The Amalgamated Transit Union

Thanks to high gas prices, more and more Americans are riding buses and trains. But thanks to budget crunches, transit agencies are actually cutting services at the exact same moment.

For public transit, the recession’s still not over

www.washingtonpost.com

Drivers on TriMet's door-to-door Lift service for the disabled and frail, elderly people in Multnomah and Washington counties have suspended a strike and say they will go back to the bargaining table.

TriMet paratransit drivers suspend strike

The Bulletin

For the bus drivers over at ATU 1091, the investigation has just begun into why Cap Metro picked McDonald Transit Associates and MV Transportation to run its fixed-route and MetroAccess bus services (respectively), to the tune of $520 million.

Union Charges Cap Metro Subcontract Conflicts

www.austinchronicle.com

May 9

TriMet Lift operators strike over wages; agency providing only 'life-sustaining' paratransit rides

blog.oregonlive.com

Drivers on TriMet’s door-to-door Lift service for the disabled and frail elderly people are on strike Wednesday morning over a long-simmering labor dispute with the company contracted to operate the buses.

May 9

Bus driver attack caught on video

www.cbs58.com

Police released video Tuesday which shows a bus driver getting punched in the head by a passenger who was part of a group. Police said one suspect was identified, but there is a lack of evidence.

May 8

They Call Themselves the Troublemakers Union

www.dailykos.com

Over the weekend of May 4-6, 1500 union members, workers’ center activists and working class rebels gathered at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Rosemont IL for the biennial Labor Notes Conference.

May 8

Deregulation is the cause of the Kan-etsu Highway Accident

Labornet Japan

April 29 dawn, a midnight long-distance bus crushed onto the guardrail of the Kan-etsu Highway, killing 7 passengers. Safety Research Issue Group holds the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism responsible for the accident.

May 7

Waiting for the Bus: Detroit Public Transit

www.thetakeaway.org

How long would you be prepared to wait for a bus? Ten minutes – maybe twenty. Try three hours. Listen online.

May 7

The Economic Crisis Rolls on in Cities like Pittsburgh

www.thetransportpolitic.com

The board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan region, announced last week that it would have to cut services by 35% by September 2.

The transportation sector lost 17,000 jobs in April, despite a monthly jobs report showing the overall unemployment had dropped to 8.1 percent.

17,000 transportation jobs lost in April

www.thehill.com

May 3

Saskatchewan considering more union dues exemptions

CBC News - Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan government wants to ask people if union members should be able to opt out of paying dues in certain circumstances.

May 3

Driving a Bus is Harzardous to Your Health

A 52-year-old Silver Spring man faces up to 40 years in prison after being convicted late Tuesday of attempted murder for stabbing a Metro bus driver.

Passenger convicted of stabbing Metro bus driver

www.washingtonpost.com

May 1

Beaten bus driver takes shot at the system

Toronto Sun

VANCOUVER -- A bus driver who suffered a brain damage after a vicious beating last year returned to work Monday sporting a sparring helmet and boxing gloves.

May 1

Highway bill enters congressional homestretch

MPR News

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defying expectations, Congress has reached the homestretch on a major overhaul of federal transportation programs that is critical if the nation is to avoid steep cutbacks in highway and transit aid.

Apr 30

Acadian Lines union hopeful of ending dispute

CBC News - Prince Edward Island

The ATU is expressing confidence the prolonged contract dispute with Acadian Lines could be resolved by early next week. Acadian Lines locked out its 59 drivers and maintenance workers on Dec. 2 and several attempts at resolving the dispute have failed.

Apr 27

Local 618 Protests RIPTA

ATU Flickr Photostream

RIPTA picket on Elmwood Avenue in Providence.

Apr 27

RIPTA union to rally for support

www.foxprovidence.com

Two rallies are being held today in Providence by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 618 to denounce RIPTA service cuts and poor working conditions.

Apr 26

Acadian bus talks to resume this weekend

CBC News - New Brunswick

Mediated talks in the lengthy labour dispute between Acadian Coach Lines and its employees are scheduled for this Sunday, but union president Glen Carr isn't optimistic that there will be any progress.

Apr 24

Union, Riders Chase a Better Bus System

labornotes.org

House Republicans are desperately trying to remove all federal funding for mass transit in the next five-year transportation bill, which would deplete an already starving system.

Apr 24

Assaults on bus drivers in Winnipeg increasing: union

www.ohscanada.com

In 2011, 63 bus drivers reported being assaulted, compared to only 17 in 2005, the union reports. In the first three months of this year, assaults are on pace to greatly exceed the 2009 high of 70, with 23 already recorded through March.

Apr 24

Detroit bus riders fear new round of cuts will decimate service

www.freep.com

Riders and transit advocates said Monday that they are not sure what they will do if Detroit keeps slashing its bus service, as the city proposes to do again by cutting another $12 million from its general-fund bus subsidy.

Apr 23

Transit union warned OC Transpo about lost money

CBC News Ottawa

The union representing OC Transpo drivers has been warning managers for years that the company is losing revenue because of jammed electronic fare boxes.

Apr 23

Escambia County looks to shore up $9.5 million deficit

www.pnj.com

The bulk of the county's $9.5 million deficit stems from a law, signed by Gov. Rick Scott last month, that requires every county to pay back what the state says are unpaid Medicaid expenses that have accrued since 2001.

Apr 22

CATS tax wins in Baton Rouge, Baker, loses in Zachary

theadvocate.com

Voters in Baton Rouge and Baker narrowly approved a 10.6-mill property tax for the parish’s historically underfunded bus system Saturday, a move that CATS officials say will end many years of inadequate bus service.

Apr 21

Union encourages lawmakers to preserve public transit funding in highway bill

thehill.com

A major transit union is encouraging lawmakers to preserve funding for public transportation systems in upcoming conference negotiations about a new federal highway bill.

Apr 20

ATU Mourns death of Retired GEB Member Gunter Bruckner

Gunter Bruckner, retired member of the ATU General Executive Board, co-founder of the Canadian Council, and former financial secretary/business agent of Local 583-Calglary, AB, has passed away.

Apr 19

Codiac Transpo union awaits city's next move

CBC News - New Brunswick

George Turple, president of ATU Local 1290, says he won't be surprised if the city locks out his members. says now that the union has ignored the city's Wednesday 4 p.m. deadline for what the city called its final offer, he expects such a move.

Apr 19

Conference Committee Urged to Keep Key Senate Provisions in Transportation Funding Bill

www.atu.org

Transit Union says MAP-21 sets right course for mass transit.

Apr 18

Bus drivers union takes city to arbitration

www.thespec.com

The city and the union have an arbitration hearing set for Sept. 7, said Budh Dhillon, president of ATU Local 107. He said the union will argue Hamilton has not hired enough drivers to meet contract provisions around overtime and scheduling.

Apr 17

URGENT: Act Now to Protect Workers’ Right to Vote

AFL-CIO

The NLRB issued a rule that modernizes the NLRB election process and helps ensure workers have a fair way to form a union. Anti-worker politicians in Congress are trying to ram through a resolution that would undo this modest step forward for workers.

Apr 16

Advocates: Mobilizing Transit Riders a Challenge, Even in Transit-Rich Cities

dc.streetsblog.org

With fewer Americans driving and transit ridership breaking records, you might think transit has plenty of muscle behind it. But while the numbers speak for themselves, the riders often don’t.

Apr 16

Asleep at the Wheel

labornotes.org

Fifteen people were killed in March 2011 when a bus bound for casinos crashed in the Bronx on Interstate 95. The bus slid on its side and the top was peeled off like a tin can when it hit a traffic pole.

The transit agency has stopped paying overtime to replace drivers who call in sick. Instead, it is simply letting absent drivers' buses sit idly in the yard, while riders wonder where they are.

Muni Skips Routes to Save Overtime

The Bay Citizen

A quick-thinking US bus driver helped catch a hit-and-run motorist by swerving his vehicle across two lanes of traffic to block his path.

A Quick-Thinking Bus Driver Prevents Hit-and-Run Getaway

YouTube

Apr 10

ATU Statement on the Death of Mark Ayers, President, Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO

www.atu.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Larry Hanley, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) released the following statement in reaction to the death of Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department(BCTD) and AFL-CIO vice president.

Apr 10

Controversial driver suspension

www.globaltoronto.com

A Mississauga Union is in an uproar after one of their drivers was allegedly suspended after taking too long in the washroom.

Apr 10

Help ATU members devastated by Texas tornados

Apr 6

What Happened to John Mica, Pro-Transit Republican?

dc.streetsblog.org

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member John Mica knew the value of good transit...

Apr 6

Occupy Transit! Transit Workers & Occupy Movement Team Up

salon.com

Calling mass transit “a genuine civil rights issue,” the ATU, which represents transit workers across the nation, joined with the Occupy Movement, community organizations and transit riders to demand a revitalization of our transit systems.

When all the smoke of a game-changing service cut proposal had cleared, and the public furor it caused quieted, the NFTA was left with the diesel soaked rags and a book of matches in the form of the second significant fare hike in three years.

Will the NFTA Listen to its Customers?

artvoice.com

Leaders of Detroit's powerful municipal unions said Wednesday that their workers are being made the scapegoats of the city's financial crisis and will take the brunt of the punishment of a consent deal.

Detroit union leaders say workers are scapegoats in city's financial crisis

www.freep.com

Founded in New York in 1892, the local chapter was organized 20 years later and chartered on April 8, 1912, to represent streetcar operators with the privately owned Seattle Electric Company.

Council honors Amalgamated Transit Union for 100 years of service to King County

www.individual.com

Detroiters used the occasion of the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination to call attention to recent cuts to bus service in the city.

Detroiters Protest DDOT Cuts, Claim Public Transportation As Human Right

www.huffingtonpost.com

Bus drivers have voted to authorize a strike as their union enters negotiations with the company in charge of the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority's staffing.

CARTA bus drivers vote to authorize strike

www.charlestoncitypaper.com

NEWARK — Union members and activists took to the state’s bus stops and train stations Wednesday to “Occupy Transit” – or, more accurately, to warn riders about how potential cuts in the federal Transportation Funding Bill will affect their ride.

'Occupy Transit' activists protest funding cuts

APP.com

"A lot of the time we are providing something to people who need it the most, the needy and the disabled," said Yvette Salazar, international vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Denver bus drivers protest transit cuts that affect poor and disabled travelers

www.denverpost.com

Car-loving Southern California is poised to adopt the strongest transportation plan in its history tomorrow.

Will Southern California make transportation history tomorrow?

switchboard.nrdc.org

ATU International President Larry Hanley will be on The Ed Schultz Show today

www.bigeddieradio.com

Listen Live at 1:30pm ET

Today is also the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who called public transit a civil right.

Fight the Cuts! Occupy for Public Transit TODAY!

occupywallst.org

Members of the Occupy Wall Street Movement are teaming up with unions for the demonstrations, and events are planned in at least 15 different cities, including Boston, Chicago and Denver.

Union joins Occupy for protests against public transportation cuts

thehill.com

The Occupy Wall Street movement and the Amalgamated Transit Union have jointly declared April 4 a National Day of Action for Jobs and Mass Transit and are staging demonstrations that day in 20 cities across the country.

Demonstrators to focus on mass transit as a civil right

peoplesworld.org

"Events are planned on April 4th in more than twenty-five cities, including Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Portland, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle..."

The OccupyUSA Blog for Tuesday, Day #186: Setting a New 'Record'

www.thenation.com

Last week's "fare strike" on the New York City subway won't be the last time Occupy turns its attention to mass transit. On Wednesday, activists in at least 18 cities are teaming up with the nation's largest transit union for a national day of action.

Occupy, Unions Plan 4/4 Day Of Action For Public Transportation, Blame Banks For Cuts

www.huffingtonpost.com

Occupy Boston mobilizes for April 4, 2012 State House action.

Boston T Riders Demand: No Cuts! No Hikes! No Layoffs!

Occupy Boston

On Wednesday, April 4 at 12:00 noon, Occupy Pittsburgh invites the people of Allegheny County to stand together with those across the country to demand public transportation for the 99%.

Occupy Pittsburgh To Hold Rally at the City County Building April 4 supporting National Day of Action for Public Transportation

ENews Park Forest

Evoking the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s crusade for well-paying jobs for the poor the ATU and the Occupy movement are joining together on April 4 in a National Day of Action for jobs and mass transit.

ATU, Occupy Link Dr. King, Poor, Access to Jobs with Available Mass Transit in April 4 Events

Mayor George LeBlanc is urging the union representing 90 bus drivers, mechanics and service representatives at Codiac Transpo to reach a deal with the city and avert a potential strike that would shut down public transit in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

Codiac Transpo strike would be 'bad for everyone'

CBC New Brunswick

For the past four years Lin has worked full-time for a small bus company called Eastern Coach, usually driving a daily New York-to-D.C. round trip.

Cheap Tickets, Fatal Rides: Why Bus Crashes Are on the Rise

http://www.popularmechanics.com

Mar 30

Bus Drivers Push For Better Contract

www.wcjb.com

They are in the driver's seat, but feel like they have lost control of their jobs. Gainesville's contract with the union representing Regional Transit System bus drivers and mechanics is up for negotiation. (Video)

Mar 29

Union criticizes House for short-term highway extension

thehill.com

A pair of union leaders sharply criticized the House for passing a short-term extension of federal transportation funding Thursday instead of taking up a multi-year bill that had been approved by the Senate.

Mar 29

ATU endorses Duckworth for Congress in Illinois’ 8th district

The ATU has endorsed Tammy Duckworth (D) in her bid to be elected to Congress from Illinois’ re-drawn 8th district. Duckworth, a former Asst. Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs and an Iraq War veteran.

Mar 28

Get Moving on the Surface Transportation Bill

www.huffingtonpost.com

Once again the House GOP leadership is playing chicken with a major component of our transportation system. Instead of moving a highway and transit bill that will put Americans to work - House leaders want to punt with another short-term extension.

Mar 28

Highway vote punt complicates Hill timing

www.politico.com

The House is once again at a standstill on the highway bill, just days before federal funding would be shut off and Congress skips town for its two-week recess.

