ATU Celebrates Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

A proud Latina, Sister Natalie Cruz joined the ATU in 2003 as a Coach Operator for Greyhound Bus Lines becoming a member of Local 1700. A natural born leader, Sister Cruz wanted to advocate for her fellow members and became a Shop Steward for her Local. She also served as an Organizer for her Local to use herskills to build our over-the-road membership. In January 2012, Sister Cruz was tapped by the late International President Larry Hanley to join the Internationalas an Organizer.  She was then appointed as an International Representativeby Hanley on July 1, 2018. In that capacity, she worked on a wide variety ofLocal campaigns and organizing drives as well as community and political activities. Recognizing her leadership skills, Sister Cruz was appointedby Hanley and approved by the Board as an International VicePresident on November 1, 2018. Sister Cruz has been re-electedas an IVP at each convention since her appointment. We saluteSister Cruz for her compassion, strength, and unwaveringsense of purpose for our Union.

Brother Joey Acevedo began his career in 2006 at MV Transportation, in Palm Beach County, FL, where he played a key role in a successful organizing drive, joining ATU Local 1577-West Palm Beach, FL. In 2007, he took a job at Palm Tran as a Utility worker and was quickly appointed as a LocalShop Steward. Two years later, he became a Palm Tran Bus Operator and continued advocating for fellow workers. Wanting to get more involved in his Local, Brother Acevedo was elected to the Executive Board in 2016. His passion and commitment for the ATU grew as he took an activerole in the ATU Latino Caucus, the ATU Black Caucus, and the ATU CAN-AM. In 2019, BrotherAcevedo was elected Vice President of his Local and was instrumental in organizing drives with companies such as MV in Port St. Lucie and MTM in Stuart, FL. He also served as Vice Chairof the Palm Tran Service Board and Planning Subcommittee. Recognizing his leadership skillsin 2022, Local 1577 members elected him President and then took on the role ofBusiness Agent. In that position, Brother Acevedo has continued to expandthe Local’s organizing efforts, growing the membership from 450 to700. He also serves as Vice Chair of the ATU Florida LegislativeConference Board and Second Chair of the Multi-Employer JointIndustry Council. A proud Latino, we applaud Brother Acevedofor his dedication to fighting for our members, the labormovement, and working families.

A proud member of Local 1555-Oakland, CA, for over 20 years, Sister Rachel Miranda began her career at BART in the police department as a Community Service Officer (CSO). Looking for a new opportunity, she became a Train Operator in 2004, joining Local 1555. Sister Miranda then moved up to be a Foreworker at BART in 2006. As a strong Latina, she wanted to give Latinosat her Local a stronger voice and established the Local 1555 Latino Caucus Chapter in 2012. Sister Miranda also became involved in the ATUInternational Latino Caucus, serving as the West Region Representative.Her fellow Local 1555 members recognized her leadership skills andelected her Recording Secretary in 2017. Then, in 2022, SisterMiranda rose through the ranks of the ATU International LatinoCaucus to be elected Financial Secretary. Thank you, SisterMiranda, for your passion and dedication to our Union andfor advocating on behalf of our Latino members.

Brother Patricio Garcia has been a proud member of ATU Local 508-Halifax, NS, since 2007. He began his career in transit as a Bus Operator for Halifax Transit. A Latino trailblazer at his Local, Brother Garcia was appointed as the Local’s first-ever Latino Shop Steward to advocate for his fellow members. His passion and commitmentto the ATU grew leading him to serve 5 terms as an Executive Board Shop Steward. With his strong leadership skills, Brother Garcia was elected by the membership as Local President/Business Agent in June of 2024. In that role, he has worked tirelessly with strengthand determination to represent the members of Local 508.We salute Brother Garcia for his more than 15 of service to his Local and our Union.

A native of Medellin, Colombia, Brother Luis Alzate immigrated to Queens in New York City where he was raised by a hardworking and loving single mother. After attending LaGuardia Community College, Brother Alzate was hired in 1995 by the New York City Transit Authority as a Bus Operator joining ATU Local 1056. Recognizing the importance of a union in the workplace, he became active in the Local’s bargaining unit early inhis career. Four years later, Brother Alzate became a Local Executive Board member.In 2002, he was then elected as Financial Secretary-Treasurer and Trustee to theBenefit Fund. At the time, the Local was facing financial challenges, but he saw thisas an opportunity to develop the future and dreams of the Local. During his four termsin that position, Brother Alzate was instrumental in helping the Local fulfill one of its long-term visions of purchasing its own building. Since 2010 he has also served as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the ATU New York State Legislative Conference Board. Brother Alzate continued to climb the Local’s leadership ladder and was elected asVice President in 2012. Then in 2023, the membership elected Brother Alzate as President/Business Agent to lead the Local. He also was appointed as interim President of the ATU International Latino Caucus in September 2024 when President Ismael Rivera stepped down. Caucus members elected him as President in August 2025 to leadthe fight for the rights of Latinos and all members in our Union. We salute BrotherAlzate for his commitment, passion, and service to his Local and the ATU.

A native of Medellin, Colombia, Brother Luis Alzate immigrated to Queens in New York City where he was raised by a hardworking and loving single mother. After attending LaGuardia Community College, Brother Alzate was hired in 1995 by the New York City Transit Authority as a Bus Operator joining ATU Local 1056. Recognizing the importance of a union in the workplace, he became active in the Local’s bargaining unit early inhis career. Four years later, Brother Alzate became a Local Executive Board member.In 2002, he was then elected as Financial Secretary-Treasurer and Trustee to theBenefit Fund. At the time, the Local was facing financial challenges, but he saw thisas an opportunity to develop the future and dreams of the Local. During his four termsin that position, Brother Alzate was instrumental in helping the Local fulfill one of its long-term visions of purchasing its own building. Since 2010 he has also served as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the ATU New York State Legislative Conference Board. Brother Alzate continued to climb the Local’s leadership ladder and was elected asVice President in 2012. Then in 2023, the membership elected Brother Alzate as President/Business Agent to lead the Local. He also was appointed as interim President of the ATU International Latino Caucus in September 2024 when President Ismael Rivera stepped down. Caucus members elected him as President in August 2025 to leadthe fight for the rights of Latinos and all members in our Union. We salute BrotherAlzate for his commitment, passion, and service to his Local and the ATU.