In Transit - March/April 2014

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

MARCH / APRIL 2014

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This year let’s walk in her footsteps and organize passengers all over North America

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Meet the greatest passenger organizer in history… Rosa Parks

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. International Executive Vice President OSCAR OWENS International Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS LARRY R. KINNEAR

Ashburn, ON – lkinnear@atu.org

RICHARD M. MURPHY

Newburyport, MA – rmurphy@atu.org

BOB M. HYKAWAY

Calgary, AB – bhykaway@atu.org

WILLIAM G. McLEAN

Reno, NV – wmclean@atu.org

JANIS M. BORCHARDT Madison, WI – jborchardt@atu.org PAUL BOWEN Canton, MI – pbowen@atu.org KENNETH R. KIRK Lancaster, TX – kkirk@atu.org GARY RAUEN Clayton, NC – grauen@atu.org MARCELLUS BARNES Flossmore, IL – mbarnes@atu.org RAY RIVERA Lilburn, GA – rrivera@atu.org YVETTE SALAZAR Thornton, CO – ysalazar@atu.org GARY JOHNSON, SR. Cleveland, OH – gjohnson@atu.org ROBIN WEST Halifax, NS – rwest@atu.org JOHN COSTA Kenilworth, NJ – jcosta@atu.org CHUCK WATSON Syracuse, NY – cwatson@atu.org CLAUDIA HUDSON Oakland, CA – chudson@atu.org BRUCE HAMILTON New York, NY – bhamilton@atu.org MICHELLE SOMMERS Brooklyn Park, MN – msommers@atu.org

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

NEWSBRIEFS Help members hurt by tornadoes, floods Tornadoes have begun to level towns in the Midwest, and floods are devastating Florida neighborhoods. Inevitably some of our members are hurt by weather emergencies every year. The ATU Disaster Relief Fund assists members who have been hit by natural disasters who need some help getting back on their feet again.

Please consider sending a contribution to the ATU Disaster Relief Fund at www.atu.org.

US transportation ‘running on fumes’ The nation’s transportation trust fund is facing a crisis. The gasoline tax that sustains the federal transportation program is no longer keeping up with investment needs. Unless Congress adds new revenue the federal government will be unable to commit funds to any new transportation projects.

Transportation for America has released a new report that shows the tangible financial impact that the trust fund’s anticipated insolvency would have on state and local transportation budgets in the coming fiscal year. Read more: http:// t4america.org/maps-tools/fiscal-cliff-report/

Lansing transit workers’ food drive helps those less fortunate Local 1039-Lansing, MI, hosted their sixth annual food drive at area grocery stores. More than 1,000 pounds of food and more that $1,000 in cash were donated in each of the past few years.

When the event started in 2009, unemployment was high and the need for food assistance was growing. The drivers, maintenance workers and mechanics were looking for a way to help their community through tough times. “People want to give,” says one Local 1039 member. “We’re just right now providing an easy way for them to do it.”

ON THE COVER: Few people today realize how much courage it took in 1955, for Rosa Parks to refuse to give up her seat up to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, AL. Her example will be a source of inspiration as we begin our Transit Action Campaign.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS

ANTHONY WITHINGTON

International President Jim La Sala, ret.

International President Warren George, ret.

DENNIS ANTONELLIS

International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret.

International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret.

Sebastopol, CA – awithington@atu.org Spokane, WA – dantonellis@atu.org

STEPHAN MACDOUGALL

Boston, MA – smacdougall@atu.org

ANTHONY GARLAND

Washington, DC – agarland@atu.org

CANADIAN DIRECTOR MICHAEL MAHAR

Rexdale, ON - director@atucanada.ca

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LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Reach out to passengers, legislators during May Transit Action Month They came to Chicago from all across Canada and the United States for ATU training. They left energized by their common spirit and resolve to make the first May Transit Action Month a great success in our two countries.

It was not only the largest training ever run by ATU, but, afterward, participants attended the Labor Notes Conference.

There they met unionists from all over the world – men and women who share the aspiration that working people should get a fair share of the profits of our growing world economy.

Is that really too much to demand?

It might only involve a couple of hours with fellow members engaging the riders you see everyday. But most members enjoy the experience and want to do more.

A common moment of life We share a common moment of life with our passengers.

Our workplace is their way to get to theirs. When fares go up and service is cut, both riders and workers bleed. When buses are unsafe both riders and workers are put at risk.

But as we have learned, demands made at the bargaining table can quickly erode in the public square. Anti-worker messages rule the airwaves. Regular people are convinced contrary to the facts – that billionaires stockpiling money is preferable to workers having pensions.

Politicians need to better understand transit. Important legislation has been introduced in both Canada and the U.S. to make transit safer and better funded. And that’s what we want too – transit to be safer and better funded.

That’s it… no politics.

Wealth is lavished on billionaires and on arms around the world, while services are cut, and wages and benefits put at risk.

Our local unions will line up elected officials of good will to join us in publicly calling for transit investment.

Taxes are cut for the wealthy, while food stamps are denied to poor children.

Our bridges, roads, and transit systems crumble, while we build highways in foreign countries.

We came away from Chicago committed to telling our story at bus stops and train stations everywhere. This effort will take place throughout the month of May.

May will be a fun month that builds solidarity across our border and throughout our cities. Let’s reach out now to our riders. Reach out to your officers and find out how you can help.

Let’s raise our voices as One ATU! v

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

Reach out So, as the weather warms, and people get friendlier, we will reach our hands out to our passengers and let them know we are on their side – and that they are on ours.

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CONTENT

M A R /A P R

2014 Vol. 123, No. 2

18 Koch Brothers Attack Public Transit

US DOT Secretary: ‘Invest in America, Commit to the Future’

19 Will Governments Sleep While Ridership Surges,

Cities Grind to a Halt?

MAY IS TRANSIT ACTION MONTH

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2 International Officers & General Executive Board

NEWS Briefs

NDP Says Rich Should Pay for Ontario Transit Plan

20 ATU, Transit Systems Search for Solutions for

Driver Assault

Is Spitting in a Driver’s Face an ‘Assault’?

Well Duh...

21 Maya Angelou Honored as San Francisco’s First

African-American, Female Streetcar Conductor

3 International President’s Message:

Reach out to Passengers, Legislators During

May Transit Action Month

4 Index Page

22 Chicago Airline Gas Tax Rip-off Scamming

Transit Riders

5 International Executive Vice President’s

Message: Are We Too Comfortable?

6 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message:

Are We Entering an Era of ‘Disposable’ Workers?

ATU Mourns Loss of Retired International Vice President Luke Hall

ATU Calls for Ban on Fed Contracts with Companies Using Offshore Tax Shelters

23 Accused NJ Bus Crash Driver Scapegoat for

‘Sweatshop on Wheels’

7 Legislative Report: Obama Calls for Transit

to ‘GROW’

Louisville Local Looking to Increase Bus Safety

8 Sierra Club Joins ATU to Promote Ridership

During May Transit Action Month

Mom Thanks Fellow ATU Brother for Saving Daughter’s Life

Rare, but Welcome Good News Worth the Wait at Sunline Transit

24 New Presidents, Fin Secs Trained for

New Challenges

Spokane Transit Testing All-Electric Bus with Long-lasting Battery

9 May Is Transit Action Month 13 Hundreds Energized for May Transit Action Month

at Largest, Ever ATU Training 14 Michigan Members Mobilized by Training,

Sign Up, Today

Seniors Want Transit Too

25 Augusta Finds Privatization Costs More

than City Operation

May 20th National Transit Call Congress Day

26 Hanley to Senate: Time for a Transportation Bill

for All

Obama Sets Forth a Bold Transportation Plan

15 Hanley Renews Call for Criminal Investigation into

Deaths of 2 BART Track Worker Replacements

Time to Include OTR Drivers in Obama’s Overtime Plan

16 Public Transportation Top Criterion for

Millennials Deciding Where to Live

27 Translations (Spanish)

17 New Bill Would Toughen Sentences for

Driver Assault

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Chicago Study Exposes ‘Transit Racism”

March/April 2014 | IN TRANSIT

30 In Memoriam 31 Union Plus 32 ATU: A Union that Makes Things Happen

JAVIER PEREZ, JR., INTERNATIONAL EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT

Are we too comfortable?

