Together We Grieve - An Unfathomable Tragedy in San Jose, CA by Amalgamated Transit Union

O F F I C I A L J O U R N A L O F T H E A M A LG A M AT E D T R A N S I T U N I O N | A F L- C I O/C LC

APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2021

Together We Grieve An Unfathomable Tragedy in San Jose, CA

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS JOHN A. COSTA

International President

JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.

International Executive Vice President

KENNETH R. KIRK

THE ATU MOURNS THE PASSING OF LABOR LEADER RICHARD TRUMKA

International Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS RICHARD M. MURPHY JANIS M. BORCHARDT PAUL BOWEN MARCELLUS BARNES YVETTE TRUJILLO GARY JOHNSON, SR. ROBIN WEST CHUCK WATSON BRUCE HAMILTON MICHELLE SOMMERS JAMES LINDSAY EMANUELE (MANNY) SFORZA JOHN CALLAHAN CURTIS HOWARD NATALIE CRUZ ANTHONY GARLAND RAYMOND GREAVES STEPHAN MACDOUGALL

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

The Labor Movement lost a great leader with the unexpected death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “We are devastated to hear the news of the loss of our brother, friend and legendary labor leader Richard Trumka. When our International President Larry Hanley passed away, Rich was one of the first people to reach out, and when I came into office, he welcomed and counseled me,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Rich was a fighter who never backed down from any challenge or battle. Born in the mines, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as a coal miner, then rose to lead the United Mine Workers of America, eventually becoming the top officer of the AFL-CIO.” For decades, Rich fought tirelessly to improve the lives of working people all over the world, and his legacy will be one of profound love for workers and the labor movement. He spoke often about the power of solidarity. He knew that the only way to achieve justice was together. Under his leadership, we have seen a resurgence of the labor movement with his vision to push for a just economy for all, shared prosperity, equal pay, respect at work, safety on the job, and the freedom for workers to join a union and bargain collectively. “Rich Trumka will always be remembered as a force for moral good who knew that the greatest reward in life was the opportunity to serve others. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, children, grandchildren and everyone he touched through his remarkable life.” Costa said.

DENNIS ANTONELLIS SESIL RUBAIN MARILYN WILLIAMS MIKE HARMS MICHAEL CORNELIUS

INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS International President Jim La Sala, ret. International President Warren George, ret. International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret.

ATU CANADA JOHN DI NINO

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CONTENT

APR / M AY/JUN E

2021 Vol. 130, No. 2

16 Locals continue fight on frontlines of the pandemic 18 International President Costa Honored by New Jersey State AFL-CIO 19 ATU International Representative Stephan MacDougall appointed ATU International Vice President

AN UNTHINKABLE SHOOTING TRAGEDY IN SAN JOSE, CA TAKES THE LIVES OF NINE LOCAL 265 BROTHERS

20 Closure of Greyhound Canada and Demands for Public Intercity and Highway Bus Service

New ATU Members in Airdrie, Alberta Ratify First Collective Agreement

21 Canadian Federal Budget Continued to Ignore Transit Workers

2021 U.S. LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE THE ATU HOLDS VIRTUAL 2021 U.S. LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

2 International Officers & General Executive Board

The ATU mourns the passing of labor leader Richard Trumka

3 Index page 4 International President’s Message: An unthinkable tragedy

ATU Canada Escalates Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine Priority and Safety for Transit Workers

22 MetroAccess Call Center Workers Win a Strong Contract and Respect 23 ATU’s General Counsel Robert Molofsky announces retirement

International President John Costa names Daniel Smith ATU General Counsel

24 Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will provide robust transit funding and long overdue safety measures for transit workers 25 Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, Sister Joins U.S. DOT Secretary Buttigieg To Promote Public Transit Investment In American Jobs Plan

International President John Costa names Salma Yousefi ATU Controller

26 Joint Industry Councils hold meetings, conduct officer elections

6 International Executive Vice President’s Message: For there will be an answer

27 Remember the Fallen

7 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message: Fallen Heroes

30 In Memoriam

11 Memorial: the ATU, Family and Friends Remember Our Nine Local 265-San Jose, CA Brothers, Speak Truth to Power

28 Translation 32 ATU COPE

15 2021 ATU Canada National Conference IN TRANSIT

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JOHN A. COSTA, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

An unthinkable tragedy On the morning of May 26th, I was on a zoom with the ATU Virginia State Legislative Conference Board talking about the upcoming Governor’s primary and the importance of the ATU being politically active when my phone started to buzz with multiple text messages and calls about a shooting at a rail yard in San Jose, CA. Our worst nightmare came true when I found out that the shooter killed nine of our brothers at Local 265-San Jose, CA. The rest of the day was a blur.

support they need to deal with this tragedy. We also met with the company about treating workers right and giving them the time they need to grieve.

I was finally able to reach Local 265 President John Courtney, who was there that day meeting with his members. It was difficult to hear him recount the unfathomable tragedy that unfolded in front of his eyes that day. We are all incredibly grateful that Brother Courtney survived this senseless act of violence.

There’s no script for this, but we are doing whatever we can to ensure everyone has the support they need and that this never happens again.

Knowing the gravity of this tragedy and the impact on Local 265 and our entire Union, the International took immediate action. We assembled and dispatched a crisis response team, including myself, International officers, and staff, to San Jose to support and address the needs of our Local 265 members and their families. Our crisis response team worked with Local 265, other unions, and local officials to coordinate assistance and ensure our members have access to the resources and

Local 265 and their Executive Board did tremendous work reaching out to the families of our brothers who passed. They communicated with them about unanswered questions they still had, explained their benefits, and offered their support and grief counseling.

Every time I listened to our members speak about the shootings, I could see the horror, the confusion, and the need for help to understand and get through this. That’s why days after the shooting, we held two town hall meetings to make sure members knew their Union is there and to have a safe space to voice their feelings about the tragedy. One thing we don’t want to hear anymore, though, is that we’re heroes. We’ve heard that for too long. We want to see action. We want to see our transit agencies and elected officials help with the mental health issues we have in the workplace. As I spoke at a memorial in July for our fallen brothers in San Jose, I wanted to send a clear message. We have to honor the lives of our lost brothers and not forget what has happened here. The VTA actually shut off the victims’ benefits for their families, which was a disgrace. We have to call out the failure of the VTA to learn from the tragedy. We can’t sweep it under the rug.

We can do better We need to do the right thing now, talk about mental

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health, and recognize its ties to workplace violence. We can do better. Nobody should ever have to worry about showing up at work and fear for their safety or their lives.

spoke about the tragic loss of life in San Jose and honoring workers by respecting them not only on the frontlines but also at the bargaining table.

The need to address mental health at the workplace could not be more urgent. We remain committed to ending the stigma around mental health and starting a program to help those who are struggling, including the victims of workplace violence. No one is ever prepared for the sudden shattering loss of fathers, husbands, and friends who were merely starting an ordinary workday when they were killed. Although our hearts will forever be broken, the one thing that gives me comfort is knowing our Union stepped up to help start the healing process and the conversation around mental health. We’re in this together because we are stronger together. If you or anyone you know needs help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. On the ATU website at https://bit.ly/ ATU-Member-Benefits, you will find the resources at FHE Health or if you need to talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed call 1-866-276-1610. Never underestimate the difference a phone call can make. Your mental health and the mental health of co-workers matter now more than ever.

U.S. Legislative Conference We must continue to work through the grief and pain to ensure that every worker is safe on the job. That’s why days after returning from San Jose after the tragedy, we were ready to welcome over 200 President/Business Agents and Financial Secretaries to our 2021 virtual Legislative Conference, where we talked about our legislative priorities with elected and appointed officials and candidates who genuinely care about our members. We heard from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, FTA’s Administrator Nuria Fernandez, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and many others. Time after time, each spoke about the essential work our members have done throughout the pandemic. They

At this year’s conference, we also highlighted the many legislative successes of the ATU, including electing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in Georgia and winning billions of dollars in relief for transit and working families. Like I stressed at the conference, this is why we must continue to engage politically to ensure real change for our members.

ATU Canada holds convention Our brothers and sisters at ATU Canada also held their first-ever virtual national conference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite moving online, over 150 delegates showed up to get important work done, including an Equity and Inclusion Committee and electing officers. Congratulations to President John Di Nino and the others on being elected by the delegates. Many battles still lie ahead, including passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act in the U.S., which will make it easier for workers to join a union, the very important mid-term U.S. elections, pushing back against privatization and right to work legislation in Canada as well as the critical early election and municipal elections in Canada this fall and the many other fights in between. There are two types of power in this country. Organized money and organized people. We can and must do both. That’s why it is critical that every U.S. member helps us build political power through COPE. Please consider giving or increasing your contribution today. Thank you for your support. None of this would be possible without you. v IN TRANSIT

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

For there will be an answer On Sunday, July 18, 2021, I along with hundreds of ATU members from across the US and Canada were privileged to join our West Coast members at the memorial service for our Local 265 San Jose members killed in the tragic shooting.

‘Let it Be.’ To not let this become just another soon-tobe-forgotten tragedy brought on by an act of senseless violence. They cautioned that some will try to make this an issue of the gun debate when this is so much more.

Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63 - Adrian Balleza, age 29 - Alex Ward Fitch, age 49 - Jose de Jesus Hernandez III, age 35 - Lars Kepler Lane, age 63 - Paul Delacruz Megia, age 42 - Timothy Michael Romo, age 49 - Michael Joseph Rudometkin, age 40 - Taptejdeep Singh, age 36

They demanded that we follow through and examine all aspects of mental health not only at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) but in each of our workplaces. Local 265 President John Courtney, one of many heroes who saved lives, vowed that this would not be swept under the rug in a return to business as usual.

