and Wins–forNow Peterborough LocalFightsCuts Would AllowSomeOperatingAid Obama ProposesDoublingTransit Budget, Which SideAreYou On? INSIDE THISISSUE: JOIN THE FIGHT ATU MEMBERS Official JournaloftheAmalgamated Transit Union www.atu.org AFL-CIO/CLC

JAN/ FEB 2 0 1 1 INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President ROBERT H. BAKER International Executive Vice President 2011 OSCAR OWENS International Secretary-Treasurer Upcoming Training, Conferences & Caucuses INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS RODNEY RICHMOND New Orleans, LA – [email protected] LARRY R. KINNEAR The ATU is pleased to announce a new schedule of ATU training, conferences Ashburn, ON – [email protected] and caucuses to take place in 2011. Check back with www.atu.org for more JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. information and further announcements as they become available: Kansas City, MO – [email protected] RICHARD M. MURPHY March 5, 2011 May 19 – 22, 2011 Braintree, MA – [email protected] ATU Northern Pennsylvania ATU Black Caucus BOB M. HYKAWAY Grievance Seminar Westin Peachtree Plaza Calgary, AB – [email protected] Four Points by Sheraton Allentown Airport 210 Peachtree St. SW CHARLES COOK Allentown, PA Atlanta, GA 30303 Petaluma, CA – [email protected] WILLIAM G. McLEAN March 6 – 12, 2011 June 2- 5, 2011 Reno, NV – [email protected] ATU Financial Secretary Training ATU Women’s Caucus JANIS M. BORCHARDT National Labor College Lowes New Orleans Hotel Madison, WI – [email protected] 10000 New Hampshire Avenue 300 Poydras Street Silver Spring, MD 20903 New Orleans, LA 70130 PAUL BOWEN Canton, MI – [email protected] March 7 – 10, 2011 August 21 – 25, 2011 KENNETH R. KIRK ATU New President’s Training ATU Eastern Regional Conference Lancaster, TX – [email protected] National Labor College Hilton, located in Walt Disney GARY RAUEN 10000 New Hampshire Avenue 1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard Clayton, NC – [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20903 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 MARCELLUS BARNES Flossmore, IL – [email protected] March 11 – 13, 2011 September 9 – 11, 2011 RAY RIVERA ATU Boot Camp Training ATU Latino Caucus Lilburn, GA – [email protected] National Labor College Kensington Park Hotel YVETTE SALAZAR 10000 New Hampshire Avenue 450 Post Street Thornton, CO – [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20903 San Francisco, CA 94102 GARY JOHNSON, SR. April 3 – 7, 2011 Cleveland, OH – [email protected] ATU New President’s Training ROBIN WEST National Labor College Rexdale, ON – [email protected] 10000 New Hampshire Avenue The ATU is also planning the following conferences JOHN COSTA Silver Spring, MD 20903 for which details have yet to be announced: Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected] CHUCK WATSON April 3 – 9, 2011 ATU Maintenance Conference Syracuse, NY – [email protected] ATU Financial Secretary Training Dallas, TX National Labor College 10000 New Hampshire Avenue ATU Midwest INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Silver Spring, MD 20903 Regional Conference ANTHONY WITHINGTON St. Louis, MO Sebastopol, CA – [email protected] April 15 – 19, 2011 ATU Western Regional Conference DENNIS ANTONELLIS ATU Canadian Spokane, WA – [email protected] Hilton Seattle Airport Regional Conference 17620 International Blvd. Toronto, ON KAREN MILLER-LEWIS Seattle, Washington 98188 Memphis, TN – [email protected]

CLAUDIA HUDSON Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated Oakland, CA – [email protected] 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, STEPHAN MACDOUGALL USPS: 260-280. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Boston, MA – [email protected] B&M Mailing Service Limited, 35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1A5, [email protected] The objects of this International Union shall be to organize Local Unions; to place our occupation upon a higher plane of intelligence, efficiency and skill; to encourage the formation in Local Unions of sick and funeral benefit funds in order that we may properly care for our sick and bury our dead; to encourage the organization of cooperative CANADIAN COUNCIL credit unions in the Local Unions; to establish schools of instruction for imparting a practical knowledge of modern and improved methods and systems of transportation and trade matters generally; to encourage the settlement of all disputes between employees and employers by arbitration; to secure employment and adequate pay STAN DERA for our work, including vacations with pay and old age pensions; to reduce the hours of labor and by all legal and proper means to elevate our moral, intellectual and social condition. To engage in such legislative, political, educational, cultural, social, and welfare activities as will further the interests and welfare of the membership IN TRANSIT | 3 Rexdale, ON - [email protected] of the Organization. To seek the improvement of social and economic conditions in the United States and Canada and to promote the interests of labor everywhere. Jan/Feb 2011 LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Which Side Are You On?

n 1931, Florence Reece, the wife of a union organizer All of these struggles have one common thread: They Ifor the United Mine Workers in Harlan County, KY, are part of a concerted effort to deprive working people of wrote the song that defines the fight for workers today, not their livelihoods. only in Canada and the United States, but all over the world: “Which side are you on, boys? Which side are you on?” The ATU is Fighting Back! Some politicians are right out there. Naked. In Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Florida and 15 other states, they are leading We have created an entire new department in the ATU the battle against us to take away American workers’ for Field Mobilization, the purpose of which is to help salaries, pensions and benefits. Make no mistake about your local union get our members up and fighting. If you it, when they are done scapegoating public workers they have a struggle in your city let me assure you that we will will come for the unions in the private sector. Then they be there with you, as we are now in many cities. will come after Social Security. They are already saying it. Private sector working Americans are already reeling We are fighting multi-national corporations like Veolia and from decades of political deals that sold out the American First Group in both the U.S. and Canada. industrial heartland. Make no mistake about it, this is a fight for your right Other political leaders, our “friends” are mysteriously to earn a living and the fight against us is being sponsored silent or muted at best in defending workers. We must by billionaires and multi-national corporations. make them answer the question in Mrs. Reece’s song. Many of the people including the politicians who support And from Cairo to Cleveland, from Detroit and this economic war on North Americans are flag-waving phonies Peterborough to Madison and New London throughout who use patriotism as a weapon to subdue us and to spend our the United States and Canada working people, joined by blood and treasure on useless wars. Then, after squandering our students are saying enough is enough. In this issue you national wealth, they tell us our way of life is “unsustainable.” will read the stories of an ATU that is in the trenches and on the front lines of the struggle. They Are the Traitors The economic depression we are now in can be resolved in many ways. Unlike the one in 1929, the bankers are They are the traitors who have shipped our jobs to other trying to resolve today’s crisis by making average people, continents and someone needs to say it. There is no longer not the banks go broke. They are tearing up the fundamental a way to argue as some Democrats do on cable news shows social agreements that have held our countries together that “workers need to take a haircut.” throughout the last 100 years. Not while they continue to cut taxes for billionaires And the layoffs of ATU members have continued over who can well afford to pay them. One honest billionaire, the last few months. In New York 500 paratransit workers Warren Buffett, among the world’s richest men said it best: faced layoffs as we went to press. In Pittsburgh 200 are slated “There is a class war in America, and my class is winning.” to lose their jobs in March and in Cincinnati, the city raided the transit budget resulting in 40 or more layoffs there. The sleeping giant that is the working class is waking up. We will now fight back. Join us on the barricades, if you In the last six weeks we have engaged in battles in know the answer, which side are you on? Chicago, Peterborough, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Toronto. In other cities we are fighting court battles, like in Washington, DC, where an arbitrator’s contract award has been tied up in court for more than a year.

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 3 BOB BAKER, INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT A Tale of Two Cities

Washington, DC These same cities and a lot of others including several states are under a strong attack concerning their collective First, we have Washington DC, and the state of the bargaining rights and their very existence. Some very out- union address minus public transportation: of-touch and anti-union governors are trying to destroy the labor movement. As I sat in my hotel room in St. John’s, NL, watching the president report on the state of the union (just after We have to stop them now and make sure we carry on one of the worst elections we’ve seen in several decades) the fight for several months and, in fact, years to undo the I was amazed – not once did he mention mass transit. damage in the last election. We have to do everything we Did his administration forget where he came from? I’d can to defend our members, police officers, fire personnel be willing to bet our laid-off members in Chicago would and others who have spent their entire career SAVING remind him. LIVES, while these politicians want to take away their LIFE SAVINGS! Does anyone realize that if our public transit systems do not function with the needed personnel to run and maintain them, our cities are doomed? St. John’s, NL Hasn’t it occurred to anyone in the administration that if we don’t keep decent citizens working and make sure Now, let’s talk about the other city, St. John’s, NL: they can to get to work, fewer and fewer will be able to pay taxes and keep the wheels of government running? The city was determined to make some big changes in their contract and they did not care about the welfare of I’m not an Obama-basher, and I’m not opposed to our members. high-speed rail, but I really have to wonder if anyone in government is paying any attention to the real mobility The local union committee, however, refused to give in. needs of the U.S. anymore. As long as the city wanted to take anything away, the fight would continue. Fortunately, the end result was that our The passengers we transport in the U.S. are the backbone members were well compensated and the city did not gut of the nation. They deserve better. So, somebody please their contract. tell that to Washington… I was so impressed with the resolve and solidarity of the St. John’s strikers. The sacrifices they made will result in Wait! That’s the article I wrotebefore the president’s immeasurable benefits for other cities that will come under budget was released. WOW, what a turnaround in such a attack in Canada and the United States. short time. Due to the tremendous work our officers and members in Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Olympia, The problem in St. John’s is the same as it has been in San Diego, Washington, DC, and other sites and Washington, DC – no one in government seems to care communities have done in the last month the message about working men and women. The people who make the is finally hitting our politicians. President Obama just decisions so often appear to be blind to the mobility needs released a good budget for transit in the United States, of our cities. but now we have to continue to work very hard to drive it home. —­ Continued on to page 25

