Member Spotlight

Denise and Rico Shea

When you come home and vent after a hard day at work, it's important to have a partner that understands how you feel. When you work at the same job, well, that makes it even easier.

That's the case with Carmen's Local 589 members Denise and Rico Shea, who entered the MBTA lottery together in 2004. They were lucky enough to both score a slot and joined Local 589. The job soon turned into a "family affair" in Denise's words, when their daughter Latasha signed on to be a union bus driver as well.

"It wasn't a question of joining the union," Denise shared. "We know it would be the smart choice in the long run."

Both born and raised in Massachusetts, Denise and Rico Shea have always had strong ties to the city of Boston. After beginning a position as an accountant in 1996 at Clark University, Denise and Rico were introduced through a mutual friend and married four years later.

To avoid relocating out of Worcester and Massachusetts with their current jobs, Rico and Denise entered the MBTA lottery. Within a few months, they both were offered bus operator positions. Before starting their positions, the two headed downtown to fill out their paperwork where a secretary's misunderstanding resulted in a memorable first day on the job. While in line, Rico stood about six people ahead of Denise, completing his paperwork before her. When it was Denise's turn, she handed her files to the secretary who mentioned that she had just seen a man who had the same address and last name. Denise joked that the two of them had been adopted by the same family when they were kids. When Denise returned to explain their true relationship, she found out they were the first married couple to enter the MBTA and Carmen's union already together.

"On your first day, you're supposed to take an employee headshot that they put up on the wall," Denise said. "They were so excited to have a married couple that they had us take our photo together." Together, Denise and Rico have been each other's support system throughout the years. At the end of long and hard days, each had the other to rely on and talk through any incidents that arose. But that support system didn't end there. The two have been loyal members of Carmen's Local 589 since they began at the MBTA in 2004. Denise voiced her appreciation for the group of hardworking individuals who supported her and her family throughout the years.

In 2012, Denise left bus operation behind and took on a new role as an accountant within the Capital Delivery department of the MBTA. As of August 1, 2021, Rico is officially retired from the MBTA.

We are so proud of Rico and Denise's accomplishments throughout the years and are happy to celebrate their loyalty to Carmen's Local 589.

Summer Membership Meetings

Transit Driver Appreciation

After one and a half long years apart, Carmen’s Local 589 was proud to hold our first in-person membership meeting this year on June 15. It’s been a rough year for everyone, and the reunion was bittersweet as we mourned the loss of our Brothers and Sisters at Local 589.

President Jim Evers proudly reported that we had avoided layoffs even in the pandemic's darkest periods and won critical victories against privatization. The past year has taught us that we accomplish most when we work together, which is why the Local has been collaborating with various community groups on the Public Transit Public Good campaign, fighting for a labor seat and a rider seat on the Transit Control Board. Above all, Local 589 works to protect our members, and our new assault bill aims to do just that, by granting essential rights and protections to drivers who have their health and safety threatened.

In July, we reconvened to discuss memorial plans for fallen member Sonia Harris, and several of our members took on the vital topic of mental health. The Local is working on expanding our mental health resources after this challenging period, and we owe it to each other to check in with one another so every member has a place to turn for help. We’re all on the same team, fighting for a safe and fair workplace for all. All in all, it’s been a productive summer, and we look forward to being all together again soon.

Carmen’s Local 589 is proud to serve so many wonderful and hard working MBTA transit drivers. This summer and always, we extend our gratitude to our members who tirelessly work to keep the city of Boston moving. The past year, we have faced many unexpected challenges. Navigating public transportation throughout the pandemic was difficult, but Boston travelers were lucky to have selfless workers who put the needs of others first, risking their own health and safety. To all of our members, thank you for all that you do, we are incredibly thankful to have you onboard.