Mar 28

Butte Local Transit Union Approves School District Contracts

www.nbcmontana.com

The Butte Amalgamated Transit Union workers voted to accept new 2-year contracts with the Butte School District. Bus drivers, school bus monitors, playground monitors, and para-educators who work with special needs kids will all receive raises.

Mar 27

How the House Transpo Extension Hurts the Senate’s Two-Year Bill

dc.streetsblog.org

Congress has five days in which to pass an extension of transportation funding. That means there will be a flurry of activity on the Hill this week to avoid a shutdown of federal transportation programs on April 1.

Mar 27

Moncton braces for bus strike

CBC New Brunswick

Bus riders in the greater Moncton area are bracing for a possible strike that could start next week. Codiac Transpo and the city are scheduled to begin a three-day mediation process on Thursday.

Mar 26

International President Hanley discusses 4/4/12 Occupy National Day of Action for Public Transit

www.kpfa.org

In the Bay area today? Turn your radio dial to KPFA (94.1 FM) for a live interview with ATU President Larry Hanley on the April 4 Occupy National Day of Action for Public Transportation. If not, listen live online stream.

Mar 22

Another battle in Toronto's transit war: special council meeting today

www.winnipegfreepress.com

A special council meeting is being held to decide what kind of transit will serve the city's eastern reaches, and it's expected to continue into the evening. At issue is whether to build a light-rail system or extend a subway line eastward.

Mar 22

Contract win for US bus drivers

www.itfglobal.org

Bus drivers in the US have won a new contract following concerted strike action that hampered bus services across Phoenix, Arizona, for six days.

Mar 20

ATU International President Hanley on MSNBC

MSNBC

I can speak for transit workers, our plan in 2012 is to get out and organize bus stops and get transit riders to stand up with us and fight back against the incredible barrage of anti-worker activity that's occurred in our country.

Mar 19

Phoenix bus drivers back on the road after strike

www.kmov.com

More than 600 drivers with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 overwhelmingly approved a new contract with Veolia Transportation Services on Thursday. They were back behind the wheel Friday morning.

Mar 19

SEPTA driver beaten; 3 teens charged

www.philly.com

Philadelphia police charged three teenagers with aggravated assault for allegedly beating up the driver of a SEPTA 52 bus about 1:45 p.m. Saturday in Kingsessing after police said the youths engaged in "rude and outlandish behavior" on the bus.

Mar 19

Two dead, 28 injured in Quebec bus crash

www.ctv.ca

Two people are dead and dozens are injured after a charter bus left the road and flipped onto its side near Plessisville, Que. Saturday morning.

Mar 16

Company fires truck driver for taking emergency bathroom break—while supporting a union

www.dailykos.com

The attempt by port truck drivers working in Southern California for the Australian-owned Toll Group to join a union has reached the retaliatory firings stage: Xiomara Perez was fired on March 9 for having taken an emergency bathroom break days earlier.

Mar 15

More people using CTA

WBEZ 91.5

Chicago Transit Authority ridership went up to 530 million boardings last year, reaching its highest ridership level since 1991. Rail ridership grew by 5.2 percent compared to an increase of 1.4 percent in bus usage.

Mar 15

BART extension receives $900M from FTA

www.metro-magazine.com

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will provide $900 million to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to help extend the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District's (BART) rail system into Santa Clara County.

Mar 15

Schumer: Grade buses on safety

www.timesunion.com

Passengers who board buses to travel to cities outside the Capital Region should know whether the bus company has a bad safety record, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Monday.

Mar 14

End of bus strike? 'Handshake agreement' reached

www.azfamily.com

Bus drivers on the picket line heard from their union leaders Wednesday that a tentative agreement has been reached in the five-day-old bus strike and a vote is expected Thursday.

Mar 14

Halifax transit strike over

thechronicleherald.ca

Amalgamated Transit Union local president Ken Wilson speaks to reporters Tuesday after his members voted in favour of a deal to end the Metro Transit strike.

Mar 13

Transit unions launch 'Occupy Metro' at Farragut Square

www.tbd.com

D.C. commuters walking by Farragut Square encountered the sound and sights of dozens of gray-shirted ATU workers from all over the country unified by one broad demand for more transit funding. Today the Occupy Metro movement was born.

A bus driver and a 5-year-old student were killed Monday morning when a school bus crashed into a bridge outside of Indianapolis, NBC affiliate WTHR reports.

Bus driver, student killed in school bus crash

MSNBC

Imagine having to arrange a ride every time you planned to go anywhere in the community and paying $12 to $20 for each round-trip.

Jean Abreu column: 'Feeling stranded' -- Loss of transit leaves many facing tough options

www.wausaudailyherald.com

The influential AFL-CIO almost certainly will endorse Obama for reelection, but many unions are increasingly financing their own efforts instead of writing large checks to the Democratic Party and its candidates.

Labor unions rethinking their role in politics

www.latimes.com

Striking Metro Transit workers said Monday morning they were relieved to hear about a tentative contract hammered out with the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Tentative deal reached in Metro Transit strike

www.cbc.ca

Mar 10

Union President Appalled at Excuses for Foot Dragging on New Hires

boston.com

Hamilton Street Railway management ignored a consultant's report on the deteriorating state of the City's transit system, says Budh Dhillon, President of ATU Local 107. The Union represents the drivers, mechanics and support staff working for HSR.

Mar 9

Faith Leaders Protest Privatization

One hundred faith leaders, along with labor activists and public transit advocates, secured a meeting with Veolia Transportation CEO Mark Joseph after storming the offices in Silver Spring, MD.

Mar 9

Don't let the transportation bill get hijacked

www.metro-magazine.com

What more could be said about the necessity for a transportation authorization bill? Nothing? We all understand it is vital, right? Maybe it's more important to discuss what is actually going on and what some industry insiders talk about off the record.

Mar 9

Court ruling says company wrongly cut paratransit bus drivers' hours

www.palmbeachpost.com

An appellate court ruled that a company that employs them violated federal labor laws when it reduced workers' hours without negotiating with a transit union.

Investigation shows that bad metal part could have led to breaks and derailing.

New CTA train cars had dangerous flaw

www.chicagotribune.com/

This Monday’s dramatic transit debate at city council looked positively dignified next to the spectacle that unfolded the next day in the provincial legislature at Queen’s Park.

On Toronto’s transit, no one at Queen’s Park is blameless

www.theglobeandmail.com

Public transportation is a right. It is also an integral part of our sustainable future. Rather than fighting price hikes and service cuts, we should be focusing on expanding service and innovating more sustainable and convenient systems...

Call for a National Day of Action for Public Transportation

www.occupyboston.org

After weeks of behind-the-scenes brinksmanship, the Senate is finally set to begin casting votes on its highway and infrastructure bill Thursday.

Here We Go: Senate Set to Start Highway Bill Votes Thursday

transportationnation.org

Acadian Coach Lines suspended operations in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick on Dec. 2 when it locked out workers who were poised to go on strike.

NB & PE: Union asked to return to table in Acadian bus lockout Acadian Coach Lines Acadian Coach Lines

www.nb.dailybusinessbuzz.ca

Feb 29

Council says no to counteroffer

www.metronews.ca

“I imagine that offer would actually raise the percentage of people who don’t want it,” O’Leary said. “Even some of the people who voted for it in the first place are going to realize how antagonistic the city is being towards us.”

Feb 28

NS: Transit union pins hopes on counter offer

www.ns.dailybusinessbuzz.ca

Striking Metro Transit employees made a counter offer to the municipality Monday and took what their union president calls a creative approach to end the strike, which heads into its 27th day today.

Feb 27

Toronto transit employee shot at Dupont station

toronto.ctv.ca

A TTC ticket collector was shot inside Dupont station and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries Sunday evening.

Feb 27

Transit union hires Democratic lobbying firm to help end bus-driver fatigue

thehill.com

Larry Hanley, ATU's president, told The Hill that offering overtime pay to drivers will allow them to rest when off the road and not have to work a second job to make ends meet.

Feb 26

Veolia blames the victim

Washington Post

Authorities say a Georgia commuter bus driver who was stabbed in the face with a pen while trying to resolve a dispute with a passenger has been suspended for not following protocol in the incident.

Feb 26

Drivers file average of one violent report per week of passenger bus rage

www.ottawacitizen.com

Feb 25

Man sentenced to 20 days in jail for threatening TTC drivers

www.680news.com

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 days in jail for threatening Toronto transit drivers.

Feb 24

Phoenix involved in transit labor talks

www.azcentral.com

Michael Cornelius, ATU Local 1433 financial secretary and treasurer, said the union is happy to see Phoenix working on getting an "an impartial opinion on the status of these negotiations."

Feb 23

Council calls special meeting to talk transit

thechronicleherald.ca

Council is meeting for an in-camera meeting at 1 p.m. today to discuss the transit strike.

Feb 22

Bus riders ask Bing for some love

michigancitizen.com

City bus riders and members of Transportation Riders United (TRU) stood outside Mayor Dave Bing’s office the morning of Feb. 14 to deliver him a Valentine’s Day card.

Feb 22

Transportation bills to get tune-up during recess

www.politico.com

It may be recess, but House and Senate leaders are working overtime this week to make the massive transportation bills more attractive to skeptical lawmakers.

Feb 22

Regional council set for closed-door transit talk

www.news957.com

Regional councillors will hold another closed-door meeting today to discuss the ongoing transit strike.

Feb 21

Man charged with punching bus driver in Hanover Park

www.dailyherald.com

A Chicago man is being held in Cook County Jail on an aggravated battery charge after he attacked a Pace bus driver in Hanover Park, authorities said.

Feb 19

Bus riders voice concerns to Fall River Mayor Flanagan, local politicians

www.heraldnews.com

FALL RIVER - Every day, bus driver Eric Carvalho hears the concerns of his regular passengers.

Feb 15

House raid on gas-tax fund would devastate mass transit on Staten Island

www.silive.com

A House bill put forth by Republican leaders, the American Energy and Infrastructure Act, or HR 7, would change the way transportation aid is distributed nationwide. If it passes into law, the MTA could lose $1 billion a year in funding.

Feb 15

New conciliator appointed in Metro Transit strike

CBC News Nova Scotia

The provincial government has stepped in to try to put an end to the Metro Transit strike in Halifax by naming a new head conciliator to handle negotiations between the city and striking workers.

Feb 15

Council says no to arbitration as transit strike hits Day 14

www.metronews.ca/

Halifax regional council rejected the transit union’s plan for binding arbitration on Tuesday night.

Feb 14

Striking Halifax transit workers vote to go to binding arbitration

www.metronews.ca

If HRM agrees, union says buses will be back on roads as soon as possible.

Feb 14

United front against cuts in federal transportation bill

www.wgnradio.com

Chicago area public transit advocates presented a bipartisan front Monday in favor of changing key elements of a Republican-led transportation bill that would cut funding for bus and train service as well as for roads and highways.

Feb 14

LaHood Heaps More Criticism on “Lousy” House Transpo Bill

transportationnation.org

“The House has a lousy bill. It takes us back to the dark ages,” LaHood, a former Republican Congressman, said on a conference call with reporters. “It doesn’t reflect the transportation values of the country.”

ATU President Larry Hanley on the Rick Smith Show discussing transportation in America, workers' rights, the GOP and funding priorities.

ATU President Larry Hanley on transportation in America

Rick Smith Show

Global union federation the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today called on French transport multinational Keolis to intervene with its Canadian subsidiary Acadian Coach Lines to end a lockout of workers.

Global union calls on Keolis to step in to ensure negotiations succeed

www.atu.org

Local 1229 of the Amalgamated Transit Union and Acadian Coach Lines spent 27 hours at the bargaining table over the weekend with a mediator. Union president Glen Carr says the company walked away from the table Sunday night.

NB & PE: Talks break down between union, Acadian Coach Lines

www.nb.dailybusinessbuzz.ca

This is from a grateful senior to the heroes who drive our buses!

A word of praise for city bus drivers

silive.com

The transportation-plus-drilling bill that John Boehner and company are trying to ram through the House is an attack on transit riders, pedestrians, cyclists, city dwellers, and every American who can’t afford to drive everywhere.

Six Lies the GOP Is Telling About the House Transportation Bill

dc.streetsblog.org

Feb 10

A comprehensive guide to rostering vs cafeteria-style scheduling

CBC News Nova Scotia

Ken Wilson, president of Local 508 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, says the ability to choose shifts allows employees to balance their work and home commitments.

Feb 9

City approves transit workers contract

www.mississauga.com

The City of Mississauga has ratified a four-year agreement that will see its more than 1,000 transit operators and support staff receive a two per cent wage increase in each year of the deal.

Feb 9

Students should give their support to RTS bus drivers

www.alligator.org

More than any other single issue on campus, students overwhelmingly want more efficient bus routes and public transportation.

Feb 9

Union and city break off marathon talks with no deal

www.news957.com

"The members of ATU Local 508 have prepared a counter offer to the employer's final. Although they told us they didn't want one, we're going to do it anyways."

Feb 8

Rather than admit its management failures, Metro Transit blames drivers for its $3 million deficit.

www.thecoast.ca

But during the on-going transit strike, the issue of driver scheduling is being zeroed in on by city administrators as the cause of budget problems.

Feb 8

Union, city to make offers in Metro Transit strike

CBC News Nova Scotia

"We're going to see some real leadership, the members of ATU Local 508 have prepared a counter-offer to the employers' final. Although they told us they didn't want one, we're going to do it anyway," he said.

Feb 8

Alliance of business, labor on infrastructure begins to fray

The Hill

An alliance between business and labor on infrastructure spending is beginning to fray amid partisan fighting in Congress over what transportation legislation should include.

Feb 7

ATU Local 508 President Ken Wilson speaks to media about union's counteroffer

haligonia.ca

ATU President Ken Wilson speaks to reporters at Grand Parade this afternoon. The Union plans to submit a counter offer to the city on Wednesday.

