In Transit - 3rd Quarter 2020

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

JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

WE’RE RIDIN’ WITH BIDEN

An in-depth look at the candidate and his policies for the coronavirus, Labor and transit.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Amalgamated Transit Union International President John Costa in Las Vegas one day before Nevada Caucuses.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS JOHN A. COSTA

International President

JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.

International Executive Vice President

KENNETH R. KIRK

International Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS RICHARD M. MURPHY Newburyport, MA JANIS M. BORCHARDT Madison, WI PAUL BOWEN Canton, MI MARCELLUS BARNES Flossmore, IL RAY RIVERA Lilburn, GA YVETTE TRUJILLO Thornton, CO GARY JOHNSON, SR. Cleveland, OH ROBIN WEST Halifax, NS CHUCK WATSON Syracuse, NY BRUCE HAMILTON New York, NY MICHELLE SOMMERS Brooklyn Park, MN JAMES LINDSAY Santa Clarita, CA EMANUELE (MANNY) SFORZA Toronto, ON JOHN CALLAHAN Winnipeg, MB CURTIS HOWARD Atlanta, GA NATALIE CRUZ Lorain, OH ANTHONY GARLAND Washington, DC RAYMOND GREAVES Bayonne- NJ

35th Annual ATU MS Golf Tournament cancelled due to pandemic The ATU regrets to announce that due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have decided to cancel the 2020 Annual ATU MS Golf Tournament. The ATU Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund has been raising money to help find a cure for MS for more than 35 years. You can still show your support for this great cause by visiting http://bit.ly/ATUMSFund to contribute to the ATU MS Research Fund. We wish you and your families safety and good health, and look forward to seeing you at next year’s tournament.

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES DENNIS ANTONELLIS Spokane, WA STEPHAN MACDOUGALL Boston, MA SESIL RUBAIN New Carrollton, MD MARILYN WILLIAMS St. Louis, MO MIKE HARMS Pittsburgh, PA MICHAEL CORNELIUS Phoenix, AZ

ATU CANADA JOHN DI NINO Maple, ON

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS International President Jim La Sala, ret.

International President Warren George, ret.

International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, 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: David Roscow, 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

J U LY/AUG/SEP T

2020 Vol. 129, No. 3

8 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message: Let’s get into some ‘good trouble’ 9 Joe Biden letter to ATU members 10 Kamala Harris - A historic Vice Presidential pick

TRUMP VS BIDEN - ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO ATU MEMBERS

11

14 School bus drivers prepare for opening challenges

Donald Trump calls veterans, active military ‘Losers and Suckers’

15 ATU Canada awards 2020 Marcel Malboeuf Scholarships 16 Canadian Agenda: Why the U.S. election matters to Canada 19 Locals fight on frontlines against pandemic 21 Remember Our Fallen

ATU CANADIAN LOCALS SECURE EMERGENCY FUNDING VICTORY

18

2 International Officers & General Executive Board

35th Annual ATU MS Golf Tournament cancelled due to pandemic

25 AC Transit Mechanic Helper Program: Members climb the career ladder 26 Amalgamated Transit Union: Top Senate Picks 28 Ballot initiatives that matter to ATU members 29 Translation 30 In Memoriam 32 Contribute to ATU-COPE

3 Index page 4 Pandemic Bargaining: Resist Every Concession, Resist Every Layoff 5 International President’s Message: U.S. members: VOTE by Tuesday, November 3 6 Vote by Mail 2020 7 International Executive Vice President’s Message: VOTE: ‘We just might save our country and our souls’ IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

3

As predicted, transit agencies and private employers in the U.S. and Canada have used the COVID-19 pandemic as justification for layoffs and the wage and healthcare concessions they have tried for years to obtain. Employers are also betting that they can get away with busting unions by pitting workers against each other by race, classification, seniority, and more, when in fact all members refuse to accept poverty-level pay as a result of the coronavirus economic disaster.

The International will continue to support the exceptional work of our locals to keep pressure on employers to meet our crucial Safe Service demands (see atu.org).

Our lives, our livelihoods Now, just as the International and Locals have taken an aggressive approach since the onset of COVID-19 to protect the lives of our members, we must fight with that same vigor and resistance to protect our livelihoods.

International President John Costa has encouraged Locals to take a “resist every concession, resist every layoff,” approach to bargaining. Our goal, quite simply, is to stop layoffs and concessions in their tracks, to ensure that the costs of this pandemic and the resulting recession don’t fall to those least able to afford it.

to prepare our Locals – both big and small, urban and rural – for negotiations long before they begin. In others, it will help accelerate drawn-out negotiations with member action.

We will not accept negotiating ploys that promise that contract give-backs will last only until the current crisis recedes – not when we know that managements find ways to make sure the “crisis” never ends.

We’ll fight like hell We will not allow governments to claim that they just can’t afford to pay living wages – not when the Trump administration can afford to dole out incredible largesse to the rich in the form of tax cuts and unneeded stimulus subsidies; not when Parliament takes care of so many other interest groups.

We will not be made to bear the cost of the pandemic – not when our members are dying at three times the rate of the general population.

In short, we’ve worked hard for many years for the wages and healthcare benefits we’ve earned, and we will fight like hell to keep them. v

To resist concessions – and even win new victories – we will rely on our tested Safe Service tactics and approach.

That means deep one-on-one organizing and aggressive campaigns. In some cases, this will be a proactive drive

4

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

JOHN A. COSTA, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

U.S. members: VOTE by Tuesday, November 3 I know, for all of us, it has been an endless, exhausting, and stressful time since the pandemic began in early Spring.

Tragically, over 30 more of our members have died from COVID-19 since the last In Transit, bringing the total to over 85 sisters and brothers lost. Countless more have been sickened – some seriously – some for life.

Name-calling has replaced political discourse. All sense of civility is gone.

President Trump has exploited it, creating division and hate. He “stirs the pot” for political gain. And it’s not good for our country or the world.

Is this really the way we want to live?

Fighting for you every day As infections and deaths rise, and states and provinces reopen, your Union continues to fight for you every day; fighting to force transit properties to require social distancing; insisting they provide personal protective equipment, and pressuring them to adopt all of our Safe Service demands (see atu.org).

Unsurprisingly, transit agencies are claiming that decreased tax revenue will force them to demand layoffs, and wage and benefit cuts. We are fighting this too, not only because it is wrong, but, because we know that many employers will try to make these cuts permanent.

Cutting transit funding and weakening unions are typical goals of Republicans in the U.S. and Conservatives in Canada. And you can be sure that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he and the GOP will do everything they can to achieve those goals.

Would we tolerate this from any other President?

I do not doubt the sincerity of those who support the President. I only ask you to look at where we have arrived.

America is in deep trouble, and we have a President who runs away from responsibility and blames others for every problem. The “buck” never stops with Donald Trump.

Would we tolerate this behavior from any other President?

We have got to take back our democracy before we lose it altogether.

Leadership We have to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

ATU endorsed Joe Biden for President in February, before the coronavirus became the threat that it is today. And we still do. Why?

Is this really the way we want to live?

The United States is currently in the grip of multiple crises, but unlike previous crises such as 9/11, we’re not coming together as a nation. Rather the U.S. is so divided along political and ideological lines that the simple act of wearing a mask can spur outrage.

— continued on page 6

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

5

Because: •

Joe Biden knows how to mount an effective crisis response based on the knowledge of scientists and health experts.

•

Joe Biden made an historic pick in naming Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.

•

Joe Biden has a plan to create millions of goodpaying jobs.