4 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 5 OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER Operating Assistance: The Time is Now

he president’s state of the union address was an so we urge every U.S. member of this Union to stay Timpressive demonstration of Barack Obama’s informed and be prepared to fight for legislation that considerable oratorical skill. His unique, sweeping will preserve jobs and extend mobility. delivery lifted our spirits again, and directed our eyes to the future. The time is now to make this happen. Of particular note was his emphasis on federal investment in infrastructure as a key to creating jobs, and increasing mobility – something which would improve the lives of all Americans. Of course, here at the International, we were heartened to hear that the president has embraced much of our vision of transit for the future. His proposal for the next six-year transportation authorization bill is the most forward-looking plan we’ve seen from government for a long time. It even provides funds for emergency operating assistance in some circumstances. It is a very positive step forward.

Congress Has Its Say

As most of you know, the president can’t make this happen all by himself. Congress will have a lot to say about how the bill is structured, and that process starts in the House of Representatives. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will craft the long-delayed authorization bill which will be considered by Congress. Rep. John Mica, R-FL, the new Republican chair of committee is determined, in his words, “to get the thing done.” And so we will soon know how much of the president’s proposal will be in the authorization bill introduced by the committee. The ATU, of course, will post the details about that bill on our website as soon as that information is available. Then it will be incumbent upon all of us to let our representatives in Congress know where we stand. And

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 5 JAN/FEB 2 0 1 1 www.atu.org Vol. 120, No. 1

2 International Officers & General Executive Board 2011 Upcoming Training, Conferences & Caucuses Transit Workers Fight to Prevent Hardship’ to Riders 3 International President’s Message Which Side Are You On? 4 International Executive Vice President’s Message 14 A Tale of Two Cities 5 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message Operating Assistance: The Time is Now 6 Index Page 7 President Proposes Doubling Transit Budget Includes Some Emergency Operating Assistance 8 ATU Fights Transit Cuts, Attacks on State The Shameful Attack on Public Employees Public Service Workers 9 Peterborough Local Fights Cuts and Wins, Gears Up for Next Year 16 10 Mass Transit Becomes Major Issue in Chicago Elections 11 AC Transit Riders Fight for their Right to Ride - 55 Years After Montgomery 12 ATU Flashback: Popular Anti-Public Worker Tactic Used Against Twin Cities Local 6 Years Ago 13 Phoenix Members Battle Veolia Concession Demands Legislative Report: Getting Hit From All Sides 15 Members Speak Out: SEAT Plans Layoffs While Hiring More Managers 18 Hanley Appoints Two New 24 International Representatives 20 Cincinnati Metro Workers Fight for Rejected Fact-Finder’s Agreement 21 Union Songstress Ann Feeney, Supported 1990 Greyhound Strikers, Fights Cancer, Needs Help 22 Solidarity Sustains Members During St. John’s Strike 23 GEB Takes Key Steps to Address Transit Crisis, Support Locals Transit and Smart Growth 27 Local President to Be Honored as DC’s Outstanding Trade Unionist of 2010 28 Report Shows Health Care Law Means Big Savings 26 to Families 29 100 Years Ago: Amalgamated Not an “Institution that Can Stand Still” 30 In Memoriam 31 Black Caucus Ad 32 Canadian Agenda: The Message is Clear: NOTE: French Canadian and Spanish translations normally included with We Are One ATU In Transit magazine can be found on the In Transit page at www.atu.org

6 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 7 President Proposes Doubling Transit Budget Includes Some Emergency Operating Assistance

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

resident Obama proposed a new nearly doubling the size of the “…I am urging you to immediately Ptransportation authorization bill federal transit program, up to $22 call for funding to address the current on February 14, which would billion in 2012. mobility crisis that is spreading across dramatically increase U.S. investment America. in mass transit over the next six years. “And most importantly, the president called for changes in the “We respectfully ask the Administration The Department of Transportation law that would allow federal transit to provide operating assistance for U.S. budget includes a 127% increase – funds to be used for operating transit systems as part of your Fiscal Year to $119 billion over six years – in assistance during the economic crisis. (FY) 2012 budget. funding for transit, and even more Our voices are being heard. significantly, allows transit authorities “The 10% of unemployed Americans (in urbanized areas of 200,000 or “Thanks to you,” he declared, “we includes a substantial number of transit- more in population) to temporarily moved the ball forward significantly.” dependent individuals who simply use formula funds to cover operating cannot get to work. … costs in limited circumstances. Consideration of the bill will begin in the House of Representatives where “We are simply looking for flexibility The budget also prioritizes projects many in the new GOP majority will with respect to the use of such funds, and that rebuild and rehabilitate existing fight the administration’s forward- we have built a large coalition consisting transit systems, and includes an looking plan. of transit advocates, community important new transit safety program. organizers, environmentalists, labor representatives, and others who are ready Letter to the President to fight to put critical service back on the streets. …” ‘We Moved the Ball Forward’ The announcement came on the Commenting on the president’s heels of a February 10 letter from proposal, International President International President Larry Hanley Larry Hanley told ATU members, urging the president to greatly “Thanks to the work that you are increase mass transit spending and doing to raise the profile of the to include operating assistance in his transit crisis, the president’s transit transportation authorization proposal. budget is reason to celebrate. The Hanley wrote, in part: Obama Administration called for

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 7 The ATU mobilized its members in cities across the In Columbus, OH; and Madison, WI; members fortified United States and Canada to do battle on two fronts in the the throngs of citizens protesting legislative attempts war against workers and the middle class. in their states to strip public service workers of their collective bargaining rights and bust their unions. With the support of the newly-formed ATU Field Mobilization Department members in Chicago, IL; Above are just a few of the many photos which have Peterborough, ON; Pittsburgh, PA; Cincinnati, OH; been pouring in to international headquarters from these Phoenix, AZ; and New London, CT; took the initiative to events. Check out www.atu.org for more information bring together coalitions of Labor, transit advocacy, and photos. religious, and civil rights groups to fight proposals to cut transit jobs and service in their areas.

8 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 9 PETERBOROUGH LOCAL FIGHTS CUTS AND WINS, GEARS UP FOR NEXT YEAR

took place in a larger auditorium, and that hall was filled to overflowing with 450 angry passengers. What was most gratifying to Sager was the diversity of people who came to the council meetings. Seniors, disabled, students and many others as well as ATU members voiced their concerns. Ultimately the council decided to increase taxes by $7.35 per household to provide full service throughout 2011. Backed by a formidable coalition, Local 1320 President Gary Sager addresses the Peterborough, ON, city council in the local’s successful campaign to stop planned transit cuts. “It was nice for the little guy to win one for a change,” said Sager. “It’s a hat can members of a small but the only thing the city council victory for the public who swamped Wlocal do when they learn would consider was service cuts. city council members with phone through the media that there are going calls and emails. The public and the The local then took out half-page to be big cuts in their transit budget, media vigilantly questioned and ads in the city newspapers outlining and they have just two weeks to try criticized the need for service cuts and the announced service cuts and and stop it? Actually, quite a lot. the mayor’s initial refusal to declare a their impact on the public. The ads pecuniary self-interest despite owning included the names, office phone This was the question facing Local a local cab company.” 1320-Peterborough, ON, when they numbers, and office email addresses of learned earlier this year that their every member of the city council. newly-elected mayor planned to cut Next, a committee was formed to $422,000 out of the city’s transit ‘Never Again!’ find allies in the community including appropriation, which would most Mothers Against Drunk Driving. likely cause job losses and service cuts. Nevertheless, the mayor has stated MADD objected to a plan to cut off that he intends to make budget cuts “We had less than two weeks to Saturday service in this university and in 2012. There will be a preliminary react,” related Local 1320 President community college town at 6:40 pm. transit review in March, but this time, Gary Sager, “But we showed that MADD thought it was particularly the local will be prepared. when there’s a need for a fight, even a dangerous to stop providing bus service small local can be successful if it’s not for the students who would be returning The members voted to assess afraid to have a scrap.” home after a night of drinking. Strong themselves to create a defense fund and determined university and college which will cover expenses related students also took up the cause and to fighting this next attempt to cut voiced their support. service. Alternate Suggestions, Newspaper Ads, and a Coalition The local mobilized its members “We won the first battle,” said and its coalition to attend the meeting Sager, “but it could be like a war with The local held a special meeting and of the city council set to consider the many battles for the next four years decided on a course of action. First, budget cuts. Over 250 people showed (the length of the new mayor’s term). they tried to suggest other ways the up for the meeting in a room with no We weren’t prepared the first time – transit department could save money, more than 40 seats. A second meeting never again!”

