Atu Fighting Greed, Slave Labor and Privatization

JUNE MAY / 2 0 1 3

www.atu.org GREED ATU FIGHTING GREED, SLAVE LABOR AND PRIVATIZATION

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION | AFL-CIO/CLC INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President NEWSBRIEFS ROBERT H. BAKER International Executive Vice President OSCAR OWENS Calgary Transit eyes camera upgrade to International Secretary-Treasurer enhance safety - ATU Local 583 – Calgary is supporting Calgary Transit’s plans to equip INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS buses with better cameras to enhance rider and driver LARRY R. KINNEAR safety. The current cameras cover fewer areas, record Ashburn, ON – [email protected] very little footage and have to be triggered by hard JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. braking or the driver. The upgrade would offer multiple Kansas City, MO – [email protected] lenses to cover more angles and longer record times. RICHARD M. MURPHY Local President Doug Johannes says the new technology Newburyport, MA – [email protected] is needed. “There are still lots of assaults. I would say BOB M. HYKAWAY the average bus driver is assaulted every, single day, Calgary, AB – [email protected] whether that’s verbally or physically.” WILLIAM G. McLEAN Reno, NV – [email protected] JANIS M. BORCHARDT Halifax members support family of girl Madison, WI – [email protected] raped, bullied into suicide - ATU drivers PAUL BOWEN wore pink shirts in Halifax, NS, in support of Canton, MI – [email protected] the family of Rehtaeh Parsons who committed suicide after KENNETH R. KIRK being raped and bullied. Parsons, a relative of a fellow Lancaster, TX – [email protected] Local 508 member, was allegedly gang-raped by four local GARY RAUEN teens. She was subjected to constant sexual harassment Clayton, NC – [email protected] and bullying over the next two years. It proved to be too MARCELLUS BARNES much when she her own life at the age of 17. The Halifax Flossmore, IL – [email protected] members wore their pink shirts on the International Day of RAY RIVERA Pink – an effort to combat all forms of bullying. Lilburn, GA – [email protected] YVETTE SALAZAR Thornton, CO – [email protected] Metrolinx considers higher taxes & tolls to expand mass transit - To GARY JOHNSON, SR. Cleveland, OH – [email protected] deal with the growing traffic congestion problems in Toronto, Metrolinx is considering a gas ROBIN WEST Halifax, NS – [email protected] tax, higher tolls on designated highways and a parking levy as options to pay for the next generation of public JOHN COSTA Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected] transit. The ambitious plan proposes a 1,200-kilometre expansion to create a more extensive public transit CHUCK WATSON Syracuse, NY – [email protected] network, putting more than 80 percent of Greater Toronto residents within 2KM of a transit line. But it INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES comes with a $50-billion price tag, only one-third of which is currently funded. ANTHONY WITHINGTON Sebastopol, CA – [email protected] DENNIS ANTONELLIS Spokane, WA – [email protected] INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS CLAUDIA HUDSON Oakland, CA – [email protected] International President Jim La Sala, ret. STEPHAN MACDOUGALL International President Warren George, ret. Boston, MA – [email protected] International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret. ANTHONY GARLAND International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret. Washington, DC – [email protected]

Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated CANADIAN DIRECTOR Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291. MICHAEL MAHAR PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: APC Postal IN TRANSIT | 3 Rexdale, ON - [email protected] Logistics, LLC, PO Box 503, RPO, West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6. May/June 2013 LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT ATU FIGHTING GREED, SLAVE LABOR AND PRIVATIZATION

bodies were recovered before they countries just as they did to Greyhound in the U.S., and 1127 stopped searching for survivors. That was are now busy doing in Canada. the body count in the April 24 disaster – the worst, so far in the history of factory slaughter – half a world away in Bangladesh. It was the result of the same runaway Privatization = Poverty capitalism (aka GREED) that caused 146 seamstresses to perish in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in New York They sell poverty wages to our cities in the form of City a century ago. “privatizing” transit. They are spending money right now in Congress and in many states lobbying our elected officials to sell out American workers. It’s all connected At the same time, their clothing manufacturer Don’t think of these victims as not being involved in counterparts are exploiting workers in Asia. It’s connected. your life – they are. They’re doing work that used to be Nothing new about rich people exploiting workers – it’s done in the U.S. and Canada. just become more sophisticated. Their jobs – in unsafe factories 8,000 miles away – are The idea that our consumer products can be made the former jobs of workers in our countries – moved to cheaper while we maintain our salaries and pensions has Bangladesh to generate higher profits for company owners. conclusively been proven wrong. What’s left behind is competition for low wage jobs here, and cities like Detroit, starved of good jobs and The failure of deregulation the tax revenue that comes from them. It’s all connected. All around us we see the evidence of the failure of deregulated capitalism. Slave labor In this issue you’ll read about the impact of Walmart In the developed world we have labor standards and on our lives. Many of our members turn over the building codes. But the clothing sold in our malls wages earned as union members to Walmart every is produced in countries where slaves or near-slaves week. Walmart then uses their profit to destroy not work in conditions that are illegal here. Buildings only our unions, but jobs in our countries and around collapse on these workers every day in numbers that the world. are truly shocking. In his courageous speech in South Africa in June So – we lost good jobs and pay to buy products from 1966 (almost 50 years ago), Senator Robert Kennedy the companies that took our jobs away, while workers addressed this issue: on the other end of the world suffer to make the same few people rich. People starve to death in the streets of India; a former prime minister is summarily executed French and British corporations are bringing the global in the Congo; intellectuals go to jail in Russia; economy to transit and school bus properties in our and thousands are slaughtered in Indonesia;

