SUITING UP FOR BATTLE - ATU SUITS UP FOR NEW CHALLENGES AT 57TH CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO - Amalgamated Transit Union
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2 0 1 3
J U LY/A U G
www.atu.org
SUITING UP
FOR BATTLE
ATU SUITS UP FOR NEW CHALLENGES AT
57TH CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO
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
NEWSBRIEFS
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
LAWRENCE J. HANLEY
International President
ROBERT H. BAKER
International Executive Vice President
OSCAR OWENS ON THE COVER - ATU suiting up for
International Secretary-Treasurer the battle at 57th Convention - The Lee
Judge political cartoon on the cover says it
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS all. It was recently published in the Kansas City Star in
LARRY R. KINNEAR response to the latest of three assaults on Kansas City,
Ashburn, ON – lkinnear@atu.org MO bus drivers.
JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. In the attack, two young men boarded a bus, loudly
Kansas City, MO – jperez@atu.org
cursing the driver for being late, neglecting to pay their
RICHARD M. MURPHY fare. When the driver told them to leave and attempted to
Newburyport, MA – rmurphy@atu.org escort them off the bus, the alleged assailants punched,
BOB M. HYKAWAY kicked, and stabbed him.
Calgary, AB – bhykaway@atu.org
That was just one of the life-threatening assaults upon
WILLIAM G. McLEAN
Reno, NV – wmclean@atu.org bus drivers that took place within the span of three weeks
in Canada and the United States. In June a Washington, DC passenger hit a Local 689 driver as she
JANIS M. BORCHARDT boarded, and, later, while he was driving. In Cleveland, OH A Local 268 driver was attacked by a
Madison, WI – jborchardt@atu.org
group teens after telling them they couldn’t smoke on RTA property. A Kelowna, BC rider stabbed a
PAUL BOWEN Local 1722 driver with syringe (see story on page ?). These are just a few of the assaults we know
Canton, MI – pbowen@atu.org
of. How many more are there that we don’t hear about?
KENNETH R. KIRK
Lancaster, TX – kkirk@atu.org The problem of driver assaults is one of many critical issues transit workers are facing in 2013.
GARY RAUEN Privatization, elimination of pensions, rising health care costs, dwindling wages, cuts to transit are
Clayton, NC – grauen@atu.org just a few that are impacting all workers
MARCELLUS BARNES The ATU has been working to fight back. And, the delegates to the 57th Convention in San Diego,
Flossmore, IL – mbarnes@atu.org CA will take a hard look at how our union has been doing things and retool to find new ways. Our
RAY RIVERA future and that of all working people depend on it. Stay tuned.
Lilburn, GA – rrivera@atu.org
YVETTE SALAZAR
Thornton, CO – ysalazar@atu.org Edmonton’s Smart Bus system raises
GARY JOHNSON, SR. red flags - Edmonton Transit’s new Smart
Cleveland, OH – gjohnson@atu.org Bus system will give the city the ability
to peer into its buses, live, in real-time, but Local
ROBIN WEST
Halifax, NS – rwest@atu.org 569-Edmonton, AB, is worried about what city officials
are actually looking for. The system provides GPS
JOHN COSTA
Kenilworth, NJ – jcosta@atu.org tracking of buses, and live video from inside and in
front of the vehicles. Local President Stu Litwinowich
CHUCK WATSON
Syracuse, NY – cwatson@atu.org said the safety benefits are great for everyone not just
drivers, but his concern is the system will be used for
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES more than safety. “They are going to quickly turn this
into another means of discipline for drivers.”
ANTHONY WITHINGTON
Sebastopol, CA – awithington@atu.org
DENNIS ANTONELLIS
Spokane, WA – dantonellis@atu.org
CLAUDIA HUDSON
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS
Oakland, CA – chudson@atu.org International President Jim La Sala, ret.
International President Warren George, ret.
STEPHAN MACDOUGALL
Boston, MA – smacdougall@atu.org International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret.
ANTHONY GARLAND International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret.
Washington, DC – agarland@atu.org
Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated
CANADIAN DIRECTOR Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC
20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291.
MICHAEL MAHAR PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: APC Postal
Rexdale, ON - director@atucanada.ca Logistics, LLC, PO Box 503, RPO, West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6.
LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
LOOKING BACK,
LOOKING AHEAD
W hen I got a job driving a bus 35 years ago my
friends and relatives, even our neighbors
congratulated me even though they knew how hard it
leaders. We can be the ones who hang on until unions
are completely beaten down and crushed, or we can be
the ones who turn things around. We can hope that
was to drive a bus in New York. By the way it still is, in some of our cities will be the last ones to privatize transit
New York or anywhere else. or we can be right in the middle of a popular movement
that saves and expands mass transit. I think one ATU
They were all happy because I got a union job. Back in
local president got it exactly right at a recent meeting. “If
1978 that meant decent wages and good benefits, job
we don’t stop the attacks on the working class we won’t have
security. I would be able to take care of my family when
any more contracts to negotiate.”
I got one, and retire when the time came.
