O F F I C I A L J O U R N A L O F T H E A M A LG A M AT E D T R A N S I T U N I O N | A F L- C I O/C LC
MAY / JUNE 2016
ATU HEROES GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. International Executive Vice President OSCAR OWENS International Secretary-Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS LARRY R. KINNEAR
Ashburn, ON – lkinnear@atu.org
RICHARD M. MURPHY
Newburyport, MA – rmurphy@atu.org
BOB M. HYKAWAY
Calgary, AB – bhykaway@atu.org
JANIS M. BORCHARDT
Madison, WI – jborchardt@atu.org
PAUL BOWEN
Canton, MI – pbowen@atu.org
KENNETH R. KIRK
Lancaster, TX – kkirk@atu.org
GARY RAUEN Clayton, NC – grauen@atu.org MARCELLUS BARNES Flossmore, IL – mbarnes@atu.org RAY RIVERA Lilburn, GA – rrivera@atu.org YVETTE TRUJILLO Thornton, CO – ytrujillo@atu.org GARY JOHNSON, SR. Cleveland, OH – gjohnson@atu.org ROBIN WEST Halifax, NS – rwest@atu.org JOHN COSTA Kenilworth, NJ – jcosta@atu.org CHUCK WATSON Syracuse, NY – cwatson@atu.org CLAUDIA HUDSON Oakland, CA – chudson@atu.org BRUCE HAMILTON New York, NY – bhamilton@atu.org MICHELLE SOMMERS Brooklyn Park, MN – msommers@atu.org JIM LINDSAY Santa Clarita, CA – jlindsay@atu.org
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
NEWSBRIEFS A reminder: ATU International at new address ATU International has settled into our new headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, at the former AFL-CIO’s National Labor College. However, we continue to get mail at our old headquarters address in Washington, DC. As a reminder our new mailing address is: ATU International 10000 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20903 Phone: 301-431-7100 Fax: 301-431-7117
More corruption at DC MetroAccess contractor, MV Transportation Another bombshell at one of the five private companies that DC Metro contracts with to run the paratransit service MetroAccess. MV Transportation was found to have billed Metro for MetroAccess services it did not provide including transporting customers who had died, according to a settlement of a lawsuit. The complaint had been filed in February 2013, by two former employees and investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, the District, Maryland and Virginia. “We expect that our taxpayers’ contributions will be used for the benefit of riders, not lost to fraudulent billing practices,” said the Attorney Generals of Virginia, the District and Maryland in a joint statement.
16,500 “likes” and growing Thanks to all our members, riders and transit advocates for spreading the word about the ATU Facebook page, we now have more than 16,500 “likes” and growing. If you want the latest news, videos, and more about ATU, transit and politics be sure to “like” the ATU Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/ ATUInternational/. If you already “like” the ATU Facebook page, please be sure to share our stories and invite your “friends” to like the ATU Facebook page. And be sure to follow our Twitter handle @ATUComm to stay up to date on what’s trending in public transit, politics and other issues.
ANTHONY WITHINGTON
Sebastopol, CA – awithington@atu.org
DENNIS ANTONELLIS
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS
STEPHAN MACDOUGALL
International President Jim La Sala, ret. International President Warren George, ret.
Spokane, WA – dantonellis@atu.org Boston, MA – smacdougall@atu.org
ANTHONY GARLAND
Washington, DC – agarland@atu.org
ANTONETTE BRYANT Oakland, CA – abryant@atu.org SESIL RUBAIN New Carrollton, MD – srubain@atu.org EMANUELE (MANNY) SFORZA Toronto, ON – msforza@atu.org
ATU CANADA PAUL THORP
Brampton, ON – president@atucanada.ca
International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret. International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret. 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, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Tel: 1-301-431-7100 . Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361.RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: APC Postal Logistics, LLC, PO Box 503, RPO, West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6.
CONTENT
M AY/J U N E
2016 Vol. 125, No. 3
11 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message: Trump asking Americans to have blind faith in him 18 Greyhound bus crash linked to driver fatigue
Dayton Local worries about forced overtime at RTA
19 Bay Town Trolley workers avert strike
5
ABANDONING PARATRANSIT TO SAVE IT - ATU REPORT EXPOSES HOW UBER, LYFT UNDERMINE TRANSIT
King County Metro driver logs many miles and smiles
20 ATU Canada rallies against violent attacks on Kelowna members
Minneapolis teen charged in vicious attack on operator
21 New ATU video calls attention to assault epidemic
ATU HEROES GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
12
Attacks on Portland, OR, drivers nearly double
Transit worker assaults found everywhere in North America
22 Seattle drivers, King County Metro working to improve safety
Detroit: More transit officers boost bus safety
2 International Officers & General Executive Board
23 Edmonton makes bad bus behavior illegal
3 Index Page
4 Alexandria, LA, still violating transit workers’ First Amendment rights
24 Report your bus, maintenance safety problems on the ATU App today!
News Briefs
Another transit agency censoring workers
6 Contract extended despite Latrobe Local’s safety concerns
Contract renewed as talks continue with Wilmington, NC, Local
Deranged man hijacks DC Metrobus, kills pedestrian
Don’t miss the 58th ATU Convention in Toronto because you don’t have a valid passport!
25 Buffalo Local protests 7 years without contract during NHL Draft
A Lincoln, NE, rider on a mission
7 DC Circulator drivers, coalition win Metro parity
26 Baltimore transit workers protest subway rats
What contractors really mean when they say they’ll do it cheaper
8 Legislative Agenda: Make sure your voice is heard in this election - ATU-COPE month extended 9 International President’s Message: ATU at our best 10 International Executive Vice President’s Message: An American tune
Local, Niagara Transit resolve differences
27 Local opposes TNC, taxi service to and from Bloomington bus stops
Save the Date: ATU/MS Research Funds 31st Annual Golf Tournament
28 Translations (Spanish) 31 In Memoriam 32 ATU COPE - The Voice of Transit Workers
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
3
Alexandria, LA, still violating transit workers’ First Amendment rights to increase funding for critical bus service. Members of Local 981 have not been allowed to speak before the Council and the City Attorney is threatening to discipline the Local for plans to hold a public town hall meeting on the issue.
‘Stomping on our rights’
Do they not believe in the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment?” asks Local 981 President Darnice Briggs.
It may be 2016, but censorship is alive and well in Alexandria, LA. The Alexandria City Council has been denying transit workers and riders their right to speak out on the need
“The City is stomping on our free speech rights. Do they not believe in the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment?” asks Local 981 President Darnice Briggs. “The City cannot divide us from riders who rely on public transportation each day. We will not be silent until we get the much needed increase in funding for public transportation.” The union’s legal counsel sent a letter threatening legal action against the city for violating workers’ First Amendment Rights, but the city has not responded. v
Another transit agency censoring workers First it was Chicago, then Grand Rapids, MI, then Alexandria, LA, and now it’s Austin, TX. This is part of the disturbing trend of cities and transit agencies’ retaliatory attempts to trample on the free speech rights of transit workers occurring across the country. In Austin, Capital Metro warned a Local 1091 member to not talk with the media after the bus driver who was brutally assaulted by a rider was interviewed by an Austin Fox News affiliate. After the story aired the transit agency called in the driver and handed him a “Media Relations Policy” and “reminded” him not to talk to the press. In response, the union’s legal counsel has filed a lawsuit against Capital Metro for violating workers’ First Amendment Rights after reviewing the media relations policy.
4
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
“This is flat out censorship by Capital Metro. They are violating our First Amendment rights in an attempt to muzzle transit workers from talking with the press about a brutal assault on a bus,” says Local 1091 President Jay Wyatt. “We will not be silent.” v
Abandoning paratransit to save it ATU REPORT EXPOSES HOW UBER, LYFT UNDERMINE TRANSIT
Uber and Lyft know no bounds in their attempts take over all modes of transportation and make a buck. Now these transportation network companies (TNCs) have their sights set on paratransit. The TNC’s and their allies have enlisted the Brookings Institution to issue a report claiming transit agencies could reduce their demand response and paratransit budgets by contracting companies like Uber and Lyft to provide ADA-mandated service for people with disabilities.
Devastating impact Now, ATU has joined with disability advocates to go toe-totoe with transit and “gig economy” on-demand companies with their own report exposing the devastating impact that public transit agency partnerships with TNCs will have on riders with disabilities and transit workers alike. “Instead of leading a real movement for infrastructure and transit investment, groups like Brookings and APTA are encouraging agencies to sell off the riders and workers they care least about to companies that care even less,” says International President Larry Hanley. “You have public transit agencies hiring companies that spend every single day in the courtroom arguing that they shouldn’t have to provide accessible rides, basic employee protections, or abide by local laws meant to guarantee either of those things.”
already bottomed-out wages and working conditions make it impossible for companies like Uber and Lyft to apply their business models and produce cost savings without injuring riders and workers. Insead, paratransit services can be improved by creating a national, public dispatch and reservation system similar to Uber and Lyft’s software and re-organizing the way existing services are provided. “Government contracts should not be given to companies that refuse to acknowledge the needs and rights of wheelchair users and provide accessible taxi and livery services,” says United Spinal Association President & CEO James Weisman about the report. “After passing wheelchair and scooter users at the curb, companies that discriminate should not be subsidized to pick them up and should be prohibited from entering into contracts with public transportation providers.” v
TNC business model precludes compliance Specifically, the ATU report argues that compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the density and future growth of paratransit markets, and the industry’s IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
5
Contract extended despite Latrobe Local’s safety concerns The drivers say that National Express discourages them from reporting malfunctioning warning lights for wheelchair lifts, inoperable public address systems, broken window defrosters and failing brakes, among other items. “They don’t care about the public’s comfort or safety,” says one driver. National Express’s Molly Hart says they are investigating the drivers’ complaints, adding, “Safety is our top priority. As such, we take all feedback seriously and are looking into each issue that has been brought to our attention.” A Westmoreland County Transit bus pulls out onto Lincoln Highway in Greensburg on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Evan R. Sanders | Tribune-Review
Drivers counter that managers retaliate against drivers who file written repair requests or refuse to drive buses that need repair.
