Canadian Version PDF - Amalgamated Transit Union

2 0 1 1
N OV/ D E C
www.atu.org
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
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
LAWRENCE J. HANLEY
International President
ROBERT H. BAKER
International Executive Vice President
OSCAR OWENS
International Secretary-Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
RODNEY RICHMOND
New Orleans, LA – [email protected]
LARRY R. KINNEAR
Ashburn, ON – [email protected]
JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.
Kansas City, MO – [email protected]
NEWSBRIEFS
Toronto Riders Protest Service Cuts The TTC held its first-ever public town hall
session after announcing a slew of service
cuts to bus and streetcar routes. Approximately 200
frustrated riders packed city hall where each of them
was given one minute to express their concerns. Much
of the concern had to do with the prospect of reduced
service on the public transit system. – CityNews
RICHARD M. MURPHY
Newburyport, MA – [email protected]
BOB M. HYKAWAY
Calgary, AB – [email protected]
CHARLES COOK
Petaluma, CA – [email protected]
WILLIAM G. McLEAN
Reno, NV – [email protected]
JANIS M. BORCHARDT
Madison, WI – [email protected]
PAUL BOWEN
Canton, MI – [email protected]
KENNETH R. KIRK
Lancaster, TX – [email protected]
GARY RAUEN
Clayton, NC – [email protected]
MARCELLUS BARNES
Flossmore, IL – [email protected]
RAY RIVERA
Lilburn, GA – [email protected]
YVETTE SALAZAR
Thornton, CO – [email protected]
GARY JOHNSON, SR.
Cleveland, OH – [email protected]
ROBIN WEST
Rexdale, ON – [email protected]
JOHN COSTA
Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected]
CHUCK WATSON
Syracuse, NY – [email protected]
Politicians Call for Better Protection of
Operators - Diane Deane, head of Ottawa’s
transit committee, called on the federal
government to better protect bus drivers at OC Transpo and
other public transportation systems across Canada. “There
is a bit of a trend emerging in terms of assaults on bus
drivers,” Deane said, “They just should not be tolerated.” ATU
representatives also stressed the importance of surveillance
cameras on buses. An open letter co-written by Deane and
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson last Friday asked for better mutual
respect between OC Transpo drivers and riders. – CBC News
A Win in Winnipeg - Workers at Winnipeg
Transit will receive a trio of pay increases
over the course of a new four-year contract.
Members of Local 1505 voted to approve a collective
agreement with the City of Winnipeg that extends
to January 17, 2015. The union’s 1,300 members
have been without a contract since January 2011.
– Winnipeg Free Press
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
ANTHONY WITHINGTON
Sebastopol, CA – [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS
DENNIS ANTONELLIS
International President Jim La Sala, ret.
International President Warren George, ret.
CLAUDIA HUDSON
International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret.
International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret.
Spokane, WA – [email protected]
Oakland, CA – [email protected]
STEPHAN MACDOUGALL
Boston, MA – [email protected]
CANADIAN COUNCIL
STAN DERA
Rexdale, ON - [email protected]
International Secretary-Treasurer Ray Wallace, ret.
Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the Amalgamated
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,
USPS: 260-280. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
B&M Mailing Service Limited, 35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1A5, [email protected]
N OV/ D E C
2011
www.atu.org
2
International Officers & General Executive Board
NEWS Briefs
3
Index Page
5
Canada to Make Infrastructure Plans Beyond 2014
Labour Party in ‘Catbird Seat’ in Ontario
6
ATU, TWU Join Forces to Fight against Driver Assault,
for Adequate Bathroom Breaks
7
Canadian Agenda - Good and Bad News Labour
Legislation Introduced
9
International President’s Message: With This Faith
TransitWeb: Helping ATU Locals Harness the
Power of the Internet for FREE
11
Transit Workers, Passengers Unite in Transit Funding
Battle. The Campaign Is On!
12
Thank You Ohio - Thanks ATU and All of Ohio,
for Beating Back Issue 2
13
International Executive Vice President’s Message:
Proud to be ATU in Ohio & All Over the U.S. and Canada
14
Ohio Repeals Union-Busting Law by Wide Margin
19
International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message:
Getting Ready for 2012
20
NTSB Report Confirms Need to Change Interstate
Bus Overtime Rules
21
Global Super Rich Now Stash $25 Trillion
23
Occupied - ATU, Unionists, Occupy Movement Continue
Crusade Against Greed, for Jobs
24
Book Review - New Book Documents Widespread
Robbery of Retirement Funds
25
OFL Convention Delegates Protest Eviction
of Occupy Campers from Toronto Park
26
Bringing the Breathalyzer Across the Border
Ottawa Local, OC Transpo Avoid Repeat of
Bitter Winter ‘08-’09 Strike
28
Translations (French)
29
Saskatoon Judge: Sometimes Bus Seatbelt
Can Be a Hazard
30
In Memoriam
31
50 Years Ago: Calgary Negotiates a Better
Contract Despite Hard Times
32
Happy Holidays from the International Executives
and Staff
Vol. 120, No. 6
STRIKES DRAG ON
4
STAND UP FOR SAFETY
8
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
15
LOSING GROUND
22
IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
3
canadian workers
f i ght on
M
embers of Local
113 were entering
the sixth week of their
strike against York Region
Transit/Viva bus service
in Ontario as In Transit
went to press in early
December.
