United States Version PDF - Amalgamated Transit Union

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SEPT/OCT
www.atu.org
Official Journal of the Amalgamated Transit Union
AFL-CIO/CLC
atu summer
road sHow
ATU and the Transport Workers Union
go on tour for mass transit. Canadians
and Americans flock to rallies to
convince Congress to allow properties
serving populations over 200,000 to
use some of their federal dollars for
operating assistance.
Amalgamated Transit union
international officers
RONALD J. HEINTZMAN
International President
RANDY GRAHAM
International Executive Vice President
Oscar Owens
International Secretary-Treasurer
International Vice Presidents
JOSEPH WELCH
Syracuse, NY
RODNEY RICHMOND
New Orleans, LA – [email protected]
ROBERT H. BAKER
Washington, DC – [email protected]
LARRY R. KINNEAR
Ashburn, ON – [email protected]
JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.
Kansas City, MO – [email protected]
RICHARD M. MURPHY
Braintree, MA
Lorsque l’action parle plus fort que les mots!
Un différend important sur le contrat entre Veolia Transport et trois
syndicats, y compris la section syndicale 1433 de l’ATU à Phoenix dans
l’Arizona, est en train de monter en pression au moment où ce numéro de
In Transit va être imprimé.
Le syndicat des Teamsters qui représente les ravitailleurs et les nettoyeurs
de bus, et les ingénieurs d’exploitation, qui représentent les mécaniciens
s’étaient mis d’accord pour reconduire leurs contrats en cours jusqu’au 31
août, tandis que la section syndicale 1433 - représentant les opérateurs - a
étendu la convention collective jusqu’à la fin du mois de Septembre.
Veolia a amené à la table des négociations des demandes pour des contrats
de concessions avec deux autres syndicats, les menaçant de les mettre à
exécution le 31 août à moins que les syndicats ne les acceptent.
Non conflictuel?
Ce que Veolia prétend faire par écrit, en ce qui concerne les relations de
travail, semble très différent de ce qu’ils font réellement. Dans une partie
de l’énoncé de mission de Veolia, on peut lire ... « Lorsque les négociations
sont nécessaires, nous nous efforçons de les conduire d’une manière non
conflictuelle, à l’aide de négociation basée sur les intérêts et, si nécessaire, en
faisant appel à l’expertise des représentants des Services Fédéraux de médiation
et de conciliation afin de parvenir à un accord mutuellement acceptable. »
BOB M. HYKAWAY
Et, qu’a fait Veolia pour démontrer qu’ils étaient “sincères” au sujet de
leur point de vue sur les relations de travail?
CHARLES COOK
Veolia a mis des annonces dans les journaux locaux pour solliciter des
conducteurs d’autobus temporaires, et a fait venir par avion quelque 200
conducteurs travaillant dans d’autres entreprises de Veolia dans le pays, en
vue de la grève que Veolia semble forcer. Veolia a indiqué que son action
était comme «une mesure préventive seulement ».
Calgary, AB – [email protected]
Petaluma, CA – [email protected]
WILLIAM G. McLEAN
Reno, NV – [email protected]
JANIS M. BORCHARDT
Madison, WI – [email protected]
PAUL BOWEN
Canton, MI – [email protected]
LAWRENCE J. HANLEY
Staten Island, NY – [email protected]
Kenneth R. Kirk
Lancaster, TX – [email protected]
Pas d’intention de grève
Toutefois, dans une déclaration commune, les trois syndicats ont indiqué
qu’ils prévoient de poursuivre les négociations, et n’avaient aucune intention
de faire grève dans un proche avenir.
Cela rappelle une autre situation au milieu des années 90 lorsque Laidlaw
Corporation (le prédécesseur de FirstGroup) devint bien connu pour
utiliser des mesures extrêmes pour tenter de faire éclater les syndicats qui
représentaient leurs employés. Ce n’était rien pour Laidlaw de faire venir
par avion des centaines de travailleurs de remplacement et de les garder dans
des hôtels pendant des jours et des semaines de suite.
A plusieurs reprises à cette époque, il est apparu qu’ils étaient prêts à
dépenser davantage pour briser le syndicat, qu’ils ne l’étaient pour répondre
aux demandes des employés. Malheureusement, il semble que nous revenons
aux mêmes pratiques de cette époque.
En ce qui concerne le différend de Phoenix, les membres des trois
syndicats ont placé des panneaux d’information devant l’hôtel où les
travailleurs de remplacement étaient logés. Veolia répondit en prétendant
que la section syndicale 1433 ne respectait pas l’accord sur les négociations
collectives en sanctionnant, condamnant et/ou participant directement à
une grève illégale ou à une activité concertée qui pouvait interférer avec les
services fournis par Veolia Transportation Services, Inc.
Veolia a également menacé la section syndicale de la rendre responsable
de tous les dommages, frais d’avocats et/ou coûts associés à la violation
alléguée de l’accord des parties.
La définition même de Conflictuel
Dans une lettre à Mark Joseph, PDG de Veolia, j’ai écrit ... «C’est une
grande déception pour moi d’apprendre que Veolia a, à grands frais, recruté
des centaines de briseurs de grève à travers le pays afin d’intimider ses
employés à Phoenix, AZ, pendant les négociations.
“Aucun des trois syndicats représentant les travailleurs n’a fait pression
pour une grève. Tous étaient disposés à poursuivre les négociations aussi
longtemps qu’il le fallait pour parvenir à un accord acceptable. Les actions
de Veolia à Phoenix ont créé des relations négatives avec ses syndicats, ignoré
les possibilités de créer un terrain d’entente, érodé la confiance, et elles
sont l’illustration même de la définition de « négociations conflictuelles ».
“Je vous demande instamment de renoncer à ce type d’actions en
renvoyant les travailleurs de remplacement dans leurs foyers et en choisissant
une nouvelle façon de négocier qui soit plus conforme à l’énoncé de mission
de Veolia au sujet de la politique des relations de travail.”
À ce jour je n’ai reçu aucune réponse.
Surpris?
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]
International Representatives
ANTHONY WITHINGTON
Sebastopol, CA – [email protected]
DENNIS ANTONELLIS
Spokane, WA – [email protected]
KAREN MILLER-LEWIS
Memphis, TN – [email protected]
MIKE MAHAR
Calgary, AB – [email protected]
Canadian Council
ROBIN G. WEST
Canadian Director
61 International Boulevard, Suite 210
Rexdale, ON M9W 6K4
[email protected]
2
IN TRANSIT
¡Cuando las Acciones Hablan Más Alto que las Palabras!
Una grave disputa sobre un contrato entre la empresa Veolia Transportation
y tres uniones, incluyendo a la Unión Local ATU 1433, en Phoenix, AZ
aumentaba en intensidad cuando esta edición de la revista In Transit estaba
siendo impresa.
La Unión Teamsters representa a los trabajadores de autobuses que limpian
y llenan los tanques de combustible, y la Unión Operating Engineers que
representa a los mecánicos habían acordado extender sus respectivos contratos
hasta el 31 de agosto, mientras que la Unión Local 1433 – que representa a
los operadores de autobuses – extendió su contrato colectivo hasta el fin de
septiembre.
¿Posición No Contradictoria?
Lo que la empresa Veolia alega por escrito estar haciendo respecto a las
relaciones laborales, parece ser muy diferente de lo que ellos actualmente
están haciendo. La declaración de la misión de Veolia, en parte, dice
lo siguiente…”Cuando las negociaciones son requeridas, nosotros
nos esforzamos para conducir las mismas asumiendo una posición no
contradictoria, usando el tipo de contratación basado en los intereses y,
si necesario, utilizando la experta asistencia de representantes del Servicio
Federal de Mediación y Conciliación, a fin de llegar a un acuerdo que sea
mutualmente aceptable.
Y, ¿qué hizo Veolia para demostrar que ellos eran “sinceros” sobre su
visión de las relaciones laborales?
Veolia colocó anuncios en periódicos locales solicitando el empleo
temporal de operadores de autobuses, y reunió a más de 200 choferes de
otras propiedades operadas por Veolia por todo el país, preparándose para
una huelga la cual ellos parecían estar forzando. Según fue reportado Veolia
clasificó sus acciones de “solamente como medidas preventivas.”
No Habían Planes de Huelga
Sin embargo, en una declaración conjunta, las tres uniones dijeron
claramente que ellos planeaban continuar las negociaciones y que no tenían
planes de huelga en un futuro próximo.
Esto nos hace recordar el período medio de los 1990’s cuando la
Corporación Laidlaw (el antecesor de First Group) fue bien conocida por
la utilización de medidas extremas en intentos de destruir las uniones que
representaban a sus empleados. No era extraño que Laidlaw trajera a cientos
de trabajadores sustitutos, hospedando a los mismos en hoteles por días y
semanas.
Muchas veces en aquel entonces, parecía que ellos estaban más dispuestos
a gastar todo lo posible para destruir la unión, muy en exceso de lo que
hubiera costado acordar a las demandas del contrato presentado por
los empleados. Desafortunadamente, todo parece indicar que estamos
regresando a aquella era.
En la disputa Phoenix, los miembros de las tres uniones colocaron líneas
de piquetes informacionales en las afueras del hotel donde los trabajadores
sustitutos estaban siendo hospedados. Veolia respondió alegando que la
Unión Local 1433 estaba en violación de su contrato colectivo en sancionar,
permitir y/o de otra manera participar directamente en una huelga ilegal o
actividad coordinada que pueda interferir con las operaciones de Veolia
Transportation Services, Inc.
Veolia también amenazó a la unión local con una demanda judicial por
daños, costos de abogados y/o otros costos asociados con la alegada violación
del contrato entre las partes.
continued at Acciones on page 24
www.atu.org
“
What Veolia claims in writing to be doing in
regard to labor relations appears very different
from what they are actually doing.
”
when action speaks louder than words!
ronald j. heintzman, international president
A
major contract dispute between Veolia Transportation and
three unions, including ATU Local 1433, in Phoenix, AZ,
was heating up at the time this edition of the In Transit went to
press.
The Teamsters who represent bus fuellers and cleaners,
and the Operating Engineers who represent mechanics had
agreed to extend their existing contracts until August 31, while
Local 1433 – representing operators – extended their collective
bargaining agreement through the end of September.
Veolia brought only demands for concessions to the table
with the other two unions, threatening to implement them on
August 31, unless the unions agreed.
non-adversarial?
What Veolia claims in writing to be doing in regard to labor
relations appears very different from what they are actually doing.
Veolia’s mission statement, in part, reads… “When negotiations
are required, we strive to conduct them in a non-adversarial
manner, using interest-based bargaining and, if necessary, turning
to the expertise of representatives of the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Services to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.”
And, what did Veolia do to show they were “sincere” about
their view of labor relations?
Veolia placed ads in local newspapers soliciting temporary
bus operators, and flew in some 200 drivers from other Veolia
properties around the country in preparation for a strike they
appear to be forcing. Veolia reportedly referred to their action as
“a preventative measure only.”
www.atu.org
no plans to strike
In a joint statement, however, the three unions said they
plan to continue bargaining, and had no plans to strike in the
near future.
This is reminiscent of the mid-1990’s when Laidlaw Corporation (the predecessor of FirstGroup) became well-known
for employing extreme measures in attempts to bust unions
representing their employees. It was nothing for Laidlaw to fly
in hundreds of replacement workers, keeping them housed in
hotels for days and weeks on end.
Many times back then, it appeared they were willing to
spend more to break the union, than it would have cost to meet
employee contract demands. Unfortunately, it appears that we
are returning to that era.
In the Phoenix dispute, members of the three unions put up
informational pickets outside the hotel where the replacement
workers were being housed. Veolia responded by claiming
that Local 1433 was in violation of their collective bargaining
agreement by sanctioning, condoning and/or otherwise directly
participating in an unlawful strike or concerted activity that may
interfere with Veolia Transportation Services, Inc.’s operations.
Veolia also threatened the local with liability for any damages,
attorneys’ fees, and/or costs associated with the alleged violation
of the parties’ agreement.
continued at Action Speaks Louder on page 24
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
3
Préserver nos droits et nos avantages
Aujourd’hui nous sommes au coeur d’une bataille rangée
pour préserver nos droits et nos avantages. Ces droits, tels que
les régimes de retraite à prestations déterminées, sont des droits
que nos prédécesseurs ont obtenus après de dures batailles. Il
semblerait maintenant que dans chaque négociation où nous
entrons, la direction veut nous enlever notre plan de retraite
à prestations déterminées et nous donner un plan de retraite à
cotisations déterminées, ou, pire encore, rien du tout.
A l’ATU, nous avons eu de nombreuses batailles longues et
ardues pour préserver nos droits. Au cours des années 1980
et 1990, nous nous sommes battus au Canada et aux ÉtatsUnis contre des propositions de salaires et d’avantages à deux
vitesses. Nous savions alors que de tels systèmes de salaires
amèneraient les travailleurs à se sentir comme s’ils avaient
été «soldés.»
Protéger l’avenir
Dans les années 1980, lorsque Ronald Reagan était président,
l’ATU a été confronté à un déclin du nombre d’utilisateurs
des transports en commun et a été menacé par une réduction
des fonds fédéraux. Les entreprises de transport en commun
demandèrent la reconsidération des contrats, l’abolition
d’avantages acquis, le gel et des réductions de salaires, et l’emploi
à temps partiel avec réduction de salaire. On nous a demandé de
subventionner les services de transport en acceptant des salaires
inférieurs. Si l’histoire peut servir de guide, on n’a pas demandé
aux dirigeants d’accepter des concessions similaires.
D’autre part, dans les années 1980, l’ATU a subi de
nombreux licenciements dans les transports en commun tout
comme aujourd’hui. Il y eu des licenciements massifs parmi les
membres de la section syndicale 589 à Boston et de la section
syndicale 1027 à Fresno, en Californie. Et, à cette époque, les
11.000 membres des sections syndicales 241 et 308 à Chicago
travaillaient sur une base journalière. Il y même eu des
fermetures d’entreprises, mais l’ATU a fait preuve de solidarité
pour lutter contre ces défis et pour protéger l’avenir. Nos
membres canadiens ont fait face à des problèmes similaires sous
le régime des gouvernements conservateurs.
Il y a peu de temps, nous avons été confrontés à nouveau
à une décision pour préserver nos droits et agir solidairement.
Cette année, lorsque la section syndicale 1415 de Toronto,
Ontario (qui représente les conducteurs et le personnel de
soutien de Greyhound dans l’Ontario et le Québec) est allée
à la table des négociations, la société a cherché à utiliser la
situation d’urgence économique actuelle pour refuser aux futurs
employés de Greyhound l’accès, obtenu avec grande difficulté, à
la retraite à prestations déterminées.
En Grande-Bretagne lors de sa réunion annuelle, FirstGroup
a déclaré aux actionnaires que la branche canadienne de
l’entreprise avait déjà été restructurée de façon à rétablir la
rentabilité. De plus, à la table des négociations avec la section
syndicale 1415, la compagnie a soutenu que la retraite était
un fardeau financier insoutenable; et ils ont dit aux membres
de l’ATU que leur offre de maintenir la retraite des employés
actuels était généreuse à la lumière de la récession, et que
si la section syndicale refusait d’accepter les conditions de
Greyhound les conducteurs seraient interdits d’entrer dans les
locaux de la société.
Outrage
Mais les membres de la section syndicale 1415 ont bouleversé
le calendrier de la société avec une distribution surprise et
orchestrée de tracts dans les terminaux de Greyhound à l’Est du
Canada. Deux semaines avant que l’interdiction d’entrer dans
les locaux de l’entreprise prenne effet, les membres du syndicat
ont alerté les utilisateurs pour qu’ils trouvent d’autres moyens de
locomotion étant donné l’action que la société planifiait.
La section syndicale a exposé le problème dans un langage
clair et net : Elle a montré comment une entreprise étrangère
rentable interdisait l’accès au travail aux agents en place sous
le prétexte que ces derniers refusaient de signer la future
convention collective qui allait s’appliquer aux nouvelles
recrues car elle contenait des dispositions moins avantageuses
que la convention actuelle et allait ainsi défavoriser les
générations futures de travailleurs canadiens. Les passagers de
Greyhound furent outragés et bombardèrent la société avec
des plaintes.
Cette campagne stratégique a obligé l’entreprise à revenir à la
table des négociations pour trouver une solution à la question
des retraites. Cela nous permettra de sauver l’intégrité du régime
de retraite à prestations définies pour nos futurs membres.
Au moment où cette édition part à l’imprimerie, les parties
sont encore en train de travailler pour trouver une solution
appropriée.
Si l’histoire nous enseigne une leçon, c’est que si nous
abandonnions les droits de nos futurs membres, cet abandon
deviendrait une part d’héritage que nous ne pourrions pas
reconquérir plus tard sans un combat plus acharné. Il est très
difficile de regagner des droits et des avantages une fois qu’ils
ont été abandonnés.