Westmoreland County Transit Authority (WCTA) in Pennsylvania has extended the contract of National Express Transit Co., for a year, despite allegations from Local 1738-Latrobe drivers that the private transit provider has ignored their safety and maintenance concerns.
Local President David Merrill says retaliation comes in the form of intimidation. “It’s the attitude and the whole nature,” he says, adding, “People can intimidate without saying a word.” v
Contract renewed as talks continue with Wilmington, NC, Local Wave Transit has renewed its contract with First Transit even though its drivers represented by Local 1328Wilmington, NC, have complained of inadequate maintenance by the company. Local 1328, which is in its tenth month of negotiations with the multinational, has threatened to strike over wages and bus maintenance.
‘Disappointed’ “Basically, we’re a little disappointed,” says Local President Terrence Dewberry. “Things have improved and we’re expecting a lot more improvement, but we want to make sure we have the right people in the right jobs, because transit in this area is too important to not be done right.”
First Transit’s Rick Dunning (left) listens as Local President Terrence Dewberry, 1328-Wilmington, NC, and driver Jackie McCullough (right) talk about maintenance problems on Wave Transit buses. – Cammie Bellamy/STARNEWS
But Wave says they required improvements in the new agreement with First which will have to meet certain goals
for better maintenance and fewer breakdowns, and send representatives to the boards’ monthly meetings. v
6
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
DC Circulator drivers, coalition win Metro parity Local 1764 members and their Washington, DC, coalition partners scored a big victory in May, ratifying a new contract that raises their standard of living and ensures stronger safety protections for operators. Under the new three-year deal with private contractor First Transit, Circulator bus drivers, the region’s lowest-paid public transit operators, will join Metrobus operators as some of Washington’s best-paid drivers.
The union and First Transit signed the agreement in late May, and the new wages went immediately into effect. First Transit has also agreed not to require employees to drive buses that are not in a safe operating condition. v
Retirement contribution tripled In addition, First Transit has agreed to triple its contribution to the workers’ retirement savings 401(k) plan. The contract comes on the heels of the Local exposing the results of a safety audit that found that 95 percent of the Circulator buses inspected had at least one safety problem so significant they should have been pulled from service. It’s estimated that the new agreement will cost $3 million more than the current contract. The District government is expected to come up with $1 million of that, and ask First to supply the rest.
What contractors really mean when they say they’ll do it cheaper The decades-long experiment of contracting out public services such as transit by governments, known as “privatization,” has often had dire consequences for the public, workers, and the environment. A new report by “In the Public Interest,” Cutting Corners: How Government Contractors Harm the Public in Pursuit of Profit, details the negative impacts on the public of cost-cutting by contractors at every level of American government. To maximize profit, companies have often cut corners by reducing the quality and accessibility of services, reducing
staffing levels, lowering worker wages, and sidestepping protections for the public and the environment.
Dire consequences When government contractors cut corners, the impacts often have dire consequences. The report concludes with recommendations for public officials and communities to help protect the public and the environment from companies that seek to increase profits and lower costs by cutting corners. v IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
7
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Make sure your voice is heard in this election ATU-COPE MONTH EXTENDED
With so much attention being paid to the presidential election, it’s easy to forget that there are thousands of important down ballot races this year that will have a huge impact on ATU members and all working families. Governors, state legislators, officials at the city and county level, and of course Members of Congress all make critical decisions that affect transit, school bus, and intercity bus employees, and we need to make sure that the right people get elected to those positions and are held accountable.
A powerful voice for members That’s what ATU-COPE – our political action committee (PAC) – is all about. As the largest transit worker PAC in the U.S., ATU-COPE gives us a powerful voice at all levels of government. Since by law, union dues cannot be used to fund political campaigns, voluntary member contributions to ATUCOPE are used to help elect pro-labor, pro-transit candidates for local, state, and federal office. Regular readers of this column know that we had some real victories in 2015, including legislation that will address the ongoing assaults against bus operators. We were also able to fight off proposals to privatize our jobs.
T-shirts for $100+ donors June was ATU-COPE month, and your local union was sent COPE cards that you can fill out to sign up. We have extended the program to run through the election season. In appreciation of our current contributors and as
8
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
an incentive for members who have yet to sign up, ATU will be awarding newly released t-shirts to members who contribute at least $100 per year.
Trip to Washington for two from 10 highest contributing Locals In addition to the individual awards, ten locals will be allowed to select two members to travel to Washington, DC, in January 2017, and stay at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center. They will participate in Congressional swearing-in ceremonies and possibly attend the presidential inauguration. Winners will be selected based on contribution levels. As nearly 35,000 ATU members already know, COPE is one of the smartest investments you will ever make. Protecting your job and ensuring that you have a safe workplace are not only critical to you, they are also essential for your family. Just a few dollars per month can make a huge impact. Please sign up today! v
LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
ATU at our best
Drive the bus, fix the bus, sell the fare cards – these are the simple tasks that the public thinks we do at work. Unless they’ve done the work themselves they don’t realize the many other roles drivers fill. And, for sure, the public at large will never understand the highly skilled work we do. Transit workers do all of the above – and much more: We are sidewalk psychiatrists offering advice to people operating at every stage of mental difficulty. We are surrogate parents to the kids who ride our bus or train. We often rise to the needs of the public above and beyond what is expected of us. We are very often first responders, often taking action to protect our passengers from crime. In the case of a Local 998 member, the victim was not even on the bus. In Calgary, AB, our member returned $1,000 that was in a wallet left on a bus by passenger – it was her rent money.
The best of ATU In this issue we salute the best ATU has to offer. I encourage you to read these stories. These are folks who signed up for a job and quickly learned that the challenges include much more than the duties in the job description. These are stories about regular people intervening to save an autistic child; a 15-year old girl from abduction; a passenger under attack for her religion; a driver who returned $50,000 in cash he found on his bus; and another who saved an 80-year old woman from a vicious attack. This is ATU at our best. The acts of these members range from decency to valor, and mark a standard that makes us proud to be ATU. Throughout the month of August we will keep the historic video of Rep. Elijah Cummings’ speech at our 1998 Convention up on our website, www.atu.org. I have never seen a non-transit worker who so much understands the extraordinary work we do. v
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
9
JAVIER PEREZ, JR., INTERNATIONAL EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT
An American tune American songwriter Paul Simon is recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 100 best songwriters of all time. I recently listened to his song “American Tune,” a song about immigrants and where our country is today. One verse starts, “We came on the ship they call the Mayflower.” Waves of people have immigrated to the U.S. – some seeking religious freedom, some fleeing intolerable governments, famine and war. Our history books tell us immigrants were all seeking a better life, a new beginning. Immigrants came looking for the “American Dream” – a pervasive dream that holds that we have limitless opportunity, and that any honest, hardworking, and dedicated person can achieve success. Most Americans define themselves as “middle class,” even when their income would indicate otherwise. Why? Because, while most know they haven’t made it to the top, they still want to believe the floor is well beneath them. Our history shows that when class sentiment (not class consciousness) becomes manifest in society, forces are unleashed that improve the world for workers. Child labor laws, the eight-hour day, forty-hour workweek, minimum wage and FMLA are but a few examples. However, despite these achievements more are needed. I am troubled by the tone of our current presidential and congressional campaigns. Candidates assail immigrants, casting them in the worse possible light. They are exploiting the economic fears of Americans. Fears brought on by changes in monetary policy, which have further widened the gap between the rich and poor, upsetting the balance that keeps a true middle class flourishing, and the “American Dream” alive. They pull back the curtain that veiled the deep-seated prejudices that divide us but offer no path to the resolve the challenges we face.
10
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Why does one person’s floor have to be another’s ceiling? Why the need to always look down on someone? There was an episode in the 2012 television series, “Newsroom,” in which a news anchor is asked, “What makes America the greatest country in the world?” He shocks his audience when he responds, “It’s NOT the greatest country in the world…It sure used to be. We stood up for what was right... We didn’t identify ourselves by who we voted for in our last election, and we didn’t [sighs] we didn’t scare so easy...” But he is wrong. Yes we have many faults, but none that we cannot solve. The Civil War, the Great Depression, 9-11, the 2008 bank failures and more, left us facing daunting challenges that threatened to divide us. Yet time after time we have found a resilience within ourselves that moved us forward. The latest influx of immigrants aren’t to blame for our problems and we should not reward politicians who scapegoat them. We should reward those who stand for something, who encourage us to build a better, more just society. It’s about leadership, it’s about showing imagination. We ought not let those who seek political office do nothing but assign blame. Labor leaders, and union members cannot solve these problems alone. But we can be the voice that pushes the balance back to sanity. Register, and register others to vote today. Then do it. v
Please visit www.atu.org for more information and the latest ATU news.
OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
Trump asking Americans to have blind faith in him Did you know that four of the last six U.S. presidents were governors before they became president? Vice presidents, senators, and members of Congress usually have a lot tougher time reaching the White House than governors because they have a much longer record to defend on national issues. It’s easy to go back and find a vote or a speech by federal officials or congressional legislators that can be used against them. Not so easy when the candidate hasn’t born the burden of decision-making on a national level. This year’s presumptive Republican presidential nominee has also benefitted from the lack of an official voting record. Indeed, when presented with a statement from the past that contradicts his current opinion, Donald Trump says, “I wasn’t a politician then.” In this way he expects to be given a pass for anything he ever uttered before 2015. Clever, huh?
‘Walking back’ But, as you probably know, it gets worse. He demands that voters ignore the plain meaning of his words when they become a problem for him. TV commentators euphemistically call that “walking back” a statement.
They don’t care what he says or what he does. He doesn’t even have to be a real conservative. They just believe him when he says he’ll fix everything – nothing simpler. We’ve had pragmatic candidates like this before (Remember H. Ross Perot and his plan to “open up the hood of the car” and get to work?). Even George Bush, Sr., denigrated pleas for him to articulate a “morningin-America” type theme for his campaign – calling it the “vision thing.”
