Main Navigation

• About the ATU
  • Issues
  • Leadership
  • Locals
  • In Transit
  • ATU News
  • ATU FAQ
  • Contact ATU
• The ATU Agenda
  • US Federal Legislation
  • US State Legislation
  • Canadian Federal Legislation
  • Canadian Provincial Legislation
  • ATU-COPE US
  • ATU-COPE Canada
  • Updates/Alerts
  • Elected Officials
  • Policymakers
• The ATU at Work
  • Organizing
    
    (I Want the ATU)
  • Proud to be ATU
  • Member Benefits
  • Know Your Rights
• Get Involved
  • ATU Action Center
  • Events
  • Education and Training

• Union Officers

September-October 2007

Several locals were recognized for their organizing efforts, including Locals 256-Sacramento, CA; 615-Saskatoon, SK; 757-Portland, OR; 1001-Denver, CO; 1005-Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; 1321-Albany & Troy, NY; 1577-West Palm Beach, FL; 1587-Toronto, ON; 1603-Bethlehem, PA; and 1764-Washington, DC.

However, there are many more locals which have led or assisted with successful campaigns. These include Locals 19-Colorado Springs, CO; 241-Chicago, IL; 308-Chicago, IL; 448-Springfield, MA; 627-Cincinnati, OH; 685-Brantford, ON; 689-Washington, DC; 732-Atlanta, GA; 846-St. Catharines, ON; 1028-Des Plaines, IL; 1091-Austin, TX; 1181-New York, NY; 1300-Baltimore, MD; 1309-San Diego, CA; 1433-Phoenix, AZ; 1572-Mississauga, ON; 1582-Niagara Falls, ON; and 1733-Vernon Hills, IL.

While 1,300 transit workers have chose ATU during the last 10 months, there is still much more work to be done. International President Warren S. George challenged Convention delegates to pick up the pace of organizing throughout Canada and the United States. The entire body accepted that challenge.

BRANTFORD, ON

Since the Convention, over 200 transit workers won ATU representation rights. In Canada, Local President Phil Hotte, 685-Brantford, ON, successfully led a group of 18 paratransit operators to victory. With almost universal support, the drivers stayed united even though management fired a driver and lied to the workers about ATU. Not only did Local 685 win the organizing drive they also won the driver’s case and she returned to work.

ROCHESTER, MN

Local President Michelle Sommers, 1005-Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN, led almost 60 operators and dispatchers to victory in September. The transit workers at Rochester City Lines (located about 60 miles south of Minneapolis) voted four to one for ATU. During this drive the local recruited worksite leaders to make up the organizing committee. Member-organizers staffed the campaign and motivated the workers to stand up to management’s threats.

GLENVIEW, IL

Fifty-Seven Laidlaw Glenview paratransit drivers voted 4 to 1 to join Local 1733, Vernon Hills, IL. Local President Pennie Johnson led the drivers to an amazing victory. With the recent merger of Laidlaw and First Group, Local 1733 approached the drivers from the newly-merged property. Throughout the campaign, Johnson educated the drivers about ATU and the protections of a union contract. With the assistance of the local officers and members of 1733, and the member organizers from Locals 241 and 1028, Local 1733 welcomed the brand new bargaining unit into the ATU family.

CINCINNATI, OH

Local 627-Cincinnati, OH, successfully organized 15 dispatchers and reservationists at MV Transportation. Financial Secretary Sharon Anderson led the campaign. With nearly unanimous support, ATU was voluntarily recognized by MV. Local 627 President Mark Bennet reports that with the addition of this unit, Local 627 will represent over 95% of all of the non-supervisors on the property.

SPRINGFIELD, MA

Financial Secretary/B.A. Ross Kiely, 448-Springfield, MA, organized a unit of 140 MV Transportation operators, dispatchers and service workers. MV voluntarily recognized Local 448. After recruiting leaders for the in-house organizing committee, the Springfield employees led their co-workers to victory. Now, the local is preparing to negotiate its first contract.