Here’s what I have learned. No union is strong enough
Transit was just one of the good union jobs out there.
to take care of business by itself. Even all unions
There were good manufacturing jobs, construction jobs,
together aren’t. There are just not enough of us. But
working for the city or state or the phone company,
if all the people who need and deserve a decent life get
teaching. All good union jobs with decent pay, good
together we will all be strong enough. Unions are the
benefits and a real future.
only ones strong enough today to pull all those powerful
Like most of us I believed that if all our unions stayed voices together.
strong on the job and took care of our business we would
all keep getting ahead and we would all have that decent
life. So I devoted myself to making sure my Union, Who will decide?
ATU, stayed strong on the job.
One other thing. Doing things the way we always did
is going to get us the results we always got. In 2013
View from the wheelhouse that is not good enough.
It’s 2013. I’m not looking at things from behind the Working people in America and Canada are in
wheel but from the wheelhouse as the president of the trouble. Somebody is going to decide what having
Amalgamated Transit Union and as a member of the AFL- a job is going to mean in the future, what retirement
CIO Executive Council. The reality I see is not good, for is going to look like, what kind of education our kids
transit workers and workers in every other industry. will get, what kind of life they can look forward to.
Either the rich and powerful will decide or working
Managements had already been gaining ground by the people will. One or the other. Our unions have to be
time I was hired, and its gotten a lot worse. Globalization the strong organizing center for a decent life for every
has steadily eaten away at the compensation of the union man, woman and child in North America. The ATU
jobs that it hasn’t been able to eliminate. And even if a has to be there. That’s what the 2013 Convention is
union job can be found, it no longer holds the promise going to be all about.
of a decent life for decades like it used to. We’re just
not getting ahead, and if we don’t do something fast our
children will fall even further behind.
I only see two choices for my generation of union
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 3
OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
CONVENTION PROVIDES
OPPORTUNITY FOR
SOLIDARITY AND ACTION
A t the end of August delegates from most of our
locals will gather from all parts of Canada and the
United States to participate in the 57th International
Why is it important?
And that should be important to us all, because, to be
Convention in San Diego, CA. And most of you brutally honest, if labor unions disappeared tomorrow
will have at least one delegate representing you at the it wouldn’t be long before most transit workers were
gathering. working for minimum wage, or less.
More than likely, however, since most members don’t I know that many members will find that hard to
attend local union meetings, you don’t know who those believe – but that’s because they haven’t kept up-to-date
delegates are, and you may not even care. with news about their Union and the labor movement.
In a way that’s understandable. The vast majority of our I urge every single one of you to check out the ATU
members will never go to a Convention, and they have Convention website every day during the Convention.
a hard time getting excited about an event that doesn’t I think you’ll find it an eye-opening experience, and
seem to have anything to do with them. maybe you’ll come away just a little more motivated
to get involved with this grand enterprise called the
But that’s where they’re wrong. The issues discussed Amalgamated Transit Union.
and the decisions made at the Conventions are of vital
importance to every one of us in this Union. The Union is only as strong as its members make it. We
need you to strengthen the Union with your voice and
your participation.
Reorganization There’s nothing we can’t accomplish if we all act together,
in solidarity.
We will be discussing a reorganization plan for the
Union at this Convention that we believe will make
your local more effective in representing you to your
employer.
For the first time we will be offering training at the
Convention that we believe will improve the skills your
officers use in representing you.
We will be passing resolutions that will affect the
directions the Union takes in the future.
All of these things affect the organization that fights for
your wages and benefits every day.
4 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSIT
J U LY/A U G
www.atu.org
2013Vol. 122, No. 4
2 International Officers & General Executive Board DELEGATES TO 57TH CONVENTION TO ATTEND
NEWS Briefs WORKSHOPS, REVIEW MAJOR RESTRUCTURING PLAN
3 International President’s Message:
4
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message:
9
Convention Provides Opportunity for Solidarity
and Action
5 Index Page
6 Canadian Agenda: Canadian Council Rallies
for National Transit Strategy, Funding
7 Vancouver members protest planned taxi
paratransit service
8 Toronto Seeling Funds to Build Subway RETOOLING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Rather Than LRT
13
New Bills in Commons Deem Driver Assault
an Aggravating Circumstance
10
14 Employer Support for Transit Surging Locally,
Fractured Nantionally
16 Contract Disputes Drag on in Tempe-Mesa,
St. Louis, and Westmoreland, PA
17 High Court Ruling Opens Door to Discrimination
Against Minorities, Riders
18 Union Summer Brings Young Interns to ATU in Atlanta
19 Above and Beyond: Seattle’s Al Ramey Safely BART LABOR DISPUTE PIVOTAL TO US LABOR MOVEMENT
Drives Into History Books
20
Winnipeg Drivers Cool to Police Cadet Security idea
Two Assaults in Two Weeks Have Kelowna Members
15
Calling for Mandatory Sentences
21 Safety Still A Big Issue In Contract Negotiations
22 Nearly 74% Favor Using Tax Dollars for Increased
Investment in Transportation
24 Transportation for Seniors
‘Underfunded, Underdeveloped’
25 Toronto Transit Renews, Extends Suicide
Prevention Program IS YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR A MEMBER OF ALEC?
