In Transit - May/June 2008

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Official Journal of the Amalgamated Transit Union AFL-CIO/CLC

Transit Issues Gain Prominence in U.S. & Canada INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Workers Evaluate Candidates’ Positions on the Issues Canadian Agenda

Survey Shows Canadians Want Federal Support for Cities

Legislative Report

Fighting Back in the Nation’s Capital

Transit Prominent at Provincial Conferences

AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS WARREN S. GEORGE International President

MICHAEL J. SIANO

International Executive Vice President

OSCAR OWENS

International Secretary-Treasurer

International Vice Presidents TOMMY MULLINS Roanoke, VA – mullins@atu.org

JOSEPH WELCH Syracuse, NY

RODNEY RICHMOND

New Orleans, LA – rrichmond@atu.org

DONALD T. HANSEN

Tenino, WA – dhansen@atu.org

ROBERT H. BAKER

Washington, DC – bb@atu.org

LARRY R. KINNEAR

Ashburn, ON – lkinnear@atu.org

RANDY GRAHAM

Gloucester, ON – rgraham@atu.org

JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.

Kansas City, MO – jperez@atu.org

RICHARD M. MURPHY Braintree, MA

BOB M. HYKAWAY

Calgary, AB – bhykaway@atu.org

CHARLES COOK

Petaluma, CA – ccook@atu.org

WILLIAM G. McLEAN

Reno, NV – wmclean@atu.org

RONALD J. HEINTZMAN

Mt. Angel, OR – rheintzman@atu.org

JANIS M. BORCHARDT

Madison, WI – jborchardt@atu.org

PAUL BOWEN

Canton, MI – pbowen@atu.org

LAWRENCE J. HANLEY

Staten Island, NY – lhanley@atu.org

KENNETH R. KIRK

Lancaster, TX – kkirk@atu.org

GARY RAUEN

Clayton, NC – grauen@atu.org

International Representatives RAY RIVERA

Lilburn, GA– rrivera@atu.org

MARCELLUS BARNES

Flossmoor, IL – mbarnes@atu.org

YVETTE SALAZAR

Thornton, CO – ysalazar@atu.org

Canadian Council ROBIN G. WEST

Canadian Director 61 International Boulevard, Suite 210 Rexdale, ON M9W 6K4 director@atucanada.ca

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IN TRANSIT

MESSAGE DU PRÉSIDENT INTERNATIONAL PAR WARREN S. GEORGE IL EST TEMPS DE RÉPARER LE SYSTÈME C’est de plus en plus évident : l’économie des Etats Unis est en crise. Le prix de l’essence augmente en flèche. Les familles perdent leur maison.

Les employeurs licencient, réduisent les salaires et éliminent des avantages standards tels que l’assurance médicale et les pensions. La classe moyenne aux Etats Unis est en train de se rétrécir et l’écart entre les riches et les pauvres s’agrandit. .

Nous devons faire quelque chose pour augmenter le niveau de vie dans ce pays et cela doit se faire bientôt.

Quand les travailleurs sont forts, la classe moyenne prospère

L’histoire nous a démontré que lorsque le mouvement des travailleurs est fort, la classe moyenne prospère. Malheureusement, aujourd’hui, seulement un petit pourcentage d’hommes et de femmes, travailleurs aux Etats Unis, appartiennent à un syndicat. Les travailleurs sont plus prospères au Canada où il y a un plus grand pourcentage de personnes qui adhèrent à un syndicat.

Il n’y a aucun doute, si l’on se donne les moyens de grandir et de se fortifier, notre mouvement travailliste améliorera l’économie des Etats Unis. Pour cela, nous devons faire en sorte qu’il soit plus facile pour les travailleurs de s’unir pour former un syndicat et négocier avec leurs employeurs de meilleurs salaires et conditions de travail.

Des études récentes démontrent que 60 millions d’Américains adhèreraient à un syndicat s’ils en avaient la possibilité. Malheureusement, le système actuel (qui permet d’appartenir à un syndicat et négocier) fonctionne tellement mal que cette possibilité n’existe pas pour la plupart des Américains.

Décret sur la Liberté de Choix des Employés

C’est la raison pour laquelle l’ATU, avec l’AFL-CIO et ses affiliés, demandent au Congrès de promulguer une loi sur la Liberté de Choix des Employés (Employee Free Choice Act-EFCA). EFCA est basé sur des lois provinciales canadiennes qui permettent d’être reconnu comme membre d’un syndicat simplement en cochant une carte.

Un des avantages de l’EFCA est qu’il placerait au même niveau les employés et les employeurs. Les employés pourraient choisir de rejoindre un syndicat en cochant simplement une carte, sans être harcelés, intimidés ou sans avoir peur de perdre leur emploi. Cette législation permettrait de pénaliser les employeurs qui violeraient cette loi sur l’emploi et établirait de nouvelles procédures pour aider les employés et les employeurs à se mettre d’accord sur un premier contrat.

L’ATU s’est jointe au AFL-CIO pour qu’un million de membres syndiqués envoient un message au nouveau Président et au Congrès en 2009 - les exhortant à faire voter le décret sur la Liberté de Choix des Employés.

Je vous demande de vous joindre à nous dans cet effort. Vous trouverez dans cette revue une carte postale que vous pourrez détacher et signer et envoyer à l’ATU. Nous communiquerons votre message au nouveau Président et au Congrès l’année prochaine.

En signant cette carte vous pourrez faire partie du million de membres mobilisés dans cet effort, nous aider à faire évoluer l’histoire et aider notre économie.

UN MENSAJE DEL PRESIDENTE INTERNACIONAL POR WARREN S. GEORGE YA ES HORA DE ARREGLAR EL SISTEMA Cada día que pasa vemos claramente que la economía de los EE.UU. atraviesa por una seria crisis. Los precios de la gasolina están por los cielos. Muchas familias están perdiendo sus hogares. Los empleadores están despidiendo a los trabajadores, recortando salarios, y eliminando beneficios de altos estándares, tales como el seguro para el cuidado de la salud y las pensiones. La clase media en este país está cada día más menguada y la brecha entre los ricos y los pobres se está ampliando.

Hay que hacer algo para levantar el estándar de vida en este país y eso debe hacerse bien pronto.

Cuando el Movimiento Laboral es Fuerte la Clase Media Prospera

La historia nos enseña que cuando el movimiento laboral es fuerte la clase media prospera. Lamentablemente, hoy día solamente un porcentaje pequeño de los hombres y mujeres trabajadores en los EE.UU. pertenecen a una unión. Los trabajadores prosperan mejor en Canadá con su alta densidad de membresía en la unión.

Sin duda alguna, tomando los pasos para crecer y fortalecer nuestro movimiento laboral mejorará la economía de los EE.UU. Para poder lograr esto, nosotros necesitamos hacer que sea más fácil para los trabajadores como formar una unión y negociar con sus empleadores para obtener mejores salarios y condiciones de trabajo.

Investigaciones recientes muestran que 60 millones de americanos se harían miembros de una unión si esto fuera fácil hacerlo. Desafortunadamente, el sistema actual para afiliarse a una unión y para la contratación colectiva está tan descompuesto que eso no es una realidad para la mayor parte de los americanos.

La Ley de Libre Opción para el Trabajador

Por eso es que la ATU, conjuntamente con la AFL-CIO y sus afiliados, están urgiendo al Congreso Nacional que apruebe la Ley de Libre Opción para el Trabajador (EFCA). La EFCA está modelada sobre algunas de las leyes provinciales en Canadá que permiten un reconocimiento voluntario de la unión basado en el conteo de tarjetas firmadas por trabajadores.

Entre algunas otras cosas, la EFCA podría nivelar el campo de acción entre los trabajadores y los empleadores. Los trabajadores podrían escoger libremente una unión a través de reconocimiento sindical basado en el conteo de tarjetas firmadas por los trabajadores, sin acoso, intimidación o temor de perder sus trabajos. La legislación también establecería penalidades específicas para aquellos empleadores que violen las leyes laborales, y establecería nuevos procedimientos para ayudar a que los trabajadores y empleadores puedan llegar a un acuerdo sobre su primer contrato colectivo.

La ATU se ha unido a la AFL-CIO en un esfuerzo diseñado para conseguir que un millón de miembros afiliados a uniones envíen un mensaje al nuevo presidente y al Congreso en 2009 – urgiéndoles que promulguen en ley el proyecto La Ley de Libre Opción del Trabajador.

Yo les solicito a todos ustedes que se unan a nosotros en este esfuerzo. En esta revista se incluye una tarjeta postal que usted puede arrancar, firmarla y enviarla a la ATU. (vea el encarte). Nosotros enviaremos su mensaje al nuevo presidente y al Congreso el próximo año.

Firmando esta tarjeta, usted puede ser parte de esta movilización de un millón de miembros, y ayudarnos a hacer historia y mejorar nuestra economía.

www.atu.org

A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

TIME TO FIX THE SYSTEM TO

Join A Union I

t becomes clearer every day that the U.S. economy is in crisis. Gas prices are skyrocketing.