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 9 MASS TRANSIT BECOMES MAJOR ISSUE IN CHICAGO ELECTIONS

• Half of them lived in households Not Just a Chicago Problem in which people regularly rely on mass transit. The paper quoted International • Most thought transit job and President Larry Hanley saying, “This service cuts taken in the past year is not just a Chicago crisis. In the were a bad idea even if they didn’t last few years nationally, we’ve seen a use transit. crush of new riders but also some of • 78% agreed that it was foolish to the deepest service cuts and highest appropriate money to buy new increases in fares in the last 50 years.” transit vehicles without providing On January 23, front-runner Emanuel any support for the wages of responded to the media attention by ass transit became a major those who operate those vehicles. releasing the list of projects he would issue in the recently completed • 68% agreed that it was patriotic M undertake to rebuild the ancient CTA mayoral and aldermanic elections and good for America to reduce its system. But ATU’s Chicago locals in Chicago, and the ATU played dependence on foreign oil by using rightly criticized the plan which would a big part in making that happen. as much mass transit as possible. As a result, the man who won the do nothing to solve the deficit in the mayor’s race, Rahm Emanuel, and system’s operating budget. other candidates made their position known on an issue of vital importance The Response Nevertheless, the transit issue gained to commuters in the Windy City, a much higher profile in the Chicago undoubtedly catching the attention Candidates were forced to respond election and in the country at large than it would have without the “Keep of another Chicago native currently to the issue after the poll was picked Chicago Moving” campaign. living in the White House. up by media outlets. The publication In These Times outlined the coalition’s Transit surfaced as an issue after the larger goal of focusing attention on the ATU released the results of a poll of Chicago campaign in order to “leverage 500 likely Chicago voters during a changes in federal policy and budgeting January 27 news conference in front for mass transit nationwide.” of the Chicago Tribune offices where In a January 17 article entitled “Poll: the candidates were having a debate. Transit is a Major Mayoral Issue” the The news conference was sponsored website Progress Illinois declared, “…the by the “Keep Chicago Moving” candidate who offers solutions for the coalition of Labor, transit, religious, doomsday-riddled CTA may be able civil rights and other groups brought to garner significant votes for herself together by the Union. or himself. To date, the six remaining mayoral candidates have not even tried to do this.” The article included Most Think Bus Cuts a Bad Idea a link to the ATU website where readers could download the poll results. On February 14, the president The ATU poll revealed: proposed his six-year transportation TheTribune provided a similar critique authorization proposal which would • A third of the poll respondents the same day under the headline “Transit more than double mass transit spending thought that Chicago bus is a sleeper issue in race for Chicago and allow federal money to be used service had become worse in the mayor,” noting, “Transportation for operating assistance in limited previous year issues are not raised on the candidates’ circumstances. • A quarter of them regularly relied campaign web pages, and no one has put on mass transit together a position paper.”

10 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 11 AC Transit Riders Fight for their Right to Ride – 55 Years after Montgomery

By Bob Allen and Marcy Rein

ifty-five years to the month after Oakland youth, who need AC Transit to $500 billion in the Federal Surface Fthe start of the Montgomery get to school because the district doesn’t Transportation Authorization goes bus boycott, people of color can sit run yellow school buses; they hurt to capital costs versus supporting wherever they want on the bus – when seniors and people with disabilities who day-to-day operations of buses. and if one arrives. Bus operators all can’t drive, and low-income families who over the country are slashing routes in can’t afford cars. Lack of mobility cuts On a regional level, the San response to deepening deficits. This loss off opportunities for work and education, Francisco Bay Area’s Metropolitan of service denies people who depend enforces inequality and persistent Transportation Commission (MTC) on transit their civil rights in deep, segregation. African-Americans and privileges costly expansions over core daily, grinding, unmistakable ways. Latinos are far less likely than whites to urban operations. It consistently slights own cars. Nationally, around 62 percent bus operators in favor of rail services Bus riders in Oakland, CA, and of city bus riders are African American such as CalTrain and BART that have throughout western Alameda and and Latino. Nearly 80% of AC Transit a much higher proportion of white and Contra Costa Counties in California riders are people of color. wealthier riders. While AC Transit was have lost nearly 15 percent of their AC looking at a $56 million deficit, the Transit routes in 2010. Deeper cuts MTC was working hard to help BART were forestalled by the drivers’ union, find an additional $70 million to Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Institutional Obstacles build the Oakland Airport Connector Local 192, which refused to agree (OAC) tram project. That $70 million to a new contract unless the agency Bus riders and their allies who take was needed to replace federal stimulus postponed further service reductions on this 21st century civil rights fight funds BART lost by failing to follow for at least three months. confront institutional obstacles at proper civil rights guidelines when they every turn. In their efforts to protect approved the OAC. and expand service, they contend with financing policies and decision- ‘Heart throb of This City’ making structures that are stacked against them, and they lack access to Structure Disenfranchises “We are the heart throb of this city,” the courts to seek redress. And few AC Transit driver Lorenzo Jacobs political leaders champion the needs The structure of the MTC itself said, speaking at a May 2010 public of transit riders in general and bus disenfranchises city-dwellers and hearing against the cuts. “When you riders in particular. people of color. The 19-member start cutting service, you’re cutting commission controls transportation opportunities out there for people who Funding priorities from the federal planning and funding for nine are doing whatever they’re doing in government on down shortchange counties in the Bay Area. Because their lives. When you cut lines, you’re bus riders while favoring drivers and each county gets two seats at most, affecting people’s lives, their everyday rail passengers. Eighty percent of residents in large urban counties – lives,” he said. federal transportation funding goes like Santa Clara, which includes the to highways, and only 20 percent 930,000-person city of San Jose – get The service cuts directly impact goes to transit. Virtually all of the far less representation than smaller

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 11 and less diverse counties like Napa, Bay. These efforts should gain fresh which is pending before the Ninth with its 135,000 people. energy with the inauguration of the Circuit Court of Appeals. new national leadership of the ATU, Challenging the unfair distribution which represents bus drivers in many Undaunted by the hostile climate in of transportation resources in court U.S. cities. the new Congress, the new national has been much harder since a 2001 coalition called “Transit Riders for Supreme Court decision barred Public Transportation” (TRPT) aims to individuals from filing lawsuits over flip federal transit funding priorities and transportation policies that have Legal Challenges to secure legislation restoring individuals’ discriminatory impacts on the basis Discriminatory Challenges right to sue over discriminatory of race, color or national origin. transit policies. TRPT draws together By taking away the “private right to A Bay Area coalition of civil grassroots groups from all over the action,” the Alexander v. Sandoval rights, faith-based, community and country who put transportation central decision deprived transit activists of a environmental groups is pursuing to the fight for civil rights, recognizing legal tool that has played a key part in legal challenges to discriminatory that low-income communities and civil rights cases. funding. The non-profit law communities of color will remain firm Public Advocates filed the trapped in second-class status until After more than a year, the administrative complaint on behalf the transportation system serves movement centered in Montgomery of Urban Habitat, TransForm and everyone equally. won the legal end to Alabama’s Genesis that cost BART the stimulus segregation laws. Today’s funds for the OAC. In a follow-up transportation justice advocates are complaint, they have charged MTC Bob Allen is the Transportation Justice pushing for civil rights in transit with failing to ensure that agencies Program Director at Urban Habitat. on many levels. Riders and drivers and programs it funds are respecting Marcy Rein is a freelance writer and have joined forces to try to save bus civil rights. In addition, Public frequent contributor to Race, Poverty & service in dozens of cities around the Advocates has filed a class action suit the Environment. country, as they are doing in the East against MTC’s funding practices,

ATU Flashback Popular Anti-Public Worker Tactic Used Against Twin Cities Local 6 Years Ago

peaking at the ATU Legislative during their 2004 strike in which have more than you have” narrative has SConference last March, AFL-CIO health care was a big issue. gained traction ever since. President Richard Trumka predicted that public service workers were the next The governor had switched the More than one commentator has target of the anti-union movement. His funding source for public transportation seen the current tactic as a ploy to place prediction was “dead-on.” Since the from property taxes to the general fund the blame for state fiscal problems November elections, GOP governors causing a five percent drop the money squarely on the shoulders of public and state legislators have stoked the available for transit. Nevertheless, he employees. It has the added benefit resentment of millions who no longer blamed the shortfall on ATU workers’ of distracting attention from the real have adequate retirement, health care, “Cadillac” health plan. culprits of the Great Recession – big banks and Wall Street. vacations, or wages and directed it “How can we ask citizens to foot the against state government employees. bill for a health plan that is so much It is not surprising that Republican better than anything they, themselves, Former Minnesota governor and governors should do the bidding of the have?” he asked. presumed presidential candidate, Tim moneyed interests that paid for their campaigns, yet it is terribly discouraging Pawlenty, deserves a lot of “credit” for Local 1005 and the Twin Cities that so many automatically accept the this anti-union tactic. He used it in his “Met Council” eventually arrived at a idea that public servants are to blame unsuccessful attempt to bust Local collective bargaining agreement, but for the nation’s fiscal woes. 1005-Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, the “greedy public union members

Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 13 PHOENIX MEMBERS BATTLE VEOLIA CONCESSION DEMANDS

ocal 1433 in Phoenix, AZ, is battling the French-based “This company has no business running a transit system,” Linternational company, Veolia, which among other Bean said. Standing next to an antique fare box, Bean said things, wants to set up a two-tier wage system and cap sick “They worked pretty well in 1905.” day accruals. The contract expired in June, 2010. Veolia has a knack for hiring powerful insiders around In an effort to provoke a strike, Veolia implemented the the country, including, according to published reports, sick day accrual caps; the union filed a complaint with the girlfriend of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. the NLRB. As investigations swirled around town, the mayor told police his computer was stolen from his home. The thief, however, left the mayor’s wallet and checkbook behind. ‘Not Going to Be Steamrolled’ Bean said the local was planning to sponsor a contest, with Bob Bean, president of the local, said the members were a cash reward, asking the “perpetrator” to return the computer not going to be steamrolled by Veolia. “We are tired of to the union which would then give it to the police. their tactics. Rather than negotiate, they are trying to tie us up with frivolous court cases,” Bean said. “We promise not to look at the hard drive,” Bean added. The contest was titled “Ten Places Where the Mayor’s Laptop One of those cases involved a chilling restriction on Might Be” (not including at his girl friend’s house). free speech when a U.S. District Court judge signed an order allowing Veolia access to the union’s computer hard drives after Veolia’s lawyers claimed that union officers were the recipient of anonymous e-mails – allegedly sent by Veolia employees.

“It was a made up story just so they could look at our inner workings,” Bean added. “For all we know, they could have sent the emails to themselves.”

In a move that shocked protectors of privacy, the judge also signed an order allowing Veolia to subpoena the computers at a Marriott Hotel Business Center. The company claimed one of its employees used the Center to send the emails to the union.

“This means that no one’s privacy is safe at a Marriott,” said Local 1433 Vice President Michael Cornelius. “They should post a sign telling customers that their emails might be turned over to a French company.”

‘No Business Running a Transit System’

As contract talks drew near, Veolia gave away free rides to 70,000 passengers on January 24.

A computer glitch knocked out all the fare boxes and the city lost more than $300,000 a day in uncollected fares.

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 13 TRANSIT WORKERS Fight to Prevent Hardship’ to Riders

ocal 85-Pittsburgh, PA, is fighting to prevent an action taken by the board is not necessary and places too Lunnecessary reduction in transit service. On January great a hardship on riders who depend on transit to get to 12, the Port Authority of Alleghany County gave final work and go about their daily business,” McMahon said. approval to a “temporary” 15% cut in transit service even though the governor has given the agency enough money in emergency funds to maintain full service until the end of the year. ‘Our Fight is Now!’ On January 28, Local President Patrick McMahon In a letter to Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, appeared before the Port Authority board, asking it to D, McMahon was even more direct: “The governor’s delay the cuts until hearings could be held in the affected intention was to prevent cuts in transit services in 2011, communities. giving the new governor and legislature six months to act on a transit funding formula that fairly and adequately “This process has moved too quickly and the voice of provides for public transit at current levels. the public has not been heard,” McMahon testified. “The

14 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 15 “We believe our fight is now,” asserted McMahon, “Do not impose further pain on transit riders and commuters by misusing the funding the governor has delivered.” McMahon insists that the authority should “continue to operate (without reducing service) and leave the burden on Harrisburg (the state capital) to come up with a dedicated, reliable source of funding. “If the authority has to shut down,” he declares, “it will be on the politicians in Harrisburg.” Adding insult to injury the agency has also approved a fare hike and hundreds of layoffs, and plans another 10% service cut next year. Members Speak Out: SEAT Plans Layoffs While Hiring More Managers

n Wednesday, February O23, ATU bus drivers and members of the community made their voices heard at the SEAT board meeting in New London, CT. Even though there are no immediate funding Pittsburgh Local 85 President Pat McMahon rallies a coalition of transit advocates to fight planned cuts by the Port Authority of cuts planned for transit, the Alleghany County. Copyright©, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2011, board is proposing layoffs that all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. will hurt hard working families, as well as the community.

Cutting back the workforce puts additional stress on current drivers, as well as weakening the pool of available workers in case someone is sick or on leave.

Meanwhile, the private company First Transit, which manages the system, continues to fill their ranks as they move forward with plans to create three more administrative Cliff Hughes, a member of Amalgamated Transit Union, chants positions this year. “No More Cuts” during a rally in Mellon Square Park to protest the Port Authority’s plans to cut back regional public transit, February 25, 2011 Copyright©, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2011, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 15 The Shameful Attack on Public Employees

by Robert Reich

n 1968, 1,300 sanitation workers It’s far more convenient to go after Apples to Oranges Iin Memphis went on strike. The people who are doing the public’s work Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., came - sanitation workers, police officers, The Republican trick is to compare to support them. That was where fire fighters, teachers, social workers, apples with oranges — the average he lost his life. Eventually Memphis federal employees – to call them wage of public employees with the heard the grievances of its sanitation “faceless bureaucrats” and portray average wage of all private-sector workers. And in subsequent years them as hooligans who are making employees. But only 23 percent of millions of public employees across off with your money and crippling private-sector employees have college the nation have benefited from the job federal and state budgets. The story degrees; 48 percent of government protections they’ve earned. fits better with the Republican’s Big workers do. Teachers, social workers, Lie that our problems are due to a public lawyers who bring companies But now the right is going after government that’s too big. to justice, government accountants public employees. who try to make sure money is spent Above all, Republicans don’t want as it should be - all need at least four Public servants are convenient to have to justify continued tax cuts years of college. scapegoats. Republicans would rather for the rich. As quietly as possible, deflect attention from corporate they want to make them permanent. executive pay that continues to rise as corporate profits soar, even as But the right’s argument is shot- corporations refuse to hire more through with bad data, twisted workers. They don’t want stories about evidence, and unsupported assertions. Wall Street bonuses, now higher than before taxpayers bailed out the Street. They say public employees earn And they’d like to avoid a spotlight on far more than private-sector workers. the billions raked in by hedge-fund That’s untrue when you take account and private-equity managers whose of level of education. Matched by income is treated as capital gains and education, public sector workers subject to only a 15 percent tax, due actually earn less than their private- to a loophole in the tax laws designed sector counterparts. specifically for them.

16 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 17 Compare apples to apples and government isn’t contributing 6.25 are tough, public employees should you’d see that over the last 15 years of their pay into the Social Security have to make the same sacrifices as the pay of public sector workers has fund as private employers would. everyone else. And they are right dropped relative to private-sector now. Pay has been frozen for federal employees with the same level of Yes, there’s cause for concern about workers, and for many state workers education. Public sector workers unfunded pension liabilities in future across the country as well. now earn 11 percent less than years. They’re way too big. But it’s comparable workers in the private much the same in the private sector. sector, and local workers 12 percent The main reason for underfunded less. (Even if you include health and pensions in both public and private Richest Not Asked to Sacrifice sectors is investment losses that retirement benefits, government But isn’t it curious that when employees still earn less than their occurred during the Great Recession. Before then, public pension funds it comes to sacrifice, Republicans private-sector counterparts with don’t include the richest people in similar educations.) had an average of 86 percent of all the assets they needed to pay future America? To the contrary, they insist Here’s another whopper. Republicans benefits — better than many private the rich should sacrifice even less, say public-sector pensions are crippling pension plans. enjoying even larger tax cuts that the nation. They say politicians have expand public-sector deficits. That given in to the demands of public The solution is no less to slash means fewer public services, and unions who want only to fatten their public pensions than it is to slash even more pressure on the wages and members’ retirement benefits without private ones. It’s for all employers to benefits of public employees. fully fund their pension plans. the public noticing. They charge that It’s only average workers – both in public-employee pension obligations the public and the private sectors – are out of control. who are being called upon to sacrifice. Some reforms do need to be made. No Relationship Between Bargaining and Deficits This is what the current Republican Loopholes that allow public sector attack on public-sector workers is workers to “spike” their final salaries really all about. Their version of in order to get higher annuities must The final Republican canard is that bargaining rights for public class warfare is to pit private-sector be closed. And no retired public workers against public servants. employee should be allowed to employees have caused state deficits to explode. In fact there’s no “double dip,” collecting more than They’d rather set average working one public pension. relationship between states whose employees have bargaining rights and people against one another – states with big deficits. Some states comparing one group’s modest that deny their employees bargaining incomes and benefits with another Average Annual Public Employer rights - Nevada, North Carolina, and group’s modest incomes and benefits Pension: $19,000 Arizona, for example, are running – than have Americans see that giant deficits of over 30 percent of the top one percent is now raking in But these are the exceptions. spending. Many that give employees a bigger share of national income Most public employees don’t have bargaining rights — Massachusetts, than at any time since 1928, and generous pensions. After a career New Mexico, and Montana — have paying at a lower tax rate. And with annual pay averaging less than small deficits of less than 10 percent. Republicans would rather you didn’t $45,000, the typical newly-retired know they want to cut taxes on the public employee receives a pension of Public employees should have the rich even more. $19,000 a year. Few would call that right to bargain for better wages overly generous. and working conditions, just like all employees do. They shouldn’t have And most of that $19,000 isn’t the right to strike if striking would Robert Reich served as the Secretary of Labor even on taxpayers’ shoulders. While imperil the public, but they should during the Clinton administration. His latest they’re working, most public at least have a voice. They often book, AFTERSHOCK, is now available, and employees contribute a portion of know more about whether public he blogs at www.robertreich.org. His column is their salaries into their pension plans. programs are working, or how to published here by permission. Taxpayers are directly responsible make them work better, than political for only about 14 percent of public appointees who hold their offices retirement benefits. Remember also for only a few years. that many public workers aren’t covered by Social Security, so the Don’t get me wrong. When times