Contract
managers Veolia, Miller Transit, and First Canada rejected
the local’s call for arbitration in November, but said
that they would be willing to re-open negotiations in
December.
Local 113 President Bob Kinnear says that he will
return to the bargaining table if he receives an invitation
to do so. In the meantime, Kinnear says, the strike
will continue until there’s a settlement or Veolia
agrees to enter into arbitration. International President
4
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
Hanley visited the picket lines and says workers
remain strong and united. “This could be a long and
drawn out battle and the International is united behind
Local 113 until a fair and just agreement is reached.”
Further east, a major development took place at
Groupe Orléans Express, the parent company of
Acadian bus lines serving New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island that was being struck by members
of Local 1229-St. John, PEI. Sylvain Langis, the
president and CEO of the Quebec-based company,
announced his resignation effective January 1, 2012,
and Local 1229 members were hopeful the appointment
of a new CEO would help the parties come to a settlement
that will end the strike. Canada to Make Infrastructure
Plans Beyond 2014
T
he Canadian federal government is launching a
formal engagement process that will bring together
the Government of Canada, provinces, territories, the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and others, such as
the Canadian Urban Transportation Association, to develop
a new long-term plan for public infrastructure beyond the
expiry of the Building Canada Plan in 2014. “The government is delivering on a key commitment of the
last budget to work with all orders of government as well
as with stakeholders such as CUTA in developing a new
long-term plan to expand and renew our infrastructure,”
says CUTA President and CEO Michael Roschlau. “On
many occasions, the government highlighted the strategic
importance of investing in our infrastructure and the
November 30 announcement is another sign that we are
moving in the right direction.”
the competitiveness of our urban centres, and the quality
of life of Canadians across the country,” adds CUTA Chair
John King. Over the last 10 years, investment from the federal
government has grown substantially, averaging nearly
$1 billion per year. “We will be pleased to work with all
orders of government and other stakeholders to make sure
that public transit is a key component of the new plan,”
concludes Roschlau. Positive Impact
Over the last few months, CUTA met with representatives
from Infrastructure Canada to discuss the importance of
making public transit a key component of the new plan.
“There is recognition from both the transit industry and
the government that federal investment in public transit
has had positive impact on the vitality of our communities,
Labour Party in ‘Catbird
Seat’ in Ontario
O
ntario’s New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Andrea Horwath woke
up in the catbird seat, October 7, having won an impressive 17 seats in
the province’s parliamentary elections and holding the balance of power. At
37 seats, Progressive Conservatives fell well below expectations. Liberal
candidates won 53 seats – one short of an outright majority. Since Tories
seldom vote with Liberals, the Grits will need at least one labour party vote to
pass legislation. Ontario Federation of Labour President Sid Ryan exclaimed,
“[Conservative Leader Tim] Hudak thought he could bank on the Liberals
fumbling the ball so the Conservatives could score an easy touch-down,
but he never anticipated an NDP interception.” IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
5
ATU, TWU Join Forces to Fight
against Driver Assault, for Adequate
Bathroom Breaks
R
esponding to the recent massive increase in violence
against transit operators and the ongoing struggle to
secure adequate bathroom breaks, local union leaders of
the ATU and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) joined
safety and medical experts at international headquarters to
strategize and plan a national campaign around these issues.
International President Larry Hanley kicked off the meeting
outlining the problems and recent developments in these
areas. Noting that fare disputes were the instigating factor
in most driver assaults, Hanley remarked that bus operators
are really “curbside tax collectors,” and that people often
react to them as such.
Hanley also related his experience discussing the issue of
bathroom breaks at a recent meeting of the ATU women’s
caucus where the participants expressed a high degree of
concern and frustration with the ongoing problem.
Important Issues
Hanley introduced Ed Watt, TWU’s director of safety, who
has been working on these issues for many years. Watt
presented an overview of the topics and gave the workshop
a sense of how important these issues really are.
Local leaders spoke firsthand about problems with assaults
and bathroom breaks and talked about the importance of
getting members interested in the matter. Several agreed
that these health and safety issues get more attention after
a violent incident.
Public Safety Issue
Canadian Director Stan Dera told the assembly that it
has been difficult to generate much sympathy for drivers
in Ontario because of the beating their public image has
been taking in the media. But, recently, he said, they have
gotten some traction with the government by emphasizing
the danger driver assault presents to the public.
6
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
“It’s a public safety issue,” said Dera, who estimates that
at least 40% of all Canadian bus drivers will be assaulted
during their careers.
There was discussion of protections such as driver shields
and the myriad of issues that come with them, as well
as bringing back drivers’ side doors. Most agreed that
partitions needed to be “user optional.”
Some strongly believed new federal and state legislation
was needed to stem the violence, others wished authorities
would simply enforce the laws already on the books in
their areas. Others thought much more police presence on
transit would help.
Time and Availability
Discussion of bathroom breaks broke down to issues of
availability of rest room facilities and the time provided.
Most at the meeting found that drivers often have little
or no time to use facilities between runs. And finding
a bathroom that can be reached quickly was a challenge
for many.
Hanley blamed the problem on the current reliance on
computers, rather than people to design bus schedules.
The lack of bathroom breaks was discussed, not only from
the perspective of the damage it does to drivers’ health,
but also the amount of distraction it creates in drivers
who have not been able to use a bathroom when they need to.
A recent study found driving with a full bladder is similar to
driving under the influence with a 0.05% blood alcohol content.