Families are losing their homes. Employers are laying-off workers, cutting wages, and eliminating once-standard benefits, such as health insurance and pensions. The middle class is dwindling and the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

Something must be done to raise the standard of living in the U.S. and it must be done soon.

WHEN LABOR IS STRONG THE MIDDLE CLASS THRIVES History teaches us that when the labor movement is strong the middle class thrives. Sadly, today, only a small percentage of working men and women in the U.S. are in a union. Workers thrive better in Canada with its higher density of union members.

Without a doubt, taking steps to grow and strengthen our labor movement will improve the U.S. economy. In order to do this we need to make it easier for workers to come together to form a union and bargain with their employer for better wages and working conditions in the U.S.

Recent research shows that 60 million Americans would join a union if they could. Unfortunately, the current system for joining a union and bargaining is so broken that it is not a reality for most Americans.

‘We need to

make it easier to form a union’

THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT That is why the ATU, along with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates, is calling on Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). EFCA is modeled upon some of the provincial laws in Canada which permit voluntary recognition based upon a card check.

Among other things, the EFCA would level the playing field between workers and employers.

Workers could choose to join a union with card check recognition, without harassment, intimidation or fear of losing their jobs. The legislation would also establish penalties for employers who violate labor laws and would establish new procedures to help workers and employers agree on a first contract.

The ATU has joined with the AFL-CIO in an effort to get one million union members to send a message to the new president and Congress in 2009 – urging them to enact the Employee Free Choice Act.

I call on you to join us in this effort. Included in this issue is a postcard which you can tear out and sign and send back to the ATU (see insert in U.S. edition). We will pass your message on to the new president and Congress next year.

By signing this card, you can be a part of this million-member mobilization and help us make history and improve the U.S. economy.

www.atu.org

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may/june

2008 Vol. 117, No. 3

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Contents 2

International Officers & General Executive Board

International President’s Message in French & Spanish

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International President’s Message Time to Fix the System to Join a Union

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Magazine Index

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International Executive Vice President’s Message Scared to Get Sick

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International SecretaryTreasurer’s Message Whose Money Is It?

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A Democracy Lesson What if the Rules of Union Representation Elections Applied to Other Areas of Life?

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Workers Evaluate Candidates’ Positions on the Issues

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11 19th Annual Latino Caucus Conference 12 Labor Lingo: A to C 13 Canadian Agenda:

Survey Shows Canadians Want

Federal Support for Cities 14 Legislative Report

Fighting Back in the Nation’s Capital 16 Transit Prominent at

Provincial Conferences 17 ATU Activist: Lanette Mitchell

Executive Board Member,

Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA 18 Canadian Council / Conseil Canadien

Conference Call 19 Arbitration Decisions 20 Local News 21 ATU Training and Events

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8 Canadian Agenda: Survey Shows Canadians 13 Want Federal Support for Cities Legislative Report: Fighting Back in 14 the Nation’s Capital Transit Prominent at 16 Provincial Conferences Workers Evaluate Candidates’ Positions on the Issues

FOUNDERS’ CLUB CLARIFICATION In the March/April 2008 edition of In Transit, participants in the ATU-COPE Founder’s Club were inadvertently listed below the President’s Club, making it appear as though those participants contributed less than $50. In fact, the Founder’s Club is a separate club, distinct from the other ATU-COPE Clubs, which gives special recognition to ATU retirees who continue to contribute to ATU-COPE. In order to be in the Founder’s Club, a participant must contribute at least $40 a year. Many Founder’s Club participants contribute well above this level. In order to avoid confusion in future issues of In Transit, Founder’s Club members will be listed under the ATU-COPE Club under which they would fall were they not a retiree.

The ATU is grateful to all Founder’s Club members for their continued support of the ATU-COPE program.

22 In Memoriam 23 In Memory of Retired International

Secretary-Treasurer Oliver Green 24 Proud to Be ATU

International Officers Pitch In

for Habitat for Humanity

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Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Assistant: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291, USPS: 260-280.

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: B&M Mailing Service Limited, 35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1A5, E-MAIL-BMCOMM@PATHCOM.COM The objects of this International Union shall be to organize Local Unions; to place our occupation upon a higher plane of intelligence, efficiency and skill; to encourage the formation in Local Unions of sick and funeral benefit funds in order that we may properly care for our sick and bury our dead; to encourage the organization of cooperative credit unions in the Local Unions; to establish schools of instruction for imparting a practical knowledge of modern and improved methods and systems of transportation and trade matters generally; to encourage the settlement of all disputes between employees and employers by arbitration; to secure employment and adequate pay for our work, including vacations with pay and old age pensions; to reduce the hours of labor and by all legal and proper means to elevate our moral, intellectual and social condition. To engage in such legislative, political, educational, cultural, social, and welfare activities as will further the interests and welfare of the membership of the Organization. To seek the improvement of social and economic conditions in the United States and Canada and to promote the interests of labor everywhere.

www.atu.org

A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

SCARED TO GET A

nyone who has ever watched an episode of Law and Order knows that the first thing a person is told upon being arrested is that they not only have the right to remain silent, but also the right to an attorney. It is considered a cornerstone of democracy; that people should not be left to fend for themselves, no matter their position in society or economic status. The Canadian health care system is based on that same principle.

POOR LEFT TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES The U.S. health care system, however, is another story. If you are rich, and you become ill, you can walk into the finest medical facility in America and get the best care in the world. But if you are poor, you will be left to take care of yourself.

Now, as union members, most of us are fortunate to have health care. So why should you care about this issue, as long as you are not one of the millions who do not have health coverage?

Here are a few reasons:

‘People should

not be left to fend for themselves.’

While lack of insurance continues to be highest among U.S. families with incomes under $20,000, uninsured rates for moderate and middle-income earners and their families are rising.

Most of these individuals reside in working families – of the estimated 48 million American adults who spent any time uninsured in the past year, 67 % were in families where at least one person was working full time. So it’s a problem that is getting much closer to home.

ARE WE NEXT? You should also be concerned because even if you have health coverage, chances are you are paying an increasing percentage of health care premiums out of your paycheck. Most of our locals in the U.S. report that in recent years, the gains that they have made in wages at the bargaining table have been eaten away by increased premiums. Today, it is not uncommon to see unrepresented workers paying as much as 10 –­20 % of their employer-provided health care costs. Are we next?

Working families are getting squeezed from all directions. Gas is now $4 per gallon, and the cost of food is skyrocketing. If health care costs continue to rise at current rates, and we bear the brunt of it, how are we ever going to pay the bills and save for retirement?

In the richest country in the world, poor people are scared to get ill, and working families are being forced to make very difficult choices. That is sickening in every sense of the word. And as far as the cost of prescription drugs, well, it’s just obscene.

I urge our U.S. members to take a close look at where the presidential candidates stand on this critical issue. Let’s just say that John McCain’s plan won’t work. We need someone in the White House who believes that you have the right not only to an attorney, but also a doctor. If you are ever unfortunate enough to be injured in a car accident, your first call should be to your medical provider, not your lawyer.

www.atu.org

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A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

WHO$E MONEY I$ IT? T

he ATU has long been a leader in training local union officers to do their jobs. Until recently, however, we have not cross-trained local officers. We have now developed a training segment that was successfully introduced at our recent regional education seminars held in Vancouver, BC, and Minneapolis, MN. This course trains other local union executive officers, the presidents and the vice-presidents, on the job duties of the local financial secretary-treasurer.

‘there need to

be checks and balances in local unions’

Why is this important? Because it is the responsibility of the president of your local to ensure that all the other officers do their jobs. It is essential that the president and vice-president understand the financial secretary-treasurer’s duties so that the monies in the local are used to serve the interests of the members.

While very few ATU locals get into financial trouble, when it happens, we are consistently told by the other officers that they had no idea that another officer was taking money from their treasury. We have had incidences of member dues monies being spent to buy personal items, or supporting a gambling addiction.

The members are an additional check on the officers. You have the right to know how your dues dollars are utilized, and you should ask questions of your officers. n

There should be a financial report of the receipts and disbursements at every monthly membership meeting. If any expenditure seems to be at odds with the local bylaws, question it and ask for more information. You should ask whether the executive board receives a written financial report at each of its meetings. Your executive board is like a board of directors and its members should be knowledgeable about the local’s budget.

n

At the close of each six-month period (June 30 and December 31), the local union is supposed to conduct an audit. That audit must be reported to the members within 90 days after the close of the period. As a member, you are entitled to know if your local is in sound financial condition.

n

Ask your officers about what financial safeguards they have in place. Which two officers sign the checks? Who receives the bank statement? Does someone other than the financial secretary treasurer check the bank statement? Who has access to credit cards?

Does any officer have access to debit cards?

n Does your local pay lost wages to members who do work for the local? If so, how do they decide how much to pay? What safeguards have they put in place? Is lost time preapproved by the president of the local? n

Your local is bonded, but you can ask whether the bond is adequate to cover the local’s needs if there is ever a loss.