Stories and recollections by family, relatives, and pictures provided vignette glimpses of the lives of each. “My husband had my back. We were a team.” “His life was one of acts of service and tender touch.” “He loved to take things that were broken, fix them and make them better.” “We were content with simple things.” “He made my heart full.” “He had an effervescent personality.” “He loved to cook and ride dirt bikes.” “The Tiki bar he built in our back yard was our sanctuary.” “From an early age, he had a knack for building, repairing, and driving highperformance vehicles.” “He had an energetic curiosity in learning new things and mentoring others.” Listening to the families and relatives of the victims and seeing pictures of each was heartfelt, moving. It brought a palpable unease to the soul. Each life away from work was different in its own special way. You could see the love of spouses and know that theirs was a life where together they were greater than the sum of their individual parts. Together, they made their romantic fantasies and dreams for family become a reality. There is a famous song that urges us in times of trouble and in our hour of darkness to ‘Let it Be.’ But how can a loved one ‘Let it Be?’ To each family’s credit, they urged us to not just mourn for the dead but to fight like hell for the living. To not

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Echoing Courtney, International President John Costa emphatically demanded that the VTA do the right thing by the victims’ families and all the families of our Local 265 membership. John demanded that all transit agencies step up and examine its practices and procedures. And John vowed that the ATU is and would continue to be not only the voice of working men and women on workplace safety issues but also to be actively engaged in the same whether it involves assaults from the public, COVID, chemical danger, mental illness, and workplace violence. Each of our Locals must accept this challenge to not ‘Let it Be.’ Each Local must be engaged in this process. Does your workplace, including our Union offices, conduct active shooter training? Does your health insurance Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) provide adequate and affordable care for those in need of mental health care? Does your contract provide special paid leave provisions for those in the throes of depression? We must be attentive to that sometimes silent scream from within our coworkers for help, and we must act. We ask that perpetual light shine upon our deceased members, loved ones, and family. We ask that perpetual light guide their way. For there will be an answer, we will not Let it Be. v

KENNETH RAY KIRK, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Fallen Heroes A hero is a person in the face of danger who combats adversity through feats of bravery, courage, and strength. As transit workers, the very nature of our jobs before and during COVID required some acts of heroism. The operating of large vehicles in public places us in many dangers from the people who board our vehicles and other vehicles to the areas we travel in and the air we breathe. The maintenance of the vehicles and our work areas also pose many dangers. High voltage overheads, track signals, natural gas equipment, and more. As you can see, our jobs pose many dangers that we never really gave a lot of thought to prior to COVID, because it’s our job. Then COVID hit, adding a new dangerous and lethal risk to our jobs, but we continued to do our jobs with pride and commitment. As of today, we have lost more than 155 brothers and sisters related to the COVID-19 virus. To all transportation workers in North America and across the world, you are heroes.

Going forward, we in the ATU must honor them by having serious conversations about mental health, violence of any kind, and security in the workplace. Now is the time to heal by fighting for change and making sure something like this never happens again. To the families, while my words cannot change what happened, I pray that God brings comfort to your minds during this tough time. To the officers of Local 265, I applaud you for your courage and compassion during this tragedy and the many challenges you have faced. My heart shares your pain, and you have my deepest sympathies. Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, Adrian Balleza, Alexander Ward Fritch, Jose de Jesus Hernandez III, Lars Kepler Lane, Paul Delacruz Megia, Timothy Michael Romo, Michael Joseph Rudometkin and Taptejdeep Singh, you are heroes. I pray your deaths are not forgotten and may your souls rest in peace. v

As if the pain from losing so many to COVID-19 wasn’t enough, on the morning of May 26, 2021, nine VTA employees tragically lost their lives while doing their jobs in a senseless killing. I cannot imagine the pain endured by these brothers, their families, the brothers and sisters present at work, the many others who were not at work, and Local 265-San Jose, CA. It was my honor to be at the memorial in San Jose to remember our brothers lives with my ATU family from across North America. Our nine spent their last moments serving their communities through public transit. They died heroes on the job as they’d always been. But they deserve so much more than a memorial.

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An Unthinkable Shooting Tragedy in San Jose, CA Takes the Lives of Nine Local 265 Brothers

In the early hours of Wednesday, May 26th, workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) were both arriving and leaving for their shifts. What seemed like the start of another ordinary day would become one of the most tragic events in the region and our Union’s history.

International officers and staff, including Costa himself, were on the ground in San Jose to support and address the needs of Local 265 members and their families.

In an act of workplace violence, a gunman entered the VTA rail yard that morning, taking the lives of nine brothers of Local 265-San Jose, CA, and then his own. We don’t know the reason behind this horrific act of violence and may never know. What we do know is that the lives of nine families of our fallen brothers, their coworkers, and friends are forever changed. Our brother and President of Local 265, John Courtney, was there that morning visiting maintenance staff as he always did when this unthinkable shooting erupted. What John and other survivors witnessed that day will stay with them forever.

ATU’s Response When the International found out about this tragic shooting, International President John Costa took immediate action by assembling a crisis response team.

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San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo

The crisis response team worked with Local 265, other unions, the transit agency, the Local officers, the community, and elected officials to coordinate assistance, support services, and grief counseling to ensure the Local’s members, the victims’ families, and friends get the resources they needed as they live through this tragedy. The day after the shooting, the community collectively grieved at a vigil held at San Jose City Hall Plaza attended

by hundreds of people. Opening the vigil was San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Today, we’re here together as one community. We’re here because members of our community, our colleagues, our family members, our friends, our loved ones, are suffering,” said Liccardo. “And each of us feels our own pain as well. We’re here to share our pain. We’re here to share our love. To share our support of each other and the difficult days ahead.” A day after witnessing the horrific event, John Courtney expressed his grief to the crowd. “These aren’t names to us. These are people we know, and we love, and we see every single day of our working lives. It really, really hurts down to the very core of our souls,” said Courtney. “So please, ATU, let’s do what we do, stand for each other, by each other. Let’s love each other.”

John Courtney, President, Local 265-San Jose, CA

Costa then gave a passionate speech calling for, above all else, change. “Most of all, I want to send a message: That we have to honor our brothers today and not forget what has happened here and not let this happen again,” said Costa. “We can’t sweep this under the rug. We need to treat this as if it’s a drug and alcohol EAP (Employees Assistance Program) problem. We need to do the right thing now and talk about this and recognize this as mental illness and

John A. Costa, ATU International President

worker violence. We need today to move forward to change this and to stop this. We can do better!” Finally, the mourners at the emotional vigil were left with words from the family members of the men who lost their lives. The wife of Paul Megia spoke about her best friend and husband, his sense of humor, and his love for his children. The brother of Taptejdeep Singh spoke of his brother’s lion heart and wanting to carry on his legacy by being there for the other families who are suffering. Timothy Romo’s son spoke about his father, a great man, husband, grandfather, and veteran, and how much they’ll miss him.

Why Mental Health Matters In order to help members process their grief and connect to support services and other resources, town halls were held in person at the Local 265 union hall and virtually over zoom. The town halls began with a moment of silence, followed by a moving video honoring our fallen brothers lost in this tragic shooting. “I’m having a really hard time processing it,” Courtney told his members on the town hall about seeing this violent tragedy unfold right before his eyes. “Obviously, being right there and not knowing why I was spared is really weighing heavy on me because I feel like we all feel, we all could have done more, and we should have done more, but really the fact of the matter is there’s nothing anyone could have done more. It was just senseless.” Courtney urged members to be there for each other, love each other, and to get help if they needed it. Resources were given by Local 265 Recording and Financial Secretary Raj Singh for members to reach out to get help, including free counseling and a 24-hour crisis hotline and email local265@atu.org set up by the Local. President Costa then addressed the members. “We’ve been through a lot. More than 150 of our members have passed from the COVID-19 virus this year. Many were sick, and to have this terrible tragedy and the murder of our nine brothers here in California is just a total nightmare.” He offered his condolences and talked about what the Local and the International have done so far to help members get through this very difficult time. “We’re moving one day at a time. Right now, we thought it would be great to have this town hall meeting just to let our members know that we’re here. Your Union’s here for you.” IN TRANSIT

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ATU partner Janet Gerhard from FHE Health, ATU’s EAP program, spoke about the response she witnessed on the ground in San Jose. “When I arrived on Thursday at the union hall, the gears of the Union were working already, and the sun was barely up. And there were plans being made. The IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) was being contacted. John Costa had put out a resource call to the AFL-CIO. Often the unrecognizable beginning of healing is activity, and there was a lot of activity at the union hall.” FHE’s Dr. Beau Nelson was then introduced to talk to the members about grief and trauma. “You’re not superheroes, you’re people, and people need help. And we get through it together, and that’s one of the greatest things about having a Union like ATU.” He went on to assure members that the range of emotions they might be feeling is valid. “The process of dealing with a traumatic event or grief, it’s really important for us to remember that it’s not the event that defines us. It is what we do with that event.”

stressed the importance of training transit workers for emergency situations, reminding them that San Jose was not an isolated incident. “Unfortunately, the mass shooting in San Jose was not a unique tragedy. On April 6, 1999, a mass shooting occurred at OC Transpo in Ottawa, Ontario, leaving four dead and one injured,” the letter read. “More recently, on February 3, 2020, a gunman killed one passenger and injured five others on a Greyhound Lines bus north of Los Angeles, California.” There have been many difficult and unforeseen challenges that have tested our Union over the last few years, and yet we’ve endured. Above all else, what we know is that we’re stronger together. We will not stop talking about mental health. Together we can end the stigma.

Dr. Beau Nelson, FHE Health Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Sylvia Marotta-Walters, a board-certified counseling psychologist, took questions and comments from members that ranged from members asking about taking time off to expressing their personal grief and guilt surrounding the tragedy. Tears were shed while members expressed their gratitude for being able to come together to grieve. In addition to the town halls with members, International President Costa hosted a town hall with Local Business Agents where he was joined by President Joe Biden who offered his condolences to the ATU and the families of our fallen brothers. Also in the wake of the tragedy, the ATU sent a letter calling on transit agencies across the U.S. and Canada to implement emergency preparedness. In the letter, Costa

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Asking for help is courageous. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ATU partner FHE Health for the resources you need to get help. FHE Health can assist members and their families when they are dealing with mental health issues and dealing with drug or alcohol problems. You can reach FHE Health for 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL Assistance at (866) 276-1610 or visit their website at https://bit.ly/ATU-FHE-Health Due to the universal publicly funded healthcare system in Canada, our members may not have full access to the program at FHE HEATH. We are working with FHE Health and ATU Canada to identify resources in Provinces for our Canadian members. v

Memorial: the ATU, Family and Friends Remember Our Nine Local 265-San Jose, CA Brothers, Speak Truth to Power

On Sunday, July 18, ATU members from around the U.S. and Canada gathered at the San Jose SAP Center to honor our nine Local 265-San Jose, CA, brothers killed in the tragic shooting on May 26, 2021. The day began with a solemn procession of VTA and other transit agencies’ buses escorted by police and first responders past the Center with #VTAFAMILY adorning the front and sides of the bus displays. Inside the Center, the day of remembrance opened to the sound of Amazing Grace by the sheriff’s department’s pipe and drum corps. Shooting survivor and Local 265 President John Courtney courageously took the stage to speak about his nine fallen brothers, each one he knew personally, and to call out the failure of the VTA to learn from the tragedy.