Recently I spent time in our boardroom at international headquarters here in DC. The room’s walls hold pictures of those elected to work at the International over many years, and those of our current international vice presidents working in the field. It is our past, present and future.

Other walls of the room are lined with shelves crowded with books that record countless moments in the history of ATU. It’s a history of good times and bad times for transit workers. But, overall, it chronicles how a standard-ofliving providing dignity on the job, the ability to nurture our young, and care for our seniors was built.

Planting trees I am reminded of a Greek proverb, which says, “Society grows when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.” Ours is not a perfect history but it is one that makes us proud to be ATU. Every day as we traverse our cities we see plenty of signs, signs that say “Don’t walk; don’t run; stop – railroad crossing; flashing red, yellow and green lights. School zone ahead; right turn on red, and no turn on red. Don’t feed the bears.

No diving; no lifeguard on duty. The list could go on and on. Collectively all are classified as safety rules.

Playing it safe?

Have we become too comfortable in the shade of trees planted by our predecessors? It seems to me that over time we in the labor movement have become very safe in our approach.

Our predecessors were not constrained by safety rules such as “Don’t offend anybody by talking about anything controversial. Don’t change anything. Don’t talk about things that are different. Don’t rock the boat.”

When our predecessors traveled to the fields, valleys and plains of our great countries, organizing our great Union, the world was not safe for those advocating formation of unions – and yet they did so.

Now we must too.

Don’t wait until it’s too late We can only preserve and renew the best from our past, and honor our values and traditions through action.

And, so, this month we will take that step. This month we will recapture the identity that calls us to get out and speak about social and economic justice; about unequal playing fields.

We ought not wait until we feel the wound, or are on our deathbed. The signs of those who seek and plot our demise are everywhere. We ignore them, not only at our own peril, but that of our children and grandchildren.

The task is not easy, but with courage and conviction, with stepping out of our personal safety zones, we will accomplish much. We must dare to be different. We must dare to be bold, Then, “The mountains and hills will break out with shouts of joy before you.” The trees planted by our predecessors will wave their limbs clapping for joy. And we will have added to their number with trees that will provide more shade and inspiration for generations to come. v

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

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OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Are we entering an era of ‘disposable’ workers?

It will probably come as no surprise to you that transit managements are doing everything they can to cut expenses these days – and that this often results in real wage and benefit reductions, and unsafe working conditions.

These actions are often accompanied by a total disregard for collective bargaining contracts, if the transit workers have one, and employees who are kept off-balance by capricious enforcement of slippery work rules.

Downward pressure That exerts a downward pressure on the entire workforce’s compensation – which makes it a lot easier to pay people less, and less, and less. And by blocking attempts to increase or improve public transit, the rich further reduce the pressure on them to pay more taxes.

Fines cheaper than following labor law

Unions that fight these trends become the targets of legislation promoted by the rich and powerful who realize that organized labor is the only thing keeping them from establishing a fully “disposable” workforce.

These employers often ignore labor law because it’s simply cheaper for them to pay an occasional fine than to follow the rules. They make it clear that their employees are “disposable,” and that they can be easily replaced by people who are even more desperate for a job than they are.

And so it is crucial that you participate in ATU’s Transit Action campaign any way that you can. By supporting public transit you’ll be doing your bit to fight back against the forces of corporatism looking to maximize their profits anyway they can – at the expense of us all. v

A recent paper published by the Brookings Institution revealed that while 23 percent of people who have been unemployed for over six months found work within the first few months of their study, more than a third of that group was unemployed again shortly thereafter. And only 11 percent had steady, full-time jobs.

The data supports the contention that a large, desperate underclass has become a permanent feature of the American economy.

The significance of this for the rest of the workforce is huge. Chronically unemployed people will eventually accept almost any work, no matter how low the pay, or how few the benefits, just to get through the next week, or even the next day.

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

Obama Calls for transit to ‘GROW’ The Obama Administration unveiled its proposal for a new four year federal surface transportation bill, April 29. The current program, known as MAP-21, expires in October.

Citing a projected increase in the U.S. population of 100 million people by 2050, and an $86 billion backlog in public transportation infrastructure, the bill calls for a massive boost in transit funding – an increase of 70% above current law.

The GROW AMERICA Act, or “Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America,” is intended to support millions of American jobs repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems.

urges Congress to pass President Obama’s proposed transportation reauthorization bill – the GROW AMERICA Act – as soon as possible to address the mounting public transit crisis threatening the economic future of our country,” says International President Larry Hanley.

The bill also includes $245 million in workforce development grants to support and enhance the size, diversity, and skills of the nation’s transportation workforce.

Studies indicate that 50% of the transportation workforce will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years – double the retirement rate of the nation’s entire workforce.

The Department of Transportation’s proposal now goes to the U.S. Congress where Members of the House and Senate will consider it as they craft their own transportation bills.

privatization, operating assistance, and health and safety matters. The largest issue, of course, is overall funding levels.

While the majority of lawmakers in both major parties likely agree that increased funding is needed for highways and transit, elected officials are hesitant to pass new taxes that would provide necessary revenues.

The federal gas tax, which funds the bulk of the program, has not been increased since 1992.

“There are idle buses, bus stops without service and people who need to get to and from their job.

The current infrastructure is already there. There is no shovel required to improve public transit. We need Congress to start thinking big when it comes to public transit and pass the GROW AMERICA Act, which will enhance mobility for all of us,” Hanley says. v

Over $72 billion for transit The bill would prioritize public transit, committing more than $72 billion over four years to address the urgent transit challenges facing urban, suburban and rural communities.

“The Amalgamated Transit Union

Coming debate During the next few months, committees are expected to debate various issues affecting transit workers, including labor protections, IN TRANSIT

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Sierra Club joins ATU to promote ridership during May Transit Action Month workers and riders will hold joint events throughout the month urging people to make public transit part of their everyday commitment to protecting the environment and fighting pollution.

The International continued its coalition-building program by partnering with the Sierra Club to promote ridership during May Transit Action Month.

Sierra Club chapters and members, ATU locals, bus drivers, transit

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune and International President Larry Hanley called the partnership “a natural fit.”

Riding public transit saves 4.7 billion gallons of gasoline annually, greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and emits 80 percent less carbon

monoxide. By switching to the bus, subway or train, a single person can cut their annual carbon emissions by more than 4,800 pounds.

ATU and the Sierra Club will be calling on federal, state, and municipal legislators to address climate change by investing in public transit, including passing a robust federal transportation bill that increases funding for public transit. v

Rare, but welcome good news worth the wait at Sunline Transit

Spokane Transit testing all-electric bus with long-lasting battery

Members of Local 1277-Los Angeles, CA, working for Sunline Transit, which serves Coachella Valley, waited three extra months to hear good news. Sunline was given a three-month extension on its deadline to produce an audit, and it seems that it was worth the wait.