Just like the checks and balances in government, there need to be checks and balances in local unions. The officers should be vigilant that your monies are safeguarded and only used for the purposes set out in the ATU Constitution or your local bylaws. The executive board has to be a check on the executive officers and the members are a check on the leadership of the union.

After all, it’s your money!

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IN TRANSIT

www.atu.org

See Inserted EFCA Card in U.S. edition

www.atu.org

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Workers Evaluate Candidates’ Positions on the Issues W

orkers in the U.S. face an important decision in the upcoming election. The next president will face rising gas prices, rapidly increasing home foreclosures, growing numbers of Americans without health care or retirement savings, a seemingly never-ending war, disintegrating infrastructure, and a growing national debt.

Below is an analysis of some of the major issues in this election and a summary of where the remaining candidates stand on these issues:

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES The federal transit program provides the bulk of the funding necessary to keep public transportation agencies operating throughout the United States. Currently funded at approximately $10 billion annually, the program provides the resources to build major new rail projects and put energy efficient buses on the street. In smaller communities, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds may also be used to pay operating assistance. Without the federal transit program, the transit industry would be crippled.

Hillary Clinton is the only presidential candidate who has released a comprehensive transportation plan that focuses on public transportation investment.

Clinton says that “increased public transit usage is arguably the best strategy for ameliorating the energy and environmental costs of transportation.” She notes that only 5% of Americans commute to work by public transit, but doubling that figure could reduce carbon dioxide emission by 25%. Clinton believes that public transit is critically important to people who live in urban areas and rely on buses and trains for travel to work and school. And, she recognizes that as the population ages an increasing number of people will need public transit as their ability to drive diminishes. Clinton proposes to increase federal investment in public transit by $1.5 billion per year to accomplish these goals.

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IN TRANSIT

In addition, Clinton has called for linking federal public transit funds to local land use policies that encourage residential developments to maximize public transit usage. Finally, she would increase federal investment in intercity passenger rail by $1 billion over five years in order to help finance capital projects. These investments are in addition to those made for Amtrak.

Although he has not released a comprehensive transportation plan, Barack Obama’s stance on transit is similar to Clinton’s. In response to a recent question regarding federal support for mass transit, Obama declared, “I’m a strong supporter – as part of our broader energy strategy. You know, if we are designing cities, and urban communities and suburban communities around two-hour commutes, then we are destined to continue down the course of climate change. And mass transit not only is far more environmentally sound, but with oil prices sky high, and not likely to go down significantly because of increased demand by China and India, it gives individuals much more of an incentive to look at trains and mass transit as an alternative.”

Obama has also discussed public transit in the context of job creation.

He says that America’s families and businesses depend upon workers having reasonable access to their places of employment. Obama plans to double funding for the federal Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program to ensure that additional federal public transportation dollars flow to the highest-need communities and that urban planning initiatives take this aspect of transportation policy into account.

Obama praised New York City’s congestion pricing plan (which unfortunately failed to pass) as a “thoughtful and innovative approach” to the major traffic congestion issues in Manhattan. The plan would have placed steep tolls on automobile drivers coming into the city during peak hours, with revenues going towards mass transit.

Clinton and Obama are both cosponsors of legislation that would establish a national infrastructure bank that could issue up to $60 billion of taxable tax-credit bonds to help finance publicly owned projects, such as improvements or additions to mass transit networks.

www.atu.org

John McCain has not released a transportation plan, and has said little on the topic. However, during his long Senate career, he has often voted against the ATU’s interests on several transit issues. In 1987, he voted to support an anti-labor amendment to the highway and mass transit bill which sought to restrict the rights of unions to negotiate job protections when public transit agencies contract out services to private operators.

The ATU, along with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates, supports a health care plan built on our nation’s successful universal health coverage plan for seniors – Medicare. Such a plan should provide universal coverage (without exclusions or penalties) as in Canada, be affordable and comprehensive, allow for a choice of providers, be financed through shared responsibility and progressive financing, include effective cost control, and not undermine existing coverage.

In addition, McCain has repeatedly called for reigning in so-called “pork,” (funds that are designated for specific projects throughout the U.S.). He has called for significantly cutting back funding for major transportation infrastructure projects, especially public transit projects. McCain questions the role of the federal government in providing funding for mass transit, and has called for the end of public funding for Amtrak.

John McCain’s health care proposal would undermine existing employer-based health care and would shift the burden of health care coverage to the individual, thereby pushing workers into the private market to fight big insurance companies on their own.

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT The best opportunity working people have to get ahead economically results from employees uniting to bargain with their employers for better wages and benefits – what the union movement calls “the union difference.” But the current system for forming unions and bargaining is broken.

Too few workers ever get the chance to join a union because employers routinely block their efforts – and our current legal system is unable to stop them. At least one-quarter of employers illegally fire workers who try to form unions.

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will level the playing field for workers and employers and help rebuild America’s middle class.

The Employee Free Choice Act will (1) strengthen penalties for companies that coerce or intimidate employees trying to form unions and bargain; (2) establish mediation and binding arbitration when the employer and workers cannot agree on a first contract and; (3) enable employees to form unions (as they do in several Canadian provinces) when a majority at a workplace sign authorization cards.

The ATU is committed to passing the Employee Free Choice Act so that more workers can join unions and bargain with their employers for better wages, benefits and working conditions.

John McCain is not a cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (see page 7 and insert in U.S. edition). On June 26, 2007, he voted to block a Senate vote on the bill.

Both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama are cosponsors of the bill and both have pledged to sign the legislation into law if elected president.

HEALTH CARE America has a health care crisis. Forty-seven million Americans have no health insurance, while millions more are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing costs and inadequate coverage. Health insurance is the number one issue at the bargaining table and workers are increasingly facing shrinking benefits and higher premiums.

Our health care system needs serious, comprehensive reform that will provide guaranteed, affordable health care for all.

www.atu.org

McCain has proposed making health care premiums part of taxable income, essentially creating a new tax for working families. His plan also includes a modest tax credit, which would cover less than half of the average health premium. Workers would be left to pick up the difference.

Although their plans differ in several respects, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama support universal health coverage.

Senator Clinton’s American Health Choices Plan would allow every American to choose to either keep their existing coverage, or choose from the same choice of health plan options available to members of Congress. Her plan seeks to lower health care costs and strengthen health care security. She has also proposed a refundable tax credit designed to prevent premiums from exceeding a percentage of family income. Her proposal would require that all Americans have health insurance.

Senator Obama proposes a new national health plan that will be available to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses. Under this plan, Americans will be able to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. He also proposes an income-related federal subsidy that will be available to individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but still need financial assistance to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan. His proposal would require that all children have health insurance.

RETIREMENT SECURITY After a lifetime of work, retirees deserve a basic level of security.

But employer-provided pensions are disappearing. Over 75 million workers each year have no employer-sponsored pension.

Compounding the problem is the fact that Social Security – the bedrock of retirement security in the U.S. – is under threat.

The next president must protect workers’ pensions and retirement savings and strengthen Social Security, rather than allow dangerous privatization schemes.

John McCain supports privatization of Social Security. He voted for President Bush’s 2006 Social Security Privatization Plan and voted against a resolution that would have prohibited Congress from passing a Social Security plan that would require deep cuts or a massive

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increase in debt. His proposal does not count out increasing the retirement age or reducing cost-of-living adjustments.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama oppose both the privatization of Social Security and any raise in the retirement age.

Senator Clinton’s plan would provide universal access to 401(k)-type American Retirement Accounts designed to provide no-hassle, portable savings throughout a worker’s career. Her plan includes matching tax cuts of up to $500 and $1000 to help middle class workers and their families save, incentives for employers to allow direct deposit into American Retirement Accounts, and would reform the asset tests that currently force moderate-income families to choose between retirement savings and benefits like food stamps.

Senator Obama’s plan seeks to strengthen retirement savings by reforming bankruptcy laws to protect workers and retirees when their employer goes bankrupt. He would also require full disclosure of company pension investments, eliminate income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000, require employers who do not offer a retirement plan to enroll their employees in a direct-deposit IRA account, and expand retirement savings incentives for working families.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS Our country faces an urgent housing financial crisis that is affecting the health of our entire economy and one that is fueling an impending recession. Not since the Depression has a larger share of Americans owed more on their homes than their homes were worth. Nearly 8.8 million homeowners, or 10.3 percent of the total, are in distress – twice the number from a year ago.

For many families, the triggering event will be a catastrophic rate increase on an inappropriate “exploding” sub-prime adjustable-rate mortgage loan. As devastating as foreclosures have been to date, the worst is yet to come. In 2007, home foreclosures increased by 75% to 2.2 million. Foreclosures are expected to accelerate dramatically during 2008, when 2.5 million loans are scheduled for rate resets.

John McCain opposes government intervention or assistance to address the housing and mortgage crisis. He has not proposed any concrete steps to address the issue and instead has stated that he “will consider any and all proposals based on their cost and benefits.”

