From Coast to Coast: ATU Conference Boards Prepare for the Fights Ahead
From statehouses hostile to labor, to emerging threats from automation, to the day-to-day fight for safety and dignity on the job, transit workers across North America are confronting enormous challenges. But at a series of ATU Conference Board meetings so far this year, one message rang out again and again: the ATU is ready for the fights ahead.
Florida - Fighting Back in the Eye of the Storm
In Tampa, the Florida State Conference Board met in a political climate that has become increasingly hostile to working people. Yet the gathering was marked by determination, not discouragement.
“Florida’s ATU Locals are proving every day that when we organize, mobilize, and stand together, even against the odds, we can beat back anti-union attacks like SB 256,” said International President John Costa. He emphasized that the fight in Florida is not just about defense, but about building lasting power.
Costa highlighted how Florida Locals are protecting members’ safety, engaging in the political process, and confronting the rapid introduction of new technology. “We have to make sure technology works for workers, not against them,” Costa said. “That means strong unions, informed members, and leaders who aren’t afraid to take on powerful interests.”
Joined by supportive state lawmakers, Costa pointed to growth as a central strategy. “By growing our Union and developing the next generation of skilled transit professionals, we’re building a stronger future for public transit and the communities we serve.”
In a state where labor faces steep odds, the conference board meeting reaffirmed that when Florida Locals stand united, our collective voice is strong enough to shape policy, defend workers’ rights, and win real gains.
New England - Real Power Comes from the Members
In Mystic, Connecticut, the New England Joint Conference (NEJC) brought together Locals from across the region for two days of honest conversations and shared learning.
“From big cities to small towns, from bus garages to rail yards, New England has always been built by working people,” Costa said. “When we come together like this, we’re building power. No corporation, no politician, and no anti-worker agenda can stop us when we stand united.”
Costa provided a detailed update on International efforts across New England, while members engaged in training on pressing issues like artificial intelligence and workplace safety. This training gave attendees practical tools to help Locals protect jobs and lives in an industry undergoing rapid change.
Day Two of the conference placed members front and center. Local leaders delivered reports on contract fights, safety challenges, organizing drives, and hard-won victories. Costa underscored why these exchanges matter.
“This is where real union strength comes from,” he said. “Not from a boardroom, not from a headline, but from working people speaking up, standing together, and refusing to settle for less.”
He added that hearing directly from members is how our Union sharpens its strategy. “Learning from each other and standing in solidarity is how we build power across this region,” Costa said, praising Locals for their commitment.
Northwest - Solidarity Without Borders
In Phoenix, the ATU Northwest Conference Board brought together members from across the United States and Canada, offering a powerful demonstration of cross-border unity.
“Solidarity is what makes us strong,” Costa told attendees. “When we stand together across Locals, regions, and borders, we win.”
Costa reminded members that progress requires more than rhetoric. “Real change doesn’t happen just by talking about it. It takes organizing, showing up, and following through,” he said, pointing to the ATU’s more than a century-long history of collective action.
Day Two focused on deepening connections and preparing members to return home ready to fight. Costa struck a candid tone about the moment labor is facing.
“The world is a wild place right now,” he said. “Nobody is coming to save us, except us.” He urged members to keep sharing stories, learning from one another, and staying united, because every conversation strengthens our Union’s ability to win.
One Union, Ready for What’s Next
Across all three conferences, Costa returned to the same clear message that unity is not symbolic. It’s strategic. Whether facing anti-union legislation, technological threats, or everyday workplace struggles, ATU members are strongest when we move together.
From coast to coast, these Conference Boards showed that the ATU is preparing not just for the next fight, but for a future grounded in solidarity, powered by our members, and unafraid of the challenges ahead.