Spokane Transit Authority is participating in a statewide evaluation of an all-electric bus produced by BYD Motors that debuted in March in Spokane.

The agency reported that revenues for its most recent fiscal year increased by $3.5 million and that ridership was up 3.2 percent.

Local Vice President Art Aquilar says that current negotiations are going well. “It’s 100 percent different from what it was in the past.” That was in 2012, when the local had to authorize a strike to get to a signed agreement after working without a contract for three years. v

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STA’s testing of electric bus technology comes just before its board will be making decisions about bus replacements planned for delivery in 2018-2019.

BYD describes the all-electric bus as “clean, silent and efficient,” using the industry’s first environmentally friendly, fire-safe battery chemistry.

The buses’ 324 kilowatt, non-toxic, iron-phosphate battery is supposed to power the bus for up to 24 hours on a single, nighttime charge. The battery, BYD says, “will last 20 years beyond the average 12-year life of a bus, and can be reused in non-transportation applications.” v

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TAKE ACTION IN MAY Transit Action by the numbers‌

members across the United States and Canada will enlist riders, WHO ATU organizations, and concerned citizens in an exciting, first-of-its-kind public transit coalition.

riders, ride-alongs with elected officials, rallies, letters and WHAT Leafleting calls to elected officials, and other events. stops, transit stations, homes, community centers, local events, WHERE Bus local government meetings – anywhere people gather who might be concerned about public transit.

WHEN The entire month of May. jobs are endangered like never before, and our passengers WHY Our are threatened with increased fares and loss of service.

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easy ways to get involved ORGANIZE Contact your local to help organize and participate in events for May Transit Action Month

1

JOIN Join fellow members in leafleting and talking to riders about May Transit Action Month

2 CALL

Call your elected officials on Tuesday, May 13th (Canada) or May 20th (United States)

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ORGANIZE

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Attend a ride-along with your elected official organized by your local

ENGAGE

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Talk to your fellow members to get them involved in May Transit Action Month | March/April | March/April IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT 20142014 11

ACTION ON FUNDING Governments claim there’s not enough money to give you a raise or, even, pay you a decent wage; much less provide adequate service. Yet, the rich get tax cuts, and politicians want to cut your job. Today we fight back!

ACTION AGAINST ASSAULT Spitting, cursing, and threatening behavior have become routine. Worse, a growing number of drivers are being punched, kicked, stabbed and shot simply for asking for fare. Today we say, “We’ve had enough!”

ACTION FOR SAFETY Too many intercity bus drivers work grueling schedules that maximize profits for their employers. This leads to driver fatigue that makes the roads more dangerous for everyone. Today we demand safety!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.ATU.ORG

STAY CONNECTED

For the latest ATU News and Action Alerts please check out the ATU’s social media network

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Facebook: facebook.com/ATUInternational

YouTube: youtube.com/user/stpatuorg

Twitter: twitter.com/ATUComm

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/atuinternational/

March/April 2014 | IN TRANSIT

Members attending the new ATU Activist Training in Chicago, raise their cell phones after sending messages supporting public transit to their representatives in Washington, DC and Ottawa, ON

Hundreds energized for May Transit Action Month at largest, ever ATU training The conference began with International President Larry Hanley relating the crisis facing transit in the U.S. and Canada and the relentless attacks on working people that have been successfully waged by the Koch brothers, ALEC, corporations, and their billionaire cohorts.

Hundreds of members travelled to Chicago to take part in new ATU Activist Training. It was the largest training ever conducted by ATU – and one of the most successful.

Hanley laid out ATU’s vision for 2014 to push back against these forces by training and engaging our members to mobilize riders and unite with working people to fight back.

Hanley called on members to use the skills and knowledge they learned at the training to empower their

members to engage riders, reach out to elected officials for May Transit Action Month - a campaign the likes of which has never been seen at ATU.

Fun, solidarity “May Transit Action Month will be a fun month that builds solidarity across our borders and throughout our cities,” said Hanley. “We must empower our members and reach out to riders to let them know we stand with them in the fight for more, better, and safer public transit. We must help politicians better

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on coalition building, passenger organizing, grievances and arbitrations, the new health care law, and building and sustaining political power, among others. The workshops were designed to equip activists with the tools they need to fight during the coming year.

- continued from page 13 understand transit and the importance of funding public transit.”

Members put the skills they learned to use at the conference by bombarding their senators with cell phone calls urging the legislators to support increased funding for more and better transit.

Attendees also attended workshops

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, D, addressed the conference praising ATU members for their hard work and dedication in getting the people of Illinois safely to their destination each and every day.

Energized by the activist training, members joined unionists from around the world at the Labor Notes Conference. They chose from more than 100 meetings and workshops covering topics such as organizing, fighting austerity, beating apathy, bargaining over technology, understanding the economy, creative tactics, and winning contract campaigns. v

Michigan members mobilized by training, Sign up, today use grievances, how to handle and resolve grievances and unfair labor practices, developing and expanding effective communication, how to develop an effective case and other key skills in the grievance process.

Participants said the information was invaluable. “The training was great. I learned important facts about the grievance process and critical skills that will allow me to better serve my members,” said one attendee.

More than 30 members from Michigan locals took part in the latest generation of ATU training for leaders and members in Detroit, MI.

From Winnipeg to New York City to Spokane to Washington, DC, to Scranton to Halifax and many cities in between, over 1,000 more members have been trained since the Detroit seminar.

The innovative seminar focused on grievance and arbitration.

Attendees learned the basics of collective bargaining, their role as a union representative in the process, why unions

ATU encourages all members to take part in these exciting trainings. Contact your local officers and tell them you want ATU training or email us directly at training@atu.org v

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Hanley renews call for criminal investigation into deaths of 2 BART track worker replacements “What’s missing from the hands of BART right now are handcuffs,” said International President Larry Hanley at the time. “You don’t train in a situation where you can kill people.

It’s like walking into a kindergarten class and handing out loaded pistols.”

He called for a criminal investigation.

‘Simple approval’

Stephen Oelschlaegel holds a candle while wearing his safety vest on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at a candlelight vigil at Walnut Creek BART for the two victims of a fatal BART train accident, October 19, 2013. Investigators from the NTSB took over the investigation into the fatal BART train accident in Walnut Creek, CA. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

It happened on October 19, 2013.

Local 1555-Oakland, CA, had just gone on strike against BART – San Francisco’s light rail system.

Management was training replacements in trains operating on a non-passenger basis.

BART train 963, a four-car train operating in automatic mode traveling at more than 65 miles per hour with an inexperienced operator-in-training at the controls, was proceeding to its destination of Pleasant Hill around 1:45 p.m.

The high-ranking manager designated as the trainer was seated in the passenger area with three BART managers and another trainee instead of maintaining a position next to the trainee in the control cab.

Although he could see the trainee at

the controls from behind the open control cab door, the trainer was not located in a position to closely view the trainee’s actions and observe the track.

Ahead of them, in Walnut Creek, two employees were working on the track. Christopher D. Sheppard and Laurence E. Daniels did not meet the qualifications to perform work near hazardous energized third rails.

Sheppard was a BART special projects manager; Daniels, a contractor and consulting engineer.

‘What’s missing...’

The trainee saw the workers and was attempting to sound the horn and stop the train when the workers were struck and killed.

BART had its “simple approval” authorization process in place at the time of the accident, which made employees working on train tracks responsible for their own safety. On two previous occasions, in 2001 and 2008, employees were fatally injured while operating under “simple approval” authorization.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued citations after investigations of both incidents.

The day after the fatal 2013 accident, BART suspended the “simple approval” process for track maintenance.