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 3 wealth is lavished on armaments everywhere in and beating Veolia, and about Bangor, ME, where we the world. have just broken through with new organizing. These are different evils; but they are the common works of man. They reflect the imperfections of human justice, the inadequacy Pulitzer Prize winner guest column of human compassion, the defectiveness of The guest column is by the renowned, Pulitzer-prize- our sensibility toward the sufferings of our winning author, Chris Hedges, who has turned his fellows; they mark the limit of our ability to attention to our struggles including driver fatigue, and use knowledge for the wellbeing of our fellow our ongoing efforts to secure an amendment to the Fair human beings throughout the world. Labor Standards Act to require employers to pay overtime And therefore they call upon common qualities to drivers in the over-the-road industry. of conscience and indignation, a shared Also, in Toledo, reports of bus drivers with no bathroom determination to wipe away the unnecessary breaks – sound familiar? sufferings of our fellow human beings at home and around the world. Structural action Each child killed was doing a job At our recent General Executive Board Meeting in killed here Atlanta, all of our officers worked on a plan for broader action. We are working on potential structural changes in Each child who is killed in a factory has a counterpart our Union and have appointed a Structural Exploration whose job was also killed in the U.S. or Canada. Committee for the coming Convention to make us more effective in the field. We have a common enemy in the greedy, wealthy people who do this to us. The same companies are We are a Union that is growing in numbers, in strength pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into U.S. and and in determination. As we have been challenged Canadian politics to strip us of our rights to pensions, more, we have accomplished more. But there’s much our right to negotiate contracts, and our right to have more to do. a union at all.

If there was a labor union at that factory in Bangladesh Faith there might be 1127 more people alive today. We need to get a lot more angry to turn this around. We look forward to our coming International Convention with the faith that we can be so much more In this issue we also report on tax alternatives like the than we have ever been. “Robin Hood” tax – a tax on stock transactions – and the “internet sales tax” which could help save our cities We will change the way we conduct our business at by collecting the same taxes at amazon.com as our local our Conventions and provide the training necessary retailers must charge. for our delegates to go home prepared for the coming years of struggle. Mindful of the world around us, considering our place Proud to be ATU in the moral conflict, we will leave the Convention ready to fight for all our members – and because we In this issue are stories of personal heroism: the story know that all boats rise together – to fight for workers of Toledo member Geraldine Mitchell who saved a life around the world. while driving her bus. I am particularly proud of the stories about our locals in “What Works” – our report on local union struggles. You’ll also read about our Providence, RI, local fighting

4 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 5 MAY/JUNE 2013 www.atu.org Vol. 122, No. 3

2 International Officers & General Executive Board IN MEMORIAM: EARLE PUTNAM NEWS Briefs FATHER OF ‘SECTION 13(C)’ 3 International President’s Message: ATU Fighting Greed, Slave Labor and Privatization 7 5 Index Page 6 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message: Prove Me Wrong! 8 Canadian Agenda: Canadian Council Calls on Federal Government to Toughen Criminal Code for Driver Assaults WHAT WORKS 9 State Legislatures Struggle with Transit Funding 10 Boston Bombings Wake Up Call: 12 Mass Transit Security Critical 11 Bold Solutions to Solve America’s Fiscal Problems 18 Portland, OR Unions Go Back to Roots - ATU Organizes New Members 19 Potty Peril SWEATSHOPS ON WHEELS 20 ATU Locals Gear Up As Veolia Stalks Providence, Milwaukee Considers Contracting Another ATU Hero Saves A Life 16 Bangor Bus Drivers Join Portland, ME Local 21 Boston Paratransit Riders Protest Fare Hike 25 McDonald’s, Low-Wage Workers Demand Living Wage, Job Protections 26 57th International Convention Resolution Submission WALMART PUSHES WAGES, Local Officer Memorial Form BENEFITS, DOWN WORLDWIDE 27 Translations (Spanish) 30 In Memoriam 22 31 PA School Bus Local Awaits Decision On Grievance 32 Your Help Needed Again - ATU Disaster Relief Fund

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 5 OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

PROVE ME WRONG!

Sometimes I wonder if members take In Transit with industrialized countries back into the abysmal conditions “a grain of salt.” I say that because every other month they endured throughout most of history. the magazine brings you a lot of bad news, and if you Already a growing segment of our populations are doing are not experiencing any bad news at your property you backbreaking work for desperately low wages, with no might think that we’re exaggerating. unions, no sick days, no healthcare, no vacations, no After all, the Union has endured for 121 years, and like retirement, unjust work rules or no work rules, unsafe Mark Twain said, has “known a great many troubles, working conditions, etc. but most of them never happened.” Aren’t these the working conditions that existed from You should know, however, that most of the “troubles” the late 1800s to the early 1900s? Didn’t we think we you read about in In Transit “never happen” because had progressed beyond this sort of wage slavery the your Union is successfully fighting to prevent them 1960s, if not the 1950s? from happening. Today we classify these people as the “working poor,” almost as an effort quarantine their work experience away Unfortunately this type of success can make people from ours. Yet, if we refuse to recognize the situation complacent; make them believe that there’s really not for what it is, the plight of today’s working poor will all that much to worry about. eventually be what’s considered “normal” for all workers. But, at the risk being accused of “crying wolf,” I have to I fear that those of us who still have jobs earning living say that I’ve never seen a time like this, and it worries me wages will not realize the magnitude of the problem a lot. A little history might help explain what I mean: until it affects us personally, and that by that time it will be too late. New Deal vs. the Raw Deal The challenge In the 1930s, the Great Depression led to New Deal-type reforms that greatly improved the lives of But, I’ve been at this for too long to become a pessimist working families in Canada and the United States. now. So, I’m challenging every ATU member to prove Consequently, most of us grew up during the best me wrong. economic times ever in the histories of our two nations. Naturally, then, we think that the middle class life that I urge you to join our fight against the Raw Deal even arose during the 20th century is “normal,” even though if it hasn’t reached you yet. Go to your local union meeting, get involved with your local labor council, it is quite unique in history. support pro-labor candidates, do whatever you can to Now, in the 21st century, the Great Recession has led to defend and extend the rights of working people. a reversal of that process. A “Raw Deal,” if you will, is It’s important, not just for yourself, but for your robbing the middle class of the economic security that it children and grandchildren, and, truly, for the good of fought so hard to achieve over the last century. Under the our two nations. control of powerful corporate interests and their political puppets, the Raw Deal seeks to increase the already unprecedented wealth of the rich by pushing workers in