Unconstrained by principles These candidates ask us to place our trust in their managerial capabilities. And like all managers they want to have the flexibility to make the decisions they think necessary regardless of ideology. Donald Trump’s slippery positions on almost every issue of importance to Americans bear testament to that. I would never tell our members how to vote. But I feel duty bound to warn our U.S. members that a vote for Donald Trump is not a vote for any political position at all. Rather it is an act of blind faith in a man who will not be constrained by any set of principles. v
This leaves his surrogates with the daunting task of explaining how what he’s just said really isn’t a contradiction of what he said before. That’s not unheard of in American politics, but the shear number of times the Donald’s people have had to explain that he really didn’t mean what he said, is.
Please visit www.atu.org for more information and the latest ATU news.
Ordinarily, this would have killed a presidential campaign many times over, but Trump’s GOP supporters have made it clear that none of that matters – they simply trust HIM. IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
11
ATU HEROES GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Throughout its history ATU members have been known for providing a safe haven for people in peril. They perform an unofficial, yet vital function as the eyes and ears of the communities they serve.
‘I will fight for you’ Milwaukee County (WI) Transit System (MCTS) driver, Sharon Chambers, 998, is being recognized for her quick
Over the last 20 years, however, operators themselves have increasingly become the targets of vicious attacks that would make most people wary of doing anything that would increase their chances of getting hurt. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped ATU drivers from risking their own safety to rescue endangered citizens they find on their routes, often when they are totally ignored by other passers-by. Unfortunately, if reports received at the International are any guide, the number and seriousness of these incidents seems to be increasing, and brave ATU members continue to help and rescue those in need and in danger on a daily basis:
12
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Sharon Chambers, 998-Milwaukee, WI, rescued a 15-year old girl who a man was attempting to abduct, and called the police. – TMJ4
action in helping a 15-year-old girl escape from a man who tried to pull her into his car, and was harassing and following her. Chambers was about to pull away from a stop when she noticed the girl waving in her direction. “As she walked in front of the bus I noticed she was crying,” Chambers says. “I told her to get on the bus and let her know no one was going to mess with her on my bus.”
‘You are safe’ Chambers drove away from the area in case the man was still following, and called MCTS Dispatch, who notified Milwaukee Police. Chambers drove the bus to meet police and MCTS staff. As they were waiting for police to arrive, Chambers called the girl’s grandmother to let her know what happened and comforted the girl, telling her, ”Don’t worry about it. You are safe. I will fight for you; no one is going to hurt you.” “Sharon, and all the other hardworking employees at MCTS and Milwaukee County make me proud to live in Milwaukee and serve as county executive,” says County Executive Chris Abele. MCTS says it receives hundreds of commendations each year for drivers.
Dan Stoddard, 279-Ottawa, ON, brought a woman who had been assaulted on to the safety of his bus and stayed with her until police arrived. – Joe Lofaro / METRO
“Do I know what happened specifically? No I don’t. Did she need help? Yes, she did,” said Stoddard. “I helped with what I was able to help with. I didn’t go above and beyond; I did what every human should do.” One of the two other riders on board was amazed at Stoddard’s actions saying, “people never hear about the good things they do.” He took a picture of Stoddard and the woman chatting, and the photo went viral.
‘Sitting idle is not an option’ Driver Alain Charette, 279-Ottawa, ON, is being hailed for his bravery for defending a Muslim woman on his bus.
‘I did what every human should do’ OC Transpo driver Dan Stoddard, 279, says it was just instinct, “it’s just what I should be doing”. While on his regular route, Stoddard spotted a young woman at a bus shelter at one o’clock in the morning. When he pulled up and she didn’t get on, he knew something was wrong. After some coaxing, Stoddard convinced the woman, who was half-naked and in obvious distress, to get on his bus. He then called transit security and drove the bus to the nearby park-n-ride.
‘I helped with what I was able to’ He asked the two other male passengers to go to the back of the bus, and sat at the front with the woman and comforted her until police and transit security arrived. She told him that she had been assaulted physically and verbally.
Student Hailey DeJong, right, poses with OC Transpo bus driver Alain Charette, 279, who came to DeJong’s defense when another passenger on the bus shouted Islamophobic comments at her. – Hailey DeJong
The young woman wearing a niqab/burqa boarded Charette’s bus and a man seated near her started making insulting “Islamophobic” comments to other passengers. The woman told him if he had something to say, not to say it to the other passengers, but to her. IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
13
The man wouldn’t stop. “He kept calling me a freak and a terrorist. He even yelled at me to assimilate,” the woman said. Hearing the heated exchange, Charette quickly pulled his bus over and came to her defense, saying he had called the authorities. “I presented to him that it’s either you leave or wait for security, but something’s going to happen,” Charette said. “Help is on the way, but in the meantime – leave the lady alone.” The man told the driver there was no problem, that he loves Christians and Muslims and Jews, and that he was getting off the bus anyway. The young woman praised Charette for standing up for her and her Islamic community. He said it was his duty to speak up. “Bigotry hurts people by lowering the humanity level of society,” Charette says. “Sitting idle is not an option.”
‘We are incredibly grateful’ On April 30, just before 9:30 a.m., Operator Ari Megaro, 192-Oakland, CA, was driving his route when he observed a small boy on a foot-powered scooter riding alone on the sidewalk alongside his bus. Sensing a potentially dire situation, the driver immediately brought his coach to a safe stop and calmly engaged the boy using their mutual love of skateboards to gain his trust.
Megaro provided Danny a front-row seat on the bus, watching over his impromptu ward and assuring him, as authorities located the family. “We are incredibly grateful to… Mr. Megaro for taking the initiative to intervene and ensure his safety,” said the boy’s father, Michael Eichberg, adding, “I still can’t believe AC Transit rescued him. When he turned six, he even had a birthday cake shaped like an AC Transit Bus… So you can imagine how he must have felt when the bus driver pulled over and opened the door for him.” “Each day our operators directly interact with nearly 200,000 riders positively addressing a myriad of customer service situations,” says Michael Hursh, AC Transit’s general manager. “In fact, AC Transit operators perform exceptional acts daily in our community – often under great pressure.”
‘Someone was going to be missing this quite badly’ When a little old lady tapped bus operator Dan Storozuk, 583-Calgary, AB, on the shoulder handing over some lost property, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Dan Storozuk, 583-Calgary-AB, left, and Kulbir Chouhan worked together to return a wallet to Bernadet Schneukere, center, which held her rent money. – Helen Pike / METRO Danny Eichberg, 7, left, with his mom and dad, center, meet with Ari Megaro, 192- Oakland, CA, right, before he was honored by AC Transit for stopping his bus to intercept the autistic boy who had traveled by scooter several miles from home. – Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group
Megaro was not aware that seven-year-old Danny Eichberg has autism; that he had traveled several miles from home; that his family had frantically contacted local police, and that an active search was underway.
14
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
A wallet left behind by a passenger was bursting with $1,000. “I’ve had lost property before but this was something else. I knew someone was going to be missing this quite badly,” said the driver. Storozuk immediately called Supervisor Kulbir Chouhan to report the find. Chouhan went to work, and the wallet was returned in under three hours.
“I was thinking someone was missing their rent. I was very happy that I returned the wallet,” said Chouhan. He met Bernadete Schneuiker in downtown Calgary to deliver the wallet into her eager hands.
$100 bills and I assumed there were bundles of $10,000.”
”He gave me a big hug. I kind of was totally impressed because they took it really seriously. Anyone could have grabbed it. A driver could be dishonest. I appreciate the honesty of the driver,” says Schneuiker.
The driver immediately contacted his supervisors.
She explained she had boarded the bus with her arms full from grocery shopping. The wallet fell onto the bus floor.
Clavette was recognized for his good deed with a certificate by Division 41. He says returning the money was the right thing to do. “I was just doing my job and being honest,” he says.
It turns out most of the cash was for her rent that month. ”I kind of lost hope. I cancelled all my cards and I took it as a loss. I’m so grateful,” she said. For Chouhan and Storozuk – who plays Santa at holiday time – it was just another day doing their best to serve customers.
‘Just doing my job and being honest’
The bag actually contained $50,000 that was left there by a man rattled with grief over his mother’s recent death.
Around the same time TTC was informing police, the frantic bag owner was reporting his loss. He was very ecstatic when he learned his money was in a safe place.
Courageous Local 587 member handles harrowing attack In Port Angeles, WA, police hailed Local 587-Seattle, WA, driver Joy Crummett, 60, who showed incredible bravery in the face of a terrible attack.
Operator Daniel Clavette, 113-Toronto, ON, was approached by an elderly man with a bag he said he found on the bus seat. “It was around 5:15 p.m., and I was going Northbound to Scarborough Centre. I knew I would have a little time when I got there to open it and see if there was a piece of identification so we could contact the owner.” What the driver saw in the bag blew him away.
Operator Joy Crummett, Local 587-Seattle, WA, displayed incredible bravery and managed to save all her passengers and fend off an assailant who choked her during his attack.
It was on a Saturday afternoon when a man riding on her bus suddenly gets up and viciously kicks an 80-year-old woman in the face, yelling, “I’m going to beat you... kill you!”
Toronto Police Division Unit Commander John Tanouye, left, presents TTC operator Daniel Clavette, 113-Toronto, ON, with a certificate recognizing his honesty in returning $50,000 left on his bus. – TPS News
“There were some folders with funeral information, a passport and two large bank envelopes,” says Clavette. “When I opened one of the envelopes, I saw there were
He starts “punching her and slamming her head into the floor,” reports Corporal Dombrowski of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Driver choked after she stops woman’s beating Crummett pulls the bus over and manages to drag the man off of the woman, as he struggles to break free. IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
15
The attacker then pins the operator against the front of the bus, near the door, and chokes her, screaming, “Let go or I’m going to rip your throat out.” Crummett nearly passes out before the assailant is looks back at the other woman who is getting up off the floor. Crummett breaks free, calls for help, and opens the doors, letting the four other terrified passengers out.
He actually succeeded in calming the man down, telling him, “I don’t want to see you get a domestic violence charge.” The woman “grabbed the baby and came on the bus,” says Brownlee.