On April 17, Cal/OSHA cited BART for willful serious safety violations that resulted in two workers being killed, October 19. The citations carry proposed penalties totaling $210,000.

“In their rush to get service back on the street, BART officials put unqualified workers in safety-sensitive positions, and the results were tragic,” Hanley charged, reiterating his call for a criminal investigation. v

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Public transportation top criterion for Millennials deciding where to live MAJORITY WOULD CONSIDER MOVING FOR BETTER TRANSIT, ASPIRE TO BE LESS RELIANT ON CAR

A large majority of Millennials want access to better transit options and the ability to be less reliant on a car, according to a new survey of Millennials (age 18 – 34) in 10 major U.S. cities, released in April by The Rockefeller Foundation and Transportation for America. More than half (54%) of Millennials surveyed say they would consider moving to another city if it had more and better options for getting around, and 66% say that access to high quality transportation is one of the top three criteria they would weigh when deciding where to live.

The survey examined Millennials’ perceptions and attitudes toward public transportation in 10 major U.S. cities (nine of which have ATU locals) across three ‘tiers’ of transportation systems – “mature” (Chicago, New York City, San Francisco), “growing” (Charlotte, NC; Denver, CO; Los Angeles; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN) and “aspiring” (Indianapolis, IN; Nashville, TN: TampaSt. Petersburg, FL).

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Less reliance on cars According to the survey, Millennials aspire to be less reliant on a car. Almost half (46%) of current vehicle owners surveyed agree they would seriously consider giving up their car if they could count on a range of transportation options. Only 27% of Millennials in cities with “mature public transportation systems” say it is very important to have regular access to a car or truck in their city, versus 60% of Millennials living in cities with “growing transit systems” and 82% of Millennials living in cities with “aspiring public transportation systems.”

Millennials say it is important for their city to offer opportunities to live and work without relying on a car (86% agree in mature cities, 82% in growing cities, and 77% in aspiring cities).

“Young people are the key to advancing innovation and economic competitiveness in our urban areas, and this survey reinforces that cities that don’t invest in effective transportation options stand to lose out in the long-run,” says Michael Myers, a managing director at The Rockefeller Foundation. “As we move from a carcentric model of mobility to a nation that embraces more equitable and sustainable transportation options, Millennials are leading the way.” v

New bill would toughen sentences for driver assault WILL PARLIAMENT FINALLY ACT? Ottawa Senator Bob Runciman, PC, announced, April 24, that he will introduce a bill to amend the Criminal Code to make an assault on a transit worker an “aggravating circumstance” that must be considered by a judge in sentencing those convicted of driver assault. The bill would cover assaults on city buses, motor coaches, ferries, school buses and taxies.

International Vice President Robin West comments: “ATU believes the most important piece missing in reducing these vicious assaults is a public deterrent. A recent decision by a judge in Ottawa is a perfect example. In the decision the judge wrote: “I do not believe the law supports the notion that bus driver assaults per se attract higher sentences than other assaults. I will not, however, consider the assault to be aggravated simply because the victim was a bus driver.”

ATU is supported in this campaign by coalition including the Canadian Urban Transit Association, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, municipalities from across Canada, police associations, numerous members of parliament, and senators from all parties. v

Chicago study exposes ‘transit racism’

The disparity in commute times for low wage African American workers in Chicago compared to others is the product of a country with no serious urban transportation agenda except to benefit the rich says a recent University of Chicago working paper titled Density for All: Linking Urban Form to Social Equity.

“This report reminds us of the daily struggles of thousands of workers, reinforcing the lack of mobility for many Chicagoans and the untold impacts of decades of gentrification. Low-wage African American workers have been pushed out of cities and denied access to the robust public transportation that has been shown to be essential for economic mobility,” says International President Larry Hanley.

Unequal access “It shows,” he adds, “how unequal access in Chicago forms a type of transit racism – and institutional racism of any kind that must be reversed with a serious urban agenda for all.”

Using 2011 census data, researchers found African Americans spend an average of 15 minutes more per day commuting to and from work in the Chicago area. That can be a 25 percent increase over an average urban twoway commute of about an hour.

This isn’t just happening in Chicago.

According to the Brookings Institute the typical metropolitan resident can reach only 30 percent of the jobs in their area within 90 minutes. Others who may be among the 6.3 percent jobless in the U.S. may be unemployed because they do not have any access to public transit or own a car. v The paper can be found at: http://bit.ly/1pK19ex

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Koch brothers attack public transit

US DOT SECRETARY:

‘Invest in America, Commit to the Future’ There’s nothing more American than a bus tour, and it’s appropriate that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx used that mode of travel to promote the Department of Transportation’s “Invest in America, Commit to the Future” campaign.

By now anyone who is interested in the labor movement knows about the billionaire Koch brothers and their campaign to repeal laws protecting collective bargaining in U.S. state legislatures. Still, political observers were surprised to discover that Koch-funded groups are now trying to kill local public transit projects.

Americans for Prosperity – one of the larger Koch-backed outfits – recently wrote legislation a representative introduced in the Tennessee legislature that would, “make it illegal for buses to pick up or drop off passengers in the center lane of a state road.”

The law, which passed the state senate, clearly had Nashville’s planned “Amp” BRT system in its sights, effectively banning any rapid transit there or anywhere else in the state. Eventually, the senate was forced into a compromise with the house on the Tennessee bill, which will give rapid transit a fighting chance in the state.

In Boston, another Koch group, Pioneer Institute, published a study claiming MBTA bus maintenance costs were “out-of-control,” spending twice as much as comparable systems.

The problem with that assessment, however, is that eight out of the 20 systems Pioneer used for comparison are not among the “Top 50” transit systems – as is the MBTA, and also included eight systems where it never snows!

In fact, Ellen Dannin, writing in Salon, says that only three out of the 20 could be considered truly comparable to the Boston transit agency.

Dannin found many other flaws in the report, which was an obvious attempt to cut critical maintenance funding of the MBTA. v

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Foxx’s message during the April weeklong trip was simple: “Americans across the country need new and better transportation options to help them get to school, get to work or start a business; the president has proposed a way to do all this without adding to the deficit... if we can get Congress to say ‘yes’ to investing in America by committing to a multiyear transportation bill.”

Trust Fund running out Fox warns, “The Highway Trust Fund is running out, and across the country, communities are putting transportation projects on hold because they don’t have the funding or the certainty to finish them.

“We must find the will to address our infrastructure deficit – to repair our aging roads, bridges, and transit systems and plan for the new transportation options we need as our population grows by more than 100 million in the coming decades.

“It’s a simple equation: Not investing today will choke tomorrow’s economy.

By continuing to stick our heads in the sand, we are failing our children.” v

Will governments sleep while ridership surges, cities grind to a halt?

Transportation Association (APTA), this was the eighth year in a row that more than 10 billion trips were taken on public transportation systems in the United States.

Remarkable growth in Canada

“Will the record increase in public transit ridership finally convince our national, state, provincial, and metropolitan governments that our nations must meet this growing demand?”, asks International President Larry Hanley.

Highest US ridership since 1956 Hanley’s question comes in response to the news that Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2013 – the highest annual public transit ridership number in 57 years. According to a report by the American Public

Canadian public transit ridership for the first six months of 2013, showed remarkable growth, registering an increase of two percent over the same period a year earlier. This performance is very solid compared to recent trends and experience in other countries, and is higher than the rate of urban population growth in Canada. It again demonstrates the growth in demand for transit service in communities of all sizes across the country.