“To this point from that tragic day, there have been no substantive changes. That is not how you honor nine brothers who gave their lives to their company,” said Courtney. “It can’t be swept under the rug any longer. If we don’t do something about the way VTA management handles our people, nothing will change.” International President John Costa, introduced by Courtney as the rock of the ATU, went on to confront the VTA and called on them to respect the families of the victims, not just in words but in action. “John’s words are challenging, and I challenge you to do something different than you did at the beginning,” said Costa. “You know to shut off someone’s benefits after they’ve been killed in a public service is not right,” Costa continued to a round of applause. The demand for the VTA to do better was echoed by the victims’ families as they reflected on their loved one’s lives that were taken too soon. The two-and-a-half-hour event was heartbreaking, with speaker after speaker asking how a tragedy like this could happen.

John Courtney, President, Local 265-San Jose, CA and ATU International President John A. Costa

Although critical of the VTA, Courtney thanked them for the memorial and the show of unity with the bus procession. “But it’s not enough,” he said. “Not nearly enough.” v

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THE ATU HOLDS VIRTUAL 2021 U.S. LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

After last year’s U.S. Legislative Conference was canceled due to the pandemic and so much happening legislatively, International President John Costa wanted to make sure it happened this year, so for the first time ever, the ATU U.S. Legislative conference went virtual. This conference also came on the heels of one of the most tragic days in our history, with the shooting in San Jose, CA. International President John Costa kicked off the conference thanking Local Business Agents for their leadership during the pandemic. He then discussed the recent tragic shooting that took the lives of nine Local 265-San Jose, CA, members and called for a moment of silence.

said Costa. “Management just does not get it, and it’s up to us to take control and to make the changes and fight like hell for the living as we mourn for the dead and keep their memories alive.” Costa went on to talk about the importance of political action to fight for additional funding, increased safety measures and protocols, preparation for the ever-changing technology in our industry, and the launch of a new effort to invigorate the ATU-COPE program.

“This has been a terrible time for us, and the more we do this, the more I realize that the agencies just don’t get it,”

The attendees heard from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “We owe you a debt of gratitude,” said Sen. Brown. “You are essential workers by any definition. You shouldn’t have to fight like hell at the bargaining table to be recognized as essential workers.”

John A. Costa, ATU International President

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

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In his last address to the ATU before his untimely death, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke offering condolences for the San Jose tragedy and the ATU members lost to COVID-19. He then went on to discuss the labor movement’s push to pass the PRO Act and other pro-union legislation. Later in the day, Costa participated in a panel discussion with APTA President/CEO Paul Skoutelas and Transportation Learning Center (TLC) Executive Director Jack Clark on workforce development and apprenticeship programs to ensure our members are trained to deal with new technologies, including zeroemission vehicles. Attendees also heard from U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), a longtime friend of the ATU and champion of public transit and working families, who spoke about his admiration for unions and essential workers. “Through it all, essential workers like you, of course, helped every day to keep our country going,” said Rep. Garcia. “You reunited families and fostered hope in dark times. Public transit ties our communities together.”

raising the profile of transit workers and unions, and other issues impacting ATU and all transit workers. FTA Administrator and former head of Santa Clara VTA, Nuria Fernandez, spoke about her grief in the wake of the tragic shooting that took the lives of nine Local 265-San Jose union brothers. She also discussed the importance of job safety, closing the gaps of transit deserts for communities that depend on public transit, creating transit jobs, expanding safe and affordable transit service, and continued COVID-19 vaccine priority for transit workers, thanking them for their contributions. Attendees then heard from former union leader and former Mayor of Boston, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. He talked about his strong relationship with Boston Carmen’s Union, ATU Local 589, and spoke about the importance of the rights and respect of workers, the critical role public transit plays in our communities, and other issues impacting the ATU and our members.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Walsh highlight day two U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg kicked off day two thanking ATU members for keeping our communities moving and discussed the impact of layoffs on transit workers due to the pandemic. U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

“Especially in a time like this, I want you to know that you have our support and partnership as you seek to look after your members in so many different ways who we are counting on right now as a country in so many ways,” said Buttigieg. He also discussed the importance of the mask mandate on public transit, the American Jobs Plan,

Then Costa was joined by ATU Workforce Development Coordinator Jamaine Gibson, Jobs to Move America’s Madeline Janis, and former transit agency head and founder of Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure Dr. Beverly Scott on a panel on the importance of workforce development and apprenticeship programs, highlighting the need to provide opportunities for women and minorities in our industry for career advancement in skilled crafts. Attendees then heard from a friend to the ATU and Local 757-Portland, OR, in his district, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee. He addressed the conference about securing emergency transit funding during the pandemic and thanked Costa for his leadership in advocating for transit workers. IN TRANSIT

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Rep. DeFazio also discussed his INVEST in America bill. The bill has an unprecedented investment in public transit, the establishment of a National Workforce Training Center, improved worker safety, and other priorities that will benefit our union, our members, and our industry. Costa wrapped up the day with a discussion on the importance of ATU-COPE, advice from Local leaders that have high membership involvement in COPE, and called on all Locals to increase their COPE contributions and member participation in this critical program.

Day three features ATU-endorsed NYC Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams and Congressional candidate Nina Turner For the last day of the conference, U.S. Financial Secretaries joined the conference with their Local Business Agents. Costa kicked off the day with International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk discussing the importance of contributing to ATU-COPE and the impact it has on electing pro-transit candidates and passing critical legislation. Inside Elections Editor and Publisher Nathan Gonzalez provided attendees expert analysis on the political landscape in the U.S. since the Georgia Senate runoff elections and what lies ahead and is at stake in the 2022 mid-term elections. ATU Political staffer Clem Balanoff then talked about Costa’s commitment to get the ATU more involved in elections, the early endorsement and election of Joe Biden for President, and the critical role the ATU played in Georgia Senate runoff election victories. Balanoff also talked about how Costa has raised the profile of the ATU in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and across the country. Up next was a close friend of the ATU and Local 268Cleveland, OH, and a proud progressive, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, who is running for Congress. The ATU endorsed Turner who spoke at the 2016 ATU International Convention in Toronto, ON, pledged her continued support for public transit and working families and legislation to protect transit workers on the job when she is elected to Congress. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, endorsed for NYC Mayor by ATU NYC Locals 726-Staten Island, 1056-Flushing, 1179-Queens, and 1181-New York, talked about his platform to fight crime, expand public transit in NYC to transit deserts, and support and protect

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New York City Mayoral candidate Eric Adams

the jobs of NYC School Bus workers. Adams has since won the primary for NYC Mayor. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who the ATU helped win in the Georgia Senate runoff election in January, sent a video message, thanking ATU members and especially Locals 732-Atlanta and 1324-Savannah for their support for his election. He pledged to continue to support transit and unions in Congress, and push for passage of the American Jobs Plan. Attendees also heard a video message from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The Senator thanked Costa for his leadership and the Locals in NYC. He talked about securing emergency transit funding during the pandemic and the push for legislation to support transit, unions, and working families. Next U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) participated on a panel led by ATU Government Affairs Director Jeff Rosenberg on the important role the ATU and labor plays in the political process and activism in elections and the legislative process in Congress. They held a lively discussion on the critical upcoming mid-term elections and the important role the ATU and unions play on the ground and financially to maintain Democrat control of Congress.

ATU-COPE is critical Costa wrapped up the action packed U.S, Legislative Conference reiterating the importance of better engaging our members to contribute to COPE, which was demonstrated by the high level of politicians appearing at our U.S. Legislative Conference, the success in securing COVID-19 relief funding for public transit, electing Joe Biden, and pro-transit candidates and passing transit ballot measures. v

2021 ATU Canada National Conference On April 26th and April 27th, ATU Canada held its first-ever virtual national conference. The conference was initially scheduled to be held in Saint John, New Brunswick, but the executives made the very difficult decision to hold it virtually as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the delegate count was high at over 150 delegates, and members were able to get through important business such as the creation of an Equity and Inclusion Committee, the first of its kind at ATU Canada.

Equity and Inclusivity Committee The committee will aim to shed light on barriers to inclusivity within ATU Canada locals, union-sanctioned events, leadership positions and to work with existing national and local leadership to address systemic discrimination and exclusionary culture. The new Equity and Inclusion Committee builds on work done by members at the ATU Canada Conference in Winnipeg, MB, in May 2019, when two interim committees were formed to begin to address barriers to full inclusivity experienced by women and other marginalized groups in the union.

Election of New Executive Board Delegates at the ATU Canada conference also participated in the election of a new executive board.

National President, John Di Nino, was re-elected into his role for another three-year term. Delegates also reelected other members of the executive board: Eric Tuck (Vice President), Travis Oberg (Financial Secretary), Denyse Mitchell (Western Representative), Jack Jackson (Eastern Representative), and Paul Churchill (Quebec-East Representative). Clint Crabtree (Eastern Representative) and Bill Johnson (Western Representative) were newly elected representatives to the board. The new executive board has a lot of work ahead of them and will continue to fight for the things that matter, like getting more protections for transit workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, permanent operational funding for transit agencies, and fighting attempts at privatization of our public transit systems.

Call Action to Federal Ministers for COVID-19 Vaccinations To finish off the conference, delegates joined together in a mass phone campaign to push Canada’s federal Transportation Minister, Health Minister, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister to take action when it came to voluntary priority vaccinations for transit workers. Over 100 calls were made at the end of the conference to ministers’ offices to demand that they act in the best interests of transit workers as well as their constituents to ensure that transit professionals get the protections they need to continue to keep transit moving. v

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LOCALS CONTINUE FIGHT ON FRONTLINES OF THE PANDEMIC While many people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19, the more contagious Delta variant is hitting many communities hard, and in Canada, the pandemic is raging on. ATU Locals across North America continue to fight for better safety, hazard pay, passenger limits, and other protections. Transit agencies also are attempting to cut wages and other austerity measures. But, with the help of the International, our Locals and members are fighting back. Here are some of their stories. Please visit ATU social media and www.atu.org for more updated stories.

“It’s prevalent and dangerous. As frontline workers, we’re subjected to it every day.” RFTA, which has been awarded millions in relief from the federal government, claims paying hazard pay isn’t that easy, and it won’t be retroactive. Last year out of respect for the financial burden on RFTA caused by the pandemic, the Local didn’t ask for hazard pay but believes now is the time to compensate drivers for their sacrifice and bravery on the job. “It should be a bonus or a reward for drivers who risked everything to keep the buses going,” said Cortez. Noting that the pandemic isn’t over, Cortez says while some have been vaccinated, his members “aren’t out of the woods yet.”

Aspen Local demands hazard pay As Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) workers continue to risk their lives to move their communities during the pandemic, Local 1774-Aspen, CO, is demanding hazard pay from their transit agency. “A lot of people don’t realize the dangerous situation drivers have been in over the last year,” said Local President Ed Cortez.

