ATU Celebrates Women's History Month

Local 1577-West Palm Beach, FL, Sister Tonisha Reynolds has beena trailblazer in public transit, having been a member of two of ourATU Locals. In 2005, she began her career in public transportationas an Avis Car Rental Bus Operator in Chicago, IL. Then, in 2012, Reynolds moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she joined our Local 1005-Minneapolis, MN, as a Bus Operator for Metro Transit. Aftertwo years, Reynolds decided that she wanted to work in maintenance,a career where not many women worked.  She started out as aCleaner and then, in 2017, enrolled in the Local’s mechanic apprenticeshipprogram and became a Mechanic. In 2020, Metro Transit honoredher as a Woman in Transit. Reynolds’ next move was to Floridain June 2023, joining our Local 1577 as a Mechanic Trainee atPalm Tran. She was quickly promoted to Mechanic and thefirst African American female Mechanic in the agency’s history.Reynolds has strived to be a role model for her fellow female members, her son, and her 3 grandchildren. “The majority of transit mechanics are overwhelmingly men. I want to set an example toall women that they can also pursue a successful career in transit maintenance.” We applaud Sister Reynolds for her determinationand commitment as a proud ATU woman!

A former Mail Carrier and member of APWU, Sister Raenelle Cole decided to take a job as a MTA Mobility Operator in Baltimore, MD, joining our Local 1764-Washington, DC, because her mail job was taking a toll on her physically.  A natural born leader, Sister Cole decided to become a Shop Steward to get more involved in her Local and fight for the rights of her fellow members on the job. “At this type of job, we need to be protected and the pay rate was low, so I wanted to make sure the concerns of my ATU brothers and sisters are being heard and they have a strong voice in the workplace.”  Sister Cole has been a key player in the Local’s campaigns to mobilize her fellow members to attend Local union meetings, participate in contract campaign surveys, and other important Local actions. We thank Sister Cole for her dedication and commitment to her Local and our Union.

Sister Shirley Block joined TriMet as a nurse in 1978 after moving from Detroit, MI. When those nurse positions were eliminated at TriMetin 1981, Sister Block applied to become a Bus Operator as a member of our Local 757-Portland, OR. She immediately broke barriersin her career at TriMet as the first Black female fare inspector,road supervisor, and Field Operations Coordinator. Wantingto get more involved in her Local, Sister Block servedseveral terms as a member of the Local’s Executive Board.Then frustrated by the Local’s 2014 contract settlementwith TriMet, Sister Block decided to run for President/Business Agent and was elected as the first Blackwoman to the Local’s top position. Throughout hercareer, Sister Block has fought for the rights of ourmembers. Her daughter works at TriMet, as did herhusband, who is now retired. Sister Block recently announcedher retirement, and we will miss her leadership. We saluteSister Block as a trailblazing woman over her long andstoried career at her Local and our Union.

Local 508-Halifax, Nova Scotia Sister Jeannie Garbett has proven a woman’s place is in her union. She was one of the first women hired at Halifax Transit in the late 1980’s. She would often say her life changed forever when she got herself a union job. In the late 1990’s, Garbett decided to run for Local Shop Steward out of the maintenance department, but she lost. Instead ofwalking away, she jumped in with both feet, helping her Local in any way possible. In 2000, she was elected Shop Steward out of the Maintenance/ Receiver’s Office division, breaking one of many glass ceilings over herlong and dedicated ATU career. In 2005, she was appointed the Local’sFinancial Secretary-Treasurer, becoming the first female to hold a tableofficer position at Local 508. In 2009, she ran unchallenged and waselected Financial Secretary at the then Canadian Council, now ATUCanada. She was the first female in the ATU to achieve a NationalExecutive Board position. She was the first Canadian awarded theOscar Owens Financial Secretary Award at the 2013 ATU International Convention.  Sister Garbett recently announced she is retiring after morethan 35 years at Halifax Transit. Thank you, Sister Garbett, for your dedication and commitment to not only your Local 508 but the entire Labour movement.

Sister Karima Howard has been a member of our Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, for 23 years. Born in Aliquippa, PA, she is a union steel mill baby and her career exemplifies her love for organized labor. She has held the position of Bus Operator, Service Development Associate, and most recently became an instructor for CDL training. Sister Howard serves as the Local’s Recording Secretary, and is the Vice President of the ATU International Black Caucus. In addition, she is currently serving as the Recording Secretary of the Allegheny County Labor Council, and has been Local 85’s United Way coordinator for multiple campaigns. From fighting to pass the American Jobs Act, to supporting the Black Lives Matter/Black Workers Matter movement, to working on the ground to get labor friendly politicians elected, and always fighting for women's equality in the workplace, Sister Howard isn't shy about her pride for the ATU. Sister Howard’s dedication and commitment to the labor movement has spearheaded a more unified and diverse Local 85 and more women getting involved in the Local. Sister Howard exudes leadership, and our Union and the labor movement is fortunate to have a woman like her on our side!