The workshop went further in depth with presentations
from safety and medical personnel informing the political
and strategic plans the group formulated.
This was just the first ATU-TWU meeting on this issue.
The two unions will be continuing to work together on
these concerns in the future. For more information, visit
www.atu.org
Canadian Agenda
Good and Bad News
Labour Legislation Introduced
I
t’s been a pretty quiet summer for most provincial and
territorial legislatures, with members just recently getting
back to work. Despite this lack of activity, Ontario held
an October election resulting in the election of a liberal
minority government.
While minority governments often struggle to get
anything done (thanks to the need for compromise with
other parties) labour should be happy that the provincial
conservatives were kept out of office. Tim Hudak’s rhetoric
was blatantly anti-union, and the prospect of a return to
the Mike Harris era has been avoided.
At the federal level, Parliament has been sitting for a couple
of months now, and there are a few bills before it to make
note of:
public disclosure (Bill C-317). While this may not sound so
bad at first, we view it as a totally unnecessary measure that
would simply add red tape to the running of the union.
Also, the bill is unjust, since union funds are not public
money. Rather, they are paid by members (who already
have the right to review the union’s finances and to express
their displeasure if they don’t like what they see), and the
government has no business prying.
The problem, of course, is that the Conservatives hold a
majority, and don’t need to take into account the views of
their enemies. So, we would like to remind you that the
next time an election comes around, get involved and make
sure your voice is heard!
Blatant Stall Tactic
National Public Transit Strategy
To start with the good news, NDP MP Olivia Chow has
introduced a bill called An Act to establish a National Public
Transit Strategy (Bill C-305). This bill would require the
federal minister of transport to convene a conference with
his provincial counterparts to establish a strategy to guide
the development of public transit in Canada, including
figuring out stable, permanent funding mechanisms.
This would be hugely beneficial to public transit (and, of
course, to transit unions), which currently suffers from
a lack of stable funding. Funding, especially of capital
investment, is almost entirely at the discretion of the
different levels of government, which means that promised
funding can evaporate quickly when the political climate
changes.
Mindless Anti-Union Ideology
The bad news, however, is that Conservative MP Russ
Hiebert has introduced a bill that would require unions to
provide certain financial information to the government for
Finally, although the threatened back to work legislation
wasn’t needed, our update wouldn’t be complete without
mentioning the sad situation of the Air Canada flight
attendants. When the flight attendants threatened to
strike, and had gone through the onerous process to put
themselves in a position to do so, the minister of labour,
Lisa Raitt, disingenuously referred the dispute to the
Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Thanks to a loophole in the Canada Labour Code, this
meant that the flight attendants couldn’t strike until the
Board answered the question the minister had given it.
This was a blatant stall tactic designed to trample the flight
attendant’s right to strike.
The point of it was to buy time until the House of
Commons was sitting again and back to work legislation
could be passed. The dispute was eventually referred to
binding arbitration, but we are extremely disappointed and
upset by the government’s disrespect for its own citizens
and its shameful attempts to destroy labour. IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
7
STAND
UP FOR
of New York City
School Children
“…for 32 years, it has been city policy to ensure that skilled
and reliable people like us are the ones behind the wheel
and at this bus stop. We put your children’s lives in our
hands every single morning. It goes without saying that we
had better be the best at what we do.
S
“But now, despite 32 years of support for this policy, the mayor
has suddenly changed his tune and wants to ship out this
city’s bus contracts to the cheapest bidder, with no provisions
in place to guarantee they hire the best and most experienced
drivers, mechanics and escorts or any protections for our
wages and benefits. It’s another attack by the mayor on
working people – like you – who are struggling to make
ends meet and provide for their families everyday.”
The city and mayor are threatening to rescind crucial
work policies and protections that ensure the most
experienced school bus drivers, mechanics and escorts who
have safely and securely transported hundreds of thousands
of school children for over 30 years will continue doing
that job. Unfortunately, the mayor, who made it seem
like a school bus strike was imminent, created unnecessary
anxiety and fear by politicizing the situation.
Cordiello continued, “We aren’t about to let the City make
such a careless, dangerous move without a fight. We as bus
drivers, mechanics, escorts and parents should raise our
voices and demand that the City continue to guarantee the
people transporting your children to and from school every
day are qualified, responsible, and experienced The casting
away of well trained, experienced employees in favor of
companies who are simply seeking to provide bare-bones
service at the lowest possible cost is a risky, ill-conceived
move by the mayor that directly threatens the safety and
security of our children.
Letter to Parents
Cordiello encouraged parents to contact the mayor’s and
school chancellor’s office to “demand that experienced
school bus employees stay on the job.”
In response Local 1181 sent a letter to parents of New York
City schoolchildren assuring them that no strike would
occur over the holiday season. In the letter Local President
Michael Cordiello addressed the real problem saying:
“Cost-cutting is important,” he concluded. “But risking
the wellbeing of our children and jeopardizing the jobs
and benefits or hard working people under the auspices of
saving a few bucks is just plain wrong.” chool bus drivers, mechanics, and escorts from Local
1181 joined TWU members, Teamsters, New York City
council members, borough presidents, parents, and other
supporters to demand safe and secure bus transportation
for NYC school children at a noon rally at City Hall,
December 6.
8
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
OFL Convention Delegates Protest
Eviction of Occupy Campers
from Toronto Park
Convention
Nearly 1500 delegates attended the convention – 50%
more than last year – pledging to fight against the austerity
agenda of governments and corporate CEOs and build a
broad coalition across the province to promote social justice.
