LOCAL 589
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY Fall 2023
In This Issue Fighting for You pg 4 Golf Outing pg 6 Annual Bus Roadeo pg 8
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LOCAL 589 ATU
Table of Contents 3
President’s Report
4
Fighting for You
6
Golf Outing
8
Annual Bus Roadeo / In Memoriam
10
Tweets of Praise / Retirees
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
Contact: Extensive Benefits
(833) 200-6282
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission Life Insurance $5,000
Contact: MBTA Benefits Dept.
(617) 222-3244
ATU Local 589 Funeral Benefit $2,200
Contact: James Bradley FST Local 589
(617) 542-8212
National Group Protection (Supplemental Insurance)
(800) 344-9016
MBTA Retirement Fund
(617) 316-3800
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2023
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President’s Report A Message from President Jim Evers
Brothers and Sisters, It's almost the end of 2023, and it's been a notable year for Carmen's Union filled with BIG wins and a strong focus on improving the lives of our members. Thanks to your persistent efforts and dedicated support, we have secured a historic new contract with increased wages and improved benefits. We encourage all of our members to review the details of this new contract. See pages 4-5 for more information. Our annual Carmen's Union Golf Tournament was a great success, thanks to blue skies and fantastic members. We are grateful to all of our participating members who helped contribute to building up Local 589’s COPE (Committee on Political Education) fund. See pages 6-7 for highlights of this event. Congratulations to all of our participants in the MBTA's 46th Annual Bus Roadeo! We are grateful for another successful event showcasing the skills and safe practices of our members, while enjoying some friendly competition! Some highlights of this event, as well as the winners, are on page 8.
As always, I want to give a big thank you to you, our members, for staying involved and showing up for yourselves and each other. Your hard work and dedication make us stronger. In solidarity, Jim Evers President
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LOCAL 589 ATU
Fighting For You
Our efforts to secure a better contract for our members were rewarded this August. We have continuously fought for better wages and improved benefits, and we are thrilled that your commitment was recognized with the approval of this historic contract. On August 3, the MBTA Board of Directors approved a 4-year, tentative agreement between the MBTA and Carmen's Union Local 589. This contract includes the most significant wage increase in decades and codification of policies to attract and retain employees. "The new contract is a game changer for our public transit system. It's designed to attract top talent, prioritize safety, and ensure that our services remain accessible to all. We know recruitment alone is not enough. The 4-year agreement includes wage increases and longevity bonuses to help us retain our workers," said President Jim Evers in announcing this historic deal.
The members of Carmen's Union Local 589 work every day to keep the city of Boston running. Without your skills, safe practices, and devotion, the public transit system would fall to pieces. We celebrate contract wins, including a starting wage of $30 per hour for bus operators, extensive health benefits, paid training, and immediate fulltime employment.
"I've been a bus operator for 19-plus years. And I know a few of my coworkers have been here a lot longer," said Alix Gaston, a Barn Captain at the Cabot bus garage. "We haven't seen a contract close to this one." Applaud yourselves for this historic win, and let's continue to fight for fair treatment, justice, and equality. Together, we are stronger! Together, we win!
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2023
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LOCAL 589 ATU
Golf Outing The 2023 Annual Boston Carmen's Union Golf Tournament was held in early September, and it was a beautiful day on the course. After a foggy start, the sun warmed our members as they competed to benefit Local 589's COPE (Committee on Political Education) fund. As a transportation professional, your job, wages, and working conditions are directly linked to politics. By participating in COPE, you can have a direct impact on the political process — from guiding policies on transit funding, privatization, and other issues that affect you to helping elect the public officials who make the decisions. The Brookmeadow Country Club welcomed our members for the day, and we enjoyed an excellent barbecue with our awards ceremony. Thank you to our sponsors, guests, and participating members for making this day a success!
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2023
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LOCAL 589 ATU
Annual Bus Roadeo
Over 30 bus operators and two teams of machinists participated in the MBTA's 46th Annual Bus Roadeo in September. This event offered an opportunity for our members to showcase their safe driving and vehicle maintenance skills while enjoying some friendly competition. Local 589 President Jim Evers and Vice President Bill Berardino also took part in the event.
Congratulations to our winners: RIAD BERHAB Operator at Charlestown Bus Garage MATT DICECCA, MICHAEL HAYWOOD, AND MICHAEL MAGUIRE Service Technicians at Charlestown & Arlington Ave Maintenance Garages.
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2023
In Memoriam Loretta M Adger Paul Bernard Robert E Bond Paul J Bulens Michael D Collins
Stephen M Delaney
William A LaLond
Donald Shepard
Thomas S Desmond
Donna Matney
James J Slattery
Douglas A Harris
Thomas F McCarthy
William A Walsh
Fitzmichael Jean
Anthony R Perry
Robina P White
Paul J Kelley
Ernest Phillips
Janet H Woods
Remembering Robert 'Bobby' Bond Our friend and Local 589 Brother and Barn Captain, Robert 'Bobby' Bond, passed away on July 22, 2023, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 61 years old. Bobby was a longtime MBTA employee and took great pride in being Barn Captain for the MBTA Charlestown Garage. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten by all his loved ones and friends. Thank you, Bobby, for your dedicated service to our union. Rest in peace, brother.
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LOCAL 589 ATU
50-Year Members
The following Local 589 members will reach the milestone of having been part of our union for 50 years in 2023. We want to congratulate and thank all of them for their hard work and dedication.
John B Flanagan Jr
John J Walsh
Philip K Vaughan
Gary S Molyneaux
Kenneth C West
William J Harrington
William C Sprague
Peter E Candora
Paul J Flynn
Francis E Tevenan
Benjamin H Gero
Joseph G Kilkelly
David P Walsh
William J Herlihy
Russell J Young
George V Lazzaro
Retirees
Local 589 wishes the following retiring members of our union the very best.
Jalila L Adams
Thomas J Holmes
Nikki T Ortiz
Maxine Bell
Paula F Honore
Edwin R Pares
Louis Buendia Jr
Alexander Johnson
George A Phillips
Wanda Burnett
Cindy L Johnson
Leroy E Qualls Jr
Richartelin Carius
Henry Johnson
Lu Ann Radcliffe
Quisquella E Castillo
Maureen A Kelsey
Brian A Rumble
Chi Sing Chan
Todd A Kerkorian
Jayda Russ
George H Chase Jr
Aughtney King
Jennifer M Sarro
Wendy L Chrysostom
Tutu Lam-Melanson
Tarsa Simmons
Christine A Cochrane
Jean-Marie LaPommeray
Jessie M Smalls-Dudley
Craig L Costello
Wilfredo Lara
Sheryl Snyder
Bryant S Davis
Gino P Lodola
Richard R Thayer
Dana T DeRosier
Brad M Malin
Ginnette G Valdes
Alfred DiFederico
James L Manley Jr
Philip M Vo
William R Duke
Michael T McDonagh
Whitney W Williams
Paul J Flynn
Daniel M McDonald
John Worth Jr
Christopher Gaffney
Mark McDonough
Sylvester Zeigler
John F Godlewski
Ralph G McKenna
James M. Tucker
Chekesha M Guy
David J O'Brien
Robina P. White
Antrynette J Hobbs
Gerard P O'Keefe
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • FALL 2023
Tweets of Praise
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Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 50 Federal Street, 9th Floor Boston MA 02110
/CarmensUnion589
CarmensLocal589.org
@CarmensUnion589