Feb 7

Saskatchewan essential services law struck down

CBC News Saskatchewan

A Saskatchewan law limiting the ability of public sector workers to go on strike has been ruled unconstitutional by a Queen's Bench judge, but the provincial government says it is still committed to having essential services legislation.

Feb 6

Acadian Lines and union schedule bargaining talks

CBC News Nova Scotia

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229, which is the union representing 59 workers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, says the new contract talks are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 12. Acadian Lines locked out its workers on Dec. 2.

Feb 6

No end in sight for transit strike

www.halifaxnewsnet.ca

“It’s the same stuff the members have turned down without the three big things. I don’t need the vote, so why waste the money?” he said in reference to HRM’s last offer.

Municipality spokeswoman Shaune MacKinlay said it was deemed there weren't enough agenda items, such as reports to be presented, to hold a meeting.

No transit, no need for council to meet?

thechronicleherald.ca

Michael Cornelius, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433, the union representing bus drivers, told the council that the city should not give any more "special treatment to a foreign company."

Members of ATU Local 1433 protest

phoenixnewtimes.com

Louisville Metro Police arrested a man Wednesday who they said attacked a Transit Authority of River City bus driver.

Man Accused Of Attacking Bus Driver With Battery

www.wlky.com

The GOP's proposal for a new federal surface transportation bill would spend about $52 billion per year on road and transit projects. The measure maintains a split of 80 percent to 20 percent between road and public transit projects...

Transit union not on board with GOP transportation bill

thehill.com

Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of a Buffalo city bus driver.

Arrest made in slaying of Buffalo city bus driver

Wall Street Journal

ATU’s representatives asked for numbers on the expected cost savings for the city’s October 2011 proposal but left after city negotiators said they wanted to move the meeting in a different direction, said local ATU President Mary Folz-Donahue.

City's meeting with transit union lasts less than 15 minutes

www.gainesville.com

Feb 2

Wounded Metro Driver Kept Going To Keep Kids Safe

www.wlwt.com

"We are so proud of our driver. She showed a great presence-of-mind to be able to know ... that she had been injured, that there had been a shot at the bus," Hilvers said. "She was able to get the kids out of harm's way and then call for help."

Feb 1

Bus union VP organizing public forum on negotiations

www.azcentral.com

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 Vice President Michael Cornelius told The Arizona Republic that he is organizing a public forum where Valley residents can ask questions about the failed labor-contract negotiations with Veolia Transportation Services.

Feb 1

Strike looms as Metro Transit talks end

CBC News

Contract talks at Metro Transit have broken off ahead of Thursday's strike deadline when Metro Transit managers walked away after a short meeting.

Jan 31

Union leaders praise Obama's economic themes

peoplesworld.org

Union leaders view positively the emphasis President Obama put on economic themes in his State of the Union address, particularly his call for the wealthy to pay their fair share in taxes while payroll taxes on the middle class do not rise.

Jan 30

Man Accused Of Threating Metro Transit Driver On Bus

CBS Minnesota

A 52-year-old Minneapolis man is accused of threatening a Metro Transit bus driver and several other people, including police, according to charges filed Friday in Hennepin County Court.

Jan 29

After three months, York transit strike comes to an end

The Globe and Mail

Buses in York region will be back on the road next weekend now that a three-month strike that affected thousands of riders is over.

Jan 28

Transit funding a state issue, Port Authority chief says

www.pittsburghlive.com

McMahon said the union and Port Authority officials, along with county Executive Rich Fitzgerald, are working to cut costs by starting negotiations on a long-term contract about two months earlier than required.

Jan 28

Hamilton and union strike tentative deal for HSR

thespec.com

It’s not final yet, but a tentative deal reached Saturday monrning between the city and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107 may mean no disruption to the city’s bus service.

Jan 28

HSR talks continue as strike date looms

thespec.com

Officials with the city and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107 were still negotiating Friday night.

Jan 27

Bloomberg Bing Races to Beat Michigan’s Deadline for Detroit Union Deal

www.businessweek.com

Joe Duncan said he’s never seen things this bad. The president of the Detroit Police Officers Association said a proposed 10 percent pay cut for his 2,200 members -- who are paid a maximum $53,253 -- shows the city’s desperation to avoid a state takeover.

Jan 27

Talks held as Hamilton transit face deadline

toronto.ctv.ca

Talks are to continue today in an effort to avert a possible strike or lockout of transit workers in Hamilton.

Jan 26

Union votes today on new deal to end YRT strike

www.cp24.com

Union members will vote on a new deal Thursday morning that could help put an end to a transit strike in York Region that has lasted more than three months.

Jan 26

NFTA union opts for arbitration

tonawanda-news.com

A union representing more than 1,100 employees of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has received permission from a state supreme court justice to have a long-standing contract impasse settled through binding arbitration.

Jan 25

Still no deal for city and HSR union

www.thespec.com

The two sides met Tuesday for a day of discussions with the help of a provincial mediator. Though the city issued a revised offer, it wasn’t enough to sway representatives from the ATU Local 107. They are scheduled to meet again today.

Jan 25

Tentative settlement in York Region Viva bus strike

www.cp24.com

A tentative settlement with some of the striking bus drivers in York Region has been reached, according to a statement issued Tuesday evening. The settlement was reached between Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union and Veolia Transportation.

Jan 24

Talks continue

www.yorkregion.com

This week has the potential to be the most eventful since the York Region Transit strike began more than 90 days ago.

Jan 24

Bus robbers aided by unlocked battery panel door, CTA says

www.chicagotribune.com

An unlocked panel door leading to a battery shut-off switch made it easy for a group of teenage criminals to disable a CTA bus, then climb aboard the darkened vehicle and attack its passengers, transit officials said Monday.

Jan 23

4 charged in attack on CTA bus on South Side

www.chicagotribune.com

Four teenagers disabled a CTA bus and boarded it before beating and robbing people Saturday night, prosecutors said Sunday in bond court.

Jan 23

Metro Transit workers reject HRM offer by 98.4%

www.cbc.ca

Just under 700 Metro Transit workers have voted 98.4 per cent against the Halifax Regional Municipality's final contract offer.

Jan 23

Union pres. hopeful deal can be reached Monday in YRT strike

www.citytv.com

Talks between the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 and Miller Transit — the company contracted to operate YRT buses on 51 routes — are set to continue Monday after both sides returned to the table on Friday.

Authorities say a Metro bus crash in the University District this morning was caused by a man who attacked a bus driver after refusing to pay his full fare.

Attack on Metro Driver Leads to Crash

publicola.com

There’s a glimmer of hope in the 13-week-old York Region Transit strike where bargaining resumed Friday between one group of striking employees and Miller, one of the region’s contracted bus providers.

York Region strike talks continue with “positive meeting”

www.thestar.com

A State Supreme Court justice ruled Thursday that the union representing drivers and other workers at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is entitled to settle a 2 1/2 year-old contract impasse through binding arbitration.

NFTA union wins right to arbitrate

www.buffalonews.com

Michael Lowery, president of the ATU - Local 1395, said "I feel confident the county will make sure that the new management treats employees properly and does what is best for passengers."

County transit to be under new management on April 1

www.pnj.com

Unionized Metro Transit workers want Halifax residents to help get them back to the bargaining table. "Call the mayor. Call the councillors," Ken Wilson, president of Local 508 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said Thursday.

Union asks public to help pressure city back into talks

thechronicleherald.ca

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 has created a website — whereisthebus.ca — that provides in-depth details about the city’s offer to its bus drivers and the union’s outstanding issues.

Bus drivers take union fight to the web

thespec.com

Drivers, who say they have been targeted when they try to enforce rules or people don’t want to pay fares, have been spat upon, cursed, punched, pepper-sprayed and grabbed by the throat, police say.

Metro may install shields on buses to keep drivers safe

Washington Post

TTC chair Karen Stintz says she will recommend that the extra $5-million coming to the transit commission from the city be used for capital investments, not to stave off planned service cuts.

Extra transit cash should go to streetcars, TTC chair says

www.theglobeandmail.com

The Port Authority of Allegheny County's financial problems are so severe that it could eliminate five of its 30 most heavily used routes or discontinue weekend service.

Port Authority says even its most heavily used routes affected by cuts

www.pittsburghlive.com

York Region says it's taking steps to get some of its transit service back up and running by Feb. 5. The region says it has terminated its contract with First Canada, which operates 29 routes in the municipality, effective immediately.

ON: York Region Dumps First Canada, Seeks New Contractor as Transit Strike Drags On

www.masstransitmag.com

Port Authority of Allegheny County threatens to close its latest budget deficit by killing bus service to 100 communities, stranding 45,000 riders daily and raising fares again.

Transit system's 'smart card' fare system two years away

www.jsonline.com

Jan 18

Port Authority buses may not roll for 45,000

www.pittsburghlive.com

Jan 18

Union leader urges NB to protect jobs in province

www.news919.com

Glenn Carr, of the Amalgamated Transit Union, gave a fiery speech at a pre-budget consultation in Moncton last night.

Jan 18

Mass transit brings freedom

www.ajc.com

Transportation is more than a dollars-and-cents proposition. It’s more than a statistic on a graph. It is mobility — this fifth freedom — a social concept for which the benefits cannot be measured with numbers.

Regarding "Suffolk bus fare hike" [News, Jan. 6], I am appalled at this move. It only seeks to punish those who must use public transportation. They are seniors, people who cannot afford to drive or own cars, and people who are disabled.

Letter: Bus fare hike is insensitive

www.newsday.com

Hundreds of signs on wooden stakes lean against the walls of the conference room. And Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 officials have been calling other labor unions in the state, asking for solidarity.

Phoenix-area transit union is planning to strike

www.azcentral.com

York Region has terminated its contract with First Canada, which operates 29 YRT/Viva routes for the region, and is looking for a replacement, the municipality says in a release.

York Region ends First Canada contract

www.citytv.com

WHILE FEW QUESTION the fact that income inequality has risen in the United States over the past three decades, there is plenty of dispute about why.

Bush tax cuts helped the rich get richer

The Washington Post

Jan 13

OC Transpo woes: Way behind on preventive maintenance, management acknowledges

www.ottawacitizen.com

OC Transpo management shares union concerns about repeat defects on buses and being behind on preventive maintenance, but disputes an allegation that the transit service scrambles to get buses on the road, say city staff.

Jan 13

Metro Bus riders attack service cuts

www.buffalonews.com

Metro Bus riders Thursday railed against the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's plan to cut 22 percent of its bus routes by April 1, characterizing it as an assault on low-income citizens, the disabled and those without a means of transportation.

Jan 13

Viva buses rolling on Yonge again as YRT strike continues

City News

Viva buses began rolling on Yonge Street again Friday as officials in York Region try to ease the impact of the 12-week transit strike on riders—a move a local MPP calls “offensive” and claims “does nothing to help commuters.”

Jan 12

Raitt rebuffs union call to intervene in dispute at Acadian Coach Lines

www.capebretonpost.com

The federal government has rejected a call to get involved in a labour dispute that has stopped intercity bus service in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Jan 11

Bus drivers feel ‘battered, bruised’

guelphtribune.ca

The president of the union representing Guelph’s bus drivers is harshly critical of the major transit changes launched last week, but Guelph Transit’s general manager says the problems can be fixed.

Jan 11

BART to Silicon Valley receives boost with funding

The Examiner

BART is on track to shuttle passengers to and from Silicon Valley by 2016 after the federal government recommended $900 million in funding for an extension project that has been more than a decade in the making.

Acadian Lines, which has locked out workers on what it says are money-losing bus routes in New Brunswick and P.E.I., is looking for a government subsidy.

Acadian seeks transit subsidies

CBC News

Among the harshest critics is the head of the union representing drivers scrambling to meet timetables while coping with irked passengers. “The passengers are really frustrated,” Amalgamated Transit Union local 1189 president Andrew Cleary said Monday.

Growing pains for altered Guelph Transit system

www.guelphmercury.com

Recent Nyack News and Views poll in which 84% of respondents said that they wanted some form of mass transit on the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Tappan Zee Bridge

tstc.org

Let’s talk 2012 and transportation: In a recent interview, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (also Building America’s Future co-chairman) told MT he’s surprised more presidential hopefuls aren’t talking transportation. “It is the best job creator.”

Rendell wonders why GOP candidates don't talk transportation...

politico.com

Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, issued the following statement today to praise President Obama for his appointments of three individuals to fill vacant seats on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Obama NLRB appointments win praise from transit union

www.atu.org

Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing insisted Friday that a light-rail line for Detroit is still possible, backtracking on their decision last month to pull passenger trains out of the mix of modernized transit options for the city.

Detroit light rail revived, but with shorter route

Detroit Free Press

The Boston Transportation Department, working with the National Park Service, has launched an initiative to connect certain transit hubs in Boston with new pedestrian and bicycle paths.

Connect Historic Boston aims to link pedestrian, bike paths to transit hubs

boston.com

This year, more than 2.7 million of the nation’s commuters will have to pay an additional $550 in taxes, thanks to Congress. Commuting tax benefits for those driving only get better, while the deal for those who take trains or buses will get worse.

Second-Class Commuters

The New York Times

Innovative transport projects have caught on in a big way, especially with America’s towns and cities. But national policies lag far behind. When it comes to transportation policymaking, it’s time for Congress to stroll along Main Street.

Time to reassess our national transportation program

thehill.com

With such a huge cry for mass transit, most likely a specialized bus service, on the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge, it’s worth looking back at how that would be done.

Bus plan for new Tappan Zee Bridge still stuck in neutral

lohud.com

EDMONTON - It was a relatively quiet first two nights for Whyte Avenue's late-night bus service, but Night Ride organizers are still saying the pilot program is off to a great start.

Despite low ridership, first weekend of Night Ride being called a success

Global Edmonton

Jan 7

Striking York Region transit workers reject latest offer

www.thestar.com

With a turnout of over 92 per cent, workers with Miller Transit voted 83.4 per cent against the deal in the Ontario Labour Board-mandated vote on Friday.

If metro voters approve a transportation sales-tax initiative this year, over the next decade the Atlanta region will spend billions of dollars building at least the beginnings of a much-needed region-wide transit system.