President Sid Ryan elected to a second term by acclamation,
as was steelworker Nancy Hutchison for the office of
secretary-treasurer. Irwin Nanda of CUPW was handily
elected executive vice president.
O
n Wednesday morning, November 30, police
moved in to St. James Park, to remove the Occupy
Toronto protesters encamped there. Having learned from the
public backlash over their harsh tactics during a G20 Summit
which took place there, Toronto police were restrained and
cautious as the tents were cleared and residents informed that
they could still assemble there during the day to exercise their
right to protest.
The officers made it clear that their priority was to reach out
to the unions not in attendance and find a way to restore
unity after a fractious two years of internal division. The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention taking
place at the same time adjourned to go to the park and
show solidarity with the occupiers. In spite of being denied
an ongoing physical presence in many cities, the Occupy
movement has been successful in highlighting the obscene
power the wealthiest 1% employ to distort the balance of
economies and political systems around the world.
IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
25
Bringing the
Breathalyzer
Across the Border
T
oronto Transit Commission workers may be subject to
random drug tests in the near future, as the TTC mulls
over the decision to implement a drug and alcohol testing
policy that is almost unheard of in Canada.
Using random drug testing techniques such as a breathalyzer
or oral swabs would act as a “necessary deterrent for those
who choose to risk their own safety, as well as the safety of
others,” TTC said in a press release.
Human Rights
However, this issue has brought up many concerns. While
many transit agencies in the U.S. choose to have random
drug test policies, in Canada they are very rare. Currently,
the only Canadian drivers who are subject to random tests
are those who cross over the U.S./Canada border frequently
during their routes.
“Unfortunately, the TTC is trying to implement these
policies because random drug and alcohol testing has been
in existence below the border for two decades,” said Local
113 President Bob Kinnear. “But there is no solid evidence
showing that testing improves safety.”
Joe Mihevc, former TTC vice-chairman, says he believes
random testing is a human rights violation. “The whole
issue of whether it actually causes people to have a change
in behavior is dubious, the evidence on that is very unclear,”
Mihevc says.
U.S. data shows that there is only a slight decline in positive
results under random drug testing policies, with increases
in later years.
The commission also approved looking into the feasibility
of other tests, such as an eye scan proposed by ATU
because it has the ability to detect all kinds of impairment,
including fatigue, but limits the invasion of privacy of
random drug tests. Ottawa Local, OC Transpo Avoid Repeat of
Bitter Winter ’08-’09 Strike
I
t’s a winter Local 279 members will never forget. Snow
blew in their faces as they carried picket signs through
the bitterly cold streets of Ottawa. City businesses
struggled through the holidays without mass transit, and
ATU families suffered through the season without much
of their income. The winter of 2008-’09 was as bad as
it gets.
With these memories still fresh, OC Transpo began the
latest round of negotiations proposing an extension of the
current contract until March with some significant changes:
26
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
The proposal would give the agency’s bus drivers, mechanics
and dispatchers a two-percent raise and would require that
bidders on the city’s light-rail project (which includes a
long-term contract to maintain the system) use ATU 279
workers for maintenance work.
Local 279 members voted to accept the contract on
October 14, and the city council approved it on October
20. Negotiations will pick up again in March when both
the meteorological and the political climates are expected to
be a lot warmer. Avec cette foi
U
nehistoire récente d’un homme à New York qui a été agressé
par un jeune homme avec un couteau a touché certains de
mes amis sur Facebook. La victime a convaincu l’agresseur de le
rejoindre à dîner et a terminé en lui donnant 20 $ et une bonne
conversation!
Il m’a incité à afficher ce qui suit :
Les crimes commis dans notre société qui volent les
travailleurs en leur enlevant leurs maisons, leurs pensions,
leurs avenirs et leurs emplois ne sont pas commis par des
gens pauvres avec des couteaux. Ils sont commis dans les
salles de conférences, à Wall Street et au Congrès. Les vrais
criminels ne vont jamais en prison. La faillite d’American
Airlines est le dernier exemple du 1 % qui vole les sources
de revenus de 99 % des autres.
Il a été bien reçu avec beaucoup de mes amis.
Les gens pauvres avec des couteaux sont effrayants parfois, et le
crime peut être violent. Mais comme je l’ai indiqué, en citant
Robert Kennedy il y a quelques mois (et c’est tellement bon qu’il
mérite d’être répété ici) :
À New York (ON), la région locale 113 et la section locale 1587 sont
en grève contre Miller Transit et la cupidité des entreprises
multinationales Veolia et First Group. Les conducteurs d’autobus
interurbain du local 1226 au Nouveau-Brunswick sont aussi en grève.
Aux États-Unis, nos sections locales demandent à des membres et
des conducteurs d’écrire au Congrès afin d’obtenir du financement,
et à New York, nous nous préparons pour une grande lutte de
l’industrie de l’autobus scolaire
ATU mène une lutte contre la fatigue du conducteur dans
l’industrie des autobus interurbains, après une augmentation des
accidents mortels d’autocars cette année. Nous avons lutté contre
les assauts vicieux sur les opérateurs qui sont à la hausse à la fois
aux États-Unis et au Canada.