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both support government intervention to address the housing and mortgage crisis.

Senator Clinton has proposed allocating up to $5 billion in immediate assistance to help communities and distressed homeowners weather the foreclosure crisis. She has called for a freeze in adjustable rate loans for at least five years or until subprime mortgages have been converted into affordable loans. She has also called for a moratorium in home foreclosures for at least 90 days so that a rate freeze can take effect and at-risk homeowners can get financial counseling to help them transition to affordable loans.

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Senator Obama says he will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will make sure home buyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options and he will give a tax credit to all middle class homeowners. He has also proposed to create a fund to help people refinance their mortgages and provide comprehensive support to innocent homeowners. The fund would be partially paid for by increased penalties on lenders who act irresponsibly and commit fraud.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES During the ATU’s 55th Convention last fall, the delegates approved a resolution concerning global warming and the energy crisis. The resolution noted that if Americans used public transportation for just 10% of their daily travel needs, the U.S. would reduce its dependence on imported oil by more than 40%. The measure called upon the ATU to work with its partners in the transit industry and environmental groups to promote the benefits of transit in connection with global warming.

Barack Obama says that climate change is “one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation.” Obama has a six-part energy plan which is aimed at reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. The first component of his plan would reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, through a market-based cap-andtrade system. He would also invest $150 billion over 10 years in clean energy to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid. Obama supports next generation biofuels and has called for increasing fuel economy standards, even beyond the level recently mandated by Congress.

Hillary Clinton’s energy plan is also centered on a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, stronger energy and auto efficiency standards, and a significant increase in green research funding. Her goal is to reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil and address the looming climate crisis. Setting ambitious targets, the plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of global warming, and cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels, more than 10 million barrels per day.

She plans to transform the economy from carbon-based to clean and energy efficient, jumpstarting research and development through a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund and doubling investment in basic energy research. She would also spur the green building industry by funding the retrofitting and modernization of 20 million low-income homes and take concrete steps to reduce electricity consumption, including the introduction of strict appliance efficiency standards and the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs.

Like Clinton and Obama, John McCain would establish a marketbased system to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mobilize innovative technologies. McCain believes that climate policy should be built on scientifically sound, mandatory emission reduction targets and timetables. His plan includes mechanisms to minimize costs and work

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effectively with other markets. McCain, like Clinton and Obama, notes that climate policy must spur the development and deployment of advanced technology. However, his plan relies more on international efforts to solve the problem.

IRAQ More than 4,000 American troops have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 25,000 have been wounded. During the ATU’s 55th Convention, the delegates approved a resolution expressing profound gratitude and admiration for the men and women in uniform, who “deserve better than to be sent to fight in a misguided and avoidable war.” The resolution called for a timetable for the quickest possible withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq, consistent with their safety.

John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the government of Iraq so that it may become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred. He believes the best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors.

He has said that the U.S. could be in Iraq for “maybe 100” years.

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“It’s not a matter of how long we’re in Iraq, it’s if we succeed or not,” McCain said.

Barack Obama says he will immediately begin to remove U.S. troops from Iraq, withdrawing one to two combat brigades each month, and have all combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. He would not build any permanent bases in Iraq. However, he would keep some troops in Iraq to protect the U.S. Embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he would keep troops in the country or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda.

Hillary Clinton says that one of her first official actions as president would be to convene the Joint Chiefs of Staff, her Secretary of Defense, and her National Security Council. She would direct them to draw up a clear, viable plan to bring U.S. troops home starting with the first 60 days of her administration. She would also direct the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a comprehensive plan to provide the highest quality health care and benefits to every service member – including every member of the National Guard and Reserves and their families.

AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION

th

Annual Latino Caucus

“Todos Unidos, Venceremos” S E P T E M B E R 2 5 TH T H R O U G H S E P T E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 0 8

HOLIDAY INN ALLENTOWN 904 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18101 (610) 433-2221 Room Rate: $ 89.00, plus 10% tax Room Reservations must be made by September 4, 2008

jJ

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

For members & associate members: $90.00 registration/dues *All prices are in US currency Please contact Latino Caucus Recording Secretary Corina DeLaTorre at (916) 955-0078, or Latino Caucus Treasurer David Benavides at (210) 924-9718, or visit www.atulc.org www.atu.org

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LABOR LINGO: A TO C An essential element of knowing your rights as an ATU member is understanding the terminology of labor-management relations. With that in mind, this is the first in a series of columns providing a glossary of common labor terminology.

Agency Shop: An agreement under which all employees covered by a labor contract are required as a condition of their employment to either become union members or pay service fees to the union.

Board of Inquiry: Tribunals that resolve complaints of discrimination and harassment under the provincial human rights statutes are usually called boards of inquiry in Canada.

Arbitration: Method of resolving disputes with an employer by submitting the controversy to a neutral third party whose decision is typically binding. “Grievance” arbitration is commonly the final step in resolving differences over the proper interpretation or application of an existing labor contract. “Interest” arbitration is a procedure for resolving an impasse and negotiations concerning the terms to be included in a new labor contract between the union and the employer.

Canada Industrial Relations Board: An administrative tribunal whose functions and powers are established by the Canada Labour Code. Among other things, the CLRB adjudicates labour relations disputes arising under that statute.

Arbitration Clause: The part of the labor contract which provides for the use of arbitration as the final step of the grievance procedure.

Arbitrability: In essence, the question as to whether or not a disputed issue is properly submitted for a decision by an arbitrator. Procedural arbitrability often turns on whether specified steps have been properly carried out prior to the demand for arbitration. Substantive arbitrability concerns the scope of the labor contract’s arbitration clause and whether the particular issue is covered. Questions of arbitrability may be determined by an arbitrator or in court, depending on the arbitration provision in the contract and the applicable law.

Award: The decision of an arbitrator in a dispute which is generally expressed in the form of a written opinion explaining the arbitrator’s reasons for ruling in favor of one party or the other.

Back Pay: Wages required to be paid to workers who have been discharged in violation of the labor contract or an applicable employment law. Under most arbitration clauses, an arbitrator may order reinstatement of an employee who has been discharged or suspended without adequate or just cause. A back pay award is usually reduced to the extent that the worker has received compensation from some other interim job or from unemployment compensation funds.

Bargaining Unit: A conglomeration of workers sharing a community of interests who form an appropriate grouping to be represented by a union for the purposes of collective bargaining negotiations with their employer. All those holding positions included in the bargaining unit are covered by the labor contract whether or not they join the union.

Binding Interest Arbitration: A procedure for resolving collective bargaining impasses through which unresolved issues are submitted to an arbitration panel with the power to decide the terms and conditions of a new labor contract. Employers are sometimes compelled to submit to interest arbitration pursuant to prior contract agreements with the union or under applicable law. The ATU has a long history of favoring and encouraging interest arbitration in leu of a strike that disrupts services to the public.

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Canada Pension Plan: A basic pension plan for employees in all Canadian provinces except Quebec, which administers its own plan.

Funded through contributions made by employees and workers, the Plan was created in 1965 to provide a national insurance system covering retirement and disability.

Card Check: The process of consulting union authorization cards signed by workers to determine whether a union represents a majority of those employed in a collective bargaining unit.

Casual Workers: Persons who are only sporadically or irregularly employed.

Certification: The official designation by an appropriate government labor board of a union’s entitlement to bargain as the exclusive representative of workers in a particular bargaining unit.

Collective Bargaining: Negotiation between an employer and a union to create or make changes in a contract governing the terms and conditions of employment of those workers in a properly established and recognized bargaining unit of workers.

Collective Bargaining Agreement: The formal contract between an employer and union setting forth the wages, hours, benefits, and conditions of employment for those in the covered unit of workers. In Canada, more commonly known as simply the “collective agreement.”

Concerted Activities: Actions undertaken jointly by employees for the purpose of union organization, collective bargaining, or other mutual aide or protection. Such activities are considered “protected” under any applicable labor laws.

Constitution and General Laws: The governing document of the Amalgamated Transit Union as adopted by the delegates to its Convention held every three years. The ATU Constitution includes rules and procedures every ATU local and member is required to honor.

Constructive Discharge: Unfavorable treatment of an employee marked for discharge which is aimed at effectively causing the worker to “voluntarily” resign. Labor boards and arbitrators treat constructive discharges as if they were outright terminations.

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canadianagenda Survey Shows Canadians Want Federal Support for Cities T

he largest-ever survey of Canadians’ attitudes on municipal issues shows they believe municipal governments do not have the resources they need to meet the challenges facing them, and they want the federal government to play a major role in fixing the problem.

The poll of 2,000 Canadians, conducted for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) by The Strategic Counsel, found that Canadians believe their municipal governments are under-funded in relation to the services they provide to their communities. However, they do not see raising property taxes or reducing municipal services as ways to fix the problem. Most believe the provincial and federal governments should provide the additional funds.