International Headquarters Runs on Clean Energy
26
New Transit Coalition Unites Against
Washington DC Privatization
23
Three Portland Stabbings Needed to Get Security
27 Translations (Spanish)
30 In Memoriam
31 ATU Hero - Brother Ivan Gayvoronskie
32 Keep Up To Date With The 57th Convention Online!
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 5
Canadian Agenda
Canadian Council rallies for national
transit strategy, funding
C alling for a national transit strategy, local union
officers and members gathered for a rally, June
13, during the ATU Canadian Conference held
It is well known that the lack of adequate funding
hurts students, low-income earners and passengers with
special needs the most. Many of these riders spend hours
in Saskatoon, SK. The Council wants the federal a day on the bus, because they do not have any other
government to establish sustainable, long term funding transportation options.
for mass transit. Canada is the only G8 country that
does not have a national transit strategy. It is not as well known that the lack of a transit strategy
is the cause of the traffic congestion Canadians endure
The crowd called for passage of Private Members today. In cities such as Brampton, Mississauga and
Bill C-615, An Act to establish a National Public Halifax where the average commute is 82 minutes,
Transit Strategy, introduced in March 2013, by NDP congestion costs the economy $6 billion a year. The
transportation critic and MP, Olivia Chow. If adopted, economic loss resulting from a lack of a transit strategy
the bill would provide for a national public transit across Canada is billions more.
strategy to coordinate funding at all levels and provide
for long term funding for transit infrastructure. A comprehensive national public transit strategy could
address and meet the needs of urban and rural riders,
In recent years, riders in rural communities in students, and riders with disabilities. Such a strategy
Saskatchewan and across Canada have been cut off would enhance the safety of transit employees and the
from their neighbours due to the lack of a national travelling public, stimulate the economy and improve
strategy. Cities large and small struggle to fund transit the quality of life for all Canadians.
infrastructure due to the unpredictable funding and
riders find that their services are cut off unexpectedly Read more at: http://www.nationaltransitstrategy.ca/
as a result.
Public transit not a luxury
“Public transit is essential to a healthy society. A national
transit strategy is a progressive social policy that is long
overdue in Canada,” said local officers at the rally.
“Public transit is not a luxury.”
6 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSIT
New Toronto Whistleblower
Hotline unfairly target workers
T he Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) new
whistleblower program will encourage a negative
perception of transit workers among riders says Local
Bloated
The local believes the program won’t yield any real
113-Toronto, ON. information and many employees will just use it as a
repository for petty complaints.
“My concern with this new initiative is that it publicly
promotes the idea that there is widespread fraud and “What we do know is that an already bloated TTC
theft on the part of TTC employees that has yet to be management is bloating up even more, at the expense
discovered,” says Local President Bob Kinnear. “There is of better front line service. And apparently all these
simply no evidence for this and how this is supposed to managers are so incompetent that they have to contract
improve morale is beyond me.” out to the private sector their main responsibility, which is
the care and custody of public assets,” Kinnear continued.
Dubbed “Integrity” by TTC, the one-year pilot program,
which will be run by a private consultant, allows workers “I only wish that the same attention was paid to those
or contractors to anonymously report employees they many, many TTC workers who go above and beyond
believe are acting illegally or unethically. the call of duty to serve the public with a shamefully-
underfunded public transit system,” he said.
Vancouver members protest planned taxi
paratransit service
C iting safety and service issues, Local 1724-Vancouver, BC members working
for the HandyDart paratransit service have launched a campaign to protest
the use of more taxis to transport the elderly and persons with disabilities – a plan
which could result in the layoff of up to 28 drivers.
The local is adamant that taxi service is more costly and actually dangerous because
of the cab drivers lack of training. “This is what happens when you have a contracted-
out service and profit is the motive for most decisions,” says Local President Bob
Chitrenky.
Vancouver’s transit agency, TransLink, which was ordered to pursue HandyDart
service reforms last year, insists taxis will save money and allow more trips for the
same amount of money. “They’re dancing around the problem,” Chitrenky says.
“They are not telling us how this [inadequate service] is going to be solved.”
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 7
Toronto seeking funds to build subway
rather than LRT
P roponents of a “car-friendly” Toronto scored a big
victory, July 17, with the 28-16 vote by the city
council to extend the existing Bloor-Danthforth subway
line into Scarborough rather than building the already-
funded light rail system favoured by advocates of a more
pedestrian-oriented city.
The measure passed even though it will cost at least
$1 billion more to build the subway, and the plan is
contingent on securing new federal funding of $418 -
$660 million above the $333 million already committed
to the light rail transit (LRT) system, and getting the
$1.8 billion previously committed to the LRT by the
province.
to create a revenue stream in order to do that.”
To which Ford replied that he’s “totally opposed” to
Commitments from Ottawa, any new fees, and that, “I always have been and I
Queens Park always will be.”