“Despite more and more people riding transit, more young people forgoing cars and growing urban populations, commuters are waiting longer for crowded buses and trains, if they come at all, and paying higher fares in many places. If we fail to deal with this continuing record growth in ridership, there will be an even more serious crisis facing our already overcrowded and cash-strapped transit systems,” asserts Hanley. v

NDP says rich should pay for Ontario transit plan Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath got out in front in the province’s transit debate, advocating raising taxes on the rich to pay for Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne’s ambitious transit expansion plan.

Horwath would increase corporate taxes, crack down on corporate tax loopholes, and make permanent a temporary tax hike on earners making more than $500,000. She is strongly opposed to any new taxes, tolls, or fees that hit middle-class families.

Horwath staked out the NDP position before the premier released her plan for financing what’s called the “Big Move.”

A split between the Liberals and the NDP would precipitate a provincial election that would focus prominently on the transit funding question. v IN TRANSIT

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ATU, transit systems search Is spitting in for solutions for driver assault a driver’s face an ‘assault’?

Well, duh…

ATU locals and transit systems are searching for solutions to the driver assault epidemic all over the United States and Canada. One interesting transit police campaign, and an innovative suggestion have arisen in Canada.

Vancouver, BC They’ve had enough in Vancouver, BC. After two vicious assaults on bus operators in as many weeks, Vancouver Transit Police launched a “Don’t Touch the Operator” public awareness campaign in an attempt to halt the escalating violence against drivers in the metropolitan area.

Vancouver’s transit system, Translink, put it mildly saying “the awareness campaign is aimed at those who use our system, but may not have the best intentions for our operators in mind.”

Vancouver transit police also produced a video on the campaign and are urging riders to help keep the system safe by calling 911 or texting a special number to report unacceptable behaviour.

It remains to be seen whether or not the warning decal (above) placed on buses will have any effect on those intent on attacking an operator.

Edmonton, AB Local 569-Edmonton, AB, would like to see fare collection taken out of the hands of bus operators entirely, much as it is with light rail.

“The instruction from the employer, from the city, is to ‘Let it go. Tell them to pay double next time’,” says Local President Steve Bradshaw, but, “Sometimes it escalates, emotions get involved.”

“We have a great security section, they do a great job for us, but they can’t stop the problem,” said Bradshaw. “They track it down after the fact… They can’t stop it.”

And, so, the local would like to see a pre-pay system installed to remove the transaction that instigates most attacks on drivers.

“No interaction between the driver and passenger about fares whatsoever. That’s what we’d like to see here,” says Bradshaw. v

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Over the last year, Portland TriMet bus drivers have been the victims of a number of violent attacks, including three stabbings and a vicious beating.

There have also been many more incidents against bus drivers that have gone unreported. However, TriMet managers say most cases – dozens of incidents of riders spitting on drivers – don’t meet the legal definition of assault.

ATU and Local 757-Portland, OR, strongly disagree. These types of attacks make it harder for drivers to safely ferry passengers to their destination and, moreover, are demeaning.

If a person walked into an office and spit in someone’s face that would be considered an assault. It’s time for TriMet managers and all transit systems to take all attacks on drivers more seriously. v

Maya Angelou honored as San Francisco’s first African-American, female streetcar conductor Maya Angelou, one of the leading poets of our time, was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Before she was recognized for her literary talents, Angelou’s claim to fame was that she was the first African-American female streetcar conductor in San Francisco.

The poet, one of only two to recite their own work at a presidential inauguration, was honored as part of COMTO’s annual celebration of “Women Who Move the Nation.”

‘Well, go get it’ In her recent book, “Mom & Me” Angelou relates what happened when she was first rejected for the job.

Her mother asked if it was the job she wanted, and Angelou said it was. Her mother said, “Well go get it.”

Her mother recommended that she to “Go down [to the application office] everyday and be there before the secretaries get there… And sit there until they leave.”

“After two weeks, a man came out of the office and said, ‘Why do you want the job?’

“I said, ‘Because I like the uniforms. And I like people.’ I got the job.” v

ATU mourns loss of Retired International Vice President Luke Hall Retired International Vice President Luther “Luke” E. Hall, 78, passed away at his home in Iuka, MS, April 28, after a long illness. Hall served ATU as an international vice president from 1986, until his retirement in 2002.

Born in rural Tishomingo County, Luke Hall moved to Memphis as a teenager, eventually becoming employed as an operator for the Memphis Area Transit Authority, and joining Local 713, in 1961. Brother Hall was elected vice president of the local in 1968; and served briefly as local president before assuming leadership of the local as financial secretary/business agent in November 1974.

Hall also served on the ATU Tennessee Legislative Conference Board before his election as international vice president in September 1986. As international vice president, Hall traveled extensively for the Union, often in the South, assisting locals, and organizing transit workers wherever he was needed.

He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 59 years, three children, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, and three sisters. v

IN TRANSIT

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Chicago airline gas tax rip-off scamming transit riders and transit agencies, and the RTA has sued to recoup that money. The airline contends that all of its actions have been legal.

Later, RTA added far-suburban Genoa, Savanna and Morris, IL, to the list of cities it says struck deals with three fuel-oil companies to avoid paying the agency’s regional sales taxes in Chicago. No names, yet, of the businesses the fuel companies were serving.

Do you have a cheap friend who always seems to duck out early or forget his wallet when you’re out to dinner, leaving you with the entire bill?

Well that’s essentially what the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) says American Airlines has done in a suit against the air carrier for establishing an office in Sycamore to evade higher Chicago sales taxes. United Airlines and other companies are alleged to have done the same thing.

Problem is that RTA relies on sales taxes for over half its operating budget, and Chicago area transit riders have had to make up difference over the last decade through higher fares and service cuts. The airline owes more than $24 million in gas sales tax revenues to local governments

Hampton Roads Transit v. Portsmouth Meanwhile, in Virginia, Hampton Roads Transit is suing the city of Portsmouth for $633,000 the agency says it owes them for service. But, Portsmouth is suing for a reimbursement of $2.6 million in payments to the agency that the city says went to bus routes in Norfolk, Chesapeake and Suffolk. Neither the city nor the agency would comment on the case. v Check out this great video on this scam here: http://bit.ly/1lDHfgV

ATU calls for ban on fed contracts with companies using offshore tax shelters A Bloomberg News investigation revealed the largest U.S.based companies added $206 billion to their stockpiles of offshore profits last year, shielding their earnings from U.S. taxes in low-tax foreign countries.

Huge federal and defense contractors are among the American companies that have accumulated $1.95 trillion outside of the U.S. – an increase of 11.8% from last year.

Microsoft, Apple, and IBM together added a whopping $37.5 billion, or 18.2% of the total increase.

ATU is calling on President Obama to issue an executive order to ban the government from making federal contracts

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with these companies, saying, “US companies sheltering profits overseas are betraying their country.

“The hypocritical CEOs of corporate America are storing cash in overseas vaults for their shareholders, but not for the American public who are seeing their infrastructure fall apart, their children lose SNAP benefits and family and friends lose unemployment benefits. U.S. troops are making sacrifices every day to protect our freedoms while these Benedict Arnold-like corporate leaders are engaging in acts which betray our country.” v

Accused NJ bus crash driver scapegoat for ‘sweatshops on wheels’

Mom thanks fellow ATU brother for saving daughter’s life

Recent courtroom testimony has revealed that an accused charter bus operator in a 2012 New Jersey crash is the latest scapegoat for an industry that has become a “sweatshop on wheels.” The driver had been on duty for more than the regulated 15 hours in the 24-hour period before the accident.