Nous allons aider nos syndicats locaux, plus que jamais en 2012,
avec de nouvelles formations en communication, ressources et
assistance. Et nous prévoyons également lancer un nouveau type
de campagne Garder l’Amérique en mouvement qui sera à la
fois durable et efficace. L’ATU est un syndicat qui fait bouger les
choses - partout!
M. Potter
Il y a une autre sorte de violence, plus lente, mais tout aussi
meurtrière et destructrice que le tir ou la bombe dans la
nuit. Il s’agit de la violence des institutions, l’indifférence
et l’inaction et de la dégradation lente. C’est la violence
qui afflige les pauvres, qui empoisonnent les relations entre
les hommes parce que leur peau est de couleur différente.
J’ai vu un de mes films préférés au début de décembre, « La vie
est belle. » Je le recommande à tous ceux qui se soucient d’une
société juste. Plus important encore, si vous vous souciez vraiment
aider à sortir vos collègues de ce gâchis que les courtiers et les
banquiers nous ont crée, c’est un film qu’il faut voir et vraiment
un film de direction.
C’est la destruction lente d’un enfant par la faim, et des
écoles sans livres et des maisons sans chauffage en hiver.
C’est la rupture de l’esprit d’un homme en lui refusant la
possibilité de se présenter comme un père et comme un
homme parmi d’autres hommes. Et cela nous affecte tous.
Voici un extrait du dialogue de ce film de 1946 :
– Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, 1968
Pourtant, 44 ans plus tard, plus d’enfants vont se coucher affamés
en Amérique du Nord ce soir, que jamais auparavant dans l’histoire.
La pauvreté est la seule industrie en croissance maintenant et nous
devons le combattre. Les syndicats font la lutte contre la pauvreté.
C’est notre travail.
Je suis tellement fier du travail fait en 2011 par l’ATU. À partir
de la Floride et du Wisconsin, puis du Michigan, l’Indiana, de la
Pennsylvanie et en terminant par une victoire âprement disputée
en Ohio, nous avons des raisons de nous sentir bien du travail que
nous faisons.
Partout dans nos deux pays, nos dirigeants et les membres
travaillent fort à combattre la pauvreté en prenant notre défense
dans la politique et à la table de négociation. À New York,
Géorgie, Arizona, Floride et à Washington, DC, nos membres
ont soutenu le mouvement « Occupons » qui est une expression
du grand public pour contrer la lutte. Au Chicago et en Floride,
les Occupeurs sont sortis pour soutenir ATU!
D’autres sections locales dans l’État de Washington, par exemple,
ont soutenu avec succès des référendums pour obtenir du
financement pour le voyage.
« Il n’a pas mis assez d’argent de côté pour envoyer Harry
à l’université, et encore moins pour moi. Mais il a aidé
quelques personnes à sortir de vos bidonvilles, M. Potter,
qu’est-ce qui est mal avec cela? Pourquoi... ici, vous êtes
tous des hommes d’affaires ici. Cela ne fait-il pas d’eux de
meilleurs citoyens? Cela ne les fait-il pas d’eux de meilleurs
consommateurs?
Vous... vous avez dit... qu’avez-vous dit il y a une minute?
Ils ont dû attendre et économiser leur argent avant même
de penser à un logement adéquat.
Attendre? Attendre quoi? Que leurs enfants grandissent et
quittent? Qu’ils soient si vieux et abattus qu’ils... Savezvous combien de temps il faut à un travailleur pour mettre
5000 $ de côté? Rappelez-vous ceci, M. Potter, que cette
racaille dont vous parlez... qu’ils font la plus grosse part
du travail et des paiements et de vie et de mort dans cette
communauté. »
Nous, les 99 % continuons à faire la plus grosse part du travail
et de paiement et de vie et de mort dans l’ensemble de nos
communautés.
Voyez 2012 comme une année où, si vous êtes prêt pour le
combat, votre syndicat international sera votre guide. Faisons ce
que le Dr King nous a dit à tous de faire en 1963 :
Ceci est notre espoir. C’est avec cet espoir que je rentre
au Sud.
IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
27
Avec cette foi, nous serons capables de distinguer de la
montagne du désespoir, une pierre d’espérance.
Avec cette foi nous serons capables de transformer les
discordes de notre nation discordante en une belle
symphonie de fraternité.
Avec cette foi nous pourrons travailler ensemble, prier
ensemble, lutter ensemble, aller en prison ensemble, nous
lever pour la liberté ensemble, en sachant que nous serons
libres un jour...
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. le discours de « J’ai un rêve »
Défendre le droit de grève
Nous faisons du progrès au Canada aussi. Récemment, les
gouvernements municipaux ont essayé de gagner la main haute
contre les locaux ATU en exigeant que les législatures déclarent
leurs systèmes de transport comme étant un « service essentiel »,
ce qui rend illégal, pour leurs employés, de faire grève. Mais en octobre, la section locale 1587 de Toronto, ON, a
remporté une victoire, avec le Conseil des normes de travail de
l’Ontario qui a déclaré que le local n’effectue pas un « service
essentiel » et, par conséquent, a le droit de grève.
Si vous êtes un croyant, de toute nature, c’est votre année de passer
par la seule institution que nous avons pour changer la société, nos
syndicats. Aidez les dirigeants syndicaux locaux. Dites-leur que vous
êtes prêt à aider à organiser tous nos membres à sortir et à lutter à
votre tour. Veuillez croire suffisamment en eux pour gagner.