6 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 7 IN MEMORIAM Earle Putnam Father of ‘Section 13(c)’

arle Westgate Putnam, 84, retired ATU general A self-effacing mentor and superb writer, he liked Ecounsel, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, nothing better than getting a first draft from his May 2, in Lynchburg, VA. Known as the “Father of associates and, with his red pen, marking it up in almost Section 13(c),” Putnam served the Union from 1962 to illegible handwriting to both teach and perfect it. 1995 – almost a third of its history at the time. Putnam helped guide ATU through years of dramatic Putnam was the architect of “Section 13(c)” – language change and growth, assisting in far reaching litigation still contained in today’s federal transportation act that that twice brought the Union before the U.S. Supreme has saved and advanced the job rights of hundreds of Court, and advocating our causes in the face of thousands of American transit workers for 50 years. significant challenges in local courts, as well as state and provincial legislatures. Born in Springfield, VT, on June 27, 1928, Putnam graduated from Phillips Academy Andover, and He retired in 1996, to spend more time enjoying Dartmouth. He left New England in 1950 to study at his hobbies of photography, learning how to use his the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (France), where computer, trying out new restaurants, tennis, and trips he also served as a messenger for the U.S. Delegation to to the beach with his family and beloved dogs. the UN General Assembly session in Paris. In 1995, just before his retirement, the delegates to In Paris he met Margaret Reed, who was travelling the 51st Convention resolved to: “…express our deep abroad. They married in 1953, during his service in the appreciation and utmost respect for Earle W. Putnam U.S. Army in Germany, where he was stationed. and extend to him and his wife, Margie, our sincere hopes for a long, peaceful and productive retirement.” The couple settled in Northern Virginia after Putnam left the Army in 1954. There he helped Margaret The international staff will always remember him as a raise their young children while working two jobs and kind and gracious man who always had an encouraging earning Law (1958) and Masters of Law (1960) degrees word for everyone. from the George Washington School of Law. Earle is survived by Margaret Reed Putnam, his wife of Putnam worked for the National Labor Relations Board 60 years; his daughter, Eleanor A. Putnam Dunn and before being employed and promoted to general council her husband, Terrance J. Dunn; and his brother, Nelson by ATU in 1962. He built ATU’s legal department, Butler Putnam. He was preceded in death by his two and shepherded the Union through every major legal sons, Christopher Everard Putnam and Timothy Lewis struggle for the next three decades. Putnam, and by his brother, Fredrick Milner Putnam. With his quiet New England manner, steely strength, and In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the intellect Putnam pursued the passage and enforcement Lynchburg Humane Society, 3305 Naval Reserve of Section 13(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501, or the charity of your of 1964, which provided federal funding for transit choice. The family will have a memorial service at systems that were then rapidly passing from private to a later date. Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is public operation, and guaranteed that transit workers assisting the family. Condolences may be posted at would not lose their right to be represented by a union www.tharpfuneralhome.com. when ownership of their systems changed hands.

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 7 Canadian Agenda

Canadian Council calls on federal government to toughen criminal code for driver assaults

hirty-one ATU local officers joined the Canadian Mahar believes, “such individuals should be prosecuted TCouncil in Ottawa, May 7, to convince Members to the full extent of the law. The change to the Criminal of Parliament and Senators that their members – Code we’re requesting will ensure that they are.” 30,000 strong – need more protection from the growing number of on-duty assaults. Mahar observes that transit operators frequently work alone, and during all hours of the day and night. “It’s becoming increasingly more dangerous for our They work in a compartment with no escape route, members to do their jobs,” says Canadian Director and many times are in complete or near isolation. All Mike Mahar. “The frequency and severity of attacks on of this leaves operators far more vulnerable than the on-duty transit workers continues to rise. In Canada, average worker. 40% of bus operators are assaulted on duty during the course of their careers.” ATU wants the federal government to strengthen the Degrading and criminal deterrent against such violence through an amendment Despite years of increased efforts by the transit industry to the Criminal Code that would mandate that an to reduce the number of assaults through training, assault on on-duty transit operators qualify as an real time support and the installation of cameras, aggravating factor for sentencing purposes. the attacks continue to rise. The assaults range from The Canadian Urban Transit Association, the Federation being spat on, to being punched, to knife attacks and of Canadian Municipalities, Police Associations, and sexual assault. numerous MPs and Senators, are lending their support Many of these injuries are life threatening and career to the campaign. ending. All of them are degrading and criminal. “The assaults on our members cannot be tolerated,” Laws aren’t protecting us says Mahar. “At a time when public transit needs to grow to support commerce in areas like Toronto “Right now, the laws aren’t adequately protecting and Hamilton, many are leaving the industry because us,” says Mahar. “There have been cases where one of of these threats – and many are choosing not to our members has been attacked by an assailant in the enter it.”. morning. The assailant has been arrested by police, released, and then has returned in the afternoon to assault the member again.”