The driver worked for two different bus companies the day of the accident because – like many drivers – he still couldn’t make ends meet working a 15-hour day. This has been a longstanding problem in the industry as a 2012 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report found many drivers hold multiple jobs to earn an adequate income.

“The real criminals are the politicians, federal agencies and industry groups who continue to turn a blind eye to the carnage on our highways caused by a lack of overtime pay and abuse of drivers who are forced to work over 15 hour days just to make ends meet,” says International President Larry Hanley. v

Louisville local looking to increase bus safety Louisville, KY, residents have become increasingly alarmed by an upsurge of violence on TARC buses. Bus riders, in particular, want to be reassured that they will be safe in the wake of a recent deadly stabbing on a TARC bus and the threatening of an ATU driver by two passengers with guns.

Local 1447 President Jonathan Dooley, who is pushing for more safety measures, says, “I just had a meeting with the safety director and expressed our concerns as a union for our employees and also for the passengers. You know, this is a community type of organization so we’re concerned about everybody’s safety.” “[Buses are] labeled a safe place and we want them to be those safe places,” Dooley added. v

Whiteout conditions and snow squalls made for torturous driving in Southeast Ontario, March 12.

That same day, Brother Peter Knapp, 1624-Peterborough, ON, was driving down “the 401” with a busload of teenagers returning home from a March Break vacation in Montreal.

At 4:58 p.m. Local 685-Brantford, ON, member Kelly Eden received this text message from her daughter Bryanna: “Ok, don’t freak out and don’t call because my phone is dying but the bus just crashed, everyone is ok we are in the ditch.”

As any mother, Eden did freak out. After a long seven hours she finally got her 17-year-old home.

Bryanna explained that two transport trucks had suddenly collided right in front of their bus. In a split second Brother Knapp made a decision, and safely maneuvered the bus into a ditch alongside the 401.

As a fellow ATU member, and mother of one of teenagers on the bus, Eden couldn’t find the words to thank Brother Knapp enough for his quick reaction and dedication to ensuring that those students were safe. v IN TRANSIT

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New presidents, fin secs trained for new challenges Newly elected local presidents and financial secretaries stopped by international headquarters in Washington, DC, March 28, after receiving extensive training for their new offices at the Maritime Union Center near Baltimore, MD. They all hold the “Transit is Greater Than_______” poster (Transit >________) in which they’ve filled the blank with their own favorite problem that transit solves. The “Transit > ________” will be one of the major themes of the ATU campaign in 2014. v

Seniors want transit too Move over Millenials, grandpa wants a seat on the bus too!

That’s right, AARP, fast becoming the chief advocacy group for baby boomers, has found that the number one thing people over 50 want within one mile of their house is – you guessed it – a bus stop!

Fully 50% of seniors say that the most important thing they need where they live is public transit.

And what are the three things older adults say would improve their communities? Make streets more walkable, add transportation for older adults and those with disabilities, and fix or build parks. v

You can find the report at: http://bit.ly/QUK4Pl

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Augusta finds privatization costs more than city operation What a surprise! The city of Augusta, GA, ran the numbers, and guess what? Privatization of their public transit is costing them more than they spent on city operation.

The city’s commissioners engaged McDonald Transit with the promise that it would save $400,000 per year.

But, the city says it actually spent $500,000 more on the privatized

operation than it did with direct city workers.

For the record, McDonald has problems with some of the numbers, saying they added service the city didn’t provide, and that their actual operating costs are $15 per hour less than public operation. v

Call your Senators and Representatives to tell them our country needs more and better public transit and to support the President’s transportation proposal to increase funding for public transit.

Call 202-224-3121 IN TRANSIT

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Hanley to Senate: Time for a transportation bill for all and there has been no help from the federal government,” Hanley testified, pointing out 90 percent of U.S. cities have cut service or raised fares. “People have been left stranded with no way to get to work.

Citing exploding urban populations, worsening traffic congestion, young people forgoing cars, and stressed public transit systems, International President Larry Hanley called on the Senate Banking Committee to set forth a major urban transportation agenda.

“We have been in a transit crisis since the beginning of the recession. Cities and states have been challenged to continue operating current service

“We need a vision for urban America that looks at what our needs are going to be in five and ten years. Public transit is a driver of mobility to get people to jobs and social mobility in our society.”

ATU’s Doors Opening: Transit Workers and Riders United for America’s Mobility lays out a full set of proposals for reauthorization of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), which is set to expire this October. v

Obama sets forth a bold transportation plan ATU applauded President Obama’s call to address the transportation funding crisis, unveiling a new $302 billion transportation proposal Obama sent a clear message to Congress that public transit matters to the American people. Our nation needs a comprehensive transportation bill that sets forth a major urban agenda.

“We need to invest in smart public transit initiatives to prevent America from falling behind our global competitors, and keep our cities and

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ATU: Include OTR drivers in Obama’s overtime plan

towns running,” said International President Larry Hanley in response to the president’s proposal to invest $72 billion in transit systems and expanded transportation options.

“We need 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,” Hanley continued. “It’s time to pass a bipartisan transportation bill that enhances mobility for all of us.” v

March/April 2014 | IN TRANSIT

It’s time for President Obama and Congress to extend overtime protections to intercity bus drivers, just as the president recently expanded overtime pay for millions of other workers.

Obama used his executive authority to change the nation’s overtime rules to allow more hard working people to be fairly compensated for overtime hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which covers 85% of American workers.

However companies in the safetysensitive intercity bus industry remain exempt from FLSA, which invites these operators to overwork their low wage drivers.

“The consequences of overworked and over-tired fast food managers are far less than the consequences of overworking professional bus drivers who are responsible for the safety of human lives,” says International President Hanley. “All workers deserve to be fairly compensated for overtime, but in a safety sensitive industry, where drivers are operating a 50,000 lbs. vehicle traveling at 65 miles per hour, it’s a matter of life and death.” v

Solidarícese con los pasajeros y comuníquese con los legisladores durante Mayo, mes de acción en el tránsito

Establecer lazos

Vinieron a Chicago desde todas partes de Canadá y de Estados Unidos para asistir a la capacitación de ATU. Se fueron energizados por su comunidad espiritual y resueltos a convertir nuestra campaña Mayo, mes de acción en el tránsito, en un gran éxito en nuestros dos países.

Un momento común en la vida

No solo fue la mayor capacitación organizada por ATU en el curso de su historia, sino que, después, los participantes asistieron a la conferencia Labor Notes. Allí se reunieron con sindicalistas de todas partes del mundo: hombres y mujeres que comparten la aspiración de que los trabajadores obtengan una porción justa de los beneficios de nuestra creciente economía mundial. Realmente, ¿es demasiado pedir?

Pero según nuestra experiencia, las demandas presentadas en la mesa de negociación pueden erosionarse rápidamente en la esfera pública. Los mensajes en contra de la clase trabajadora copan las noticias. Las personas corrientes están convencidas ―en contradicción con la realidad― de que la acumulación de reservas monetarias de los millonarios es preferible a que los trabajadores obtengan sus pensiones.

La riqueza es derrochada en millonarios y en armas en todo el mundo, mientras se recortan servicios, y los salarios y los beneficios corren peligro.

A los ricos se les reducen los impuestos, mientras que a los niños pobres se les niegan cupones de alimentación y se gastan miles de millones en armas en todo el mundo.

Así que, a medida que mejore el clima y las personas se vuelvan más amistosas, estableceremos lazos con nuestros pasajeros y les haremos saber que estamos de su lado y que ellos están del nuestro.