The crazed man pushes his first victim out the front door, but returns. Apparently planning to hijack the coach, he starts hitting Crummett, ordering her to close the doors. With remarkable poise she asks the man to check the back doors first. With her assailant momentarily distracted, Crummett manages to run off, closing the doors behind her – but not before disabling the battery. The assailant struggled to drive off with the immobile bus before he was apprehended. He was arraigned on two counts of second-degree assault and single counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping and first-degree attempted robbery. Both female victims have been released from the hospital after suffering what police call a “substantial amount of pain.”
Milwaukee member heroics tracked by agency Local 998 may appear to have the highest number of heroes because the Milwaukee (WI) County Transit System (MCTS) actively encourages the public to report its employees’ good deeds. They, nonetheless, deserve to be mentioned here as further evidence of all ATU members’ devotion to the communities they serve.
‘Hey man! Don’t do that’ Anthony Brownlee, 998, was on his route on a Sunday afternoon when he noticed a couple with a baby fighting in a parking lot. “She was on the back of the car and he had his hands around her neck.” Bystanders were doing nothing to help the woman. “He was just choking her,” says Brownlee, “that’s when I opened the door… and said, ‘Hey man! Don’t do that! You shouldn’t be putting your hands on anybody, male or female.”
16
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Anthony Brownlee, 998-Milwaukee, WI, stopped a man who was choking a woman in a parking lot.
‘Don’t go back’ The operator asked the woman if she wanted him to call police. She said no, and thanked him. And before she exited the bus he advised her, “Don’t go back. Cause if they do it once they’re going to do it again.” Brownlee hopes his actions will encourage others to intervene when they see domestic violence. “At least say something,” he says, “because usually if you do say something, they’ll stop.”
‘My instincts kicked in’ Another Milwaukee County (WI) Transit System (MCTS) bus driver Shari Carroll, 998, went beyond the call of duty when she noticed that a recently debarked passenger’s wheelchair was stuck in front of her. “She was just stuck. Actually two of her wheels were on the curb and two of them were in the street. She couldn’t move and she couldn’t back up. She couldn’t do anything,” Carroll says. “My instincts kicked in and I was like, ‘well, I got to get her out of the street at least,’” Carroll says.
Bischoff says he and the other riders were impressed. Carroll says she’s surprised by the attention, but grateful.
Nine weeks
Operator Shari Carroll, 998-Milwaukee, WI, went above and beyond the call of duty to help a passenger whose wheelchair was stuck on a curb.
‘This is too cool’ “She just stopped and went so out of her way,” says passenger John Bischoff, “and she just jumped in. She was down on her hands and knees trying to get this lady’s transmission unlocked and I thought this is too cool.” “I didn’t want anyone to come around my bus, especially doing an illegal turn in front of me and striking her,” Carroll says. Bischoff and a friend got the motorized wheelchair running again.
All of the incidents above happened from April 16, to June 16 – just nine weeks out of the life of ATU members in Canada and the United States. Those who read In Transit know that this was not an unusual period of time. Reports of the world of good our members do for their communities pour into the International on a weekly basis. And we know these are just the “tip of the iceberg.” ATU members perform hundreds of selfless acts every day that no one ever hears about. If you know a member who you think is an ATU hero be sure to send their story to President Hanley’s office at officeofthepresident@atu.org. Featuring these nine members is our way honoring all of the unsung ATU heroes who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty simply because it’s the right thing to do. You make us “proud to be ATU.” v
STAY CONNECTED For the latest ATU News and Action Alerts please check out the ATU’s social media network
Facebook: facebook.com/ATUInternational
YouTube: youtube.com/user/stpatuorg
Twitter: twitter.com/ATUComm
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/atuinternational/
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
17
Greyhound bus crash linked to driver fatigue say the driver dozed off behind the wheel.
Passengers say driver dozed Early on the morning of October 9, 2013, a Greyhound bus headed to Cleveland from New York slammed into the back of a tractor-trailer, killing one and injuring dozens. Passengers said their driver had red eyes when she was taking tickets in New York. One man said he saw the driver doze off behind the wheel. The Greyhound bus above was involved in a fatal crash on October 9, 2013, en route from New York to Cleveland.
In what will come as no shock to ATU members, a CNN investigation has revealed Greyhound has not been enforcing its own rules requiring drivers to stop about every 150 miles to mitigate fatigue and ensure passenger safety. The findings come from a court case brought by passengers of a fatal October 2013, Greyhound bus crash where riders
Industry-wide problem Driver fatigue is an industry-wide problem as a 2012 government study found 37% of passenger bus crashes were due to driver fatigue. For years ATU has been calling for drivers to be covered under the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). v
Dayton Local worries about forced overtime at RTA Overtime for bus drivers has become an issue in Dayton, OH. Local 1385 worries about the safety of passengers on buses operated by tired, overworked drivers. Dayton’s Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has struggled for years to reduce the extra hours, but drivers still can be found working back-to-back 14-hour shifts with only an eight-hour break in between.
High turnover Local President Glenn Salyer says that low starting pay and tough working conditions have led to high turnover, chronically short staffing and more overtime hours.
‘People hide from dispatchers’ Salyer says that forced overtime has exacerbated the problem, leading to more turnovers.
18
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
“People hide from the dispatchers so they don’t get mandatory (overtime),” he explains. “People call in sick because if they go in they are afraid they’ll be forced to work the next day, on their day off.” Federal hours-of-service laws do not apply to urban bus drivers, and RTA has no rules limiting the number of hours in a shift. v
Bay Town Trolley workers avert strike The members of Local 1395-Panama City, FL, and employees of Bay Town Trolley (fixed route) and Bay Area Transportation (paratransit), voted to ratify their first ever labor agreement in July. The main economic improvement in the contract is significant wage increases. At the ratification vote, the members hugged each other and committed to work to encourage all their co-workers to join the Union. Paratransit driver and elected leader Rich Green told the media after the vote he appreciated the union officers from Pensacola who stood by them and showed them that a union can make positive change in real lives. “In simple words, I say thank you, thank you so much.”
Raises for company – none for workers In February more than 50 Bay Town Trolley operators and mechanics voted to joined Local 1395-Pensacola, FL, and immediately began contract talks with private contractor First Transit.
After months of negotiations most of the economic issues were taken off the table except wages, which lead the workers to consider a possible strike. Local President Mike Lowery says First Transit’s contract with the county, which began in 2014, had built-in raises for the company – but none for workers. v
King County Metro driver logs many miles and smiles King County bus driver Cherry Gilbert is so well suited to her job behind the wheel that she’s never caused an accident or gotten a complaint. In fact, she’s never even lost her cool. The Local 587 member is so good-natured that she’s completely unfazed by drivers who honk or cut her off, bicyclists who flip her off, or passengers who ramble, yell or curse. When asked if she ever gets mad, she replies with a smile “Oh, no. I always think someone could be having a terrible day and I don’t ever want to make it worse.” Over her long career behind the wheel, Gilbert has seen pretty much everything and enjoys helping riders out when needed. One night on her route she saw a woman running for the bus, with a man running right behind her. As the woman clambered onto the bus, Gilbert could see that “she was badly beaten” and immediately shut the
door behind the woman and took off. She then radioed dispatch for help and was told to deliver the woman to a location where a victim’s advocate could meet them. The ATU applauds Gilbert for her cheery attitude, safe driving record and commitment to her job. v IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
19
ATU Canada rallies against violent attacks on Kelowna members As that driver was being treated in the hospital, another operator was pepper-sprayed in the face. And, in the fourth incident, a female driver was verbally assaulted and threatened.
Feeling like a target The spate of assaults has left many drivers feeling like a target, says Local President Scott Lovell, 1722, calling the assaults on drivers an “epidemic.” ATU Canada delegates joined Kelowna, BC, members to decry the recent barrage of bus driver assaults in the city.
May 20 was an infamous day in the history of Kelowna (BC) Transit, as four transit workers were violently attacked in separate incidents in one day. The first assault was verbal with a passenger getting in the face of a driver and threatening to “drag him out of his seat, off the bus and beat him.” That night another bus driver was physically assaulted after he told a man it was against the rules to bring his bicycle inside the bus.
The driver attacks also motivated ATU members from across Canada, who were in Kelowna for the ATU Canada annual conference, to band together for a rally to call for a stop to bus driver assaults. Attacks on bus drivers are a problem across North America and ATU has been pushing for protective bus driver shields, panic buttons, more transit police, and other safety measures. “We want to make sure that our members are able to go to work every day and not fear that they are going to be assaulted in any way,” says ATU Canada President Paul Thorp. v
Minneapolis teen charged in vicious attack on operator opened the door, and a teenager asked to get on. The driver told him and his friends it wasn’t time to board. The boy began yelling at the driver who got off the bus. The adolescent then punched the driver in the face throwing him to the pavement. The assailant then began punching the driver as he lay helpless on the ground. Finally, a passenger on the bus came to help the driver and the boys ran away. The police found the boy and arrested him. He has been charged with third-degree assault/substantial bodily harm. Unless you’re a boxer, being punched in the face should not be part of your job. Yet, that’s what happened to a Metro Transit operator in Minneapolis, MN. The Local 1005 member was pulling into a transit center when he heard pounding on his bus. The driver stopped,
20
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Local President Mark Lawson says that “there’s an ebb and flow” to the number of violent incidents involving drivers. “But they continue to happen. Whether a little or a lot, they never stop.” v
New ATU video calls attention to assault epidemic
Transit worker assaults found everywhere in North America Baltimore, Ottawa, and Austin are three of the latest cities to see upticks in violent attacks on transit workers that have become all too common for ATU members across the U.S. and Canada.