•

Joe Biden will root out systemic racism and his policies will mandate that every American be treated with dignity and respect.

•

Joe Biden has a plan to strengthen unions and help all workers bargain for what they deserve.

•

Joe Biden will support public transit with strong labor protections.

•

Joe Biden will protect and build on Obamacare.

•

Joe Biden will restore civility and respect for the United States.

Your one vote counts more than you think

LAS VEGAS, NV: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Amalgamated Transit Union International President John Costa one day before the Nevada Democratic presidential caucuses.

November 3. It’s no exaggeration to say the fate of the U.S., Canada, and even the world is in your hands.

Be proactive If you plan to vote by mail, do whatever you can to get ahold of a ballot and mail it in as soon as you can.

You can read much more about the Biden/Harris ticket and the coming U.S. election in this issue. v

Too many people think their one vote won’t count – and then we end up with a result that doesn’t respect the wishes of the majority of Americans. So, VOTE by Tuesday,

Vote by mail is easy. In fact states that have vote by mail have some of the highest turnout.

And it only takes a minute.

Many states have been using vote by mail for many years.

This election is more important than ever. So use the easy, secure and convenient way to vote.

Vote by Mail (in most states) at:

go.aflcio.org/ATU-votes 6

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR., INTERNATIONAL EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT

VOTE: ‘We just might save our country and our souls’ A song by the band “Chicago,” and an address delivered by historian John Meacham to the Democratic National Convention, spoke to me as I reflected on the importance of the coming American election. I thought they might prove meaningful to you as well:

‘Dialogue Part 1 & 2’

history. And, we shouldn’t want to.

– Chicago, 1972

For many of us have been given much: liberty, opportunity, a sense of possibility. The task of our time is to make sure those gifts are available not to just folks who look like me, but to all of us.

Are you optimistic ’bout the way that things are going? No, I never think of it at all.

Don’t you worry when you see what’s going down? No, I try to mind my business and that is no business at all.

When it’s time to function as a feeling human being, will your Bachelor of Arts help you get by? I hope to study further a few more years or so and to keep a steady high.

Will you try and change things with the power that you have, the power of a million new ideas? What is this power you speak of and this need for things to change? I always thought that everything was fine.

Don’t you feel repression closing in around? No, the campus here is very, very free.

Does it make you angry the way war is dragging on? I hope the President knows what he’s into. I don’t know.

Don’t you ever see the starvation in the city where you live, all the needless hunger, all the needless pain? I haven’t been there lately, the country is so fine, I haven’t got the time.

Thank you for the talk you really eased my mind. Well if you had my outlook your feeling would be numb, you’d always think everything was fine.

This is a grave moment in America. A deadly virus is ravaging us. Our jobs are evaporating. … Our democracy is under assault from an incumbent more interested in himself than he is in the rest of us.

Extremism, nativism, isolationism and a lack of economic opportunity for working people are all preventing us from realizing our nation’s promise.

And so, we must decide whether we will continue to be prisoners of the darkest of American forces or will we free ourselves to write a brighter, better, nobler story. That’s the issue of this election – a choice that goes straight to the nature of the soul of America. …

The soul is what makes us us. In its finest hours America’s soul has been animated by the proposition that we are all created equal …

Yet, America is a mix of light and shadow, Seneca Falls, Selma, Stonewall, dwell in the American soul, but so do the impulses that have given us slavery, segregation, and systematic discrimination. …

Excerpts, 2020 Democratic National Convention

Yet, history, which will surely be our judge, can also be our guide. … Our story has become fuller and fairer because of people who share a conviction that Dr. King articulated on that Sunday, half a century ago: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

In his final Sunday sermon, days before his death, Martin Luther King Jr., said, “We are tied together in a single garment of destiny.” … We the people cannot escape that reality. Nor, as Lincoln taught us, can you and I escape

Bending that ark requires all of us. … With our voices and our votes, let us now write the next chapter of the American story – one of hope, of love, of justice. If we do so, we might just save our country – and our souls. v

Address by Jon Meacham

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

7

KENNETH RAY KIRK, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Let’s get into some ‘good trouble’ U.S. Brothers and Sisters, we face one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime with the election in November.

It’s every bit as great as the challenge we faced when I was a child in the 1960s, when we protested the poor education and poverty that denied African-Americans any hope of attaining the American Dream.

Use it or lose it

We fought for the American Dream – for life, liberty, and justice for all. And Labor was at the forefront of the civil rights movement because unions understood that decent wages and rights on the job were crucial for a good life. And we’re still fighting for economic justice and fair treatment for workers today.

We’ve all seen how the Trump Administration and courts have inhibited the ability of labor unions to protect your rights at work. President Trump has mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and cost the lives of more than 85 of our sisters and brothers.

The fight for “one-person/one-vote” has been a struggle throughout U.S. history. African Americans, women, and others have fought for the right to vote through constitutional amendments and challenges to our legal system.

John Lewis, Kamala Harris After the death of John Lewis, we were reminded of the struggle to pass the 1965 Voting Rights Act which guaranteed every citizen the right to vote – a right purchased with the blood of Americans of every race, color, and creed. It should never be taken for granted.

Unfortunately, the Voting Rights Act was severely diluted by a 2013 Supreme Court decision which invalidated a major portion of the law. And many states have taken advantage of that decision by passing new “Jim Crow” laws intended to inhibit African Americans, and other marginalized communities from voting.

Undoubtedly, Lewis would have been pleased to see the nomination of Kamala Harris as the first Black woman candidate for Vice President, but he would admonish us not to “sit on our laurels.” He would exhort us to re-double our efforts to vote during this critical time.

8

Sisters and brothers, your vote affects every aspect of your life, from the cost of your utilities, to your right to have a union, to taxes of all kinds, and even the quality of the air you breathe.

The right choice to lead our nation forward through this crisis and beyond is Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They will help rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of Labor, advance racial justice and equity, and bolster our economy through unprecedented investment in public services like transit.

VOTE! Vote for candidates that stand for working people, unions, and public transit. Your vote determines how your Local, state and national governments are run, and this year that’s more important than ever.

So, I encourage you, and all U.S. members to vote like never before.

As the great John Lewis said, “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of working people by getting in what I call ‘good trouble’ – necessary trouble.

Voting and participating in the democratic process are key.

The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.”

Let’s get into some good trouble! v

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

9

KAMALA HARRIS A HISTORIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK

In a historic pick, Joe Biden has chosen a Black woman, California Senator Kamala Harris, as his vice presidential running mate in the November U.S. election.

“In Senator Harris, Joe Biden has selected a fighter, a champion of working families, and a strong advocate of the labor movement to help win the White House in November,” says International President John Costa.

“The team of Biden and Harris will unify Americans, beat the COVID-19 pandemic and restore the respect of the world to our country. Together, they will fight for racial and economic justice and a more inclusive future for America’s working families.”

Daughter of immigrants The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, Harris grew up believing in the American Dream and rose to be the first Black and Indian American woman to represent California in the U.S. Senate.

As a young child in Berkeley, CA, in the 1960s, Harris’ life was shaped by the Civil Rights Movement as her parents brought her to countless protests.

She regularly describes her mother as the most important influence on her life. “My mother used to say, ‘Don’t sit around and complain about things, do something,’” says Harris.

10

Harris began her career fighting for working families in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she focused on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. She then went on to be the first Black woman elected as San Francisco’s District Attorney.

In 2010, Harris became the first Black woman to be elected California Attorney General, overseeing a justice department second only in size to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fought for families In that position she fought for families and won a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners against big banks that were unfairly foreclosing on homes. Harris also worked to protect Obamacare, helped win marriage equality for all, and defended California’s landmark climate change law.