In a press conference following the vote Mayor Ford said
he had commitments from both Ottawa and Queens
Park that they would support the subway plan, but that A lot of questions
they did not specify any dollar amounts. In response
At press time there were a lot of questions and
to a question, Ford said that if the governments don’t
contradictory statements floating in the air about the
come up with the money there’d be no subway.
commitment and availability of various funds and
The vote represents a rare victory for the embattled deadlines by which decisions must be made. So while
mayor who has championed the subway alternative for the council has clarified the city’s intent, a great many
over a year. In fact, the Progressive Conservative mayor other things have to fall into place before the subway
who is routinely described as “penny-pinching” wants will actually be built.
the subway so much that he said he would allow an
Meanwhile, the province continues to debate the
increase of up to .25% in municipal taxes to pay for it.
controversial plan forwarded by Metrolinx, the
The council, however rejected that idea believing that
GTA’s umbrella transit agency, to fund the rest of the
increases up to 2.4% may eventually be required.
municipality’s ambitious transit expansion plan – a plan
Liberal Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne, who that coincides with Premiere Wynne’s vision for the city.
has made public transit the signature issue of her
One thing that remains certain, however, is that the
administration says that the extra money for the subway
money has to come from somewhere, and nothing will
won’t come from provincial funds.
happen until it is provided.
“If that is what the city wants to do, then there has to be
a way of funding it,” she says, adding, “and I’m pleased
the mayor has changed his tune in terms of finding tools
8 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSIT
Toronto Transit renews, extends suicide
prevention program
T he Toronto Transit Commission and the Distress
Centres renewed and extended an agreement on
June 18, that will see its Crisis Link suicide prevention
Centres notifies the TTC’s transit control centre where
subway trains are slowed when entering that station and
help for the caller is then dispatched.
program continue through to July 31, 2018. Crisis
Link began as a pilot program in June 2011. Since Crisis link was introduced in 2011, the Distress
Centres have received 218 calls from individuals in
Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative has provided distress. Of those, 12% of callers were deemed to
on each subway platform the payphones that connect have suicidal thoughts that required action by the
people in distress and contemplating suicide with a TTC and police. Another 18% of callers expressed
Distress Centres counselor. Crisis Link phone calls suicidal ideation, but were not deemed to be a threat to
are free. harming themselves.
When a TTC customer calls Crisis Link from a The Distress Centres have handled an average of 2.75
payphone found near the Designated Waiting Area on incidents per month of people contemplating suicide
every subway platform in the system, a counselor with on the TTC. No person has ever attempted suicide
the Distress Centres knows where on the TTC the call on the TTC immediately after speaking with a Crisis
is coming from. Link counselor.
Trains are slowed
The counselor then determines whether the caller is in
danger of harming themselves. If they are, the Distress
International headquarters runs on clean energy
A TU is doing its part to improve the environment by purchasing 10% of the energy used by international
headquarters from wind-powered sources. This in addition to the implementation of other energy-saving
technologies, lowered the Union’s monthly electric bill from almost $14,000 in July 2010, to less than $8,000 in
July 2012; and from over $10,000 in March 2010, to under $6,000 in March 2013. As a result, ATU is saving
almost $45,000 per year in energy costs.
Clean Currents, a “green energy solutions” company, issued a “Certificate of Environmental Stewardship” to the
Union, confirming that ATU is 10% wind powered. Each kilowatt-hour of wind energy offsets approximately 1.4
pounds of carbon dioxide – the main gas causing global warming.
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 25
New Transit Coalition Unites Against
Washington DC Privatization
T he safety, security and reliability of Washington,
DC’s Metro bus and rail service has become
suddenly at risk, as the DC government has now
joined the ranks of cities considering privatization of
some of its service. In response, Local 689, riders, and
transit advocates have launched a new coalition – DC
for Better Transit.
The coalition is fighting proposals that would allow a
foreign company to run bus lines currently operated by
Metrobus. This company would operate the expansion
of the free Circulator bus and a proposed streetcar line.
Advocates will be hitting buses stops and Metro
stations leafleting riders to educate them about the on DC Mayor Vincent Grey “to keep non-regional
threats of privatization. The flyer asks passengers to lines out of the hands of private interests and keep the
“Join the fight to keep Metrobus public” and calls “public” in our public transportation system!”
Three Portland Stabbings Needed to
Get Security
L ocal 757-Portland, OR members have been
complaining for months about the lack of safety at
some of the restroom stops provided for TriMet drivers
these makeshift bathroom facilities including improving
lighting, fixing broken locks, securing tipped over units
and monitoring transients camping nearby.
in parts of Southeast Portland, but it took three stabbings
(since October) at one of the drivers’ portable toilets to Local 757 adds that more must be done to protect bus
convince the transit agency to place security guards there. operators across the entire system where assaults on
bus drivers are increasing. The abuse has become so
In the latest attack, July 17, a TriMet driver was confronted bad lately that drivers are afraid to work. “That’s not
as he left a break facility in the area. As he turned to walk counting the verbal assaults that we receive everyday —
away, the stranger reportedly stabbed him three times – the spittings, the physical altercations that may ensue,”
twice in the stomach and once in chest – with a small says local President Bruce Hansen.
utility knife, said Local President Bruce Hansen.