Metro Atlanta needs control of its transit future

ajc.com

After months of acrimony and finger-pointing, a CTA union leader predicted Thursday that the mass transit agency and its labor unions would forge an agreement in time for a mid-year deadline.

CTA union chief foresees contract agreement by mid-year

Chicago Sun-Times

(Reuters) - Coach America Holdings Inc, the largest U.S. tour and charter bus operator, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after being unable to restructure more than $400 million of debt as losses piled up.

Tour bus operator Coach America files bankruptcy

www.reuters.com

As the city launches a new late-night bus pilot ushering riders from Whyte Avenue bars this weekend, the transit union boss’ concerns turn to driver safety.

Late-night bus pilot unsafe for drivers: Union

www.metronews.ca

The city is playing hardball with the OC Transpo driver fired after an expletive-stinging outburst toward a passenger that was captured on video in early November.

Email trail leads to mayor's office

ottawacitizen.com

In light of recent problems, the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company's board is asking its management firm (First Transit) to give back a $300,000 annual fee it was paid.

VA: Bus Company Asks for its Money Back

www.masstransitmag.com

Jan 5

York transit strikers to vote on latest offer Friday

thestar.com

Striking York Region Transit workers will vote on the latest contract deal starting this Friday.

Jan 5

Bus drivers and subway workers are the real environmentalists

NY Daily News

If you wanted to find some of the greenest workers on the continent, look no farther than the city’s subway tunnels and bus lanes.

Jan 5

Transit Priorities

Politico

Amalgamated Transit Union Pres. Larry Hanley told MT in a recent interview that his organization’s top priority in 2012 is securing flexibility for large transit systems to use “formula money” for operating expenses...

Obama is set to appoint Sharon Block, Terence Flynn, and Richard Grifin to the board — something unions have made a big priority for them in the new year.

Obama also set to make recess appointments to the NLRB

Washington Post

The Amalgamated Transit Union-Local 1395 is accusing Hall of bullying and violating the First Amendment rights of Pensacola Rev. Nathan Monk during a recent City Council open forum.

Pensacola union wants council president ousted

PNJ.com

Metro and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 (which affects about 8,000 workers who drive the system's buses and trains, manage and clean stations, and repair escalators) are gearing up for the next union contract in the coming months.

Metro, union gearing up for contract negotiations

The Examiner

The issue of exhausted MetroAccess drivers is hardly a new one, of course, especially around the holidays. This past November, tight holiday schedules resulted in one MetroAccess driver who worked more than 18 hours.

MetroAccess Drivers Union Continues to Fight Driver Fatigue

TBD.com

Jan 3

Public-Transit Passengers Face Rough Ride

Wall Street Journal

Public transportation will be more crowded and more expensive this year as big-city transit systems across the country respond to severe budget pressures.

Jan 3

The Recession Squeeze On Buses and Trains

NY Times

For the average American driver, the time wasted in traffic jams has more than doubled in 30 years. The best way of easing that gridlock — not to mention saving gas, curbing pollution and finally finishing that novel — is public transit.

Jan 3

Year in review: The top 10 news stories of 2011

www.post-gazette.com

Allegheny County's transit agency started the year with a 25-cent fare increase for most rides and followed it with a 15 percent cut in service in March.

Dec 31

Metrobus drivers say tight schedules don’t leave enough room for bathroom breaks

The Washington Post

Try driving a 40-foot-long bus through crowded city streets. Weaving around obstacles. Bouncing through potholes. Stopping and going. And not going to the restroom — sometimes for long stretches.

Dec 31

Government action urged in Acadian Lines bus lockout

www.canadaeast.com

An advocate for public transportation in the Maritimes says federal and provincial decision makers need to take action now in the Acadian Coach Lines labour dispute to prevent the service from withering away.

Dec 31

State police say they'll tow buses from company found violating safety measures

www.delawareonline.com

Delaware State Police say they’ll tow any buses operated for Double Happyness Travel, a bus line connecting Delaware and New York, which was ordered shut down by the federal government on Dec. 23.

Dec 30

Tax proposal could affect incumbents

ajc.com

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, supporting the transportation plan could be a boon for their campaigns. If voters approve the tax, Clayton would receive funds to restart its local bus service that was shuttered last year to save money.

Dec 29

NYC bus driver punched and cut by a Staten Island passenger

www.silive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A New Brighton woman faces misdemeanor charges after police say she attacked a city bus driver during an argument.

Dec 29

Transit Commuter Tax Benefit Will Be Slashed Almost In Half January 1

Huffingtonpost.com

Tax breaks used by 2.7 million subway, light rail and bus riders across the country will be slashed next year, dealing struggling mass transit agencies another blow in the midst of deep budget cuts.

Dec 28

Transit commissioner rates OC Transpo a ‘seven or eight’

ottawacitizen.com

OC Transpo rates a “seven or eight” as an organization, says international business consultant and transit commissioner Justin Ferrabee, though it gets a couple of points for its plans and potential.

Dec 28

York Region gets injunction against picketing

kingsentinel.com

The court ruled Thursday in Newmarket that Amalgamated Transit Union Locals 113 and 1587 will be allowed to continue to picket, but with some rules in place.

Dec 27

Lessons from a CTA journey

redeyechicago.com

Every week since April 2009, I took a different CTA bus in an attempt to ride every route from end to end. The project ended Thursday after 139 routes.

Dec 27

Texas transportation in 2011: Stuck in neutral?

Statesman.com

Transportation news was coasting this past year, except when it was in reverse.

GUELPH — City transit operators have been subjected to 20 violent acts this year, though only one of them was a physical altercation, transit’s general manager said.

Guelph Transit operators faced 20 violent incidents this year

guelphmercury.com

Acadian's human resources officer sent letters to those workers who opted to bank a year of stat holiday pay and save it for Christmas, indicating that the company would be withholding the funds until the labour dispute is resolved.

Bus company withholds stat pay

Times & Transcript

First Transit Inc. was recently awarded a three-year management contract from N.C.-based City of Asheville. Since July of 2008, First Transit has overseen the operations of the Asheville Transit System.

First Transit wins N.C. contract

Metro Magazine

UNLESS something changes in Washington, American workers will, on New Year’s Day, effectively lose their right to be represented by a union.

Crippling the Right to Organize

NY Times

Dec 22

York Region to request injunction against transit union Thurs.

citytv.com

York Region officials will be in court Thursday requesting an injunction against striking transit workers to ease delays caused by “unlawful” pickets.

Dec 22

BNPTS touts best Stuff the Bus drive ever

WJBC

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System says teaming up with its unionized bus drivers and mechanics helped make its 2011 Stuff the Bus donation drive the most successful ever.

Dec 21

Updated: All South Metro bus service to end Dec. 31, director decides

wausaudailyherald.com

Metro Ride buses will not run in 2012 through the villages of Rothschild and Weston, nor the city of Schofield, Metro Ride Director Greg Seubert announced today.

Dec 21

YRT strike talks start up again

citytv.com

A new development may provide some hope for tens of thousands of commuters in York Region frustrated by a two-month-old transit strike.

Dec 21

TCRP: Practices to protect bus operators from passenger assault

Transit Cooperative Research Program

A new TCRP study addresses the problem of passenger assaults of bus operators, providing profiles of security practices by transit agencies and a literature summary.

Occupy Pittsburgh is turning attention in its "Week of Action" to planned transit cuts at the Port Authority of Allegheny County on Thursday will begin at 3 p.m. at the corner of Grant Street and Sixth Avenue.

Occupy Pittsburgh to protest proposed transit cuts

Pittsburgh Business Times

Parents to Improve School Transportation (PIST) grandmother Margaret DePaula said, “We want unionized, trained drivers and escorts who know how to handle our special-needs children.

Unions, parents support school bus drivers

Workers.org

Striking transit workers aren't backing down as York Region takes them to court over their picketing tactics during the nine-week-old strike.

Transit workers continue to picket despite court threat

CP24

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of trustees and some 40 drivers, mechanics and dispatchers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1192 reached a quick compromise on a new labor contract for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2012.

MET Transit, union reach contract compromise

WCF Courier

Dec 19

OC Transpo driver credited for saving woman's life

CTV.ca Ottawa

It was a frantic cry for help that caused OC Transpo driver Michel Laurin to spring into action. "I saw this young girl on the ground, she was full of blood in the face and neck and she had welts from being beaten," said Laurin.

Dec 19

Contra Costa Times Your Turn: A no-cost solution that helps public transit riders and operators weather the economic storm

Contra Costa Times

Riders across the Bay Area rely on BART for safe, efficient and frequent service. However, as public budgets shrink, it has become harder and harder for the system to meet the needs of every customer. But there is a way we can change this.

Dec 16

NY1 Exclusive: Buses Receive New Partitions To Protect Drivers Against Attacks

NY1

The MTA has begun the installation of new barriers on city buses to help cut down on attacks against drivers, which saw a 17 percent increase this year. NY1’s Tina Redwine filed the following report.

A bipartisan group of eleven elected officials and sixteen labor, environmental, equity, good government, and transportation organizations issued a joint statement today to request that the Tappan Zee Bridge be rebuilt with transit, bus rapid transit.

TRANSIT-LESS TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE WOULD BE OBSOLETE FROM DAY ONE

Press Release

The Amalgamated Transit Union has filed an unfair labor practice claim on behalf of Corvallis Transit System drivers on the grounds that a new health insurance plan violates the city's prevailing wage requirements.

Bus drivers call health plan illegal

gazettetimes.com

Some MetroAccess drivers worked more than 18 hours on Thanksgiving, just a week after Metro told its board of directors that it planned to crack down on long hours that lead to dangerous levels of worker fatigue.

MetroAccess to enforce 15-hour limits after drivers work 18 hours

Washington Examiner

“We will be bringing the message to council that their private contractors are refusing to negotiate and that the only way to settle this dispute will be through binding arbitration,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 president Ray Doyle said.

Strikers will shut down Yonge tomorrow

yorkregion.com

“Have the guts to tell the passengers that you’re squeezed up against that you’re a commissioner who has just voted to raise their fares and cut their service.” Kinnear said.

TTC approves fare hike

Toronto Sun

Acadian Coach Lines workers were picketing outside city halls in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton Tuesday.

Acadian Lines workers picket city halls

CBC

“We think that those unions ought to join us in speaking out for people who are transit-dependent,” Hanley told Streetsblog. In addition to helping working people, he argued, union support for a transit option would also help New York City thrive.

Transit Union Leader Urges Labor to Back Transit on the New Tappan Zee

Streetsblog.org

Since the 2009 stimulus package, employers have been able to offer a maximum $230 in a monthly tax-free transit benefit — the same as for parking — which can save a commuter hundreds of dollars a year.

Pretax transit benefit program on the line

Politico

ATU Local 1764 member James White was the winner of an ATU jacket in the ATU email lottery drawing.

ATU Jacket Email Lottery Winner - iPad 2 Lottery On Deck

Negotiations had resumed Monday between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 and Miller Transit but talks broke down later in the afternoon.

Contract talks break down as YRT strike drags on

CP24

Dec 12

Commuting Puzzle: Why Driving Is Rewarded Over Taking the Bus

New York Times

This is the story of a tax break that can be worth four figures each year per household. And it’s not just any four-figure break.

Dec 12

Talks to resume as York Region Transit strike enters 8th week

CityNews Toronto

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 and Miller Transit will head back to the bargaining table at 9 a.m. "The committee will be meeting [Monday] morning," Terry Tsuji, a member of the ATU Local 1587 bargaining unit, told CityNews

Dec 12

Groupe Orleans CEO steps down

canadaeast.com

Glen Carr, the president of ATU local 1229, said he's optimistic that the new general manager might step up and help settle this dispute, and implored him to come and talk to the union members.

Dec 11

York transit talks end abruptly

CTV News

Union president Bob Kinnear said his members were willing to lower their wage expectations and drop some other issues in exchange for the company boosting its level of health care contributions.

Dec 10

Strike nears Week 8

Yorkregoin.com

Despite promises this week that contractors and unions were ready to talk, there are a few rays of hope as the YRT strike’s eighth week looms.

Dec 10

Sheriff Clarke: bus violence is 'on-going problem'

620 WTMJ

MILWAUKEE- We've seen a rise in recent attacks on Milwaukee County bus drivers. Sheriff David Clarke has ideas about how to protect them.

Dec 9

Locked out workers joined on picket line by supporters

CanadaEast

Employees with the ATU in Fredericton were joined on the picket line by a group students, university professors and Occupy Fredericton protesters who came out as a show of support Wednesday afternoon.

Dec 9

Cuomo “Eviscerated” Transit Lockbox, Says Bill’s Sponsor

StreetsBlog.com

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the leadership of the state legislature added insult to injury last night, neutering the transit lockbox bill even after they put hundreds of millions in dedicated transit revenue at risk.

Dec 9

Commissioners dump ECAT management firm

Pensacola News Journal

Escambia County commissioners Thursday voted to replace Veolia Transportation, the manager of the county’s public bus system, citing an irreparable divide between transit employees and Veolia management.

Dec 8

Veolia top pick for transit

Pensacola News Journal

Company that prompted union protests given committee's OK.

York Region says its transit contractors are ready to sit down and negotiate a new deal with striking workers. But their unions say their phones have yet to ring.

No movement in transit strike

yorkregion.com

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's board on Tuesday approved a 2012 budget (pdf) with $255 million in revenues and a beginning balance of $31.3 million.

Cleveland RTA's 2012 budget healthiest in years; riders to see more service on overcrowded lines

Cleveland.com

Some transit systems have money from the federal government to buy new buses or railcars, but they can't afford to run them. A small change could help fix that. Tell friends in your state to write their Senator.

Help us build support for transit funding

Transportation for America

Union leaders say they'll hold off on striking during the holiday season, but that doesn't mean they'll accept the current contract offer.

