Message from International President Warren S. George
ATU Campaigns for Operating
Assistance, Against Assault
During the past few months, you have read about the sad state of affairs in the transit industry. Nobody needs to tell you that we are experiencing record high ridership. You see it everyday on buses and trains. But try explaining to your customers – able-bodied and disabled – that despite increased demand for the services you provide, there may be no way for them to get around in the near future.
Try helping them understand that fares in many areas are going to increase – again – by a substantial amount and that service will be cut, because state and local revenues are way down and federal transit dollars generally cannot be used to pay for operating assistance (fuel, wages, administration, etc.).
Transit authorities were overjoyed last summer over the many new and welcome passengers who started using mass transit after the spike in gas prices. Soon, however, most systems became overwhelmed, finding it impossible to maintain service because they too could not afford the skyrocketing price of diesel fuel. With nowhere to turn, transit systems have begun to cut service, increase fares, and layoff our members.
Despite some recent encouraging signs, we expect the layoff situation to get worse before it gets better. And when the economy does recover I believe that the demand for fuel will once again rise.
All-Out Blitz
During the next few months, the ATU is going to be conducting an all-out blitz to convince Congress to allow federal transit funds to be used for operating assistance so that systems can stay afloat and our members can keep their jobs during these tough economic times. This cannot happen without your help!
Working with our partners – environmentalists, transit advocates, and others – we plan to put together a public campaign designed to put pressure on lawmakers. Our goal is to help them understand that while new buses, rail cars, and other equipment (which Congress is willing to pay for) are certainly critical, they serve no purpose if no one is there to operate or maintain them.
So we will be working to get media attention focused on this issue. And we will be asking you to work with the people who members of Congress care about most – your passengers and their constituents – to hammer the message home.
Yes, we will be working the halls of Congress here in Washington, but without your enthusiastic support, our efforts will fall short. I firmly believe that this battle will be won or lost “outside the Washington Beltway.”
Brothers and Sisters, for the sake of your jobs and the future of our industry, please join us in this historic campaign – ATU’s pursuit of federal transit operating assistance.
Safety and Security in Canada
The Canadian Council is pushing for passage of two private members’ bills which would help protect transit workers, which were tabled (introduced) in the House of Commons.
Bill C-314, tabled by MP Peter Julian, NDP-Burnaby- New Westminster, BC; and Bill C-333 tabled by MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP-Winnipeg North, SK; would amend the federal Criminal
Code to protect public transportation workers by increasing the punishment for aggravated assault when the victim is a public transportation worker.
The issue has taken on increased urgency with the recent, alleged attack on a 53-year-old bus operator in Toronto who was struck several times in the head with a hard object, resulting in eye injuries and several stitches. There was also another alleged attack on a 55-year-old Edmonton bus driver, who was assaulted by a group of teen passengers, and hit in the back of the head with a skateboard.
Time to Take Action
We are very concerned about the escalation of violent assaults on our members. We receive very little protection under federal and provincial laws. In most cases these attacks are treated as simple misdemeanor assaults. That needs to change.
It’s time for members of Parliament to take action and adopt one of the private members’ bills or introduce a bill of their own and amend the Criminal Code to increase the punishment for assaulting a public transportation worker – treating it the same as assaulting a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician.
Transit workers deserve to work in a safe and secure environment. I know you will support passage of this important legislation.
Warren S. George, International President