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Halifax Local calls on the City to step up COVID-19 precautions as cases rise After a confirmed case of a Local 508-Halifax, NS, bus operator contracting COVID-19, Local President Ken Wilson is demanding Halifax Transit better protect workers and riders from exposure to the virus. The driver tested positive while the bus she was driving continued to be on the road without being sanitized. “It went back out during rush hour without being deep cleaned,” said Wilson. “It was apparently a mistaken number, and they grabbed the wrong bus.” There are now three buses in question because of the close contact the COVID-19 positive driver had with two other operators. Wilson and the Local have been demanding rear door boarding, suspended fares, passenger limits, and rapid on-site testing to avoid further infections.

Toronto Local delivers petition demanding TTC take the lead on pandemic safety and vaccination for workers With the third and worst wave of the COVID-19 virus raging on in Ontario, Local 113-Toronto, ON, has ratcheted up their pressure on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to show leadership on pandemic safety. Instead, management has been actively taking steps to make TTC riders and workers less safe. Members of Local 113 presented a banner signed by 7,000 members with a petition of their demands for management to fight COVID-19 instead of attacking transit workers’ living standards. The petition had detailed recommendations for the TTC to ensure public transit is safe. The Local’s demands include reinstating social distancing measures on vehicles, ensuring all workers have adequate paid sick days and onsite vaccinations for transit workers. “We fought for safety and social distancing on vehicles – and won. Now, even though we are still in the third, and worst, wave management has reversed safety measures and returned to running overcrowded buses,” said Local President Carlos Santos. “As we recover from the pandemic, we need to make sure that the public has confidence in TTC. This is a chance for Mayor Tory and the TTC Commission to lead where staff have failed.”

Windsor, ON, Local secures rider mask mandate on public transit After two bus operators refused to work and their Local 616-Windsor, ON, stepped in, Transit Windsor is finally cracking down on mandatory mask enforcement. As a result of the dispute between the Local and management, the Canada Industrial Labour Board ruled “that patrons riding the bus

without a face mask put the operator at risk of contracting COVID-19.” With this ruling, the City of Windsor and Transit Windsor will now enforce a no exception policy for the mask-wearing rule. “If you want to get transportation and you do not want to wear a mask, then you will have to seek alternate transportation,” said city engineer Mark Winterton.

ATU-backed NY HERO Act will ensure safety on the job for New York workers

Atlanta Local secures hazard payment for hero transit workers

After months of relentless organizing, Local 1056Flushing, NY, essential workers, and activists played a key role in the passage of the New York HERO Act into law. The bill requires businesses to have enforceable safety standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases. “I’m glad that it happened, but I wished it had happened sooner,” said Joseph Branch, a Local 1056 Executive Board Member and a 22-year veteran bus driver from Cambria Heights. The Local has lost twelve members to the virus so far. “COVID-19 has exposed the flaws in worker protections. Essential Frontline Workers safety is paramount today and tomorrow!” said Local President Mark Henry. “My members, who are transit workers in varying titles, put their lives on the line daily during the height of the pandemic.” By requiring businesses to have enforceable safety standards, the groundbreaking bill honors the role frontline workers play in unprecedented circumstances.

In a victory for frontline hero Local 732-Atlanta, GA, members, who have been risking their lives throughout the pandemic, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced they would be providing workers a $3,500 COVID-19 pandemic payment. “I am extremely grateful to our frontline employees who have carried us through this pandemic,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “These are people who could not work from home, who showed up every day to keep the buses and trains running and protect our customers, all while considering the health risks to themselves and their families.” The bonuses will come from the federal pandemic relief funds included in the CARES Act, which the ATU fought to secure. In addition, the Local’s 2,811 MARTA members will also receive a 2% wage increase in February 2022. The Local and MARTA have also extended the terms of their collective bargaining agreement for 12 months, from December 2021 to December 2022. v IN TRANSIT

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International President Costa Honored by New Jersey State AFL-CIO In June, ATU International President John Costa was awarded the New Jersey State AFL-CIO 2021 Labor Award for his leadership and dedication to the labor movement. Recognized for his passion, desire, and leadership, Costa was praised by NJ Governor Phil Murphy and the NJ State AFL-CIO for advocating for the ATU, our members, working families, and public transportation throughout his career. Gov. Murphy called ATU members “frontline heroes” for keeping their communities moving during the pandemic.

When presented with the award, Costa thanked the NJ State AFL-CIO, his family, ATU members, and others for their support over the years. “I’m honored and humbled,” said Costa. “My Local 819-Newark, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my Local. They are my ATU family and have given me the honor to serve you. And of course, my family, thank you for all your support.” v

International President John A. Costa and his family.

International President John A. Costa and NJ Governor Phil Murphy

“As the ATU leader, John Costa got a battlefield promotion in a moment of unexpected tragedy. He’s been extraordinary. He’s been a friend before and has been a great friend since,” said Gov. Murphy. “John has been a great partner through recent tragedy.”

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ATU International Representative Stephan MacDougall appointed ATU International Vice President privatize the system. He became a willing and combative soldier in the many battles the Local fought in its successful campaign to protect and preserve public transit in Boston. In 1995, MacDougall was elected Barn Captain (shop steward) in the Light Rail Division, where he was a Motorperson. Three years later, he was elected as Local Vice President and served as a full-time union officer in that capacity for the next three years. In 2001, MacDougall was elected President/Business Agent of the Boston Carmen’s Union. He was re-elected for two more three-year terms and ultimately served nine consecutive years as the Local’s top officer.

International Representative Stephan MacDougall has been appointed by International President John Costa with approval by the ATU General Executive Board as an ATU International Vice President. “I’ve known Steve for many years and worked with him on countless campaigns. His service to the labor movement and the ATU has spanned three decades. From bus operator to light rail operator to Shop Steward to Local Vice President to Local President/Business Agent, and then on to ATU International Representative, Steve brings an abundance of knowledge and dedication to the ATU and its members,” said Costa. “Because of his work, Locals across New England and beyond have secured strong contracts, become more politically active, and prospered. Steve will be a strong addition to our General Executive Board, and we look forward to his continued service to the ATU as an International Vice President.”

In 2011, he was appointed ATU International Representative by the late ATU International President Larry Hanley, a position MacDougall has held for the past decade. “I am honored to be appointed as an ATU International Vice President by our International President John Costa with the approval of the General Executive Board,” said MacDougall. “International President Costa has led us through one of our most difficult periods as a union. For so many of us, ATU membership has meant economic security throughout the pandemic and beyond. It has also allowed workers to have sick leave, vacation time, and other benefits, which gives members and their families an improved quality of life. I am looking forward to continuing our important work alongside International President Costa, International Executive Vice President Javier Perez, International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk, the General Executive Board, and all of our Locals. Thank you again for this honor.” v

At the age of 24 in 1986, MacDougall joined the Boston Carmen’s Union, ATU Local 589 as a bus operator for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. MacDougall’s involvement in the Boston Carmen’s Union increased in the 1990s when the MBTA attempted to IN TRANSIT

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Closure of Greyhound Canada and Demands for Public Intercity and Highway Bus Service On May 13th, Greyhound Canada announced that it would be cancelling its services permanently, leaving Canadians across the country without intercity bus services and more than 300 transit workers without jobs. Along with the lack of funding from the Trudeau government for intercity transit, the final nail in the coffin was legislation from the Ontario provincial government, specifically Bill 213, that led to the total deregulation of the Motor Coach industry. “The closure of Greyhound Canada demonstrates that the Liberal government are abject failures when it comes to mass transit in this country,” said ATU Canada President John Di Nino. “The collapse of Greyhound was not a foregone conclusion; this could have been avoided if our federal and provincial governments actually cared about remote communities who rely on intercity bus service.” Rural and Indigenous communities in Canada have been and are chronically underserviced by public transit, creating transit deserts in which individuals are unable to travel to neighbouring communities for work, medical appointments, or leisure.

“This is devastating news for the thousands of Canadians, especially those from indigenous and First Nations communities, who have relied on Greyhound for transportation,” said International President John Costa. “More than 400 workers, including 305 of my brothers and sisters, are now out of a job. This adds insult to injury to these workers and their families already impacted by the pandemic, and the Trudeau government and the Progressive Conservative Party MPPs are to blame.” ATU Canada quickly took action after the announcement and launched an e-mail campaign to the Transportation Minister, Prime Minister and members of the federal Transportation Committee to demand that Canada consider a nationalized, public, intercity and highway bus service. As of now, over 500 people have sent e-mails and we are continuing to work with our allies in government and in civil society to ensure that Indigenous Canadians and Canadians in remote communities get the service they need. v

New ATU Members in Airdrie, Alberta Ratify First Collective Agreement Transit workers in Airdrie, Alberta, voted to ratify their collective agreement in May with 75% support after over a year of negotiations. Airdrie transit workers joined the ATU last year after a successful organizing drive by Local 987 in Lethbridge, AB. The collective agreement is a big improvement in working conditions for the new members in Airdrie. Among other things, the four-year contract with their employer, PW, includes a 4% wage increase as of August 1st of this year, a wage increase every year, better vacation time, and better bereavement time. The workers now also have a fair grievance procedure to deal with workplace disputes according to progressive discipline and just cause.

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Local 987 had been negotiating on and off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, however, they were able to successfully negotiate a collective agreement that works for everyone. v

Canadian Federal Budget Continued to Ignore Transit Workers funding that they had committed to earlier last year. Sixty organizations, including large unions like CUPE and PSAC and environmental organizations like the David Suzuki Foundation, signed the letter, displaying large support across sectors. Further, a poll done with EKOS Research showed that over 70% of Canadians supported extending emergency transit operational funding.

This Spring, ATU Canada continued to try and push the federal government in other ways to do more to address the needs of transit workers after disappointing announcements. The federal government announced its most recent budget in April and failed to announce any funding for day-to-day transit operations. This was despite the Keep Transit Moving Coalition, of which ATU Canada is a part, sending a letter to the finance minister asking to extend emergency transit

ATU Canada has been demanding the government invest in emergency operational transit funding since last year. The demands were somewhat met in late 2020 when the government came to an agreement with provinces that saw $2.3 billion flow into the coffers of municipalities for transit. However, this came to an end for many cities at the end of March and many transit agencies are struggling. Along with our coalition partners, ATU Canada is continuing to fight for more operational funding, especially for the next federal election. v

ATU Canada Escalates Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine Priority and Safety for Transit Workers ATU Canada held a virtual press conference to announce escalated action amidst continued government silence over the prioritization of transit workers for voluntary vaccinations and a growing number of outbreaks of COVID-19 at transit agencies. Since as early as last year, ATU Canada has been demanding that the Ontario provincial government and governments across the country prioritize transit workers but have been met with little to no response. At the press conference President John Di Nino outlined important demands to be met by federal and provincial governments such as: priority vaccine access, rear-door loading for passengers, isolation of the driver compartment areas, elimination of fare collection, hazard pay, and another round of Safe and Restart funding at $400 million per month for Transit Operations. In addition, ATU

Canada is pushing for access to fully-paid, on-site testing and vaccinations, passenger load limits, mandatory mask enforcement for riders and provincially supported paid sick days for essential workers. Many of the protections that transit workers had at the beginning of the pandemic no longer existed. v IN TRANSIT

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MetroAccess Call Center Workers Win Strong Contract and Respect Workers staged a one-day strike to ramp up pressure Fed up with unfair labor practices and poor treatment by their employer MV Transportation, on May 14th, Local 689-Washington, DC, members working at the MetroAccess Call Center in Hyattsville, MD, walked off the job and out on strike. WMATA contracts with MV Transportation, a private corporation, to provide dispatch, reservation, and scheduling of all MetroAccess paratransit services. Despite working through a pandemic for more than a year on an expired contract, MetroAccess Call Center workers were offered a meager 1% wage increase by MV transportation. Morale was plummeting, with turnover at near 100% and call-outs so common that it was making an already bad system worse for riders with disabilities who rely on MetroAccess as a lifeline.