8 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 25 McDonald’s, Low-wage workers demand living wage, job protections

s the number of America’s working poor increases, Some of the chain’s Aemployees of McDonald’s and other fast food foreign guest workers and low-wage industries have begun to awaken to the in central Pennsylvania need to organize for dignity and a better life. Hundreds launched a strike, have engaged in daylong walkouts to demand a living alleging management wage and protection from retaliation and abuse. has retaliated against them for demanding unpaid wages. Chicago The NYC strikers wanted to meet with McDonald’s A walkout was staged in Chicago in support of the directly, sign a labor agreement with worker protections, “Fight for $15” campaign to secure a wage of $15 and ensure that they are fairly compensated. per hour for those who work hard in the city’s fast food and retail outlets, yet still can’t afford basic necessities. Similar strikes have been held New York Some improvement and Pennsylvania. The New York protest has led to some improvement. Just minutes after their protest, McDonald’s announced New York that the franchise owner accused of exploiting the guest workers will be selling his three stores and will no longer Hundreds of fast food workers walked off the job in be associated with the company. New York City, also demanding a $15 per hour wage and the ability to form a union. Organized by “Fast Additionally, McDonald’s says it is trying to connect Food Forward,” the walkout coincided with the 45th with the workers on an individual basis to address the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther alleged abuse and it would provide franchisees with King, Jr., who was killed while supporting the 1968 legal informationoon the J-1 visa program. Memphis sanitation workers’ strike.

The group says many members are living on food stamps Not just a teenage job anymore or in homeless shelters even as employers’ profits continue to rise. “We’re on strike today because we can’t survive Also, as noted by the Atlantic, “these jobs are not being on $7.25. Higher wages will help us raise our families done by teenagers… the median age is over 28, and with dignity but also help lift our entire economy.” the average women – who make up two-thirds of the industry – is over 32.” Profits at low-wage food employers have grown rapidly since the recession, as the chart above shows. Nevertheless, Numbers like these make it abundantly clear that we all some fast food employers have exploited Latin American lose when major international employers underpay and and Asian guest workers to increase profits. exploit their workers.

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 25 Resolution submitted to the 57th International Convention of the Amalgamated Transit Union

Submitted by Local 587-Seattle, WA:

“To protect the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and its Locals from potential costly lawsuits(s) by banning the ATU International and its Locals from providing alcohol at convention, conference, or training in hospitality suites or elsewhere.”

! International to memorialize deceased local officers at Convention

The International is requesting its locals to send it the names, titles, and pictures (if available) of local presidents, business agents, and financial secretaries who have passed away since September 26, 2010. This information will be made into a special memorial that will be displayed during the Convention.

Please use the ATU Convention website or the form below to submit the name, title/office, local number and charter city*, and date of death to International President Larry Hanley, ATU, 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016, no later than August 1, 3013.

— Local Officer Memorial Form —

Name:

Title/Office:

Local Number: Charter City:

Date of Death:

* For example: Local Number: 113 Charter City: Toronto, ON

26 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 27 L’ATU se bat contre la cupidité, de l’argent au Congrès et dans plusieurs états en influençant la MAIN-D’ŒUVRE esclave et nos représentants élus pour vendre les travailleurs Américains. Au même moment, leurs collègues fabricants de vêtements la privatisation exploitent les travailleurs en Asie. Tout est lié.

1127 corps ont été retrouvés avant qu’ils n’arrêtent la recherche Il n’y a rien de nouveau avec les personnes riches qui exploitent de survivants. Il s’agit du décompte des morts du désastre du les travailleurs — Ils le font tout simplement d’une manière 24 avril — l’un des pires de l’histoire en matière de massacre plus sophistiquée. en usine — à l’autre bout du monde, au Bangladesh. C’est le résultat du même capitalisme (cupidité) qui a causé la mort de L’idée que nos produits de consommation peuvent être 146 couturières dans l’incendie de l’usine Triangle Shirtwaist à fabriqués à plus bas prix pendant que nous maintenons nos New York, il y a un siècle. salaires et pensions s’est avérée être fausse.

Tout est lié L’échec de la déréglementation

Ne pensez pas à ces victimes comme des inconnus qui ne font Tout autour de nous, nous voyons clairement les échecs du pas partie de votre vie — ce n’est pas le cas. Elles font le travail capitalisme déréglementé. que les travailleurs faisaient aux É.-U. et au Canada. Dans ce document, vous apprendrez l’impact de Walmart Leur travail – dans des usines dangereuses, à 8,000 miles (12 874 sur nos vies. Chaque semaine, un grand nombre de nos km) d’ici — sont les anciens emplois des travailleurs de nos pays membres rendent leurs salaires gagnés en tant que travailleurs — qui ont été relocalisés au Bangladesh pour générer davantage syndiqués à Walmart. Ce dernier utilise ensuite ses profits de profits pour les propriétaires d’entreprises. pour détruire nos syndicats et les emplois dans nos pays et partout ailleurs dans le monde. Ce qu’il reste est une concurrence à la recherche d’emplois mal rémunérés ici et dans des villes comme Détroit, avec peu de bons Dans son discours très courageux de juin 1966 en Afrique emplois et des recettes fiscales qui en sont créés. Tout est lié. du Sud (il y a près de 50 ans de cela), le Sénateur Robert Kennedy a abordé cette question :