INFRASTRUCTURE The poll shows Canadians overwhelmingly want the federal government to provide greater financial support to municipal governments. More than 90 percent say the federal government should help municipal governments deal with infrastructure issues, a view shared across the country, including in Quebec and Alberta.

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They are so concerned about municipal under-funding that they would have preferred the federal government kept the GST at six percent and used the funds to help municipalities. In fact, almost two-thirds support increasing the GST back to six percent if all of the funds were used to invest in local infrastructure.

TAX CREDIT The poll also found that slightly more than half of Canadians are aware of the tax credit for monthly transit passes. However, a majority believes that the tax credit is not effective in motivating people to use public transit – instead feeling the money would be better spent improving transit service.

For more information, visit the FCM website (http://www.fcm.ca/ english/media/press/april152008.html).

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LEGISL A TIV E

R EPO R T :

Fighting Back IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

W

ashington, DC, is known for its world class subway. “America’s Transit System” – better known as “Metro,” transports more than a third of the federal government to work and millions of tourists to the landmarks in the nation’s capital. The new National’s ballpark, which has virtually no public parking, relies almost exclusively on Metrorail to get baseball fans to and from the game.

While the train is what most tourists are most familiar with, Metro’s bus fleet, which provides more than 131 million trips per year, is clearly the less glamorous side of the system. No one is more aware of this than the members of Local 689, who work for Metro. Due to the nature of their employment, which includes working alone, dealing with complaints, working late, and enforcing regulations, DC bus operators are vulnerable to horrific criminal acts.

In fact, in recent years, driving a bus in the District of Columbia has become a major health hazard. Consistent with U.S. and Canadian trends, assaults on Metrobus operators have more than doubled over the past five years, from 36 in 2002 to 84 in 2007. And according to Local 689 President Jackie L. Jeter, assaults have been categorized by the transit agency in a way that keeps the number of incidents artificially low. While operators have been spat on, punched, slapped, kicked, and stabbed, such attacks do not always get reported as an assault. “The protection is not there from Transit. The budgets have been cut so badly that all of the protections for operators have been removed,” explains Jeter.

Crimes range from simple assault to throwing objects at a bus to brutal sexual offenses. In one case, a female bus driver was sexually

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assaulted by a rider who drew her to the back of the bus after she had stopped at the end of a route. Another driver suffered a broken nose after asking a passenger to pay his fare. Residents of a Southeast Washington neighborhood have complained to Metro that they are tired of having objects thrown at buses that have included rocks, bricks, chunks of concrete, snowballs, and even a bowling ball. And bus drivers are confronting all of this while trying to safely steer their vehicles through traffic.

Local 689 started asking questions of Metro police and transit management. It raised the issue in safety meetings and was able to create joint labor-management committees to confront the issue head-on.

Then, in an effort to protect its members as well as the riding public, Local 689 set out to change the law by increasing the penalties for assaulting a transit worker. When legislation was finally introduced at the DC Council, Local 689 began a remarkable campaign to get the bill passed.

TRANSIT WORKERS SHOULD BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY At a public hearing last fall, Local 689 was confronted with some resistance from council members who questioned why the crime of assaulting a transit worker should be subject to a higher penalty than assaulting another person. ATU noted that when transit workers, especially those individuals who operate vehicles, are assaulted in

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the course of performing their duties the safety of every individual on board the vehicle is placed in immediate jeopardy. In addition, passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists are put at risk when bus drivers are distracted for any reason – especially when they become the victim of a senseless assault or battery. “Our members perform an essential public service and I believe that increasing penalties for these crimes will help deter some of these types of incidents in the future and help make it safer for our members and the 99.99% of the public who want a safe and reliable transit system,” Jeter testified.

Following the hearing, the council debated the bill and considered amendments put forth by Local 689 to improve the legislation. Included in those suggestions was a proposal to require Metro to post signs on buses alerting the public about the increased penalties for Local 689 President Jackie Jeter testifying assault. Jeter also pushed before Washington, DC City Council. for the inclusion of all transit workers – not just bus operators – in the protection provided by the bill as other employees, such as rail station managers, are also easy targets.

THE CAMPAIGN The legislative campaign, which took place over a seven-month period, focused on using the collective voice of the local’s 10,000 active and retired members. The local asked members to contact their city council members by postcard. It also kept the topic active in its newsletter, and did a robo-call to activate members as the committee’s consideration of the bill drew near. Local 689’s leadership also met with members of the council to gain their support on the bill.

The local used its website to keep the members up to date on the bill’s progress. “It works well to allow the information to flow out to the membership,” said Jeter.

ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE BATTLE While the fight for the Transit Operator Protection and Enhanced Penalty Amendment Act raged on, Local 689 also found itself under an assault of a different kind, this one from the U.S. Congress. A Republican member of Congress had slipped two unnecessary and outrageous anti-labor amendments into a Metro funding bill. One amendment would cap overtime, while the other would exclude overtime pay in calculating pensions.

While supportive of the underlying funding bill, which would provide sorely needed funds to Metro, Local 689 fought hard against the mean-spirited amendments. The local quickly set up a massive letter-writing campaign which generated thousands of letters to

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members of Congress. “If Metro wants to cut back on overtime, or undercut my retirement, they need to deal with my Union first.

That’s why I joined ATU Local 689. With all due respect, the federal government has no role to play in our collective bargaining sessions,” the letters said. At the same time, Local 689’s leadership worked closely with its Congressional delegation, including U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-MD, to ensure that the bill did not advance with the anti-labor provisions.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF In April, the DC Council passed the assault bill with ATU’s support.

Under the bill, a person could receive a maximum jail sentence 1½ times the length of the maximum regular sentence for assault if the victim is a transit operator or rail station manager. The bill also requires signs to be posted, not only on buses but also on rail cars and in transit stations. As In Transit went to press, the bill was awaiting approval by Congress, the last step for any DC bill to become law.

At the same time, due to ATU’s opposition, the federal bill which would cut back on overtime and pensions has been stalled in committee.

‘“Our members perform an essential public service and I believe that increasing penalties for these crimes will help deter some of these types of incidents in the future and help make it safer for our members and the 99.99% of the public who want a safe and reliable transit system” -Local President Jackie Jeter, 689-Washington, DC

These are huge victories for Local 689. Next year, the local hopes to move forward on assault bills in the other two areas served by Metro – Maryland and Virginia. Without question, the legislative battles it has fought in recent months have taught the members a lesson on how important it is to get involved in legislative and political issues.

“I think more than anything the experience has been invaluable,” says Jeter. “Telling others about lobbying Congress or the city council for what you want and need for your local and the labor movement is a true feeling of accomplishment. It makes you feel that you can take on city hall and win! I have always talked about the difference between belonging to an organization that gives you more than a paycheck. The ATU rocks, it allows us to be giants.”

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Transit Prominent at Provincial Conferences Provincial transportation conferences held recently in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec focused on public transit as a key solution to addressing issues of urban mobility.

ONTARIO At the Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE), held in Mississauga, ON, Minister of Transportation Jim Bradley highlighted the importance of public transit to the province’s agenda. Numerous sessions focused on changing provincial regulations, funding and technical questions facing the public transportation industry.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) was represented

by President & CEO Michael Roschlau and Director of Communications Maureen Shuell. In conjunction with the OTE, CUTA Technical Services staff also conducted a statistical workshop for conventional and specialized transit.

welcomed delegates from across the province to a rich series of sessions and debates about transit in British Columbia, and its linkages to federal issues.

QUEBEC In Quebec, CUTA Director of Public Affairs Bernard D’Amour gave a presentation at the Annual Conference of the Quebec Roads and Transport Association (AQTR) in Quebec City on the impact of federal investment on the public transit industry across Canada.

BRITISH COLUMBIA At the BC Transit conference held in Kelowna, BC, CUTA First Vice Chair Steve New and President & CEO Michael Roschlau

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LANETTE MITCHELL

Executive Board Member, Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA “Anytime we need volunteers for something, she’s there,” says Local 85 President Patrick McMahon about Lanette Mitchell. “She’s always the first to raise her hand and she’s always willing to put in her own time.”

became a member. “I felt like it was important to keep abreast of the issues and to hear it first hand, instead of getting my information through the rumor mill,” says Lanette.

Lanette has been member of ATU Local 85 in Pittsburgh for 11 years.

She began as a bus operator for the Port Authority of Allegheny County and now works as a traffic surveyor. As an executive board member for the local, Lanette represents 37 members employed as traffic surveyors, schedulers, claims workers and clerical workers. She tries to visit with the members as often as possible and keeps them informed on union news through her own newsletter.

TIME TO GET MORE ACTIVE After her two children were grown and out of the house, she decided it was time to get more active. Now, in addition to her duties as an executive board member, she volunteers for precinct walks and phone banks, she serves on the local’s Labor Day Parade committee, she is involved in the local chapter of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) and is a board member for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Woman (CLUW).

This year, she will attend her first ATU Women’s Caucus meeting.