In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she has a strong track record of supporting working families and the labor movement. She has pushed to create a fairer process for forming unions and protecting healthcare and retirement security.

She introduced and co-sponsored legislation to help the middle class, increase the minimum wage to $15, reform cash bail, and defend the legal rights of refugees and immigrants.

As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Harris also oversees the federal government’s response to natural disasters and emergencies, including the Trump Administration’s response to COVID-19.

ATU members across this country are excited to stand together, fight back, and elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the nation this November. v

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO ATU MEMBERS

The 2016 election of U.S. President Donald Trump has drastically impacted ATU members and all Americans.

During the past 3½ years, this President’s policies have resulted in illness, injury, and even death for countless transit workers. He has starved public transit of crucial funding, weakened unions, and stolen the hardearned wages of working families to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy.

What would Joe Biden do differently? A lot:

ISSUE: COVID-19 “It is what it is,” said Donald Trump regarding the staggering coronavirus death toll. “I think it’s under control,” he says, as over a thousand Americans die each day. More than 85 ATU members have lost their lives.

Trump’s dismal mismanagement has cost lives. An ATU survey found that 50% of our employers have not provided bus operators with basic personal protective equipment (PPE). Without federal government help, transit agencies have been forced to bid against each other for PPE, making it difficult to secure life-saving equipment.

In the first few critical weeks of the pandemic, Trump’s Department of Transportation incredibly said, “… PPE is not recommended at this time. …” Even now, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public, Trump’s DOT has not mandated masks on transit.

Consequently, passengers keep infecting other riders and operators. That’s likely what happened to Jason Hargrove, 26-Detroit, MI, a 50-year-old bus driver, who posted a Facebook video complaining about a passenger who openly coughed on his bus without covering her mouth. Eleven days later, Jason died of COVID-19.

Joe Biden: A Different Approach “Jason Hargrove is a heartbreaking example of the courage and selflessness that you and your colleagues show every single day to literally keep the country running,” Joe Biden said during a recent town hall with frontline workers, including paratransit driver Jerry Brown, 836-Grand Rapids, MI. “Jason should have never been left to fend for himself IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

11

on his own to sacrifice his life for his job,” said the former Vice President.

“I also strongly believe that people getting on your bus should also wear protective masks. They should be in a position so that they are not spreading what they have to you as well, and to other passengers.”

What other group of workers has to endure this?

That’s the way Joe Biden sees it too: “Just someone getting on the bus and going after you. … I mean, my Lord, we need much more support for transit workers, because you are the reason why things continue to function. Period. I promise you I’m going to keep banging away at this. …

And if I’m President, I guarantee you that [protection and support] will be available.”

ISSUE: Taxes Biden says that, if elected, he will listen to doctors, reopen the White House Pandemic Office, create 10 mobile testing sites per state, provide faster hospital expansion, and produce enough safety gear. “When I’m President, we will be better prepared, respond better, and recover better,” he said.

Biden’s message to ATU members: “You deserve to be protected.”

ISSUE: Transit Worker Assault In May 2019, the ATU family mourned Thomas Dunn, 1593-Tampa, FL, a bus operator whose throat was slashed, who used his last breath to steer his vehicle to safety before he bled to death in the drivers’ seat. We were shocked that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) chose at that same time to abandon their responsibility to stop assaults against transit workers.

And if I’m President, I guarantee you that protection and support for transit workers will be available.”

Four years earlier, ATU led a Congressional effort to secure language in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, directing FTA to issue regulations to protect transit workers from assault. After four long years, during which countless drivers have been assaulted and killed, Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation said it was “unnecessary” to issue a rulemaking on transit worker assault.

12

In 2017, “Joe,” the bus driver and “Jane,” the rider, took it on the chin with passage of Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – the most outrageous money grab by the rich in American history that will destroy what is left of the middle class.

For Joe, 50, a married operator with two children, earning $38,000 per year, the bill is devastating. Ending the state and local deduction has made it very hard for Joe to keep food on the table and save for his kids’ college.

He’s driven for 10 years, but he’ll need to retire soon due to chronic back and kidney problems. He’ll need continuous, costly medical care for the rest of his life.

But under Trump’s tax bill, he won’t be able to deduct unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 10% of adjusted gross income. Talk about cruel!

Jane, the rider, doesn’t fare any better. She could afford to ride public transit because the law provided her with a tax benefit for taking the bus to work. However, Trump removed the option for employers to deduct the cost of those benefits, so Jane’s boss pulled out of the program. She may have to walk the five miles to her job now. This not only affects her, but impacts ridership, farebox collection, service, and threatens transit jobs.

Under this obscene bill, the 1% get even richer through massive corporate and estate tax giveaways, leaving the rest of us behind.

Joe Biden would roll back the tax cuts for high income households and corporations. The top one percent of taxpayers (those with income above $400,000 per year) would face the largest tax increase. Under the Biden plan, to take the burden off the middle class, about 72% of new tax revenue would come from the richest Americans.

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

ISSUE: Transit Funding Where would Biden spend the hundreds of billions of dollars raised through his tax policy? Public transportation would be a top priority.

Biden’s Build Back America Better plan calls for millions of good, union jobs rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure. Biden will provide every American city of 100,000 or more, with high quality, zero-emissions public transportation.

In contrast, Donald Trump has tried to gut transit funding.

In his first three years in office, funding for highways, roads and bridges more than doubled at the expense of public transit. Trump cut multi-modal transit grants from 28% to 8.5%. His Department of Transportation shifted hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants from transit projects to rural roads.

Moreover, Trump’s FY 2020 budget proposed to slash funding for new transit projects by nearly 40%. The Administration has continuously targeted FTA’s “Capital Improvement Grant” program, which provides funding for major new transit projects, like Phoenix’s South Central Light Rail (Local 1433) or Indianapolis’ Red Line bus rapid transit (Local 1070).

ISSUE: Unions In 2018, in a sharply divided 5–4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited public sector unions from collecting any fees from nonmembers. The Janus v. AFSCME case overturned laws in the 22 states that had not adopted “rightto-work” policies. Justice Neil Gorsuch cast the decisive fifth vote in favor of killing public sector unions. Who appointed Gorsuch? Donald Trump, of course.

While Trump tried to convince unions to support him in 2016, a leaked White House memo outlines the President’s true intentions – to destroy unions, get rid of worker protections, cripple workers’ ability to organize, and increase profits for corporations.

The President hasn’t even nominated anyone to run the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which enforces workplace safety laws.

We’ve seen PPE shortages and outbreaks at numerous workplaces. The pandemic has already caused more illness and death in a shorter period of time than any other health crisis since OSHA’s creation 50 years ago.

Joe Biden is a lifelong champion of workers and organized labor. He will increase workplace safety and health. He will reinstate critical safety protections and ensure that all OSHA officials understand the consequences of not having safety standards in place. He will direct OSHA to expand enforcement and increase the number of its investigators.

Biden is proposing a plan to grow a stronger, more inclusive middle class by strengthening unions and helping all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve.

As President, Joe Biden will: • Check the abuse of corporate power over Labor and hold corporate executives personally accountable for violations of labor laws; • Encourage and incentivize unionization and collective bargaining; and • Ensure that workers are treated with dignity and receive the pay, benefits, and workplace protections they deserve.

Biden strongly supports the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which promises to restore the power of workers to organize and negotiate on the job. The PRO Act would impose appropriate financial penalties on companies that break the law. The bill also prohibits employers from forcing their employees to attend “captive audience” meetings whose sole purpose is to intimidate workers into voting against the union.