Preservando Nuestros Derechos y Beneficios
Actualmente estamos envueltos en una batalla campal para
preservar nuestros derechos y beneficios. Estos derechos, tales
como las pensiones con beneficios definidos son derechos por
los cuales que nuestros antecesores tuvieron que luchar muy
arduamente. Parece ser que en cada caso de negociación colectiva
que emprendemos hoy día, la gerencia quiere eliminar nuestro
plan de pensiones de beneficios definidos y darnos un plan de
contribución definida o aún peor, no conceder beneficio alguno.
En la ATU, nosotros hemos tenidos muchas largas y arduas
luchas para preservar nuestros derechos. Durante el período de
las décadas de los años 1980 y 1990, nosotros luchamos contra
propuestas que propugnaban un salario y beneficio de dos niveles
a través de los Estados Unidos y Canadá. Nosotros sabíamos
en aquel entonces que tales sistemas de salarios y beneficios
resultarían en que los trabajadores tuvieran el criterio que nosotros
los habíamos traicionado “vendiendo” sus derechos.
Protegiendo el Futuro
Durante la década de los 1980, cuando Ronald Reagan era
Presidente, la ATU enfrentó un declinante número de usuarios
del transporte público y amenazas de drásticos recortes en el
financiamiento federal, y los sistemas de transporte público
hicieron demandas para que se reabrieran los contratos, la
devolución de beneficios, la congelación y reducción de salarios,
y el empleo de operadores a tiempo parcial en una escala inferior
de salarios. Nos solicitaron que subsidiáramos los servicios de
tránsito al aceptar salarios más bajos. Si la historia es guía alguna,
a la gerencia de esos sistemas no les fue solicitado que hicieran
concesiones similares.
Y durante la década de los 1980, la ATU sufrió de un gran número
de desempleos temporales, de la misma manera que sucede hoy día.
Hubieron grandes números de desempleos temporales afectando a
los miembros de la Local 589 en Boston, y la Local 1027 en Fresno,
CA. Y, los 11,000 miembros de las Locales 241 y 308 en Chicago,
que existían en aquellos momento, continuaron operando en base de
día a día. Hubieron también sistemas de dejaron de operar, pero la
ATU actuó en solidaridad para luchar contra esos desafíos y proteger
el futuro. Los miembros Canadienses sufrieron de cuestiones
similares como resultado de la elección de gobiernos Conservadores.
Recientemente fuimos confrontados de nuevo con la decisión
de preservar nuestros derechos y actuar solidariamente. Cuando
la Unión Local 1415 de Toronto, ON – que representa a los
chóferes de autobuses Greyhound y a los empleados de apoyo en
Ontario y Quebec – enfocó la negociación este año, la compañía
trató de utilizar la actual emergencia económica para negarles a los
futuros empleados de Greyhound acceso al plan de pensiones de
beneficios definidos, que había sido logrados con gran sacrificio.
Allá en Inglaterra, la compañía First Group les informó a sus
accionistas durante su conferencia anual que las operaciones de
la firma en Canadá ya habían sido debidamente reestructuradas
para restaurar la rentabilidad de la misma. Sin embargo, en la
mesa de negociaciones con la Local 1415 la compañía insistió que
el sistema de pensiones era una carga económica no asequible;
ellos les dijeron a los miembros de ATU que su propuesta para
retener la pensión de los empleados actuales era muy generosa
considerando la recesión económica, y que si la Local rehusara
aceptar los términos descritos por Greyhound que entonces los
chóferes estarían sujetos a un cierre patronal.
Ultraje
Pero los miembros de la Local 1415 derrotaron la agenda
programada de la compañía con una sorpresiva campaña de
distribución de panfletos en frente de todas las terminales de
Greyhound a través del área Este de Canadá. Dos semanas antes
que tomara lugar el cierre patronal, los miembros de la unión
alertaron al público usuario que ellos deberían buscar medios
alternativos de transporte debido a que la compañía estaba
planeando un cierre patronal.
La Local explicó la situación en lenguaje claro y crocante,
mostrado como una lucrativa compañía extranjera estaba
practicando un cierre patronal contra sus empleados más antiguos,
quienes rehusaban acordar la eliminación de los beneficios de
futuras generaciones de trabajadores Canadienses, y eso resultó en
que los ultrajados pasajeros de Greyound asediaran a la empresa
con quejas y protestas.
Esta campaña estratégica causó que la compañía regresara a la
mesa de negociaciones a fin de encontrar una solución al tema de
las pensiones. Esto nos permitió a nosotros salvar la integridad de
un plan de pensiones de beneficios definidos para nuestros futuros
miembros. En el momento que esta edición de la revista estaba
siendo impresa, las partes estaban an trabajando para encontrar
una solución apropiada a la cuestión.
Si la historia nos ha ensenado una lección es que si nosotros
cedemos los derechos de nuestros futuros miembros, eso se
convierte en parte de un legado que posteriormente no podremos
reparar sin luchas de gran envergadura.
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: David F. Highnote. Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin
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UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: B&M Mailing Service Limited, 35 Van Kirk Drive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1A5, [email protected]
The objects of this International Union shall be to organize Local Unions; to place our occupation upon a higher plane of intelligence, efficiency and skill; to encourage the formation in Local Unions of sick and funeral benefit funds in order that we may properly care
for our sick and bury our dead; to encourage the organization of cooperative credit unions in the Local Unions; to establish schools of instruction for imparting a practical knowledge of modern and improved methods and systems of transportation and trade matters
generally; to encourage the settlement of all disputes between employees and employers by arbitration; to secure employment and adequate pay for our work, including vacations with pay and old age pensions; to reduce the hours of labor and by all legal and
proper means to elevate our moral, intellectual and social condition. To engage in such legislative, political, educational, cultural, social, and welfare activities as will further the interests and welfare of the membership of the Organization. To seek the improvement
of social and economic conditions in the United States and Canada and to promote the interests of labor everywhere.
4
IN TRANSIT
www.atu.org
“
If history teaches us any lesson it is that if we
give up rights of our future members it becomes
part of a legacy that we cannot later repair
without greater struggles.
”
preserving our rights and benefits
randy graham, international executive vice president
W
e are in a pitched battle these days to preserve our rights
and benefits. These rights, like defined-benefit pensions
are rights our predecessors fought hard to win. It seems in each
negotiation we enter now, management wants to take away our
defined-benefit plan and give us a defined-contribution plan or
even worse, nothing at all.
In the ATU, we have had many long and arduous battles
to preserve our rights. In the 1980’s and the 1990’s, we fought
against two-tier wage and benefit proposals across Canada and
the United States. We knew then that such wage systems would
result in workers who would feel like they had been “sold-out.”
protect the future
In the 1980’s when Ronald Reagan was president, the
ATU faced declining ridership and threatened cuts in federal
funding, and public transit systems made demands for contractreopeners, give-backs, wage freezes and reductions, and parttime operators on a lower wage scale. We were asked to subsidize
the transit services by accepting lower wages. If history is any
guide, management was not asked to make similar concessions.
And in the 1980’s, the ATU suffered significant transit layoffs
much as we are today. There were large layoffs of members of
Local 589 in Boston, and Local 1027 in Fresno, CA. And,
the then 11,000 members of Locals 241 and 308 in Chicago
were operating on a day-to-day basis. There were even system
shutdowns, but the ATU acted in solidarity to fight these
challenges and protect the future. Canadian members faced
similar issues with the election of Conservative governments.
www.atu.org
Recently we were confronted again with a decision to preserve
our rights and act in solidarity. When Local 1415 of Toronto, ON –
which represents Greyhound drivers and support employees
in Ontario and Quebec – approached bargaining this year, the
company sought to use the current economic emergency to deny
future Greyhound employees access to the hard-won definedbenefit pension.
Back in Scotland FirstGroup told shareholders at its annual
meeting that the firm’s Canadian operations had already been
restructured adequately to restore profitability. Yet at the table
with Local 1415 the company insisted that the pension was
an unaffordable burden; they told ATU members that their
proposal to retain the pension of current employees was generous
in light of the recession, and that if the local refused to accept
Greyhound’s terms the drivers would be locked out.
outrage
But the members of Local 1415 upset the company’s timetable
with a surprise, orchestrated leafleting at Greyhound terminals
across Eastern Canada. Two weeks before the company’s lockout
was scheduled to take effect, the union’s members alerted the
public that they should seek alternate travel arrangements since
the company was planning this action.
The local laid out the issue in clear, crisp language, showing
how a profitable foreign company was locking out senior workers
continued at Preserving Our Rights on page 21
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
5
Personne ne doit vous dire comment vous devez conduire
Cet été, le Président Barack Obama a rencontré le Conseil
Exécutif de l’AFL-CIO à Washington, DC. Ce fut une
rencontre extraordinaire et le Président Obama ne pouvait pas
être plus clair sa position concernant le droit des travailleurs
à s’organiser quand il dit: «Je crois que si j’avais été mineur,
j’aurais voulu un syndicat qui me représente et qui veille à ce
que je sois en sécurité et que l’on n’ait pas les tragédies que nous
avons vues dans l’industrie houillère. Si j’étais un enseignant, je
voudrais un syndicat qui permette de s’assurer que la perspective
des enseignants soit prise en considération dans notre réflexion
sur l’élaboration d’un système éducatif pour notre avenir».
Le Président Obama sait que les syndicats améliorent la
qualité de vie des travailleurs et même si son nom ne figure
pas sur le bulletin de vote en novembre prochain, sa capacité
de nous soutenir y est bien. C’est sur le bulletin de vote parce
que ses adversaires républicains essayent de prendre le contrôle
du Congrès pour pouvoir mettre fin à l’agenda d’espoir et de
changement du Président Obama.
si les républicains prenaient le contrôle de la Chambre des
représentants. «Speaker» Boehner consacre son temps à faire
abolir la réforme sur la santé et il a récemment déclaré au
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, qu’il était «pour l’augmentation de
l’âge de la retraite de la Sécurité sociale à 70 ans».
A la tête de la Commission de la Chambre sur l’énergie et le
commerce, le «Candidat Président» Joe Barton est un texan qui
s’est excusé auprès de BP lors des audiences du Congrès d’avoir à
enquêter sur les déversements de pétrole dans le Golfe !
De l’autre côté du Capitole, ce serait encore pire. Chez les
républicains qui formeraient une nouvelle majorité il y a des
candidats comme Sharon Angle du Nevada qui pense que les
travailleurs qui perçoivent des indemnités de chômage sont
«gâtés», et il y a aussi sénateur Orrin Hatch, qui pense que les
chômeurs doivent être testés pour l’utilisation de drogues avant
de pouvoir recevoir des indemnités. Et pour que ces travailleurs
trouvent un nouvel emploi, Paul Rand du Kentucky pense que
les salaires doivent baisser.
Boehner, Président de la chambre?
Qui sont ces républicains qui, cet automne, font une
campagne électorale contre le Président Obama? Ce sont des
gens comme John Boehner, qui serait «le Président» Boehner
Mettez-la sur «D» pour aller de l’avant
un fossé pour décrire l’état de l’économie lorsqu’il a pris ses
fonctions un an et demie auparavant, et le choix à faire sur le
bulletin en novembre :
«Cette élection est un choix», entre «ces gens-là qui ont
conduit l’économie américaine dans le fossé» et les démocrates
qui, pendant 20 mois ont «poussé la voiture hors du fossé
centimètre par centimètre» pendant que les républicains
restaient passifs. «Et maintenant, nous avons finalement obtenu
que cette voiture soit sur le bitume, prête à partir, et ils disent
qu’ils veulent à nouveau les clefs de la voiture. Eh bien, vous ne
pouvez pas avoir les clés car vous ne savez pas conduire. «
Bien, personne n’a à dire aux membres de l’ATU comment
ils doivent conduire. Et nous savons que si vous voulez aller
de l’avant il faut vous mettre en position ‘D’, et vous mettez
seulement sur «R» si vous voulez reculer.
En novembre, quand vous serez dans l’isoloir, n’oubliez pas
de voter pour donner votre appui au Président, qui aurait été
membre d’un syndicat. Donnez-lui votre appui en votant pour
les démocrates et mettez la nation en position pour «aller de
l’avant».
En août, lorsque le président Obama a parlé à l’AFL-CIO,
il a utilisé comme analogie le cas d’une voiture enlisée dans
NADIE TIENE QUE DECIRLE A USTED COMO CONDUCIR UN VEHÍCULO
Durante este verano el Presidente Barack Obama se reunió con
el Comité Ejecutivo de la AFL-CIO en Washington, D.C. Fue una
reunión muy provechosa y el Presidente Obama no podía haber
sido más claro sobre su posición personal con respecto al derecho
de los trabajadores de organizarse sindicalmente cuando dijo, “Yo
creo que si yo fuera un minero de carbón, yo querría que una unión
me representara para asegurarme de que yo trabajo en condiciones
seguras y que ustedes no sufrirían algunas de las tragedias que hemos
estado presenciado recientemente en la industria de la minería del
carbón. Si yo fuera un maestro, yo querría tener una unión para
asegurarme de que la perspectiva de los maestros esté representada
durante el debate de cómo desarrollar una sistema educacional
para el futuro.”
El Presidente Obama sabe muy bien que las uniones mejoran el
nivel de vida de los trabajadores, y aunque su nombre no estará en
la boleta de votación este noviembre, su capacidad de poder apoyar
nuestros intereses sí estará en juego. Y eso es muy cierto, porque
sus oponentes del Partido Republicano están tratando de tomar
control del Congreso Nacional con el explicito fin de dejar de lado
la agenda del Presidente Obama que aboga por cambio y esperanza.
¿BOEHNER, ‘PRESIDENTE’ DE LA CÁMARA?
¿Quiénes son estos Republicanos que están haciendo campaña
contra el Presidente Obama en este otoño? Este grupo incluye
a John Boehner quien asumiría el cargo de “Presidente” de la
Cámara de Representantes si los Republicanos toman control de
dicho cuerpo legislativo. El ‘Presidente’ Boehner está dedicado a
la revocación de la reciente reforma del sistema de cuidado de la
salud, y recientemente hizo declaraciones en el periódico Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review que él “estaría a favor de aumentar a 70 la edad
obligatoria para la jubilación bajo el Seguro Social.”
Si los Republicanos llegan a controlar el Congreso, la Comisión
de Energía y Comercio de la Cámara tendría como su “Presidente”
a Joe Barton -- un Congresista de Texas que vergonzosamente hizo
excusas defendiendo a la petrolera BP durante la investigación
realizada por el Congreso con relación al trágico derrame de petróleo
en el Golfo de México.
En el otro lado del Capitolio, la cosa sería aun peor en caso de
control por dicho Partido. Los Republicanos que constituirían una
nueva mayoría incluyen a Sharon Angle de Nevada, quién estima
que los trabajadores temporalmente desempleados que reciben
seguro por desempleo son “consentidos”; y también el Senador
Orrin Hatch de Utah quien opina que esos desempleados deberían
recibir pruebas sobre el uso de drogas antes de que sean elegibles
para recibir beneficios del seguro por desempleo. Y Paul Rand de
Kentucky declara que los salarios deberían reducirse antes de que
esos trabajadores desempleados puedan encontrar nuevos empleos.
MARQUE LA ‘D’ PARA IR HACIA ADELANTE
Cuando el Presidente Obama discursó ante la AFL-CIO en
agosto, el también uso la antología de un automóvil atascado en una
cuneta, cuando describió el estado actual de la economía nacional
en el momento en que él asumió el poder presidencial hace más
de año y medio y la opción que los votantes tendrán en la boleta
eleccionaria en noviembre.
“Esta elección es una opción del votante,” entre “aquellos que
empujaron a la economía nacional dentro de la cuneta” y los
Demócratas quienes por 20 meses han estado “tratando de extraer
ese automóvil de la cuneta, pulgada a pulgada,” mientras que los
Republicanos estaban de brazos cruzados. “Y ahora que finalmente
hemos colocado a ese automóvil de vuelta en la carretera, y ya
listos para dar marcha hacia adelante, ellos dicen que quieren que
les entreguemos las llaves del automóvil. Bueno, usted no tiene
derecho a esas llaves si usted no sabe cómo conducir.”
Bueno, nadie tiene que decirle a usted como conducir un
vehículo. Y nosotros sabes que si queremos ir adelante solo marcamos
la ‘D’, y si queremos ir marcha atrás entonces marcamos la ‘R’.
En este mes de noviembre, cuando usted esté dentro de la cabina
de votación, recuérdese de apoyar al Presidente quien declaró
que se afiliaría a una unión; apóyelo a él apoyando a candidatos
Demócratas y poner la nación en “marcha adelante.”
The Amalgamated Transit Union will hold the 25th Annual Golf Tournament
for the benefit of the ATU’s U.S. and Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Research
Funds from Sunday, October 24th – Monday, October 25th, at the Worthington
Manor Golf Club in Urbana, MD. Sunday will be reserved for a practice round,
and the actual tournament will be held on Monday.
For more information, please contact Ynez Wells at (202) 537-1645 or by email at [email protected].
6
IN TRANSIT
www.atu.org
“
…we know that if you want to go forward
you put it in ‘D’, and you only put it in ‘R’ if you
”
want to go back.
