Carmen's Local 589 Fall 2021 Newsletter

LOCAL1 589

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2021

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY Fall 2021

In This Issue Member Spotlight pg 4 New Transit Control Board Announced pg 7

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Table of Contents

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President’s Report

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Member Spotlight

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New Transit Control Board Announced

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Retirees and Driver Appreciation

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Taking Care of One Another

RESOURCES FOR BENEFITS AND INFORMATION:

In the sad event of a Carmen’s member’s passing, we often receive calls and emails from the spouse concerning benefits and what actions they need to take. Here is some information should you need it - please cut out and save.

Health & Welfare Trust Life Insurance policy $10,000.00

Contact: Extensive Benefits

1(833) 200-6282

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission Life Insurance $5,000.00

Contact: MBTA Benefits Dept

(617) 222-3244

ATU Local 589 Funeral Benefit $1,200.00

Contact: James Bradley FST Local 589

(617) 542-8212

National Group Protection (Supplemental Insurance)

1(800) 344-9016

MBTA Retirement Fund

(617) 316-3800

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2021

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President’s Report A Message from President Jim Evers

Dear Brothers and Sisters, When times get tough, we will always have our members' backs. We know how difficult this year has been on working families, and that the added pressures on the job can stack up. More than anything, we know that the safety and wellbeing of our members and ridership are paramount.

I appreciate the hard work every one of you has put into your work and beyond. Through this pandemic, many have felt the strain and stress of home and work. That's why it's so important to reach out when others are struggling and provide them with the support they need. We are actively working to expand our mental health outreach and resources so members can seek help when they need it.

We are also focused on negotiations, protecting our pensions, and advocating for increased workplace protections.

Throughout pension arbitration sessions, we have successfully pushed back in every way possible on policies that could have compromised our members' retirement security.

Thanks to our tireless advocacy, we are also proud to announce that for the first time in history, the governor-appointed MBTA Control Board will include a labor seat. Chosen by Governor Baker from a shortlist delivered by the Massachusetts AFLCIO, the new labor seat will be occupied by Robert Butler, vice president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and president of the Northeast Regional Council for the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers.

I'd like to thank you all again for your excellent work and dedication. I look forward to productive discussions on how we as officers can best support members, and I appreciate everyone showing up to our in-person membership meetings to make your voice heard. Together, we can work towards a

We are also continuing to work with the legislature to secure

safe and just public transit system for all.

key wins for the membership and ridership alike, from low-

In solidarity,

income fare funded by progressive revenue to our assault bill which will ensure strong consequences for any individual who

Jim Evers

threatens the health and safety of our workforce. For more

President

updates on our legislative goals, read page 5.

Boston Carmen's Union Local 589

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Member Spotlight Celebrating 50 Years: Thomas Connolly

50-year member Thomas Connolly has seen quite a few

He worked on the tragic day of the Boston Marathon bombing

things in his decades-long career, and he is still going

in 2013 and even drove District Judge Arthur Garrity (and his

strong. The Somerville native first joined Local 589 at the

2 bodyguards!) during the Boston schools busing battles

Arlington garage in 1971, before MBTA buses had radios, air

in 1974.

conditioning, or even power-steering. Driving at night was a particular challenge, he said, since city roads had not yet added streetlights.

"When you drove the trolley, if you went more than 12 feet off the track you were completely stranded," Connolly said.

"You would have to move the trolley back onto the wire."

Despite the technical challenges, Connolly believes that the first 10 years on the job were some of the best in his life. Over the course of his 50-year career, Connolly worked through the Blizzard of '78 and the April Fool's Day blizzard of 1997.

As he hits the 50-year mark, Connolly plans to retire next year and travel across Europe and the U.S., riding on a plane for the first time in his life.

"I want to check out those bullet trains they have in France, and ride through the Swiss Alps," Connolly laughed. "I've traveled to Florida, the West Coast, California, and Canada— all by train. Now it's time to travel Europe!"

We thank Thomas Connolly for his years of service, and we hope he enjoys his well-earned retirement!

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2021

New Transit Control Board Announced The new MBTA board, appointed by Governor Baker, will have a labor seat for the first time in its history, thanks to our tireless advocacy.