“I’m really excited to meet other Union women and to learn from them,” she says. As the only woman on the 20-person executive board for the local, Lanette thinks its important for women to get involved and she tries to inspire other women to get active in the local.

She doesn’t feel overwhelmed as the only woman on the board though. The other 19 board members, she says, have been great mentors for her. “They are always available to help me when I need it,” she says. “I’ve learned so much from them in a little bit of time.”

Pictured above from Local 85, are Lanette Mitchell (our Activist), Local President Pat McMahon, and Asst. Business Agent Steve Palonis.

Although she didn’t become an executive board officer until last year, she has been active in the union since day one. A first generation union member, she has attended every union meeting since she

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Along with several of her Local 85 brothers and sisters, Lanette is also a recent graduate of the Union Community Activist Network (UCAN), a training program that teaches union volunteers expanded skills for providing services to members and their families.

“She’s a breath of fresh air around here,” says President McMahon.

“She’s here for the right reasons and she’s committed to the job.”

MAY/JUNE 2008

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AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION CANADIAN COUNCIL SYNDICAT UNI DU TRANSPORT CONSEIL CANADIEN

CONFERENCE CALL Wednesday, June 4th to Saturday, June 7th, 2008 at the Delta Halifax 1900 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1P2 902-425-6700 Telephone n 902-492-6405 Fax EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

The Executive Board of the Canadian Council will meet on Monday, June 2nd and Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 AM

LOCAL REPORTS

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, will be set aside for the presentation of Local reports. Please have a copy of your written report available for the Secretary to the Board for the purpose of the minutes.

ELECTIONS

Elections will be held Friday, June 6th for the positions of Executive Board Member from the East, Position #2, Executive Board Member from the West, Position #2, Alternate Executive Board Member from the West, Position #2 and any other vacancy that may occur.

DELEGATE REPRESENTATION

As per Article 6.05 of the Canadian Council By-Laws, delegate status will be based on Per Capita paid for the month of March 2008.

DELEGATE EXPENSES

As per Article 16.01 of the Canadian Council By-Laws, any Local submitting a claim will have their claim reviewed by the Executive Board for a decision.

In accordance with Article 16.01 of the Canadian Council By-Laws, the following procedures will apply before any financial assistance will be granted to any Local making application; 1. Any Local applying must first of all comply with the airfare cost; “Lowest rate available”.

the Canadian Council with such proof ”. The proof that will be required shall be the most recent audited financial statement of the Local Union submitted to the International office and any other pertinent information that will assist the Executive Board in arriving at a fair decision.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Room rates (plus applicable taxes) have been established at $169.00 per night, single or double occupancy for a Delta room and $194.00 per night, single or double occupancy for a Premier room.

Please call the hotel directly at 1-888-423-3582 to make your reservation stating you are with the Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council. The cut-off date for the hotel is May 1st, 2008.

REGISTRATION FEES

Delegates, Alternate Delegates Visitors, Spouses

$100.00 $50.00

The above amounts are to be paid to the Canadian Council office when registration forms are submitted, as per Article 6.03 and 6.04 of the Canadian Council By-Laws.

REGISTRATION DATE AND TIME

Conference registration will take place: Wednesday, June 6th - 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM

BANQUET

A banquet will be held on Friday, June 8th, 2008. Details will follow in the Final Conference Call.

2. Most importantly, “Where a Local Union is unable to send a delegate due to financial constraints, upon written request to

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Arbitration Decisions ATU Local 1181 and Atlantic Express, Inc. ISSUE: Did the Company, Atlantic Express, Inc., violate the collective bargaining agreement by requiring escorts to return to the yard at the end of the day?

SUMMARY: The facts in this case established that although bus drivers must bring their buses back to the yard at the end of the day, the long standing practice has been that after the last student is dropped off, the escorts are permitted to leave the bus as long as the driver does not alter the route back to the yard. For pay purposes, the drivers are responsible for recording the time that the escorts leave the bus. At some point the Company decided that it could no longer trust the accuracy of these time sheets, so it unilaterally implemented a policy that required escorts who claimed overtime payments to return to the yard at the end of the day. In addition to the past practice, the union argued that the language of the contract - “Escorts must return to the yard and punch out or they will be deemed to finish work at the time of the last stop.” -unambiguously allowed escorts to end their days at the last drop off point. They argued that the new policy was a violation of this language and past practice. The Company maintained that there is no other way to assure that the escorts have actually worked the amount of overtime claimed, and that the Company is willing to pay these escorts the additional overtime for the time between the last stop and the trip back to the yard.

HOLDING: On April 7, 2008 Arbitrator Richard Adelman found that the Company violated the Agreement by requiring escorts to return to the yard at the end of the day. He noted that the intent of the agreement was clear, and that the company had the opportunity to address this issue in negotiations. He ordered the company to permit escorts to leave the bus after the last stop at the end of the day, and to pay them the overtime pay to which they may be entitled under the terms of the Agreement.

ATU Local 1577 and Palm Tran, Inc. (FMCS Case Number 06-58576-3) ISSUE: Did the employer, Palm Tran, Inc., violate the collective bargaining agreement by denying employees their contractual Maternity Leave rights?

SUMMARY: This matter concerns two class action grievances filed by the union following a unilateral decision by the employer to require employees to exhaust their FMLA leave banks prior to any use of Maternity leave. The union contended that Maternity leave is separate and a negotiated benefit. They also maintained that the employer violated the contract by dealing directly with the employee on use of Maternity Leave. The employer countered that any leave beyond seven days qualified for FMLA, regardless of the separately negotiated Maternity Leave. They denied the grievance on the basis of past practice and untimeliness. They argued that Maternity leave is a qualifying event under FMLA, and therefore pregnancy leave was designated as both FMLA and Maternity Leave.

HOLDING: On February 22, 2008 Arbitrator James Mancini agreed with the union position that Palm Tran violated Article 19 pertaining to Maternity Leave by improperly denying bargaining unit members the right to take Maternity Leave separate and apart from their available FMLA leave. He directed Palm Tran to provide employees with their right to take Maternity Leave under Article 19 of the parties’ Agreement without requiring them to first exhaust their available FMLA leave time and to provide the Union with copies of all communications which it has in the future between it and bargaining unit members regarding Maternity Leave usage.

WHAT’S HAPPENING? There’s a big wide world out there, and it’s tough to keep up with all the events which can affect your profession and your livelihood. One of the easiest ways to stay informed is to go to your union’s website: www.atu.org. There you’ll find the latest news about the ATU, mass transit, and Labor which will put you ahead of the curve in your knowledge of the issues which are most important to you, your family, and your co-workers.

Don’t stay in the dark! Find out what’s going on.

Check in with www.atu.org, often. www.atu.org

MAY/JUNE 2008

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LOCAL 107 - Hamilton, ON

City of Hamilton - Hamilton Street Railway Company Local President Budh Dhillon and International Vice President Randy Graham report settlement.

TERM:

4 years

WAGES:

Top Operator 1/1/07 - 3% + wage adjustment (6.4% total)- $1.52 - $25.21 (was $23.69) 1/1/08 - 3% - 76¢ - $25.97 1/1/09 - 3% - 78¢ - $26.75 1/1/10 - 3% + 1% (bonus in lieu of breaks)- 80¢ + 27¢ - $27.82

Top Mechanic - Automotive Mechanic 1/1/07 - 3% + wage adjustment (11.4% total) $3.06 -$30.02 (was $26.96) 1/1/08 - 3% - 90¢ - $30.92 1/1/09 - 3% - 93¢ - $31.85 1/1/10 - 3% - 96¢ - $32.81

1/1/07 - 12/31/10

OVERTIME: after 8/40 hours (was 8½ /44 hours) S & A:

Short Term Disability < 1 year of service - 26 weeks at 66 2/3% (was 15 weeks)

VACATION: Add 2 days to each level of vacation accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Add Family Day BEREAVEMENT: 3 days NOTE:

Maintenance shift differential - 85¢ (was 75¢) Operator shift differential - 55¢ (was 40¢) on all runs ending after 11:01 p.m.

Incident reports - paid ½ hour extra at straight time.

LOCAL 256 - Concord, CA MV Transportation (Lodi)

Local President Vic Guerra and International Vice President Chuck Cook report 1st agreement.

TERM:

5.2 years

WAGES:

Top Operator 4/1/08 - 5.0% 1/1/09 - 6.0% 1/1/10 - 3.0% 1/1/11 - 3.0% 1/1/12 - 3.0% 1/1/13 - 3.0%

H & W:

Employer pays 90% single, 70% employee +1 & family

4/1/08 - 6/30/13 -

71¢ 90¢ 48¢ 49¢ 50¢ 52¢

-

$14.96 (was $14.25) $15.86 $16.34 $16.83 $17.33 $17.85

LIFE INSUR.: $10,000 PENSION:

ATU 401(k) - employer matches 25% of employee’s salary deferral. (to 40% on 1/1/11)

VACATION: 1 to 2 years of service, 5 days

3 to 5 years of service, 10 days

6+ years of service, 15 days SICK LEAVE: $6.66 hours/month - maximum 80 hours

- 50% cash out option at end of year BEREAVEMENT: 3 days, 5 days if out of state travel required UNIF. ALLOW.: NOTE:

Provided

Instructor pay - $1/hour premium. The contract was ratified by a vote of 23 to 3.