Workers return to work after strike leads to progress at the table With their unfair labor practice strike sending a strong message to contractor MV Transportation and accelerating progress in negotiations, MetroAccess Call Center workers decided to return to work and continue negotiations with the multinational company in hopes of reaching a deal. Under the back-to-work agreement, the Union agreed to call off the strike immediately, and MV Transportation agreed that no workers would be retaliated against for striking and that it will adhere to federal labor laws.

Workers Win Raises in One-Year Contract Negotiations resumed resulting in a strong contract that guarantees the workers substantial wage rate increases, strengthened seniority provisions, increased employer

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401(k) retirement contributions, remote work provisions, and workplace protections. On July 30th, the Local 689 members voted to approve the one-year collective bargaining agreement. “Our brothers and sisters showed solidarity, resolve and unity on the picket line and throughout their campaign for this contract,” said ATU International President John Costa. “They have been working throughout the pandemic to ensure the people who depend on MetroAccess can get to the doctor, grocery store, and other important appointments. They deserve this contract which treats them like the heroes they are.” v

ATU’s General Counsel Robert Molofsky announces retirement career. Robert’s dedication and unparalleled knowledge of the ATU, labor law, and public transit has impacted many people’s lives, including so many of our ATU members,” Costa continued. “He will be missed, but we wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.” Molofsky, an experienced labor and employment law attorney, is recognized as a transit policy expert, and accomplished federal and state legislative strategist who has been fighting for workers since 1972. ATU’s General Counsel Robert Molofsky announced his retirement on June 30, 2021 after over 35 years as a dedicated and committed staff member of the ATU. “To say that Robert’s knowledge and expertise will be missed is an understatement,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Robert has been a close friend and confidant for many years. He has fought day in and day out for working people throughout his accomplished legal

As ATU General Counsel for 20 years and ATU Legislative Director for 15 years, Molofsky advised and represented the ATU International Executive Officers and Locals on significant legal matters, internal governance and HR concerns, regulatory, legislative, organizing, arbitration and collective bargaining issues, drug and alcohol testing, as well as Section 13(c) transit employee protections, health and pension/401(k) plans, and compliance with federal and state campaign finance laws. v

International President John Costa names Daniel Smith ATU General Counsel ATU International President John Costa has named Daniel B. Smith, former ATU Assistant General Counsel, as ATU General Counsel to replace the recently retired longtime ATU General Counsel Robert Molofsky. “We welcome and congratulate Dan on his new role as ATU General Counsel,” said Costa. “Dan is a brilliant attorney with extensive experience in labor law that he has used to help countless Locals and members of our Union. I have had the opportunity to work with Dan throughout the years, and he brings in-depth knowledge of our Union and the issues impacting our members and their families to his new role as General Counsel.” As Assistant General Counsel to the ATU since June 2011, Smith has advised ATU International and local union officers on a wide-range of legal issues and has represented the ATU in collective bargaining and before federal and state courts, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and other federal and state agencies. Smith received a

J.D. cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2001 and a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University in 1994. After graduating from law school, he represented unions at a firm in private practice before joining the ATU’s General Counsel’s Department in 2011. Prior to law school, he was an organizer for four years with an industrial union. v

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Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will provide robust transit funding and long overdue safety measures for transit workers After years of advocating for better safety protections for our members and more transit funding to keep our communities moving, the ATU’s efforts have paid off with the Senate passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment in our transit systems in history. “The bipartisan infrastructure bill between the Senate and the White House is welcomed and is a considerable step forward in meeting our nation’s transit and infrastructure needs,” said International President John Costa. “By including $39 billion for transit, the Senate has put forth the highest level of transit funding in the history of the program.” In addition to funding, the bill will also address the epidemic of violent assaults on transit workers that has plagued our country’s transit systems by including language from the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act in the bill. The ATU has fought for years for better protections for our members who have been the victims of vicious attacks by riders for far too long.

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“We appreciate the bipartisan support and recognition that attacks on transit workers is a problem that has been ignored for many years,” said Costa. “Not a week goes by that we don’t hear a story about a transit worker being punched, spit on, verbally abused, sexually assaulted, stabbed, or worse by passengers. The provisions in this bipartisan bill will help protect our members and prevent attacks and fatalities in the future.” Also included in the bill is $5 billion for vehicle electrification. The ATU has been pushing for a frontline transit worker training center to ensure we can train workers to fix, maintain, and operate the electric vehicles. Workforce training for our members is essential to making this unprecedented investment in bus electrification a success. The ATU will be advocating for more training for transit workers to be included in reconciliation, the process for getting tax and spending bills through Congress. “We applaud President Biden and the Senate leadership for working together to pass this bill that will invigorate our nation’s transit systems, fix our crumbling infrastructure, protect our transit workers, and keep our communities and economies moving,” said Costa. v

Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, Sister Joins U.S. DOT Secretary Buttigieg to Promote Public Transit Investment in American Jobs Plan Praising ATU transit workers in Pittsburgh, Buttigieg spoke about the need for infrastructure to include good union labor. “This has been a demanding and, in many cases, a very difficult year for union members,” Buttigieg said at the event.“And so, it’s time to make good on our obligation to do right by workers, and that’s why this administration is committed to protecting transit workers and supporting the unions that represent them.”

At the historic landmark incline in Pittsburgh, PA, Local 85 Sister Karima Howard joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Representative Conor Lamb (D-PA), and Pittsburgh transit leaders to promote investment in public transit as part of Biden’s American Jobs Plan.

Howard told the crowd about the struggles her Local has faced since the pandemic began and what funding from the Biden administration has done to help protect workers. “This funding has saved our jobs. This is absolutely, in this day and time, an honor to say that we have never had any layoffs here in Pittsburgh, and that is truly a big deal,” Howard said to a round of applause. v

International President John Costa names Salma Yousefi ATU Controller strategic financial decisions, and has been integral to the financial health of our union. With her extensive qualifications, I look forward to continuing to work with her and have the utmost confidence in her abilities.”

ATU International President John Costa has named Salma Yousefi, current Deputy Controller, as ATU’s Controller. “We welcome and congratulate Salma on her new role as ATU’s Controller,” said Costa. “Salma has a wealth of financial experience, has helped guide our union’s

Salma was hired as Assistant Controller in January 2017 to help record the finances of the Tommy Douglas Conference Training Center. She was then promoted in July 2017 to ATU Deputy Controller to manage the financial operations of the ATU. Her job duties include monitoring and recording all the financial operations of ATU, supervising and managing all the membership changes for over 200 Locals, and acting as the pension fund administrator. Salma began her career at the Machinists Union in January 2009, where she worked for eight years until January 2017. Salma graduated from the University of Maryland with an accounting degree and became a CPA in 2012. v IN TRANSIT

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Joint Industry Councils hold meetings, conduct officer elections The ATU Joint Industry Councils are ATU’s industryleading approach to bargaining and labor/management relations with multinational corporations. With the JICs unable to meet during the pandemic, International President John Costa convened four zoom meetings of the JIC’s for First Transit, Multi-Employers, MV Transportation, and Transdev to discuss critical issues impacting their Locals and their employers and conducted elections for the JIC officers.

Joining Costa on the zoom meetings were International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk and ATU International staff. At the meetings, the JICs heard updates and discussed issues affecting their Locals, their respective employers, the pandemic, legislative developments, strikes, contract fights, new technology, and other topics. Each of the JICs conducted elections for officers. The results of those elections were the following:

First Transit JIC

MV Transportation JIC

• Chair - Local 1433-Phoenix, AZ President Bob Bean (unopposed)

• Chair - Local 1577-West Palm Beach, FL President Dwight Mattingly (unopposed)

• Fin. Secretary-Treasurer - Local 1395-Pensacola, FL President Mike Lowery (unopposed)

• Fin. Secretary-Treasurer - Local 1433-Phoenix, AZ President Bob Bean (unopposed)

• First Exec. Board Member - Local 443-Stamford, CT President Veronica Chavers (unopposed)

• First Exec. Board Member - Local 1027-Fresno, CA President Luis Montoya-Alcazar (unopposed)

• Second Exec. Board Member - Local 588-Regina, SK Barb Balycky

• Second Exec. Board Member - Local 1091-Austin, TX President Brent Payne (unopposed)

• Third Exec. Board Member - Local 1722-Kelowna, BC President Al Peressini

• Third Exec. Board Member - VACANT

Multi-Employers JIC

Transdev JIC

• Chair - Local 19-Colorado Springs, CO President Salvador Pozos (unopposed)

• Chair - Local 627-Cincinnati, OH President Troy Miller (unopposed)

• Fin. Secretary-Treasurer - Local 1433-Phoenix, AZ President Bob Bean (unopposed)

• First Exec. Board Member - 1624-Peterborough, ON President William Simpson (unopposed)

• First Exec. Board Member - Local 1333-Rockford, IL President Jodi Williams (unopposed)

• Second Exec. Board Member - Local 128-Asheville, NC President Diane Allen (unopposed)

• Second Exec. Board Member - Local 1309-San Diego, CA President Cesar Buenaventura (unopposed)

• Third Exec. Board Member - Local 1493-Raleigh, NC President Percival Patterson (unopposed)