La main-d’œuvre esclave Les personnes meurent de faim dans les rues d’Inde; un ancien premier ministre est sommairement exécuté Dans le monde développé, nous avons des normes du travail au Congo; les intellectuels vont en prison en Russie; et et des codes de construction. Cependant, les vêtements vendus des milliers sont massacrés en Indonésie; la richesse est dans nos centres commerciaux sont produits dans des pays où utilisée sur des armements partout dans le monde. des esclaves ou travailleurs qui frôlent l’esclavage travaillent dans des conditions qui seraient illégales chez nous. Plusieurs Il existe différents types de maux dans notre société : mais immeubles s’effondrent sur ces travailleurs au quotidien, ce qui ils sont souvent créés pas les hommes. Ils reflètent les est profondément honteux. imperfections de la justice humaine, l’insuffisance de la compassion humaine, la défectuosité de notre sensibilité Donc — nous avons perdu de bons emplois et nous payons envers la souffrance d’autres êtres humains; ils marquent pour acheter des produits à des entreprises qui volent nos la limite de notre capacité à utiliser la connaissance pour emplois, pendant que des travailleurs à l’autre bout du monde le bien-être d’autres personnes ailleurs dans le monde. souffrent pour enrichir quelques personnes. En conséquence, ils en appellent aux qualités communes Les sociétés françaises et anglaises font venir l’économie globale de conscience et d’indignation, une détermination dans les transports en commun et les bus scolaires dans nos partagée afin de se débarrasser des souffrances inutiles pays, tout comme ils ont fait à Greyhound aux É.-U., et pour de nos semblables, chez nous et ailleurs dans le monde. le faire maintenant au Canada.

Chaque enfant tué est un emploi détruit Privatisation = Pauvreté chez nous

Ils vendent des salaires de misère à nos villes sous forme de Chaque enfant tué dans une usine est un emploi détruit aux transport en commun « privatif ». Ils dépensent actuellement É.-U. ou au Canada.

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 27 Nous avons un ennemi commun envers ces personnes plus vaste. Nous travaillons sur des changements structurels riches et cupides qui sont la cause de tout cela. Les mêmes potentiels dans notre Syndicat et nous avons nommé un entreprises qui pompent des centaines de millions de dollars Comité d’exploration structurelle pour la Convention à venir dans les politiques des É.-U. et du Canada pour nous priver afin de nous permettre d’être plus efficaces sur le terrain. de nos droits et nos pensions, notre droit de négocier des contrats et notre droit d’avoir un syndicat. Nous sommes un Syndicat en pleine croissance, en nombre, en force et en détermination. Plus nous subissons de défis et S’il y avait eu une organisation syndicale dans cette usine du plus nous accomplissons de choses. Cependant, il y a encore Bangladesh, ces 1127 personnes seraient toujours vivantes. beaucoup de choses à faire. Notre colère doit s’amplifier pour mettre un terme à cette situation.

Nous mentionnons aussi dans ce document les alternatives La foi fiscales comme la taxe « Robin des Bois » (Robin Hood) — Nous nous réjouissons d’avance de notre Convention une taxe sur les transactions boursières — et la « taxe sur les internationale à venir avec la foi que nous pouvons envisager ventes par internet ». Elles aideraient à sauver nos villes en beaucoup plus qu’auparavant. collectant les mêmes taxes sur amazon.com, comme avec nos commerçants locaux. Nous changerons la manière dont nous menons notre travail dans nos Conventions et la manière dont nous fournissons la formation nécessaire pour nos délégués afin qu’ils retournent Fiers d’être ATU chez eux prêt pour les années de combats à venir.

Ce document comprend aussi des histoires d’héroïsme Être conscient du monde qui nous entoure, étant donné notre personnel : l’histoire de Géraldine Mitchell, un membre de place dans le conflit moral, nous quitterons la Convention Toledo, qui a sauvé une vie pendant qu’elle conduisait un bus. prêts à se battre pour tous les membres — et parce que nous savons que tous les navires se relèvent ensemble — pour se Je suis particulièrement fier de ces histoires concernant nos battre pour les travailleurs partout dans le monde. locaux dans « Ce qui fonctionne » — notre rapport sur les combats du syndicat local.

Vous lirez aussi à propos de notre local de Providence (R.I.) qui se bat et gagne contre Véolia, et de Bangor (M.E.), où nous venons tout juste d’obtenir une nouvelle organisation. PROUVEZ-MOI que j’ai tort!

Je me demande de temps en temps si les membres prennent In Transit avec une « graine de sel. » Je dis cela parce que chaque Chroniqueur invité : gagnant du autre mois le magazine vous apporte beaucoup de mauvaises Prix Pulitzer nouvelles, et si vous ne subissez pas les mauvaises nouvelles chez vous, vous imaginez que nous exagérons. Notre chroniqueur invité est l’auteur connu et gagnant du prix Pulitzer, Chris Hedges, qui a tourné son attention sur nos Après tout, le Syndicat tient depuis 121 années, et comme combats sur la fatigue du conducteur et nos efforts continus Mark Twain disait : « J’ai connu de nombreux problèmes, mais pour sécuriser une modification de laFair Labor Standards la plupart d’entre eux ne se sont jamais produits. » Act obligeant les employeurs à payer en heures supplémentaires les conducteurs de l’industrie hors route. Cependant, vous devriez savoir que la plupart des « problèmes » que vous lisez dans In Transit « ne se sont jamais produits » parce Il y a aussi des rapports, à Toledo, de conducteurs de bus qui que votre Syndicat lutte efficacement pour pas qu’ils se produisent. n’ont pas de pauses toilettes — quelque chose de familier? Malheureusement, ce type de réussite peut rendre les personnes complaisantes; les faisant croire qu’il n’y a pas à s’inquiéter. Action structurelle Cependant, au risque d’être accusé de « crier au loup », je dois dire que je n’ai jamais vu un moment comme celui-ci, et cela Lors de notre récente réunion du Conseil exécutif à Atlanta, m’inquiète. Un peu d’histoire peut aider à expliquer ce que tous nos officiers ont travaillé sur un plan pour une action j’essaye de dire :