LOCAL 757 - Portland, OR

Tillamook County Transportation District Local President Jon Hunt and International Vice President Ron Heintzman report settlement.

TERM:

20

IN TRANSIT

4 years

7/1/07 - 6/30/11

www.atu.org

WAGES:

Top Operator 7/1/07 - 4% 7/1/08 - 2% 1/1/09 - 2% 7/1/09 - 2% 1/1/10 - 2% 7/1/10 - 2% 1/1/11 - 2%

H & W:

Employer pays 100% single & 90% dependent premium +100% of deductibles. Health Savings Account - Employer pays 6% into every employee’s account (New)

-

57¢ 29¢ 30¢ 31¢ 31¢ 32¢ 32¢

-

LOCAL 1599 - Tri-Cities, WA

$14.72 (was $14.15) $15.01 $15.31 $15.62 $15.93 $16.25 $16.57

Ben Franklin Transit

Local President Steven Nelson and International Vice President Don Hansen report settlement.

VACATION: Cash out option up to 2 weeks/year HOLIDAYS: Add day after Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve.

Take away President’s Day.

TERM:

3 years

WAGES:

Top Operator 6/1/07 - 2.9% - 61¢ - $20.95 (was $20.34) 6/1/08 - 3.0% - 63¢ - $21.58 6/1/09 - 3.0% - 65¢ - $22.23

H & W:

Employer contributes $837/employee/month (If employer negotiates higher rates with other unions, drivers will also get higher rate)

6/1/07 - 5/31/10

SICK LEAVE: - Maximum accrual 280 hours (was 240)

- Cash out 75% @ retirement with 25 years of service

LOCAL 1729 - Vancouver, BC

BEREAVEMENT: 5 days if traveling 500+ miles roundtrip CDL:

Employer pays 100% for CDL medical exam

NOTE:

$25 premium for installing snow chains & $25 for removing them.

Pacific Transit Cooperative

Local President Dave E. Watt and International Vice President Bob Hykaway report settlement.

TERM:

2 years

LOCAL 998 - Milwaukee, WI

WAGES:

Top Operator 1/1/08 - 3.5% - 68¢ - $20.25 (was $19.57) 1/1/09 - 3.5% - 71¢ - $20.96

Local President Richard Riley and International Vice President Janis Borchardt report settlement.

NOTE: Grievance Process Committee - 2 representatives each from union and management (New)

The contract was ratified by a vote of 109 to 10.

City of Kenosha

TERM:

2 years

WAGES:

Top Operator 1/1/08 - 2.5% - 50¢ - $20.65 (was $20.15) 1/1/09 - 3.5% - 72¢ - $21.37

1/1/08 - 12/31/09

2008

H & W: New hires (after 1/1/09) 5% contribution Dental insurance guaranteed through 12/31/09 NOTE:

w1/1/08 - 12/31/09

- add language on use of cameras.

The contract was ratified by a vote of 13 to 1.

ATU Training and Events

LOCAL 1395 - Pensacola, FL Escambia County Area Transit

Local President Mike Lowery and International Vice President Gary Rauen report settlement.

TERM:

2.5 years

WAGES:

Top Operator 10/1/08 - 4% - 63¢ - $16.47 (was $15.84) 10/1/09 - 4.5% - 74¢ - $17.21

Master Mechanic

10/1/08 - 4% - 78¢ - $20.22 (was $19.44)

10/1/09 - 4.5% - 91¢ - $21.13

VACATION: 6 weeks with 30+ years of service

3/1/08 - 9/30/10

HOLIDAYS: Add Labor Day for Trolley Drivers BEREAVEMENT: Add grandchild, brother/sister in law, step-parents and siblings,

aunts uncles, nephews & nieces and spouses aunts, uncles nephews

& nieces.

TOOL ALLOW.: $50 increase each year of agreement UNIF. ALLOW.: Increase $40 in year 2 NOTE:

ASE Training/Education program - up to $2,500/year The contract was ratified by a vote of 66 to 1.

www.atu.org

June 19 – 22

ATU Women Caucus Meeting Savannah, GA

July 20 – 26

Financial Secretary Seminar Silver Spring, MD

July 22 – 27

Arbitration Seminar Silver Spring, MD

August 1 – 6

Western Regional San Jose, CA

November 16 – 21

Financial Secretary Seminar Silver Spring, MD

November 18 – 23

Arbitration Seminar Silver Spring, MD MAY/JUNE 2008

21

In Memoriam Death Benefits Awarded March 1, 2008 - April 30, 2008 1 - MEMBERS AT LARGE DALLARD G BAKER DONALD E BRAMAN JOHN QUINCY BRUCE EUGENE LESLIE COOPER DENVER EDWARDS LEONARD C GATLEY JASPER A JOHNSON EDWARD W KEFAUVER ERNEST LACKEY JR DARRELL R LESTER ALBERT L LITZNER LUKE JAMON PINER EMORY LAWRENCE SMITH 22 - WORCESTER, MA DONALD B GULLBRAND 26 - DETROIT, MI WALTER E DONOHO MARY L PORTIS 85 - PITTSBURGH, PA HAROLD ARCHEY JR GEORGE M BENSCOTER DANIEL L CHASKY MICHAEL G LESHNOCK FRED W LIMBAUGH JR JOSEPH W MORGAN CARMEN MOSESSO STEPHEN R SALOPEK SR JULIA N SLAVONIC JAMES WILBER YOUNG 107 - HAMILTON, ON RUSSELL W BECKERSON GILBERT R HARRIS 113 - TORONTO, ON CLIFFORD V BASTINE ALBERT BOWLES MARC WILLIAM M CASSON FRANK EDWARD HILL CLAUDIO INFANTE JULIAN KOS CHRIS PEROFF ANDRIES G VANHINTE ONOFRIO VIRDO 134- VANCOUVER, BC ALEXANDER A CONLIN 192- OAKLAND, CA SHEILA D BURTON VINCENT GROVES 241- CHICAGO, IL WILLIAM E CAFFREY LEE N CAIN VERNON CANNON STEPHEN J CARLOCK DARLENE COOK ALLAN J FOWLER WILLIAM A GEDWELLAS ANDREW K GRABOWSKI JOHN W HAWKINS JACQUELINE J JOY WILLIAM G KILSTROM LEONARD C LINK WILLIAM D MARSH CHARLES B MORRIS JOHN T NEWELL EVELYN C PAXTON HILLMAN PHILLIPS

22 22

INTRANSIT TRANSIT IN

ANTONIA M ROBLES CHARLES D ROWELL FRANCIS A SWIONTEK NAPOLEON WHITE JR CLARENCE T WILLIAMS 256- SACRAMENTO, CA NANCY J CHAPMAN 265- SAN JOSE, CA RICHARD HARRIGAN ABRAN V SANCHEZ JOHN W SHARBONOW KENNETH SIEVERS CARL SILVA 268- CLEVELAND, OH JESSE L HARPS LLOYD WOODING 279- OTTAWA, ON EDGAR LANOIS HOWARD ORR 282- ROCHESTER, NY NORMA J CRUZ THOMAS E HOYT

589- BOSTON, MA EUGENE BELL GEORGE J BERNARD JR ARTHUR B CLIFFORD JOSEPH R DALY JR WILLIAM J DUNN ALDEN C ELLIS JOHN H HANLON LEON T HARPER TERRI HENSLEY ROBERT E JOHNSON JOSEPH H KAVESKI PATRICK J O’CONNOR RANDY S RANDALL ANDRE D SMITH ROBERT J STUART WILLIAM E TOBIN

BETTY KETCHERSIDE RONALD C SIMPKINS ROY B WATSON RACHEL B WHITE

591- HULL, PQ RENE-PIERRE BOUTHOTTE

836- GRAND RAPIDS, MI ANTHONY MITCHELL

616- WINDSOR, ON RAYMOND A COTE

842- WILMINGTON, DE TONY FRANCIA

618- PROVIDENCE, RI JAMES ANDREW DOHERTY

880- CAMDEN, NJ MNIECSYSLAW BANSKI THEODORE R CARR JAMES G GIBBS ALBERT W MARAN

308- CHICAGO, IL ANTHONY J CITRO HARRY C COTTON PATRICIA A HORBACH MARVIN C KELSEY GEORGE W PAGE JOHN W ROBERTS MILDRED STERN LOICE WOODS

627- CINCINNATI, OH DANIEL G BARNES GREGORY BRINKDOEPKE PAUL HIGGINBOTHAM STEVE WALKER

425- HARTFORD, CT HENRY A KORTYKOWSKI

689- WASHINGTON, DC JOHN EDWARD ANDERSON ALBERT L BAUMGARTNER ROBERT BROOKS JR CALVIN CADE CHARLES E DAVIS MARIE A FORD SMITH KIM WILLIAM F RICHARDSON ELLIS L RIDDICK