The local would like to see bus drivers carry mace,
“TriMet is immediately increasing security at both which is currently not allowed on the job. Drivers also
assault locations as well as elsewhere in that area,” a reportedly don’t receive any kind of training as far as self-
spokesperson said. defense.
But, the local says its had enough and that more must
be done immediately to address this growing problem at
26 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSITJe ne vois que deux choix pour ma génération
Regarder en arrière, de dirigeants syndiqués. Nous pouvons être ceux
aller de l’avant qui attendent jusqu’à ce que les syndicats soient
entièrement battus et démantelés, ou nous pouvons
Quand j’ai eu un travail en tant que conducteur de bus être ceux qui arrivent à faire changer les choses.
il y a 35 ans, mes amis, ma famille et même nos voisins Nous pouvons espérer que quelques-unes de nos
m’ont félicité, même s’ils savaient à quel point il était villes soient les dernières à privatiser le transport
difficile de conduire un bus dans la ville de New York. en commun ou nous serons en plein milieu d’un
Et, c’est toujours le cas, qu’il s’agisse de New York ou mouvement populaire qui sauvera et élargira le
d’une autre ville. transport collectif. Je pense qu’un président local de
l’ATU a clairement expliqué cela lors d’une réunion :
Ils étaient tous heureux parce que j’avais trouvé un « Si nous n’arrêtons pas les attaques faites sur la classe
travail syndiqué. En 1978, cela voulait dire des salaires ouvrière, nous n’aurons plus de contrats à négocier. »
décents et de bons avantages sociaux, ainsi qu’une
sécurité d’emploi. J’aurais été capable de prendre soin Voici ce que j’ai appris. Aucun syndicat n’est assez fort
de ma famille quand le moment viendrait, et d’obtenir de lui-même pour prendre soin des affaires. Même
une retraite convenable au bon moment. tous les syndicats réunis ne le sont pas. Ils ne sont tout
simplement pas suffisants pour nous tous. Mais, si
Le transport en commun était un autre bon travail toutes les personnes qui ont besoin et méritent une
syndiqué comme les autres. Il y avait de bons emplois vie décente se rassemblent, alors, nous serons assez
dans le domaine de la fabrication, de la construction, puissants. Les syndicats sont les seuls qui sont assez
travailler pour la ville, pour l’état, la compagnie de forts pour réunir toutes ces voix.
téléphone, ou même être enseignant(e). Tous des bons
emplois syndiqués avec une rémunération correcte, de
bons avantages sociaux et un vrai futur.
Qui décidera ?
Comme la plupart d’entre nous, je crois que si tous les
Encore une chose. Faire les choses comme nous avons
syndicats restaient forts dans le domaine de l’emploi
et prenaient soin de nos affaires, nous arriverions fait par le passé nous donnera les mêmes résultats
à aller de l’avant et nous pourrions avoir une vie que nous avons obtenus auparavant. En 2013, cela ne
décente. Donc, je me suis consacré à m’assurer que suffit plus.
mon Syndicat, l’ATU, reste solide dans le domaine Les travailleurs américains et canadiens ont de grandes
de l’emploi. difficultés. Quelqu’un va devoir décider ce que le
fait d’avoir un travail voudra dire à l’avenir, à quoi
ressemblera aussi la retraite, quel type d’éducation nos
Aperçu de la passerelle enfants auront, et à quel genre de vie nous pouvons
nous attendre au cours des décennies à venir? Ça
Nous sommes en 2013. Je ne vois pas les choses à sera ou les riches et les puissants ou les travailleurs
l’arrière de la roue, mais l’avant de la passerelle en tant qui pourront décider – l’un ou l’autre. Nos syndicats
que président du Amalgamated Transit Union et vice- doivent être un centre organisationnel puissant pour
président du AFL-CIO. Je vois que les choses ne vont que chaque homme, femme et enfant puisse avoir
pas bien, pour les travailleurs du transport en commun une vie décente en Amérique du Nord. L’ATU
et les travailleurs dans toutes les autres industries. doit être présent. C’est tout l’objectif de la Convention
de 2013.
À partir du jour où j’ai été engagé, la direction dans
chaque industrie a réussi à prendre du terrain. Un
travail syndiqué à temps plein ne garantit plus une
vie décente pour des décennies à venir, comme par
le passé. Nous n’arrivons pas à faire des avancées, et
si nous ne faisons pas quelque chose rapidement,
nos enfants se retrouveront dans des situations encore
plus déplorables.
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 27Je sais que beaucoup de membres trouvent que cela est
La convention offre des difficile à croire – mais c’est parce qu’ils ne restent pas à
opportunités de solidarité jour avec les dernières nouvelles concernant leur Syndicat
et le mouvement syndical.
et d’action
Je demande à chacun d’entre vous de visiter le site Web de
À la fin du mois d’août, les délégués de la plupart de la Convention ATU au quotidien, pendant la durée de la
nos locaux viendront des quatre coins du Canada et Convention. Je pense que vous découvririez que c’est une
des États-Unis pour participer à la 57e Convention expérience très enrichissante, et que vous viendriez peut-
internationale à San Diego (Californie) – et une grande être avec un peu plus de motivation pour participer à
partie d’entre vous aura au moins un délégué pour vous cette grande entreprise que l’on appelle la Amalgamated
représenter. Transit Union.
