Carmen's Local 589 Winter 2022 Newsletter

LOCAL1 589

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY Winter 2022

In This Issue Celebrating Historic Wins in Washington D.C. pg 4 Remembering April Raines pg 8

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Table of Contents

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President’s Report

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Celebrating Historic Wins in Washington D.C.

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Securing Our New Contract

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Annual Golf Tournament

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HEALTH AND WELFARE NOTICE We work hard as a union to provide you with top-quality health coverage at a low cost. Through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), we receive some of the best healthcare in the state. When you sign up for additional health plans

Remembering April Raines

that promise lower costs or better

Legislative Update / Retirees / 50-Year Members

coverage, you can lose your current healthcare and may end up paying more out of pocket in the long run.

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Tweets of Praise / In Memoriam

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Supporting Labor Champions

RESOURCES FOR BENEFITS AND INFORMATION:

Don't fall for false promises. Ask your

union if you need help navigating your health coverage.

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 • WINTER 2022

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President’s Report A Message from President Jim Evers

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are having a safe and successful start to 2022.

After two years in a global pandemic, we are all eager to

Read our article on page 4 to learn more about how the Infrastructure Framework package will revitalize

turn the corner on this difficult period in transit history.

the MBTA.

Despite the hardships, we have secured major victories

With these wins under our belt, we're in fighting shape to

in 2021 that will serve us in the new year and beyond. In December, we ratified a new contract agreement that provides pandemic pay to our frontline workers and incentivizes the MBTA to convert more of our part-time staff to full-time employees, alleviating ongoing schedule issues and expanding our family-sustaining wages and benefits. For a full summary of our contract wins, visit page 5.

We could not have secured these wins without your hard

make 2022 one of our most successful years yet. Thank you again for everything you do to keep Boston moving, and we look forward to another productive year together.

In solidarity, Jim Evers President Boston Carmen's Union Local 589

work and sacrifice. Showing up to work each day and delivering high-quality, professional service in the face of adversity is all of the proof we need to fight for the provisions we deserve.

Our advocacy doesn't end here — we will continue to lobby the anti-assault bill through the Massachusetts State House in 2022, to ensure swift and immediate consequences for riders who threaten the safety of our membership. In the face of service cuts, we are also working with the MBTA to attract new hires and fast-track full-time schedules, wages, and benefits so that all of our employees can enjoy life-sustaining careers and our riders can continue to depend on us.

This past fall, we also succeeded in passing the once-in-ageneration Infrastructure Framework package, investing $1.2 trillion into our roads, bridges, and transportation systems. To honor the men and women who operate and maintain our public transit systems, several ATU leaders — including myself — were invited to the bill's official signing in Washington D.C. It was an exceptional honor to represent Local 589 at the White House and witness the ushering in of a new era of infrastructure investment. With these new funds, we can finally repair and replace aging train cars, buses, and garages with new electric and energy-efficient upgrades.

Right to Left: Former President of Local 589 & ATU International VP Richard Murphy, Former President of Local 589 John Lee, ATU International President John Costa, Local 589 President James Evers Jr., and Former President of Local 589 & ATU International VP Stephan MacDougall

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Celebrating Historic Wins in Washington D.C.

After years of gridlock, the nation finally greenlit the once-ina-generation Infrastructure Framework package, investing $1.2 trillion into our roads, bridges, and transportation systems. Last November, Local 589 President Jim Evers was honored with an invitation to Washington D.C. to witness President Biden sign this historic bill into law.

"It was a tremendous honor to represent Boston's public transportation workers at this historic event," Evers said. "Leaders from many industries and across political parties came together

Leaders from many industries and across political parties came together to celebrate building a better America for our children and grandchildren."

- Jim Evers, Local 589 President

to celebrate building a better America for our children and grandchildren."

This law also expands public transit options across every state in the country, replacing thousands of aging transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero-emission vehicles and improving

The final package provides critical support for our nation's transit systems, including: •

$39 billion in additional transit funding to modernize our public transit system.

•

$89.9 billion in guaranteed funding for public transit over the next five years — the largest federal investment in public transit in history.

•

Addressing the epidemic of violent assaults on transit workers that have plagued our country's transit systems by including language from the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act.

accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The event highlighted labor's critical role in pushing this legislation to the finish line, thanking workers for doing their part to urge Congress to reach an agreement. Department of Labor Secretary and former mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, was among the notable attendees.

We're excited to see Local 589 on the national stage, and we look forward to America's revitalized infrastructure system!