28 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 29 Nouvel accord vs. Accord brut Aujourd’hui, nous catégorisons ces personnes comme des « travailleurs pauvres », presque comme un effort d’essayer Pendant les années 1930, la Grande Dépression a apporté des de mettre leur expérience de travail en quarantaine et de les réformes de type Nouvel accord qui ont grandement amélioré séparer des autres travailleurs. Cependant, si nous refusons la vie des familles de travailleurs au Canada et aux États-Unis. de reconnaitre la situation telle qu’elle est, la souffrance des En conséquence, la plupart d’entre nous ont grandi pendant travailleurs pauvres d’aujourd’hui sera bientôt considérée les meilleurs moments économiques de l’histoire de nos deux comme quelque chose de « normal », pour tous les travailleurs. pays. Bien sûr, nous pensons que la vie de la classe moyenne qui est apparue pendant le 20e siècle est « normale », même si Je crains que ceux qui ont toujours un emploi touchant des c’est assez unique dans l’histoire. salaires suffisants ne réalisent pas l’ampleur du problème tant qu’ils ne l’ont pas subi personnellement, mais quand cela se Maintenant, au 21e siècle, la Grande récession a apporté produira, il sera trop tard. un renversement de ce processus. Un « accord brut » est en train de voler la classe moyenne de la sécurité économique pour laquelle elle s’est battue et a réussi à obtenir au cours Le défi du siècle dernier. Sous le contrôle des intérêts de puissantes sociétés et de marionnettes politiques, l’Accord brut cherche à Cependant, cela fait déjà trop de temps que je fais cela pour augmenter la richesse déjà extrême des plus riches en forçant devenir pessimiste. Par conséquent, je mets au défi chaque les travailleurs des pays industrialisés à retourner travailler dans membre ATU de me prouver que j’ai tort. des conditions pitoyables qu’ils ont dû endurer au cours d’une Je vous appelle à joindre notre combat contre l’Accord brut, grande partie de l’histoire humaine. même si cela ne vous a pas encore touché. Allez à votre réunion Une partie déjà croissante de nos populations fait un travail syndicale locale, participez avec le conseil local du travail, éreintant pour des salaires extrêmement bas, sans syndicats, soutenez les candidats pro-travaillistes, faites tout ce que vous sans congés de maladie, sans assurance santé, sans vacances, pouvez pour défendre et accroître les droits des travailleurs. sans retraite, avec des règlements de travail injustes, des C’est important, pas seulement pour vous-même, mais pour conditions de travail dangereuses et plus encore. vos enfants et petits-enfants, et surtout, pour le bien de nos Ne s’agit-il pas de conditions de travail qui existaient entre la fin deux pays. des années 1800 et le début des années 1900? N’avions-nous pas cru que notre civilisation s’était améliorée au-delà de cette sorte d’esclavage salarial pendant les années 1960, ou 1950? STAY CONNECTED For the latest ATU News and Action Alerts please check out the ATU’s social media network

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IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 29 In Memoriam Death Benefits Awarded March 1, 2013 - April 30, 2013

