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Just as ATU and the entire labor movement advanced the cause of civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s, today we are playing a leading role on another civil rights issue: ensuring that elderly persons and persons with disabilities have access to high quality and efficient paratransit services (known in some communities as dial-a-ride, demand response, or special transit – providing accessible, curb-to-curb and door-to-door transportation for individuals with special needs).
ATU members across the U.S. and Canada – drivers, mechanics, customer service representatives and support personnel – deliver an important public service. The demands of a paratransit job are great. Often, in addition to driving the vehicle, these members are the caregivers and escorts for their passengers. They demonstrate extraordinary people skills, patience, organizational skills, and physical fitness; and sometimes they need to have CPR or other basic medical expertise. Physically, a paratransit operator must be able to assist mobility-impaired passengers, which can mean pushing a wheelchair, lifting a passenger into a seat, or even carrying a passenger into their home or helping them into their doctor’s office. Mentally, they must be able to focus on the road while at the same time attending to mentally-challenged passengers who can sometimes become unruly or even violent. Tight and unpredictable schedules associated with on-demand service add to these already stressful jobs.
The hard work of ATU members makes it possible for people to travel to work, school, medical appointments, shopping and other destinations. At the same time, the transportation they provide reduces traffic congestion and fuel consumption, making our cities and communities more livable.
Unfortunately, Paratransit service is not always a priority to those who control the purse strings. As a result, funding levels are inconsistent and far too often below adequate. This can lead to stress for the underpaid driver and the frustrated passenger.
The ATU, in conjuction with many advocacy groups, is leading the effort to bring respect and much needed change to the paratransit industry. These partnerships have saved the Wheels service in Salem, OR from a change that would have gutted paratransit service and improved a disfunctional system in Vancouver.
Another way to accomplish these goals is to ensure that every paratransit employee has the opportunity and right to join the ATU. Our organizing department has stepped up their efforts to bring paratransit employees into the ATU family. Together we will make a difference for the profession and for the thousands of passengers who rely on our service.
Paratransit in the News
Member's Voices
Jackie McBride
Rec. Sec., ATU Local 1395, US Southern
"Being an activist has given me the knowledge and power to help my fellow union members," said Jackie McBride, a paratransit operator in Pensacola.... >> Get the whole story
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