MESSAGE TO ATU757 MEMBERS

Written by Henry Beasley

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I think it’s time that we come together and build true solidarity in this union.  In the face of almost insurmountable odds, we face a true up-hill battle on many different fronts. 

First one is from the board of Directors that oversee the company, as time and again they’ve ignored the most basic concepts of the transit experience.  The thought of getting them to change their minds on anything is a pipe dream; the problem is they are not beholden to the general public they are beholden to the pleasure of the Governor, who will turn a blind eye, as long as the company continues to hire middle class jobs.  Hopefully in time this will change, but until such time they “will” continue to grandstand and laugh at any attempt to change their status quo. 

The second but not the “least” is the Company, who has stolen from the union for more years than “we” care to call them on (or refuse to).  They have stripped our rights, pensions, dignity, health and money; in an attempt to make us pay for their projects and overspending.
  Of course this has to stop, but do “we” have the backbone to stand up and say “HELL NO?” Time will tell, if “we” have a strategy going forward or are “we” going to allow them to continue dominating “us” on every level.  So far, they have gotten “everything” they have wanted since 2009.

The third one and the most troubling is our own Union.  This union body has imploded in every way since 2009; our idea of union culture is anything but unionized.  “Our” union culture was eroding long before I arrived, with delusions of grandeur and fake solidarity; which was quickly exposed with the expiration of the contract.  “Our” union culture resembles nothing like a union, but a corporation.  Corporations are run from the “top down” Unions are run from the “bottom up.”  Corporations make decisions based on self-interests, while union make decisions based on ratification (To approve and give formal sanction to; confirm.), from its members; just ask your selves, “which” describes our union culture?

One of the most disturbing things that lead me down this point of contention is the “lack” of solidarity building from our local.  Let me preface it by saying that new members should not be told that they have no representation, this is blatantly false!  A new Brother or Sister does have representation, for all but in the management office until they are past probation (this is how it works on the bus operator side).  If they need assistance in writing reports or helpful hints and things to watch out for on the road, that’s what our Shop Stewards and Executive board members are for; so they are not alone in their new experience with the union.  No new Brother or Sister should feel that all they are getting from the union is BROKE; if they are paying one penny into our local, and then they are full members and should be treated that way.  In asking new members I often get the same response “I am all alone,” of which I reply, “No you are not.”  As a union culture “we” should try to win their respect and confidence instead of thinking that the position we hold denotes respect; it doesn’t.  I think that “we” should spend less time talking about a “fake” war and talk more about how “our” union culture embraces all members in good faith and solidarity.

The reason for this e-mail is because the above happened to me, and I felt the same way about the union at the time, pissed off that I had to pay money to a union, yet there was no representation for me.  It took me about 4 years to get involved with the union and if it weren’t for a certain situation I would not be involved now.  Another Brother reminded me that this situation is getting out of hand.  We need to embrace “all” members whether they are here for 1 day or 40 years with respect and dignity that Unions can provide.