• Third Exec. Board Member - Local 1778-Lansing, MI President Maria Powell

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MBER OUR FALLEN REME

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

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Una tragedia impensable En la mañana del 26 de mayo, estaba en un zoom con la Junta de la Conferencia del Estado de Virginia de ATU hablando sobre las próximas elecciones primarias para gobernador y la importancia de que ATU esté activo políticamente cuando mi teléfono comenzó a vibrar con múltiples mensajes de texto y llamadas sobre un tiroteo en un patio de ferrocarriles en San José, CA. Nuestra peor pesadilla se hizo realidad cuando descubrí que el tirador mató a nueve de nuestros compañeros del Local 265-San José, CA. El resto del día fue muy confuso. Finalmente pude comunicarme con el presidente del Local 265, John Courtney, quien estuvo allí ese día reuniéndose con sus miembros. Fue difícil escucharlo relatar la tragedia inimaginable que se desarrolló frente a sus ojos ese día. Todos estamos increíblemente agradecidos de que el hermano Courtney haya sobrevivido a este acto de violencia sin sentido. Conociendo la gravedad de esta tragedia y el impacto en el Local 265 y en todo nuestro Sindicato, el Sindicato Internacional tomó acción inmediata. Nos reunimos y enviamos un equipo de respuesta a la crisis, incluyéndome a mí, funcionarios internacionales y personal a San José para apoyar y atender las necesidades de nuestros miembros del Local 265 y sus familias. Nuestro equipo de respuesta a la crisis trabajó con el Local 265, otros sindicatos y funcionarios locales para coordinar la asistencia y garantizar que nuestros miembros tengan acceso a los recursos y el apoyo que necesitan para lidiar con esta tragedia. También nos reunimos con la empresa sobre cómo tratar bien a los trabajadores y darles el tiempo de duelo que necesitan. El Local 265 y su Mesa Directiva hicieron un gran trabajo comunicándose con las familias de nuestros compañeros fallecidos. Se comunicaron con ellos sobre las preguntas sin respuesta que aún tenían, les explicaron sus beneficios y les ofrecieron su apoyo y terapia para el duelo. No existe ningún guion para esto, pero estamos haciendo todo lo posible para asegurarnos de que todos tengan el apoyo que necesitan y que esto nunca vuelva a suceder. Cada vez que escuchaba a nuestros miembros hablar sobre los tiroteos, pude ver el horror, la confusión y la necesidad de ayuda para comprender y superar esto. Es por eso que días después del tiroteo, celebramos dos foros comunitarios para asegurarnos de que los miembros supieran que su Sindicato está ahí para apoyarlos y para que tuvieran un espacio seguro para expresar sus sentimientos sobre la tragedia. Sin embargo, una cosa que ya no queremos escuchar más es que somos héroes. Lo hemos escuchado durante demasiado tiempo. Queremos ver acción. Queremos que nuestras agencias de transporte y los funcionarios electos ayuden con los problemas de salud mental que tenemos en el lugar de trabajo. Mientras hablaba en una ceremonia conmemorativa celebrada en julio por nuestros compañeros caídos en San José, quise enviar un mensaje claro. Tenemos que honrar la vida de nuestros compañeros perdidos y no olvidar lo que sucedió aquí. La VTA realmente suspendió los beneficios de las víctimas para sus familias, lo cual fue una vergüenza. Tenemos que llamar la atención sobre el fracaso de la VTA para aprender de la tragedia. No podemos barrerlo debajo de la alfombra.

y amigos que apenas comenzaban su jornada laboral normal cuando fueron asesinados. Aunque nuestros corazones estarán rotos para siempre, lo único que me reconforta es saber que nuestro Sindicato dio un paso al frente para ayudar a iniciar el proceso de curación y la conversación sobre la salud mental. Estamos juntos en esto porque juntos somos más fuertes. Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda, no dude en comunicarse con nosotros. En el sitio web de ATU en https://bit.ly/ATU-Member-Benefits, encontrará los recursos en FHE Health o si necesita hablar con alguien porque se siente abrumado, llame al 1-866276-1610. Nunca subestime la diferencia que puede hacer una llamada telefónica. Su salud mental y la salud mental de sus compañeros de trabajo son ahora más importantes que nunca.

Conferencia Legislativa de los EE. UU. Debemos seguir trabajando a través de la aflicción y el dolor para garantizar que todos los trabajadores estén seguros en el trabajo. Es por eso que días después de regresar de San José después de la tragedia, estábamos listos para dar la bienvenida a más de 200 presidentes/agentes comerciales y secretarios financieros a nuestra Conferencia Legislativa virtual de 2021, donde hablamos sobre nuestras prioridades legislativas con los funcionarios electos y designados y los candidatos que realmente se preocupan por nuestros miembros. Escuchamos al senador estadounidense Sherrod Brown (D-OH), al líder de la mayoría del Senado, el senador Chuck Schumer (D-NY), al senador estadounidense John Ossoff (D-GA), al representante de los Estados Unidos Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), al secretario de transporte Pete Buttigieg, a la administradora adjunta de la FTA Nuria Fernández, el secretario de trabajo Marty Walsh, al representante de los Estados Unidos Peter DeFazio (D-OR), al presidente del Comité de Infraestructura y Transporte de la Cámara de Representantes y a muchos otros. Una y otra vez, cada uno habló sobre el trabajo esencial que nuestros miembros han realizado durante la pandemia. Hablaron sobre la trágica pérdida de vidas en San José y honraron a los trabajadores respetándolos no solo en la primera línea sino también en la mesa de negociaciones. En la conferencia de este año, también destacamos los muchos éxitos legislativos de ATU, incluyendo la elección del presidente Joe Biden y la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, Jon Ossoff y Raphael Warnock en Georgia y la obtención de miles de millones de dólares en ayuda para las familias trabajadoras y del transporte. Como destaqué en la conferencia, esta es la razón por la que debemos seguir involucrándonos políticamente para garantizar un cambio real para nuestros miembros.

ATU Canadá celebra una convención Nuestros compañeros y compañeras de ATU Canadá también celebraron su primera conferencia nacional virtual debido a la pandemia de COVID-19 en curso. A pesar de trasladarse a un formato en línea, más de 150 delegados se presentaron para realizar un trabajo importante, incluyendo un Comité de Equidad e Inclusión y la elección de funcionarios. Felicitaciones al presidente John Di Nino y a los demás por ser elegidos por los delegados.

Necesitamos hacer lo correcto ahora, hablar sobre la salud mental y reconocer sus vínculos con la violencia en el lugar de trabajo. Podemos hacerlo mejor. Nadie debería tener que preocuparse por presentarse a trabajar y temer por su seguridad o sus vidas.

Aún nos quedan muchas batallas por delante, incluida la aprobación de la Ley de Protección del Derecho a la Sindicalización (PRO, por sus siglas en inglés) en los EE. UU., que facilitará que los trabajadores se afilien a un sindicato, las muy importantes elecciones de mitad de término en los EE. UU., luchar contra la privatización y la legislación de “right to work” en Canadá, así como las elecciones municipales críticas en Canadá de este otoño y las muchas otras luchas entremedio.

La necesidad de abordar la salud mental en el lugar de trabajo no podría ser más urgente. Seguimos comprometidos con poner fin al estigma en torno a la salud mental y comenzar un programa para ayudar a quienes tienen dificultades, incluidas las víctimas de la violencia en el lugar de trabajo.

Hay dos tipos de poder en este país. El dinero organizado y las personas organizadas. Podemos y debemos hacer ambas cosas. Por eso es fundamental que todos los miembros de los EE. UU. nos ayuden a aumentar nuestro poder político a través de COPE. Considere donar o aumentar su contribución hoy mismo.

Nadie está preparado para la repentina y devastadora pérdida de padres, maridos

Gracias por su apoyo. Nada de esto sería posible sin usted. v

Podemos hacerlo mejor

April - May - June 2021 | IN TRANSIT

Une tragédie impensable Le matin du 26 mai, je participais à un zoom avec le Virginia State Conference Board (Bureau de conférence de l’ATU pour la Virginie) et nous parlions de la primaire imminente du gouverneur et de l’importance de l’activité politique de l’ATU, lorsque mon téléphone s’est mis à vibrer, annonçant de multiples messages et des appels à propos d’une fusillade dans une cour de triage de San Jose, en Californie. Notre pire cauchemar s’est réalisé quand j’ai découvert que le tireur avait tué neuf de nos frères à la section locale 265-San Jose, CA. Le reste de la journée est un souvenir confus. Finalement, j’ai pu joindre le président John Courtney, de la section locale 265, où il se réunissait ce jour-là avec ses membres. Ce fut pénible de l›entendre raconter l›incroyable tragédie qui s›était déroulée devant ses yeux ce jour-là. Nous sommes tous vraiment reconnaissants que le frère Courtney ait survécu à cet acte de violence insensé. Connaissant la gravité de cette tragédie et l’impact qu’elle a eu sur le local 265 et sur tout notre syndicat, l’International a pris des mesures immédiates. Nous avons assemblé et envoyé à San Jose une équipe de gestion de crise composée de responsables, d’employés internationaux et de moi-même, afin de soutenir et d’apporter de l’aide à nos membres du local 265 et à leurs familles. Notre équipe de gestion de crise a travaillé avec le Local 265, d’autres syndicats et les fonctionnaires locaux pour coordonner l’assistance et veiller à ce que nos membres aient accès aux ressources et au soutien nécessaires pour faire face à cette tragédie. Nous avons également parlementé avec la société pour qu’ils traitent bien les employés et leur donnent le temps nécessaire pour faire leur deuil. Le local 265 et son conseil exécutif ont effectué un superbe travail en allant à la rencontre des familles de nos frères décédés. Ils ont répondu à leurs questions restées sans réponse, ont expliqué leurs prestations et offert leur soutien et les services de counselling aux personnes en deuil. Il n’y a pas de réponse toute faite à cela, mais nous faisons notre possible pour nous assurer que tous aient le soutien nécessaire et que cela ne se reproduise plus jamais. Chaque fois que j’écoutais nos membres parler des fusillades, je percevais l’horreur, la confusion et le besoin de comprendre ce qui s’était passé afin de pouvoir tourner la page. C’est pourquoi plusieurs jours après la fusillade, nous avons organisé deux réunions à la mairie pour nous assurer que les membres sachent bien que leur syndicat était là et qu’ils disposaient d’un espace sûr pour s’exprimer au sujet de la tragédie. Il y a cependant une chose qu’on ne veut plus entendre, c’est que nous sommes des héros. Nous l’avons bien trop entendu. Nous voulons des actes. Nous voulons que nos entreprises de transport public et nos fonctionnaires élus aident à gérer les problèmes de santé mentale que nous avons sur le lieu de travail. Quand j’ai parlé lors d’une cérémonie commémorative en juillet pour nos frères tombés à San jose, je voulais envoyer un message clair. Nous devons honorer les vies de nos frères perdus et ne pas oublier ce qui s’est passé ici. En fait, la VTA (Autorité de transport de la vallée de Santa Clara) a mis fin aux avantages sociaux des victimes pour leurs familles, ce qui est une honte. Nous devons mettre la VTA au pied du mur et tirer les leçons de la tragédie. Nous ne pouvons pas fermer les yeux.