Quizás sean solo un par de horas con otros miembros asociados para lograr involucrar a los pasajeros que ven todos los días. Pero la mayoría de los miembros disfruta de la experiencia y desea hacer más.

Compartimos un momento común en la vida con nuestros pasajeros. Nuestro lugar de trabajo es su camino para llegar al suyo. Cuando suben las tarifas y se interrumpen los servicios, son los trabajadores y los pasajeros quienes sangran. Cuando los autobuses son inseguros, tanto los pasajeros como los trabajadores corren peligro.

Los políticos necesitan entender mejor el tránsito. Se ha presentado legislación importante tanto en Canadá como en EE. UU. para que el tránsito sea más seguro y esté mejor financiado. Y eso es lo que nosotros queremos también: que el tránsito sea más seguro y que cuente con un mejor financiamiento. Eso es todo… sin política.

Nuestros sindicatos locales se alinearán con los funcionarios electos y que muestren buena voluntad para invitarlos a que se sumen a nuestro llamamiento público para invertir en el tránsito.

Mayo será un mes divertido que establecerá lazos de solidaridad que cruzarán nuestras fronteras y se plasmarán en nuestras ciudades. Establezcamos lazos con nuestros pasajeros. Establezcamos lazos con nuestros funcionarios y veamos qué podemos hacer. ¡Hagamos oír nuestras voces como un solo ATU! v Visite www.atu.org para obtener más información sobre las últimas novedades de ATU.

Nuestros puentes, nuestras carreteras, nuestros sistemas de tránsito se desmoronan, mientras que construimos autopistas en países extranjeros.

Salimos de Chicago comprometidos a contar nuestra historia en las paradas de autobuses y en las estaciones de tren en todas partes. Comenzaremos con esta iniciativa en el mes de mayo.

IN TRANSIT

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¿Estamos demasiado cómodos?

Hace poco pasé un rato en la sala de directorio de nuestra sede en DC. En las paredes de la habitación, hay colgadas fotografías de los elegidos en la Internacional hace muchos años y de nuestros vicepresidentes internacionales actuales que trabajan en este campo. Es nuestro pasado, nuestro presente y nuestro futuro.

En otras paredes de la habitación, hay estantes repletos de libros que registran los innumerables momentos de la historia de ATU. Es una historia hecha de buenos momentos y de malos momentos para los trabajadores del tránsito. Pero, en general, narra cómo se pudo obtener un estándar de vida que proporcionó dignidad en el trabajo, así como la capacidad de criar a nuestros jóvenes y de cuidar de nuestros mayores.

Plantar árboles Me viene a la mente un proverbio griego que dice: “La sociedad crece cuando los ancianos plantan árboles cuya sombra nunca verán”. Nuestra historia no es perfecta, pero nos hace sentir orgullosos de pertenecer a ATU. Todos los días, cuando recorremos nuestras ciudades, vemos muchas señales, señales que dicen: “No camine; no corra; pare: cruce de tren; luces intermitentes rojas, amarillas y verdes. Zona escolar; girar a la derecha en rojo y no girar a la derecha en rojo. No alimentar a los osos.

Prohibido tirarse de cabeza; no hay salvavidas de turno”.

La lista podría seguir indefinidamente. En conjunto, todas estas señales se clasifican como normas de seguridad.

¿Pisamos sobre seguro? ¿Nos hemos acomodado demasiado bajo la sombra de los árboles de nuestros predecesores? Me parece que, con el paso del tiempo, los que formamos parte del movimiento laboral nos hemos vuelto bastante cautos en nuestro abordaje.

Nuestros predecesores no estaban constreñidos por normas de seguridad, como “No ofenda a nadie hablando sobre

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algo que pueda resultar controvertido. No cambie nada.

No hable de cosas innovadoras. No agite las aguas”.

Cuando nuestros predecesores viajaban hacia los campos, los valles y las planicies de nuestros grandiosos países para sumar afiliados a nuestro grandioso sindicato, el mundo no era un lugar seguro para aquellos que defendían la formación de sindicatos, y sin embargo, corrieron el riesgo.

Ahora nos toca a nosotros también.

No espere hasta que sea demasiado tarde Solo podemos preservar y renovar lo mejor de nuestro pasado y honrar nuestros valores y tradiciones a través de la acción.

Y, por lo tanto, este mes daremos ese paso. Este mes haremos revivir la identidad que nos invita a salir a las calles y a hablar sobre la justicia económica y social, y sobre los terrenos de juego desiguales.

No debemos esperar a que nos hieran o a que estemos en nuestro lecho de muerte. Las señales de aquellos que intentan complotar contra nosotros están en todas partes.

Las ignoramos, no solo arriesgándonos nosotros, sino también a nuestros hijos y a nuestros nietos.

La tarea no es fácil, pero con coraje y convicción, si salimos de ese espacio donde nos sentimos cómodos, podremos lograr mucho; debemos animarnos a ser diferentes, debemos animarnos a ser atrevidos.

Así, “las montañas y las colinas estallarán en gritos de alegría ante ti”. Los árboles plantados por nuestros predecesores harán que sus ramas aplaudan de alegría. Y habremos contribuido con más árboles que proporcionarán más sombra e inspiración a las generaciones que vendrán. v Visite www.atu.org para obtener más información sobre las últimas novedades de ATU.

¿Estamos ingresando en una era de trabajadores “descartables”?

Probablemente no le sorprenda enterarse de que en la actualidad las gerencias de tránsito están haciendo todo lo que está a su alcance para recortar gastos – y que esto frecuentemente se traduce en reducciones salariales y de beneficios reales y en condiciones de trabajo inseguras.

tiempo después. Y solo el 11 por ciento tenía un trabajo de tiempo completo estable.

Estos datos apoyan la opinión de que una amplia clase marginal de personas desesperadas se ha vuelto una característica permanente de la economía estadounidense.

La importancia de esto para el resto de la fuerza laboral es enorme. Las personas crónicamente desempleadas terminarán aceptando casi cualquier tipo de trabajo, sin importar cuán baja sea la paga o cuán escasos sean los beneficios, solo para sobrevivir hasta la semana siguiente o incluso hasta el día siguiente.

Estas acciones por lo general van de la mano de una completa inobservancia de los acuerdos de negociación colectiva, si es que los trabajadores de tránsito cuentan con alguno, y de la ejecución caprichosa de normas laborales de dudosa naturaleza que mantiene a lo empleados en constante desequilibrio.

Presión a la baja

Pagar multas es más económico que observar la legislación laboral

Los sindicatos que combaten estas tendencias se transforman en el blanco de la legislación promovida por los ricos y poderosos que entienden que la mano de obra organizada es lo único que les impide consolidar una fuerza laboral completamente “descartable”.

Con frecuencia, estos empleadores hacen caso omiso de la legislación laboral simplemente porque les resulta más económico pagar alguna que otra multa que seguir las reglas.

Hacen hincapié en que los trabajadores son “descartables” y que pueden ser fácilmente remplazados por personas que están muchos más desesperadas que ellos por un trabajo.

Un artículo reciente publicado por la Brookings Institution reveló que en el 23 por ciento de las personas que han estado desempleadas por más de seis meses encontraron trabajo durante los primeros meses de su investigación, pero más de un tercio de ese grupo volvió a quedar desempleado poco

Eso ejerce una presión a la baja sobre la compensación de toda la fuerza laboral, lo que facilita que se les pague a las personas cada vez menos, menos y menos. Y al bloquear los intentos de aumentar o de mejorar el transporte público, los ricos reducen aún más la presión ejercida para que paguen más impuestos.