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 17 HANLEY APPOINTS TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

asked her to run for shop steward for movement would be “way ahead” of their garage in 1989. She was elected where it is today. and served two terms in that office. For herself, Hudson, who grew up In 1992, the local president put her poor and had two children by the on the local’s negotiating committee time she was 21, is grateful that the where she gained valuable experience ATU gave her the opportunity to raise at the bargaining table. her children and “afford them the opportunities” she didn’t have. In 1996, then-Local 192 President Christine Zook, asked Hudson to She also believes that the Union join her ticket as a candidate for local allowed her to have a “voice” and that Claudia Hudson, rallying in solidarity at a transportation justice rally. ©2010 vice president. Hudson served as vice it protected that voice, which she says, Urban Habitat/Christine Joy Ferrer president for nine years. “gave me even greater strength.” Hudson was elected president of She is looking forward to her the local in January 2009. During work as international representative. Hanley Names her term as president she struggled “Anything I’m asked to do, I’m willing with AC Transit which imposed a to do,” she declares. Hearing her, Outspoken Local contract on her local that would there is no doubt that this outspoken President International have effectively stripped the members woman means what she says. Representative of their bargaining rights and bust the union. International President Larry Hanley has appointed Oakland, CA, Local But, in typical style Hudson Hanley Appoints 192 President Claudia Hudson sued and won every decision up to International Rep from and including the appellate court, to serve as an ATU international Boston Carmen’s Union representative. Hudson, who was overturning the imposed contract. An arbitrator finally crafted an hired as a bus operator for AC Transit International President Larry Hanley in 1979, says that she has always agreement that imposed some wage concessions on the local, but which has appointed the former president been a “fighter for justice” who has of Local 589 (the Boston Carmen’s never hesitated to speak out about fully preserved their collective bargaining rights. Union) Stephan MacDougall as any matter that concerned her. an international representative. She made that quite clear shortly Having started his career at the after joining the local when she asked age of 24 as a bus operator and a question about a proposed contract Putting the ‘U’ Back in Union a streetcar “motorperson” for the and got an answer that didn’t match Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority the actual language she was holding When asked what she’s looking in 1986, MacDougall realized that he in her hand. “That’s not what it says forward to, Hudson enthusiastically enjoyed the job which he saw as a here!” she insisted, and she decided responds, “I am literally looking public service. forward to putting the ‘U’ back in then and there to go to union meetings MacDougall’s involvement in the and find out what was really going on. Union.” Too many union members, she explains, let their officers do all Carmen’s Union stepped up in the the work even though the members 1990’s, when the MBTA attempted should be “our army.” to privatize the system. He became a Outspoken willing soldier in the many battles the Hudson believes that if more local fought in its successful campaign Her outspokenness caught the members were active they would be to protect and preserve public transit attention of fellow members who better informed, and that the labor in Boston.

18 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 19 during his nine-years at the wheel of and other benefits which have given the local. Many of his battles, he says, him and his family a better quality- were fought over pensions, health care, of-life. And all of this, he reminds and changing technology. you, is made possible by a collective bargaining agreement. And when he’s asked why would anybody want a to be a union This is the message he’ll bring president in a tough town like Boston, to his work as an international or an international rep for that matter, representative, and maybe, if you’re he says he thinks that, like people in lucky, he’ll let you hear some of that other vocations, local officers are Kennedy speech. willing to endure lots of criticism from all sides because they feel “called” to MacDougall currently lives in do the work. Brookline, MA, with his wife Mai, their nine-year-old twin boys, Matthew and Michael, and six-year- old Stephan, Jr. Stephan MacDougall at the ‘Ask not…’ 2010 International Convention In spite of all of the former local In 1995, MacDougall was elected president’s accomplishments, he may barn captain (shop steward). Three be best remembered by ATU local years later he was elected vice officers for the remarkable speech president and served as a full time he delivered in his classic Boston union officer in that capacity for the accent from the floor of the 2004 next three years. International Convention during which he quoted much of John F. In 2001, MacDougall was elected Kennedy’s inaugural address verbatim. president of the Carmen’s Union. He was re-elected for two more three- year terms. A Real Career

For MacDougall, ATU membership ‘Called’ to the Work has meant economic security in an occupation in which he has been able Like most local presidents, to have a real career. It has also allowed MacDougall faced many challenges him to have sick leave, vacation time, WHAT’S HAPPENING?

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

Don’t stay in the dark! Find out what’s going on. Check in with www.atu.org, often.

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 19 CINCINNATI METRO WORKERS FIGHT FOR REJECTED FACT-FINDER’S AGREEMENT

embers of Local 627-Cincinnati, OH, are fighting 44 drivers and 13 mechanics to pay for the fact-finder’s Mto get the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit contract. Bennett challenges the agency’s assumptions, Authority (SORTA) to accept a fact-finder’s report that and asks why, in a period of fiscal austerity, Metro has would increase their wages and limit hikes in their heath employed eight new managers, and plans to hire 10 more. insurance premiums. But, SORTA says the fact-finder’s plan costs too much. Local President Mark Bennett counters that the fact- Health Care finder’s recommendation “costs too much” because city council politicians recently took $2.4 million from their No one denies that health care is a big part of the dedicated transit fund, and used it for other purposes. problem. But, Local 627 has already saved the agency 27% in premiums by switching to an HSA plan this year. SORTA responded by creating the usual panic in the Nevertheless, the agency still wants workers to pay $234 press – claiming that Metro would be forced to eliminate more per month for family coverage. Sunday service, cut Saturday service by 38%, and layoff

Planning for coalition activities in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati got underway at international headquarters in Washington, DC, on February 7. Sitting around the table from back left are Cincinnati Local 627 activist Tyrone Patrick, Field Representative Marvin Bing, Assistant to the Director of Training and Field Mobilization Cassady Fendlay, Pittsburgh Local 85 President Pat McMahon, International President Larry Hanley, Local 85 Steward Bryon Shane; Local 85 Recording Secretary Mike Harms, International Executive Vice President Bob Baker, Cincinnati Local 627 activist April Cruse, Director of Training & Field Mobilization Chris Zook, Cincinnati Local 627 President Mark Bennett, Director of Government Affairs Jeff Rosenberg (back to camera), and (not pictured) International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens.

20 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 21 Union Songstress Ann Feeney, Supported 1990 Greyhound Strikers, Fights Cancer, Needs Help by Karen Newman, former president of Local 398-Boise, ID. She currently works for the Transportation Learning Center in Silver Spring, MD.

nion members have all heard “CEO Fred Currey makes Good News/Bad News Ufired-up speeches about having 600 grand a year. unionism in their veins. Anne Feeney, Recent good news came from her also known as “the Union Maid,” Now he’s crying poverty, oncologist; Anne is cancer-free – for really does. Her grandfather William but one thing sure is clear. now. If she stays that way for two Patrick Feeney started working in years, there is a good chance that she the Pennsylvania coal mines as a 14 He’s out to bust our union, will live out her normal life span. year-old Irish immigrant late in the but that can never be. 1800s. As an adult, he became an The bad news, she will not be able to work during that time. The chemotherapy accomplished violin player, a miner, Now’s the time for us to and union organizer. and radiation treatments, as well as a show some solidarity!” series of related complications, have Anne has carried on her grandfather’s left this union maid weak and short of tradition. As a labor folksinger on the She is an accomplished performer breath for the indefinite future. frontlines of labor disputes in 42 states, and award-winning songwriter. Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden Several of her classic labor anthems and Denmark, she has been a lifelong have been recorded by well-known advocate of labor culture. artists including the legendary Peter, Paul, and Mary

Raised Money for ATU Greyhound Strikers ‘Sidelined’