NOBODY HAS TO TELL YOU HOW TO DRIVE
oscar owens, international secretary-treasurer
T
his summer President Barack Obama met with the AFLCIO Executive Council in Washington, DC. It was a
terrific meeting and President Obama couldn’t have been more
clear about where he stands on the right of workers to organize
when he said, “I think if I was a coal miner, I’d want a union
representing me to make sure that I was safe and you did not
have some of the tragedies that we’ve been seeing in the coal
industry. If I was a teacher, I’d want a union to make sure that
the teachers’ perspective was represented as we think about
shaping an education system for our future.”
On the other side of Capitol Hill it would be even worse.
The Republicans who would make up a new majority there are
candidates like Sharon Angle of Nevada who thinks that laidoff workers receiving unemployment insurance are “spoiled” and
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch who thinks those laid-off workers
should be drug tested before they receive any benefits. And in
order for those workers to find new jobs Rand Paul of Kentucky
thinks wages have to fall.
President Obama knows that unions improve workers’
lives and even though he is not on the ballot this November,
his ability to support us is. It is on the ballot because his
Republican opponents are trying to take control of Congress
so they can shut down President Obama’s agenda of hope
and change.
When President Obama spoke to the AFL-CIO in August he
also used an analogy of a car stuck in a ditch when describing the
state of the economy when he took office a year-and-a-half ago
and the choice on the ballot this November:
‘SPeaker’ boehner?
Who are these Republicans running against President
Obama this fall? They are folks like John Boehner who would be
“Speaker” Boehner if Republicans take control of the U.S. House
of Representatives. “Speaker” Boehner is dedicated to repealing
healthcare reform and he recently told the Pittsburgh TribuneReview, he’d “favor increasing the Social Security retirement age
to 70.”
Leading the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
would be “Chairman” Joe Barton – a Texan who apologized to
BP at the Congressional hearings investigating the Gulf Oil Spill!
www.atu.org
put it in ‘d’ to go forward
“This election is a choice,” between “these folks who drove
America’s economy into a ditch” and the Democrats who for
20 months have “been shoving that car out of the ditch inch by
inch” as Republicans stood by. “And now we’ve finally got that
car up on the blacktop there, about to drive, and they say they
want the keys back. Well, you can’t have the keys because you
don’t know how to drive.”
Well nobody has to tell ATU members how to drive. And we
know that if you want to go forward you put it in ‘D’, and you
only put it in ‘R’ if you want to go back.
This November, when you’re in the voting booth, remember
to vote to support the president who would join a union, support
him by supporting Democrats and put the nation in “Drive!”
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
7
sePt/oct
2010
vol. 119, No. 5
w w w . a t u . o r g
contents
2
international officers &
general executive board
members rally to
‘save our ride’
international President’s message
in French & Spanish
3
international President’s message
When Action Speaks louder than Words
4
international executive
vice President’s message
in French & Spanish
5
international executive
vice President’s message
Preserving Our Rights and Benefits
6
international secretarytreasurer’s message
in French & Spanish
7
international secretarytreasurer’s message
Nobody has to Tell you how to drive
9
Union members and transit supporters gathered at rallies
from Seattle, WA, to Miami, Fl, this spring and summer to
“Save Our Ride.” Organized by the ATU and the Transport
Workers Union (TWU), the goal of the events was to
persuade the U.S. Congress to allow transit properties
serving populations over 200,000 to use at least a portion
of their already-appropriated federal aid for operating
assistance (wages, administration, etc.). Currently, these
agencies are restricted to using federal funds solely for
capital expenses (new buses, stations, etc.).
Story and Photos – Pages 14 & 15
calgary’s mahar appointed
international representative
10 message from the international
President emeritus
in French & Spanish
11 message from the international
President emeritus
Gratitude
13 working together to secure our future
ATU’s Fifty-Sixth International Convention
14 cover storY
Members Rally from Coast-to-Coast
to ‘Save Our Ride’
16 Know Your rights
The Fair labor Standards Act: hours Worked
17 canadian agenda
PM helps Kick Off Construction
of Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit
18 legislative report
State legislative Round Up
19 atu scholarship competition
22 local News
25 arbitration decision
Insubordination is hard to Grieve
26 Proud to be atu
Expressions of Thanks
27 in memoriam
8
IN TRANSIT
19
ATU Scholarship
Competition
16
Know your Rights
17
Canadian Agenda
18
legislative Report
25
Arbitration decision
26
Proud to Be ATU
FLSA: Hours Worked
PM Helps Kick Off Construction
of Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit
State Legislative Round Up
Insubordination is Hard to Grieve
Epressions of Thanks
www.atu.org
Calgary’s Mahar Appointed International Representative
H
e was just passing through. That’s all.
Mike Mahar, who has just been appointed
international representative, was just passing
through town when he thought he might apply
for a job with Calgary Transit.
That was 1978. Thirty years later, he jokes, he’s
still passing through. But he has done an awful
lot for ATU members in that city along the way.
faced the most serious challenge of Mahar’s years
as a local officer.
49-Day Strike
In 2001, the Calgary local went on strike for
49 days. It wasn’t easy, but the executive board
kept reassuring the members that they had their
best interests at heart. The members “remained
very strong and united,” Mahar recalls. And it
was that solidarity that saw them through to a
successful conclusion of the strike.”
Not long after he was hired, Mahar started
attending the meetings of Local 583-Calgary,
AB. He enjoyed the gatherings and soon
volunteered to serve on the local’s committees. In
1987, he became a union steward, and in 1990,
Mahar was made chair of the run committee.
“There was a lot of rebuilding to do (of the
relationship with management) after that,” he says.
And he credits the membership for doing that.
Brother Mahar was elected financial secretary
of the local in 1995. He was re-elected in 1998,
and, he says proudly, he was re-elected by
acclamation in 2001. That was the year Local 583
Mahar was elected president of the local in
2004, and he was re-elected, again by acclamation,
in 2007. And in 2007, with Mahar as president,
the local was tested again. Management “went to
Mahar de Calgary nommé
Représentant de l’International
Il était juste de passage. C’est tout ! Mike Mahar, qui vient d’être
nommé Représentant de l’International par Ron Heintzman,
Président de l’International, était de passage dans la ville quand
il a pensé qu’il pourrait postuler à un emploi à Calgary Transit.
C’était en 1978. Trente ans plus tard, il plaisante, il est encore
de passage dans la ville. Mais il a énormément œuvré dans
cette ville pendant tout ce temps pour les membres de l’ATU.
Peu de temps après avoir été embauché, Mahar a commencé
à assister aux réunions de la section syndicale 583-Calgary,
AB. Il en a apprécié les rencontres et très rapidement il s’est
porté volontaire pour servir dans les comités locaux. En 1987,
il devient délégué syndical et, en 1990, Mahar est nommé
Président du Comité d’exécution.
des défis. Le Management «est allé au pied du mur» dans les
négociations avec les autorités locales, fléchissant juste avant
qu’une grève ait eu lieu.
«Nous avons obtenu de bons accords», dit Mahar, «grâce à
l’appui que nous avons reçu de nos membres».
Préoccupation Principale: Agressions et Abus
Aujourd’hui, le nouveau représentant de l’international
dit que la préoccupation principale des opérateurs est la
menace continuelle d’agressions et d’abus. Il indique que ce
problème a commencé en 2000, lorsque les agressions contre
les conducteurs sont devenues «plus fréquentes et agressives».
Mahar fut élu secrétaire financier de la section syndicale en
1995. Il fut réélu en 1998, et, comme il le dit fièrement, il fut
réélu par acclamation en 2001. De toutes les années pendant
lesquelles Mahar a servi en tant qu’officier de section syndicale,
l’année 2001 est celle pendant laquelle la section syndicale 583
a dû faire face à de graves défis.
Il a fallu un certain temps, dit-il, pour convaincre le
management de Calgary Transit de prendre au sérieux ces
agressions. Mais maintenant, avec l’encouragement de
la section syndicale, l’organisme enseigne aux opérateurs
comment identifier des menaces avant qu’elles ne deviennent
un problème, et il étudie l’utilisation de moyens de sécurité
pour fournir un minimum de protection aux conducteurs.
Une Grève de 49 jours
Camaraderie et Fraternité
En 2001, la section syndicale de Calgary a fait grève pendant 49
jours. Ce n’était pas facile, mais le Conseil exécutif a, sans relâche
assuré aux membres qu’il avait leurs intérêts à cœur. Les membres
«restèrent très forts et unis», rappelle Mahar. «C’est justement
cette solidarité qui a permis un dénouement positif de la grève».
Mahar est impatient de travailler avec les sections syndicales,
et, en particulier, de les aider dans leurs négociations ce qu’
il aime particulièrement, nous dit-il. Il nous confie que «la
camaraderie et la fraternité sont une grande expérience».
«A la suite de cela, il y avait beaucoup à faire concernant
l’amélioration des relations avec le management», dit-il. Et il
crédite les membres pour leur rôle dans cette action.
«L’ATU est un mode de vie», mentionne-t-il. «L’ATU m’a
donné, à moi et à ma famille, la sécurité d’un emploi stable
depuis plus de 30 ans. L’ATU m’a permis d’aider tous mes frères
et sœurs à bien gagner leur vie».
Mahar fut élu Président de la section syndicale en 2004, et
il fut réélu, par acclamation, en 2007. Et en 2007, avec Mahar
comme Président, la section syndicale fut de nouveau face à
«Le tout a été une expérience merveilleuse, dit-il, en affirmant
qu’ «avec la force d’un groupe unifié on peut véritablement
beaucoup accomplir».
www.atu.org
the wall” in negotiations with the local, relenting
only just before a strike would have occurred.
“We got some pretty good agreements,” Mahar
says, “because of the support of the membership.”
Chief Concern: Assault and Abuse
Today, the new international representative
says the chief concern of operators is the continual
threat of assault and abuse. He dates the beginning
of the problem back to 2000, when assaults against
drivers became “more frequent and aggressive.”
It took awhile, he says, to convince Calgary’s
transit management to take the assaults seriously.
But now, with the local’s encouragement, the
agency teaches operators ways to identify threats
before they become a problem, and is reviewing
the use of shields to provide a modicum of
protection for drivers.
Camaraderie and Fraternity
Mahar is looking forward to working with
locals, and, particularly, to helping out with
locals’ negotiations which he says he really enjoys.
“The camaraderie and fraternity” he shares, is “a
great experience.”
Mahar’s affection for his fellow members is
obvious. He’s anxious to add, “this is an incredible
opportunity and as much as I feel emotionally
attached to our local, the decision to accept this
position was made easy knowing that I am leaving
my office and the local in good hands.”
“The whole thing has been a wonderful
experience,” he says, asserting that “with the unified
group strength you really can accomplish a lot.”
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
9
Gratitude
Comme vous le savez déjà, j’ai pris ma retraite de Président
de l’International de l’ATU. Cela a été une décision avec
laquelle j’ai débattu énormément. L’ATU a été ma vie et j’aime
vraiment ce Syndicat et ses membres. Mais, après de longues
discussions avec ma femme et mes enfants, j’ai décidé que le
moment était venu de passer les rênes et d’avoir plus de temps
avec ma merveilleuse famille.
Ma femme, Janice et moi avons été mariés pendant 49 ans,
et pendant 45 de ces années, j’ai été un militant et dirigeant
syndical. Pendant qu’elle élevait nos trois merveilleux enfants,
j’étais sur la route pour l’ATU.
J’ai commencé à l’ATU en organisant avec succès les
travailleurs de ma compagnie d’autobus à Pittsburgh en 1963.
Par la suite, j’ai été élu d’abord membre du conseil exécutif de
la section syndicale puis Président et Secrétaire-trésorier de la
section syndicale 85. En 1975, j’ai été élu Vice-président de
l’International. Depuis, j’ai servi comme Assistant spécial du
Président de l’International, Vice-président exécutif, et enfin,
Président de l’International en 2003.
J’ai eu la chance d’avoir l’ATU dans ma vie. Non seulement
ce Syndicat a fait en sorte que je sois en mesure d’offrir une
bonne vie à ma famille pendant toutes ces années comme
chauffeur d’autobus et mécanicien, mais il m’a aussi donné un
merveilleux groupe d’amis pour la vie.
Campagnes Stratégiques et Recherche
Une des réalisations pour laquelle j’éprouve la plus grande fierté
comme Président de l’International est la création du Département
des campagnes stratégiques. Ce département est chargé d’élaborer
un plan stratégique pour la coordination de la recherche,
l’organisation, les aspects juridiques, la communication, les
activités législatives et politiques de l’ATU, tout en fournissant des
renseignements opportuns aux sections syndicales et aux officiers de
l’International sur les entrepreneurs privés, les données des contrats
et les politiques pour les aider à obtenir de meilleurs salaires, de
meilleurs avantages et la sécurité de l’emploi pour nos membres.
Sachant qu’une part importante et croissante de l’industrie
des transports en commun a été confiée par contrat à des
entreprises privées - où les salaires sont nettement inférieurs
à ceux pratiqués par les entreprises publiques de transport en
commun comparables et où les retraites sont pratiquement
inexistantes - le Département des campagnes stratégiques
travaille activement pour empêcher que la tendance des contrats
privés érode les salaires, les avantages et les conditions de travail.
Le Département a ciblé tout particulièrement le plus
important employeur de l’ATU, FirstGroup. C’est l’entrepreneur
qui a été le plus agressif pour «saper» les salaires, les avantages
et les conditions de travail. Dans sa première campagne
importante de contrat contre FirstGroup depuis la création du
Département des campagnes stratégiques, l’ATU a lancé un
effort de sensibilisation de la communauté et a réussi à négocier
une augmentation de salaire de plus de dix pour cent pour les
membres de la section syndicale 1208 à Tuscaloosa, en Alabama.
En 2008, des centaines de membres de l’ATU dans tous
les États-Unis se sont portés volontaires pendant des heures
innombrables, pour faire des appels téléphoniques, frapper
aux portes et parler à leurs collègues de travail. Leur dur travail
a porté ses fruits avec l’élection de Barack Obama comme
Président des États-Unis. Je ne pourrais pas être plus fier du
travail qu’ils ont fourni durant cette campagne électorale.
Activités Législatives et Politiques
Diversité dans le leadership
Pendant ma présidence à l’International, l’UAT a également
été en mesure d’obtenir des victoires importantes dans les
domaines législatif et politique.
Une autre priorité de mon administration a été de diversifier
l’ATU de haut en bas. Non seulement j’ai nommé et promu des
dirigeants des deux sexes et de différents groupes ethniques, mais
j’ai aussi fait rentrer des dirigeants plus jeunes et dynamiques
ainsi que le personnel nécessaire pour s’assurer que de nouvelles
idées soient proposées et que les membres de tout âge et de tous
milieux soient représentés.
Malgré la présence d’un Président américain et d’un congrès
«anti-labeur» durant la plus grande partie de mon mandat, nous
avons pu obtenir chaque année des augmentations de fonds
pour financer les transports en commun. Nous avons également
été en mesure de faire passer une loi très complète sur la sécurité
routière pour les transports en commun par bus. Cette loi
autorise non seulement un financement important pour les
transports en commun et la sécurité dans les bus, mais exige
également que les employés en première ligne reçoivent une
formation sur la sécurité et les interventions d’urgence et enfin
elle offre des protections vitales aux dénonciateurs.
Pendant cette période, nous avons repoussé des tentatives qui
visaient à abroger ou à affaiblir la section 13 (c), la négociation
collective et les droits des travailleurs de transport en commun,
et nous avons contrecarré une exigence du Département d’Etat
Américain pour les transports qui promulguait la participation
du secteur privé dans les transports en commun.
Plus récemment, alors que des milliers de travailleurs des
transports en commun dans tous les États-Unis sont confrontés à
des licenciements et des réductions de services, l’ATU a mené une
campagne couronnée de succès pour permettre aux organismes
de transport en commun d’utiliser jusqu’à 10 pour cent de
leurs fonds de relance pour couvrir leurs coûts d’exploitation.
Cette législation a aidé à sauver les emplois de milliers de nos
membres et elle a permis à des centaines d’entre eux, qui avaient
été limogés, de pouvoir retourner au travail. Au moment où j’ai
pris ma retraite, l’ATU était en train de faire une campagne active
pour une assistance financière permanente pour financer les coûts
d’exploitation des entreprises publiques de transport en commun.
Le programme politique de l’ATU a aussi connu une
croissance considérable sous ma présidence de l’International.
Non seulement les contributions ATU-COPE ont augmenté
chaque année, mais nos membres sont devenus de plus en plus
actifs en politique car ils prennent conscience du lien qui existe
entre les élus et le financement des transports en commun.
Depuis la dernière convention, j’ai nommé, et le Conseil
Général Exécutif (CGE) a confirmé ce choix, deux membres
hispaniques au CGE, Yvette Salazar et Ray Rivera. Salazar,
notre nouvelle Vice-présidente de l’International, est la
première femme latino à siéger au CGE. J’ai aussi récemment
nommé deux leaders afro-américains comme représentants de
l’International, Gary Johnson et Karen Miller Lewis. Nous
avons également diversifié le personnel de l’International à
l’ATU et je suis fier de dire que je crois que l’ATU avait la
délégation la plus diversifiée lors de la récente Convention de
l’AFL-CIO.