CONCLUSION: Every vote counts Sometimes, in past elections, it’s been hard to find differences between the candidates’ views on key pocketbook issues.

So, people simply vote for the person based on their views on social matters, like religion, or guns.

Or they just stay home like they did in 2016. That election was effectively decided by 107,000 people throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania – a tiny portion of the electorate. The world would be a much different place if just a few thousand more people had voted. Certainly, more ATU members would be alive today.

This year, not voting is not an option. We urge you to make your decision based on your job and the health and safety of your family. If you are not registered, please do so immediately. Vote as if your life depends on it – because it does. v IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

13

School bus drivers prepare for opening challenges School bus drivers across the U.S. and Canada are concerned as education districts develop plans to keep students and drivers safe. And, safety is not the only problem as some areas are experiencing a severe shortage of drivers.

It’s been ‘rough’ Local President Michael Cordiello, 1181-New York, NY, says it has been “rough” for him and his members since the pandemic started. “It is a new world, and we are going to be learning as we go because there is no way to learn any other way in this situation,” Cordiello says.

Driver shortages School systems across northeastern Ontario are facing a severe shortage of school bus drivers – 60% of whom are over 60. The reduced number of available operators is causing school bus route cancellations and delays in the province.

New York school bus drivers are getting used to new procedures that limit buses to 25% capacity, and requirements that include daily disinfecting, masks for drivers and students, and proper air circulation. Cordiello says that drivers will run front defrosters on high on the fresh air cycle (not recycled air) and will open bus windows.

Cordiello also says that Local 1181 drivers will “work hand-in-hand” with parents “to ensure them that they are going to get a safe ride for their kids.” v

DONALD TRUMP CALLS VETERANS, ACTIVE MILITARY

‘LOSERS AND SUCKERS’ That’s right! Atlantic Magazine quoted four sources as saying that Donald Trump while standing outside a military cemetery called veterans and members of the Armed Services “losers” and “suckers.”

In contrast, Joe Biden concluded his video address to the 2019 ATU International Convention saying: “And I promise you, if I’m elected your President, I will ensure that you are given the respect you deserve. May God bless you. May God protect our troops. Thank you.”

The Atlantic article also alleged that President Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American

Cemetery near Paris in 2018, because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain.

On Veteran’s Day last year, the ATU said, “We particularly thank our many ATU members who have served in our country’s armed forces. … Our veterans embody exceptional character and integrity that should be valued in our society.”

Send Donald Trump a message that we honor our men and women in uniform for their service and dedication to our country. Our veterans and service men and women are heroes! v

Say NO to Donald Trump. Say YES to Joe Biden!

14

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

ATU Canada awards 2020 Marcel Malboeuf Scholarships ATU congratulates the first three recipients of the Marcel Malboeuf Scholarships awarded by ATU Canada. A true gentleman, Marcel, 279-Ottawa, ON, was one of the most committed, dedicated and loyal members of our Union.

A constant presence at International Conventions for many years as a Sergeant-at-Arms, Marcel touched the lives of many ATU members and exemplified what our Union is all about.

Grace Matthews, 279-Ottawa, ON Grace Matthews is enrolled in the University of Ottawa attending the Telfer School of Business with a concentration in marketing. She has been involved in many activities meant to build the community and strengthen leadership, whether it be through volunteer work or school involvement. Her career goals are to head up an advertising department for a company and use her creativity and leadership in her job.

Milena Djordjevic, 279-Ottawa,ON Milena Djordjevic graduated from Brookfield High School in Ottawa as an honours student.

During grades 11 and 12, she contributed many hours to her school’s athletic department.

Djordjevic played a key role in her athletic leadership class and was the team captain for her school’s tennis team. She also actively participated in the Red Dress Project at her school to help raise awareness of the ongoing issue of murdered and missing indigenous women in Canada. Djordjevic plans on attending the University of Ottawa and graduating with a degree in Honours BSc in Biopharmaceutical Science in hopes of becoming a pharmacist.

Rose Gillam, 508-Halifax, NS Rose Gillam is a recent high school graduate entering the first year of the political science program at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Over the past few years, she has volunteered on political campaigns, holiday toy drives, and much more. Gillam is looking forward to focusing on her studies while continuing to give back to the community and playing a leadership role inside and outside of the classroom.

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

15

CANADIAN AGENDA

Why the U.S. election matters to Canada As neighbors, Canada and the United States are among the two most intertwined countries in the world.

The Canadian Labour Movement and the U.S. Labor movement often face the same challenges and work closely to fight for the rights and dignity of working people and their families. With the presence of U.S. manufacturing plants in Canada and Canadian exports of unprocessed natural resources to the U.S. market, there are no two countries in the world whose economies are more integrated than Canada and the United States.

High stakes This makes the U.S. presidential election high stakes for Canadians. On November 3, Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be on the ticket versus former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. The ATU was among the first unions to endorse Joe Biden for President early in the primaries.

The outcome of this election will mean a lot for Canada.

What are the prospects for four more years of Donald

Trump and the Republican grip on the White House?

What are the implications for Canadians and union members across Canada?

Electoral prospects During the Democratic presidential primary race, a number of progressives such as Senator Bernie Sanders pushed for policies such as universal healthcare and a Green New Deal. While Joe Biden won the nomination, his campaign has moved to embrace the progressive wing, which is critical to building the kind of coalition that can defeat Donald Trump.

Traditionally the ground game wins tight elections, but with the pandemic this election will be fought online and on the airwaves. However, everyone will be watching those battleground states that Trump narrowly won: Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. That is why ATU is launching an aggressive campaign to get our members in these key states and others to vote for the Biden-Harris ticket.

Complete failure The complete failure of the Trump Administration is staggering. Over 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, including more than 85 ATU sisters and brothers.

Trump has declared war on working people by nominating Supreme Court justices that sided with the majority in the anti-union Janus decision. This decision was an attack on union dues and the financial security of unions.

16

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

The Trump Administration has stepped up its campaign of divide-and-conquer by using racism, sexism and xenophobia to divide the working class.

The Trump Administration has led the American people to complete ruin.

Impact on Canada Having someone like Trump in power emboldens and strengthens the most far-right, anti-union U.S. organizations. Canadian bosses are joining their American counterparts in adopting U.S. examples of union-busting in order to increase their power here at home. The blueprint to disassemble labour rights is being exported to Canada.

In Alberta, the United Conservative Party (UCP) has passed a bill that attempts to bring US-style labour law reform to Canada. Bill 32 in Alberta now means workers have to wait up to six months for a union certification vote, up from a maximum of 21 days. This will give bosses weeks to install union-busting campaigns and demoralize workers fighting for a union contract.

Attack on Canadian healthcare Four more years of Trump could mean a more aggressive attack on Canadian healthcare from south of the border.

Die-hard resistance to universal healthcare in the U.S. will penetrate the border eventually as giant health insurance companies and for-profit health service providers hunt for lucrative provincial contracts. This will have catastrophic effects on the Canadian public.

The stakes for Canada To the extent that Canadians tie their wagon to resource commodities and sign free trade agreements that promote U.S. investment in the Canadian economy, Canada’s economic woes and dependency will continue to deepen.

Canadians need to hope that Trump loses the election if we are going to stem the tide of decline in terms of labour law, our ability to fight bad bosses, and preserve our healthcare system. v

Meanwhile, corporate donations have no such limit or reporting and the UCP has increased municipal election spending limits. Conservative premiers in Canada are looking to adopt Trump’s labour policies and tilt the playing field in favor of bosses.

