Being a union activist is a no-brainer for Ray Messier, 1575-San Rafael, CA.  His father was an active member of the local and union-pride was “pounded into” Ray’s head from a young age.  “My Dad loved the union,” explains Ray.   

According to Local President Tony Withington, Ray is “a real union activist – out in the field doing the work that will make the ATU a better and stronger organization.” 

After becoming a bus driver for Golden Gate Transit in 1998, Ray wasted no time getting active.  In addition to chairing the local’s safety committee for four years, Ray volunteered for the union’s political program doing everything from phone banking, distributing yard signs and stuffing envelopes – whatever needed to be done.   

Local Officer 

From there, he branched out, becoming a member of the local’s executive board in 2003, and then vice president in 2006 – all while driving a bus full-time.

One of his first activities as vice president was to increase the local’s contribution to ATU-COPE.  “I looked at how much I was giving and it hadn’t changed since I signed up seven years earlier,” relates Ray.  “I thought ‘I can do better than that.’”  Not only did Ray increase his contribution, but he spent his free time talking to his co-workers and convincing them to increase their contribution as well.  In one week, Ray grew the local’s COPE program by $1,800 for the year.   

Organizing 

Recently, Ray’s activism has focused on organizing.  “I saw all these small vans driving around and I started talking to the drivers and heard horrible things about their company,” he said.  Now, after work and during his breaks, Ray visits the layover sites for the vans and talks to the workers about joining the ATU.   

Ray’s willingness to volunteer isn’t just limited to politics and organizing.  “If I have the time to do it, I’ll do it,” he says about volunteering for the ATU.   

“I can’t ask for more than I have,” asserts Ray, recognizing how the Union has benefited his life.  “I raised five kids on this job.  We didn’t struggle.  I have a pension and benefits and my job is protected.  A lot of people don’t have that.”