L’ATU, malgré la période économique difficile, est en pleine
forme. Alors que nous sommes confrontés à de nombreux défis,
je suis convaincu que nous sommes prêts à les relever avec succès.
Sur une note plus personnelle, je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude
à chacun d’entre vous qui avez enrichi ma vie d’une façon que
je ne pourrais jamais exprimer. Devenir membre de l’ATU a été
la meilleure décision que j’ai prise dans ma vie professionnelle
; et, la meilleure chose que je pourrais vous souhaiter, c’est que
votre expérience au sein du syndicat soit aussi intéressante, et,
oui, plaisante, qu’elle l’a été pour moi.
Certes, ce n’est pas sans une certaine tristesse et un certain
chagrin que j’ai pris la décision de prendre ma retraite. Mais, je
sais que je passe le relais à une nouvelle génération de dirigeants
de l’ATU très capables et qui nous rendront tous fiers «d’être
ATU» encore une fois au 21e siècle.
Il me tarde de passer plus de temps avec ma meilleure amie
et épouse, Janice, mes trois enfants et mes petits-enfants. Mais
sachez que je répondrai toujours présent pour aider l’ATU à
l’avenir chaque fois qu’on me le demandera.
Agradecimiento
Según usted ya sabe, yo me he jubilado de mi cargo como Presidente Internacional de la ATU. Fue una decisión a la cual yo llegué
con gran dificultad. La Unión ATU ha sido my vida y yo verdaderamente adoro a esta Unión y a sus miembros. Pero, después de
una exhaustiva consulta con mi esposa e hijos, yo he decidido que
ha llegado la hora en que yo debo transferir las riendas de la unión
a otras manos, y así dedicarle más tiempo a mi maravillosa familia.
Yo he sido bienaventurado de haber tenido a la ATU en mi
vida. No solamente esta Unión aseguró mis posibilidades de
proveer una buena vida a mi familia durante mis años como
operador y mecánico de autobuses, pero también me permitió
adquirir magníficos amigos de toda la vida.
Mi esposa, Janice, y yo hemos estado casados por 49 años, y 45
de esos años yo he sido activista de la unión y un líder de la unión.
Mientras que ella crió a nuestros tres adorados hijos, yo estaba viajando por el país atendiendo a mis responsabilidades con la ATU.
Uno de mis más satisfactorios logros como presidente internacional es el establecimiento del nuevo Departamento de Campañas
Estratégicas. Este Departamento ha sido encargado de desarrollar
un plan estratégico para coordinar las investigaciones, la organización, apoyo legal, comunicaciones y actividades políticas y legislativas de la ATU, mientras que a la misma vez el Departamento
provee a las Uniones Locales de ATU y a los dirigentes internacionales con información actualizada sobre contratistas privados, datos
de contratos y políticas para ayudarlos en la entrega de mejores salarios, beneficios y seguridad en el empleo para nuestros miembros.
Yo empecé mi carrera con la ATU cuando exitosamente
organicé los trabajadores de mi empresa de autobuses en Pittsburgh en n el 1963. Yo fuí elegido a la junta directiva de la local y, posteriormente, presidente y secretario de finanzas de la
Unión Local 85. En el 1975, yo fui elegido Vicepresidente Internacional de la Unión. Desde entonces yo he servido como asesor
especial del presidente internacional, vicepresidente ejecutivo y,
finalmente, presidente internacional, comenzando en el 2003.
10
IN TRANSIT
Campañas Estratégicas e Investigaciones
concedidos a firmas privadas – donde los salarios son significativamente más bajos que en comparables sistemas públicos y
donde las pensiones virtualmente no existen – el Departamento
de Campañas Estratégicas está trabajando activamente para prevenir que esta tendencia de contratos privados tenga el efecto de
socavar los salarios, beneficios y condiciones de trabajo.
En particular, el departamento ha enfocado sus esfuerzos en
el mayor de todos los empleadores de ATU, First Grupo, el cual
ha sido el más agresivo contratista en términos de socavar los
salarios, condiciones y protecciones de trabajo. En su primera y
más importante campaña contra First Group desde el establecimiento del Departamento de Campañas Estratégicas, la ATU
lanzó esfuerzos de alcance comunitario y tuvo éxito en negociar un contrato con aumento de salario de dos dígitos para los
miembros de la Unión Local 1208 en Tuscaloosa, AL.
continued at Agradecimiento on page 9
Reconociendo que una creciente y gran parte de la industria
del transporte urbano ha sido externalizada a través de contratos
www.atu.org
“
Joining the ATU was the best decision I ever made
in my working life, and the best thing I could wish
for you is that your union experience be as
”
meaningful, and, yes, fun, as it has been for me.
gratitude
warren s. george, international president emeritus
A
s you know by now, I have retired as international president
of the ATU. It was a decision that I struggled with greatly.
The ATU has been my life and I truly love this Union and its
members. But, after extensive discussions with my wife and
children, I have decided that the time has come for me to hand
over the reins, and spend more time with my wonderful family.
My wife, Janice, and I have been married for 49 years, and for
45 of those years I have been a union activist and union leader.
While she raised our three wonderful children, I was on the road
for the ATU.
I started with the ATU when I successfully organized the
workers at my bus company in Pittsburgh in 1963. I went on
to be elected to the local executive board and then president
and financial secretary of Local 85. In 1975, I was elected as an
international vice president of the Union. Since then, I have served
as special assistant to the international president, executive vice
president, and finally, international president, beginning in 2003.
Recognizing that a large and increasing share of the mass
transit industry has been contracted out to private firms – where
wages are significantly lower than in comparable public systems
and pensions are virtually nonexistent – the Strategic Campaigns
Department is actively working to prevent the private contracting
trend from eroding wages, benefits and working conditions.
In particular, the department has targeted ATU’s largest
employer, FirstGroup, which has been the most aggressive
contractor in terms of undermining wages, working conditions
and labor protections. In its first major contract campaign against
FirstGroup since the establishment of the Strategic Campaigns
Department, the ATU launched a community outreach effort
and was able to successfully negotiate a double-digit wage
increase for the members of Local 1208 in Tuscaloosa, AL.
I have been blessed to have had the ATU in my life. Not only
did this Union ensure that I was able to provide a good life for
my family during my years as a bus operator and mechanic, but
it also provided me with wonderful lifelong friends.
Legislative and Political Activity
Strategic Campaigns and Research
Despite the presence of an anti-labor U.S. president and
Congress for much of my tenure, we were able to secure funding
increases for public transit every year. We were also able to
pass comprehensive transit and over-the-road bus security
legislation, which not only authorizes significant funding for
One of my proudest accomplishments as international
president is the establishment of the new Strategic Campaigns
Department. This department has been tasked with developing
a strategic plan to coordinate the research, organizing, legal,
communications, legislative and political activities of the ATU,
while providing ATU locals and international officers with
www.atu.org
timely information about private contractors, contract data and
policies to assist them in delivering better wages, benefits, and
job security for our members.
While I was international president, the ATU was also able to
secure significant victories in the legislative and political realms.
continued at Gratitude on page 12
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
11
gratitude continued from page 11
transit and bus security, but also requires security
and emergency response training for frontline
employees and provides crucial whistleblower
protections.
During this time, we fended off attempts to
repeal or weaken Section 13(c) transit worker
collective bargaining and job rights, and killed
a requirement that the U.S. Department of
Transportation promulgate regulations on
private sector participation in transit.
Most recently, with thousands of transit
workers throughout the U.S. facing layoffs and
service cuts, the ATU led a successful campaign
to allow public transit agencies to use up to 10
percent of their stimulus funds to cover public
transportation operating costs. This necessary
legislation helped to save the jobs of thousands
of our members and allowed hundreds who had
already been laid off to go back to work. At the
time of my retirement, the ATU was actively
campaigning for permanent operating assistance
for public transit.
The ATU’s political program also saw tremendous
growth while I was international president. Not
only have ATU-COPE contributions increased
agradecimiento continued from page 10
actividad Política Y legislativa
Durante mi período como presidente internacional, la
ATU también pudo obtener importantes victorias en los campos políticos y legislativos.
A pesar de la presencia de un Presidente y un Congreso notoriamente anti-laboral durante mucho de mi período electivo, nosotros tuvimos éxito en conseguir aumentos en el financiamiento
del transporte público todos los años. También fuimos responsables por la promulgación de exhaustiva legislación cubriendo
el tránsito y el transporte de autobuses por carreteras, la cual no
solamente autoriza un significativo financiamiento para la seguridad del tránsito y de los autobuses, pero también requiere adiestramiento sobre seguridad y atención primordial a las emergencias
para todos los empleados en líneas frontales; y también provee
importantes protecciones para las personas que denuncian la existencia de prácticas ilegales, corruptas dentro de su organización.
Durante este período, también rechazamos esfuerzos dirigidos a la revocación o debilitamiento de la Sección 13 (c)
que protege la contratación colectiva de los trabajadores del
tránsito y sus derechos en el sitio de empleo. También derrotamos un requerimiento que autorizaba al Departamento
de Transporte Federal a promulgar reglamentaciones sobre la
participación del sector privado en el tránsito.
Más recientemente, con miles de trabajadores del tránsito
por todo el país enfrentando despidos temporales y reducciones en el servicio, la ATU lideró una exitosa campaña para permitir que las agencias de tránsito público puedan usar hasta un
10% de sus fondos federales de estímulo para cubrir los costos
de operación del transporte público. Esta necesaria legislación
12
IN TRANSIT
every year, but our members have become more
and more active in politics as we raised awareness of
the connection between elected officials and public
transportation funding.
We have also diversified the ATU international
staff, and I am proud to say that I believe the
ATU had the most diverse delegation at the
recent AFL-CIO Convention.
In 2008, hundreds of ATU members
throughout the U.S. volunteered countless
hours, making phone calls, knocking on
doors, and talking to fellow coworkers at their
worksites. Their hard work paid off with the
election of Barack Obama as U.S. president. I
could not be more proud of the work they did
during that election campaign.
The ATU, despite the tough economic times,
is in great shape. While we face many challenges
ahead, I am confident that we are prepared to
confront those challenges and succeed.
leadersHiP diversitY
Another focus of my administration was
to diversify the ATU from the top down. Not
only did I appoint and advance leaders of both
genders and different ethnic groups, but I also
brought in more young and energetic leaders
and staff to ensure that new ideas are proposed
and that members of all ages and backgrounds
are represented.
Since the last Convention, I nominated, and
the General Executive Board confirmed, two
Hispanic members to the GEB, and appointed
two African American leaders as international
representatives.
ayudó a salvar los empleos de miles de nuestros miembros y le
permitió a cientos de trabajadores que habían sido despedidos
temporalmente que los mismos pudieran retornar a sus empleos. En el momento de mi jubilación, la ATU estaba trabajando activamente en una campaña a favor de una permanente
ayuda para las operaciones del tránsito público.
El programa político de la ATU también experimentó un tremendo crecimiento durante mi período como presidente internacional. No solamente las contribuciones al programa ATU-COPE
aumentaron cada año, pero también nuestros miembros han estado mucho más activos en el campo político a medida que nosotros enfatizamos la importancia de conectar a los funcionarios
públicos elegidos con el financiamiento del transporte público.
En el 2008, cientos de miembros de la ATU por todo el país
prestaron servicios voluntarios por muchas horas, haciendo llamadas telefónicas, tocando en puertas y conversando con sus
colegas trabajadores en el sitio de empleo. Esta ardua labor fue
recompensada por la elección de Barack Obama como Presidente de los Estados Unidos. Yo no podría estar más orgulloso
del trabajo que ellos hicieron durante esa campaña electoral.
diversidad eN el lideraZgo
Otro enfoque de mi administración fue diversificar a la
unión de arriba hacia abajo. No solamente yo nombré y promoví a dirigentes de ambos sexos y diferentes grupos étnicos,
pero yo también traje a la unión varios líderes y personal administrativo más jóvenes y de gran energía para asegurarnos de
que nuevas ideas son propuestas y que los miembros de todas
las edades y todos los sectores estén representados.
Desde la última Convención, yo propuse, y la Junta Directiva General confirmó la inclusión de dos miembros Hispanos
On a more personal note, I want to express
my gratitude to each of you who have enriched
my life in more ways than I could ever express.
Joining the ATU was the best decision I ever made
in my working life, and the best thing I could
wish for you is that your union experience be as
meaningful, and, yes, fun, as it has been for me.
Surely, it was not without some sadness and
heartache that I made the decision to retire. But,
I leave confident that we will continue to be
“proud to be ATU” throughout the 21st century.
I look forward to spending more time
with my best friend and wife, Janice, my three
children and my grandchildren. But please know
that I will be here to help the ATU in the future
whenever I am called upon to do so.
en dicha Junta, Yvette Salazar y Ray Rivera. Salazar, nuestro
más nuevo vicepresidente internacional, es la primera Latina
elegida a la Junta Directiva General. Yo recientemente nombré
a dos líderes Afro-Americanos como representantes internacionales, Gary Johnson y Karen Miller Lewis. Nosotros también
hemos diversificado el personal en la sede internacional de
ATU, y yo estoy muy orgulloso de decir que, en mi opinión,
la ATU representó la más diversa delegación a la reciente Convención de la AFL-CIO.
La ATU, a pesar de la difícil situación económica que nos
embarga, está en muy buenas condiciones. Mientras que aun
enfrentamos muchos desafíos en el futuro, yo estoy convencido de que estamos preparados para confrontar esos desafíos
y salir airosos.
En una nota más personal, yo quiero expresar mi gratitud
a todos y cada uno de ustedes que han enriquecido mi vida de
muchas más maneras de lo que pudiera yo expresar. Afiliarme
a la Unión ATU fue la mejor decisión que jamás yo hice en
mi vida trabajadora, y la mejor cosa que yo pudiera desearle a
usted es que su experiencia en la unión sea tan significativa, y,
también tan gratificante, como eso ha sido para mí.
Ciertamente, no es sin tristeza y pesar que yo he tomado
la decisión de jubilarme. Pero yo sé que estoy transfiriendo el
batón a una nueva y muy capaz generación de líderes de ATU
quienes nos harán a todos nosotros “orgullosos de pertenecer a
la ATU” por muchos años más durante el siglo 21.
Yo estoy muy feliz de que en el futuro podré dedicarle más
tiempo a mi mejor amiga y esposa, Janice, mis tres hijos y mis
nietos. Pero también, por favor, tomen nota de que yo estaré
aquí para prestarle ayuda a la ATU en el futuro, en cualquier
momento en que yo sea convocado para hacerlo.
www.atu.org
ricHard trumKa
ed wYtKiNd
barbara bYers
leo gerard
cecil roberts
claYola browN
ioN radoi
President, AFL-CIO
President, Transportation Trades
Department, AFL-CIO
Vice President
Canadian Labour Congress
International President
United Steelworkers of America
President
United Mineworkers of America
National President
A. Philip Randolph Institute
President
ATU Romanian Council
D
elegates from all over the United States and Canada will assemble
to address the crucial issues that confront the ATU, Labor, and the
transit industry at the 56th ATU International Convention, September 27 –
October 1, in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The Convention of ATU delegates
convenes every three years to review the challenges and accomplishments
since the last Convention and to chart a course for the future.
This Convention’s theme – “Working Together to Secure Our Future”
emphasizes solidarity – the aspect of the Union which is most responsible
for making ATU members the highest-compensated employees in the transit
industry. That unity of purpose between U.S. and Canadian members, and
among all of our locals is the key to continued success in the 21st century.
cHalleNges
No doubt the delegates will address the issues that confront our members
with that same spirit. Those issues include:
• Th
ecriticalneedforoperatingassistanceintheU.S.
• Th
e urgent necessity of protecting our members from assault
in Canada.
• Contracting-outourworktoprivatecompanies,andmuchmore.
Over 600 delegates have been elected by ATU’s 254 local unions all across
North America. Those delegates will consider measures brought to the floor
by various committees (such as Laws, Organizing, and Safety and Security).
Subsequently, during the week delegates will vote on amendments to the
ATU Constitution and General Laws, resolutions which will express the
position of the Union on important matters, and the election of international
officers for the coming three years.
sPeaKers
AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka will address the opening session
of the Convention on Monday, September 27. After 15 years of service as the
federation’s secretary treasurer, he was elected president at the AFL’s 26th
www.atu.org
convention. Trumka has been in the forefront of discussions in the media
concerning the welfare of workers since his election a year ago.
The delegates will also hear from Clayola Brown, national president of
the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Although she has worked for the UNITE
HERE international union since 1970, the union and civil rights leader got
an even earlier start in the labor movement when, at age 15, she joined her
mother in a successful campaign to bring the Textile Workers Union of
America (TWUA) to the Manhattan Shirt Factory in Charleston, SC. Brown
“brought down the house” with her presentation at the 55th Convention
three years ago in Las Vegas, NV.
Others scheduled to speak include Barbara Byers, vice president of
the Canadian Labour Congress; Cecil Roberts, president of the United
Mine Workers of America; Leo Gerard, international president of the
United Steelworkers; Ion Radoi, president of the ATU Romanian Council,
USLA in Bucharest, Romania; Ed Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO
Transportation Trades Department; and Michael Williams, president of
the Florida AFL-CIO.