The hits keep coming – but, not in a good way. As the stories on the following pages demonstrate, assaults on transit workers have become an epidemic. Not a week goes by that we don’t hear stories about bus operators and other transit workers being punched, stabbed, yelled at, spit upon, shot at, and worse. ATU has been calling on transit agencies and elected officials to better protect bus drivers, transit workers, and riders for some time. In an effort to call attention to the crisis, ATU has produced a video highlighting stories of attacks on our fellow sisters and brothers and their devastating impact on victims’ jobs and lives, and the solutions available to combat the violence. Watch and share this video at https://youtu.be/uwqXEptwshw and take action to help stop transit assaults at http://www.atu.org/stoptransitassaults. v
In Baltimore, MD, a female bus driver was beaten and bloodied by a woman who boarded the bus with her child. The young woman complained that the driver hadn’t picked her up earlier. She then brutally attacked the driver as shocked passengers watched. Meanwhile in Ottawa, ON, a CBC TV investigation found that Ottawa bus drivers were assaulted, spat upon or threatened 85 times in 2015 — about once every four days. Local 279 is calling for constables to get out of their own vehicles and board buses in an effort to cut down on assaults.
Attacks on Portland, OR, drivers nearly double Portland, OR, TriMet bus drivers have been the victims of many violent attacks, including being punched in the face, aggravated assaults and more. Many more incidents against bus drivers have gone unreported, including verbal abuse and spitting. In fact, attacks on TriMet drivers and other employees nearly doubled in 2015, even as crime on the transit system dropped overall. The agency is planning a public campaign on the consequences of crimes against TriMet employees, and the transit police division has added five new police officers, a crime analyst, and increased patrols. But Local 757 says more protective measures are needed. v
Meanwhile an investigation by an Austin, TX, FOX (TV) affiliate found most bus drivers, members of Local 1091, don’t feel safe after a recent rash of attacks by passengers. “We are E.M.S, we’re the lawyers, we’re the doctors, we’re the bartenders, we’re the psychiatrists,” says one former Capital Metro driver. v
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
21
Seattle drivers, King County Metro working to improve safety hearing about assaults on drivers and passengers. One solution proposed by the Local is giving drivers more leeway when it comes to pulling over – even if it means delaying the bus. Currently operators are told by dispatch to continue driving when an incident occurs.
Current measures not enough Local President Kenny McCormick, 587-Seattle, WA, says he’s sick of hearing about assaults on drivers and passengers.
There were 77 assaults on bus drivers in Seattle, WA, last year; 12 on passengers; and 273 other so-called “lesser” incidents. Local 587 addressed this growing problem, holding the firstever Metro bus operators’ Safety Summit with King County Metro to find ways to improve safety on buses. Local President Kenny McCormick says he is sick of
One bus driver shared her story at the summit. She said a group of men who couldn’t fit on her bus after a Sounders soccer game, chased after it, threatening her. They eventually got on at another stop. She then called her operations center for help, but she was told to just keep driving. The driver said that is not enough and more resources are needed to deal with these issues. The Local also suggested using body cameras to help protect drivers, especially when they’re getting on and off the bus. v
Detroit: More transit officers boost bus safety From stabbings to verbal abuse to dodging bullets and thrown buckets of bleach, Detroit bus drivers have seen their fair share of violent attacks over the last few years. But recently these incidents have decreased on account of a stronger visible presence of transit officers on city buses. Transit officers have arrest powers and can conduct minor investigations, but more serious cases are handled by Detroit police. In addition to the officers, bus cameras play a significant role in tamping down crime and helping to solve cases. “There’s a big difference since transit police came on board, as far as physical assaults,” says Local 26 President Fred Westbrook. Westbrook hopes the transit agency will continue to hire more transit officers to continue to boost safety and security
22
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
not only for the bus operators, but for the thousands of riders who rely on the bus. Let’s hope transit agencies across the U.S. and Canada take notice of Detroit’s success and make the same investment in safety for transit workers. v
Edmonton makes bad bus behavior illegal While it’s unlikely that someone would be fined the maximum for swearing, or not wearing a shirt, the possibility of some offences meriting those maximum penalties tells the public that they mean business.
Local wanted law for a long time Local President Eric Tuck, 107, says that his members have wanted this legislation for a long time.
Every ATU member is familiar with the rules about things you’re not supposed to do on a bus. Well, now in Edmonton, AB, they’re not just against the rules – they’re against the law. The city has passed a new bylaw that covers a wide range of activities prohibited on Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) buses. Violators can be fined up to $10,000 for the first offence, and $25,000 for subsequent offences.
“We’ve seen coffee thrown on a driver. They get spit on and verbally or physically assaulted.” But “it’s very difficult to kick someone off without having a bylaw there. This way you can tell the police and they can address it.” “In a lot of circumstances,” says Transit Support Services Manager Nancy Purser, “the bylaw just kind of formalizes what we were doing already,” Now, “there’s more strength to their words.” v
Deranged man hijacks DC Metrobus, kills pedestrian Another day another attack, this time in Washington, DC. A man boarded a bus and took a seat. Noticing the man was wearing a mask over half his face and breathing heavily, the concerned bus driver, a member of Local 689, asked if the man was “OK”. The man then yelled aggressively and lunged at the driver using a pair of needle nose pliers as a weapon. Realizing that an attack was underway, passengers began leaving the bus. The driver and the assailant struggled and the driver was able to disarm the attacker. But the man pushed the driver off the bus, closed the doors and drove away. The hijacker then crashed the bus several times before striking a man standing near a gas station. The pedestrian was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The whole incident took less than three minutes.
After being arrested, the suspect admitted to using synthetic marijuana and PCP before boarding the bus a block from his home. He was ordered held without bail during a court hearing and is charged with second-degree murder. v IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
23
Report your bus, maintenance safety problems on the ATU App today! Broken mirrors, engine problems, defective steering, broken air conditioners, oil spills, fire and electrical hazards, inadequate tools, lack of safety training, unkept workplaces, and foul air are just a few of the dangerous and unacceptable safety issues too many ATU members face every day. If you’re dealing with these or other safety problems your Union wants to know about it.
downloading and installing the App on your smartphone at http://www.atu.org/action/atu-mobile-app. Remember, when completing the report, to follow your transit agency’s policies and don’t use a cell phone when operating a vehicle. v
Help us fight for your safety – Report safety violations on the ATU App. Just download the app to your smartphone and then go to the Report Bus and Maintenance Safety Violations and Defects Page and fill out the form. The ATU App is free and easy to download from the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices. You’ll find detailed step-by-step instructions for
DON’T MISS THE 58TH ATU CONVENTION IN TORONTO BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE A VALID PASSPORT! ATU will be holding its 58th International Convention from October 3-7, 2016, in Toronto, ON. Toronto is Canada’s largest city, fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It’s a global cosmopolitan center for arts and culture that is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT TO ENTER CANADA. If you don’t have a valid passport you will be turned back by Canadian border agents at the border or upon your arrival at the airport in Canada. ATU suggests you apply for your first passport or renew your expired passport as soon as possible. It can take up to six weeks to get or renew a passport. You can find all you need to know about how to apply for, or renew your passport, for yourself or any guests or family members traveling with you to the Convention at http://travel.state.gov Don’t get stranded at the border – apply today!
24
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Buffalo Local protests 7 years without contract during NHL Draft a contract for seven years. Local President Vince Crehan listed low pay, a proposed doubling of co-pays for health insurance and no retroactive raises, as the issues preventing an agreement with NFTA. They also want the public to know why their buses often don’t show up.
35 – 40 drivers short Local President Vince Crehan, 1342-Buffalo, NY, listed low pay, a proposed doubling of co-pays for health insurance and no retroactive raises, as the issues preventing an agreement with NFTA.
“It’s not our fault, it’s that they’re 35-40 bus drivers short and about 40 mechanics, and now it’s going to get into the safety of the buses as well,” explains Crehan.
“Contract! Contract!” shouted picketers from Local 1342Buffalo, NY, in front of Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) headquarters in June.
One protester, Robert Oehler, 1342, says making a living is a challenge at a place with a starting salary of $12.95 per hour. “It’s pretty difficult,” he says. “You have to adjust your budget, work overtime, sometimes sacrifice a bill or two to make sure something else gets paid.”
Local 1342 creatively used the NHL Draft, which took place in their city as an opportunity to tell a wider audience about the problems they’ve endured while working without
Negotiations currently are at a standstill. v
A Lincoln, NE rider on a mission Over a year ago retired 75-year old Lincoln, NE, retired criminal defense attorney Richard Schmeling had been in his second car accident, living on a fixed income, when he decided it wasn’t worth buying another car to get around and instead decided to use the bus system. After riding the StarTran bus system for a few months, Schmeling quickly realized the public transit system was outdated and inefficient. He started talking to his StarTran bus driver about this problem. The driver told Schmeling to get in touch with Local 1293’s Marilyn Kruger. Richard Schmeling, president of Citizens for Improved Transit in Lincoln, NE
Schmeling became “a one-man crusade to improve public transportation in Lincoln,” says Kruger. He has devoted hundreds and hundreds of hours to this cause.
system more effective,” said Schmeling.
Schmeling and the CFIT pushed hard as StarTran Advisory Board was formulating a plan to improve the bus system. The Board approved a plan to set StarTran on the right course. “While not perfect, this is a strong plan to make the
“We made a difference by coming together as riders and workers to fight for a common cause,” said Schmeling. “And most importantly we stayed proactive with actions and events to improve public transit in our community.” v IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
25
Baltimore transit workers protest subway rats Maryland Transit Administration workers, members of Local 1300, donned rat masks and handed out flyers asking subway passengers how they’d like it if they had rats in their office.
MTA station managers and workers experience this on the job every day. Many will have entire nests of rats sitting at their feet and will have to leave the station because it’s so unsanitary and smells so bad.
It’s ‘a death trap down there’ “Down inside this system, it is a death trap down there. We have a lot of trash, food. The rats are feeding off that,” says Local 1300 President David McClure. “We have pictures of a rat that looks like a baby kangaroo. No one should have to come and work in these types of conditions.”
Members of Local 1300-Baltimore, MD, protest the subway’s ongoing rat problem at a city Metro station.
Despite years of complaints by workers and riders, MTA has refused to do anything to deal with this serious problem. The Local is calling on the agency to adopt an abatement program similar to the city’s. The city has introduced ratresistant trashcans to curb the issue above ground. v
Local, Niagara Transit resolve differences complaint after enduring “appalling treatment” over the past two years.