N.B. Consultez www.atu.org pour lire plusieurs de mes réflexions
sur ce que notre syndicat a accompli en 2011 et ce qui reste à
accomplir en 2012. Maintenant, il s›agit du Michigan où nos membres ont à nouveau
rejoint d›autres pour l›abrogation d›une loi scandaleuse. La
législation, entre autres choses, permet au gouverneur d›envoyer
un agent à n›importe quelle ville aux prises avec ses finances.
L›agent peut prendre des mesures pour corriger la situation,
y compris le rejet du gouvernement local et l›annulation des
contrats de négociation collective.
Fiers d’être un ATU en Ohio — et
partout aux États-Unis et au Canada
À
l›heure actuelle, vous avez entendu que les électeurs en Ohio
ont voté en novembre et ont renversé une nouvelle loi qui
aurait mis fin à la négociation collective pour les employés du
secteur public dans mon état d›origine.
Je suis fier d›annoncer que les vice-présidents internationaux
Paul Bowen, Gary Johnson, le représentant international Tony
Withington, et les agents de l›ATU et les membres d›Ohio à
travers tout le pays ont joué un rôle particulièrement important
dans cette victoire, ayant eu une influence dépassant de loin la
taille relative de notre syndicat.
Je suis fier de la façon dont nos membres sont bien informés et
motivés. Et je suis fier que les électeurs de la classe moyenne dans
mon état ne se soient pas fait prendre par le gros mensonge que les
travailleurs du secteur public sont leurs ennemis. Bref, je suis fier
parce que les électeurs d›Ohio « l›ont bien saisi. » Et, vous savez,
comme il est souvent dit, de maintes et maintes fois, « la nation
suit ce dont Ohio fait ».
C’est évidemment la famille!
Au nom de tous les employés du secteur public en Ohio et en
particulier de l›ATU, nous tenons à remercier personnellement
beaucoup de nos membres des sections locales à travers le pays
qui ont travaillé sans relâche au cours des dernières semaines de
la campagne. Parmi eux on y retrouve des membres des sections
locales 26-Detroit, MI; 689-Washington, DC; 1039-Lansing,
MI; 1300-Baltimore, MD; et 1447-Louisville, KY.
Et, bien sûr, je ne peux manquer de noter le local 1277 qui a
envoyé Adolfo Soto et Art Aguliar d’aussi loin que Los Angeles!
C’est évidemment la famille! Merci à chacun d’entre vous!
28
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
En ce qui concerne Michigan, Wisconsin,
Floride, Ontario ou partout où nous
sommes requis
Cette législation incroyablement antidémocratique en dit long sur
l›attitude de ceux qui voudraient se débarrasser des syndicats aux
États-Unis et au Canada. Il démontre leur mépris total pour les
travailleurs.
Sœurs et Frères, c›est un déshonneur pour la dignité de chaque
homme, femme et enfant aux États-Unis et au Canada et
l›UAT fera tout ce qu›il devra afin de protéger nos membres et
leurs familles.
Joyeuses Fêtes!
Pour terminer sur une note plus détendue, au nom de Teresa et
toute ma famille, nous espérons que vous ayez un joyeux temps
des fêtes, et que vous bénéficiez de beaucoup de bénédictions dans
la nouvelle année. Se préparer pour 2012
ce numéro d’In Transit, vous allez apprendre comment
Dans
l’ATU s’est battue pour vous au cours de la dernière année.
Il y a beaucoup dans cet article et encore plus que nous n’avions
pas pu faire entrer.
La plupart des membres qui visitent le siège international ATU
sont surpris de découvrir tout le travail qui se fait jour et nuit en
leur nom. Et c’est comme ça que ça devrait être. Une organisation
réellement efficace qui fonctionne facilement sans avoir clamé
haut et fort ses réalisations quotidiennes. Mais parfois il est bon
de se rappeler à tout ce que l’organisation fait en réalité.
Cela ne veut pas dire que le syndicat est au-dessus des critiques.
Nous recevons beaucoup de ça aussi. Mais nous évaluons toujours
la façon dont nous faisons ce que nous faisons et comment nous
sommes efficaces à le faire.
et frères, de comprendre que c’est là où le monde des affaires de
l’Amérique du Nord aimera que nous soyons tous.
Je suppose que ce dont j’essaie de dire est que nous réfléchissons
sur l’année qui vient de passer et nous avons beaucoup de raisons
d’être fiers que nous soyons un ATU.
Le rôle des syndicats
Fierté et solidarité
C’est la fierté et la solidarité qu’il génère qui sont souvent les seules
choses qui nous soutiennent dans les moments difficiles comme
ils le sont maintenant. Et nous allons avoir besoin d’y compter
beaucoup dans le Nouvel An.
Les grandes entreprises ont essayé de détruire les syndicats depuis
aussi longtemps que je me souvienne, et ils agissent comme si
en 2012 ils allaient enfin réussir. Malheureusement, les gens qui
n’entendent que des choses négatives au sujet des syndicats dans
les médias pensent que cela pourrait être une bonne chose. Et les
syndiqués qui sont mal informés croient parfois qu’ils pourraient
être mieux sans un syndicat.