From outside the labor movement delegates will hear from William
W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association
(APTA); Michael Roschlau, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban
Transportaion Association (CUTA); and Dr. Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D.,
General Managers/CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Transportation
Authority (MARTA).
A full report on the actions of the Convention will be published in the
next In Transit.
sPirit
While delegates must weigh many important matters, what they and
other ATU participants take away from the week is the camaraderie and
enthusiasm which is generated when representatives of the entire ATU
family gather. It is that spirit which will animate the Union for, at least,
three years to come.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
13
Members Rally fro
to ‘Save O
U
nion members and transit supporters gathered
at rallies from Seattle, WA, to Miami, FL, this
spring and summer to “Save Our Ride.” Organized
by the ATU and the Transport Workers Union
(TWU), the goal of the events was to persuade the
U.S. Congress to allow transit properties serving
populations over 200,000 to use at least a portion of
their already-appropriated federal aid for operating
assistance (wages, administration, etc.). Currently,
these agencies are restricted to using federal funds
solely for capital expenses (new buses, stations, etc.).
The rallies were a response to the cuts in jobs and
service that cash-poor transit agencies have been making
all over the U.S. Rev. Jesse Jackson, head of the Rainbow/
Push coalition, spoke at most of the events, lending his
voice to the thousands who see preserving mass transit
as a matter of simple economic justice.
1
The first “salvo” came March 16, during the ATU
Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, when
conference participants gathered in the shadow of the
U.S. Capitol to hear members of Congress enlist their
support for bills they’ve introduced to address the
operating assistance crisis.
Then it was on to Chicago, IL, where the ATU
and TWU planned the upcoming campaign with
Jackson, and held a huge rally, March 27, at Rainbow/
Push headquarters. Next, the two unions caught
the attention of the media with a news conference,
March 31, on the streets of New York, NY, and at
another Capitol Hill rally, April 27, during the TWU’s
Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
In May, the unions officially unveiled the “Save Our
Ride” campaign at a May 11 rally at a MARTA station
in Atlanta, GA. It was in Atlanta that the organizations
inaugurated “Text on Washington” in which transit
supporters were able send a text message in support of
the operating assistance bills to their representatives in
the House and Senate.
2
3
14
4
IN TRANSIT
(1) Enthusiastic members from Local 732-Atlanta, GA, came to support f
Local 113-Toronto, ON, flew the Canadian flag in solidarity with the U.S. m
(3) Atlanta members caught the nationwide attention of the U.S. media b
new funding was found for MARTA. (4) Local President Benita West, 732were among the throng who cheered on Rev. Jesse Jackson at the event
their American brothers and sisters at the Detroit rally on May 12. (7) Trans
July 9. (8) The series of rallies took on the character of a summer concert
in San Francisco on June 29. (9) Mass transit supporters posed for this
Cleveland, OH, on May 22. (10) Rep. Betty Sutton, D-OH, lent her support f
16, in Washington, DC.
www.atu.org
om Coast-to-Coast
Our Ride’
The following day the campaign moved to
Birmingham, A L , in the home state of Sen.
Richard Shelby, R-AL, the ranking member of the
Senate Banking Subcommittee on Housing and
Transportation, and a key vote on the operating
assistance issue.
The campaign continued May 21, in Detroit, MI,
where ATU members have just accepted an eight
percent pay reduction rather than job cuts. Canadian
members showed solidarity with their American
brothers and sisters, literally flying the Canadian flag
at the Detroit event.
The ATU Canadian contingent also joined Union
members at the May 22 rally in Cleveland, OH. The
Ohio event was marked by one of the most energetic
demonstrations by members who paraded into the
rally area proclaiming their support for mass transit.
The campaign arrived on the west coast on June
11, with a rally sponsored by Local 757 in Portland,
OR. Next, rallies were held in San Francisco, CA, on
June 29, and in Sacramento, CA, on July 1. California’s
severe budget crisis has complicated the already
difficult finances of the Golden State’s transportation
agencies.
5
6
The final rallies were held in Houston, TX, July 7,
Miami, FL, July 9.
The Save Our Ride campaign has provided the
ATU and TWU with a historic opportunity to work
together toward a common goal of great importance
to the members of both unions. In the process,
ATU members from all parts of the United States
demonstrated passion, commitment, and impressive
organizing skills which may be called upon again as
the struggle to save mass transit in the United States
continues over the coming months.
fellow members at a rally in Birmingham, AL, May 12. (2) Members of
members as they listened to Rev. Jesse Jackson speak at the Detroit rally.
by painting a big red “X” on buses traveling routes that would be cut if no
-Atlanta, rallied one of the largest rallies on May 11. (5) Chicago members
held on March 27. (6) Local 113-Toronto, ON, members came to support
sit supporters braved the heat to support mass transit at a rally in Miami on
series, and a T-shirt commemorating the tour is worn by a rally participant
s portrait of enthusiastic support for operating assistance after the rally in
for transit operating assistance at a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol, March
www.atu.org
7
8
9
10
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
15
Know your rights:
The Fair Labor Standards Act: Hours Worked
I
n the coming installments of “Know Your Rights,” we will be examining
different aspects of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, and how
it applies to your day-to-day work routine.
meal periods are typically at least 30 minutes long and do not need to be
compensated as work time as long as employees are completely relieved from
work duties for the entire meal period.
In this first installment, we will examine what constitutes compensable
work time. It is important to keep in mind that the FLSA regulations are
baseline rules, and an employer may not seek through a collective bargaining
agreement to lessen the rights afforded employees under the FLSA, including
which hours must be counted as hours worked. Collective bargaining
agreements and state laws can, however, broaden the regulations of the FLSA,
as is often the case with mandatory break times and meal periods.
Meetings and training sessions
The following are among the most relevant aspects of “hours worked” as
defined by the FLSA regulations and as applied to the transportation industry.
Keep in mind these are just general guidelines and individual cases will vary
based on the particular facts and circumstances. We recommend you consult
with your appropriate local union representatives if you feel your employer
is not adhering to the work time requirements mandated by the FLSA.
In order for meetings, training sessions, and similar events to not be
counted as work time four criteria must be met:
• The meeting or training session must take place outside of regular
working hours;
• Attendance must be voluntary;
• The meeting or training session must not be directly related to one’s
job; and
• No work which the employer is able to use for their purposes may
be performed during the meeting or training session.
Waiting time
Travel time
When an employee is not actively engaged in his or her job duties while
on their regular shift, but is waiting for an assignment or task to be passed to
them, they are considered to be “engaged to wait” and are therefore working.
For instance, bus drivers waiting for repairs to be completed so they can
go back out on their route are engaged to wait and should be paid for that
period of inactivity.
Traveling from home before the start of a regular work day and returning
home after the completion of a regular work day does not count as work time.
Off-duty time
Employees are considered off-duty, and therefore not on compensable
work time, when they are completely relieved from duty and have enough time
to use for their own purposes. For instance, a driver who works a shift from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. would be off-duty prior to 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m., provided
he or she is definitively released from duty at that time.
Breaks/Meals
Employers are not required to offer breaks or rest periods, such as coffee
breaks, but they generally do so in order to promote worker efficiency. Break
periods are generally between five and 20 minutes long, and that time is
counted as work time for which employees are to be paid.
Meal times are also not required to be provided, but much like break
periods are generally a staple of any employment agreement. Bona fide
16
IN TRANSIT
Traveling from job site to job site during the work day and in the course of
principal job activities does count as work time (courts have also recognized
that employees who begin their workday by performing job activities at
home prior to traveling to a different work site should be compensated for
that travel time).
When traveling away from home overnight, such as driving a bus involved
in intercity transportation, any work performed while traveling, including
clerical work, must be counted as work time.
Drug & alcohol testing and physical exams
Time spent traveling to and from, waiting for, and undergoing an
employer-mandated drug test or physical exam is considered work time,
regardless of whether it is scheduled during working hours, because the
employee’s freedom of movement is restricted for the purpose of serving the
employer and he or she is under the employer’s control.
For additional information on specific topics related to hours worked,
the Department of Labor provides a useful step-by-step guide on its website
at: http://tinyurl.com/flsahours.
www.atu.org
Canadian Agenda
PM hElPS KICK OFF CONSTRUCTION OF MISSISSAUGA BUS RAPId TRANSIT
P
rime Minister Stephen Harper announced the start of construction of
the Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit corridor, August 17, at the Mississauga
transit campus. He was joined by Bob Dechert, member of Parliament for
Mississauga-Erindale.
“We want to ensure commuters get to work on time and get home to
their families at the end of the workday as quickly and as safely as possible,”
said Prime Minister Harper. “Improving the flow of people and goods across
the GTA is good for commuters, the economy and the environment because
it means shorter commute times, increased productivity and improved air.”
grouNdbreaKiNg ceremoNY caNcelled
Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion had planned a ground-breaking
ceremony the same day to mark the start of construction, but when Harper
announced he was coming to town, the shovels were put back in the closet
and the ceremony cancelled.
“It’s not uncommon for politicians to show up six months before an
election, or a couple of months,” McCallion said later. “I showed up the day
after the last one.”
lE PM INAUGURE lA CONSTRUCTION dU CORRIdOR dE TRANSPORT
EN COMMUN RAPIdE PAR AUTOBUS dE MISSISSAUGA
Le 17 août au campus de Mississauga Transit,
le Premier ministre, Stephen Harper, a annoncé le
début de la construction du corridor de transport
en commun rapide par autobus de Mississauga.
Il était accompagné de Bob Dechert, député de
Mississauga-Erindale.
« Nous souhaitons que les banlieusards
arrivent au travail à l’heure et retournent à la
maison auprès de leurs familles lorsque la journée
de travail est terminée, et ce, par le moyen le plus
rapide et le plus sûr possible, d’affirmer le Premier
ministre Harper. Améliorer le transport des gens et
des biens dans la RGT est bon pour les voyageurs,
l’économie et l’environnement, car cela se traduit
par une diminution du temps de déplacement, un
gain en productivité et un assainissement de l’air. »
cérémoNie de la Pose de la Première
Pierre aNNulée
Le même jour, Hazel McCallion, Mairesse de
Mississauga, avait prévu une cérémonie de la pose
de la première pierre pour marquer le début de
la construction, mais lorsqu’Harper fit savoir qu’il
allait venir en ville, les pelles furent remises dans
le placard, et la cérémonie annulée.
« Ce n’est pas rare que les politiciens se
présentent six mois avant une élection, ou deux
mois avant», dit McCallion plus tard. «Je me suis
présenté le lendemain de la dernière. »
2,950 emPlois
Les travaux devraient créer environ 2 590
emplois.
www.atu.org
2,950 Jobs
This project is expected to create approximately 2,590 jobs.
L’Ontario a octroyé 65 millions de dollars à
la ville de Mississauga afin de contribuer au coût
des services d’autobus rapides de Mississauga
et verse 48 millions de dollars de plus à titre
d’investissements connexes de GO Transit.
Ontario has provided $65 million to the
City of Mississauga to support the Mississauga
BRT and is contributing another $48 million in
related GO Transit investments.
Une fois les travaux achevés, le corridor estouest de 18 kilomètres de transport en commun
rapide qui traversera la ville de Mississauga
améliorera la desserte par autobus tant municipale
qu’interrégionale dans la région du Grand
Toronto.
Once complete, the 18-kilometre eastwest rapid transit corridor across the City of
Mississauga will improve both local and interregional bus operations in the Greater Toronto
Area.
« Au cours des 18 derniers mois, nous
avons accéléré la réalisation de certains projets
d’infrastructure du transport, notamment en
commun, pour la RGT dans le cadre du Plan
d’action économique du Canada, d’ajouter le
Premier ministre. Ces projets ont créé des emplois
et stimulé la croissance économique durant la
récession mondiale. »
“Over the last year and a half, we have
accelerated some of the GTA public transit and
transportation infrastructure projects as part of
Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said the prime
minister. “These projects have created jobs and
stimulated economic growth during the global
economic recession.”
Le gouvernement du Canada contribue
au projet à même le Fonds canadien sur
l’infrastructure stratégique, dans le cadre de
l’initiative ÇA ROULE, plan d’action à long terme
du gouvernement fédéral sur les transports dans
la région du Grand Toronto (RGT). La province
d’Ontario et la ville de Mississauga contribuent
également au projet.
Government of Canada funding for this
project is provided through the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund and is part of
FLOW, the Government of Canada’s longterm transportation action plan for the Greater
Toronto Area. The Province of Ontario and the
City of Mississauga are also contributing to the
project.
Le coût total du projet de services d’autobus
rapides s’élève à 259 millions de dollars, avec
des fonds de la province de l’Ontario, du
gouvernement fédéral et de la ville de Mississauga.
Le corridor d’autobus rapides devrait être
opérationnel au printemps 2013.
The total cost of the BRT project is $259
million with funding from the Province of
Ontario, the federal government and the City
of Mississauga. It is expected to be in service by
spring 2013.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
17
— LEGISLATIVE REPORT —
State Legislative Round Up
T
he 2009-2010 legislative session is now complete in almost all states.
Public transportation issues continued to dominate the agenda in
traditional transit areas as well as in places where bus and rail service is still
growing. Hundreds of transit bills were introduced nationwide. Safety and
security issues especially proved to be on the minds of state legislators. Below
is a summary of the major bills that were enacted into law.
Southern States Catching Up on Transit
Southern states traditionally dominated by highways made real progress
on transit during this session. A major reform and funding bill was signed
into law in Georgia, breaking a logjam that had bottled up the issue for at
least three years. Under previous law, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit
Authority (MARTA) – which receives no state funding for operations – was
only able to use 50% of its local funding for operations. The new bill at least
provides a three-year lift of the restriction on how MARTA can spend its local
money. In addition, voters will get a chance to decide whether to dedicate
more money towards transit expansion. Although not the wholesale change
that Local 732 was seeking, the bill will save more than 1,000 jobs. As a
result of the bill, MARTA’s projected layoffs dropped from approximately
1,500 to about 400.
South Carolina established an office of public transit, and North
Carolina created a congestion relief and intermodal transportation fund,
providing funds for public transportation.
Virginia legislation mandates the state’s Department of Transportation to
make an annual report to the legislature on actions taken to promote transit
use, while another bill requires the commonwealth’s transportation board, in
distributing funds for transit, to give first priority to transit operating costs
rather than capital projects.
Not to be outdone, Mississippi created a public transit task force to
study and make recommendations to the legislature with regard to present
and future needs of the statewide public transportation system.
Maryland established a “Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation
Funding,” and the ATU locals in the state will likely participate in the work
of the panel, which will examine everything from funding needs to publicprivate partnerships.
A new Tennessee law urges transit systems to promote the existence of
a parental help line organized by Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee as space
allows in interior advertising.
And Louisiana authorized the creation of public private partnerships to
further develop its transit network.
18
IN TRANSIT
Major Funding Battles
New York became one of a handful of states to authorize a regional
“payroll tax” on businesses – as opposed to sales, property or fuel taxes – in
the New York City Area to fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Unfortunately, revenue from the new tax has not met projections and the
MTA has laid-off hundreds of workers and cut more service than it has in
decades.
Nearly every transit system in California has suffered over the past three
years as the state borrowed, took or eliminated hundreds of millions of
dollars in public transportation funds. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
continued to raid the public transportation fund until the state’s Supreme
Court seemingly put an end to this “transit robbery” by ordering the state to
repay the more than $3 billion in gasoline sales taxes that it had taken since
2007. Instead, the governor crafted a plan to again take the funds by simply
eliminating the sales tax on gas. His plan failed, however, and Schwarzenegger
in the end signed two bills that provide a total of $750 million in fuel-tax
revenue to cash-strapped transit operators.
Safety and Security Issues
Massachusetts and Oklahoma banned the use of cell phones or texting
devices while operating a transit vehicle.
Washington State, which has a similar ban, provided an exception for
devices used to relay information between a coach operator and the operator’s
dispatcher. Washington also expanded its list of unlawful vehicle conduct
to include unreasonably disturbing others with loud or harassing behavior;
falsely claiming to be a transit employee; engaging in gambling; skating or
riding on a skateboard; and engaging in conduct that is inconsistent with
the intended use and purpose of the transit facility.
A new law in Illinois requires the Chicago Transit Authority to develop
written protocols to respond to medical and sanitation emergencies and other
safety hazards. Illinois also provided for enhanced penalties for carrying a
firearm or other dangerous weapon on a transit vehicle.
Virginia authorized fingerprint and criminal background checks of transit
employees and applicants.
With ATU’s support, nearly 30 states have enacted laws specifically
prohibiting the intentional causing of physical injury to a transit employee
when such employee is in the course of the performance of duty. During the
2009-2010 legislative session, new transit worker assault bills were passed
in Connecticut, Maryland, and Tennessee. A Missouri bill was vetoed on
a technicality.
www.atu.org
The Amalgamated Transit Union
2010 Scholarship Competition
I n M emor y of : bruce foster
Bruce Foster Scholarships Awarded to Six
A
TU Scholarships were awarded to five entering college students, and
one vocational school enrollee this year. Below is a brief description
of each of the 2010 ATU scholars and an excerpt from their essays on the
topic “Organized Labor’s Contribution to the Welfare of the People of the
United States or Canada.”