1- MEMBERS AT LARGE SANDRA L COOK 580- SYRACUSE, NY 757- PORTLAND, OR DONALD J REED ROBERT M HARDIN JR HAROLD E HAGLER RICHARD A DE PIETRO JOHN W BROWN MARY ROMSKI RODNEY E MEZEL ANGELINA A LAGUER JOREE JACKSON MANLIO R SANTORO VIRGIL O SANDERS ANDREW C NEAL 583- CALGARY, AB JASON A JANES ROSE MARIE SIMON RUDOLPH H VARNEY PHILLIP JORDON NELSON WILLIAM CYRIL JULLYAN KENT K KALWEIT WILLIAM H SMITH HERSCHEL A PLEASANTS COLEMAN A LANDER JOHN D MITCHELL SR JODI SURIANAGA 19- COLORADO SPRINGS, CO THOMAS JOE SANDOVAL JR WILLIAM A ORR VIRGINIA F PUTNAM JEANETTE VARGETTO LEO R MORRIS JOHN P UNDERWOOD RICHARD THOMAS WALKER MACLETUS THELMA WATSON 758- TACOMA, WA 1225- SAN FRANCISCO, CA 22- WORCESTER, MA 587- SEATTLE, WA CLIFTON A FOURNIER HAROLD NEAL MC ELROY LINDA A BROOKS 241- CHICAGO, IL JACK A BUCHANS HAROLD A GERBER FRED G RICH KAREN M CHABOT MAURICE BANKHEAD PAUL A CONSIDINE ROBERT A MOQUIN KELLY BELL DAVID E FARNHAM 819- NEWARK, NJ 1235- NASHVILLE, TN HAVARD L BLANKS MICHAEL FLICKINGER LEONA P DAVIS DAVID L LOWE 26- DETROIT, MI STANLEY E BROWN RUSSELL W HARRIS TAHEESHA HORTON NICHOLAS JOHN COUREY WILLIE J COCHRAN ROBERT L MC ALPINE PATRICK J PONTRELLI 1277- LOS ANGELES, CA DAVID L HOWTON CHARLES E DIAL EARL STANLEY RADFORD JOSEPH A SEMATAVAGE THOMAS E DOTSON CARL D JOHNSON JOSEPH A GORECKI HONORIO A STA CRUZ ROBERT LEE NELSON EDDIE ROBERTSON DONALD E JACKSON 825- ORADELL, NJ BETTY SHEPHARD FRANCIS J LAMBERT 589- BOSTON, MA FRANK O ROMA 1285- JACKSON, TN JESSE J WILLIS ROBERTA S LEWIS JAMES F CANNON SHADY O MOORE JACK MARTIN MAXWELL C CURRY 880- CAMDEN, NJ 85- PITTSBURGH, PA VICTOR R MOORE JOSEPH S FORTINO JR DENIS M FARRELLY 1300- BALTIMORE, MD EUGENE T BUNGERT CARROLL C PORTER CHARLMER G GROVES AUGUSTUS HOLMES FRANK DANIELS ROLAND COLAGUORI BRUCE PRICE THOMAS W HARDING ROBERT L MC GRONAN JAMES R DEES MITCHELL P ROMAS THOMAS F KELLEY 966- THUNDER BAY, ON MIKE TAKESIAN EDGAR R LAURIE ROBERT I STEWART ALBERT W NEWCOMB DON DUBOIS JOHN A THOMAS HOWARD W LINDBERG WILLIE R STRICKLAND WILLIAM V RICHI JESSE J MANNING HENRY SYKES 998- MILWAUKEE, WI 1309- SAN DIEGO, CA MAURICE J MC CARTHY DAVID A THOMAS 618- PROVIDENCE, RI GEORGE R CASTRO KAROL R FERRIS WILLIAM A MC CARTNEY DORRIS WILSON JR WILLIAM J FURICH RICHARD CHOMICKI MARGARETA A MULLEN THOMAS M MISKIEWICZ REGINALD HILL CHARLES J CUNNINGHAM RICHARD A MORGAN 256- SACRAMENTO, CA CARLOS S MEDEIROS VINCENT C DIKIARA 1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY JOHN MOSURA DAVID R BLENKHORN JUAN OTERO GOLDIE E JOHNSON-YOUNG JAMES W KEECH FRANK NIKLAS CURTIS THOMAS JR RALPH VITALE HARVEY O SCHERR LAWRENCE M O’CONNOR EARL M SEYBOLD 1342- BUFFALO, NY THOMAS O’LEARY 265- SAN JOSE, CA 627- CINCINNATI, OH JULIA M THOMAS RICHARD W ROGERS FRANK M O’NEIL CARROLL W ADAMS JERRY L PARKER LEONARD J WILHELMI JESSE J CISNEROS LAWRENCE J PHILLIPS DEBORAH THOMAS 1345- READING, PA VINCENT LANZAROTTA RUDOLPH PLAIKNER 1001- DENVER, CO MATTHEW PAULIN C GEORGE ZAPF JR THOMAS F PRILL 689- WASHINGTON, DC JANICE FAYE STANLEY JOSEPH LYNN TRUJILLO WILLIAM ALSTON 268- CLEVELAND, OH 1374- CALGARY, AB LETTIE M WALLS CHRISTOPHER BATTLE NORMAN W BAYLOR JR 1005- MINNEAPOLIS & GORDON IRWIN STEINMAN SAMUEL M KISNER JOSEPH E COULTER ST. PAUL, MN 107- HAMILTON, ON ROBERT EDWARD KRAUSE JEFFREY A GASTON JOSEPH J DITSCHLER 1433- PHOENIX, AZ MAX EUGEN AHLFORS KURT ALFRED HEINZ JR RONALD E FONTAINE SALVADOR G GONZALEZ STEPHEN E FORESTER 279- OTTAWA, ON JOHN B KEILLOR ANTHONY D FRANKLIN JEFFREY T JOHNSTON DENNIS P ARPIN TAE H KIM ELDON K TURNER 1436- HARRISBURG, PA COLLEEN TOLL GEORGES GRANDMAITRE MITCHELL L RICHARDSON PHILIP C CREA JODY A STEELE ARTHUR J SHUGARS 1037- NEW BEDFORD, MA 113- TORONTO, ON STEFAN R VORONEY ROY G STANFORD CHARLES A LAGOA 1447- LOUISVILLE, KY MICHELLE S BEDWARD SHIRLEY TWITTY DENNIS M CHAPMAN JOHN GERALD BRADLEY 308- CHICAGO, IL DONTE C WASHINGTON 1070- INDIANAPOLIS, IN THEODORE H CARLISLE WILLIAM B BROWN JOSEPH J YAVULLA WALTER J DIXON 1505- WINNIPEG, MB FRANK CHIRCOP DOROTHY M DISMANG LLOYD GEORGE BISSETT ROCCO CORNACCHIA BRIAN R DOE 690- FITCHBURG, MA 1177- NORFOLK, VA JASWINDER SIDHU NICOLA DI RENZO EDWARD JOSEPH FREEMAN ALAN C EASTMAN MELVIN COTTON KENNETH V SMITH RUSSELL HOWARD EWLES CARL C MEYER HENRICUS N VAN DE MOSSELAER DAVID FAIRWEATHER ULYSSES S PRITCHETT 694- SAN ANTONIO, TX 1181- NEW YORK, NY FRANKLIN GEROUX SAM STIMAGE GASPAR S GARCIA NANCY A AULL 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA WILLIAM FRANK HASLER WILLIAM THOMAS RAYMOND Q VALENZUELA FRANK N CAPECI JAMES CLINCY JR FREDERICK W HAWTHORNE THOMAS WALKER RAFAEL COLON LOUIS I HICKEY BETTY J WATSON 713- MEMPHIS, TN SHEILA CRUPI 1576- LYNNWOOD, WA JOHN JOSEPH KEARNEY PRIMES WEST JOHN H LEWIS FRED DAVIS PATRICK R HILL EDWARD LANSDOWN E M WILIEKO ANNA DI FIORE ANTHONY LOCILENTO 725- BIRMINGHAM, AL MARGUERITE DI MICELLI 1700- CHICAGO, IL JOHN MAGEE 312- DAVENPORT, IA FRANKLIN H ANDERSON BETTY D FILMORE HUGH E SMITH BARRY N MORTON LAWRENCE E FOX WILLIE FRANKLIN IRVIN THOMASTON WILLIAM DENNIS O’BRIEN 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY WILLIAM FREY ELGIN PEPPIN 382- SALT LAKE CITY, UT DOUGLAS BALL INEL GAILLOT 1729- PITTSBURGH, PA CHARLES PRICE FRANK D RICHINS ALFRED BEYER RAYMOND HAUGES PAUL R GEORGE JOHN SCHMUCK ROBERT P CARROLL RUSSELL F JONES OCTOBER 6 - 7 , 2013 JOHN A SMITH 416- PEORIA, IL GILBERT MONTALVO MARY KARSEBOOM 1753- VENETIA, PA JOHN D SPEARS GREGORY S CHURCH ARTHUR TAYLOR THOMAS P KELLY RICHARD P BOTTLES MUSKET RIDGE GOLF CLUB, MYERSVILLE, MD ROBERT STEWART MICHAEL LUCIANO JOSEPH HENRY KENT TAYLOR 569- EDMONTON, AB 732- ATLANTA, GA GRACE MAIORANO JAMES W HUFFMAN DONALD HAYFORD LAWRENCE MAURELLO FOR THE BENEFIT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH 192- OAKLAND, CA ALBERT LUETHE FERNANDO KELLEY MADELINE MONTI EUGENE ARNETT GERARD MARINGER CHARLES W SNOW LUCILLE PAWIAK LAWRENCE JAMES BIRT NORMAN L SAX CLORINDA PORTSCHELLER

