Voting Is How Working People Are Heard
Some 30+ years ago, when I started my career in transit, I had the pleasure of meeting Keith Sanborn. He was a senior bus operator always there to guide and mentor new operators. My grandfather was the first one to tell me how important it was to have a good Union job, but Keith was the one who told me how important it was to get active in the Union. He had served as Vice President of my home Local 1001-Denver, CO, and encouraged me to get involved. Once I did, he was there once again to guide and mentor me.
It was early June 2026 when I received a text from him telling me he had been diagnosed with cancer and was in hospice. He shared how proud he and his wife, Linda, are to be 50-year ATU members, and how proud he was to have negotiated the pension plan that enabled them both to retire.
You Can’t Stand on the Sidelines
Keith also wanted me to know that he was proud to see me where I’m at today. His guidance and mentorship instilled confidence in me not only in my career but also in my life. Most importantly, he taught me to make a difference you can’t stand on the sidelines.
The upcoming midterm election in the U.S. and municipal elections in many of Canada’s provinces are an opportunity for our members to make a difference in the future of our jobs and the public transportation systems we keep moving every day.
We understand better than most that public transportation is essential. But reliable transit requires sustained public investment, strong safety standards, and a workforce that is treated with dignity and respect. The decisions made by elected officials have a major impact on all of this. This is why elections matter.
Congress, Parliament, and state and municipal legislatures make decisions about funding, infrastructure, workplace protections, wages, pensions, safety, collective bargaining, and the future of public services.
Voting gives working people a voice in those decisions.
The Value of Solidarity
Elections should also be viewed as an opportunity to stand together. We know the value of solidarity. Every day, our members work together to keep our transit systems functioning. The same principle applies at the ballot box: when working people participate, our collective voice becomes harder to ignore.
The U.S. midterm elections and Canada’s municipal elections are also a reminder that democracy requires participation between presidential elections. Members of Congress and Parliament, state legislators, governors, premiers, county officials, mayors, and other local leaders make decisions that directly impact our workplaces and communities. Waiting until Election Day to pay attention is not enough.
In memory of our ATU Brother and my friend and mentor Keith Sanborn, please get involved in your Union and have plan to participate. Know the issues. Know the candidates. Know your voting options. And most importantly, make your voice count.
Our labor moves North America, and our vote can help shape its future.