Eric Goodman
Eric Goodman, the son of Bruce Goodman, 113-Toronto, ON, is a
graduate of Clarington Central Secondary School in Bowmanville, ON,
who has begun his coursework to become a power engineering technician at
Durham College in Whitby, ON. During high school Eric competed on the
soccer, chess, and “cardboard boat race” teams. He was a finalist in two soccer
events, won a bronze medal in chess, and a gold medal in cardboard boat racing.
Eric credits his uncle for having a significant influence on his life, writing,
“Uncle Stuart began working at Ontario Hydro at an early age. He started
off in the position of a mail clerk. Through hard work, enthusiasm, and
dedication, he slowly moved himself up the ladder to success… My uncle also
was an active member of the union and was voted to be a shop steward for two
years… Uncle Stuart has shown me that with enthusiasm and a willingness to
learn, you can grow as a person and achieve anything you put your mind to.”
Eric’s goal is to work at Ontario Power Generation in Durham as a power
engineering technician.
Excerpts from Eric Goodman’s essay:
The overall advantages of union membership are clear. Unionized workers have
written legally-binding guarantees covering such things as wages and benefits,
and dental and health care plans to cover sickness/illness, accidents, and death…
Collective agreements give union members rights and job security. Health and safety
committees help keep the workplace healthier and safe. Grievances and complaints
are handled by a clear set of rights written up in the collective agreement. Union
shop stewards will support the individual worker who has been treated unfairly.
Lucia Herrero
Lucia Herrero, the daughter of Michael Herrero, 1277-Los Angeles, CA,
is a graduate of Vivian Webb School in Claremont, CA, who has begun her
studies in Political Science at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Lucia
completed AP courses in high school in English Literature and Composition,
Spanish, Biology, and U.S. History. She was the president and founder of
the Peccary (Paleontology) Club, played the flute in the orchestra, was a
contributor in the Journalism Club, was the manager of KWEB – the school’s
radio station, member of the Honor Cabinet, choreographer in the Dance
Club, and senior member of the debate team.
Lucia says that one of the most rewarding experiences of her high school
years was the paleontology research she was able to do at the Raymond M. Alf
www.atu.org
Museum located right on her high school campus. The museum prompted
her to complete the Advanced Museum Research Honors course which gave
her the tools to identify a fossil in the museum as a duck-billed dinosaur
skull. “This 75 million year-old specimen,” she says, “may be a new species
due to various morphological differences with the skull. I was also able to
CAT-scan the specimen to create a digital model of the brain.. My research
is currently undergoing preparation for publication.”
“Despite my experience in paleontology,” she says, “I currently hope to
pursue a career in politics… I feel strongly about the issues of women, workers
and the uneducated, and I hope to help these causes within my community,
particularly as some sort of legislator.”
Excerpts from Lucia Herrero’s essay:
There is a common misconception about unions – that they are inherently communist
in the most subversive manner, that they seek to destroy the very capitalistic nature
(in the sense that every man has the freedom to make his own fortune) upon which
the nation was predicated. In fact, organized labor has the exact opposite effect.
In a recent publication of the ATU In Transit magazine my father shared with me,
there was an article explaining why unions are beneficial…: unions support political
candidates that pass labor-friendly legislation; unions protect workers from being
exploited by big business; unions allow for individual and societal growth.
Ryann Kwan
Ryann Kwan, the daughter of Grace Kwan, 1587-Toronto, ON, is a
graduate of Glenforest Secondary School in Mississauga, ON, who has begun
her studies in Biology at the University of Western Ontario in London, ON.
During high school Ryann completed an “International Baccalaureate” course
of studies, and participated in musical and athletic activities.
In 2009, Ryann won the school’s leadership award for her work as the
editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper. She made many improvements in the
paper which resulted in the highest number of students reading the publication,
ever. Ryann plans on a career in medicine with an eye to community service.
Excerpts from Ryann Kwan’s essay:
To begin, unionization in Canada has brought the rule of law to the workplace,
thereby strengthening workers’ rights … This system can prevent employers
from exploiting their workers. Therefore, unions give Canadian workers a say in
the terms and conditions of their employment, as well as the means to protect
themselves from unfair treatment by their employers…
Unions have also greatly benefited Canadians economically… In 2006, women
in the labour force who belonged to unions earned, on average, five dollars per
hour more than non-unionized women. Similarly, unionized men had an hourly
wage of approximately three dollars more than non-unionized working men.
continued at Scholarship Recipients on page 21
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
19
The Amalgamated Transit Union
2011 Scholarship Competition
I n M emor y of : stuart snow d en
R
U
ELIGIBILITY
1. Applicants must be either:
•a member of the ATU in good standing;
•the child (whether natural or legally adopted) or
stepchild of a member or of a deceased member
who was in good standing at the time of his or
her death;
•an adopted grandchild of a member of the ATU
in good standing.
2. Applicants must be high school seniors planning
to enter college (or technical or vocational postsecondary school) for the first time following
graduation during the 2010-2011 school year, or
previous high school graduates that have never
attended college.
3. ATU Scholarships are NOT available to the following
persons:
•those who do not intend to work without interruption toward a bachelor degree or graduation
from a technical or vocational school;
•those who are attending or have already attended college, technical or vocational school;
•spouses and/or grandchildren of members;
•ATU International Officers, International Representatives, staff, and other employees or their
dependents; and
•those who are fully funded for tuition, fees, and
books from other sources.
L
E
S
A
N
D
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Valid applications for the ATU Scholarship Program
MUST include the following:
1. Completed Official Application Form
2.Scholarship Questionnaire
3. Written Essay
THE APPLICATION FORM
1. Official Application forms can be obtained from
any ATU local union or contact Lauri Straughan
([email protected]) at the ATU Scholarship
Program Office, 5025 Wisconsin Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC, 20016-4139, Tel: (toll free)
1-888-240-1196. You may also use the copy
published in our In Transit magazine or apply
electronically on our website at www.atu.org.
2. Completed applications not submitted online must
be sent by first class mail to the ATU Scholarship
Program Office at the above address.
3. Applications must be POSTMARKED NO LATER
THAN JANUARY 31, 2011. Late applications will
not be accepted.
4. Upon receipt of the application by the ATU Scholarship Program Office, applicants will receive the
following materials by return mail:
1. Scholarship Questionnaire
2. Bibliography of Suggested References for
the Essay
Five scholarships are awarded each year. A sixth $2,000 scholarship is available for award to an applicant
who will attend a technical or vocational post-secondary school. The competition is open to ATU members
and their children. All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and otherwise satisfy these Rules
and Procedures. For each scholarship winner, the ATU will deposit up to $5,000 with an accredited college,
a technical or a vocational post-secondary school where the award winner will be attending.
P
R
O
C
E
D
U
SCHOLARSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Applicants, and/or their parent or legal guardian,
must sign the authorization statement for the
release of the information requested in the Scholarship Questionnaire.
2. The form should then be presented for completion
to the principal or headmaster of the secondary
school attended by the applicant.
3. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that this form
is returned to the ATU Scholarship Program Office
POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MARCH 15, 2011.
ESSAY
1. Applicants are required to write an essay of no
less than 500 words and no more than 750 words
in English, French or Spanish on the subject of:
Organized Labor’s Contribution to the Welfare
of the People of the United States
for residents of the United States
OR
Organized Labour’s Contribution
to the Welfare of the People of Canada
for residents of Canada.
NOTE: The essay will be evaluated on an analysis of the topic – the facts and arguments – that
are presented as demonstrating that the student
understands the topic, and the effectiveness of
the essay in demonstrating how organized labor
benefits everyone, whether they are union members or not. Grammar, style, organization and presentation will also be evaluated.
R
E
S
2. Essays must be sent, preferably with the Scholarship Questionnaire, by first class mail to the ATU
Scholarship Program Office, POSTMARKED NO
LATER THAN MARCH 15, 2011.
DEADLINES
All deadlines will be strictly enforced. Any application
which is incomplete or is not postmarked on time will
not be considered.
SELECTION OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The ATU International shall appoint a Selection
Committee of community, academic, & labor leaders.
No ATU officer, member, staff or employee shall
participate in the final selection process.
Applicants will be judged on the basis of their scholastic record, involvement in community, extra-curricular activities, and the quality of the essay submitted.
The Committee shall select five academic scholarship winners and five alternates, and one technical
or vocational scholarship winner and alternate.
Decisions of the Committee shall be final.
If a recipient is disqualified due to a failure to fulfill all
Scholarship Program requirements, the ATU Scholarship will be awarded to the next qualified alternate.
The recipient(s) will be notified by mail of their award
and will also be given a form to complete in order to
obtain the scholarship funds. Upon the return of the
required information, a check will be issued to the
university or vocational school in the appropriate
amount. The award will be restricted to the payment of
tuition, books, and associated fees.
CUT HERE
The Official 2011 Scholarship Application Form
Return completed application POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2011
to: ATU Scholarship Program, Amalgamated Transit Union, 5025 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016
Please Print or Type
High School Address:
Name of Applicant:
(First)(Middle)
(Last)
Name of Principal:
Address:
List in order of preference, the accredited colleges, technical or vocational institutions to
which you are applying for admission
(no abbreviations):
Phone Number:
Name of Sponsoring ATU Member:
1.
ATU Member’s Local Union Number:
2.
Relationship of ATU member to applicant:
3.
(Self, Child, Stepchild)
High School:
Month & Year of Graduation:
20
IN TRANSIT
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief the above information is true and
correct.
Applicant’s SignatureDate
www.atu.org
Scholarship Recipients continued from page 19
…unions have contributed to the campaign for women’s rights in the workplace.
They have supported their female workers by introducing things like maternity
leave and child care programs, and they have also worked to close the income
gap between men and women. Research shows that today, the average
unionized woman earns 87% of what a man would receive for the same work,
while a non-unionized woman is only paid 77%...
…collective bargaining within unions has led to the introduction of many social
benefits for the people of Canada. It is because of unions that Canadians now have
access to things like publicly-funded health care, public pension plans, unemployment
insurance, and flexible work schedules. Overall, unions are to be thanked for their
efforts to protect human rights by eliminating discrimination against minorities, as
well as their contribution of various social benefits for Canadian society.
Edna Grace Louie
Edna Grace Louie, the daughter of David U. Louie, 757-Portland, OR, is
a graduate of Grant High School in Portland, who has begun her coursework
in International Studies at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.
Edna took many AP courses in high school in subjects ranging from English
Language to Calculus. While she enjoyed her role in co-founding a creative
writing club, she most enjoyed her participation on the “Constitution Team”
where she learned how that august document “furthered the ideals of the
Declaration of Independence.”
Edna’s goals reflect her wide-ranging interests. Among those goals she
includes: finding and implementing solutions people face locally and globally,
working for a think-tank, becoming a published author, and volunteering
for the Peace Corps.
Excerpts from Edna Grace Louie’s essay:
Fundamentally, organized labor and unions are illustrative of the American
ideal of democracy… In addition to improving the welfare of union members,
through advocacy and lobbying of labor reform legislation, unions are able to
improve the lives of people in the United States in general.
In the 19th century, the young United States was quickly industrialized, and with
new technology like the textile machine, the American labor force expanded as more
jobs needed to be filled at factories. However, specialization of labor made these
jobs – or rather, tasks – monotonous and humanly degrading, both physically and
mentally. Labor unions began to form in response to these conditions, and though
the first few failed to maintain themselves, the issues they began advocating
were taken up by later unions that succeeded in lobbying for legislative reform.
Ian J. Love
Ian J. Love, the son of John E. Love, 757-Portland, OR, is a graduate
of West Salem High School in Salem, OR, who has begun his studies
in Chemistry at Houghton College in Houghton, NY. Ian participated
in musical, mathematic and scientific activities, and says he found his
involvement in the Willamette University 2008 Awesome Adventures Camp
to be the most rewarding experience he has had because it allowed him to
share his “love of science and science learning with others.”
Preserving Our Rights continued from page 5
who refused to sign away the benefits of future generations of Canadian
workers, and outraged Greyhound passengers battered the company with
complaints.
This strategic campaign caused the company to return to the bargaining
table to find a solution to the pension issue. This will allow us to save the
www.atu.org
Ian says that his father has been quite influential in his life, and that it is his
“career goal to become a physicist or chemical engineer for the government or
a commercial venture.” He hopes to be able to “design products or technology
that can enhance the world’s standard of living.”
Excerpts from Ian J. Love’s essay:
For my family, the benefits of unionization are extremely important because without
the bargaining power of Local 757 of the ATU, my father’s benefits, working rights, and
pay would not fairly compensate him for his work. My mother currently is employed in
a non-unionized agency of our state government. Her benefits, pay, and employment
flexibility are excellent, because her employer wishes to match the pay and benefits that
are typical of a unionized workplace. If not for the efforts of unions, my family would
not be able to afford many products and service that make our lives more fulfilling.
If unions did not exist in the form that we see today, the lives of many Americans would
be filled with worry for job security and provision of life’s necessities. The benefits
gained in the cooperation of workers in bargaining for appropriate remuneration
from their employers has made the standard of living within our country quite high.
Peter Trinh
Peter Trinh, the son of Nhung Trinh, 819-Newark, NJ, is a graduate of Seton
Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, NJ, who has begun pre-med studies in
Biology at Princeton University in New Jersey. Peter participated in a wide range
of high school athletic and academic activities, but says his favorite experience
was his internship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse which is a part of
the National Institutes of Health where he had the opportunity to do research
on “nicotine addiction and smoking cessation with some truly brilliant minds.”
Peter says the most influential person in his life has been his mother, a
Vietnamese immigrant who “faced much hardship both on her journey to
America and during her new life in the U.S.” He is looking forward to his
studies in a dual, seven-year MD/Ph.D. program, while continuing to conduct
independent research on the side.
Excerpts from Peter Trinh’s essay:
In the world today, America is often seen as the land of the rich and famous, home to
numerous athletes, politicians, musicians, and celebrities. However, both American
citizens and foreigners often neglect the people who really make up the quilted soul
of America: the average, everyday workers. These workers form the true foundation
of American society. Without them, major components of society would shut down,
such as food production, manufacturing, and mass public transportation. American
society would fundamentally fall apart. In recognition of the key role workers play,
one must take into consideration an essential establishment that has molded America
into what it is today: organized labor…
Overall, organized labor is an essential thread in the fabric of American society. Its
contribution can be seen everyday, woven into the lives of hundreds of millions of
people. Labor unions continually support hopeful scholars, fund community activities
and organizations, and lobby on behalf of their members for better benefits and
increased wages. Regardless of union membership, all American workers enjoy
better, safer, and healthier working conditions as well as greater work opportunities
thanks to union-backed legislation. Altogether, there is no doubt that organized labor
has made extraordinary contributions to the lives and welfare of the people of the
United States.
integrity of a defined benefit plan for our future members. As this issue
went to press, the parties were still working to find the appropriate
solution.
If history teaches us any lesson it is that if we give up rights of our future
members it becomes part of a legacy that we cannot later repair without
greater struggles. It is very difficult to gain back rights and benefits once
they have been given up.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
21
LOCAL 312 - Pleasant Valley, IA
Durham School Services
Local President Yolandas Dixon and International Vice President Janis Borchardt report
settlement.
TERM:
3 years 7/1/10 - 6/30/13
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/10 - 29¢ - 2% - $14.70
7/1/11 - 29¢ - 2% - $14.99
7/1/12 - 30¢ - 2% - $15.29
Top Mechanic
10/1/09 - 3% - 50¢ - $17.22
10/1/10 - 2.5% - 43¢ - $17.65
10/1/11 - 3% - 52¢ - $18.17
TOOL ALLOW.: Increases $60 over life of agreement to $230
UNIF. ALLOW.: Increases $75 over the life of agreement to $350
$30/month based on performance, $200/year if not eligible for monthly bonus
LOCAL 788 - East St. Louis, IL
H & W:
If employees do not participate in sickness and accident health plan, they receive
a 50¢/hour bonus in addition to regular hourly wage
First Student
HOLIDAYS:
3 total
Local President Edward Fleming, Jr. and International Vice President Javier Perez report
settlement.
BEREAVEMENT:3 days for in-state funeral, 5 days for out of state funeral
TERM:
1 year
MEAL ALLOW: $10.00, additional $5.00 for each 4 hour period in excess of 8 hours
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/10 - 2.8% - 42¢ - $15.25
BONUS:
Safety bonus was increased from $200 annually to $120 per semester
15 days per year
LOCAL 519 - LaCrosse, WI
7/1/10 - 6/30/11
PROGRESSION: Reduced to 6 years (was 8)
Summer work now counts toward progression
City of LaCrosse
Local President Dale Anderson and International Vice President Janis Borchardt report settlement.
