nov/dec
2009 Vol. 118, No. 6
w w w . a t u . o r g
3
Contents 2
International Officers & General Executive Board
International President’s Message in French & Spanish
3
International President’s Message Preparing for Winter
4
Magazine Index
5
International Executive Vice President’s Message Private Employer Bargaining Strategies
6
International SecretaryTreasurer’s Message We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Back
7 Ray Rivera Appointed International Vice President 7 Organizing Report 8 ATU’s Angel in Queens One of CNN’s Top 10 ‘Heroes of 2009’
A Message from the International President Preparing for Winter
8
12
7 11 20
Ray Rivera Appointed International Vice President Know Your Rights The Legal Framework of Collective Bargaining in Canada
Legal Notice For Fair Share Fee Payers
10 ATU Drivers File Class Action Suits against First Group
What the House Health Care Bill Would Do for You
11 Know Your Rights The Legal Framework of Collective Bargaining in Canada 12 Legislative Report JOBS NEEDED, NOW 13 Canadian Agenda Toronto Local Blasts Cartoon Blaming ATU Workers for Fare Hike
OECD Says Traffic Congestion Strangles Toronto’s Productivity
14 56th International Convention Announcement 15 Edmonton Local Fetes 50-Year Members, Retirees 16 Local News 19 Arbitration Decision ATU Local 1700 and Greyhound Lines, Inc.
COVER: Happy Holidays from all of us at the International! 1. Ynez Wells, 2. Mary Shirley, 3. Leo Wetzel, 4. Heather Karp, 5. Kristi Adams, 6. Madonna Gems, 7. Mary Goldsworthy, 8. Nancy Trumbull, 9. Elizabeth Marksberry, 10. Shawn Perry, 11. Tyler Home, 12. Missy Goode, 13. International Executive Vice President Ron Heintzman, 14. Matt Kurkjian, 15. International President Warren S. George, 16. Beth Petrusic, 17. Clayton Sinyai, 18. Karen Head, 19. Aaron Hilligas, 20. International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens, 21. Liza Giebel, 22. Lauri Straughan, 23. Ann Washenko, 24. Priscilla Lanham, 25. Juanita Virgil, 26. Benetta Mansfield, 27. Jessica Chu, 28. Alexis Cowan, 29. Shelley Thompson, 30. Yvette Evans, 31. Margaret Reza, 32. Stephen George, 33. Gale Hennon. Not pictured are: Christy Clark, Mark Cowan, Erin Cummins, Tina Evans, Faye Hawkins, David Highnote, Ebony Horad, Charles Lester, Robin McDermott, Allen Nuccio, Tracy Oliver, John Remark, Jeff Rosenberg, and Dan Sundquist.
20 Legal Notice for Fair Share Fee Payers 22 In Memoriam 23 US: Union Plus Union Safe Ad Canada: Drivers Wanted for Olympics 24 ATU Activist: Newark Member Fights for Working Families
4
IN TRANSIT
Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291, USPS: 260-280. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: B&M Mailing Service Limited, 35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1A5, E-MAIL-BMCOMM@PATHCOM.COM The objects of this International Union shall be to organize Local Unions; to place our occupation upon a higher plane of intelligence, efficiency and skill; to encourage the formation in Local Unions of sick and funeral benefit funds in order that we may properly care for our sick and bury our dead; to encourage the organization of cooperative credit unions in the Local Unions; to establish schools of instruction for imparting a practical knowledge of modern and improved methods and systems of transportation and trade matters generally; to encourage the settlement of all disputes between employees and employers by arbitration; to secure employment and adequate pay for our work, including vacations with pay and old age pensions; to reduce the hours of labor and by all legal and proper means to elevate our moral, intellectual and social condition. To engage in such legislative, political, educational, cultural, social, and welfare activities as will further the interests and welfare of the membership of the Organization. To seek the improvement of social and economic conditions in the United States and Canada and to promote the interests of labor everywhere.
www.atu.org