‘Muzzled like a dog’ “They told her that she should be muzzled like a dog and they gave her a five-day suspension for recording meetings where they were being verbally abusive toward her,” Paul Thorp, president of ATU Canada, told rally participants. Members of Local 1582-Niagara Falls, ON, are joined by members of Local 113-Toronto, ON, and representatives of ATU Canada for a rally in support of Local President Margaret Gilbert, who protests being muzzled by the city and Niagara Transit.
Local 1582-Niagara Falls, ON, has resolved the issues it had with Niagara Transit in the wake of a rally staged by the Local, other ATU Locals, and ATU Canada in support of Local President Margaret Gilbert who was recently issued a five-day suspension and barred from the property. Gilbert told the rally she had been “subjected to verbal abuse” by the agency. She filed an unfair labour practice
26
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Everything resolved Gilbert says she has had “several meetings” with management over “a couple days” in which the two sides “resolved all of the differences; all the outstanding issues. “We had unfair labour practice and some other grievances, but everything has been resolved and we’re happy,” she says. Gilbert said she feels better after the meetings, adding that the two sides can have a “better and positive” relationship moving forward. v
Local opposes TNC, taxi service to and from Bloomington bus stops riders in outlying areas of Bloomington-Normal to Connect Transit bus stops. “Uber is not regulated,” asserts Riordan. “Their people are not trained. They are not in our union. They are not the answer.” No decision has been made yet. Other commenters accused Connect Transit of cutting service to save money, but the agency contends that its budget will actually increase from $10 million to $13 million under the plan due to more frequent bus service and the addition of Sunday service. Local President Jim Riordan, 752-Bloomington, IL, spoke out recently against a proposal to use transportation companies (TNCs) such as Uber or a cab service to get
Connect Transit says the extra funding will come from $1 million in new sales tax money from BloomingtonNormal that will match an additional $2 million in state and federal grants. v
— SAVE THE DATE —
ATU/MS Research Funds
31st Annual Golf Tournament
SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 2016 WORTHINGTON MANOR GOLF CLUB, URBANA, MD FOR THE BENEFIT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
27
Lo Mejor de ATU Conducir el autobús, arreglarlo, vender los billetes de autobús -estas son las simples tareas que el público cree que hacemos en nuestro trabajo. A no ser que hayan hecho este trabajo, no se dan cuenta de las muchas otras tareas que hacemos los conductores de autobús. Y, sin duda, el público general nunca entenderá el trabajo tan cualificado que hacemos.
Desafortunadamente, si los reportes recibidos por la Internacional se pueden usar como guía, el número y la seriedad de estos incidentes parece estar aumentando, y los valientes miembros de ATU continúan su ayuda y rescate de aquellos que necesitan su apoyo y corren peligro diariamente:
‘Yo lucharé por ti’
Los trabajadores de Tránsito hacen todo esto y mucho más: Somos psiquiatras callejeros que ofrecen sus consejos a gente con todo tipo de dificultades mentales. Somos padres intermediarios para los niños que montan en nuestros autobús o tren.
la conductora de Milwaukee County (WI) Transit System (MCTS), Sharon Chambers, 998, está siendo reconocida por tomar acción rápida en ayudar a una niña de 15 años de edad a escapar de un hombre que trató de meterla a fuerza en su coche, y que la estaba persiguiendo y hostigando.
Con frecuencia ponemos las necesidades del público por encima de las nuestras y hacemos más de lo que se nos pide. Muchas veces somos los primeros en asistir y tomamos la acción necesaria para proteger a nuestros pasajeros de un crimen. En el caso de un miembro del Local 998, la victima ni siquiera estaba en el autobús. En Calgary, AB, nuestro miembro regresó $1,000 en una cartera olvidada por una pasajera, que resultó ser su dinero del alquiler.
Chambers estaba a punto de salir de una parada cuando vio a la chica señalando en su dirección. “Cuando se puso delante del autobús vi que estaba llorando,” dijo Chambers. “Le dije que se subiera al autobús y que nadie le iba a hacer daño en mi autobús.”
‘Estas a Salvo’ Lo Mejor de ATU En este número de la revista reconocemos lo mejor de ATU. Les aliento a que lean estas historias. Estas son personas que se inscribieron para hacer un trabajo, pero pronto aprendieron que los retos eran mucho más numerosos que los deberes en la descripción de su trabajo. Estas son historias sobre gente normal que intervino para salvar a una niña autista de 15 años de edad de ser secuestrada; que previno el ataque a una pasajera de ser atacada por su religión; de un conductor que regresó $50,000 en dinero en efectivo que se encontró en su autobús; y otro que salvó a una mujer de 80 años de edad de un ataque vicioso. Esto es lo mejor de ATU. Los actos de estos miembros alternan entre la decencia y la valentía, y marcan el estándar que nos hace tan orgullosos de ser parte de ATU. Durante el mes de agosto, mantendremos el video histórico del discurso del Rep. Elijah Cummings en nuestra convención de 1998 colgado en nuestra página web, www.atu.org. Yo nunca he visto a una persona que no es un trabajador de transito que entienda tan bien como él, el trabajo tan extraordinario que hacemos. v
Chambers se alejó de esa zona por si acaso el hombre todavía estaba siguiendo a la chica, y llamó a MCTS Dispatch, quien notificó a la Policía de Milwaukee. Chambers condujo hasta un punto de encontrada con la policía y el personal de MCTS. Mientras esperaban a que llegara la policía, Chambers llamó a la abuela de la chica para dejarle saber lo que había sucedido y consoló a la chica, diciéndole “no te preocupes. Estas a salvo. Yo voy a defenderte y nadie te va a lastimar.” “Sharon y todos los otros empleados trabajadores de MCTS y el Condado de Milwaukee me hacen sentir orgullo de vivir en Milwaukee y servir como un Ejecutivo del condado”, dijo el Ejecutivo del Condado Chris Abele. MCTS dice que recibe cientos de elogios cada año para sus conductores.
‘Hice lo que cualquier ser humano debería de hacer’ Conductor de OC Transpo Dan Stoddard, 279, dice que simplemente fue su Instinto natural, “es simplemente lo que debía de hacer”. Mientras estaba en su ruta normal, Stoddard vio a una mujer joven no acompañada en una parada de autobús a la una de la madrugada. Cuando paró el autobús y ella no se subió, supo que algo no estaba bien.
LOS HÉROES DE ATU Por encima y AUN mas ALLÁ A lo largo de su historia, los miembros de ATU han sido reconocidos por proteger a personas en peligro. Han cumplido una función no oficial pero no obstante vital como los ojos y oídos de las comunidades que sirven. Sin embargo, en los últimos 20 años, los operadores se han convertido en las víctimas de ataques tan viciosos, que la mayoría de la gente no querría hacer nada que pudiera aumentar la posibilidad de ser lastimados. No obstante, esto no ha parado a conductores de ATU que han arriesgado sus propias vidas para rescatar a ciudadanos que encuentran en peligro en sus rutas; muchas veces siendo completamente ignorados por otras personas.
28
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Después de un tiempo, Stoddard pudo convencer a la mujer, que estaba medio desnuda y obviamente en dificultades, a que se subiera a su autobús. Entonces llamó a la seguridad de tránsito y condujo el autobús al park-nride cercano.
‘Ayudé como pude’ Él les pidió a los otros dos pasajeros, que eran hombres, que se sentaran en la parte trasera del autobús y se sentó en la parte delantera con la mujer y la consoló hasta que llegó la policía y la seguridad de tránsito. Ella le contó que había sido asaltada física y verbalmente. “Sé lo que le pasó específicamente? Pues no. ¿Pero, necesitaba ella ayuda? Sí, eso sí lo sabía,” dijo Stoddard. “Ayudé como pude. No hice ni más ni menos, simplemente hice lo que todo ser humano debería de hacer.”
Uno de los otros pasajeros a bordo del autobús se sorprendió por las acciones de Stoddard, diciendo “la gente nunca escucha sobre las cosas buenas que pasan.” Le tomó una foto a Stoddard y a la mujer hablando, y la foto se hizo viral.
‘A alguien le iba a hacer mucha falta’ Cuando una viejita le tocó el hombro al operador de autobús Dan Storozuk, 583-Calgary, AB, y le entregó un artículo perdido, no podía creer sus ojos. Una cartera olvidada por un pasajero, con $1,000.
‘Quedarse sentado sin hacer nada no es una opción’
“Yo he perdido cosas antes, pero esto era algo diferente. Supe que a alguien le iba a hacer mucha falta,” dijo el conductor.
El conductor Alain Charette, 279-Ottawa, ON, está siendo aclamado por su valentía al defender a una mujer musulmana en su autobús.
Storozuk inmediatamente llamó a su supervisor Kulbir Chouhan para reportar el encuentro. Chouhan se puso manos a la obra, y la cartera fue regresada en menos de tres horas.
la joven que llevaba puesto un niqab/burqa abordó el autobús de Charette y un hombre sentado cerca de ella empezó a hacer comentarios despectivos e “Islamofobicos” a los otros pasajeros. La mujer le dijo que, si tenía algo que decir, que no se lo dijera a los demás pasajeros, sino a ella directamente. El hombre no paraba. “no dejaba de llamarme una chalada y terrorista. Incluso me gritó que debía asimilarme,” dijo la mujer. Escuchando este intercambio acalorado, Charette con toda rapidez estacionó su autobús y vino a la defensa de la mujer, diciendo que había llamado a las autoridades. “Yo le dije que o se largaba o esperaba a que viniera la seguridad, pero que algo iba a suceder,” dijo Charette. “ya viene alguien, pero mientras tanto, deja en paz a esta mujer.” El hombre le dijo al conductor que no había ningún problema, que el ama a los Cristianos, Musulmanes y Judíos, y que de todas formas ya se iba a bajar del autobús. La mujer alagó a Charette por defenderla a ella y a su comunidad Islámica. Él dijo que era su deber defenderla. «la intolerancia lastima a la gente porque reduce la humanidad en la sociedad,» dijo Charette. “Quedarse sentado sin hacer nada no es una opción.”
