tehw.org. What would we be surprised to know about you? I received my first degree black belt when I was 13 years old.

ATU LOCAL 689

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 2701 Whitney Place Forestville, MD 20747 (301) 568-6899 www.atulocal689.org David Stephen, Editor

Executive Officers

Jackie L. Jeter, President & Business Agent Esker Bilger, Financial Secretary-Treasurer Larry Lockley, Jr., Recording Secretary Carroll Thomas, First Vice President Raymond Jackson, Second Vice President

Executive Board Members David Allen Dion Baker Ernest Barber Jr. Anthony Barnes Alexis Bobo Greg Bowen Jr. Herman Brown Romoan Bruce Keith Bullock Debra Carter Lawrence Cole P.L. Dates, Jr. Marlene Flemmings-McCann John Gaines Derrick Gray Diron Jackson Quincey Jones Faye Lawson Derrick Mallard Linda Mercer Sheila Quarles-Alston Tracy Smith Anthony Stevens

Shop Stewards

Leah Anderson Alisha Barnett Michael Batchelder Derrick Bey Diane Boyd Stancil Brown Damion Cannon James Flowers Marlow Franklin Leveson “Que” Gasque Fowzia Hassen Bill Hinders Brian A. Johnson Roland Lamar Kevin Laws Wilbur Lucas Glenn Miller Linda Penny Mike Phelps Sheila Pickett Gavin Pitt Brenda Quarles-Cummings Antonio Ross Ronald Shelton Anthony Staten II Donna Stinson Donna Thomas Joyce Timmons Sylvian Underwood Rick Walley Alfred “AJ” Williams Maurice Womack Ryan Walters

SPRING 2016