When asked if she had ever been Last summer Anne’s hectic tour Ann Feeney, seen here with Peter, Paul involved with any ATU struggles, Anne schedule came to a sudden halt when and Mary’s Peter Yarrow, will be missed on the picket line for a while as she laughed, and recounted a memory her newsletter announced, “On August recovers from cancer. from the 1990 Greyhound strike. She 10, 2010, I was diagnosed with small remembers driving her old station cell lung cancer. I have a 20% chance During the past four decades Anne wagon along a narrow, winding, stretch of surviving this. has raised hundreds of thousands of of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. “In the meantime, I’m sidelined at dollars for locked out and striking workers. One thing she has never “I was quickly approaching a home and unable to work. I’ve got raised funds for is her own sick leave heavily loaded coal truck driving 30 some health insurance, so many of my or healthcare. If you’re able to help MPH with emergency flashers in the medical expenses are covered. Still, if there are three options: right lane,” she said, “when I saw a you’re in a position to send some $$ Greyhound bus with a scab driver my way, I could sure use it. It’s scary ny Send a check directly to: in my rearview mirror. I pulled into being out of work.” Anne Feeney, 2240 Milligan Ave. the left lane and slowed down to 30 Pittsburgh, PA 15218 MPH too. And I stayed there for Folks from around the world who nearly forty miles.” have been touched by her talent and ny Visit her website and donate generosity have responded. “It is so via Pay Pal at: She also supported the strike on gratifying to see my life’s work validated www.annefeeney.com/ a professional level, organizing a by the generosity of so many people. fundraising concert for the striking I have received thousands of cards, ny Buy her CDs at: drivers, and writing a song for the strike: emails, and phone calls...,” she says. www.cdbaby.com/cd/annefeeney

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 21 SOLIDARITY SUSTAINS MEMBERS DURING ST. JOHN’S STRIKE

transit agencies during strikes: “We’re not being greedy or selfish - we’re just trying to continue to hang on to what we have. We want to get back on the road. As far as I’m concerned, the last offer we gave them was a fair offer.” Finally, the negotiators came to an agreement which was ratified by St. John’s members on January 27. No details of the agreement were available at press time. The St. John’s strikers are just the latest example of the courage and solidarity that is so often shown when our members are involved in strikes Members of Local 1462 in St. John’s, NL, take their case to the streets. or job actions. Their example is an inspiration to the entire Union. he members of Local 1462 War of Words Tratified a new contract with the city of St. John’s, NL, January 27, The war of words continued over ending a three-month strike. several weeks as the transit commission remained inflexible in the face of new About 100 ATU Metrobus workers proposals from the ATU. went on strike November 4, 2010, over the city’s demand that new One of the reasons for the city’s employees pay half of the cost of their intransigence was a $5 million deficit benefit package – dramatically more which it was facing in 2011. Churchill than current workers pay. confronted that issue directly insisting, “…the $5 million, they can’t settle that “We had very strong membership on the backs of 100 people.” support.” said Local President Paul Students marched to the Metrobus picket line in St. John’s on November 12, 2010. Churchill. “97% voted to go on The strike dragged on through December, and as the holidays Many of them held placards calling for strike and stuck with it for almost 13 more funding for the city-owned service. weeks.” approached, impatient commuters started holding demonstrations to put “Solidarity,” he declared, “was the pressure on both sides to come to an victor” in this strike. agreement. Reacting to the public discussion Hopes were dashed just before of his members’ work benefits during Christmas when a new round of talks the strike, Churchill, on December 9, moderated by a conciliator broke off challenged transit managers to reveal with no agreement. ATU continued to their own. offer new proposals which the transit commission refused to take seriously. “I’d like for them to put in public Joe Gibbons/The Telegram th their benefit package at this time,” As the strike entered its 11 week Striking Metrobus Transit employee Trevor Churchill said, “They got no problems Churchill publicly addressed a Kennedy stokes the fire barrel on the picket talking about ours.” common criticism hurled at unions by line at Metrobus.

22 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 23 ACTIONS OF THE GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD GEB Takes Key Steps to Address Transit Crisis, Support Locals

t the December special meeting assistance to advance the • Provide advanced training Aof the ATU General Executive COPE fundraising and the on coalition building and Board, the GEB, after full discussion formation and expansion of leadership as part of our and debate, took action to strengthen community coalitions. international and regional our locals, protect our Union and education programs in both most significantly broaden support 3. To strengthen our locals’ ability Canada and the United for transit in the cities in which we to respond to funding cuts, States, and through live and work. privatization threats, job loss, our constituency group and to enhance our organizing, conferences – the Latino, Motions were approved to: political and legislative goals we Black, and Women’s are moving to: caucuses. 1. Develop strong community- based coalitions uniting our • Redirect resources to • Ensure greater accountability locals and members with our aggressively pursue community- and reporting by our officers riders, community-based transit based campaigns with and staff. advocates, faith-based supporters advocates and activists who and other labor allies to protect share our goals. • Eliminate wasteful, services, oppose layoffs, stop unnecessary and ineffective destructive privatization and • Establish a new Department spending. contracting-out, and fight for of Field Mobilization Training increased transit funding. program and work directly with local unions (in coordination 2. Implement special funding with the ATU’s Department measures at the international of Strategic Campaigns and and local level to support these Research) to strengthen activities by: local organizing, legislative and political activities and • Returning and matching community support. 100% of a local’s ATU- COPE dollars raised in • Roll out an aggressive 2011 above its 2010 levels communications program (while continuing the policy to get our message – “the of returning up to 50% ATU story” – out, and to in COPE funds for state reseat and reposition our and local races) to support Union’s image in the media enhanced coalition building as a fighter for better, safer, and community-based and more secure services, campaigns. improved mobility and access for low wage workers, • Providing staff support, seniors, the disabled, and training, communications, as advocates for good jobs, contacts, research, polling, employment training and the membership outreach environment. assistance and other technical

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 23 LEGISLATIVE REPORT getting hit from all sides “If they want to strike, they should be fired,” he said. “I really don’t favor the right to strike by any public employee. They’ve got good jobs, they’ve got high pay; they get good benefits, a great retirement. What are they striking for?”

— Ohio Governor John Kasich

he 2011 legislative session has “If they want to strike, they should pay nothing and get all the benefits Tbegun in most states, and it did be fired,” he said. “I really don’t favor of union membership. Right to work not take long for the hammer to be the right to strike by any public laws say unions must represent all dropped on organized labor. New employee. They’ve got good jobs, eligible employees, whether they pay governors and state legislators, using they’ve got high pay, they get good dues or not. This forces unions to use the endless recession as an excuse, are benefits, a great retirement. What their time and members’ dues money targeting public employees’ rights and are they striking for?” Nearby, the to provide union benefits to free riders benefits like never before. new governor of Wisconsin recently who are not willing to pay their fair raised the prospect of gutting share. Other states are considering collective-bargaining laws or even “paycheck protection” bills, prohibiting decertifying public-sector unions. public employees from having a Gutting Long-Standing payroll deduction to a political action Labor Laws So-called right to work legislation is committee or for dues for membership circulating in almost every state. These organizations that use funds for The new Republican governor of bills weaken unions and collective political activities. Ohio, John Kasich, wasted no time. bargaining by allowing workers to

24 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 25 While it is not uncommon to see hundreds of bills introduced across the states to weaken unions and workers’ rights, the 2010 elections opened the door to the real possibility of some of these bills becoming law. Many states, such as Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are now overwhelmingly controlled by conservative elected officials in both the governor’s mansion as well as the statehouse. Even workers in union-dense Michigan are feeling the heat.

Keep Your Hand on Your Wallet Public employee pensions are being largest cut to the government payroll frightening to say the least. Some are targeted everywhere. Even in states in recent years. Business and real estate working behind the scenes to find a where unions have historically been executives intend to raise $10 million way to let states declare bankruptcy strong – like California, New York, in the coming weeks in support of to get out from under crushing debts, and New Jersey – liberal political the new governor’s coming battle including the pensions they have leaders are demanding concessions, with unions over wages and pensions. promised to retired public workers. Remarkably, the business leaders have threatening to take away rights and It is “all hands on deck” time across found an ally from organized labor – benefits that workers have spent America for working families. Are the Building and Construction Trades a lifetime working toward. Rahm you ready to fight for what you and Council of Greater New York. So yes, Emanuel, the winning Democratic your predecessors have earned? If so, we are getting hit from all sides. candidate for Mayor of Chicago, contact your local union leadership has told labor leaders that he favors today and see how you can help your reducing pension benefits for the city’s state AFL-CIO federation convince existing work force and not just for Bankrupt States? elected officials that while states new hires. Governor Andrew Cuomo, certainly have financial issues, public D-NY, is reportedly considering The new governors are also employees and their benefits were not reducing the state workforce by up attempting to come up with a new the cause. to 15,000 workers in his budget, the weapon on the pension issue that is

BOB BAKER, INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Continued from page 4