‘Estamos increiblemente agradecidos’ El 30 de abril, justo antes de las 9:30 a.m., el Operator Ari Megaro, 192-Oakland, CA, estaba conduciendo en su ruta cuando observó a un niño pequeño en un scooter a pie, corriendo en la acera paralela al autobús. Presintiendo una situación posiblemente peligrosa, el conductor inmediatamente paró su autobús de forma segura y con calma habló con el niño, usando su aprecio mutuo por scooters para obtener su confianza. Megaro no sabía que el niño de siete años de edad, Danny Eichberg tiene autismo; que se había alejado varias millas de su casa; ni que su familia había contactado frenéticamente a la policía, quienes le estaban buscando. Megaro de dio un asiento delantero a Danny, observando cuidadosamente a su nuevo pupilo, dándole seguridad mientras que las autoridades encontraban a su familia. “Estamos increíblemente agradecidos con…el Sr. Megaro por tomar la iniciativa de intervenir y cuidar de él,” dijo el padre del niño, Michael Eichberg, añadiendo, “Aun no puedo creer que AC Transit le rescató. Cuando cumplió seis años, incluso su tarta de cumpleaños tenía la forma de un Autobús de Transito AC…así que se pueden imaginar cómo se debió sentir cuando el conductor paró y le abrió la puerta.” “Cada día, nuestros operadores Interactúan directamente con casi 200,000 pasajeros y resuelven un sin fin de situaciones de servicio al cliente,” dice Michael Hursh, el gerente de AC Transit. “De hecho, los operadores de AC Transit hacen cosas excepcionales todos los días en nuestra comunidad, muchas veces bajo increíble presión.”
“Estaba pensando que a alguien le faltaba su alquiler. Estaba muy contento de poder regresar la cartera”, dijo Chouhan. Se reunió con Bernadete Schneuiker en el centro de Calgary para entregarle la cartera tan anticipada en persona. “Me dio un fuerte abrazo. Estaba muy impresionado porque lo tomaron muy en serio. Cualquiera podría haberla tomado. Un conductor podría ser deshonesto. Así que agradezco la honestidad del conductor,” dijo Schneuiker. Ella explicó que se había subido al autobús con las manos llenas de compras del supermercado. La cartera se cayó al piso. Resultó ser que la mayoría del dinero si era para el alquiler que debía en ese mes. “Ya había perdido mi esperanza. Cancelé todas mis tarjetas y las di por perdidas. Estoy muy agradecida,” dijo ella. para Chouhan y Storozuk, quien hace de Santa durante las fiestas navideñas, simplemente fue un día mas, haciendo todo lo posible por servir a sus clientes.
‘Solo estoy hacienda mi trabajo y siendo una persona honesta’ El operador Daniel Clavette, 113-Toronto, ON, fue abordado por un hombre mayor con una bolsa que dijo haberse encontrado en uno de los asientos del autobús. “Eran las 5:15 de la tarde, y yo iba en dirección norte a Scarborough Centre. Sabía que iba a tener un poco de tiempo cuando llegara para abrirla y ver si había algún tipo de identificación adentro con la cual contactar al dueño.” Lo que el conductor vio en la bolsa le impactó muchísimo. “Había unos folders con información acerca de un entierro, un pasaporte y dos sobres bancarios grandes,” dijo Clavette. “Cuando abrí uno de los sobres, vi que había billetes de $100 y asumí que había fajos de $10,000.” Resultó que la bolsa contenía $50,000 que fueron dejados por un hombre que estaba fuera de si por la tristeza de haber perdido a su madre. El conductor inmediatamente contactó a sus supervisores. Más o menos al mismo tiempo que el TTC estaba Informando a la policía, el dueño de la bolsa frenéticamente trataba de reportar su pérdida. Estaba extático cuando le dijimos que su dinero estaba a salvo. Clavette fue reconocido por su amable acto con un certificado por la División 41. Dice que regresar el dinero era lo correcto. “Yo solo estaba haciendo mi trabajo y siendo una persona honesta,” dijo.
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
29
Valiente miembro del 587 enfrenta un horroroso ataque En Port Angeles, WA, la policía alagó a la conductora del Local 587Seattle, WA, Joy Crummett, 60, quien demostró increíble valor ante un horrible ataque. Era un sábado por la tarde, cuando un hombre que iba montado en su autobús se puso de pie y de repente empezó a patear a una mujer de 80 años de edad en su cara, gritando “¡Te voy a matar!» El hombre comienza a pegarle puñetazos y a machacar su cabeza contra el piso, reporta el Cabo Dombrowski, de las Oficinas del Sheriff del Condado de Clallam.
La conductora estaba siendo estrangulada por defender a la pasajera
“Él la estaba estrangulando sin más,” dice Brownlee, “Entonces fue cuando abrí la puerta y dije: “¡Oye, no hagas eso! No tienes por qué ponerle las manos encima a nadie, ni hombre ni mujer.” Él fue exitoso en tranquilizar al hombre, diciéndole, «Yo no quiero verte con un cargo por violencia doméstica.” la mujer tomó al bebe y se subió al autobús,” dijo Brownlee.
‘No regreses’ El operador le pidió a la mujer si quería que llamara a la policía. Ella dijo que no y le dio las gracias. Y antes de que se bajara del autobús le aconsejó “no regreses a él, porque si lo hace una vez, lo va a repetir.” Brownlee espera que sus acciones motiven a otros a intervenir cuando vean violencia doméstica. “Por lo menos a que digan algo,” dice, “porque normalmente si dices algo suelen parar.”
Crummett entonces estaciona el autobús y consigue quitarle de encima al hombre, quien trata de escaparse. El atacante entonces atrapa a la operadora contra el frente del autobús, cerca de la puerta y la empieza a estrangular, gritando “Suéltame o te arranco la garganta.” Crummett casi se desmaya antes de que el atacante gira para mirar a la mujer anciana, quien se está levantando del piso.
‘Mis instintos se activaron’
Crummett logra escaparse y pide ayuda, y abre las puertas, dejando que los otros cuatro pasajeros aterrorizados puedan salir.
“Ella estaba atorada. De hecho, dos de las ruedas estaban en la banqueta y dos en la calle. No podía moverse ni echarse hacia atrás. No podía hacer nada,” dijo Carroll.
El hombre loco empuja a su primera víctima de la puerta delantera, pero regresa. Aparentemente tratando de robar el autobús, empieza a pegar a Crummett, pidiéndole que cierre las puertas. Con una calma increíble, le pide al hombre que primero chequee las puertas traseras. Con el atacante temporalmente distraído, Crummett logra salir corriendo, dejando las puertas cerradas detrás de ella, primero habiendo apagado la batería. El atacante trató de conducir el autobús inmóvil antes de ser capturado. Fue procesado por dos cargos de asalto en segundo grado y los recuentos individuales de intento de secuestro en primer grado y de primer grado intento de robo. Ambas víctimas han sido dadas de alta del hospital tras sufrir lo que la policía describió como “mucho dolor físico.”
Otra conductora de Milwaukee County (WI) Transit System (MCTS), Shari Carroll, 998, fue más allá de su deber cuando observó que la silla de ruedas de una pasajera que acababa de bajarse estaban atoradas delante de ella.
“Mis instintos se activaron y pense, ‘bueno, tengo que por lo menos sacarla de la calle’,” dijo Carroll.
‘Esto es demasiado amable “Ella simplemente paró e hizo todo lo que pudo,” dijo el pasajero John Bischoff, “y se puso manos a la obra. Ella estaba arrodillada tratando de activar la transmisión de esta señora, y yo pensé que era demasiado amable.” “Yo no quería que nadie rodeara mi autobús, sobre todo para hacer una vuelta Ilegal delante mío y que la atropellara,” dijo Carroll. Bischoff y un amigo consiguieron que la silla de ruedas motorizada funcionara una vez más. Bischoff dice que él y los demás pasajeros estaban muy Impresionados. Carroll dice que está sorprendida por la atención, pero se siente agradecida.
Acciones heroicas de miembros de Milwaukee documentadas
Nueve semanas
El Local 998 parece tener el número más alto de héroes, porque el Sistema de Transito del Condado de Milwaukee (WI) alienta activamente a su público a reportar las acciones positivas de sus empleados. Ellos, no obstante, se merecen ser aquí mencionados como evidencia adicional de la devoción de todos los miembros de ATU a las comunidades que sirven.
Todos los incidentes relatados arriba ocurrieron entre el 16 de abril al 16 de junio, tan solo nueve semanas de las vidas de miembros de ATU en Canadá y los Estados unidos. Aquellos que leen In Transit saben que este no fue un periodo de tiempo inusual. Los reportes de todo el bien que nuestros miembros hacen por sus comunidades llegan a la Internacional de forma semanal.
‘¡Oye, no hagas eso!’ Anthony Brownlee, 998, estaba en su ruta un domingo por la tarde, cuando vio a una pareja con un bebe peleándose en un estacionamiento. “Ella estaba en la parte trasera del auto y él la estaba estrangulando.” La gente alrededor no hacía nada por ayudar a la mujer. was on his route on a Sunday afternoon when he noticed a couple with a baby fighting in a parking lot.