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

17

ATU Canadian Locals secure emergency funding victory ATU Canada and Canadian Locals secured a victory this summer when the federal government agreed to provide $1.8 billion for public transit in its $19 billion COVID-19 emergency aid package. However, the funding comes with the condition that provinces equally match the federal transit dollars they receive.

Provinces must match federal funds

The victory was the result of a concerted campaign by ATU Canada and our Locals to pressure the Government into reversing its decision not to aid public transit.

Funding for personal protective equipment, COVID-19 testing, long term care, healthcare, and childcare had no strings attached. The arrangement lead to speculation that the transit funding was set up in such a way that it would not set a precedent.

Only the latest push for operational funding Long before COVID-19 threatened public transit, ATU Locals were advocating for ongoing operational funding of public transit from all levels of government. As the pandemic hit, the ATU aggressively campaigned for emergency federal funding.

ATU Canada’s recent national poll found that 8 in 10 Canadians surveyed support the federal government providing $5 billion in emergency funding for public transit.

Since March, the federal government shoveled bailout money to help individuals, small businesses, public services, and corporations. The Government also freed up and expedited money from the gas tax fund for municipalities, but when asked about public transit, Prime Minister Trudeau consistently stated that his government would support municipalities – but not with transit funding.

The federal government claimed transit was a provincial responsibility. While the ATU did not stop pressuring the federal government – it also targeted provinces, calling on them to compensate transit agencies for all pandemicrelated operating losses. In June, the ATU coordinated a nationwide letter-writing campaign with community transit allies directed at the provinces.

18

Finally, Trudeau announced that the Government would provide $1.8 billion to public transit as part of its $19 billion coronavirus bailout package. Unfortunately, the transit funds were the only cohort of the funding that required matching provincial funds.

ATU takes fight to the provinces As of this writing, only British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario have asked for the matching funds. The ATU is disappointed that Quebec and Alberta are accepting only a portion of the available transit funding. The prairie provinces, on the other hand, have not yet announced their commitment.

Disturbingly, Newfoundland and Labrador provincial leaders elected to turn down the funding. The cost of those decisions, if left unchecked, could be catastrophic.

ATU Canada and Local 1462-St. John’s, NL, have launched a public-facing advocacy campaign to pressure elected officials of the province to reverse their decisions.

Dedicated transit funding still critical ATU Canada and our Locals recognize that the emergency federal transit funding offer meets the acute, short-term needs to help transit systems survive the pandemic. It does not, however, provide the ongoing operational funding that will help transit thrive in the future. The onus to keep public transit operating falls on political leadership and the ATU will continue that fight. v

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

LOCALS FIGHT ON FRONTLINES AGAINST PANDEMIC

With the help of the International, Locals are fighting to force transit properties to provide the safety, hazard pay and other protections our members deserve during the coronavirus pandemic:

Calgary members prepare for student surge

Pittsburgh Local protests violation of free speech In an unprecedented act of repression and hypocrisy, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has violated the Free Speech rights of their workers by issuing an amended dress code policy prohibiting buttons, stickers, jewelry and clothing – including masks or other face coverings – of a political or social protest nature. Two Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, drivers were disciplined for wearing “Black Lives Matter” masks against the new policy. “This is flat out censorship,” says Local President Steve Palonis.

Local 583-Calgary, AB, is pleased with the 95% compliance with Calgary Transit’s mask requirement during the day, but is concerned that “In the evening it seems like the masks drop off literally,” says Local President Mike Mahar. With schools opening, Mahar is wondering how drivers will enforce the 75% capacity rule. “If there are 50 students standing at a bus stop and they start piling on it’s very difficult for that operator to say, ‘OK you stop here now.’”

Masks now mandatory on Saskatoon buses Masks are now mandatory on all Saskatoon (SK) Transit buses, but operators will not be required to enforce the IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

19

new rule. “Operators not enforcing it is great as it will only cause conflict,” says Local President Darcy Pederson, 615-Saskatoon, SK. City Hall will concentrate on “educating and informing” the public while transit staff will monitor compliance.

notify workers after two coronavirus cases developed.

Metro Transit says the agency follows Department of Health protocols.

Atlanta Local secures hazard pay

Bay Area Locals in California have warned the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that they will fight implementation of the agency’s “outrageous” coronavirus safety plan. The plan outlines basic safety guidelines such as mask mandates, sanitation, and contact tracing, but recommends only 3-foot distancing with no stricter measures. “We refuse to continue to be your test subjects,” says Local President Yvonne Williams, 192-Oakland, CA.

Local 732-Atlanta, GA, has won hazard pay for bus drivers in Cobb County, who were placed on leave in the early days of the pandemic. Also, more than 250 Cobb County members, who worked through the pandemic were given an one-time bonus of $500 per worker. In addition, the Local has been working to secure hazard pay for MARTA workers.

Bay Area Locals warn CA Bay Area’s transportation commission

Grand Junction Local demands GVT improve safety, account for coronavirus dollars Local 1776-Grand Junction, CO, is demanding that Grand Valley Regional Transportation do more to protect workers and riders, and account for how the agency is spending their $5.4 million from the federal CARES Act. “The passengers come on board, and our fare box is sitting right here, and they can cough or sneeze right in our faces,” says Local President Judi DeRusha.

Lexington Local pushes back against lack of sanitization, overcrowding Local 639-Lexington, KY, says University of Kentucky buses are overcrowded and not properly sanitized as often as the city’s buses. “Sometimes we have only one person (to clean), but he can’t clean 15 buses that go different routes,” says one driver. When the pandemic first hit and Lextran wasn’t running full service, the Local worked with the agency to have employees clean and sanitize buses rather than lay them off. Now those drivers have returned to work. “They said they were in the process of hiring some people. They knew two months in advance how they were going to schedule the runs; that was just an excuse for them not to pay someone to do it,” says Local President Steven Richardson.

Twin Cities Local files COVID-19 complaint Local 1005-Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, has filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging Metro Transit failed to follow safety protocols and

20

ATU: Federal inaction cause of OTR woes ATU is holding the U.S. federal government responsible for the collapse of motor coach companies by failing to provide emergency funding for the industry. One of the nation’s oldest OTR companies, DeCamp Bus Lines, has shut down and laid off over 100 members of Local 1614-Dover, NJ. Greyhound has laid off thousands of Local 1700 members. ATU continues to push Congress to provide emergency funding for over-the-road operators. v

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

MBER OUR FALLEN REME

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, ATU mourns the deaths of those members who put their lives on the line as essential frontline workers during this global crisis. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to their families, extended families, friends, their locals, and all who knew them. Below we honor our members lost to this deadly virus since the last In Transit was published.

IN TRANSIT |

www.atu.org

21

22

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

IN TRANSIT |

www.atu.org

23

24

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

AC Transit Mechanic Helper Program: Members climb the career ladder International President John Costa named Jamaine Gibson, Local 265-San Jose, CA, Coordinator of the ATU Workforce Development Program, to assist Locals with workforce development and apprenticeship programs.

Recently the International supported Local 192-Oakland, CA, in starting a new Mechanic Helper Program that they negotiated with AC Transit in 2016. The AC Transit Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) noticed some applicants struggled in the first months of the apprenticeship and often dropped out.

The International connected Local 192 and AC Transit with California Transit Works! (CTW), a consortium of transit agencies, transit unions, and community colleges focused on transit workforce development.

One-year program They learned from CTW members of Local 265, Santa Clara VTA maintenance trainers, and educators who designed the VTA Mechanic Helper career ladder program.