After months of advocacy from Local 589 and the Public

Transit Public Good coalition, we are proud to share that

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Baker's MBTA board. The new labor seat will be occupied

Transit Worker Assault Bill

we have successfully secured a labor seat on Governor

by Robert Butler, vice president of the Massachusetts

AFL-CIO and president of the Northeast Regional Council

for the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and

Transportation Workers.

The panel will also be chaired by Betsy Taylor, a six-year veteran of the state Department of Transportation Board

of Directors; Thomas "Scott" Darling, a safety consultant;

We are continuing to fight for an assault bill that will seriously punish offenders who threaten the health and safety of our members. It's not enough

to show up on the scene and ask what happened

— we need to make sure each and every one of our

Brothers and Sisters can work and live peacefully.

We will keep you all updated on our progress,

Travis McCready, executive director of the U.S. Life Sciences

and we will make sure that whatever bill gets

Transportation Consulting.

and guarantee consequences for those who hurt

Market for JLL; and Mary Beth Mello, the principal at Mello

The five appointees bring the board to full strength three months after the last MBTA board had expired.

"The expertise and diversity of perspectives that make up this Board will allow the MBTA to continue to focus on providing

safe and reliable service to riders as it invests record levels

of funding across the system, and I am thankful for the Board's willingness to serve," Baker said in a statement.

voted in has the power to protect our members transit workers.

Low-Income Fare

Equity is an important part of public transportation,

and we firmly believe that a more equitable T is the key to increased ridership and increased

opportunities for our members. That's why we've

been advocating for a reduced transit fare for low-

income Boston residents, funded by progressive

After a challenging year, the new board has its work cut out

revenue (like taxing millionaires and closing corporate

representing us.

Transit Public Good. Stay tuned for more updates

for it, but we're proud to have a powerful voice in labor

loopholes) alongside our coalition members in Public

and ways to get involved in the fight.

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Scholarship Opportunities Looking for financial help for your child’s college education?

As a member in good standing, your child (graduating high school seniors) may be eligible for up to $16,000 in scholarship funding.

Scan the QR code with your smart phone to learn more.

In Memoriam James V. Erti

Francis A. Fusco

Roodly Joseph

Mitchell H. Frank

Mahdi A. Hassan

Michael J. McDonagh

Transit Driver Appreciation

Nicholas Rossi

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2021

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Taking Care of One Another 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental health issues each year. As frontline drivers and operators, we have some of the toughest jobs in the country. From working hours that impact our families and our health to the occasional negativity from those we serve, it can be a lot. Not everyone knows how to ask for help when they need it.

It’s up to us as friends, coworkers, and loved ones to check

As a state employee, you have access to free counseling, substance abuse resources, and more through the GIC Employee Assistance Program, including: •

In-person or virtual counseling visits per issue (up to 3 per year), at no cost

•

30-minute telephonic or in-person legal or mediation consultation per issue per year, at no cost

•

Guidance from a financial advisor to help with debt, foreclosure, financial planning, and more

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Referrals for services including child care, elder care, and more

•

Access to Optum’s 24/7 confidential Substance Abuse Treatment Helpline

in when we think someone might be going through a rough patch, and let them know that there are resources to help.

Scan your smartphone here to learn more.

Retirees Dina Allen

Michelle L. Donnelly

Hanjie Huang

James Ransom

Tracey D. Allen-Stroud

Mark A. Doria

George J. Legner

Francis E. Shea

Karen Boswell

Timothy P. Driscoll

Ryan G. Massiah

James C. Stone

Michael E. Butler

Sherry Duarte

Leroy A. McPherson Jr.

Marcello Valentini

Brian C. Coe

Jackie Everidge Jr.

Rowena McQueen

Aimer A. Washington

John P. Collis

Herman A. Fulwider

Linda A. McRae

Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 50 Federal Street, 9th Floor Boston MA 02110

Care that Works DO YOU NEED EARLY MORNING CHILD CARE? Our new child care program, open as early as 5:00 a.m., might be the solution for you and your family!

Scan this QR code or visit: CareThatWorks.org/Interest-Form to get started.

For more information contact Lindsay McCluskey at: lindsay@massclu.org or 617-758-9681.