What was the real cost of this strike have the vision and the guts to stand OH, who left us in January. Jerry to this small city and who’s making up for the passengers and the future was employed by the transit authority the decisions? of mass transit. Now we have to get after he lost his railroad job years ago. the politicians to stand up with us. He was a hard worker who never lost Whether the decisions are made sight of how important his union was in Washington DC, for 300 million By the way, the folks at the St. in providing job security and protecting people, or in St. Johns, NL, for several John’s local wanted me to express their his wages and benefits. hundred thousand, there should gratitude for all of the expressions be someone in government who of support that were sent to them Teresa and I offer our sincere appreciates the contributions ATU during their strike. They were greatly condolences to Jerry’s wife, Shirley, and members make to their community appreciated. his children Gary and Heather. and who understands the mobility needs of our nations. Also, I’d like to take this opportunity to note the passing of my life-long It’s a good thing ATU members friend, Jerry Parker, 627-Cincinnati,

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 25

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ost union members understand neighborhoods where most union farms and open space. It bleeds the MWal-Mart threatens the members live. urban tax base for infrastructure livelihoods of Food & Commercial and services, including transit. Workers. Some would say that big- What is sprawl? It’s the opposite Since many suburbs lack affordable box retail and suburban sprawl are of transit: it forces everyone to do housing and many new jobs are bad for transit workers and riders everything by car. It means low far beyond transit, sprawl traps because they take jobs far away from density and a lack of mixed use urban workers with unemployment transit routes. (for example, no apartments above and poverty. stores). It means job growth in newer But the truth is, suburban sprawl suburbs but job loss in inner cities is bad news for union members, and older suburbs. across the board. If you map union The Solution? Smart Growth! jobs, you will see that as jobs thin Forcing people to drive everywhere out, they deunionize. And when jobs means more traffic congestion and It doesn’t have to be this way. Sprawl sprawl out, the loss of tax base hurts air pollution and the rapid loss of is caused by public policies that can

26 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 27 be reversed, and a large, diverse movement for smart growth has taken root. Groups like Smart Growth America and Transportation for America include hundreds of environmental, pro-transit, bicyclist, pedestrian, senior citizen, public health, and pro-city groups. More recently, dozens of civil rights, environmental justice and minority development groups have also joined. The need for good public transportation unites all of these groups. Environmentalists want commuters to have transportation choice because getting people out of their cars is the only way U.S. tailpipe emissions will ever decline. Groups like the AARP want seniors to be able to age in place with safe mobility options like walking and transit. The American Public Health Association cites studies linking sprawl to obesity and diabetes and says Americans should use cars less. National security experts Local President to say the United States is far too dependent on imported oil. Anti- poverty advocates say families who can’t afford to own a car— Be Honored as DC’s disproportionately people of color—can only compete for jobs if transit links them to job sites. Outstanding Trade Unionist of 2010 Urban Density: Good for Union Density

Organized labor shares a self-interest in smart growth. In 2000 The AFL-CIO Metro (DC) in Chicago and in 2004 in Philadelphia, Good Jobs First mapped the geography of major unionized industries. In both cases, Washington Council will honor we found that as jobs thin out—in groceries, manufacturing, Local 689 President Jackie health care, hospitality, and building services—the rate of Jeter, as the 2010 JC Turner unionization declines, often sharply. Interviews with public-sector Outstanding Trade Unionist of and Building Trades leaders revealed similar patterns. the Year at this year’s “Evening We also found that sprawl harms union members as with Labor,” on March 12. “In homeowners, undermining the tax base and schools of older areas addition to visibly and vocally where most union members live. Finally, we showed the anti- leading her own local union working families voting records of suburban elected officials, and during very tough times,” says how they gain more seats every 10 years as sprawl marches on. Metro Council President Josh In 2001, the national AFL-CIO passed a convention resolution Williams, “Jackie’s been a strong denouncing sprawl. supporter of the political, By strengthening transit, we create good union jobs. We bring legislative and community jobs back to downtowns where hotels and janitorial jobs are services activities of the Metro unionized. We strengthen unionized hospitals and factories. Washington Council and We clean up brownfields and create more work for the Building Trades and the factory workers who build transit vehicles. We Community Services Agency, strengthen the tax base for schools, transit and other public services. supporting all of the CSA fundraisers as well as the Transit benefits the environment, public health, seniors, Emergency Assistance Fund.” national security and working families. As advocates for transit, ATU members are truly coalition-building for the angels.

Greg LeRoy directs Good Jobs First Learn more at www.goodjobsfirst.org/smart-growth-working-families

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 27 Report Shows Health Care Law Means Big Savings to Families

y 2014, the new health care businesses to offer insurance to their percent of their premiums. For Breform law will mean thousands workers. The percentage of small example, a firm with 10 workers of dollars in health insurance employers offering health insurance who earn an average of $20,000 premium savings and out-of-pocket dropped from 65 percent to 59 annually could currently receive health care costs for working families percent between 1999 and 2009. credits of $35,000 annually. These and small businesses, finds a new tax credits could save small businesses report from the U.S. Department of $6 billion in 2010 and 2011. Health and Human Services (HHS). Middle-Class Families Could All businesses will likely see lower Save $2,300 per Year premiums of $2,000 per family by 2019, which could generate millions Higher Premiums, Fewer Choices The report finds that, compared to what of dollars in savings. Without Health Care Law they would have paid without the law: Middle-class families purchasing Says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: private insurance in the new state- Families, Small Businesses Hard “For too long, skyrocketing health based Health Insurance Exchanges Hit Without Law care costs have made it hard for could save as much as $2,300 per Congressional and state Republican businesses to provide coverage for year in 2014. lawmakers have vowed to repeal employees and have made it difficult Tax credits provided by the the Affordable Care Act.Earlier this for families to afford coverage…. Affordable Care Act will lead to month, the new House majority The report shows that the health even greater savings. For example, passed a repeal bill and several states care law will bring major savings for in 2014, a family of four with an attorneys general have filed suits families as it begins to take shape. income of $33,525 could save as against the new health care reform Without the Affordable Care Act, much as $14,900 per year since they law. If those attempts are successful, consumers and businesses would face also will qualify for tax credits and Sebelius says, families and small higher premiums, fewer insurance reduced cost sharing. business owners will be hard hit in the choices, and rapidly rising health pocketbook by higher premiums and care costs.” In 2014, small businesses, on other health care costs. average, could save up to $350 per From 1999 to 2009, premiums family policy and many may be more than doubled, rising by more eligible for tax credits of up to 50 than $7,500 for the average family percent of their premiums. that gets insurance through an To read the full report go to: employer. The high cost of health The tax credits are already available http://www.healthcare.gov/center/ care made it difficult for many small to small businesses and cover 35 reports/premiums01282011a.pdf

28 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 29 100 YEARS AGO Amalgamated Not an “Institution that Can Stand Still” The following was written by W.D. Mahon, the first international president of the ATU, and published in the January 1911 Motorman & Conductor (precursor to the In Transit):

ith December 31, 1910, there than any other year in the history of If it had been the Congress of the Wterminates a year in the life the organization or not, it abounds in General Government passing an act of the street and electric railway many and most brilliant illustrations to indemnify the Pacific or some employes’ association that takes its of the good that the movement other railroad company to finance place among the most progressive of has brought to the members and of and build a railroad, it would have her years of existence. Without fear its advantage in an industrial way been considered strictly legal. of serious criticism, some may refer and socially. to 1910 as the year of the greatest If it had been Congress passing a progress. No one will contradict that a ship subsidy bill to indemnify the man is worth more to himself, to ship building and transportation However, that may be, it must be his family and to the commercial barons of the country, that would remembered that the organization interests of the community in which have been worthy, and strictly lawful. is one that must progress or develop he lives when he received 25 cents to maintain. It is not an institution per hour for his work than when he Had it been some city council that can stand still. Constant receives a less rate of wage. Thus, no granting free taxes and free water to progressive energy must be applied, one will take issue with the assertion some great manufacturing plant in and every previous year has been, in that improvement comes with and order that they could get into the its turn, equally important in a way an advantage lies in the elevation municipality and extort from Labor, in building a foundation upon which of the wage standard and that the that would have been perfectly the gratifying history of 1910 has improvement and advantage is far constitutional… been built. reaching. But when it comes to relieving the Without its previous well fortified poor and distressed washerwomen position and without its magnitude who have to struggle and labor early and power and its well devised policies And, later in that same issue, Mahon and late in order to support and on January 1, 1910, the history for wrote: feed a houseful of hungry orphan the year might otherwise be written children, it is a silly and foolish act The Morning Press of the country and not so glow as a special tribute to and absolutely “unconstitutional.” on December 21st almost went into a the officers and members who have conniption fit over what they termed In my opinion the Milwaukee City taken part in the year’s events. the “foolish action” of the Milwaukee Council is to be congratulated… The prime incentive that led to City Council. So important did this In the name of humanity, will the the institution of the street and action seem that they gave it notice time ever come when the intelligent electric railway employe’s association on the front page with glaring people and the supposed intelligent was the hope of progress inspired headlines: “Socialists pass a worthless press of the country will wake up by a confidence in unity of effort. law.” Then they went on to tell and set aside that old musty and silly Improved wages and working how the Socialist City Council of notion of constitutionality when it conditions and an advanced standard Milwaukee had passed a “silly and comes to the doing of that which is of employment is what organization unconstitutional” measure allowing right and for improving and bettering holds out as an appeal for existence… the washerwomen of that city to use city water free of charge, and the conditions of people?” Whether the year 1910 comprises they characterized it as an absolutely a period of greater or less progress unconstitutional law…

