More than 100 transit activists met in Washington, D.C. in mid-March for the Amalgamated Transit Union’s “boot camp,” learning how to build coalitions between transit workers and transit riders.

Responding to the near-universal threat of budget cuts and privatization, transit workers and transit riders are learning how to work together, like these Toronto activists did. Photo: ATU Local 113.

Responding to the near-universal threat of budget cuts and privatization of transit systems, International President Larry Hanley wrote, “We want to create a very ambitious plan that stretches people’s imaginations. We have the best story in town. We just have to stop just saying it to each other, and say it to those outside our circle.”

Hanley, elected last fall, has called transit “the greenest job you’re going to find” and has long advocated alliances with the riding public to improve service, save jobs, and ensure a future for public transit.

More than 3,000 transit workers have been laid off in the current recession.

This was the ATU’s second gathering of the sort since October. The international is giving incentives to locals who begin working with the community by matching the political action funds that locals devote to this work.

An anti-privatization struggle in Toronto last fall was held up as a successful model. A budget crisis was happening in the midst of a mayoral race. Three of the four candidates were proposing some version of privatization of the transit system. The ATU local launched a Public Transit Coalition campaign that involved 12,000 individual members and diverse organizations such as the Chinese Canadian National Council, Federation of Metro Tenants, Canadian Federation of Students, and Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

The coalition put on an internet and media campaign that included an 18-minute film with an anti-privatization message, shown on the buses. Because advertising is allowed on the buses, management could not object to the union’s access to riders. Those who watched the video on the ATU website and answered a few questions were eligible for a prize, a monthly transit pass. By the end of the mayoral race, privatization was off the table and none of the candidates were speaking for it.

Atlanta Begins to Organize

Atlanta was represented at the D.C. meeting by the ATU local president and members of the Clayton County Transit Riders Union, Atlanta Public Sector Alliance, and Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment.

Atlanta’s transit system (MARTA) is trapped in a downward spiral of service cuts and fare increases. Because of state legislators’ racism toward Atlanta, MARTA is the largest transit system in the country that receives no operating help from the state.

Last year MARTA made the deepest cuts in its history, eliminating 40 bus routes, increasing wait times for trains, and closing bathrooms in 29 stations. The workforce was cut by 14 percent, with 300 laid off.

In particular, disabled riders have had big problems with the system, including accessibility to buses and trains, broken-down equipment such as elevators not working, poor communication, and no accountability. Because of poor planning on management’s part, operators are given unrealistic schedules, resulting in late pick-ups and operator stress.

Bringing the lessons of the D.C. meeting home, Atlanta transit activists strategized at the April meeting of Concerned Transit Riders for Equal Access. The meeting was made up of disability rights activists, ATU members, the Atlanta Public Sector Alliance, and a teacher representing Metro Atlantans for Public Schools.

Riders and workers began engaging each other. Both sides targeted the problems caused by MARTA management that result in poor service and low morale. “They are trying to make us do more work with less people,” said ATU executive board member Mark Fitzgerald. “Insurance costs are doubled. People’s job security is threatened,” said shop steward David Roseboro, adding that MARTA Mobility—which provides service to the disabled—has the highest turnover of any department.

The Atlanta Public Sector Alliance outlined how global economic problems are driving cuts at the local level. The alliance advocates a “human rights” approach to building a movement, holding government institutions accountable for protecting and fulfilling basic human rights—such as mobility—and promoting reallocation of resources and progressive taxation to address the crisis. As the Toronto Public Transit Coalition puts it, “All governments have a responsibility to fund public transit adequately to ensure a high level of service and affordable fares.”

A committee of riders and workers will widen their reach by flyering in MARTA workplaces, on buses, and at retirement apartments where many disability rights activists live. These public sector workers are intent on using the potential to build power by uniting with the people they serve.

Paul McLennan is a retired bus mechanic and member of ATU Local 732.

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

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.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, driving a bus is one of the most hazardous jobs in the U.S. resulting in the most non-fatal injuries of any occupation. Before the formation of the ATU, trolley conductors worked year round exposed to the elements. Transit unions have been at the forefront of making mass transit safer, for both riders and drivers.

Unions are also vital to the health of the local economy. Workers who are in unions generally have more buying power than those who aren’t. Non-union bus drivers working for private companies often make less than $9 an hour, less than $19,000. The union enables transit workers to earn a decent wage, and results in a stable workforce committed to their jobs. On top of this, Pittsburgh’s bus drivers are able to have access to healthcare, something that would be five times less likely without a union.

The importance of union membership goes far beyond dollars and cents. Being a member of a union is about demanding dignity and respect at work. Unions also protect workers from employer retaliation when they speak out on issues. Study after study has shown that workers represented by unions are more likely to be aware of their rights, and therefore to insist on fair pay, safe working conditions, family medical leave, and workplaces free of discrimination. ATU Local 85 has been an important force in fighting for equality for transit riders and transit workers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. It has played a vital role in helping to make our community a good place to live.

Because of their union, ATU members are not afraid to criticize policies of the Port Authority or government with which they disagree. Right now they are fighting for something they strongly believe in – good transit service for the people of Allegheny County. They are fighting for us, and we should all join them in this fight.
Jonah McAllister-Erickson is a library worker and bus rider.

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 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.

“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.”

“It happens to me at least once a week. By car it takes about 28 minutes. If the buses are on time, it takes a little less than an hour. But I have to leave home almost three hours early because I don’t know what bus is going to be late, or which bus is going to break down. I don’t blame the drivers, I blame management.”

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.”

“We need to go to Giant Eagle and our doctor appointments. It’s hard to make appointments on time when we have to walk 10 blocks to catch a bus to get us downtown and another bus to get us to our appointments.”

“When we go shopping and get off the bus at Webster, we have to walk home 8 or 10 blocks carrying groceries. These hills up here are too big for us older people to walk. I cannot carry too many bags up these hills, and you know this neighborhood is nothing but hills.”

“The Port Authority has not heard our voices, so now our bodies are crying out. Arthritis, sugar, cataracts. Most of the people who need these buses and shuttles are elderly people. We are asking for something, not too much, just some kind of transportation up here.”