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022

Securing Our New Contract Last December, our new contract, which was overwhelmingly ratified by the membership on December 12, had been officially approved by the MBTA Board of Directors, marking an end to months of tough negotiations. This contract is a big win for our union after a challenging year.

As essential frontline workers, we faced undue pressure and risk throughout the pandemic. We showed up to work in the worst of the surge, without basic safety-net protection, including lack of proper PPE. In recognition of these efforts, we've secured $2,000 pandemic pay* for the hard-working members who showed up to work each day at the height of the pandemic.

We've also secured the following key provisions for all of our members: •

Two-year wage increase of 5.1% for all employees

•

$2,500 diversion payment*, to be paid out by

•

Two additional paid personal days per year, regardless

•

New incentive to convert more part-time workers to

March 2022

of employee service or sick leave usage

full-time staff, alleviating ongoing schedule issues and

expanding our family-sustaining wages and benefits

•

Hiring bonuses paid out to both operators and the new employee(s)

We're also proud to formally recognize Juneteenth as a guaranteed paid holiday, replacing Bunker Hill Day. The new contract went into effect retroactively from July 1,

2021, and extends to June 30, 2023. We want to thank all of

you in the membership for helping us secure these victories.

Our strength through solidarity means we can bargain for the provisions we deserve.

*This payment does not count for pension purposes and is not subject to employee pension contributions.

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Annual Golf Tournament This past September, members and their families enjoyed another sunny afternoon participating in our Annual Golf Tournament!

Over 144 golfers turned out for the event on Friday, hitting the links at the Brookmeadow Country Club in Canton. We'd like to give a special congratulations to our first place winners — Kevin Geraghty, Rob Toscano, Joe Consolo, and Jeff Medeiros with a score of 61.

Thank you to everyone who came out for a great cause — together, we were able to raise funds for the Committee on Political Education (COPE). All of our political contributions and advocacy come directly from the COPE fund, helping pro-transit elected leaders who fight for us at City Halls and in the State House. We look forward to many more years of tournaments and events to

First place team Kevin Geraghty, Rob Toscano, Joe Consolo, and Jeff Medeiros with a score of 61.

give back to our members and our communities.

Maureen Fisher and Karen Day

Local 589 Executive Board

Second place team Lou Raymond, Mike Keller, and Paul Raymond with a score of 65.

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022

The Boston Carmen’s Union 2021 Golf Tournament PLATINUM SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

National Group Protection Inc. Gryphon International Investment Corp.

The Labor Bureau, Inc. MBTA Police Association

State Police Association of Massachusetts Andrew Kenneally QRGA, LLP MBTA Pensioners Club MBTA Inpectors Union Local 600

GOLD SPONSORS

Amalgamated Transit Union International Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 726 - Staten Island, NY Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 113 - Toronto, Canada Branca, Powell & Joyce, P.C. Tremont Strategies Group

SILVER SPONSORS

617 Media Group The Suffolk Group, LLC Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. I.A.M. & A.W. Boston Lodge No. 264 State-Line Graphics East Boston Saving Bank

Chris Shaughnessy and Chris Hall

GREEN SPONSORS Labor Systems Roofers Union Local 33 Mass Bay Credit Union Boston Firefighters Local 718 Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council Construction & General Laborers - Local 22 Local 2222 IBEW Retired Transit Workers Association

Guy Pierre

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Remembering April Raines

From Daphne:

Awesome Pretty smile Respectful Interesting Lovely Remarkable Always smiling Intelligent Nice Entertaining Sweet

Last October, we lost our union sister

Together, Daphne, Evelyn, and April made a powerful trio, texting,

Cabot Bus Barn Captain April Raines. In

and FaceTiming daily in between their busy schedules. They said

her eight years of service at the MBTA

April was a committed mother, always shepherding her three

and throughout her life, April made a

children to school and practices, even taking them to work with her

difference. Members knew her as a tireless

so they wouldn't have to ride the bus alone. She was also known

representative and advocate, defending

for her culinary talent—always put on grill duty when the friends

their careers and livelihoods when they

got together.

had nowhere else to turn. In 2019, April ran for Cabot Bus Barn Captain and won, becoming one of the first Black female members to serve in that role. Cabot Garage is a better and more inclusive place to work today because of April's devotion to her colleagues.

"She got me more involved in the union," coworker and friend Daphne Terry said. "I started going to union meetings because of her — I called her 'April Obama.'"

The life of a bus driver can be difficult, but April Raines was known for making friends wherever she went, always smiling and joking even when the job got tough.