Cependant, comme la plupart des membres ne Le Syndicat n’est qu’une entité puissante grâce à ses
participent pas aux réunions syndicales locales, il est fort membres. Nous devons renforcer le Syndicat avec votre
probable que vous ayez des difficultés à reconnaître les voix et votre participation.
délégués – il se peut même que cela vous indiffère.
Tout est possible si nous agissons ensemble, en
De toute façon, cela est compréhensible. Une grande solidarité.
majorité de nos membres ne participera pas à la
Convention, et ils ont du mal à trouver l’envie de se
joindre à un événement qui n’a rien à voir avec eux.
Malheureusement, ils ont tort. Les préoccupations
mentionnées et les décisions prises à la Convention sont très
importantes pour toutes les personnes liées à ce Syndicat. TELLEMENT PLUS
Les délégués de la 57e Convention
Réorganisation
internationale qui participeront aux
ateliers vérifieront le principal plan
Lors de la Convention, nous allons discuter d’un plan de de restructuration
réorganisation pour le Syndicat, qui devrait rendre votre
local plus efficace afin de mieux vous représenter face à L’Amalgamated Transit Union tiendra sa Convention
votre employeur. internationale de 2013 au Hilton San Diego Bayfront du
Pour la première fois, nous allons proposer une formation 26 au 30 août en Californie. Le thème de la Convention
lors de la Convention, ce qui devrait améliorer les – Tellement Plus – reflète la conviction de l’ATU sur
compétences des officiers qui vous représentent. le fait que même si le Syndicat a accompli beaucoup au
cours des trois dernières années, nous venons tout juste de
Nous allons faire passer des résolutions qui auront un réaliser le plein potentiel de notre syndicat international.
effet sur les choix que les Syndicats prendront à l’avenir.
Ce sera seulement la 57e fois en 121 ans d’histoire
Toutes ces choses auront un effet sur l’organisme qui se bat que les délégués, qui représentent tout le syndicat, se
tous les jours pour vos salaires et vos avantages sociaux. rassembleront pour prendre en compte les grandes
questions liées à l’ATU.
Pourquoi est-ce si important?
Conventions mandatées par la
Cela devrait être important pour tous, parce que, en Constitution de l’ATU
toute franchise, si les syndicats devaient disparaître
demain, il ne faudrait pas beaucoup de temps avant que En conformité avec la Constitution et les Lois générales
les travailleurs du transport en commun ne commencent de l’ATU, une « Convention générale » de l’ATU doit
à travailler au salaire minimum, ou plus bas. être tenue tous les trois ans. Les règlementations qui
28 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSITgouvernent l’élection des délégués et le nombre des L’International a aussi pour objectif de profiter de
délégués, en se basant sur la taille permise pour chaque cette opportunité historique en proposant les ateliers
local, sont contenues dans la Constitution. de l’Académie inédite de formation de la Convention,
tout au long de la semaine, afin d’enseigner aux délégués
L’assemblée des délégués vérifiera les réussites de l’ATU la manière de découvrir tout le potentiel de leurs syndicats
au cours des trois dernières années, incluant nos efforts locaux.
de construire des coalitions avec nos passagers; notre
campagne électorale inédite de 2012; la campagne de Séances de formation uniques
l’ATU pour combattre les assauts sur les travailleurs de
transport en commun et les préoccupations liées aux Ces séances de formation uniques couvriront un ensemble
pauses toilettes ; notre campagne de fonds de secours en de thèmes et de sujets afin de permettre aux délégués et
cas de catastrophe pour aider les membres qui ont été à d’autres participants d’améliorer leurs compétences en
dévastés par l’ouragan Sandy, les inondations et d’autres matière de direction et de gestion. Elles fourniront aussi
désastres naturels; et plus encore. des renseignements sur les préoccupations importantes
et amélioreront la capacité de nos officiers et membres
Les délégués écouteront aussi des conférenciers de répondre aux nouveaux défis auxquels notre Syndicat,
prééminents, adresseront les défis auxquels les nos locaux et nos membres font face.
travailleurs de transport en commun et Syndicaux font
face, prendront en compte les résolutions, éliront les Les membres peuvent suivre les délibérations grâce aux
officiers internationaux, et voteront pour un plan de mises à jour qui seront disponibles tout au long de la
restructuration du Syndicat dans le but de mieux servir semaine sur le site Web de la Convention à http://www.