That lead to Local 192 and AC Transit’s labor/management partnership developing a one-year Mechanic Helper Program, which officially kicked off on July 8, 2019.

Gustavo Vasquez, Local 192 apprentice mentor at AC Transit, describes Mechanic Helper as a “career ladder program – a 12-month program that consists of formal in-classroom training” and shop floor work, where the mechanic helpers go out with journey-level mechanic “guides” to the divisions and perform job duties.

The journey-level guides included Local 192 members of the JAC and other experienced mechanics.

‘I’ve learned a lot’

Mechanic Helper graduates and labor/management team.

Photo credit: California Transit Works © 2020

“Thank you to you all who helped put it together and make us ready to be apprentice mechanics,” he added, echoing his fellow Local 192 mechanic apprentice graduates Illiyas Kohgadai, Edward Rodgers, and Ted White.

Laying the foundation “On behalf of the ATU International and International President John Costa, I would like to congratulate you on your accomplishments,” said Gibson, who attended the zoom graduation.

“Thank you for your commitment to finishing the program,” he added. “Also thank you for laying the foundation for all the new ATU mechanics that will follow in your footsteps. I would also like to say thank you to ATU 192 and AC Transit. Your partnership goes to show that when you develop and work on your relationship, there’s nothing you can’t do – even in the pandemic.” v If you are interested in your Local starting workforce development and apprenticeship programs, please contact your Local officers.

On August 20, 2020, four Local 192 members were the first to graduate from the Mechanic Helper Program at AC Transit. “I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot, I’ve seen a lot of growth and learning from the other guys too,” said graduate and former AC Transit service worker Jacob Takahashi.

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

25

A M A LG A M AT E D T R A N S I T U N I O N

Top Senate Picks ALABAMA

ARIZONA

Doug Jones

Mark Kelly

“Now more than ever, we understand the hard work and dignity of our “essential workers” including those in public transit who keep us moving every day. I stopped cuts to transportation spending, and as a member of the Banking Committee, I’ll always support working people.”

“The men and women of ATU are essential to our state’s economy and do the important work of supporting working Arizonians every single day, even during this crisis. Investing in improving our infrastructure and public transit in particular are key to creating good-paying jobs and rebuilding a stronger economy for the future.”

dougjones.com

markkelly.com

COLORADO

GEORGIA

John Hickenlooper

Jon Ossoff

“When I was mayor we brought people together to build FastTracks, the most ambitious infrastructure project in Colorado. We’ll need that same ambition and bipartisanship in Washington to build our country back after the pandemic better than before by investing in infrastructure, increasing funding for public transit, and delivering for Coloradans.”

“I’ll push for an unprecedented American infrastructure program that includes big, overdue investments in transportation and transit. I want to express my gratitude to all the transit workers who have kept the trains, buses, streetcars, and subways running safely and on time during this crisis.” electjon.com

hickenlooper.com

IOWA

Theresa Greenfield

GEORGIA

Raphael Warnock “During this pandemic, we’ve seen essential workers -- everyday people, our friends, our family, our neighbors -- step up in unimaginable ways to keep our country running. And right here in Georgia, where public transit systems like MARTA and the city buses keep millions of Georigans going, funding for our public transit workers is more important than ever.”

“Our public transit employees are essential and they deserve essential protections. In the Senate, I’ll honor their hard work by fighting for safe working conditions, fair pay, quality health care and expanded job opportunities, while investing in the essential workers and services that keep our communities running.” greenfieldforiowa.com

warnockforgeorgia.com

26

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

KANSAS

KENTUCKY

Barbara Bollier

Amy McGrath

“Public transit is an essential service for thousands of Kansans, and the workers who make sure these key systems function day-in and dayout are indispensable. As a U.S. Senator, I promise to bring members of the ATU to the table, listen to their needs, and be the advocate these Kansans deserve in Washington.” bollierforkansas.com

“Public transit is a vital service for Kentuckians, and transit workers are essential to keeping our communities running smoothly. I was proud to stand with Amalgamated Transit Union members recently in Louisville, where they were advocating for their basic right to a safe workplace. In the Senate, I will put working folks first, ...and never allow our essential workers to go without the resources they need to do their job safely.” amymcgrath.com

MAINE

Sara Gideon “Across our state, Mainers rely on public transportation in their daily lives. I will fight to make sure these services are available and robust, and that the proud employees - bus drivers, train engineers, conductors, ferry pilots and support workers - are respected and paid their worth.” saragideon.com

MONTANA

Steve Bullock “Essential workers put their personal safety at risk to keep life moving for the rest of us, and it’s critical that we continue to push for the protections, benefits, and equipment they need to stay healthy. I’ve spent my career first as a union-side labor lawyer and now as Governor fighting to protect the rights of working Montanans.” stevebullock.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Cal Cunningham “I support a substantial federal investment to improve our country’s infrastructure.....

This investment must also create good-paying jobs, make America a leader in the clean energy economy of the future, and help bring rural communities into the 21st century by expanding broadband. I also support expanding access to public transportation, especially to underserved communities.”

MICHIGAN

Gary Peters “Now more than ever, access to reliable public transit is critical to both our economy and the livelihoods of Michiganders. That means investing in strong, quality public transit infrastructure and supporting our frontline workers who keep the system running every day. I am committed to supporting our essential transit workers and will continue fighting to ensure they have the necessary personal protection equipment and resources to do their job.” petersformichigan.com

MINNESOTA

Tina Smith “Amalgamated Transit Union workers help provide safe transport for people every day. I believe that investing in public transit means jobs for essential workers, and it ensures that public transportation can continue to operate safely and efficiently so that people can get to where they need to go.” tinaforminnesota.com

calfornc.com IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

27

California

Illinois

Vote No on Proposition 22

Vote Yes for the Fair Tax

Proposition 22 if passed will lower wages, slash benefits and cost Amalgamated Transit Union workers jobs.

Vote No on Proposition 22.

Fair Tax facts:

Proposition 22 would eliminate safety protections for riders and drivers and protect the profits of billionaires.

Vote No on Proposition 22.

Proposition 22 would allow Uber, Lyft and app-based companies to deny drivers’ rights to minimum wage, paid sick leave and safety protections.

Vote No on Proposition 22.

Vote No on Proposition 22

• 97% of Illinois residents will pay the same or less Illinois income tax.

• Millionaires, billionaires and those making over $250,000 will pay more taxes.

• People making less than $100,000 will pay less.

• Under the Fair Tax retirement income will not be taxed (as is now the case).

• Most states have a graduated tax rate like the Fair Tax.

Vote Yes for the Fair Tax...

The job you save may be your own!

It’s time that millionaires and billionaires paid a fairer share of taxes.

Vote Yes for Project Connect

Tired of antiworker decisions?

Project Connect will add new light rail and bus rapid transit. It will add frequency to existing transit lines.

It is time to flip the Supreme Court in Michigan and make it more worker friendly. In the past there have been many 4-3 decisions against workers, social justice reform and criminal justice reform. It is time to flip things around and give workers a fighting chance by electing:

Project Connect has over $300 million for operating expenses which will help protect our wages and benefits.

Project Connect will mean more job choices for our members as new jobs are created.

Bridget Mary McCormick Elizabeth Welch

Vote Yes on Project Connect… for the future of Austin!

28

Flip the Supreme!

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

Miembros de EE.UU.: VOTEN antes del martes 3 de noviembre

Estados Unidos está en serios problemas y tenemos un presidente que evita la responsabilidad y culpa a otros por cada problema. La “pelota” nunca se detiene con Donald Trump.