30 May/June 2013 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 31 In Memoriam PA School bus local awaits decision Death Benefits Awarded March 1, 2013 - April 30, 2013 on grievance local made a fair contract offer to the school district that legally required the district to continue negotiating.

‘They will not talk to us’

The local accepted the report, and the district rejected it. “They will not talk to us,” says Local President Lori Krapf.

The local filed a grievance with the PLRB, accusing the district of prematurely ending negotiations. A PLRB hearing on those charges ended in June 2012, but the enn Hills, PA, school bus drivers have been waiting board still has not issued a final ruling. Pfor a resolution of their labor dispute with Penn Hills schools since the district broke off negotiations If the Penn Hills local receives a favorable ruling, the with Local 1552 in May 2011. The school system ceased school district could be ordered to buy its school bus- bargaining in order to contract its student transportation es back from First Transit, rehire all of Local 1552’s work out to private operator First Student. drivers, mechanics and bus aides, and pay Local 1552 members two years’ back pay – much more than what A fact-finder commissioned by the Pennsylvania Labor it would have cost to simply negotiate with the local Relations Board (PLRB) concluded in 2011 that the in the first place.

— SAVE THE DATE — ATU/MS Research Funds 28th Annual Tournament

OCTOBER 6 - 7 , 2013 MUSKET RIDGE GOLF CLUB, MYERSVILLE, MD

FOR THE BENEFIT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH

IN TRANSIT | May/June 2013 31 Amalgamated Transit Union AFL-CIO/CLC 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, D.C.20016 www.atu.org

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YOUR HELP NEEDED AGAIN - ATU DISASTER RELIEF FUND ATU members stepped up for Hurricane Sandy, Now Brothers and Sisters in Oklahoma in need!

When Mother Nature unleashed her wrath with Hurricane $149,698.16 Sandy, ATU members stepped up – as we always do - to help our brothers and sisters impacted by donating the ATU Total Raised Since Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund (see chart). In May one of the worst tornados in history savaged an area in around Oklahoma City. $155,100.00 The devastating wind and rocketing debris wreaked havoc on the region, shattering houses and flattening supposedly solid Total Disbursed in Hurricane Relief school buildings. 156 members from 16 Locals received assistance The cyclone left hundreds injured, and at least 20residents – including 9 schoolchildren – dead in its wake. Unfortunately, homes and property of ATU brothers and sisters and their families living in the area have been How to Donate destroyed and damaged, as well. Donations can be made online by visiting www.atu.org, When crisis hits, ATU members or by mailing a check to: do what they do every day on the job, in their Amalgamated Transit Union communities, and in their Disaster Relief Fund places of worship. They just 5025 Wisconsin, Ave., NW help out. Washington, DC 20016 Attn: Lawrence J. Hanley You can help your brothers and sisters who have been U.S. contributors: Your contribution is tax deductible hurt by this year’s tornados to the extent provided by law. by contributing to the ATU Disaster Relief Fund.