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.
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$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
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$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