Mais ceux qui ont connu un changement dans la gestion vers
un opérateur privé comme Veolia ou First Transit savent d’abord
que ce n’est pas vrai. Ils ont connu ce qu’implique de travailler
pour une entreprise qui ignore les contrats syndicaux et traite ses
employés comme des biens meubles. La réalité est sévère, sœurs
Un élément principal du programme corporatiste est d’élire
un président républicain aux États-Unis, et une majorité
républicaine dans les deux chambres du Congrès. S’ils peuvent
faire cela, ils seront dans une position plus forte que ce qu’ils
n’ont jamais été pour détruire le mouvement syndical. Et
même si les syndicats sont plus forts au Canada — ne doutez
pas que les intérêts des entreprises aient le même objectif là
aussi.
Nous avons donc beaucoup de pain sur la planche. La campagne
électorale américaine sera, au moins en partie, concernée avec
le rôle des syndicats dans la nation. Nous devons être prêts de
parler au nom du mouvement syndical et de démontrer que
la perte du syndicalisme est une perte pour toute lݎconomie.
Ça sera une année passionnante. Nous vous tiendrons au
courant dans In Transit, et sur atu.org, Facebook, et Twitter.
Veuillez rester informé.
Je voudrais prendre cette occasion pour vous souhaiter à tous
de joyeuses fêtes et beaucoup de bénédictions en 2012. Saskatoon Judge:
Sometimes Bus Seatbelt
Can Be a Hazard
F
or workers who spend their days behind the wheel, it
would make sense to assume that the thin strip of nylon
or polyester that keeps them safely secured to their seats in
case of a collision is there to keep them safe from harm.
But a Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench judge has ruled
that buckling up may actually be more dangerous for
bus operators. In a recent decision, Justice Grant Currie
overturned Saskatoon bus driver Dean Christianson’s,
615-Saskatoon, SK, traffic court conviction for failing to
wear his seatbelt.
Threatened by Three on the Bus
In his initial traffic safety court trial, Christianson noted
he’d been threatened by three people on the bus at the
time he was pulled over. The driver knew fellow drivers who
had been trapped in seatbelts when they were assaulted.
The Crown had argued that the exemption only applied
when there was a specific risk of injury, but Justice Currie
ruled that the regulation could also be applied to a driver
who “may be continuously exposed to a compromise of his
or her safety on a random basis.”
Unfortunately, Local 615 President Craig Dunlop tells
In Transit, “As of late the employer has begun disciplining
operators for not wearing their seatbelt, despite the ruling
from the Court of Queen’s Bench stating that we have an
exemption. The local will be vigorously challenging the
discipline that has been handed out as well as challenging
the employer’s policy. It us unreasonable to put our
members in a position to be assaulted and not be able to
defend themselves.” IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
29
In Memoriam
Death Benefits Awarded September 1, 2011 - October 31, 2011
1- MEMBERS AT LARGE
HUBERT LEO GULLETT
EDWARD S MURRAY
DEWEY WARREN SHEPHERD
JOHN L STEININGER
19- COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
DAVID W FITZGERALD
22- WORCESTER, MA
PETER J OLIVERI
26- DETROIT, MI
THOMAS LA FORGE
85- PITTSBURGH, PA
FRANCIS J BLUEMLE
ANTHONY J DE SENSI
ROBERT JOSEPH IRELAND
JOSEPH O PISANI
107- HAMILTON, ON
ROBERT W RICHARDSON
CECIL R WILLIAMS
113- TORONTO, ON
JAMES J DENNISON
GARY DOHERTY
PETER M FALCONI
GUILLERMO M GONZALEZ
MICHELE GRANATA
CLAUDE JOSEPH LESSARD
MAREK NIZIOL
ALFREDO NOTO
WILLIAM P O’HANLON
JOHN R PHAROAH
BERNARD F RUNDLE
CHARLES R STONER
WILFRED WHITE
192- OAKLAND, CA
MARIO BENASSI
ALAN RAY BOWERMAN
CUNEY CLEMONS JR
EDMOND E DI TULLIO
LEORY T GRANT
RONALD M GREER
CEASAR JOHNSON
LORENZO J MANTI
DOROTHY MAE WILLIAMS
241- CHICAGO, IL
MARIO J ARROYO
OTIS L BROWN
HERBERT R JONES
ELLIS KENARD
ALLEN R LICHTER
MELVIN TOLLIVER
VICTOR L WARD
256- SACRAMENTO, CA
EDWARD GRASMICK
265- SAN JOSE, CA
RODOLFO G CAPULONG
30
RONALD L GITTHENS
268- CLEVELAND, OH
RAYMOND L LANDRY
279- OTTAWA, ON
DENNIS COOKE
SERGE DANIS
JEAN LOUIS FRENETTE
GEORGE A GAUDRY
BRIAN QUIRK
GURMOHAN SANDHU
ROBERT STEELE
281- NEW HAVEN, CT
WILLIAM R GORMAN
JUAN SANTIAGO
282- ROCHESTER, NY
DONALD ESPENMILLER
308- CHICAGO, IL
MICHAEL T BANKS
CALOGERO FRUSCIONE
ROBERT HARRIS JR
WILLIE E LACEY
JAMES OFFICER
591- HULL, PQ
ANDRE GAUTHIER
615- SASKATOON, SK
JOHN E PEZDERIC