443- STAMFORD, CT JOSEPH MENNONA 508- HALIFAX, NS KENNETH A BERRINGER HUGH D CRUICKSHANK ROBERT M JOHNSON HAROLD R TECHENTIN 540- TRENTON, NJ CHARLES J COOK JR 569- EDMONTON, AB RICHARD CAREY MURRY D CURRAN BARRY J LOBEL JOHN R ZAWALONY 580- SYRACUSE, NY ROGER E SPOHN SR 583- CALGARY, AB RALPH BEAURY RICHARD HENGST NANCY ANN MC CULLOUGH ADOLF MELCHER WILLIAM M SMITH 587- SEATTLE, WA JOE DANIELS ROBERT M HARGREAVES MICHAEL J MURRAY

628- COVINGTON, KY WILLIAM JOSEPH HENN CASSIE LA BORDEAUX

717- MANCHESTER, NH RALF MILTIMORE 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY JOHN GARZONE PHILIP S MACK ANTHONY F SQUEO 732- ATLANTA, GA THOMAS P BOHLER LARRY JACKSON 757- PORTLAND, OR JERRY C CHASE DONALD L DE PEEL RAYMOND C KERSEY LEANNA A ROBIDEAU 788- ST. LOUIS, MO WILLIAM C BISSO VINCENT J DI MARIA ALFRED G GEBAUER VERNON LEE HARRIS JOHN L HOLLEY

819- NEWARK, NJ MARIE T DEEHAN WAYMOND MINITEE 820- UNION CITY, NJ JAMES KERR 823- ELIZABETH, NJ LUIS S AGUILAR HOUSTON BROWN MILTON FERNADEZ FRED JOHN STRAKELE

998- MILWAUKEE, WI DOUGLAS D DUFFIN NORMA M GILMORE JAMES T HICKEY RAYMOND C JENDERS JANET A MARKWARDT CARL MUENCHOW CARL G NOLL 1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN BARNEY E DICKINSON LLOYD E JORGENSEN TERRY L KISLING SR WILLIAM D MASSIE BEVERLY Y MITCHELL LEONARD J PARENT JOAN M WADE 1168- WAUSAU, WI GLEN FRANCIS SMITH 1179- NEW YORK, NY CHARLES ANDERSON ANGELO FERRANTE OLIVER L GARY JOHN GRAZIANO EDWARD HOLKE STANLEY J MAIER ANGELO MONACO 1181- NEW YORK, NY GRAYCE ABRUZZO EVE ARISTIDE ROSE ASARO MARSHALL E BATTE ARTHUR BEATTIE ANN CALDERONE EDITH CARUSO JOHN P CONCINA ANN DE LOUISE PIERRE DELICE

KENNETH EDWARDS JOSEPHINE M ELEFANTE SCOTT J ENDERBY PHILLIS FEINNE FRANK FERRARA ANTHONY FERRARO DOROTHY L FRANDSEN JOHANNA FUSILLI CARLO GIANFORMAGGIO JAMES GIGLIO CARMELA GIUGLIANO LUCY GRECO RICK LUKE GROTANO ARLENE HAROLDSON SYED HUSSEIN ROSEMARIE G IOELE ALDO LEGGIO BERNARD R LEWICZ CHARLES MAHLMEISTER BENJAMIN J MARTINES VINCENT MINSQUERO JOSEPH MONTAGINNO LOUIS MORTILLARO VINCENT PONZIO ALFRED C POSTIGLIONE JOSEPHINE SCIFO JOSEPH SEVERE MICHAEL P SORRENTINO JEAN E TARSIO EDWARD L TATE FIORE FRED TUZZOLO FRED A VEIT MICHAEL A VERO LORETTA WALLACE 1208- JACKSON, MS DAIRELL NONE ANDERSON

JENNIFER A EDWARDS VERNELL MOORE 1342- BUFFALO, NY THOMAS EVANCHO JAMES GANDOLPH JOSEPH M KELLY 1374- CALGARY, AB HARRY ROY EARING JOHN R TILLINGS 1385- DAYTON, OH WARREN E GRUBB CLIFFORD SMITH CHARLES H WHEELER 1400- NEW ORLEANS, LA CATHERINE WILLIAMS 1415- TORONTO, ON KENNETH LEWIS 1433- PHOENIX, AZ GARY L KNAPP 1462- ST. JOHN’S, NF PHILIP A LITTLEJOHN 1499- MUNCIE, IN MURL G BELL 1505- WINNIPEG, MB JACOB BUHLER CHRISTIA FREDERICKSON WILLIAM KARPYSHIN EMIL SZYMCZYNA

1220- RICHMOND, VA ROBERT SAMUEL JONES

1517- IDAHO FALLS, ID JASON ASHWORTH ELMER H COTTERELL 1225- SAN FRANCISCO, CA FRANK W DECKER GEORGE W BURRIS DARRYL R SESSIONS EUGENE F CROSBY MARVIN K CUTHBERTSON 1552- PITTSBURGH, PA JAMES LINCOLN JENSEN LOIS L LOTT MARSHALL WEBB LEACH 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA 1235- NASHVILLE, TN MITCHELL L DOZIER PRECIOUS FOWLKES CLARENCE J KISLING HENRY L LATHAM 1587- TORONTO, ON 1277- LOS ANGELES, CA MARK C HEARD MELVIN M COBB JR HUGH SILENT MARVIN M DE BRUNNER EUNICE JANE DUERR 1589- LONG BEACH, CA CHARLES DE WITT MOSBY JOSEPH P PLUMBER RAUL QUINTANA 1614- DOVER, NJ 1300- BALTIMORE, MD WILLIE F MCCLENDON JOHN G KLEIN DAVID A SCHULTZ 1625- BUFFALO, NY REGINALD SMITH HELEN J TESMER 1309- SAN DIEGO, CA SERGIO BRAVO 1336- BRIDGEPORT, CT BOBBY E MOORE

1700- CHICAGO, IL MANUEL D BANUELOS HENRY C BRAME GARY A FREY GLENNIE E PARKER

1338- DALLAS, TX FLOYD P CALDER

1729- PITTSBURGH, PA EARL LUEHM

www.atu.org www.atu.org

In Memory of Retired International Secretary-Treasurer

Oliver Green

p

Retired International Secretary-Treasurer Oliver Green, 77, passed away Sunday, May 18, in Baltimore, MD. The first African-American to hold an ATU executive office, Green served as International Secretary-Treasurer from 1989, until his retirement in 2000.

School in 1949. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. Upon discharge from the armed forces in 1953, he went to work as a street car operator for the Baltimore Transit Company and joined Local 1300-Baltimore, MD.

Upon hearing the news of his death, International President Warren S. George stated, “Oliver Green was truly one of the great ATU international officers of the twentieth century. His devotion to the causes of the transit worker and Labor was unparalleled, and the kindness and compassion he showed in his service was appreciated by everyone he worked with, particularly at International Headquarters. He was a trailblazer who fought for the rights of minorities in the labor movement.

As an active member Green took part in many of the local’s activities, rising to become Chair of the local’s Committee on Political Education in 1967. In 1968, he was elected vice president of the local, and in 1970, its financial secretary.

“Oliver and I served together on the road as International Vice Presidents and, later, at International Headquarters when he was IST. He was more than a co-worker, he was my friend. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we will miss him greatly.”

Green was elected International Secretary-Treasurer at the 49th International Convention in Anaheim, CA, in 1989, and was re-elected to that office at every subsequent Convention until his retirement in 2000.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Green attended public schools there, graduating from Frederick Douglas High

www.atu.org

In 1975, he was elected International Vice President, covering assignments in the southeastern and north-central U.S. states.

He is survived by his wife, Loraine, two sons, and their families.

MAY/JUNE 2008

23

PROUD TO BE ATU Moving the U.S. and Canada Safely

International Officers Pitch In for Habitat for Humanity The ATUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international officers meeting in New Orleans, LA, during the first week of May, took time out from their schedule to help Habitat for Humanity build houses in the devastated areas of the Big Easy. Some pictures of your international officers, on the job, follow below:

International Vice President Bob Hykaway

Retired International President Bruce Foster, and International Vice President Bob Baker

International Vice Presidents Gary Rauen and Bill McLean

International Representative Marcellus Barnes and International Vice President Rodney Richmond

International Vice Presidents Paul Bowen and Kenneth Kirk

International Vice President Randy Graham, and Chief of Staff Benetta Mansfield

International Vice Presidents Tommy Mullins and Ron Heintzman

International Vice President Don Hansen

International President Warren S. George, Canadian Director Robin West, and Robinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter

International Representative Yvette Salazar, International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, and International Vice President Janis Borchardt

Amalgamated Transit Union

AFL-CIO/CLC 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20016 www.atu.org

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. PERMIT NO. 2656