30
May/June 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Y sabemos que esto es solo “la punta del iceberg.” Los miembros de ATU hacen cientos de actos amables diariamente de los que nunca se escucha nada. Si conoce a un miembro que cree que es un héroe de ATU, por favor asegúrese de enviar su historia a las oficinas del Presidente Hanley al officeofthepresident@atu.org. Presentar las historias de estos nueve miembros, es nuestra manera de honrar a todos los héroes anónimos de ATU que de forma rutinaria van por encima y más allá de su deber, simplemente por qué es lo correcto. ustedes nos hacen sentir orgullo por ser ATU.” v
In Memoriam
Death Benefits Awarded March 1, 2016 - April 30, 2016 1- MEMBERS AT LARGE THOMAS DELANEY IVAN M FLINN HAROLD F JOHNSON VERNON H KRUEGER THEODORE ANGUS MILLER ALBERT V MOORE CLAYTON L WATERBURY
265- SAN JOSE, CA CHARLES L MULL JEREMIAH F O’SHEA WILLIAM R THOMAS
85- PITTSBURGH, PA ALLEN R ASHTON FRANKLIN DUANE BROWN WILLIAM R COYLE THOMAS J DANCISON WILLIAM E EUBANKS PAUL D KALAKEWICH JAMES MC LELLAN CARMEN C ROMEO ARTHUR E SCHAEFFER ROBERT M SMITH JOHN P VECHTER JAMES WEBSTER JR RICHARD A WILLIAMS
276- STOCKTON, CA DALE C HURST
113- TORONTO, ON RUDOLPH ACKLOO DESMOND R CRAFTER LUIGI GIACCI DONALD T LYNAS IAN R MACKIE CORRADO MASSA EDWARD W MERNAGH GARY B MILLER DAVID PALMER GANSHAM RAMLACKAN CHARLES E SENIOR PURUSHOTHAM SHETTY HARRY NORMAN SISSON ANTHONY GERALD SMITH WILLIAM A STOREY EDWARD J J YASNEY 164- WILKES-BARRE, PA ELIJAH GALLAGHER 174- FALL RIVER, MA ROBERT LUCAS 192- OAKLAND, CA EUGENE B RESPICIO NATHANIEL ROBINSON 241- CHICAGO, IL BHUPINDER S BHOLA DOROTHY V BROOKINS GEORGE R DUSZYNSKI HUGO I GALVEZ JESSE GILLIAN EDGAR GRIFFIN JR GEORGE M HENLEY JR LEWIS T JOHNSON ROOSEVELT MONTGOMERY CHESTER ROBERTSON HARRY W RONS SALVATORE SALATINO EDWARD STEWART KEITH THOMPSON JEFF J TURNER LAWRENCE TURNER AMADOR VELEZ LOUIS G WILLIAMS 256- SACRAMENTO, CA JAYDEE C CURRY KENNETH M KLINE ROY WILLIAMS JOHN YELLOWHORSE
268- CLEVELAND, OH HUBERT D HENDERSON JOHN F WIENCEK
279- OTTAWA, ON ROLAND J M GAGNON AURELE LADOUCEUR 281- NEW HAVEN, CT JOSEPH MARDEN JAMES R VANACORE 282- ROCHESTER, NY JOHN BONACCI 425- HARTFORD, CT LESLIE ELLIS ALFRED JACQUES 448- SPRINGFIELD, MA ARNOLD R CRAVEN 540- TRENTON, NJ THOMAS COOPER KONSTANTINO TZOUNAKOS 569- EDMONTON, AB CLIFF CARTER RODERICK EVANS GAUSTON R GUEUTAL STEPHEN HOSEGOOD LAWRENCE WILFRED HUMM EDWARD KEMPINSKI JOHN L RIOUX STANLEY L TYSON 583- CALGARY, AB BONG HO CHOI JOHN J HEBB ARIF NIZAR KHAKOO ABRAHAM LOEWEN NORMAND J H MARCHAND CLAYTON GLENN MARTELL WILLIAM G MARTIN DEBRA ANN MC DONALD RONALD MITCHELL DONNA M ROBINSON MINGHUI ZHU 587- SEATTLE, WA HAYWARD GREGORY 588- REGINA, SK JOHN W ARMSTRONG RUDOLPH S PANAGABKO 589- BOSTON, MA EDWARD J BRENNAN JAMES DUNBAR JR JOSEPH R FITZGERALD LINCOLN M GRAHAM TAMEEKA UDARA HINNANT CARL E HOSEA JR THOMAS E KANE JOSEPH J MC GINLEY JAMES MINNIFIELD ANGELO J TARANTO EDMUND A TOOMEY WILLIAM E YOUNG
618- PROVIDENCE, RI GREGORY W DOLBY JAMES R MOOREMAN 627- CINCINNATI, OH DWAYNE BERRY MICHAEL GADD WILLIAM H JACKSON AMOND MILLS 685- BRANTFORD, ON ALFRED NORDEN 689- WASHINGTON, DC HARRY E BOWLES ALAN M BROWN CONSTANCE D BROWN GERALD C CAREY WARREN M CHAMBERS KENNETH C CROOKER BOBBY GLEN ENOCH JOHN FOXCROFT JAMES F HOPFER EDWARD L JOHNSON FREDDIE LEE KING RICHARD LANE PRIEST DAVID W REID RUSSELL E ROBERTS JR RIONDO M SHEPARD JAMES D WITHERSPOON 694- SAN ANTONIO, TX ALFONSO S MARTINEZ 717- MANCHESTER, NH RUTH M BASNAR 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY PETER C BJORKLUND JOHN L JENKINS ANTHONY MOBILA GABRIEL SCHIAVONE 732- ATLANTA, GA CRYSTAL V BIVINS-ASANTE ROBERT E JOHNSON ROBERT L RAINES 741- LONDON, ON WILLIAM N HILL IVAN A LEITCH ALEXANDER MAC LEOD 752- BLOOMINGTON, IL JEFF ERDMAN 757- PORTLAND, OR ERIC N ANDERSON JON V BLILEY MILTON L CASTERLINE LARRY D FRALEY ROY L GOODENOUGH KARL L KEELER MICHAEL MARTIN JOHN P MC CLINTOCK ERIC L STILLER JOHN STURDAVANT VICKY J WILLIAMS 758- TACOMA, WA BARBARA MATUKONIS WALTER W MORRIS WALLACE WYDRA 788- ST. LOUIS, MO CHARLES E AKLEY JERRY D BLUE LEROY BROWN SAM H HUDDLESTON WILLIE MACKLIN
ERHARD E MUELLER RICHARD PATTON ALDO C ROSSI RUTHIE M SIMPSON CHARLES N TRIPLETT EUGENE A WALLACE JOHN T WHITE 801- ALTOONA, PA PAUL E SMITH 812- CLARKSBURG, WV ROBERT HERBERT BARRETT 819- NEWARK, NJ GHULAM JAN MARVIN M ROSENTHAL ROBERT M WEEKLEY 822- PATERSON, NJ WILLIAM PETER DALY 836- GRAND RAPIDS, MI ROGER BUCHANAN 842- WILMINGTON, DE FREDERICK O BRISBON EILEEN D CHUBBS 880- CAMDEN, NJ JOHN W BENSON KEITH COOK PAUL E HONRYCHS JOHN G SADUASKAS JR 956- ALLENTOWN, PA LARRY H ROWLANDS 966- THUNDER BAY, ON KEN HIRSCHFELDT FRED WIESER 998- MILWAUKEE, WI MICHAEL S ANDRESHAK CLARENCE KERN RUSSELL E NOWAK EDDIE WILSON 1001- DENVER, CO MARCUS E RODGERS
1235- NASHVILLE, TN JESSE A BATSON LARRY W BINKLEY JUDY D GOWER CHARLES V SEAGRAFF 1267- FT. LAUDERDALE, FL JOSEPH J CATRICOLA STEVE B CHEN 1277- LOS ANGELES, CA ANDREW J ANDERSON EDWARD H GUERRA INDOLFO A GUTIERREZ GEORGE S KUROKI CARLOS M LOZANO ARMANDO ROMERO 1293- LINCOLN, NE JAMES A JENKINS 1300- BALTIMORE, MD WARREN BUMGARDNER TANGIE M HARGRAVE WILLIAM R SHREWSBURY DAVID A SMITH JR 1320- PETERBOROUGH, ON ALICE E MC KAY 1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY DONALD J ROMANO 1338- DALLAS, TX CHARLES E MASON ZULITA WALKER 1342- BUFFALO, NY STEVEN K AIKEN JOHN COLLIARD RICHARD J KIEFFER JARVIN B LLOYD WILLIAM C MATHIEN ANTHONY PALMIERE 1374- CALGARY, AB WALTER BARYLA PETER F DOELL LLOYD HERBERT PROCTOR 1447- LOUISVILLE, KY JOHN B STEINMETZ
1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN KEITH M KINNING
1498- JOPLIN, MO RONALD D FRANCISCO
1037- NEW BEDFORD, MA PAUL A SCHROEDER
1505- WINNIPEG, MB SEON A GRIFFITH HENRY J PENNER
1091- AUSTIN, TX GENE P KIMBALL
1512- SPRINGFIELD, MA THOMAS E WILLIAMS
1181- NEW YORK, NY CATHERINE BARTOLOMEO JOYCE BEATTY JAMES P CUSANELLI BENNY J DIERNA VOULA GANOS ALEX GIANNUZZI ROBERT FRANCIS JAHN FRANCIS P LEMONDA JOSEPH ANTHONY LUPOLI JEAN M MARAGNI MARIANNA MAZZELLA RUBY PERRONE TRENTINO J RUSSO ENRICO SANTARELLI JOSEPH SCHIPANI GEORGE STORCH JR
1517- IDAHO FALLS, ID TAKEO T SATO
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
1573- BRAMPTON, ON JAN N MOLENDYK 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA RICHARD W SANSONI 1700- CHICAGO, IL WILLIAM E FERRIS 1741- LAFAYETTE, IN WILLIAM A MEYER 1765- OLYMPIA, WA STEVEN A AMES
31
Amalgamated Transit Union
AFL-CIO/CLC 10000 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20903 www.atu.org
STAY CONNECTED
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LANCASTER,PA PERMIT #1052
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
THE VOICE OF TRANSIT WORKERS As the largest transit worker Political Action Committee (PAC) in the US, ATU-COPE is the voice of transit workers, school bus employees and over-the-road bus workers at all levels of government. Since by law, union dues cannot be used to fund political campaigns, voluntary member contributions to ATU-COPE are used to help elect pro-labor, pro-transit candidates for local, state and federal office and keep politicians accountable to the interests of our members. Like all aspects of our Union, ATU-COPE is nothing without our members. To provide a strong political voice for transit workers, we need your help! Contributing to ATU-COPE is easy: If your local has a checkoff provision in its contract, contact your Local for a Checkoff Authorization Card to voluntarily authorize your employer to deduct an amount you specify from your pay each month for ATU-COPE. Contributions can also be made directly by check, payable to ATU-COPE and sent to: ATU-COPE 10000 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 2090