Supporters Of School Bus Drivers Rally At City Hall As Strike Looms

NY1

Dec 6

Veolia recommended to get ECAT contract

Pensacola News Journal

Escambia County commissioners on Thursday will discuss a recommendation to again hire Veolia Transportation to manage the ECAT bus system. There is sure to be a fight over it.

Dec 6

School bus drivers: NYC pits safety vs savings

Wall Street Journal

Union members rallied Tuesday at City Hall. They say they want the mayor to put student safety ahead of budget cuts.

Dec 6

York Region claims transit strike talks could start up again

CityNews Toronto

There’s word contract negotiations could start up again soon as workers continue their pickets on the seventh week of the York Region Transit (YRT) strike.

Dec 5

Acadian Lines labour talks to resume Monday

MSN News

The president of the union representing locked-out workers of the Acadian Lines bus service said Sunday a federal conciliator will try to get both sides of the contract dispute together on Monday.

Dec 5

Port Authority bosses, union chiefs clamor for extra funding from state

pittsburghlive.com

Agency officials and transit advocates predict that big new cuts would hurt ridership, put more strain on workers and employers, congest local roads and make parking spaces harder to come by.

Dec 4

CTA, union agree to reinstate laid-off rail-car servers

Progressive Railroading

Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced it reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308 that would allow rail-car servicers laid off two years ago to return to work before the holidays.

Dec 4

Acadian Lines bus service stopped

Times & Transcript

In Moncton, concrete barricades were erected around the Acadian Lines terminal and maintenance facility, and four security guards were deployed...

Dec 3

Acadian Lines lockout strands Maritime travelers

CBC

"Well, it's not a good feeling, especially so handy to Christmas. And the customers are kind of depending on us," said Bryenton, who has been with the company for three years.

Dec 3

Union votes no confidence in RIPTA CEO

WPRI.com

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI) - The controversy surrounding RIPTA's hiring of ex-cons to drive RIDE buses continues.

Dec 2

Labor Beat: Chicago Solidarity Rally for UK Public Workers

LaborBeat

At 6 different cities in the U.S., National Nurses United organized rallies today in support of public workers in the UK in their general strike.

Dec 2

ATU's Larry Hanley: Public Transportation Investment A "Win-Win" for Equity

EquityBlog

America’s Tomorrow highlights how rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure can be an effective strategy for advancing equity and growth. The win-win argument for investing in public transportation is clear.

Dec 1

Ottawa bus passengers sing for driver

CBC News

The transit sing-song was organized by passengers who were upset when driver Yves Roy was told earlier this month to stop belting out songs along his route. (Video)

Dec 1

Striking YRT workers picket, delay buses again

CityNews Toronto

Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) set up their pickets outside a YRT station at Finch and Highway 404 and at a garage on Keele Street in Vaughan.

Dec 1

Mica: Transportation Reauthorization to Wait Until Next Year

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John L. Mica said Wednesday that plans to produce a long-term surface transportation bill will be postponed until next year.

Nov 30

Acadian Lines set to strike Friday

CBC | Nova Scotia

The 59 bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers and customer service representatives voted 88 per cent against the latest contract offer from the company, said Glenn Carr, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229.

Nov 30

British workers strike over retirement benefits

CNN

Mass strikes began across the United Kingdom Wednesday, with up to 2 million public sector workers walking off jobs in schools, hospitals and police stations to protest proposed pension reforms.

Nov 30

Acadian to lock out bus workers

Times&Transcript

Acadian Coach Lines has served notice it will lock out employees and shut down operations this Friday due to a labour dispute.

Pres. Hanley talks about how Kasich is nothing but the guided missile for the elite... John Kasich has been a warrior in this battle for years, be it voting for NAFTA and working for Lehman brothers.

ATU President Larry Hanley on workers' rights, OWS, and the 1%

The Rick Smith Show

Don Buckley lost his job driving a Chicago Transit Authority bus almost two years ago and has been looking for work ever since, even as other municipal bus drivers around the country are being laid off.

As Public Sector Sheds Jobs, Blacks Are Hit Hardest

New York Times

The Port Authority has begun preparing for service cuts that are more than twice the size of the reductions that took effect in March, when thousands of riders were stranded and others jammed into overcrowded buses.

Port Authority braces for another slash to service

post-gazette.com

“We do not want to strike, but Acadian management has left us no other option,” explains Glen Carr, President/BA of ATU Local 1229. “We apologize for the disruption and inconvenience this will create for those who rely on us...”

Acadian Transit Workers Set to Strike Friday

ATU Press Release

A recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board raises disturbing questions about the safety of curbside intercity buses. Listen now...

NPR's Kojo Nnamdi Show discussed: Safety of Long Distance Buses

Kojo Nnamdi Show

Nov 24

Union escalates York transit strike with picket lines at Finch station

CityNews Toronto

"Mr. Klees wants to see picket lines — we'll show him picket lines," said Bob Kinnear, president of ATU Local 113, which represents striking Viva workers.

Nov 23

Emanuel picks fights with unions

Chicago Sun-Times

Emanuel has needlessly picked fights with city unions, refusing to negotiate in good faith or respond to offers of cooperation.

Nov 23

All LTC buses equipped with cameras

London Free Press

The union led the push to get the cameras installed after drivers complained about being verbally and physically assaulted by passengers.

Nov 23

Councillor opposes transit cuts

Telegraph-Journal

SAINT JOHN - City councillor Donnie Snook is calling on his fellow politicians to reverse "drastic" cutbacks to public transit, arguing they could find savings by slashing management positions and other expenses at City Hall.

Nov 22

Scapegoating school bus drivers in New York

SocialistWorker.org

THE CITY'S duplicitous conduct is largely unknown to parents, thanks to the media's one-sided coverage. Most parents, however, understand the difficulty of the job and the vital importance of qualified, experienced personnel driving buses.

Nov 22

City Hopes To Avoid School Bus Strike

MYFOX New York

The city has asked the National Labor Relations Board to stop a strike. The drivers union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181, will be meeting Tuesday night.

Nov 22

Life after occupation

Salon.com

At a Nov. 11 public hearing, Occupy Chicago and Amalgamated Transit Union workers packed a hall to overflowing to protest the Chicago Transit Authority’s threat to cut services, raise fares and fire 1,000 workers...

Proposed new limits on how much Metro employees can work will likely become a key sticking point in contentious contract negotiations with the agency's largest union in the coming months, after a report found long days leading to fatigue.

Metro, Unions expected to tangle over overtime limits

The Examiner

The Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 752 are collecting donations to benefit the Children's Home + Aid Crisis Nursery.

B-N transit collecting donations for kids

Pantagraph.com

James J. Eagan is resurrecting calls for the Amalgamated Transit Union to pay 20 percent of its health insurance premiums to save $1.8 million and chip away at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s overall deficit.

Top union with NFTA targeted for concessions

Buffalo News

About 60 employees of Acadian Bus Lines in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are waiting to hear whether management and the union will resume contract negotiations.

Bus employees waiting on contract negotiations

CBC News

City officials said they had no timeline for the potential strike, and the prospect of a walkout by bus drivers remained uncertain. But the city still informed parents of a backup plan: issuing MetroCards or reimbursements for taxi rides.

School Bus Strike Is Feared

The Wall Street Journal

Nov 20

NYC warns parents of possible school bus strike

AP News - WBEN930

"Although Mayor Bloomberg's failure to put the safety of New York City children first makes a strike likely, there are no immediate plans for one," Local 1181 president Michael Cordiello

Nov 20

Attacks Against MARTA Drivers Increase

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, plans to install security cameras in buses and trains and is looking at shields to protect bus drivers.

A peaceful crowd of about 200 walked along the east-side sidewalk of the Howard Street Bridge to dramatize the connection between the poor state of repairs of America’s infrastructure and unemployment.

Marchers: crumbling bridges symbol of failure to put people back to work

BaltimoreBrew.com

About 300 workers picketed outside a York Region council meeting in Newmarket, to demand council members to put pressure on Miller Transit and First Canada to return to the bargaining table.

Striking YRT workers rally outside council meeting

CP24

Claypool is positioning the CTA for the upper hand in negotiations with the unions whose contracts expire Dec. 31. And it’s his job to try to get the best deal he can for riders and taxpayers.

Editorial: Blaming CTA workers won’t balance budget

Chicago Sun-Times

A day before the Detroit mayor is expected to make an announcement regarding the fiscal and public services crisis Detroit is facing, a community organization marched to his office to demand answers about city services, such as the troubled bus system.

Group Concerned about City Services

MyTV20 - Detroit

The International Labor Organization has found that the New York law banning and penalizing public worker strikes violates fundamental workers’ rights protected by international law.

ILO Upholds TWU Complaint, Finds NY Strike Ban Violates Workers’ Human Rights

Nov 16

CTA board approves $1.24B budget for 2012

WGNTV.com

With scarcely any discussion, the CTA board on Tuesday approved a $1.24 billion budget for 2012 that presumes no fare hikes, service cuts or employee layoffs based on management achieving unprecedented work-rule concessions from labor unions.

Nov 16

Passenger feels like he ruined fired bus driver's life

CTV.ca Ottawa

The OC Transpo passenger Matthew Taronno said he changed his mind about disciplining the driver after learning of some of his personal tragedies.

Nov 16

Minneapolis protest faces new rules; no sleeping

CNBC

Michelle Sommers of the local Amalgamated Transit Union representing Twin Cities bus and light-rail train drivers took the microphone at the rally and said union members were prepared to be arrested, too.

Nov 15

Two Ways to Tackle Washington

ATU International President Larry Hanley is quick to point out, mass transit also is essential to many low- to middle-class city dwellers. Anyone who lives in a cheap suburb without a car probably depends on a government-funded bus service to get to work.

Nov 15

Bus-driver shields spreading, but not in Philadelphia

Philly.com

In the Philadelphia area, SEPTA officials and leaders of the drivers' union are skeptical that the shields provide enough protection to offset operators' concerns about comfort and the ability to get out quickly in an emergency.

Nov 14

Asleep at the Wheel

Huffingtonpost.com

President Hanley's Huffington Post article on the National Transportation Safety Board's report looking at the ugly underbelly of the intercity bus industry.

Nov 14

CTA president, labor unions on different tracks

WQAD.com

Six months into a job that some friends had privately questioned why he agreed to take on, Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool is on the hot seat.

Nov 12

Local Unions and Occupy Calgary rallied at City Hall

660 News

Unions from across the city and Occupy Calgary rallied Saturday afternoon in front of City Hall.

Nov 12

WTA union says Bellingham not spending tax increase as pitched

The News Tribune

Mark Lowry, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 843, said a draft 2012 budget calls for spending less on transit than the others, while the increase was sold to voters as a tax to restore bus service.

Nov 11

CTA 2012 Budget Talks Met With Occupy Chicago, Union Protest

Huffingtonpost.com

A large crowd, including a number of Occupy Chicago protesters, turned out Thursday evening for the final of three public hearings on the Chicago Transit Authority's 2012 budget at Kennedy-King College on the city's South Side.

Nov 11

President Hanley joins The Ed Show to discuss the Defeat of Issue 2

MSNBC The Ed Show

International President Hanley was interviewed on The Ed Show to discuss the victory for labor unions.

Nov 11

Raucous Crowd Protests CTA Budget At Final Hearing

CBS Chicago

The crowd seeking to testify — and protest — was so big Thursday night at the last of three public hearings on the Chicago Transit Authority’s 2012 budget that police had to turn people away.

Nov 10

Occupy Chicago Shows Solidarity with ATU and Targets Proposed CTA Cuts

NBC Chicago

"Occupy Chicago supports the workers of the Chicago Transit Authority, who have become scapegoats in 'Mayor 1%' Emanuel's quest for union concessions," said Daniel Massoglia, an Occupy member.

Nov 10

ATU call in NJ for stronger prosecution on bus driver assaults leads to tests of security shields

NJ.com

Four violent attacks on NJ Transit bus drivers in less than three months have prompted the agency to hasten existing efforts to safeguard drivers. The agency is testing a "security shield" that would surround the drivers.

The workers of this city are under siege. In just the past few weeks, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has proposed devastating cuts to Chicago Public Libraries, Chicago Public Schools, and Public Transit.

Occupy Chicago On Board with ATU!

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and union leaders met Tuesday to discuss the city's budget and possible sacrifices that would keep it from needing an emergency financial manager.

Detroit Mayor, Unions Hope To Hash Out Agreement

ClickOnDetroit.com

Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1464, which represents about 2,000 blue-collar and clerical workers, have been without a contract since Oct. 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, and the new pact will carry them through the end of FY 2013.

Workers union ratifies 2-year contract with city of Tampa

TBO.com

ATU Local 1700 President Bruce Hamilton was interviewed on MSNBC from Zuccotti Park about ATU's involvement in the Occupy movement.

ATU Local 1700 President Bruce Hamilton was interviewed on MSNBC from Zuccotti Park

MSNBC

The city has reached three-year agreements with its two other bargaining units -- Machinists Local 822 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1108.

Arbitrator rules firefighters to receive yearly raises for three-year deal; police officers, supervisors request arbitration as well

Quincy Herald-Whig

April Cruse of Fairfield, a 25-year queen City Metro driver and a member of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627, was in the crowd at the IBEW hall Monday. She has been working on the campaign to repeal Senate Bill 5 for months.

Rallies, rhetoric mark end of SB 5 fight

cincinnati.com

Members of the ATU Local 1464, which represents about 2,000 blue-collar and clerical workers, have been without a contract since Oct. 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, and the proposed pact would carry them through the end of FY 2013.

Tampa's largest union votes on contract today

TBO.com

City of Detroit bus service remains halted Friday because drivers refused to go on their routes the day after a driver was involved in a physical altercation with passengers, leaving commuters stranded at bus stops.

DDOT Bus Drivers Refuse to Run Routes as Concerns Over Safety Grow

myFOXdetroit.com

ATU Members from all over Ohio came out and worked hard to repeal the new law (SB5) that strips public workers of their collective bargaining rights. They won that fight.

ATU Plays a Big Role in Ohio Victory

Public buses resumed rolling on the city's streets Friday afternoon after Detroit's mayor promised drivers increased police patrols and security checks at stations.