Sé que, para todos nosotros, ha sido un tiempo interminable, agotador y estresante desde que comenzó la pandemia a principios de la primavera. Trágicamente, más de 30 de nuestros miembros han muerto de Covid-19 desde el último In Transit, lo que eleva el total a más de 80 compañeras y compañeros perdidos.

Innumerables más se han enfermado, algunos de gravedad, algunos de por vida.

¿Toleraríamos este comportamiento de cualquier otro presidente? Tenemos que recuperar nuestra democracia antes de perderla por completo.

Luchando por ustedes todos los días

ATU respaldó a Joe Biden para presidente en febrero, antes de que el coronavirus se convirtiera en la amenaza que es hoy. Y todavía lo hacemos. ¿Por qué?

A medida que las infecciones y las muertes continúan aumentando a medida que los estados y las provincias reabren, su Sindicato continúa luchando por ustedes todos los días; luchando para obligar a las empresas de transporte público a exigir distanciamiento social; insistiendo en que proporcionen equipo de protección personal y presionándolos para que adopten todas nuestras demandas de Servicio Seguro (ver atu.org).

Como era de esperar, las agencias de transporte afirman que la disminución de los ingresos fiscales las obligará a exigir despidos y recortes de salarios y beneficios. También estamos luchando contra esto, no solo porque está mal, sino porque sabemos que muchos empleadores intentarán que estos recortes sean permanentes.

Recortar los fondos para el transporte y debilitar los sindicatos son objetivos típicos de los republicanos en los Estados Unidos y los conservadores en Canadá. Y pueden estar seguros de que, si Donald Trump es reelegido, él y el Partido Republicano harán todo lo posible para lograr esos objetivos.

¿Es así realmente como queremos vivir?

Estados Unidos se encuentra actualmente en las garras de múltiples crisis, pero a diferencia de crisis anteriores como la del 11 de septiembre, no nos estamos uniendo como nación.

Más bien, los Estados Unidos están tan divididos en términos políticos e ideológicos que el simple hecho de usar una mascarilla puede provocar indignación.

Los insultos han reemplazado al discurso político. Todo sentido de cortesía ha desaparecido.

El presidente Trump lo ha explotado, creando división y odio. Él “echa leña al fuego” para obtener ganancias políticas. Y no es bueno para nuestro país ni para el mundo.

Liderazgo Tenemos que votar por Joe Biden y Kamala Harris.

Porque: • Joe Biden sabe cómo montar una respuesta eficaz a las crisis basada en el conocimiento de científicos y expertos en salud. Ya ha demostrado el liderazgo que necesitamos para sacarnos de esta crisis.

• Joe Biden hizo una elección histórica al nombrar a la senadora Kamala Harris como su compañera de elecciones.

• Joe Biden tiene un plan para crear millones de empleos bien remunerados.

• Joe Biden erradicará el racismo sistémico y sus políticas exigirán que todos los estadounidenses sean tratados con dignidad y respeto.

• Joe Biden tiene un plan para fortalecer los sindicatos y ayudar a todos los trabajadores a negociar por lo que se merecen.

• Joe Biden apoyará el transporte público con fuertes protecciones laborales.

• Joe Biden protegerá y mejorará Obamacare.

• Joe Biden restaurará la civilidad y el respeto por los Estados Unidos.

Su voto cuenta más de lo que usted cree Demasiadas personas piensan que su único voto no contará, y luego terminamos con un resultado que no respeta los deseos de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. VOTE antes del martes 3 de noviembre. No es exagerado decir que el destino de EE. UU., Canadá e incluso el mundo está en sus manos.

¿Es así realmente como queremos vivir?

Sea proactivo ¿Toleraríamos esto de cualquier otro presidente?

No dudo de la sinceridad de quienes apoyan al presidente. Solo les pido que miren a dónde hemos llegado.

Si planea votar por correo, haga todo lo que pueda para obtener una boleta y envíela por correo tan pronto como pueda.

Puede leer mucho más sobre la candidatura de Biden/Harris y las próximas elecciones estadounidenses en este número. v

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

29

In Memoriam Death Benefits Awarded April 1 - June 30, 2020 1- MEMBERS AT LARGE CLARENCE W SCOTT OTTO F SPURGER IRVING WILLIAM STOBIE 22- WORCESTER, MA RONALD MANLEY 26- DETROIT, MI HENRY D GAFFNEY JASON M HARGROVE 85- PITTSBURGH, PA DEWEY L ALTMAN SR LAVERNE A BROWN DONALD L CAMPBELL RUSSELL P DEILY JOHN L FAIT ALBERT G FIORENTINI RAYMOND R JACK HARRY H LOGAN JOHN L LYTLE FRANK MAUDHUIT JR JOHN W MC GLOTHLIN JOSEPH P MC INTYRE THOMAS MULVIHILL LEON A RHODES JAMES CARLISLE ROSS MARK J VENTRONE HERMAN T ZELLARS 192- OAKLAND, CA JOHN W BROWN CONNYE ALDA LIMBRICK-BROWN BENNY MORALES OSCAR LEE OWENS ARNOLD G SHELTON 241- CHICAGO, IL SEARCY F BARNETT ROBERT L BOWERS CLEMENT D BRADLEY LEZETTE P CANTY MICHAEL E CASSELLO JAMES F DUDLEY ROBERT P DULAITIS DOROTHY M DUMAS HENRY DURHAM JR WILLIE EDWARDS WORTHETTA C EVANS

30

FRANCISCO FIGUEROA ODELL M GARDNER SHARON K GORDON WILLIE HALL JR HUGH HAYNES EDWIN D JOHNSON NOLAN L JOHNSON DARRELL W JONES MARVIN H KOCAR MICHAEL H KRISTMAN DUANE O LEE GERALD E LOCKRIDGE BETTY MCMATH JAMES E PERKINS SOLOMON E PETERSON CLEVELAND ROBERTSON CHARLES ROBINSON TIMOTHY G ROMANEK O G SCROGGINS MARSHALLENE SPIRES CARL W SUMMERS ROBERT WALKER WALTER G WHITE FRED WOODSON 265- SAN JOSE, CA UBALDO CASTILLO FREDERICK A COLES RAYMOND MC COLLUM GERALD R NELSON ROBERT ORTIZ THOMAS TAHLIER DAVID URIBE 279- OTTAWA, ON BARRY J CARROL RICHARD R DESCARIE FRANCOIS LOUIS-SEIZE MICHAEL G MOOERS GILLES L PARENTEAU 281- NEW HAVEN, CT WILLIAM DEASE JOHN GUIDO VINCENT MORGILLO COSMO WILLIAMS 308- CHICAGO, IL DIANE F BELL HARRY L BROWN

GEORGE RAYMOND ANTON A SCHALLMOSER 382- SALT LAKE CITY, UT RANDY J CAMPBELL 416- PEORIA, IL BILLY J EDWARDS ROBERT D MOTTELER KIRK C REES 425- HARTFORD, CT WALTER ARCAND 508- HALIFAX, NS EDWARD G MAC DONALD 540- TRENTON, NJ JAMES MICK 568- ERIE, PA ALBERT S REKITT 569- EDMONTON, AB CHARANJIT BHATHAL ROBERT J V DESHAIES GEORGE DOLYNCHUK JOHN FINDLAY JAMES L HANSEN JAMES W MCINTOSH RAVINDER PATHAN JUDITH A TAKUSKI GEORGE O WILLIAMS 583- CALGARY, AB WALTER V DEGNER KENNETH W KITCHEN ROBERT SANDERS WILMUR H SANDERS MARK A SMEATON DALE M STEFANIK 587- SEATTLE, WA SAMINA I HAMEED MYRTLE L LEE THOMAS W SPELL STEVE TON 588- REGINA, SK PHENIX ARMAN D BALEZ