LIFE INSUR:
TERM:
BEREAVEMENT:Added Sister/Brother-in-law
2 years
1/1/2010 - 12/31/11
WAGES: Top Operator
1/1/10 - $21.24
1/1/11 - 1% - 21¢ - $21.45
7/1/11 - 1% - 21¢ - $21.66
Top Mechanic
1/1/10 - $21.59
1/1/11 - 1% - 22¢ - $21.81
7/1/11 - 1% - 22¢ - $22.03
BEREAVEMENT: Added registered domestic partner and registered domestic partner’s parents.
UNIF. ALLOW.: 100% if ordered or approved through city, 90% from other sources (was 90% across the board)
LOCAL 714 - Portland, ME
Regional Transportation Program (Administrative & Mobility Agents)
Local President Joseph Gaudette and International Vice President Richard Murphy report
settlement.
TERM:
3 years
WAGES:
Top Mobility Agent
5/1/10 - 3% - 58¢ - $19.90
5/1/11 - 3% - 59¢ - $20.49
5/1/12 - 3% - 62¢ - $21.11
5/1/10 - 4/30/13
BEREAVEMENT:4 days for immediate family (was 3); added brother/sister-in-law (2 days)
LOCAL 717 - Manchester, NH
Increased to $10,000 (was $5,000)
LOCAL 857 - Green Bay, WI
City of Green Bay
Local President Lawrence Juley and International Vice President Janis Borchardt report
settlement.
TERM:
3 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/09 - 0% - $20.14
6/20/10 - 2% - 40¢ - $20.54
1/2/11 - 2.5% - 51¢ - $21.05
JURY DUTY:
Added paid leave
1/1/09 - 12/31/11
LOCAL 859 - Decatur, IL
Decatur Transit Management, Inc. (First Transit)
Local President Nanette Ruffin and International Vice President Javier Perez, Jr., report
settlement.
TERM: 1 year
WAGES:
Top Operator
5/1/10 - 1.2% - 24¢ - $19.00 (was $18.76)
Paratransit Operator
5/1/10 - 7.4% - 74.7¢ - $10.937 (was $10.19)
Top Mechanic
5/1/10 - 1% - 20.3¢ - $20.395 (was $20.192)
5/1/10 - 4/30/11
Manchester Transit Authority
PROGRESSION:reduced to 5 years (was 7)
Local President John Ballenger and International Vice President Richard Murphy report
settlement.
TOOL ALLOW.:$255
TERM:
4 years
7/1/10 - 6/30/14
NOTE:
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/10 - 1.5%
1/1/11 - 1.5%
7/1/11 - 1.5%
1/1/12 - 1.5%
1/1/13 - 3%
7/1/13 - 1.5%
1/1/14 - 1.5%
-
LOCAL 956 - Allentown, PA
Top Mechanic
Top Mechanic Rate = 115% of Top Operator rate
H & W:
Authority will provide short-term disability (13 weeks @ 66 2/3% of pay);
Authority will provide flu vaccines to employees or reimburse up to $15.00 for
vaccines obtained outside the workplace
26¢
27¢
27¢
27¢
56¢
29¢
29¢
-
$17.76
$18.03
$18.30
$18.57
$19.13
$19.42
$19.71
TOOL ALLOW.: $250 (was $200)
SHOE ALLOW.: $150 (was $100)
NOTE: The contract was ratified by a vote of 46 to 7.
LOCAL 770 - Mobile, AL
Mobile Transit Management, Inc.
Local President Antonie Maiben and International Vice President Kenneth Kirk report settlement.
IN TRANSIT
10/1/10 - 2.5% - 39¢ - $15.76
10/1/11 - 3% - 47¢ - $16.23
BONUS:
JURY DUTY:
22
TERM:
3 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
10/1/09 - 5%
10/1/09 - 9/30/12
UNIF. ALLOW.: Maintenance - $150
The contract was ratified by a vote of 34 to 4
Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority
Local President Thomas Bohner, III, and International Vice President Larry Hanley
report settlement.
TERM:
3 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
12/15/09 - 2% - 40¢ - $20.49
02/01/11 - 3% - 62¢ - $21.11
01/15/12 - 3% - 63¢ - $21.74
Top Mechanic
12/15/09 - 2% - 42¢ - $21.36
02/01/11 - 3% - 64¢ - $22.00
01/15/12 - 3% - 66¢ - $22.66
BONUS:
COLA:
Attendance bonus; up to $150 per quarter for one or fewer attendance
“deviation”. Employees that receive attendance bonus in all four quarters
receive and additional $150.
COLA suspended
12/15/09 - 12/14/12
GUARANTEE: Extra board guarantee; increased to $2,000/bi-weekly (was $1,200)
TOOL ALLOW.: Increased to $250/per 6 month
- 72¢ - $15.37
www.atu.org
LOCAL 1001 - Englewood, CO
LOCAL 1251 - Battle Creek, MI
Veolia Transportation
Local President Holman Carter and International Vice President Yvette Salazar report settlement.
TERM:
17 months
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/11 - 3%
LOCAL 1433 - Mesa, AZ
Veolia Transportation
City of Battle Creek
5/18/10 - 12/31/11
H & W:
Premiums for Insurance plans are deducted from pre-tax earnings
PENSION:
401K - 50% match rate up to 5% total
SICK LEAVE:
may accrue up to 200 hours at rate of 3.33 hours/month
Local President Loren Antes and International Vice President Javier Perez report settlement.
TERM:
1 year
10/31/09 - 10/31/10
WAGES:
Top Operator
No wages changes
H & W:
Employee contribution per month increased to $65 (was $55)
VACATION:
New vacation schedule available with maximum of 5 weeks
Local President Robert Bean and International Vice President Don Hansen report settlement.
TERM: 2 years
WAGES:
1/1/10 - 12/31/11
Top Operator
12/31/09 - 4.8% - 85¢ - $18.36
7/1/10 - 3.8% - 71¢ - $19.07
1/1/11 - 5.5% - $1.05 - $20.12
LOCAL 1603 - Bethlehem, PA
LOCAL 1300 - Baltimore, MD
Trans-Bridge Lines, Inc.
MTA
Local President Gary Padgett and International Vice President Larry Hanley report settlement.
TERM: 3 years
3/3/10 - 3/2/13
Capital Area Transit Authority
Local President David McClure and International Vice President Larry Hanley report interest
arbitration.
Local President Steve Alcove, Jr. and International Vice President Bob Baker report settlement.
TERM:
4 years
TERM:
5 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
$2,000 lump sum payment on signing (full-time)
$1,000 lump sum payment on signing (part-time)
11/1/10 - 1.5% - 33¢ - $22.44
5/22/11 - 1.5% - 34¢ - $22.78
11/1/11 - 1.5% - 34¢ - $23.12
5/1/12 - 1.5% - 34¢ - $23.46
11/1/12 - 1.5% - 36¢ - $23.82
5/1/13 - 1.5% - 36¢ - $24.18
11/1/13 - 1.5% - 36¢ - $24.54
5/1/14 - 1.5% - 37¢ - $24.91
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/09 - 2.75%
1/1/10 - 2.75%
10/1/10 - 2.75%
7/1/11 - 2.75%
-
62¢
64¢
66¢
67¢
WAGES:
Top Operator
9/1/10 - 2.4%
9/1/11 - 2.6%
3/1/12 - 1.3%
9/1/12 - 1.3%
-
35¢
40¢
20¢
20¢
-
$15.29
$15.69
$15.89
$16.09
Top Mechanic
1/1/09 - 2.75%
1/1/10 - 2.75%
10/1/10 - 2.75%
7/1/11 - 2.75%
-
64.4¢
67¢
69¢
70¢
Top Mechanic
9/1/10 - 2.1%
9/1/11 - 2.3%
3/1/12 - 1.2%
9/1/12 - 1.2%
-
40¢
45¢
23¢
23¢
-
$19.27
$19.72
$19.95
$20.18
NOTE:
Add option of 4/10 work schedule
The contract was ratified by a vote of 110-67
UNIF ALLOW.: $100 at anniversary date
LOCAL 1039 - Lansing, MI
12/1/09 - 11/30/14
7/1/08 - 6/30/12
-
$23.19 (was $22.57)
$23.83
$24.49
$25.16
-
$24.23 (was $23.586)
$24.90
$25.59
$26.29
H & W:Dental: maximum benefit increased to $1,500 (was $1,000)
LIFE INSUR.:
Benefit increased to $30,000 (was $27,000)
PENSION:
Benefit formula increased to 1.7% (was 1.6%)
TOOL ALLOW.: Increased to $300 (was $270)
LOCAL 1145 - Binghamton, NY
UNIF. ALLOW.: 100% reimbursement up to $300 (was 70%)
Broome County Transit
Local President Peter Schiraldi and International Vice President Joseph Welch report settlement.
TERM:
4 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/10 - 1%
1/1/11 - 2%
1/1/12 - 3%
1/1/13 - 3%
Top Mechanic
1/1/10 - 1%
1/1/11 - 2%
1/1/12 - 3%
1/1/13 - 3%
H & W:
Major medical limits increased to $250,000/year & $1,000,000 lifetime
VACATION:
Employees can carry over 10 ten days of accrued vacation (was 7)
LONGEVITY:
Rates increase $100 in 2012
1/1/10 - 12/31/13
MEAL ALLOW.:Increased to $8.00 (was $7.00)
21¢
43¢
65¢
67¢
-
$21.30
$21.73
$22.38
$23.05
LIFE INSUR.:
Increases to $23,000 in 2011, $24,000 in 2012
PENSION:
401(k) - Effective March 2011 company’s weekly contribution increases
75¢/week, effective March 2012 increases an additional $1.25/week
VACATION:
Effective 2011, drivers eligible for 3 weeks vacation, may use 1 week in single days
TOOL ALLOW.: Increases $25 over life of agreement
LOCAL 1321 - Albany/Troy, NY
SHOE ALLOW.:Drivers may use up to $50 of uniform allowance for work shoes
Capital District Transit System
-
PROGRESSION:Rate for part-time drivers increases to 97% after 3 years (was 95%)
Local President Steven Green and International Vice President Joseph Welch report settlement.
LOCAL 1624 - Peterborough, ON
TERM:
4 years
WAGES:
Top Operator
6/16/09 - 2.5%
6/16/10 - 3.0%
6/16/11 - 3.0%
6/16/12 - 3.5%
-
48¢
59¢
61¢
74¢
-
$19.80
$20.39
$21.00
$21.74
Top Mechanic
6/16/09 - 2.5%
6/16/10 - 3.0%
6/16/11 - 3.0%
6/16/12 - 3.5%
-
49¢
61¢
62¢
75¢
-
$20.19
$20.80
$21.42
$22.17
NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL: 50¢/hour (was 40¢)
LIFE INSUR.:
Increases $2,500 over life of agreement to $33,000
LOCAL 1624 - Peterborough, ON
TOOL ALLOW.: $550 (was $500)
HOLIDAYS:
Added President’s Day
Trentway-Wager
NOTE: The contract was ratified by a vote of 53 to 11
BEREAVEMENT:4 paid days (was 3)
-
22¢
44¢
68¢
70¢
-
$22.10
$22.54
$23.22
$23.92
6/16/09 - 6/15/13
TOOL ALLOW.: Increases to $330 over life of agreement for Master Technicians
LOCAL 1179 - New York, NY
MTA Bus Company
Local President John Longo and International Vice President Joe Welch report settlement.
TERM: 3.5 years
1/1/06 - 5/21/09
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/06 - 3%
1/1/07 - 4%
1/1/08 - 3.5%
5/21/09 - $26.92
Top Mechanic
1/1/06 - 3%
1/1/07 - 4%
1/1/08 - 3.5%
5/21/09 - $28.645
SICK LEAVE:
Unused sick days paid out at end of sick leave year, new hires get 2 paid sick days in first year
NOTE:
New Bi-weekly payroll system. The contract was ratified by a vote of 408 to 26.
www.atu.org
UNIF. ALLOW.: Increases to $345 over life of agreement
NOTE: Children of employees may purchase an annual pass for $30
LOCAL 1433 - Phoenix, AZ
Veolia Arizona Joint Venture
Local President Robert Bean and International Vice President Don Hansen report settlement.
TERM:
4 years 7/1/09 - 6/30/13
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/09 - 3%
7/1/10 - 3%
7/1/11 - 3%
7/1/12 - 3%
H & W:
Company’s contribution to monthly health insurance premium increases approximately 8% each year of agreement
HOLIDAYS:
Added (1) paid floating holiday per year after probation,
after 5 years of service (2) paid floating holidays per year
Trentway-Wager
Local President Michael Fleming and then-International Vice President Randy Graham report
settlement.
TERM:
2.8 years
WAGES:
Top Mechanic
5/1/10 - 1.5% - 43¢ - $29.37
2/1/11 - 2.0% - 59¢ - $29.96
2/1/12 - 2.5% - 75¢ - $30.71
3/9/10 - 1/31/13
BEREAVEMENT:Added brother/sister-in-law
Local President Michael Fleming and then-International Vice President Randy Graham report
settlement.
TERM:
2.75 years
WAGES:
Top Operator - Class “D” Drivers
5/1/10 - 2.1% - 25¢ - $12.15
1/1/11 - 2.8% - 35¢ - $15.50
1/1/12 - 2.0% - 25¢ - $12.75
3/9/10 - 12/31/12
BEREAVEMENT:Added brother/sister-in-law
LOCAL 1624 - Peterborough, ON
Trentway-Wager
-
50¢
52¢
53¢
55¢
-
$17.21
$17.73
$18.26
$18.81
Local President Michael Fleming and then-International Vice President Randy Graham report
settlement.
TERM:
2.75 years
WAGES:
Top Mechanic - Highway Coach Drivers
5/1/10 - 1.5% - $.0061 - $.4097
1/1/11 - 2.0% - $.0082 - $.4179
1/1/12 - 2.5% - $.0104 - $.4283
3/9/10 - 12/31/12
BEREAVEMENT:Added brother/sister-in-law
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
23
LOCAL 1704 - San Bernardino, CA
LOCAL 1724 - Vancouver, BC
LOCAL 1760 - Ottawa, ON
First Transit (Paratransit Unit)
MVT Canadian Bus
City of Ottawa - OC Transpo Administrative Unit
Local President Dale Moore and International Vice President Bill McLean report settlement.
Local President Timothy Johnston and International Vice President Bob Hykaway report 1st
agreement.
Local President Wayne Crabtree and then-International Vice President Randy Graham report
settlement.
TERM:
TERM:
3 years
WAGES:
All Administrative Employees
1/1/09 - 2.5%
1/1/10 - 2.5%
1/1/11 - 2.75%
TERM:
5 years
7/1/09 - 6/30/14
WAGES:
Top Operator
4/1/10 - 2.0%
4/1/11 - 3.5%
4/1/12 - 4.0%
4/1/13 - 4.0%
4/1/14 - 4.0%
-
Top Mechanic
4/1/10 - 2.0%
4/1/11 - 3.5%
4/1/12 - 4.0%
4/1/13 - 4.0%
4/1/14 - 4.0%
-
30¢
53¢
62¢
65¢
68¢
43¢
76¢
90¢
93¢
97¢
-
$15.05
$15.58
$16.20
$16.85
$17.53
$21.68
$22.44
$23.34
$24.27
$25.24
4 years
1/13/10 - 12/31/13
WAGES:
Top Operator
1/1/10 1/1/11 - 75¢ - 3.5% 1/1/12 - $1.10 - 5.0% 1/1/13 - $1.15 - 5.0% -
Top Mechanic
1/1/10 1/1/11 - 89¢ - 3.0% 1/1/12 - $1.67 - 5.5% 1/1/13 - $1.66 - 5.0% -
Municipal Pension Plan or Registered Savings Plan (RRSP) Employer match up to 7% for RRSP
$21.30
$22.05
$23.15
$24.30
$29.50
$30.39
$32.06
$33.66
BONUS:
$300 signing bonus for current employees
H & W:
Currently, employee pays 25% of premium
2011 - employee pays 20%
2012 - employee pays 15%
VACATION:
After 1 year of service - 3 weeks
Maximum is 7 weeks
HOLIDAYS:
Add 1 floating holiday
HOLIDAYS:
11 paid holidays
SICK LEAVE:
90 hours with a maximum accumulation of 225 hours
6 days/year by 2013 (was 3 days)
MEAL ALLOW.:Increased to $9 on 1/1/10 (was $8)
LOCAL 1764 - Washington, DC
BEREAVEMENT:4 paid days with 1 additional paid travel day
GUARANTEE: 7 hour/day
35 hours/week
NOTE:
VACATION:Years of service requirements reduced by 1 to 2 years, depending on step
BEREAVEMENT:5 paid days for immediate family (was 4)
PENSION:
SICK LEAVE:
The contract was ratified by a vote of 87 to 24
SUBCONTRACTING:
JURY DUTY:
LOCAL 1709 - Dorchester, MA
Kit Clark Senior Services
Local President Gerard Wyse and International Vice President Richard Murphy report settlement.
TERM:
1 year
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/10 - 32¢ - 2% - $16.45
BONUS:
Effective 7/8/10 - 1% bonus based on
non-overtime earnings from 7/1/09-6/30/10
PENSION:
Employees with 2-4 years of service - employer contribution increased
to $520 annually. For those with 5 years or more, contribution increased
to $1,040
NOTE:
The contract was unanimously ratified by a vote of 16 to 0.