'Scared' bus drivers return to work in Detroit

MSNBC

“I’m a bus driver for Preble Shawnee Schools. We don’t want to lose our rights to negotiate,” Chamberlain said. “We don’t want to lose all that just because of our governor.”

Activists on both sides of Issue 2 press for support

Dayton Daily News

Metro Transit bus drivers in Halifax say there is still some confusion about a new law requiring cars to yield to them.

Bus drivers say not all cars yielding

CBC News

Hundreds of Occupy Orlando supporters took to the streets again Saturday for a march through downtown —the group's second large-scale demonstration in less than a month.

Occupy Orlando marches again to end government corruption and corporate greed

Orlando Sentinel

Nov 4

Stand in solidarity with CTA Workers

Occupy Together

Come out for next Thursday's CTA Hearing and join your voice in the struggle! Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Claypool have demonized rail and bus workers of the Chicago Transit Authority, publicly blaming them for the financial woes of the city.

Nov 4

Detroit bus drivers strike over assaults

The Hill

Washington, D.C.-based Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) said that attacks on transportation workers are rising alongside fare increases. The group has a local affiliate in Detroit that represents the bus drivers who went on strike, according to reports.

"Mike Ryan, knows that things are not safe out there and getting worse," said Local 726 President Angelo Tanzi. "That is why we are supporting his candidacy for district attorney."

Homestretch endorsements for Staten Island district attorney opponents Dan Donovan and Mike Ryan

SILive.com

Detroiters rallying Monday at the Rosa Parks Transit Center called on Mayor Dave Bing to improve DDOT bus service in the Motor City.

Detroiters Rally For End To City Bus Slowdown

CBS Detroit

With a rickety, steel trestle bridge as a backdrop, President Obama told a late-September gathering “We used to have the best infrastructure in the world.” With millions of unemployed construction workers ready to do the work for rebuilding America.

Obama talks transportation funding, Jobs Act at Hilltop Concrete

Concrete Products

In order to maximize revenue and minimize opportunities for tax arbitrage, Congress should pass a U.S. financial speculation tax in line with what has been proposed in Europe.

‘Robin Hood’ Tax Bill Introduced in Congress

AFLCIO NOW BLOG

Pivoting off the Occupy Wall Street movement, unions are planning coordinated protests Thursday for a financial transactions tax.

Unions, Occupy Wall Street to protest outside Treasury for ‘Robin Hood’ tax

The Hill

The civil rights movement and the labor movement have joined forces in a statewide campaign to get African-American voters to the polls Nov. 8, to restore union bargaining rights in Ohio by voting "No on Issue 2."

Civil rights, labor alliance mobilizing black voters to repeal SB 5

People's World

GO Transit's workers have ratified a tentative agreement their union reached with GO's parent company, Metrolinx.

GO Transit workers ratify their tentative contract agreement

Global Toronto

The full Senate passed a major appropriations bill yesterday, including funding levels for transportation and housing.

How Will the House Answer the Senate’s Transportation Funding Bill?

DC Streets Blog

Gov. Rick Snyder said Monday that he wants action in 2012 on his proposal for a network of high-speed buses in metro Detroit.

Metro Detroit needs high-speed bus plan in '12, Snyder says

Detroit Free Press

From small towns like Portsmouth in the south to big cities like Cleveland bordering Lake Michigan in the north, union members are hitting the doors and the phone banks to make sure working families cast a “No” vote on Issue 2 Nov. 8.

Ohio Union Volunteers Turning Up the Heat on Issue 2

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Pat McMahon, president of Local 85, said his union's executive board plans to meet with Bland today, but it won't mark the start of negotiations.

More state funds critical, Port Authority warns

TRIBUNE LIVE News

No new talks are scheduled in a dispute that threatens to see Acadian Coach Lines drivers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island walk off the job by month's end.

Drivers, Acadian Coach Lines willing to return to table

Telegraph-Journal

Talks between management and union at Acadian Bus Lines, a Maritime regional coach service, broke down Friday before discussions on pay could even start.

Acadian bus talks fall apart

CBC News

Newer and smaller intercity passenger bus operations are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board reported Monday, providing safety advocates with new ammunition in their effort to bolster regulation.

Lawmakers Hope to Use Safety Report in Effort to Boost Bus Regulations

"On Oct. 24, I was terminated. Two of my negotiating team members were disciplined and suspended and the fourth member of my negotiating committee was disciplined," Carr said.

Acadian fires union leader

The Daily Gleaner

Carleton University’s student association is celebrating Halloween by mourning what they believe would be the death of affordable public transit for students if the city goes forward with a proposed increase in the cost of mandatory yearly bus passes.

OTTAWA - Carleton student zombie walk protests UPass cost increase

Ottawa Citizen

Mechanics were going about their day when a 60-foot bus fell off a hoist while being serviced.

Alarming Incident at OC Transpo Garage Sparks Investigation by ATU 279

580 CFRA

Oct 31

Motorcoach Safety Reform & Legislation Must Address Driver Fatigue

ATU Press Release

NTSB Report Confirms Need to Change Interstate Bus Overtime Rules, Transit Union Praises Sen. Schumer & Rep. Velazquez for Leadership.

Oct 31

Talks between bus company and local union break down

Times Transcript

"They've walked away from the table; they've walked out of the talks," Carr said late last night. "We've been working, trying to get a fair settlement for all parties - for the union, the company and the public."

Oct 31

ECAT workers make a stand, urge county to fire manager

Pensacola News Journal

Local transit workers, bus riders and supporters will "Rally and March for Better Public Transit" on Thursday, when they will ask Escambia County commissioners to fire ECAT's private management company.

Oct 28

Surviving public transportation as a senior

KALW News

Take a quick look around while on Muni, BART, or AC Transit, and you’ll notice that a lot of the people who depend on public transit are seniors. But not all seniors are that comfortable navigating the system.

Oct 28

Portland area TriMet LIFT drivers threaten strike as labor talks with First Transit stall

OregonLive.com

Amalgamated Transit Union 757, which represents the private drivers employed by First Transit Inc., said it has reached an impasse after nearly two years of negotiations.

Oct 27

LYNX Stickin’ It to Drivers, Mechanics

West Orlando News Online

With just about 15 minutes into the meeting, negotiations between LYNX management and representatives of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) broke down Tuesday, after the two sides failed to reach agreement on a new wage contract.

Oct 27

Transit union pushes for attempted murder charges against man who allegedly stabbed N.J. bus driver 7 times

NJ.com

A national transit workers union is calling on prosecutors to press for attempted murder charges against the Newark man accused of stabbing a city bus driver seven times last weekend.

Oct 25

Passenger attacks on bus drivers soaring, new MTA statistics show

NY Daily News

Passenger assaults on bus drivers are up 20% this year - with seven attacks on average every month, according to MTA statistics.

Oct 25

Bus driver union renews talks with Veolia for Phoenix, Tempe

azcentral.com

The Phoenix-area bus drivers’ union and the Valley's biggest bus contractor, Veolia Transportation, Services are attempting again to work out terms of employee pay and benefits for drivers in Phoenix and Tempe.

Oct 25

GOP pitches transportation bill as jobs program

AP

House Republicans are pitching a six-year transportation construction plan as a major jobs bill that can win bipartisan approval before next year's election, a key GOP lawmaker said Monday.

“We are not at all surprised by the honor of earning this award,” said Michael Lowery, president and business agent for ATU Local 1395. “As we’ve said all along we have the safest, best and most professional transit workers right here in Pensacola.”

ECAT safety award confirms importance of trained, professional transit workers

Pensacola News Journal

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Labour Minister, today congratulated OC Transpo and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 for extending the existing collective agreement for a period of one year.

Minister Raitt Congratulates OC Transpo and the Amalgamated Transit Union for Extending Collective Agreement

REUTERS

Members of the amalgamated transit union in York region are voting Thursday morning on management's latest contract offer, City TV has reported.

York transit union voting today on latest contract offer

680 News

As early as one year from now, TTC workers could be subject to random drug or alcohol testing. Toronto Transit commissioners voted in favour Wednesday of adding random testing to the TTC’s fitness for duty policy.

TTC workers to be drug tested

Toronto Sun

Commuters in York Region are facing two possible transit strikes Monday and on top of that, GO bus drivers are also set to walk off the job the same day.

3 separate transit strikes looming for next week

CityNews Toronto

The union representing CTA bus drivers, train operators and other employees quickly declared the CTA's plan for $80 million in labor reforms and work-rule changes dead on arrival.

CTA on collision course with union, but no fare hikes — yet

Chicago Tribune

No fare increases or service cuts are in store for CTA riders next year if the CTA can convince its unions to agree to millions of dollars in work rule changes and other concessions, the transit agency said today in presenting its 2012 proposed budget.

If union goes along, CTA says no fare hikes or service cuts in 2012

Chicago Tribune

On the surface, the issue seems straightforward: During the worst recession ever experienced by Southern Nevadans, First Transit submitted a bid to run the bus system for $50 million less than the incumbent operator Veolia Transportation.

Bus contract standoff raises 50 million questions

Las Vegas Review-Journal

But, at the end of this year, the mass-transit benefit, authored by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is scheduled to expire (the benefit cap will drop back to $120 per month). Not surprisingly, many transit advocates are already cranking the siren.

How Congress shapes your commute

Washington Post

Whatcom Transportation Authority bus drivers will get a 2 percent pay raise in 2012 because sales tax revenues increased enough to trigger a labor-contract clause. They otherwise would get a 1 percent raise.

WTA drivers to receive 2 percent raise because of sales tax revenue boost

The Bellingham Herald

At least one TTC commissioner wants to hit the gas on random drugs and alcohol testing of transit employees.

TTC drug test proposal gets ticket to ride

Toronto Sun

The bus company involved in Tuesday's crash on the New York State Thruway has a satisfactory safety rating, according to the federal agency that regulates the bus industry.

Bus company in Thruway crash that injured 8 has satisfactory safety rating

lohud.com

Oct 17

Project Calgary: Half of downtown commuters take bus, C-Train

Calgary Herald

For decades, the most common morning routine for workers in downtown Calgary went something like this: shower, coffee and drive. But new data suggests that’s changed dramatically.

Oct 17

Strong labour presence at Occupy Vancouver

The Hook

"Workers are the 99 per cent," said Amalgamated Transit Union member Mark Beeching with a grin, looking out over a demonstration studded with placards declaring "We are the 99%"

Oct 17

An ATU Hero Emerges

ATU Phoenix bus driver Felipe Sandoval started his day like every other day when he arrived at work on Saturday Oct. 8. However, he ended his day as a hero.

Oct 13

Transit union to get LRT contract under proposed deal

CBC

The City of Ottawa's proposed deal to extend its contract with OC Transpo workers would give the transit union a contract for maintenance work of light rail service, adding up to 150 jobs.

Oct 12

Clock Ticking on Sick Time at CTA

Chicago Tribune

"Claypool is going to change their sick leave policy so they can receive up to 13 sick days a year? I say give us 13 sick days a year. We get none," said Robert Kelly, president of Local 308 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Oct 12

Ottawa close to deal with bus drivers

CBC

Sources have told CBC News that negotiations in recent weeks have produced a tentative deal to extend the current contract for a year.

Oct 12

Bus passengers to be notified if union strikes

Pensacola News Journal

The local transit union will give public bus passengers a minimum of 72 hours notice if the union decides to set a strike date.

Oct 9

AFL-CIO Statement on Occupy Wall Street

We are proud that today on Wall Street, bus drivers, painters, nurses and utility workers will join students and homeowners, the unemployed and the underemployed to call for fundamental change.

Oct 7

Arizona AFL-CIO Convention: We Ride and Side with ATU

Arizona Labor

ATU Local 1433 Bus Operators take the 53rd Biennial Convention of the Arizona AFL-CIO by storm!

Oct 7

MARTA drivers attend hearing for alleged attacker

CBS Atlanta

More than 40 MARTA bus drivers took time off work Thursday to attend the preliminary hearing of a man accused in the knife attack of their fellow bus driver.

Oct 6

ATU Occupied Wall Street
on the 'Ed Show' (MSNBC)

MSNBC The Ed Show

International President Larry Hanley and ATU Local 1700 President Bruce Hamilton appeared on the Ed Show to discuss the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City.

International President Larry Hanley will appear on the ‘Ed Show,’ at 10:20 PM EDT, tonight on the cable news channel, MSNBC.

Larry Hanley Occupies Wall Street on 'Ed Show' (MSNBC), Approximately 10:20 PM EDT Tonight

"I thought that we had resolved it," he said. "We made a good-faith effort by offering (a) six months (extension). ... They chose not to take that offer." said Mike Lowery, President Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395

ECAT strike imminent

Pensacola News Journal

We came to the Rosa Parks Transit Complex tonight to reach out to Veolia, the company that owns ECAT. We were told to get off the property but were not given a response to the union's claims.

ECAT Workers Going on Strike Again

WEAR TV

Union officials representing Tempe bus drivers said the "best and final" labor contract offered by employer Veolia Transportation Service was rejected by 97 percent of its members on Tuesday.

Latest labor contract rejected by Tempe bus drivers

KTAR

New York area union members will join an expected several thousand labor activists and supporters tomorrow in a Wall Street march and rally in support of the Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Huge NYC Union March Set to Spotlight Occupy Wall Street Protest

AFL-CIO

New York’s budding anti-capitalism protest movement began last month with a vague sense of grievance over the widening gap between the rich and poor in America.

‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests spread to D.C., Boston, L.A. and Chicago

Washington Post

Oct 3

Transit union fires back at ECAT operator ahead of talks

Pensacola News Journal

Local transit union leaders fired a volley of accusations at Escambia County Area Transit's parent company Sunday, two days before meeting with a federal mediator to discuss the ongoing labor dispute.

Sep 30

Waiting for the Bus

Independent News

If the county and its private management firm, Veolia Transportation, can’t reach an agreement with employees sometime soon the public transit system, Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT), could grind to a halt.