les besoins de ses membres au cours du 21èm siècle. atuconvention2013.com/
STAY CONNECTED
For the latest ATU News and Action Alerts please check out the ATU’s social media network
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IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 29In Memoriam
Death Benefits Awarded May 1, 2013 - June 30, 2013
1- MEMBERS AT LARGE 256- SACRAMENTO, CA MICHAEL J LYDON JR TALMADGE L SEBASTIAN SEAN D JONES
GERALD HOWARD CLAYTON DAWN L ERICKSON MICHAEL NAUGHTON MARION G SMITH JAMES MICHAEL RENO
THOMAS GUCKIAN PAUL D SOMONTES NORMAN E WISELY
FRANK E HUFFORD 265- SAN JOSE, CA ROLAND H STUBBS 1300- BALTIMORE, MD
AMOS C MYERS JR RAUL APOSTOL FRANCIS M TOOMEY 819- NEWARK, NJ ERNEST A ROYAL
EUGENE ELLIOTTE SMITH ROSARIO ENRIQUEZ FREDRICK TURNER JR EILEEN DELUISI
JAMES R STOUT GIL HIRSCH MICHAEL PALERMO 1309- SAN DIEGO, CA
ROBERT H STURROCK JAMES M JENNINGS 628- COVINGTON, KY LEONARD RIPA RICHARD M CONNORS
CAROL L MARSH WALTER CAIN LOUIS RIPA
26- DETROIT, MI WILLIAM E PRITCHARD DIETER STELLJES 1333- ROCKFORD, IL
RONALD BROWN 689- WASHINGTON, DC LEONARD L LONG
PERCY LEMO JOHNSON 268- CLEVELAND, OH JOHN WILLIAM BRYAN 820- UNION CITY, NJ
VERNEL L LITTLE ELEANOR J GORMAN DANIEL S BURROUGHS JAMES A MOONEY 1342- BUFFALO, NY
JOHN HOWARD WARREN JOSEPH TARABA MICHAEL G FITZGERALD STEVENP MAJETIC
CARL E TAYLOR ALBERT M FORMANDO 842- WILMINGTON, DE FRANK A SCHUMAN JR
85- PITTSBURGH, PA RUSSELL C VAN HORN CHARLES GILCHRIST JR ELLWOOD P WAY JR LEONARD SZYMANSKI
WALTER B AUSTIN ANDREW H ZELINKO JAMES A GRAHAM
THOMAS L FULMER RULE A HAGA 846- ST. CATHARINES, ON 1374- CALGARY, AB
DARRELL R GRIMM 279- OTTAWA, ON FRANCIS J KEIFER WAYNE RAWSTHORNE CLIFFORD ALLAN MOORE
WILLIAM T HIRSCHFIELD CLAUDE R PARENT WILLIAM D KENDRICKS STANLEY E STICKLAND
FRANK MASQUELIER BERNICE M MC MURTREY 880- CAMDEN, NJ KELLY G WADDELL
BESSIE MATHEWS 282- ROCHESTER, NY DAVID MICIJA DONALD V ANDERSON
JOHN A VICE GERALD J CASSERINO LEONARD ELI MIKESELL HARRY M BOLITSKI 1415- TORONTO, ON
JAY N WEINBERG JOSEPH JULIUS PITTS THOMAS O PRATT VINCE MC GOEY
308- CHICAGO, IL LEONARD RICHARDSON JULIA SIMONIN LEONARD H TAYLOR
107- HAMILTON, ON FREDDIE B BAILEY JR GEORGE H TWILLEY
MICHAEL HORVATH ALFRED BERRY MORRIS WALTER VAUGHAN 998- MILWAUKEE, WI 1433- PHOENIX, AZ
ANGUS MAC LENNAN HELEN B EDWARDS STEVEN F ADAMS DAVID ZILVERSMIT
WILLIAM MELIA ALFRED J O’NEIL 694- SAN ANTONIO, TX WILLIE L FRAZIER JR
ANTHONY PAYNE CHARLIE J PRICE JOE FALCON GARCIA EFFIE JONES 1505- WINNIPEG, MB
DONALD E SWACKHAMMER RUBEN VILLALOBOS JOSEPH R MROZEK GORDON ASHCROFT
ELLIS W WADDELL 382- SALT LAKE CITY, UT MICHAEL D NUGENT ROY ALBERT COLLINS
WILLARD G GRISMORE 713- MEMPHIS, TN MARVIN C POHL ALLAN GAYOWAY
113- TORONTO, ON CHANTEL L SANDERS DAVID W HENRY
JAMES A ARSENAULT 425- HARTFORD, CT 1001- DENVER, CO
TIBERIO CERQUA ALVIN WALKER 726- STATEN ISLAND, NY MICHAEL BYARS 1555- OAKLAND, CA
KELLY CHEUNG SALVATORE BONFIGLIO LAMBERT SMITH
MIKE HAWRYLKO 448- SPRINGFIELD, MA DONALD S FERRARA 1005- MINNEAPOLIS &
FREEMAN R HOLMES JEAN WHEELER VINCENT MECCA ST. PAUL, MN 1564- DETROIT, MI
NAZIR JAMAL FREDERICK MORIO JUAN ARROYO ROSE M WEGNER
ROBERT A JENSEN 517- GARY, IN FRANK PARISI RONALD J KNOPIK
GEORGE LEONARD LAIRD LOUIS M MC CLAIN RICHARD ZIMMERMAN LEONARD J UHERKA 1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA
LEONARD WILL LAWRENCE FRANK G RUSS
WILLIAM MAKEMSON 569- EDMONTON, AB 732- ATLANTA, GA 1179- NEW YORK, NY
HOWARD M NICHOLSON JAMES ISAAC KAULBACK JOHNNY L BEACHEM JOSEPH O’NEILL 1587- TORONTO, ON
GERALD PETERS TERRY W SCOTT JOHN W BROWN ANDREW ANISKO
WALTER PYLYP CHARLES VIRLYN MOSS 1181- NEW YORK, NY WILLIAM T OSBORNE
MICHAEL SISKO 582- ROME, NY JEFFERY PETTIGREW ROBERT W ANGRISANI VINCENZO ZAMBRI
STANLEY M TAKOFF HENRY J LEE JASPER SMITH ROSE T BAKUNCZYK