July - August - September 2020 | IN TRANSIT

MARIUS O GOLFITA KENNETH A KJARSGAARD DON R PATON 589- BOSTON, MA ALAN F BARTON EDWARD F BATTOS IVAN K DANIEL JOSEPH DIFRONZO DAVID L FINCH MARTIN F GAVIN MELVIN J HAVERTY VERLE J HENRY HENRY J MC PHEE MICHAEL R NAPOLITANO WILLIAM M O’BRIEN WILLIE PENNY SALLIE L SMALLS MICHAEL F TANGNEY ARTHUR A WILLIAMS ANDREW K WONG 615- SASKATOON, SK JOHN MILTON HYDE 618- PROVIDENCE, RI KENNETH ATHAIDE ROBERT HARRIS NEIL W MINER DONALD SAVAGE 628- COVINGTON, KY JESSICA A CLAYPOOL 689- WASHINGTON, DC WALLACE E BEANER SIDNEY BROWN JR ROBERT G CAMPBELL MELVIN L CHERRY WILLIAM E GILES WALTER S GRAHAM JAMES R GRIER BENJAMIN ALBERT HEATH WILBERT L HINES JR ERASMO J MARRERO JOSEPH MOORE CHARLES S NOBLES JOE BRANTLEY OWENS ERVAN C PEARSON ROBERT L QUARLES

THOMAS I SMITH DEBORAH J SOBERS ROBERT M SQUIREWELL JOHN LEONARD TAYLOR JACOB V THORNE JOSEPH L WASHINGTON MATTHEW T WEST BISHOP YOUNG JR 694- SAN ANTONIO, TX REYNALDO G VALLEJO 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY SAMUEL CANDIDO OLIVER COLONNA MARIE DELGADO JOHN LEONE RONALD MARTINO LEONARD T RUSSO EDWARD W SCHEUERMAN HAROLD J SOLOMON JR STEPHEN UNGER 732- ATLANTA, GA WILLIE E BROWN WILLIAM JESSE FULLER WILLIE L JOHNSON JAMES LAWRENCE BARBARA STEPHENSON 757- PORTLAND, OR ANDREW S AMADO SR JEFFREY C LARSEN JAMES R PINCKARD KEVIN D RAYMOND ROBERT J SCHANCE JO-ANN SWEENEY JACKIE D WHITE DAN J WILSON 758- TACOMA, WA SHAWN WALTERS 819- NEWARK, NJ ROSE CARTAXO MELVIN COBB EDWARD R COOPER PHILIP DOVER TOLBERT FURR NORMAN E GARRETT ERNEST HARPER JOAN NYCHAY PHILIP PERRY ANAEL ST VALLIERE 822- PATERSON, NJ KENARD L MAXWELL MOSES T OWENS

824- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ HARVEY COBB

1070- INDIANAPOLIS, IN ANTHONY HALBERT

1333- ROCKFORD, IL ANTHONY M COLLINS

825- ORADELL, NJ SAMUEL ELLISON

1091- AUSTIN, TX DAVID CASTIMORE MARVIN D SNOWDEN

1338- DALLAS, TX TODD DAILEY JOHNNY JACKSON KATHY SCHERBARTH LEON WRIGHT III

842- WILMINGTON, DE MARK D KIROUAC 880- CAMDEN, NJ GREGORY BENJAMIN THOMAS R VELIE 993- OKLAHOMA CITY, OK JACK A ALSTON 998- MILWAUKEE, WI MATTHEW E ACKER KENNETH DROUT SOLOMON T HENRY EARNESTEEN HOBSEN THOMAS L HORN ROBERT JOHNSON CHARLES E MISIEWICZ K W NELSON HERBERT PERRY RODNEY J ROBERTS 1001- DENVER, CO ROBERT WILLIAM FABER SCOTT J SHAW 1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN HOWARD A BROWN FLOYD A NORLUND 1037- NEW BEDFORD, MA J A ROGER BEAULIEU 1056- FLUSHING, NY JOHN R ALSTON MICHAEL A BORLAND WILLIAM BOWMAN JR JOSEPH C FAMA C J JOHNSON EUGENE O LLOYD ROBERTO MARTINEZ MOHAMMED M RAHMAN EUGENE R ROCKFORD FRANCISCO SANTIAGO PETER SCAGNELLI CHARLES J SCIARABBA JAMES R SUTTON STEVEN J WIGGINS

1177- NORFOLK, VA VIRGINIA L JOYNER ROSETTA L MOORE 1179- NEW YORK, NY GREGORY R GRAHAM JOHN E HILL JR MARK C LEZNY JOHN S PECK JAMES SHULER SUNG TRUONG 1181- NEW YORK, NY ANTHONY CARDINALE JOHN G CARR VINCENT J DETRANO EDWARD EASON MAMADOU FOFANA DOROTHY GARDNER LEONARD INGRASSIA RALPH MAIELLO JEAN ROBERT MENOS JACQUELINE PAUL DANIEL SIMON STANLEY TARTAS

1342- BUFFALO, NY HARRY G HOWALD 1385- DAYTON, OH EUGENE A DOHERTY 1464- TAMPA, FL RICHARD CASTILLO 1498- JOPLIN, MO LOWELL P PAINE 1505- WINNIPEG, MB GUNTHER BELL DONALD GREENAWAY STEPHEN TOTH 1535- HARAHAN, LA JAMES J WRIGHT MOSE WRIGHT 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA JOHN J MULDOON

1197- JACKSONVILLE, FL JAMES BAILEY

1576- LYNNWOOD, WA ELAINE D VAIL

1235- NASHVILLE, TN GWENDOLYN C DUNN MILTON ALBERT PERKINS

1593- TAMPA, FL LISA G MOONEY

1249- SPRINGFIELD, IL WILLIAM E JORDAN JR 1267- FT. LAUDERDALE, FL ROBERT E TOUCHSTONE

1700- CHICAGO, IL PHILLIP DEBERRY MARC ELIAS JAMES HELTON 1763- ROCKY HILL, CT JOSEPH D MADORE

1277- LOS ANGELES, CA LYLE B BRADLEY MICHAEL BRUCE FREEMAN CRUTCHFIELD THOMAS D LUCAS VANG T NGUYEN FREDERICK H SCIPIO 1287- KANSAS CITY, MO TIMMY D CHOWNING GARY W WYATT

IN TRANSIT

| www.atu.org

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.

ATU-COPE is the Amalgamated Transit Union’s Committee on Political Education, the key political action committee (PAC) that has improved the lives of workers in the transit, school bus, and over-the-road bus industries for more than 30 years.

Like it or not, politics matters, and in many cases, we get to elect our own bosses. They make important decisions on key issues like: Funding, Service Levels, Privatization and Safety.

ATU-COPE relies solely on the voluntary contributions of ATU members. If we all gave just a few dollars per month, the PAC could support more pro-labor and pro-transit candidates and help keep them in positions of power.

ATU-COPE backs Democrats and Republicans. We support candidates who look out for transit, school bus, and over-the-road workers, regardless of political party.

Contributing to ATU-COPE is easy:

If your local has a checkoff provision in its contract, simply sign a Checkoff Authorization Card to voluntarily authorize your employer to deduct an amount you specify from your pay each month for ATU-COPE.

You can sign up to contribute by credit or debit card (one time or recurring).

Visit www.atu.org/action/atu-cope