Sep 28

As Unions Weaken So Does the Middle Class

The Center for American Progress Action Fund

New Census Data Shows the Importance of Unions to the Middle Class

Sep 28

Transit negotiations take place across the country

Canadian Labour Reporter

Three Ontario transit unions on the verge of striking

Sep 28

Advocates urge SRTA to expand public transportation options

The Herald News

The ATU and the Coalition for Social Justice have been collecting signatures from area residents through the summer, asking SRTA and Congress to extend the hours the buses run in Fall River and New Bedford.

Sep 27

Veoila has labor issues elsewhere

Rick's Blog

Veoila Transportation, the French company that manages Escambia County Area Transit, has labor issues in other parts of North America.

Sep 27

Viewpoint: ECAT strike remains unresolved

Pensacola News Journal

Our members came off the strike line because of our loyal, faithful passengers. So back to the negotiating table and hopefully our members will see brighter days ahead and better treatment every day they come to work.

Sep 27

Port Authority's financial prospects go from bleak to bleaker

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Port Authority of Allegheny County board member Richard Taylor called the sheet of paper in his hands the "matrix of doom."

Sep 23

Young Workers Summit looks to build on last year’s success

Hundreds of young union activists will travel to Minneapolis on Sept. 29 to participate in the second annual AFL-CIO “Next Up” Young Workers Summit. The summit is designed to help develop the next generation of labor leaders.

Sep 22

ECAT Strike Over

WEAR ABC 3

Some talking took place this afternoon between ECAT employees and Violia their parent company. Union heads tell us they had agreed to go back to work.

Sep 22

Unions and Chamber join fight against transit cuts

KARE 11 - Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce rallied with members of the Amalgamated Transit Union at a press event Tuesday in downtown Minneapolis.

Sep 22

ECAT workers end strike; buses rolling

Pensacola News Journal

Drivers for Escambia County Area Transit buses are back on the job today after striking for one day over what union officials said was "mistreatment" of employees.

Sep 20

Large red Xs on Cleveland RTA buses make bold statement

WEWS TV/NewsNet 5 - Cleveland, OH

"Sometimes you need to show a picture of things to say, hey we don't want this to happen," said William Nix President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 268.

Sep 20

Transit workers rally Tuesday to raise funds for BJCTA

WVTM 13 - Birmingham, AL

The Amalgamated Transit Union says it's not just riders and routes on the line, but their jobs.

Sep 19

Transit Union Commends Obama Deficit Reduction Proposal

ATU Press Release

Calls on GOP to stop "stiff-arming" millions of desperate, out-of-work Americans

Sep 16

Phoenix transit union says bus strike now 'very probable'

azcentral.com

The union representing more than 600 city bus drivers announced that a Phoenix bus strike "appears to be very probable" after ending negotiations with Veolia Transportation Services on Thursday.

Sep 13

Transit Union Takes Education On the Road

Labor Notes

The Amalgamated Transit Union is educating local leaders around the country about what’s wrong with the economy, helping bus drivers and mechanics who’ve seen transit funding slashed to understand some ugly truths.

Sep 12

Rally demands action on Obama's jobs plan

ABC 7 News - Chicago

"The people in this country cannot get a job, cannot get work, cannot feed their families -- this is wrong," said Robert Kelly, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308.

Sep 12

Transit union head slams City Manager's TTC cut recommendations

CNW

"This is a war on commuters, low-wage workers, the disabled and the environment," said Bob Kinnear, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113.

Sep 9

Port Authority recalls 41 workers

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 President Patrick McMahon said 34 furloughed maintenance workers and seven laid-off drivers recently returned to work, filling vacancies created through attrition in recent months.

Sep 9

Transit Union Praises Obama Jobs Plan

Press Release

Urges Congress to Act Now and Move Our Nation Forward

Sep 9

MARTA bus driver stabbed, robbed by passenger

CBS Atlanta

A MARTA bus driver was released from the hospital Wednesday morning after she was stabbed by a passenger Tuesday.

Saskatoon Transit employees voted Wednesday night to accepted a new contract with the city, averting a citywide shutdown of bus service.

Transit riders, drivers adjust to changes

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Sep 8

Transit union accepts city's contract

The Star Phoenix

Sep 5

Pittsburgh's 'March for Jobs' parade focuses on unemployed

CNN

AFL-CIO local president Jack Shea and Jim Bonner, an unemployed transit worker, on the Pittsburgh "March for Jobs."

Sep 4

Buses to serve Teleport Business Park in Bloomfield

silive.com

About 1,000 schoolchildren and employees at the Teleport Business Park will have a new weekday bus service as of Tuesday, when the MTA will begin serving the Teleport Business Park in Bloomfield via its established S46/S96 routes.

Sep 2

GO Transit, union promise to keep talking for now

CTV

Despite the threat of a strike, both the union representing some GO Transit workers and the provincial agency that operates the regional transit service say they are committed to reaching a negotiated settlement.

Aug 26

CUTA President Says Public Transit Must Be a Priority in Canada

CUTA

CUTA President Michael Roschlau argued that the transit industry and manufacturing industry are key to strengthening Canada’s economy. Roschlau said “we must all work together to make sure public transit becomes the priority Canadians want it to be.”

Aug 26

Local Union Activists Training to Fight Back at US Eastern Regional Conference

ATU Flickr

It’s time to fight back and local officers and activists are getting the training they need to do just that at the Eastern (US) Regional Conference which took place in Orlando, FL.

Aug 21

Transit union backs greater safety measures for drivers

Global Calgary

A second Calgary Transit driver has come forward claiming he has also been the victim of a violent passenger assault.

Aug 19

American labor unions take opposing views on proposed oil pipeline from Canada to Texas

Washington Post

Two major unions said Friday they oppose the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline. That stance aligns them with environmentalists but puts them at odds with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest and most influential unions.

Aug 19

Union Leaders a 'No-Show' for Kasich's SB5 Meeting

WSYX ABC6 COLUMBUS OHIO

Ohio's union leaders were a no-show at Friday morning's meeting with Gov. John Kasich and other GOP leaders from Ohio's General Assembly.

Aug 19

ATU-TWU Oppose Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline and Call for End of Increased Use of Tar Sands Oil

atu.org

James C. Little, President of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), and Larry J. Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) issued the following joint statement in opposition to the approval of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline.

Aug 18

More Bad News for Mass Transit Riders

Daily Kos

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) reports that almost 80 percent of U.S. transit agencies say they are planning to, or considering raising fares or cutting service in the near future.

Aug 18

Support Hershey's Student Guestworkers!

Jobs with Justice

On August 17th, hundreds of student guestworkers from around the world were joined by unemployed American workers and labor leaders in a factory sit-in at the Hershey's Chocolate Company packing plant in Pennsylvania.

The nation’s greedy corporations and insatiable wealthy are fattening themselves on workers. There’s no trickle down. It’s the opposite; the rich have been sucking the economic lifeblood from the middle class for decades

March to stop the freeloaders

The Hill

Aug 17

Transit Agencies in U.S. Plan Higher Fares, Less Service

Bloomberg News

More than half of U.S. public transit agencies may increase fares or trim service this year amid budget shortfalls and a threatened loss of federal funding, according to a study.

Aug 17

Bus barns unsafe for hybrids, says driver who caused gas leak

The Star Phoenix

Sean Murray was driving one of the fleet's eight hybrid diesel-electric buses into the barns earlier this month when the battery on top of the bus - which is too tall to be driven safely in most of the facility.

Aug 17

Union Calls BART's Safety and Security Into Question

Berkeley Patch

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 wants an independent inquiry into BART's management following recent security and system problems.

Aug 16

As criticism mounts, BART stays the course

San Francisco Examiner

Despite a federal investigation, a threatened lawsuit by civil libertarians, and criticism from employees and board members, BART management is standing by its controversial tactics for keeping protesters from disrupting service.

Aug 12

Asleep at the Wheel

Daily Kos

Daily Kos: From the horrific March crash in the Bronx that claimed 15 lives, to more recent ones in Virginia, Idaho and upstate New York, this disturbing trend has left our leaders scrambling to figure out what’s gone wrong in the intercity bus industry.

Aug 9

Bus safety starts with standards for drivers

pressconnects.com

The recent headlines in Binghamton have been frighteningly familiar — another discount bus skidded off the road, throwing the lives of every passenger on board into jeopardy.

Aug 5

Larry Hanley: Part-Time Labor Won’t Save American Transit

DC.STREETSBLOG.ORG

Streetsblog sat down last week with Larry Hanley, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union and member of the AFL-CIO executive council.

Aug 5

ATU's Marvin Bing on First Shift with Tony Trupiano - Detroit

WDTW-AM 1310

Marvin Bing joins Tony to talk about the upcoming rally on Saturday to protest the EFM laws in the State of Mchigan.

Aug 4

International President Larry Hanley's Interview with WBNG-TV (CBS) in Binghamton on the latest bus accident

WBNG-TV (CBS)

"The Motorcoach Safety Act really is something that address physical conditions of the bus and ignores physical condition of the driver..." said Hanley.

Aug 4

30 survive bus rollover on New York highway

USA Today

WHITNEY POINT, N.Y. — All 30 passengers aboard a tour bus that overturned Wednesday night after hitting a rain-slicked portion of Interstate 81 survived the accident, state police sa

Aug 4

ATU President Larry Hanley on How to Build a Strong Coalition for Transit

DC.STREETSBLOG.ORG

President Larry Hanley is considering ways to broaden the ATU to include passengers and other transit supporters as members.

Aug 2

Transit Union Shows Solidarity with Dismissed Thai Railway Workers

ATU PRESS RELEASE

Rail passenger safety at risk, Union urges reversal of court decision against safety protestors

Jul 30

Report shows state revenues show robust gains

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government

State tax revenues grew by 9.3 percent in the first quarter of 2011, according to Census Bureau data.

Jul 29

City of Saskatoon, transit union agree on mediation

Global Toronto

Job action has been suspended after the City of Saskatoon and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 agreed to enter mediated talks in a effort to resolve their contract dispute.

Jul 29

Deregulating Intercity Bus Services Will Deal a Lethal Blow to Rural Communities

San Francisco Chronicle

The Alberta government's proposal to deregulate intercity bus services will deal a lethal blow to rural communities, says Stan Dera, Canadian Director of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Jul 26

Bus driver attacker to be jailed indefinitely

CBC News

An Edmonton man who viciously attacked a city bus driver in 2009 has been declared a dangerous offender. Gary Mattson will remain in prison until it's determined he is no longer a risk to the public.

Jul 22

Congressman John Lewis: Bus Drivers Deserve
Fair Labor Standards!

LaHood Safety Letter (PDF)

Calls for the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to cover drivers, helpers, loaders, and mechanics to receive fair overtime pay.

Jul 22

Tour bus crash in upstate New York kills one, injures dozens

REUTERS

(Reuters) - A tractor trailer collided with a tour bus in upstate New York on Friday, killing the truck driver, injuring dozens of bus passengers and engulfing both vehicles in flames, state police said.

Jul 21

Senators Boxer and Johnson Urge Immediate Action on a Strong Transportation Bill

The current surface transportation bill expires on September 30, and unless Congress passes a new bill, 630,000 private sector jobs in highways and transit will be lost in 2012.

Jul 20

YNN interview with ATU International President Hanley on the need to improve bus safety in response to upstate NY bus accident

YNN - Your News Now

Bus union addresses issues after Avoca bus crash | YNN, Your News Now, brings you the latest local news and weather across Upstate New York.

Jul 20

Bus-driver safety bill is well-intentioned, but won't stop sweatshops on wheels

Cleveland Plain Dealer

In "Greyhound Lines joins Sen. Sherrod Brown's plea for safer long-haul buses" (July 14), Greyhound backs legislation introduced by Sen. Brown that is well-intentioned but ignores the real problem: driver fatigue.

“Slashing federal transportation spending by a third will cause transit systems to shift what little local operations funding they have to rehabilitate aging vehicles and equipment, triggering the elimination of essential bus routes across the country…"

More Responses to Mica Transpo Bill: Lots of People Think It’s a Rotten Idea

DC.STREETS.BLOG

When the Valley's economy was unraveling in 2008, transit service was an early casualty. Three years of cuts ensued. Dozens of bus lines were eliminated, rerouted or truncated. Wait times grew, and fares shot up on buses and light rail.

Phoenix-area bus, light-rail cuts avoidable, analysis shows

The Arizona Republic

The Twin Cities could be facing a 50-cent bus fare hike plus a 25 percent reduction in bus service if proposed state cuts to Metro Transit funding become law.

CIVIC BEAT - Metro Transit braces for cuts

The Journal

The way buses crisscross the Des Moines area will change soon, and today the public will get its first glimpse of the proposed makeover, which includes the elimination or wholesale redrawing of some routes and the addition of others.

DART plans extensive overhaul of bus routes

Des Moines Register

The LRT will ease congestion on our downtown streets, reinvigorate our city core, create opportunities for smart development and lay the foundation for future expansion of our transit network.”

Ottawa City Council endorses improved Light Rail Transit Project

Breaking Travel News

Las Vegans sometimes lament the city's lack of world-class mass-transit offerings. Yes, the Regional Transportation Commission has spent millions in the past few years buying shiny buses and offering express routes.

Get on the bus: How Las Vegas transit compares to other cities

Las Vegas Sun

Jul 15

A History of Capital Metro, StarTran and ATU Local 1091

KUT News

Earlier this year, The Texas Legislature passed a bill mandating that Capital Metro change some of its operations. One of the required changes dealt with how the agency works contracts with unionized workers.

Jul 14

Riding TriMet? Plenty of Bugs Could be Sharing Your Seat

Oregonian

PORTLAND, OR: ...money-strapped TriMet has made deep cuts to cleaning crews charged with scrubbing down its vehicles.

Jul 14

Stroller moms cause trouble for driver following rules

Chronicle Herald

HALIFAX, NS: ...the driver, who already had one stroller aboard, asked the new arrivals to head to the back of the bus, not to fold up their strollers, but they refused and occupied the wheelchair-accessible area.