"Before I was friends with April, I never used to socialize at work," bus driver Evelyn Green said. "But after my mother caught COVID-19 and I started missing shifts, it was April, my union rep at the time, who defended me and fought for me. After that, we became instant friends."

April's passing has been a gaping loss for our union and our community. The past two years have been some of the most trying times in our local’s history, and it is because of strong, dedicated, and compassionate leaders like April that we have made it through this pandemic together.

Local 589 is stronger today because of her insightful, bold, and big-hearted leadership. May she rest in peace and power.

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022

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Legislative Update With the January legislative session in full swing, we are doubling

further discourage any behavior that would put our members in

our efforts to ensure that our members and ridership have access

jeopardy. Our jobs are challenging enough without having to put

to the best public transportation we can provide. In partnership

our personal safety on the line, and it's time that Massachusetts

with the Public Transit Public Good coalition, we are continuing

legislators installed adequate protections for our workforce.

to advocate for a low-income fare funded by progressive revenue, to reduce the burden on the people who rely on public transportation the most.

Stay tuned online and during our upcoming membership meetings to learn more about our latest advocacy efforts for members and for working families across Greater Boston. No

We are also still seeking to raise the assault penalty on those

matter what happens, we will always have our members' and our

who commit violence against transportation staff, to keep our

community's backs.

workforce and our train cars safe for the rest of the public, and to

50-Year Members Silas Brown

Stephen Green

Maurice Murphy

Guy Santarpio

Richard Waldron

Richard Dalton

Thomas Harney

William O'Connell

Norman Sawyer

Patrick Ward

Eddie Dean

William Krafve

James Pierce Jr.

Lawrence Schmidt

Russell Worth

Ralph Diggs

Charles Lebel

John Prizzio

James Sears Jr.

George Wright

Dennis Dubina

Frank Mollins

William Reddicks

Gerald Sullivan

Loretta Adger

April Cain

Jodis Dubuisson

Michael Marfongelli

George Silva

Richard Albee

Scott Cappelluzzi

Francis Gilmore

Michael Mazes

Perry Spencer

Daniel Antonowicz

Reginald Carter Sr.

Bradley Glenn

Lillie McAfee

Thomas Stevens

David Arsenault

John Chan

Maria Hernandez

Anjanette Medina

Erik Stockwell

Reginald Ball

Robert Clancy

Linda Herrick

Michael Morris

Latanga Stokes

Daron Banks

Maurice Cliffe Jr.

Kathleen Higgins

Edward Nave

Richard Szymczak

John Benson

Mark Coakley

Robert Hightower

Kenneth Nicol

Julian Vega

John Benson Jr.

Dank Combs Jr.

William Hogan

Phillip Philben

Sigfredo Vega

Mekonnen Beyene

Joseph Conde

Wayne Hunte

Yvette Qualls

John Weinstein

Margaret Boyd

John Cronin

John Hynes

Maureen Romano

Christopher West

Timothy Brown

Ray Crosby

Jay Karbello

Gerald Sarro

Stephen Witham

Joseph Buffong

Brian Cummings

Michael Kelly

Antonio Scola

Allen Woodman

Michael Buggy

Keith Davis

Robert Kelly

Jan Seibert

George Young

Retirees

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LOCAL 589 ATU

Tweets of Praise

In Memoriam Michael Ainsley Sr.

Robert Moakley

Stefano Avitabile

Queen Parkman

George Burke Jr.

Paul Purcell

Clifford Burri Jr.

April Raines

Karen Kane

Natasha Keesha Vasquez

CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022

Supporting Labor Champions Local 589 Endorses Maura Healey for Governor

As the 2022 gubernatorial race heats up, we're proud to endorse Attorney General Maura Healey for Governor. Healey has served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 15 years, beginning as chief of the Civil Rights Division in the Attorney General's office, and later winning her underdog bid for Attorney General in 2014. As a champion for working families, she has tackled every kind of injustice, from systemic racism in the workplace to marriage inequality.

Healey plans to continue that track record in the top office, with her top goal being to take on Massachusetts' growing wealth inequality.

Massachusetts has been named one of the most unequal states in the country despite our strides in public education and access to healthcare.

For a vast majority of residents, wages have not kept up with soaring rent prices, and the high cost of living has taken a toll. Healey also understands that high-quality, affordable public transit is essential for addressing wealth inequality. We can count on her to invest in a robust public transit system for the Commonwealth.

That's why Carmen's Local 589 is proud to stand with Maura Healey for Governor of Massachusetts. Stay tuned for more information on her campaign platform and volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks and months!

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