GIUSEPPE VETRO CHARLES N TAYLOR VICTOR A BEAULIEU 1700- CHICAGO, IL
583- CALGARY, AB HELEN BRAZAUSKAS BOBBY R CLEVENGER
164- WILKES-BARRE, PA WILLIAM P BROOKS 757- PORTLAND, OR EDWARD D’ALESSANDRO ALBERT B HENSON
RICHARD K BOBACK ARTHUR J FISHER GORDON D GARRETT DONNA A GARBRECHT EUGENE WALKER
SING TUNG B POON LE GRANDE A JACKSON PATRICK MASSELLA
192- OAKLAND, CA ELONA M OTTERBEIN LOUIS MAZZEI 1729- PITTSBURGH, PA
BUTLER BROWN JR 587- SEATTLE, WA CONSTANCE MILITANO CHARLES HARTMAN
RITA G DORTON DEBORAH A BAYTOS 758- TACOMA, WA RONALD PEDRETTI JOHN MULLIN
ALPHONSO PARIS ALLEN L GENTRY JR DANIEL A SCIACQUA VIOLA M REILLY
PEGGY A STINGLEY ROGER F HUSEMAN ERIN SCHIFF 1738- LATROBE, PA
HAROLD WASHINGTON II DAVID T LOWE 765- MONTGOMERY, AL FRANK SPINELLI GEORGE H RYLANDER
MALCOLM RICKERT ISAAC BUTLER
241- CHICAGO, IL KEITH G ROSS 1225- SAN FRANCISCO, CA 1756- ARCADIA, CA
THOMAS P BARRY MARJORIE E VINSON 779- SIOUX CITY, IA GEORGE F KAMP ANTONIO E SANCHEZ
MARY DAVIS SHARON PARIS
BEVERLY A DORTCH 589- BOSTON, MA KENNETH R PETERS 1235- NASHVILLE, TN 1765- OLYMPIA, WA
CORNELIUS GILLESPIE HENRY L ALLEN MELVIN STAGGS JAMES C CRISP
JULIO LEYVA ARTHUR W BERNIER 788- ST. LOUIS, MO HERMAN L WINTERS
GUILFORD N MOORE PETER J BRUNO RICHARD L HALL
LUTHER L NEWBURN FREDERICK W BURT III JIMMIE L JACKSON 1277- LOS ANGELES, CA
ALFONSO PARRILLO STEPHEN J GRAHAM HULAN JORDAN EUSTACE A GIROD
30 July/August 2013 | IN TRANSITATU HERO Brother Ivan Gayvoronskie
Local 1576-Everett, WA
O ne very cold and foggy day last January in Everett,
WA, Sound Transit bus operator Ivan Gayvoronskie
was on his usual route driving commuters to Seattle when
he noticed smoke coming from the back of his bus.
Recognizing the danger, Ivan calmly and quickly pulled
his bus over to a safe location and immediately evacuated
the 70 passengers in an orderly fashion. One was in a
wheelchair so Ivan recruited a couple passengers to help
her off the bus. About 30 seconds later the back of the
bus exploded in flames, The cold weather had caused the
water in the brake lines to freeze and make the engine
overheat which caused the tires to explode into flames.
he hadn’t handled the situation the way he had, it would
If it wasn’t for Ivan keeping a cool head and acting quickly
have been a lot worse.”
many of his passengers could have been severely burned
or even killed. One of the passengers praised Ivan, “That We at ATU salute Brother Gayvoronskie for his heroism
bus driver deserves some sort of recognition, because if and quick action on the job.
Helping ATU Locals Harness the
Power of the Internet for FREE
ATU has launched a new service, TransitWeb, to set up a free state-of-the-art
website for local unions. This new innovative program includes:
EASE OF USE User-friendly rich features, varied design template options,
and ease of use for updates and changes.
FRESH CONTENT Easily update your website with fresh content, photos and even videos.
SUPPORT Free training to learn how to easily update and maintain your website.
NO COST TransitWeb is a FREE program for all local unions, the full cost is covered by
ATU International.
FLEXIBILITY TransitWeb has been developed for ATU local unions. We’ll help you make your website
fit your needs.
To get your website up and running today contact: communications@atu.org.
IN TRANSIT | July/August 2013 31Amalgamated Transit Union
AFL-CIO/CLC
5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, D.C.20016
www.atu.org
STAY CONNECTED
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
THE 57TH INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION IS ONLINE!
We have launched a website for the ATU’s 57th International Convention in San Diego, CA, August 26-30, 2013.
The site will contain all the news and information on developments at the ATU Convention. Check it out!You can also read