A national telephone survey found that a majority of Americans, or near majority depending on the question, would support higher taxes for transportation infrastructure — so long as those revenues resulted in clear benefits...

Americans support transit taxes when they see tangible results

T4America

With everyone from Mitch McConnell to Barack Obama arguing that the federal budget must be constrained it is perhaps no surprise that the long-expressed hopes of a greatly expanded transportation bill have fallen to the wayside.

For Federal Transportation Investment, a Difficult Prognosis

TransportPolitic

Cash-strapped and debt-ridden, public transit systems across the nation are trimming service, raising fares and postponing badly needed upgrades just to maintain daily operations, even as rising gas prices increase demand...

Gas prices, rough economy increase challenges for aging transit

Washington Post

Corey Ball, of Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, who waited almost two hours to get into the courthouse, said he never expected such a throng on a Tuesday night.

Crowd lines up to oppose Metro bus cuts

Seattle Times

Union Plus has awarded $150,000 in scholarships to 130 students representing 43 unions, including three children of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) members, in the 2011 Union Plus Scholarship Program.

ATU Family Members Awarded Union Plus Scholarship

Instead of distractions that silence the voice of workers, we need to focus on finding ways to create more jobs, help struggling families, and get our state’s economy moving again.

The ATU is Fighting for Working Families in Michigan

The Regional Transportation Commission will have to reconsider its bus operations contract again after the Nevada attorney general ruled the commission’s approval of the controversial contract wasn’t legal.

Att'y gen. overturns RTC on contract w/ ATU-represented company

Las Vegas Sun

NEW BEDFORD — A local bus drivers union is pushing for extended night hours and Sunday bus service for the region, saying such changes would better serve its ridership.

Drivers push SRTA bus expansion

www.southcoasttoday.com

While acknowledging that the company has struggled financially over the past year, Mr. Duffy said the bankruptcy stems from a negotiating impasse with Local 1181 over who is entitled to a $5.3 million payment due to the company.

School bus firm in dispute with ATU files for bankruptcy

Crain's NY Business

Union leader Bob Kinnear issued a vitriolic press statement Monday aimed at TTC Chair Karen Stintz, claiming the free-wheeling worker was simply using his cell phone.

Urination charge against member denied by Toronto Local Pres

Toronto Sun

FOP is one of two labor groups representing GCRTA employees. The other is the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which represents 1,700 GCRTA workers, the bulk of the agency’s workforce.

GCRTA, police union agree to tie pay raises to revenue increases

Progressive Railroading

If the most recent proposed budget of the Republican legislature is passed, Metro Transit will lose $109 million over the next two years, about 85 percent of its state funding.

St. Paul residents speak out against transit cuts

Daily Planet

The president of the union representing drivers and mechanics, Garry Queale of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279, put it down to a management decision to move major bus maintenance to the big OC Transpo garage on St. Laurent Boulevard.

Fewer buses on road as OC Transpo Consolidates Maintenance

Ottawa Citizen

Greater Lynchburg Transit Co. is finalizing a new labor contract that will give its unionized employees raises totaling 5.5 percent over the next two years, according to a copy of the document released by the bus system Friday.

Bus system contract with ATU approved

WSLS10

Jul 9

Bus riders worry about safety after recent attacks

Washington Post

Worries about safety on Metro buses have risen following a spike in attacks on drivers and concerns about whether radios and cameras on their vehicles work properly.

Jul 9

MCTS denies worker's compensation to driver beaten up on the job

examiner.com

Injured Milwaukee bus driver Donald Woodson was denied worker's compensation by management at the Milwaukee County Transit System, according to Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 998, president Al Simonis.

Jul 8

RELEASE: Mica Proposal Would be Death Blow for Transit; Millions to Lose Safe Ride to Work

Massive service cuts and dangerous traveling conditions for U.S. transit riders would result from the multi-year transportation reauthorization proposal unveiled today by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla)

Jul 5

Charter bus overturns on Texas road, injuring 21

The Associated Press

A charter bus overturned on a Texas interstate Friday after the driver swerved off the road and overcorrected, spinning the bus across three lanes of traffic and injuring all 21 people on board, authorities said.

Jul 1

Solidarity with British Public Service Workers in Southampton, UK

ATU joins striking UNISON and Unite members in a demonstration in Southampton, ON

Jun 30

Bus crashes, fatalities worse than reported

USA Today

The number of fatal bus accidents such as the one that killed former college basketball hero Lorenzo Charles Monday in North Carolina is much higher than the government reports.

Jun 29

Wife of driver in fatal bus crash says he told bosses he was tired

Richmond Times Dispatch

The driver of a bus who dozed off behind the wheel, flipping his vehicle, told his bosses he was tired and didn't want to make the trip that ended May 31 with four dead and dozens of injured passengers, according to his wife.

Jun 28

U.S. Lags Behind China, Colombia in Bus Rapid Transit

NY Times

When it's done properly, bus rapid transit - known as BRT - ranks among the cheapest and quickest ways to cut CO2 emissions from transportation. But it is not often done properly - least of all in the United States, according to a new report.

Jun 21

Tired Bus Drivers Mean More Accidents

How many more lives have to be sacrificed before we get serious about reforming this country's discount bus industry?

Jun 15

New APWU Agreement Creates Thousands of New Jobs for Vets

The APWU negotiated a Collective Bargaining Agreement that will create thousands of new employment opportunities for veterans, and we need your help to ensure veterans are hired,”

Recently, as I contemplated various internal squabbles in the ATU, I received the sad news that an old friend of mine, Joe Owens, had passed away. I had come to value Joe’s friendship greatly over the years...

Remembering Joe Owens

Jun 1

ATU President Hanley Calls on Congress to Address Driver Fatigue

Current Bills Before Senate and House Ignore Driver Fatigue – Issue at the Heart of Crashes in the Discount Bus Industry.

Jun 10

Members Mobilize to Help
ATU Tornado Victims

Wednesday, April 27, Beverly Harper got up early, watched some television, had breakfast with her son, surveyed the sturdy magnolia trees in her backyard, and planned to enjoy a day off from her job as a bus driver in Jackson.

Jun 16

"Sudden Death Overtime” - A Ticking Time Bomb for Intercity Buses

Hanley Renews Call for Congress to Address Driver Fatigue in Proposed Bus Safety Legislation

Jun 13

National Group Provides ‘Model Bills’ for State Anti-Union Campaigns

The list of ALEC’s “private enterprise members” reads like a “Who’s Who” of some of the most powerful companies in America: Johnson & Johnson, PhRMA, Kraft Foods, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Coca-Cola Company, AT&T Services, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Intuit, Inc., ExxonMobil Corp., Bayer Corporation, State Farm Insurance Co., and most notably for trade unionists, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Koch Industries, Inc.

Jun 13

Fatal Bus crash highlights concerns over driver fatigue

The Republic

Larry Hanley, international president of the drivers' union, blamed the problem on deregulation of the bus industry in the early 1980s. The result, he said, has been a phenomenal growth in cut-rate bus companies, driving down ticket prices. As a result, bus companies have slashed driver pay and benefits to stay competitive.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka brought a message of solidarity to Canadian Labour Congress convention delegates meeting in Vancouver on May 11 – a message of renewed, global effort to organize and re-organize working people the world over.

AFL-CIO Pres Tells Canadian Union Members ‘We Are One’

The province of Nova Scotia is taking steps to improve transit efficiency and safety with legislation that was advocated by the Canadian Council.

Nova Scotia Requires Drivers to Yield Buses Right of Way

Bolstering public pensions will be among Jack Layton’s top priorities when he leads Canada’s strongest-ever team of New Democrats into the House of Commons this spring.

Retirement Security a Priority for CLC, New Democrats

Jun 3

Sinking Dreams of Toronto’s Privately Funded Subway

Transport Politic

» Mayor Rob Ford’s claim that he can build new subway with little public financing looks increasingly unlikely. But value capture remains one of many funding devices that should be considered seriously by transit agencies.

May 31

Police: Driver fatigue caused fatal bus crash on I-95

WTOP News

May 25

Your COPE Dollars at Work

May 19

NEWS ALERT: Watch Live Now: Hanley About to Testify Before Senate

US Senate Banking Committee

Thursday, May 19, 2011 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM- 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building: The witness on Panel I will be: The Honorable Peter Rogoff, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The witnesses on Panel II will be: Mr. William Millar, President, American Public Transportation Association (APTA); Mr. Dale Marsico, Executive Director, Community Transportation Association (CTAA); Mr. Larry Hanley, International President, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU); and Ms. Jayetta Hecker, Director of Transportation Advocacy, Bipartisan Policy Center.

May 17

President Declares This National Transportation Week

President Obama declares May 20 National Defense Transportation Day and May 15 through May 21, National Transportation Week.

AFL-CIO - News Clips - 5/10

Today's US Labor News

The latest news of concern for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

ATU News Updated on Facebook

ATU

May 9

VIDEO: ‘Privatisation is Theft’

Sydney ferry workers create successful coalition to fight privatisation of ferry service.

State budget committee recommends dissolving four regional transit authorities

Wisconsin State Journal

Mayors Rebel Against State-Controlled Highway Expansion, Fight For Transit

DC.STREETSBLOG.COM

“Path to Prosperity, Chairman Paul Ryan’s FY 2012 Budget Resolution, actually puts millions of America’s transit riders on a path to nowhere, if they can actually get there safely,” said Larry Hanley...

If They Build It, Will People Ride?

EastAtlantaPatch.com

Apr 15

Ryan Budget Will Paralyze U.S. Transit Riders, Jeopardize Safety

GO Transit takes Rail Safety Week seriously

CNW

Father’s suit against TriMet dismissed; young son was stranded at MAX station…

OregonLive.com

Ohio labor launches petition drive to repeal anti-labor bill

People's World

BART Drivers Reportedly Banned from Participating In Bring Kids To Work Day…

SF Appeal

Bus service appears back on track after minor disruptions

Recordnet.com

Metro Transit workers approve new contract

Workday Minnesota

OPS alters bus routes, times

Omaha World Herald

Manitoba puts up cash for all-electric bus

The Canadian Press

Alleged T tagger nabbed in NYC

Boston Herald

MTA “Clocks” Bus Official With Her Own E-ZPass

Mass Transit

U.S. mayors oppose gas tax without more transit investment

Metro Magazine

A Note on the Future of American Transportation

The Transport Politic

Alignment Questions for Detroit’s Rail Line, Almost Ready for Construction

The Transport Politic

Mediation Talks Save Kelowna From Transit Strike

HQKelowna.com

Kankakee: Bus drivers pen new contract

The Daily Journal

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ATU VICTIMS OF ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI TORNADOES

ATU

Updated ATU News Facebook Page

BART board to study late-night service – and how it affects early-morning riders

KALW News

Apr 28

ATU News Updated

ATU

Apr 28

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ATU TORNADO VICTIMS

ATU

We have received reports that several of our members’ homes have been severely damaged or destroyed by the tornadoes, and that they urgently need some assistance to get back on their feet.

Apr 26

ATU Dispatch

News of interest to members of the Amalgamated Transit Union

Apr 22

ATU News on Facebook

ATU

Apr 19

Florida panel OKs bill on union dues and gov’t pay

Apr 18

TARPS driver finds, returns $1,220 to rider

Toledo Blade

TriMet’s budget will be in black, with fare hikes, LIFT changes and assuming a win in union fight

The Oregonian

Detroit bus service to get back to normal today

Detroit Free Press

Officers and members of the Amalgamated Transit Union were literally at the forefront of over 10,000 people from every corner of the city and all walks of life who flooded Toronto’s downtown streets, April 9, in a massive rally to demand respect from the Toronto City Council.

ATU at the Lead of Over 10,000 Demanding Respect for Toronto Workers

Eighty-two Detroit bus drivers called in sick Wednesday to join union protests in Lansing against state budget cuts, city officials said.

Detroit bus drivers join union rally

UPI.com

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.”

Get on the Bus: Transit Union Looks to Ally with Riders

Labor Notes

Apr 13

International President Hanley Elected to AFL-CIO Executive Council

Larry Hanley, International President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), was elected to the executive council of the AFL-CIO today. Hanley, a Staten Island native and thirty-year veteran of ATU, has served as the union’s International President since last September.

Apr 13

Toronto Rally for Respect

This past Saturday was the first truly beautiful day of the season. The sun was out, the temperature was high, and up to 10,000 Torontonians decided to go for a walk from Yonge-Dundas Square to City Hall.

‘Not and Anti-Ford’ Rally Unites Thousands

Torontoist

Over 10,000 people from every corner of the city and all walks of life flooded Toronto's downtown streets today in a massive rally to demand respect from Toronto City Council. They made their way downtown by bus, car, bicycle and on foot, but when they arrived, the message was the same: "We didn't vote for cuts." The chants that rang out signaled a call to put communities, public services and good jobs ahead of narrowly defined political agendas.

Over 10,000 Flood Toronto Streets to Demand Respect From City Council

A labour rally took over Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday afternoon, with demonstrators then marching to City Hall to protest Mayor Rob Ford's cuts to social programs and services.

Protesters march from Yonge-Dundas Square to City Hall in ‘Rally for Respect’

CityTV

Several thousand people converged on Yonge-Dundas Square and marched to City Hall Saturday to rally against privatization and cuts to public services.

Thousands rally against Ford policies

Toronto Star

Apr 7

Union Leader: On Transit, First Two Years of Obama No Different from Bush

Transportation Nation

Onorato ‘storms out’ of negotiations with Port Authority, union

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

More on the T&I Stakeholders Meetings: The Advocates Edition

DC.STREETSBLOG.COM

Today's Canadian Labour News

LabourStart Canandian News Clips - 4/1

Today's news in the battle against Labor in US states

AFL-CIO State Battles Clips

AFL-CIO - News Clips - 4/1

Today's U.S. Labor News

“We are not at all surprised by the honor of earning this award,” said Michael Lowery, president and business agent for ATU Local 1395. “As we’ve said all along we have the safest, best and most professional transit workers right here in Pensacola.”

Copy of ECAT safety award confirms importance of trained, professional transit workers

Pensacola News Journal