Nous pouvons faire beaucoup mieux. Nous devons faire ce qu’il faut maintenant, parler de la santé mentale et reconnaître qu’elle est liée à la violence sur le lieu de travail. Nous pouvons faire beaucoup mieux. Personne ne devrait avoir peur d’aller travailler en pensant que sa vie pourrait être en danger. Il est d’une urgence extrême de se pencher sur le problème de la santé mentale au travail. Nous tenons toujours à mettre fin aux préjugés qui s’attachent à la santé mentale et à mettre sur pied un programme d’aide à ceux qui ceux qui

sont en difficulté, notamment aux victimes de la violence sur le lieu de travail. Personne n’est préparé à la perte soudaine et catastrophique de pères, de maris et d’amis qui ne faisaient que commencer leur journée de travail quand ils ont été tués. Bien que nos cœurs soient à jamais déchirés, ce qui peut nous consoler c’est de savoir que notre syndicat soit intervenu pour amorcer le processus de guérison ainsi que les conversations autour de la santé mentale. Tous ensemble nous sommes plus forts. Si vous ou une personne que vous connaissez avez besoin d’aide, n’hésitez pas à en demander. Sur le site web de l’ATU à https://bit.ly/ATU-Member-Benefits, vous trouverez les ressources à FHE Health ou si vous êtes bouleversé et voulez parler à quelqu’un, appelez le 1-866-276-1610. Ne sous-estimez jamais la différence que peut produire un simple appel téléphonique. Votre santé mentale et celle de vos collègues sont plus importantes que jamais. Conférence législative des États-Unis Nous devons continuer à travailler malgré notre peine afin de nous assurer que chaque travailleur est en sécurité au travail. C’est pourquoi, peu après notre retour de San Jose à la suite de la tragédie, nous avons accueilli plus de 200 présidents/agents syndicaux et secrétaires financiers à notre conférence législative virtuelle de 2021, où nous avons parlé de nos priorités législatives avec des fonctionnaires élus et nommés et des candidats qui s’intéressent véritablement à nos membres. On a entendu le sénateur américain Sherrod Brown (D-OH), le sénateur Chuck Schumer, leader de la majorité au sénat (D-NY), le sénateur américain John Ossoff (D-GA), le représentant américain Jesus « Chuy » Garcia (D-IL), Pete Buttigieg, secrétaire d’état au transport, Nuria Fernandez, administratrice adjointe de la FTA (Administration fédérale américaine des transports), le ministre du travail Marty Walsh, le représentant américain Peter DeFazio (D-OR), président de la commission des transports et de l’infrastructure et beaucoup d’autres. L’un après l’autre, ils ont parlé du travail essentiel que nos membres ont accompli pendant toute la pandémie. Ils ont parlé des pertes tragiques de vies humaines à San Jose et ont rendu hommage aux travailleurs en les respectant, non seulement en première ligne mais aussi à la table de négociation. A la conférence de cette année, nous avons également souligné les nombreux succès législatifs de l’ATU, notamment l’élection du président Joe Biden et de la vice-présidente Kamala Harris, de Jon Ossoff, de Raphael Warnock en Géorgie et des milliards de dollars en fonds de secours pour les familles de travailleurs et d’employés des transports. Comme je l’ai souligné à la conférence, c’est pourquoi nous devons continuer à nous engager politiquement pour assurer un changement véritable à nos membres.

ATU Canada organise une convention Nos frères et sœurs à ATU Canada ont également organisé leur première conférence virtuelle nationale du fait de la pandémie du COVID-19. Bien que cela se soit passé en ligne, plus de 150 délégués y ont assisté pour effectuer un travail important, notamment la formation d’un comité d’équité et d’inclusion et l’élection de responsables. Félicitations au président John Di Nino et aux autres qui ont été élus par les délégués. Il nous reste encore bien des batailles, notamment le vote de la protection du droit de syndicalisation (PRO) aux États-Unis, ce qui aidera les travailleurs à rejoindre un syndicat, les élections américaines cruciales de mi-mandat, la lutte contre la privatisation et la législation pour le droit au travail au Canada, les élections municipales cruciales au Canada cet automne et bien d’autres combats. Il y a deux types de pouvoir dans ce pays. La mobilisation de l’argent et la mobilisation des gens. Nous pouvons et devons réaliser les deux. C’est pourquoi il est crucial que chaque membre américain du syndicat nous aide à édifier notre pouvoir politique au moyen de COPE. Veuillez donc envisager aujourd’hui un don ou l’augmentation de votre contribution. Merci de votre soutien. Rien de tout cela ne serait possible sans vous. v

IN TRANSIT

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Death Benefits Awarded January 1 - March 31, 2021 1- MEMBERS AT LARGE ELBRIDGE LAWRENCE RUSSELL OESTEREICH 22- WORCESTER, MA STEPHEN M HEALY 26- DETROIT, MI THOMAS T LAGARDE 85- PITTSBURGH, PA LESTER GEORGE BEST JAMES R BIERY NANCY J CARTER JAMES D CHEBATORIS RAYMOND J CICHOSKI GREGORY J CREOLA RONALD A DAVIS JOHN M DEKRET JULIUS D DENSON MARY D FLEISNER JEROME J GIZLER JR RALPH ALLAN GRAESER GLENN A GUTHRIE JR MARSHALL JARRETT KENNETH L JOHNS MICHELLE A KLEMM JAMES F KOTCHEY IRA R LEVY ROBERT J LITTLE JR MARLON J LUCAS JOHN P MAJESKI DENNIS P MALLOY ROBERT MANKOWSKI RICHARD L MARPLE ANDREW P MCNEILL DANIEL J NEE RICHARD W PAUL VINCENT P RAGANO DOMINICK ROSE RICHARD J ROTHE ROBERT H SCHWOTZER EUGENE D SCOTT NORMAN W SHANOR CHARLES S TALARICO DAVID W TODD DONALD A WADE CHARLES C WATSON EDWARD C WETMORE BARBARA A ZEZULEWICZ 107- HAMILTON, ON ALFONSO BARNETT SZCZEPAN KOSSEK HON T LEE 113- TORONTO, ON STEVE ANDREW ANTHONY

LUIGI CALDI JIAN MIN CUI FRANK DISIMONE LAWRENCE P DONOFRIO JOSEPH FLORIO ANDREW F GASPER OLDEMIRO GOMES DOUGLAS HAIGH DONALD JAMES HEENAN FRANK G J HENRY BYRON JAMES JAN KWAST JAMES JOSEPH LEGERE TENNYSON LING LINDA DORIS LOPEZ BRUCE MASTERS SAM MIRZA DONALD L MISENER EMILIEN MOLLEUR RICKEY MOSHER CHRISTOPHER O’FLYNN RICHARD W. OLSEN DUDLEY MONTGOMERY O’SULLIVAN WILLIAM ANDREW POLSON WILLIAM G SAUNDERS PATRICK F SHARKEY GEORGE SHELDON GEORGE SIMANYI LEONORE A STOKELL BERNARD TODD JAMES GRAHAM TOOMBS JOSEPH TROIANO JAMES WADE JAMES ALEXANDER WHITE 164- WILKES-BARRE, PA KEITH E EVANS 168- SCRANTON, PA JOSEPH M HOUSER 192- OAKLAND, CA FE G DELLER CHARLES E DODGE MELVIN CURTIS HALL TROY E HIX WILLIE F MC CLENDON ANITA K MOORE 241- CHICAGO, IL EDWARD BOURNE MAXINE BROWN FRANK BRUNO LEMUEL R COLLINS JUAN CORTES CANNIE J DAVISON MADISON A EDWARDS

PAULINE FRY HOWARD L HARDY KENNETH D HULL BENJAMIN JACOBS WOODROW JOHNSON REUBEN JOHNSON-BEY PHILLIP LARRY ROY L MADDEN CLARENCE E MATTHEWS JAMES C MERRITT KEITH M PENDLETON CARLOS I PEREZ LILLE F PRICE CALVIN L REDMOND JAMES RICHARDSON PEARLMAN ROBINZINE FANNIE I ROSS WILLIE C SATTERFIELD BENJAMIN SMITH CLIFFORD H SUTHERLIN WALTER TARVER LYNVAL J THOMPSON ARTURO VALDEZ JR SEAN A WILLIAMS

KEVIN OUSLEY BILLIE C SHIPP MELONY THOMPSON DIANE L WILLIAMS

256- SACRAMENTO, CA STEVE ROBISON

569- EDMONTON, AB GERALD C BERG SIKANDER S DHALIWAL MARIO FILICE HOWARD O HALLETT RICHARD O KURTZ DONALD D SERNA JAMES A TURNER

265- SAN JOSE, CA STEPHEN ARATA ARMANDO N BYRNE MARVIN F COLLA VERLIN HAMBY SR HENRY C JONES RICHARD PHILLIPS DEBORAH F RICE DANA W WEATHERFORD 268- CLEVELAND, OH THOMAS BROWN FRANK GERBER WILLIE H LAWSON JR GEORGE E RUTHERFORD 281- NEW HAVEN, CT GEORGE L PARIS 282- ROCHESTER, NY MICHAEL J CIULLA CHARLES A KOCH 308- CHICAGO, IL WILLIE A BAUGH LASHONDA BELL LAROUEN W ELLIS JORGE C ESTRADA SAMMIE L MC COY MARVIN L MC HUGH

April - May - June 2021 | IN TRANSIT

381- BUTTE, MT GLEN YANT 416- PEORIA, IL PATRICIA DAVIS MICHAEL E MOORE 448- SPRINGFIELD, MA VINCENT R GONZALEZ

ROBERT B NORTON JR JOHN A PERRELLA JR JAMES A REARDON NICHOLAS J SANSON FREDERICK THOMAS 615- SASKATOON, SK JOHN ANDRES LAWRENCE EDWIN ROSE 618- PROVIDENCE, RI ERNEST ALBANESA RICHARD J KOZACK ARTHUR C SEARS

508- HALIFAX, NS THOMAS REICHEL JOSEPH A ROACH

627- CINCINNATI, OH GARY W MOUNCE

519- LA CROSSE, WI ROGER L KING

628- COVINGTON, KY RICHARD BIRKETT JOSEPH J HOWELL

540- TRENTON, NJ MILTON MICHELS

587- SEATTLE, WA RONALD GREEN IRINA N KIRILLOVA GAYNELLE B PEALS RICHARD T ROCHETTI 588- REGINA, SK MARTIN JAROCKI BRENT SANO 589- BOSTON, MA DOMINIC J ALESSI FREDERICK J ALLINGTON ALBERT L BERTRAND PETER BRADLEY RICHARD C BRANSON WILLIAM DAWKINS ANN P DE MILLE FRANK FAVALE MICHAEL J GREELEY WILLIAM P HUBERT FRANK P LIMONE ANDREW MARSHALL GERALD F MC CARTHY

