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Milton Transit Drivers in Ontario Join the ATU
After a hard-fought campaign led by Local 1572Mississauga, ON, transit drivers in Milton, Ontario, voted in an overwhelming 80% majority to join the ATU.
The ATU was contacted by a retired ATU member who said that his coworkers were demanding representation and protection from their private contractor Pacific Western Transit.
The organizing drive began when Local President Jack Jackson and Vice President Joe Martins, along with ATU Canada President John Di Nino, held a mass meeting outdoors with a majority of transit operators. After everyone reached a consensus that the ATU was the proper fit, a majority signed membership cards, and the Local filed for an election.
Some of the key issues for the workers included unfair signups, sick days, and lack of protection for on-demand and paratransit workers. Milton Transit is operated by Pacific Western, Canada’s largest family-owned private transit provider. The ATU represents four bargaining units in three provinces— British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Milton is the fifth bargaining unit represented by the ATU. The Local will begin working with the Milton Transit workers to conduct contract surveys and develop a strong issues program to take into bargaining. v
ATU International Representative Sesil Rubain announced his retirement effective September 30, 2021, after more than 45 years as an ATU member.
“We congratulate Sesil on his welldeserved retirement after more than 45 years of distinguished service at the ATU,” said ATU International President John Costa. “From your days as a shop steward to the picket lines of the Greyhound strike to your tireless work as an International Representative, you have impacted our Union and improved the lives of countless members and their families. We wish you and your family all the best in your retirement.” Rubain began his career at the ATU as a member of Local 268-Cleveland, OH, serving as a transit bus operator for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. In 1972, he became a bus operator for intercity bus operator Goldline and served as a shop steward for Local 1098Tuxedo, MD. Then in 1979, Rubain moved to Continental Trailways and eventually Greyhound as a member of Local 1098, which eventually became Local 1700.
During the 1990 Greyhound strike, Rubain was a captain on the picket line for the duration of the three-year strike. In 2005, he was appointed as a shop steward for Local 1700 and a year later was elected Financial Secretary of the Local. Then on August 1, 2015, the late International President Larry Hanley appointed Rubain as an ATU International Representative.