7/1/10 - 6/30/11
1/1/09 - 12/31/11
Employer will not contract out bargaining union work except
for overflow or emergencies
6 months without loss of pay or benefits
LOCAL 1743 - Donora, PA
First Transit
Local President Diane Stambaugh and International Vice President Gary Rauen report settlement.
TERM:
3 years 7/1/10 - 7/1/13
WAGES:
Top Operator
7/1/10 - 50¢ - 4% - $13.00
7/1/11 - 39¢ - 3% - $13.39
7/1/12 - 40¢ - 3% - $13.79
W & T Travel Services
Local President Wayne Baker and International Vice President Bob Baker report settlement.
TERM:
WAGES:
3 years
5/17/10 - 5/16/13
Top Operator
5/17/10 - 1.7%
8/1/10 - 3.5%
8/1/11 - 3.5%
8/1/12 - 3.5%
-
28¢
59¢
61¢
64¢
-
$16.91 (was $16.63)
$17.50
$18.11
$18.75
H & W:
Comprehensive Benefits Package
PENSION:
Employer 401k or ATU 401k
VACATION:
4 years of service - 2 weeks
5 years to 14 years of service - 4 weeks
15+ years of service - 5 weeks
HOLIDAYS:
10 holidays
BEREAVEMENT:5 days paid funeral lea
Top Mechanic
7/1/10 - 64¢ - 4% - $16.74
7/1/11 - 50¢ - 3% - $17.24
7/1/12 - 52¢ - 3% - $17.76
H & W: Employer pays 70% of premium for employees hired after 7/1/2010
Action Speaks Louder continued from page 3
Acciones continued from page 4
the very definition of adversarial
In a letter to Veolia’s CEO Mark Joseph I wrote... “It is a great disappointment
for me to learn that Veolia has, at considerable expense, recruited hundreds of
strikebreakers from across the country in order to intimidate its employees in
Phoenix, AZ, in the course of negotiations.
“None of the three unions representing workers there have been pressing
for a strike; all have been willing to pursue negotiations as long as it takes to
reach an acceptable agreement. Veolia’s actions in Phoenix have created negative
relations with its unions, ignored common ground, eroded trust, and constitute
the very definition of adversarial negotiations.
“I would urge you to renounce this course by returning these replacement
workers to their homes and choosing a new path in negotiations more reflective
of Veolia’s stated labor relations policy.”
To date I have received no reply.
La Propia Definición de Confrontación
En una carta al Ejecutivo en Jefe de Veolia, Mark Joseph yo le
escribí…..”Es una gran desilusión para mí el saber que Veolia, invirtiendo
gastos considerables, ha reclutado a cientos de rompehuelgas por todo el
país a fin de intimidar a sus empleados en Phoenix durante el curso de
las negociaciones.
Ninguna de las tres uniones representando a los trabajadores en esa localidad
han estado presionando a favor de una huelga; todos han estado dispuestos a
continuar las negociaciones por cuanto tiempo sea necesario para llegar a un
acuerdo aceptable. Las acciones de Veolia en Phoenix han creado unas relaciones
negativas con la unión, han ignorado los intereses comunes, han socavado la
confianza, todo lo cual constituye la propia definición de negociaciones de
confrontación.
Yo le urjo a usted a que abandone este curso, retornando esos trabajadores
sustitutos a sus respectivos hogares y seleccionado un nuevo curso en las
negociaciones que refleje mejor la declarada política de Veolia sobre las
relaciones laborales.”
Hasta la fecha no he recibido respuesta alguna.
¿Eso les sorprende?
Surprised?
24
IN TRANSIT
www.atu.org
Arbitration Decision
ATU Local 1365 and Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA)
Insubordination is Hard to Grieve
Issue: Did GDRTA have just cause to terminate the employment of Grievant
for insubordination when Grievant refused an order contravening Transit
Authority policy?
summary: GDRTA Project Mobility informs consumers that it provides “doorto-door service” transporting customers who have been so certified, but notes that
“Project Mobility operators are not able to assist customers inside their pick-up
and drop-off points. Operators are not permitted to enter a private residence.”
Project Mobility regularly provided service to residents of the Maria Joseph
Living Center. The Living Center’s lobby was slightly higher than the entranceway,
and Maria Joseph staff were expected to transport residents down the elevator
to the entranceway where they could be picked up by GDRTA Project Mobility
staff. On many occasions, however, Maria Joseph staff failed to perform this
duty in a timely manner and it fell on the paratransit operator to come up to
the lobby and retrieve the client.
Grievant, a five-year paratransit operator with Project Mobility, after
transporting a client in this way, concluded that the elevator was too small for
this use. She also indicated that the stated policy of GDRTA project mobility
forbade entry to such a building, and thereafter refused to enter the lobby to
pick up clients.
When GDRTA supervisors received complaints from Maria Joseph staff
about this, they told the Grievant that the past practice was to enter the lobby
and transport the client to the vehicle, and instructed her to do this. Grievant, a
union steward, filed a grievance over the directive.
On March 27, 2009, Grievant arrived at Maria Joseph to pick up a client
and encountered two waiting supervisors. The client was in the lobby, and the
supervisors instructed her to enter the Living Center lobby and transport the
client to the vehicle. The Grievant refused, citing the policy statement above.
Grievant was then terminated for insubordination.
GDRTA management contended that “the Grievant was guilty of gross
insubordination and was terminated for cause.” The authority personnel manual
contains two types of citations that may be issued to employees. Group one
citations deal with failures to apply professional standards, and are addressed
using progressive discipline. Group two citations, which include insubordination,
may result in reprimands, suspensions or discharge even on the first occurrence.
The union contended that the Grievant’s fault was mitigated by two factors.
First, the union argued that “‘just cause’ includes, among other things, the
notion that similarly situated employees will be treated in similar ways, and that
the Employer will not engage in disparate treatment.” However, although the
union could document other cases of insubordination at GDRTA, “no employee
has been discharged for a first offense of insubordination in the past 30 years.”
Secondly, “the Grievant acted reasonably in the face of conflicting directives.”
GDRTA training and customer policy manuals both indicate that paratransit
drivers are not to enter private buildings, and that service is provided door-todoor only.
holding: The arbitrator concluded that “the evidence indicates a mixed and
contradictory practice and conflicting instructions given by supervision regarding
the operators’ obligations to enter the premises and provide assistance. The
Authority’s reliance on an unwritten practice of providing assistance inside of
the Maria Joseph Center is an invitation to confusion and misunderstanding.”
However, this fact in no way justified disobeying a direct order from a supervisor:
She was not confused about what management’s directives were at the time
of her refusal. She had already filed a grievance over the disagreement, which was
exactly half of what she should have done. The other half was to obey the order,
pending the resolution of the grievance.
The arbitrator held that the Grievant was terminated for just cause.
The Amalgamated Transit Union will hold the 25th Annual Golf
Tournament for the benefit of the ATU’s U.S. and Canadian Multiple
Sclerosis Research Funds from Sunday, October 24th – Monday,
October 25th, at the Worthington Manor Golf Club in Urbana,
MD. Sunday will be reserved for a practice round, and the actual
tournament will be held on Monday.
For more information, please contact Ynez Wells at (202) 537-1645 or by email at [email protected].
www.atu.org
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
25
AP Photo/Jeff Gentner
Expression of Gratitude from an ATU Brother Affected by the Tennessee Floods
Brothers and Sisters:
My name is Richard Kowalski, operator 307, and I am a member of ATU Local 1235-Nashville, TN. I live in Hermitage,
TN, and my home was affected in the recent flood. I want to thank each and everyone for the generous gift I received from our
Disaster Relief Fund. It couldn’t have come at a better time as we’ve had a lot of expenses arise. We are completely torn down and
waiting on a FEMA loan to rebuild. Thank you all, again.
Richard Kowalski
Proud Member of ATU
Proud to Be ATU
The ATU has received these expressions of gratitude for the funds donated
by ATU members to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and the flood in Nashville, TN.
Thank You for Support of Partners in Health’s Earthquake Relief Efforts in Haiti
On behalf of Partners In Health and the people of Haiti, I thank you so very much
for your gift of $40,000, on 5/20/2010.
On January 12, 2010, a major earthquake – the worst that the country has
experienced in over 200 years – struck the capital of Haiti, crumbling the city of
Port-au-Prince and causing massive destruction. Partners In Health is not a disaster
relief organization, but with over 20 years of experience in Haiti – and having survived
natural disasters that have so tragically plagued the country in its history, including
most recently the successive hurricanes that displaced over one million last year, we
were able to respond quickly and effectively.
Less than 48 hours after the earthquake, a team of PIH medical and engineering staff
arrived at the shattered general hospital in Port-au-Prince – l’Hopital de l’Université
d’Etat d’Haiti (HUEH) – to assess the situation and start providing immediate clinical
and infrastructure assistance.
26
IN TRANSIT
We know all too well the incredible amount of resources and effort it will take
to rebuild following a disaster, and the recent earthquake is a truly unprecedented
catastrophe in Haiti’s history. With nearly one-third of the country’s population
affected, the long-term ramifications are going to be significant and far-reaching.
It is your belief in our work that enables us not only to provide world-class medical
services, but also to tackle the root causes of poverty by providing access to food, clean water,
education, housing, and jobs for thousands of people in need in the wake of this disaster…
We are very grateful for the loyal partnership of individuals like you, without
whom none of this critical work would be possible. Again, our deepest thanks for
your generosity.
Sincerely,
Suzanne J. Battit, Director of Development
Partners in Health
www.atu.org
In Memoriam
Death Benefits Awarded July 1, 2010 - August 31, 2010
1- members at large
dONAld E ABlEITER
MARShAll MIlTON BERRy
CECIl jAy BORT
RIChARd j MERRICK
FREd W ShIEldS
RAlPh WAldO WARBIS jR
22- worcester, ma
RIChARd h RAWSON
26- detroit, mi
PAUl A GRANBERRy SR
ISRAEl N hARMON
EdWARd hICKS
WIllIE C lEWIS
ElRECO ORTIz
EddIE dOUGlAS ROGERS
BURREll E ThOMAS
FORREST C WAGNER
308- cHicago, il
VITO A CONSTANTINI
RAyMONd EIChElBERG
jOhN l lOVE
WIllIAM E PAyNE
dONAld WIlBORN
713- memPHis, tN
T j CONNER
425- Hartford, ct
AUGUSTINE j AllEVO
dIANE dUFOUR
ROBERT j hAyES
726- stateN islaNd, NY
ANGEl FIGUEORA
jOSEPh T QUATTROChI
lOUIS P SEVERINO
448- sPriNgfield, ma
ROlANd COTE
732- atlaNta, ga
EdGAR l AllEN
jOhN W BROWN
RAlPh BURTS
1277- los aNgeles, ca
PATRICK V GRAVES
GEORGE M PORTIER
BEN h RUMSEy
757- PortlaNd, or
jACK M CAllAhAN
FRANK l FARREll
dElMER GUIMONT
KENNETh R OldS
jOhN ShEFFIEld
1287- KaNsas citY, mo
ROBERT C CRAIN
519- la crosse, wi
jOhN j SChOlz
540- treNtoN, NJ
FREd CRONCE
717- maNcHester, NH
dElIA E BURNS
dONAld dEShAIES
85- PittsburgH, Pa
AlBERT P dElFAVER
jAMES hUMENNy
ChARlES R MIKlOS
jOSEPh SEPE
ThOMAS E ShANAhAN
jOSEPh M zOMBEK
569- edmoNtoN, ab
MIChAEl P ENGElS
WIlFREd MUNdT
ChARlES RAy
580- sYracuse, NY
hAROld j PARKIS
819- NewarK, NJ
EUGENE BUdSOCK
EGBERT h REId
WIlBUR W WANOGAITIS
113- toroNto, oN
ARThUR lESlIE BAIlEy
KENNETh dENVER BAIlEy
ROBERT BOUlTER
jOhN CRAWFORd
CARMElO dIROSA
RONAld ClIVE EdWARdS
MOhAN GOSINE
GEORGE hAll
ThOMAS lA ChAPEllE
jOhN A MAC KIGGAN
AlBERT R OVENdEN
MAURICE h QUIGlEy
hERBERT SChNAll
RAyMONd SINOTTE
583- calgarY, ab
RONAld A lAyNE
820- uNioN citY, NJ
jOSEPh SCANlON
587- seattle, wa
dENNIS R WARd
823- eliZabetH, NJ
dARREN WAlKER
588- regiNa, sK
AdAM STOBER
824- New bruNswicK, NJ
BRENdA AIEllO
589- bostoN, ma
MARTIN COSTEllO
ROBERT F GOUld
COlEMAN F GREENE
ClEMENT R KERN
jAMES j MC ISAAC
STEPhEN h O’MEARA
PEdRO l ORTEGA
KARl R SANdMANN
MIChAEl N TURNER
WIllIAM A WARd
FRANKlIN R WIlKINS
ANTONIO zARRO
842- wilmiNgtoN, de
jAMES K CARTER
192- oaKlaNd, ca
ChARlES h POlK
241- cHicago, il
OVElTON W BlANChARd
CAROlyN I NABORS
PATRICIA PlUMMER
jAMES SPRAAGS
256- sacrameNto, ca
lOlA j BAKER
ChARlES A ENGlISh
265- saN Jose, ca
MIlTON E ECKlES
jON l PARKER jR
268- clevelaNd, oH
ElMER j BRANSTEIN
lOVEll CROSS
STANlEy P RACUT
279- ottawa, oN
REjEAN NAUlT
FERNANd POIRIER
OSCAR RIChER
281- New HaveN, ct
jAMES KAMNITzER
282- rocHester, NY
RIChARd PRENTICE
www.atu.org
591- Hull, PQ
jEAN P ChARBONNEAU
627- ciNciNNati, oH
lARRy GARRIS
628- coviNgtoN, KY
STANlEy AdAMS
682- fort waYNe, iN
MARION dWIGhT SMITh
689- wasHiNgtoN, dc
FRANCINE dAVIS
dOROThEA M FRANz
PAUl WIllIAM jENKINS
EUGENE E jOSEPh
AlFREd MC FAddEN
GARFIEld R SUTTON
694- saN aNtoNio, tX
jAMES R BROWN
lOIS M hARdEMAN
704- little rocK, ar
RENITA A BERKlEy
846- st. catHariNes, oN
lAWRENCE E NORTON
956- alleNtowN, Pa
lOUIS OSORIO jR
998- milwauKee, wi
jOSEPh j GRASSBERGER
jAMES W PARBS
1001- deNver, co
BIlly j MEKAN
ElMER j PFERTSh
hAROld E SWAN
1005- miNNeaPolis & st. Paul, mN
BERNARd M BRyAN
GARy M WEIR
ROOSEVElT SAINTE
MARy SOTTIlE
ANGIE TUMMINIA
EdWARd R VATOVEC
CAROlyN l WENz
1225- SAN FRANCISCO, CA
WIllIAM E AllGAIER
jOhN E lEWIS
1267- ft.lauderdale, fl
STEPhEN y MITChUM
1300- baltimore, md
EdWARd A MOSlEy
1309- saN diego, ca
ROdERICK A lAGRIMAS
CONSTANCE PIllOW
1320- PeterborougH, oN
ROBERT j dAyNES
1333- rocKford, il
AdOlPh M CONGlETON
1338- dallas, tX
hENRy d STRANGE
1342- buffalo, NY
ROGER T BlOCK
CONNIE BRANT
jOSEPh MARChITTE
lOUIS OlIVIERI jR
GERAld E REId
zEBEdEE TURK
SAlVATORE l VAlVO
1415- toroNto, oN
jEAN-ClAUdE lANThIER
1436- Harrisburg, Pa
RONAld W hANKINS
1447- louisville, KY
RAyMONd E KOTARSKI
VIVIAN l MAlONE
1462- st. JoHN’s, Nf
BERT KING
1056- flusHiNg, NY
ANThONy GOdSEll
1505- wiNNiPeg, mb
jOhN A COATES
PAUl KRyMINSKI
WIllIAM P RATTRAy
1177- NorfolK, va
RONAld j BRIGGS
RUPERT hORTON EARly
EVON W KING-ClAy
1555- oaKlaNd, ca
ShERRy l ClARK
1181- New YorK, NY
EUGENE BERlINGERI
FRANK CARRIERI
MIChAEl j CASCIOlI
ANNE COlUCCI
jOSE l CRUz
jOSEPh P dRITTO
PEdRO MONTANTEz
CASSANdRA MOSS
ROy C PERRy
1572- mississauga, oN
ART dAVIES
1596- orlaNdo, fl
WIllIE j ANdERSON
1700- cHicago, il
hENRy R dEATER
SIlAS STAUFFER EVANS
GARy MAURER
PAUl RAGlANd
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
27
amalgamated transit union
AFl-CIO/ClC
5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, d.C. 20016
www.atu.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Paid
WAShINGTON, d.C.
PERMIT NO. 2656
PriNted iN u.s.a.
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