Por eso mismo es crucial que usted participe en la campaña de Acción en el tránsito de ATU de cualquier forma que esté a su alcance. Al apoyar el transporte público, estará aportando su grano de arena para luchar contra las fuerzas del corporativismo que buscan maximizar sus beneficios de todas las formas posibles y en detrimento de todos nosotros. v Visite www.atu.org para obtener más información sobre las últimas novedades de ATU.

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.

IN TRANSIT

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In Memoriam

Death Benefits Awarded January 1, 2014 - February 29, 2014

1- MEMBERS AT LARGE RAYMOND BOONE JOHN P COLLINS CLARENCE E GRAY JAMES ELWOOD JONES LUCILLE NIELL 26- DETROIT, MI JOHN R BARBEE JAMES CURTIS HEARNE HAROLD WALKER 85- PITTSBURGH, PA DONALD D BANKSTON STANLEY R CARROLL JOSEPH A CHMIEL RALPH LOUIS JONES JOHN R LAVRINC EUGENE H LAWRENCE ROBERT A MURANO ROBERT N PHILLIPS DONALD GORDON TIDBALL JOHN F TKACH JR CHARLES L WOOD SHIRLEY ZEILER 113- TORONTO, ON LAWRENCE BABINEAU ROLAND GUILBAULT ANGUS MAC FARLANE JOSEPH MIKLOSI ALAUDIN T PIRANI WERNER SCHAIBLE MYKOLA SKYBA ALBERT E TILL 192- OAKLAND, CA WILLIE B COOK BARRY L GEHRET MICHAEL D HENDERSON DAVID MARTINEZ CALVIN U OLIVER WAYNE C WILLIAMS 241- CHICAGO, IL JUANITA ANDERSON ROBERT ANDINO ALONZO BINNS BENNIE L CALVERT ALEX CARTER JR EVERETT L COAKLEY WILLIE C COOPER JOHN E EVANS ANTHONY KEMP JAMES KIMBROUGH CESAR J LOVERA JOHN L MC CLAIN WALTER MC KINNEY CLARENCE REESE LEEVON SKINNER DARRYL G SLOAN

FRANKLIN A SPRING TOMMIE C STUCKEY SAMUEL WALKER VICKIE WILLIAMS LORETTA WILSON 265- SAN JOSE, CA ROBERT B DODDS ANITA JACOBSON FERNANDO A PANSOY WAYNE M PUTMAN DENNIS L TREADAWAY 279- OTTAWA, ON WILLIAM G FINNIE DAVID M WOODARD 308- CHICAGO, IL KENNERD COOPER BEVERLY D HAMPTON DARBY J PRESSWOOD EARL P SINGLETON BILLY R SMITH 381- BUTTE, MT DIANE BOLTON LEONARD HIHNALA 425- HARTFORD, CT LYNVAL SIMMS 568- ERIE, PA ALBIN J MC CONNELL ADOLF UNGER 569- EDMONTON, AB DUANE G DOBBERTHIEN JOHN KNIGHT GEORGE ONUFRICHUK ERIC EVAN PATERSON GILBERT L TODD

618- PROVIDENCE, RI JAMES E BARBARY CYNTHIA B BENNETT HENRY J CRAM THOMAS J DEIGHAN JOHN M RUZZANO SR 627- CINCINNATI, OH RICHARD A JONES CHARLES J LEIBEL 628- COVINGTON, KY PAUL DEATON 689- WASHINGTON, DC JAMES MASON ARCHER GEORGE BRIGHT JR VAN CHEVITANON ARTHER DAVIS GARLAND LEE DILLON NOEL E ESCOFFERY JOHN ROBERT GEORGE ROBERT A HARDY ELLIS M LOWE WALTER W MC FADDEN AMOS P MERCER DONALD L MIZELL ALETHA B MOORE FRANCIS EARLE PALMER GEORGE T PARKS SR JOHN W ROBINSON JAMES ROLAND SMITH FULLER E SOMERVILLE HUAN C TRAN JAMES E WILLIAMS JR 694- SAN ANTONIO, TX JERRY W LYND 713- MEMPHIS, TN A J JACKSON

583- CALGARY, AB ARTHUR S CLARKE HARTVIG R HANSEN ARTHUR J SMITH PERCY G WEBB

726- STATEN ISLAND, NY FRANK PAOLUCCIO

587- SEATTLE, WA DAVID A EARLE JOHN C MUNRO

757- PORTLAND, OR EDWARD M DE SANTIS ANDREW J LUKCIK JR RICHARD J MICK KEVIN MORGAN

588- REGINA, SK HARVEY CONRAD 589- BOSTON, MA THOMAS F BARRY WILLIAM E MORIN 615- SASKATOON, SK GREG NORDSTROM

30 March/April 2014 | IN TRANSIT

732- ATLANTA, GA HATTIE A COPELAND

770- MOBILE, AL JOAN G INGE 788- ST. LOUIS, MO ELDER E BLANKS EDDY R BURRIDGE FRANK A GALATI

DON RAYMOND HALL ABB D RHODES HOEY A SWAIN 819- NEWARK, NJ RICHARD DEVORE ANGELO HIGGS WALTER YADUSKY 824- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ JOSEPH A NELUMS 880- CAMDEN, NJ ARMANDO A DI TONNO RUSSELL A DINGER ROY W NEWMAN ROBERT PAYNE FRANK PERRONE WILLIAM A SPARKS 956- ALLENTOWN, PA JOHN P PRAMIK 987- LETHBRIDGE, AB JOSEPH H BAKOS

CONCETTA FERRIER MICHAEL P GOLINO SARAH MICALIZZI PATRICIA A RODVANSKY RAFAEL A ROLDAN MADELINE SCALTRO 1249- SPRINGFIELD, IL DON EDSTROM HERBERT L FERGUSON 1277- LOS ANGELES, CA TONY DELAROSA SAMUEL GARCIA PHILIP T GODWIN GENE M TROMBLEY J T WILLIAMS 1300- BALTIMORE, MD DENNIS WIPPRECHT 1309- SAN DIEGO, CA LESLIE G DIETMYER RONALD JAMES HENDEE PAUL WILLIS

998- MILWAUKEE, WI EUGENE BERGNER PHILLIP BUSALACCHI JAMES F KELLER LESLIE J WIEDENHOEFT

1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY PAUL E MC CLURE

1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN STEPHANIE M BENNETT CORNELIOUS J SYKES

1342- BUFFALO, NY WILBERT BRANT JR HERBERT C HODGE

1039- LANSING, MI KATHERINE C DONLEY 1070- INDIANAPOLIS, IN DAVID WASHINGTON 1091- AUSTIN, TX GEORGE CARNICLE 1168- WAUSAU, WI EUGENE S MADDEN 1179- NEW YORK, NY JOHN G MC CORD JEREMIAH O’CONNELL 1181- NEW YORK, NY FRANK ALBANESE LUZ ALVARADO JOHN R BISBANO FRANK A CARPENITO MARGARET DELIO AUGUST DIMINO CARLOS ESTEVEZ

1338- DALLAS, TX ARMOUS B SIMS

1374- CALGARY, AB FRANK KOZIOL 1447- LOUISVILLE, KY JOYCELYN COLEMAN 1505- WINNIPEG, MB AIME D BOITEAU MICHEL J LAMBERT DONALD C POTTER HAROLD PAYNE WHITNEY 1555- OAKLAND, CA RUBEN R VALENTIN 1700- CHICAGO, IL CAESAR ASMIS WILLIE J REID 1733- VERNON HILLS, IL HERBERT BANDKE ELKE S BERNARDY

IN TRANSIT

| March/April 2014

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