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 29 In Memoriam Death Benefits Awarded November 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

1 - MEMBERS AT LARGE 265 - SAN JOSE, CA 689 - WASHINGTON, DC JESTINE LUCAS 1287 - KANSAS CITY, MO DONALD R BILL EDDIE R APOSTOL ALBERT DUBOSE FRANKLIN W VAN NESS WARREN D CRISMAN LEONA M ELLIS JOHN C ESCOBAR DAVID D GALE ANTHONY VERDERAME LEVERNE E ERICKSON GEORGE T SMITH JEAN INNOCENT 1300 - BALTIMORE, MD JAMES H TANNER BURTON W LEWIS JR 824 - NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ ERNEST E BRAUCKHOFF 268 - CLEVELAND, OH WARREN H REDDISH TIMOTHY M GRACZYK JOHN H DURANT 26 - DETROIT, MI HAROLD ALBERT ROTH NORMAN D SIMMS JOSEPH POULAS LESTER W JONES RICHARD A GARDZINSKI DAVID A SPRIGGS STERLING O PALMER 279 - OTTAWA, ON 825 - ORADELL, NJ GEORGE RIEGEL 85 - PITTSBURGH, PA JOHN R BARRIE 697 - TOLEDO, OH GEORGE AXBERG MARY E HESTER WILFRID ST AUBIN DAVID J FARRELL VIRGINIA JONES 1338 - DALLAS, TX WILLIAM H JOHNSTON BOBBY L LUCAS WINFRED GRANT EDWARD A KELLER 282 - ROCHESTER, NY 878 - EVANSVILLE, IN WILLIAM E LIND ISAIAH BLANDING 713 - MEMPHIS, TN DANNY FELLER 1342 - BUFFALO, NY CARL MARTINELLI FRANKLIN I QUINE WILLIE T HOLLIMAN EUGENIA E BEASER JOHN T O’CONNOR JAMES T WEBB 880 - CAMDEN, NJ GEORGE J OGILVIE 308 - CHICAGO, IL JOSEPH HAGER 1395 - PENSACOLA, FL BRUCE T WHITNER ROBERT L BROWN 725 - BIRMINGHAM, AL THOMAS ROWAN JOHNNIE PAIGE WILLARD DOUGLAS VERLON DELNOR WHITE 107 - HAMILTON, ON WILLIAM G JONES 998 - MILWAUKEE, WI 1505 - WINNIPEG, MB WILLIAM REID ALBERT C MC GARY 726 - STATEN ISLAND, NY LARRY LUKITSCH EDGAR ALBERT CHAZE CHESTER S PODUMIS THOMAS D CAMPBELL ALBERT PERRY MAX HORBAS 113 - TORONTO, ON ROBERT P POTRZEBA JOHN O’BRIEN CHARLES F PHILBERT GEORGE ALLEN VERNON LEE ROBINSON STEPHEN SPANO 1564 - DETROIT, MI JOSEPH BARKER 1005 - MINNEAPOLIS ZENON M KUPRASZEWICZ BENJAMIN J BOOTH 448 - SPRINGFIELD, MA 732 - ATLANTA, GA & ST. PAUL, MN BERTRAM C CHAMBERLAIN ARIS D MACK EDWARD J JUDGE JASON DERO 1572 - MISSISSAUGA, ON HAROLD CUTCHEON JOSEPH D MAPLES DONALD E HANSEN STEWART T HOWSER JOHN FERRIER 508 - HALIFAX, NS LE ROY R OLSON RAYMOND GRIFFIN JOANNE KYLE 741 - LONDON, ON 1575 - SAN RAFAEL, CA DIETER P GUSE RICHARD ROSS MARTIN 1015 - SPOKANE, WA STEWART HALBERSMA ALBERT JOSEPH HOWARD 519 - LA CROSSE, WI DOUGLAS C WISEMAN CHARLES D LAIRD HAROLD WILLIAM JACK LA VERNE F STANKEY RODNEY WAYNE MORGAN 1576 - LYNNWOOD, WA HOWARD J KITCHEN 757 - PORTLAND, OR JOSEPH A PERLONGO JOHN P ELLIS WILLIAM MC GUIGAN 583 - CALGARY, AB GARY C HOWE KEITH A NEILSON ABRAHAM C TENBRINK TERRENCE G LE DOUX 1179 - NEW YORK, NY 1595 - PITTSBURGH, PA CHARLIE EDMUND NORTH LESLIE YOUNG FRASER A OSTELL JOHN SANTERAMO LOUIS LEONZIO MICHAEL S OAKLEY MARY J PETERSEN JOHN ROBINSON 587 - SEATTLE, WA BOBBY L SCARBOROUGH 1181 - NEW YORK, NY 1700 - CHICAGO, IL CARL CECIL WELCH RALPH M ESKENAZI GLENN R SIEFKER ANGEL ALICEA FRED M HINES LEONARD F WOOLLACOTT GLEN E HENDERSON WALTER T STORMS WILLIAM E DONNENFELD JOSEPH T LENZ LORI E MC INNIS TERRY D THADEN MILDRED INGHILLERI SHELBY E PARKER 241 - CHICAGO, IL RANDY A STEVENSON RICHARD E TURNAGE CHESTER H RECKHOW WILLIE F BURTON RAYMOND A WAUTLET CARL TRIANO JR 1704 - SAN BERNARDINO, CA DONALD E CRANDALL 758 - TACOMA, WA LAWRENCE KESTER IRA L DAVIS 588 - REGINA, SK CAROL A BRIGGINS 1195 - HARRISBURG, PA SAM THURGOOD JOHN W DOYLE JR FLO SMITH MARTIN C DELLINGER DENNIS DUNAJ 788 - ST. LOUIS, MO 1738 - LATROBE, PA RAY D HARDIN 589 - BOSTON, MA AMBROSE BOMMARITO 1225 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA PETER A MC LAUGHLIN EDWARD R JOLLEY ANTHONY J DONAHUE JOHNNY J ENNIS JESSE JAMES MEADOWS KENNETH D MC DONALD ROBERT F DOUCETTE ALAN H FINKLESTEIN 1764 - WASHINGTON, DC LAUDELIANO PENA SALEEM HAMWEY MARY F MC FARLAND 1229 - ST JOHN, NB NORMAN H FRINK JOSEPH V PERNICE STEVEN R KELLY DALE R NOWACK KENNETH RICHARD WHITE ANGEL RAMIREZ VINCENT F MC ADAM AUDREY J WOMACK EDDIE M RANDALL JR JOSEPH A MC CONNON 1277 - LOS ANGELES, CA WILLIAM SMITH THOMAS J MEADE 819 - NEWARK, NJ ROBERT LEE ASHFORD ROSIE L STARKS PRICILLA M NEWTON JOHN DANIELS ALFRED H TAYLOR EDWARD D PECCE VIRGINIA HENCOSKI

30 Jan/Feb 2011 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 31 In Memoriam Death Benefits Awarded November 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

IN TRANSIT | Jan/Feb 2011 31 Amalgamated Transit Union NON-PROFIT ORG. AFL-CIO/CLC U.S. POSTAGE 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW PAID Washington, D.C. 20016 WASHINGTON, D.C. www.atu.org PERMIT NO. 2656

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THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR WE ARE ONE ATU New International Officers Hold Special Meeting for all Canadian Presidents

nternational President Larry Hanley Getting Our Message Out Iand Executive Vice President Bob Baker convened a meeting in Ottawa, Primary issues raised included making ON, of all Canadian local presidents on the ATU more effective in getting its January 21 and 22, to discuss important message out and establishing a “brand” issues in Canada as well as the new agenda throughout Canada so that it can organize in the ATU international office. more members into the Union. This was a historic occasion and an Local officers voiced concerns about opportunity to bring Canadian locals the need for more training and IP Hanley together. The conference was joined by stressed his intention to develop a more donations received from ATU locals and International President Emeritus Jim coherent legislative program in Canada, officers to ease their financial burden. LaSala who urged the local officers to stick including an annual legislative conference together and face the coming battles for for Canadian local unions. In September, André had traveled organized labor as a united union. to the International Convention in Orlando, FL, despite his terminal illness, There were some local officers who André Cornellier Remembered and unfortunately had to be hospitalized had concerns about Canadian Council before the proceedings adjourned. internal governance issues. Those issues The conference was honored to be joined were aired fully and addressed. by the family of late Ottawa Local 279 An outpouring of support, both moral President André Cornellier. During the and financial came when newly-elected meeting IPE Jim LaSala, a longtime close International President Hanley asked friend of André presented his wife Lisette, the delegates for permission to assist in and the Cornellier family with the many transporting André to a Canadian hospital. Many delegates rose to pledge funds. Hanley thanked André’s family, not only for joining the ATU family at the conference but also for sharing him with us for so many years while he led Local 279. André Cornellier died on January 15.