689- WASHINGTON, DC WILLIAM C ASHBY CALVIN BREWER CLARENCE L BYNEM JIMMIE L COLCLOUGH DAVID G DAVIS VINCENT B DEW CHARLES G DICKERSON CARL W JACOBSON DEMETRICE JORDAN-JACKSON LAWRENCE W KENNEY ROBERT M LANDMAN ALBERT R MANGEL HENRY W MARROW MARGARET E MC GINN CLIFFORD MILLIGAN PAUL LEONARD MOYER WILLIAM OVERTON JOSEPH REID DEAN M SANCHEZ STEWART C STEVENS FREDDY L SULLIVAN FRED THOMAS JR JOHN F TOLBERT JOHN WALKER JR ROBERT L WARE RAY WILLIAMS JR MICHAEL L WILLIAMS SR JOSEPH J WOOD FRED D WOODRUFF 690- FITCHBURG, MA GEORGE L LA PLANTE IDALIS ROMAN

694- SAN ANTONIO, TX ROY C PENDERGRAFT 713- MEMPHIS, TN JOHNNIE V COLBERT JR 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY CHARLES ALBERTI PASQUALE ALFANO EDWARD H BOWERS SALVATORE CAMPO WILLIAM V COMFORTE JOHN HOLDER JOSE LORENZO JOSEPH MARTINO 732- ATLANTA, GA VIVIAN E CHAPPELL THEODORE L DOLLAR GEORGE MC KIBBEN JAMES S MC LIN WILLIE MIMS GREGORY B ROGERS JOSEPH E SIMS ELLA J TRAVIS 741- LONDON, ON JOHN CONGRAM HELEN REHORST LEWIS GEORGE STACEY ROBERT S SWALES JACK W WINKLER 757- PORTLAND, OR ROGER E ADAMS NEAL F BLASSINGAME HANDY BROWN WAYNE R CASE DAVID L DURHAM ANTHONY C DUTRA RICHARD EDAYAN CHRISTINE A GALAN PAUL W HEADLEY KENNETH W KJERSTEN KIM Y STUART JEFFREY P WARD KENNETH M WEST 788- ST. LOUIS, MO NORMAN CARSON ALICIA L COLE SAMMIE E DALTON LOUIS F GERLEMAN GEORGE W GIBSON JR SAMUEL H GUINN AUSTIN L HAYS WILLIAM J HOELSCHER JAMES C JOHNSON 819- NEWARK, NJ VANESSA BOLDEN WILLIE L GRANT PATRICK KING RAY A POLLINS JAMES L WESTON

820- UNION CITY, NJ WALLACE BISHOP DOMENICK J MAIO NESTOR F PEREZ EDDIE RIVERA 822- PATERSON, NJ PAUL EUGENE LOCKWOOD BERNARD NATOLI JUAN RODRIGUEZ 823- ELIZABETH, NJ SALVATORE DE LUCA EDWARD J DECZYNSKI SABRINA A PITTMAN FERTUS WHITLEY 824- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ CHARLES ERRICKSON CYNTHIA L JOHNSON ANTHONY RUNFOLA RICHARD L WIDMER 846- ST. CATHARINES, ON NEIL MC PHAIL 880- CAMDEN, NJ ROBERT LIBBY ROBERT E TOMLINSON RAYMOND WETZEL 956- ALLENTOWN, PA ELMER C HUFFORT 993- OKLAHOMA CITY, OK BILLY G DINWIDDIE 998- MILWAUKEE, WI EDITH E BUTTS RICHARD J DURICA BERNADETTE ENDERS ROBERT W GILL ROBERT J HIMMELSTEIN DEVERON W KRUEGER MOISES MARTINEZ KURT G OLMSTEAD THOMAS E POETZEL RICHARD M REDMAN JAMES S SAGGIO 1001- DENVER, CO JOHNNY O BARELA RONNIE CALLOWAY RICHARD RAY RAINEY 1005- MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN ROBERT J CHRISTENSEN RONALD P KASPRZAK ROBERT D NOVAK JANE M SERVATIUS 1027- CITY OF FRESNO FLORENTINO DIAZ

1056- FLUSHING, NY MUHAMMAD A BHATTI LESTER W BURNS SALVATORE COMMISSO AL L DOGGETTE JOHN DUNSTON JR JAMES SCOTT HARVEY R SHERROD WILLIAM SILVER ROBERTO VARGAS 1070- INDIANAPOLIS, IN JAMES BOONE 1091- AUSTIN, TX NICOLAS CORTEZ CLARK R PENNINGTON 1177- NORFOLK, VA KEVIN HEARD ESSIE DAMZY JAMES 1179- NEW YORK, NY LAWRENCE CARVANO MOSES E HARMON CHARLES F LLOYD MARION SCOTT FRANK WILLIAMS 1181- NEW YORK, NY JOHN ALOISIO VICTOR E AVILES JOSEPH BROOKSBANK JR EDWARD CONNORS RALPH M D’AGOSTO JOSEPH D’AMBRO SAMUEL DE HONEY JOSEPH DI BENEDETTO WIILIAM DWYER ROSA FIGUEROA FREDERICK FILIPPONE JAMES C GEMMELL CARMINE R GUINTA SYLVIA HONORE KWEI T HUANG JOAN HUBER MARIE JACQUES VIRGINIA JULIANO EMILE LA BOSSIERE THOMAS LOMEO GEORGE MARTINOS LUCILLE MATERA EVEREAD MATTHEW JOSEPH MOLDOVAN NICHOLAS MONTANINO HECTOR NEGRON MARIE PAUL IDA PIAZZA BETTY J QUINN ELEANOR RAGUSA ALMA SANCHEZ HELEN SAVALLI RICHARD SEIDMAN TERRY SOZIO JOHN VASELLI

ROBERT VELEZ JAMES ALLEN WILLIAMS

1447- LOUISVILLE, KY KIM JARBOE

1182- ST. JOHN, NB ANTHONY F FREAKE

1464- TAMPA, FL EUGENE GUTIERREZ JR GARY W HORWOOD MICHAEL JENNEWEIN

1189- GUELPH, ON DAVE CALDER

1498- JOPLIN, MO LAVERN V HOFF

1220- RICHMOND, VA JIMMIE N HILL 1235- NASHVILLE, TN RONALD L MARSHALL WILLIE H THARPE

1505- WINNIPEG, MB EDWARD JANIK SAFWAN MAKAREM LYDIA STORM

1267- FT. LAUDERDALE, FL FRANTZ REINBOLD

1512- SPRINGFIELD, MA CHARLES MYERS

1277- LOS ANGELES, CA RUDY CAMPOS CHARLES M CLAVIJO PEDRO DELGADO HAYWARD ENNIS EDWARDS JOHN M ESTEL ADAM M GRUBB BARBARA D KENNER CHEOL LEE EVELINE PORTIER SILVESTER J TEMBLADOR MANUEL C TORRES PHILIP H WILLIAMS

1517- IDAHO FALLS, ID WAYNE R HANKS 1563- DENVER, CO PATRICIA A JONES 1573- BRAMPTON, ON NAVIN BALLIRAM 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA TOMAS GUTIERREZ LOUISE E HASTIE 1587- TORONTO, ON SLAWOMIR NIKOW BONIFACIO PADILLA

1287- KANSAS CITY, MO ROXANA R BLAIR NORMAN H BRADLEY ANTHONY J CARTER WILLIE V JAMES DAVID L LEMONS BRIDGET Y OLSON

1591- BROWARD COUNTY, FL PATRICIA A VAN EPPS

1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY IVAN M WHITEHEAD 1328- RALEIGH, NC JULIUS A COLLINS 1342- BUFFALO, NY RAYMOND J BALLARD WAYNE J DICKEY DIRCK HARTMANS RICKEY L KIJANKA FRANK W KLENK ALLEN W LYNCH ANTHONY M SCHEEDA EDWIN VAZQUEZ LARRY WHEELER PAMELA WIGGINS 1363- PROVIDENCE, RI SALVATORE RAO 1385- DAYTON, OH GARY H TRENT

IN TRANSIT

1614- DOVER, NJ JAMES L PURDIE 1637- LAS VEGAS, NV DOROTHY FRAZIER 1700- CHICAGO, IL HAROLD F HAYWOOD JAMES E SHEARER 1704- SAN BERNARDINO, CA DAVID M PEREZ 1756- ARCADIA, CA NERI PEREIRA 1763- ROCKY HILL, CT SYED M HUSSAIN 1764- WASHINGTON, DC HARRISON B LEWIS LAMAR C MCCLAIN HAROLD POGAR, JR. MARIANO QUINTANILLA

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ATU-COPE is the Amalgamated Transit Union’s Committee on Political Education, the key political action committee (PAC) in the United States that has improved the lives of workers in the transit, school bus, and over-the-road bus industries for more than 30 years. Like it or not, politics matters, and in many cases, we get to elect our own bosses. They make important decisions on key issues like: Funding, Service Levels, Privatization, and Safety. ATU-COPE relies solely on the voluntary contributions of ATU members in the U.S. If we all gave just a few dollars per month, the PAC could support more pro-labor and pro-transit candidates and help keep them in positions of power. ATU-COPE backs Democrats and Republicans. We support candidates who look out for transit, school bus, and over-the-road workers, regardless of political party.

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

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You can sign up to contribute by credit or debit card (one time or recurring). Visit www.atu.org/action/atu-cope or scan the QR code to the right. Authorized by the Amalgamated Transit Union on behalf of a fund-raising effort for the Amalgamated Transit Union Committee on Political Education (ATU-COPE). Contributions or gifts to Amalgamated Transit Union COPE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Together We Grieve - An Unfathomable Tragedy in San Jose, CA

Articles inside

ATU COPE

Translation

Joint Industry Councils hold meetings conduct officer elections

Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, Sister Joins U.S DOT Secretary Buttigieg To Promote Public Transit Investment In American Jobs Plan

Canadian Federal Budget Continued to Ignore Transit Workers ATU Canada Escalates Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine Priority and Safety for Transit Workers

Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will provide robust transit funding and long overdue safety measures for transit workers

ATU’s General Counsel Robert Molofsky announces retirement

MetroAccess Call Center Workers Win a Strong Contract and Respect

Closure of Greyhound Canada and Demands for Public Intercity and Highway Bus Service New ATU Members in Airdrie, Alberta Ratify First Collective Agreement

ATU International Representative Stephan MacDougall appointed ATU International Vice President

Locals continue fight on frontlines of the pandemic

International Executive Vice President’s

International President Costa Honored by New Jersey State AFL-CIO

International President’s Message

2021 ATU Canada National Conference

Memorial: the ATU, Family and Friends

International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message