618- PROVIDENCE, RI
BERNARD J MACDOUGALL
689- WASHINGTON, DC
CHAE C CHONG
ROBERT T GARRISON
ROBERT ALLAN JACKSON
CARROLL CECIL JESSEE
PATOY A LOMBRE II
TACRAVA J MARTIN
WILLARD HOPE MC GUIRE
EARMON L PICKETT JR
ROBERT L PINKINS
SHARON RICHMOND
J R SHIPMAN
SHERBIE F SMITH
BENJAMIN E UZZELLE JR
694- SAN ANTONIO, TX
JULIAN G ALEJOS
HUGO H FLORES
ANGEL RODRIGUEZ
1181- NEW YORK, NY
CHARLES J ABRUZZO
COURTNEY BRAMMER
JAMES CAMPOLO
KENNETH T DOYLE
MIRIAM GRAFF
GEORGE HOROS JR
BARTHOLOMEW MASSI
GLADYS E OKESON
ANNA POLLARA
JEROME CARL STEIN
ANTHONY P VACCHIANO
1235- NASHVILLE, TN
GEORGE T CAPSHAW
1277- LOS ANGELES, CA
SOCCORA BRUNER
HIROSHI OCHIAI
1300- BALTIMORE, MD
SCOTT MAPP
1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY
ROBERT J MAINVILLE
FREDERICK R MILLER
JOHN M ROBINSON
713- MEMPHIS, TN
OZIE J UPSHAW
1342- BUFFALO, NY
LEONARD LAPP
NORMAN MACHACEK
726- STATEN ISLAND, NY
WALDO LA ROSA
1363- PROVIDENCE, RI
GLENN TONKIN
443- STAMFORD, CT
GJON SHTUFAJ
732- ATLANTA, GA
ELMER GENE FOX
GEORGE R ICENHOUR
1415- TORONTO, ON
LAURENCE H REAUME
569- EDMONTON, AB
HOWARD MC FARLANE
819- NEWARK, NJ
JESSE B BROWN
583- CALGARY, AB
DONALD A LOSEE
RAY A ROCHEL
820- UNION CITY, NJ
THOMAS M TRUEX
425- HARTFORD, CT
JOHN SAMPSON SR
RUFUS WEATHERSBY
MATTHEW A ZAGORSKI
441- DES MOINES, IA
DONALD EARL DEW
587- SEATTLE, WA
EDWARD C CASADY
PAUL HAMPTON
ROLAND L C MC VAY
588- REGINA, SK
GILBERT N STEWART
589- BOSTON, MA
THOMAS K BARRETT
HAROLD G CROWELL
ALBERT E DOHERTY
JOHN F DWYER
GAIL ISAAC
ROBERT J LAWLER
RALPH J MURPHY
ROBERT J ROGERS
880- CAMDEN, NJ
EDWIN E BROWN
RAYMOND D HOLLIS
1001- DENVER, CO
TONY R MILLER
VERNON W SIEVING
1005- MINNEAPOLIS
& ST. PAUL, MN
RAYMOND A HOJSIK
1091- AUSTIN, TX
JOHN MILLER DUGGER
1108- QUINCY, IL
FLOY CUPP
November/December 2011 | IN TRANSIT
1505- WINNIPEG, MB
HENRY L BOBERT
RONALD HAY
HAROLD F KRAHNKE
LAWRENCE J LEMENSON
1548- PLYMOUTH, MA
STANLEY F HODGIN
1555- OAKLAND, CA
HENRY E WHITE
1605- CONCORD, CA
WILLIAM H WRIGHT
1700- CHICAGO, IL
ULYSES M BUTLER
HERMAN S CARTER
JOHN M DUNSMORE
50 YEARS AGO IN IN TRANSIT
Calgary Negotiates a Better Contract
Despite Hard Times
I
n 1961 the members of Local 583, employees of the Calgary, AB, city transit system, were forced to engage in one of the
longest municipal transit strikes in Canadian history. The local’s strike against the city’s mayor and city council lasted 37
days. It was 43 days before the Calgary city transit system was back on the streets.
The citizens of Calgary had just elected a new mayor, an archconservative who ran on a campaign of reducing the city’s
expenses despite continuing high inflation. To the mayor and the city council, the local’s bid for higher wages in the face of
the city’s budget problems was totally unjustified.
Like everyone else, the members of Local 583 were looking for higher wages to keep up with inflation, even though the
unemployment rate among Canadian transportation workers had reached 17% and transit ridership in Calgary was down
by more than 7 million passengers over the prior 10 years. The transit system certainly wasn’t going to pay for itself and
other jobs were scarce.
The local, led by its president, Leo Newman, made clear to the city council that transit workers had no intention of going
along with the mayor’s request for a no wage increase contract. The local asked for an 8% raise, but the mayor again said
no increase.
‘I’ll See You All in Hell…’
After three months, wage talks collapsed and the mayor was reported to have stomped out of a meeting, saying, “I’ll see you
all in hell before you get another penny.”
The union was prepared for a long strike. Many of Calgary’s residents, including members of other unions, pledged their
support and sent in contributions.
A tentative agreement was finally reached for the period from January 1, 1961 through December 31, 1962. The settlement,
while including only modest increases in four fringe benefits and a 9-cent across the board wage increase, was indeed a
victory for the members and officers of Local 583. They had taken on the entire force of city hall under adverse economic
and budgetary conditions and negotiated the best settlement available.
IN TRANSIT
| November/December 2011
31
Amalgamated Transit Union
AFL-CIO/CLC
c/o 35 Van Kirk Drive, #15 & #16
Brampton, Ontario, L7A 1A5
www.atu.org
STAY CONNECTED
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Happy Holidays
from the International Executives and Staff