To All Activists:
On Wednesday 3/30/2011 (tomorrow) Jim Burn President of Allegheny County Council will be holding a special session of Council at 5:00 pm. We need everyone who can make it in such short notice to come to Grant street in front of the County Courthouse Tomorrow AT 4:00 PM to show we are not defeated and we will not go away! This fight has only just begun. We are United and we will not accept defeat!
In Solidarity,
ATU LOCAL 85
Any Questions call
Bryon Shane 412-999-9208
Mike Harms 421-715-5212
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Union Makes Pittsburgh Transit Better
by Jonah McAllister-Erickson
The Amalgamated Transit Union is a crucial part of the solution Pittsburgh transportation crisis. It is because of the ATU -- not in spite of it -- that Pittsburgh has a safe and reliable mass transit system. It is because of the union that the women and men who clean, drive, and repair our buses are able to take pride in their work. Studies have shown that unionized workers are more able to get unsafe working conditions corrected, and that employer compliance with health and safety rules is much better when there are union safety representatives.
The Amalgamated Transit Union is a crucial part of the solution Pittsburgh transportation crisis. It is because of the ATU -- not in spite of it -- that Pittsburgh has a safe and reliable mass transit system. It is because of the union that the women and men who clean, drive, and repair our buses are able to take pride in their work. Studies have shown that unionized workers are more able to get unsafe working conditions corrected, and that employer compliance with health and safety rules is much better when there are union safety representatives.
What the Port Authority Faces: Budget Crises
by Alicia Wlliamson
Port Authority Transit’s budget comes from a variety of sources at the city, county, state, and federal levels and its levels of funding is inconsistent. PAT has direct control over some financial cost variables like fares, employment and route efficiency, but are operating expenses that they cannot control, such as fuel prices and the rising costs of healthcare. So every time there is a serious budget deficit, PAT responds by increasing fares, cutting service, and laying off workers. All of these measures undermine the mission of public transit.
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| photo by Dawn Jackman-Biery |
Keep Pittsburgh Green, and Make It Greener
by Alicia Williamson
Pittsburgh is trying to establish itself as a "green city," leading the way in innovative environmentally-friendly jobs, technologies, and policies. Cuts to public transit would be a major step in the wrong direction.
The Federal Transportation Administration and Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 study of mass transit and climate change finds that public transit helps the environment by "providing a low emissions alternative to driving, facilitating compact land use, and minimizing the carbon footprint of transit operations and construction." The city’s industrial past left Pittsburgh with one of the worst air qualities in the country. For each passenger-mile traveled, public transit produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide, 92 percent fewer volatile organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides as atypical car.
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| photo by Dawn Jackman-Biery |
The Federal Transportation Administration and Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 study of mass transit and climate change finds that public transit helps the environment by "providing a low emissions alternative to driving, facilitating compact land use, and minimizing the carbon footprint of transit operations and construction." The city’s industrial past left Pittsburgh with one of the worst air qualities in the country. For each passenger-mile traveled, public transit produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide, 92 percent fewer volatile organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides as atypical car.
Elizabeth Miller's Story
Elizabeth is a Port Authority bus driver facing layoff.
"I have been working for Port Authority for almost 2 years I received my furlough paperwork in January telling me that my last day of work would be March 26. I am a single mother of two girls ages 14 and 10. I have been working hard with many other people and the union to save our jobs I have been attending rallies, meetings, and going out personally and to collect signatures on petitions to stop the cuts that Steven Bland of the Port Authority is putting in place."
"This could affect thousands of people, and myself personally, I could lose my home, my car and maybe even have to file bankruptcy. Mine will be just one of many sad stories if we do not stand together strong as citizens and union members. These cuts will severely hurt the elderly, the handicapped and the students of Allegheny County, so we ask for your help and support to stop the transit cut."
Dan Horgan's Story
Dan lives in Bloomfield and works at the airport. It takes him two buses to get to work.
It’s pretty convenient to use public transportation to get to work, especially financially. Some people can’t afford to drive all the time and gas prices are going up.
It’s pretty convenient to use public transportation to get to work, especially financially. Some people can’t afford to drive all the time and gas prices are going up.
"What I’ve always understood about public transit is that it was a way to help people travel, get to work, get where they need to go, and that it’s green, it cuts down on emissions. But every time they cut service, I see buses breaking down more often. I can’t really rely on the service. I’m about to lose my job because I don’t know which bus is going to get me to work on time. You don’t know if its going to break down if they keep cutting jobs in the maintenance department."
Connie Muldrow's Story
Connie Muldrow, age 68, lives in senior citizen housing in the Hill District. The Hill District lost most of its transit service last September.
"We the elderly of the Hill District need public transportation. From Sugar Top down to Bedford Avenue and Center Avenue, transportation is needed very urgently. We have three high rises up on Bedford Avenue where we’re pinned in."
Anne Hodapp's Story
Anne Hodapp is a single mother who lives in Pitcairn, a small borough just a few miles south of Monroeville. Her 10-year-old daughter has several disabilities and has seizures, but ACCESS has said she is not disabled enough to qualify for their door-to-door transport service for seniors and the disabled. The Port Authority has announced that at the end of March it will eliminate Route 72, Pitcairn’s bus link to Monroeville.
The Myth of the $100,000 Bus Driver
There have been rumors and misinformation heard from time to time that Port Authority drivers are paid huge salaries of up to $100,000 a year. These attempts to blame the hard-working drivers for the cuts in bus service don’t stand up to the facts.
Keep the ‘Public’ in Public Transit: Privatization is a Bad Deal
by Andrew Wagner
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| photo by Dawn Jackman-Biery |
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Transportation is Our Need – and Our Right
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| photo by Dawn Jackman-Biery |
Imagine, Dear Rider, that you go to your usual bus or trolley stop and find that it is strangely silent, that others have been standing for quite a while and no bus has been seen. You ask another rider who tells you that the news says that the commuter highways are jammed more than usual. Finally, you and the other regular riders walk another half mile, hoping to find other transportation.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Stop the Cuts! 24 Hours of Action!
Stop the Cuts!
Sign-up for 24 Hours of Action to Save
Public Transit in Allegheny County!
Beginning at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 24 through 11:00 AM Friday, March 25
Culminating in a rally on Friday at 8:30 AM before the Port Authority Board Meeting
At Port Authority Head Quarters, 6th St. and Smithfield Ave. in Pittsburgh
Help pass fliers, gather signatures on post cards and petitions make signs, cheer on speakers and entertainers, record personal testimony from transit riders and workers who will suffer from loss of transit serves, join faith leaders for a sunrise prayer breakfast and raise your voice with hundreds of others as we rally together before the Port Authority Board Meeting.
For more information call Bryon Shane 412.999.9208 or Mike Harms at 412.715.5212
Monday, March 21, 2011
3/19/11 MARCH TO STOP THE CUTS!
VIDEO:
WPXI - http://www.wpxi.com/news/27250940/detail.html
WTAE - http://www.wtae.com/news/27251486/detail.html
Photos by Dawn Jackman-Biery
From the Post-Gazette:
WPXI - http://www.wpxi.com/news/27250940/detail.html
WTAE - http://www.wtae.com/news/27251486/detail.html
Photos by Dawn Jackman-Biery
From the Post-Gazette:
Monday, March 14, 2011
MARCH TO STOP THE CUTS! 3/19!
| Location & Time | Beacon and Murray to Forbes and Murray in Squirrel Hill at NOON |
|---|---|
| Created by: | |
The Port Authority plans to institute an unnecessary and devastating 15 percent service cut on March 27th. Transit riders, workers, and all those concerned about the health of our city must show Port Authority's management and the politicians that run our county and state that we won't stand for this attack against our transit system. Wisconsin and Egypt have shown us the way to fight back! WE DEMAND: More transit, not less! ... Stop the March 27th cuts! Dedicated transit funding now! No to privatization! Port Authority's workers are the heartbeat of our city, not the problem! Defend their livelihoods! Fund transit instead of bailouts, wars, and tax cuts for the ultra-rich! Please forward as widely as possible! This issue effects every person living in Allegheny County! The cuts WILL put thousands more cars on the road, so even if you drive, your daily commute will become much longer! Organized by Pittsburghers for Public Transit and ATU Local 85 www.pittsburgersforpublict Questions? Want to help? Contact: SavePGHTransit@Gmail.com | |
FACEBOOK EVENT
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Riders, Workers Take Fight Against Service Cuts To Grant Street
County Council Asks Port Authority To Postpone Bus, Trolley Cuts
From WTAE:
PITTSBURGH -- About 75 Port Authority workers and riders gathered early Tuesday evening in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse -- where a County Council meeting was taking place -- and rallied against proposed cuts to bus and trolley service.
Protesters wanted the council to pass a resolution asking the Port Authority to spend all of its $45 million in emergency state funding by the end of the fiscal year in June, in an effort to avoid transit cuts that are scheduled to take effect March 27.
The resolution passed, but the Port Authority has not said whether it will go along with the request to shelve the cuts.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 President Pat McMahon said that the Port Authority's budget is balanced, so there is no reason for the cuts to be made.
"It will affect my ability for literally going everywhere," bus rider Katrina Kilgore said about the cuts. "It will limit my ability for going to doctor's appointments, for getting to work."
Signs at the rally included "Save Our Transit," "We Need The Bus" and "Pretend We're A Stadium -- Fund Us."
In December, then-Gov. Ed Rendell struck an agreement with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to divert $45 million to the Port Authority on an emergency basis to head off a much larger round of service cuts.
The Port Authority has said that a new, smaller round of cuts in March will allow it to stretch the temporary funding over 18 months, rather than spending all of it by June 30.
Also, CEO Steve Bland has called for a larger dedicated source of annual state funding that the authority can count on for its budget each year.
From WTAE:
PITTSBURGH -- About 75 Port Authority workers and riders gathered early Tuesday evening in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse -- where a County Council meeting was taking place -- and rallied against proposed cuts to bus and trolley service.
Protesters wanted the council to pass a resolution asking the Port Authority to spend all of its $45 million in emergency state funding by the end of the fiscal year in June, in an effort to avoid transit cuts that are scheduled to take effect March 27.
The resolution passed, but the Port Authority has not said whether it will go along with the request to shelve the cuts.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 President Pat McMahon said that the Port Authority's budget is balanced, so there is no reason for the cuts to be made.
"It will affect my ability for literally going everywhere," bus rider Katrina Kilgore said about the cuts. "It will limit my ability for going to doctor's appointments, for getting to work."
Signs at the rally included "Save Our Transit," "We Need The Bus" and "Pretend We're A Stadium -- Fund Us."
In December, then-Gov. Ed Rendell struck an agreement with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to divert $45 million to the Port Authority on an emergency basis to head off a much larger round of service cuts.
The Port Authority has said that a new, smaller round of cuts in March will allow it to stretch the temporary funding over 18 months, rather than spending all of it by June 30.
Also, CEO Steve Bland has called for a larger dedicated source of annual state funding that the authority can count on for its budget each year.
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