Amalgamated Transit Union
Encyclopedia
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is a labor union
in the United States
and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council (ATUCC) in Canada
, representing workers in the transit system and other industries. The ATU was founded as the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees in 1892; today, the ATU is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada, with over 190,000 members in 270 local unions spread across 46 states and nine provinces. The ATU consists of bus, van, subway, and light rail operators, clerks, baggage handler
s and maintenance employees in urban transit, over-the-road and school bus industries, as well as emergency medical service personnel, ambulance operators, clerical personnel, and municipal workers. The ATU can be found in most major cities of the United States and Canada.
The office of the International President is currently held by Larry Hanley, who took office in October, 2010. The International Executive Vice President is Bob Baker, and the International Secretary-Treasurer is Oscar Owens.
system. The Department of Training & Field Mobilization works with ATU locals to foster member participation in the union, and build community-based campaigns for transit. In turn, these community-based campaigns will nurture coalitions and build grassroots
support for increased flexibility in federal and state transit funding, reducing fares and improving access to transit.
In November 2010, the ATU, the Transportation Equity Network
(TEN), the Transport Workers Union
(TWU), other labor unions, and transit advocates convened a "boot camp" in Chicago, IL. Activists from varying backgrounds discussed the issues facing both union members and transit riders, and identified opportunities to work together in the future to address the nation's transit crisis. The ATU and Good Jobs First convened a second boot camp for transit advocates in Silver Spring, MD in March 2011.
In 2008, the ATU endorsed Hillary Clinton in her bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination; after she conceded defeat, the ATU endorsed Barack Obama
in his successful bid for President.
A similar union affiliate with AFL-CIO
is the Transport Workers Union of America
, which represents transit workers at the New York City Transit Authority
and SEPTA in Philadelphia, among others.
2010 album, Harlem River Blues. The lyrics read:
"Yeah, them hard times are going around, hard times are goin' around, hard times are goin' around, bringin' hard luck on New York town. But I'm bankin' on the ATU, bankin' on the ATU, I'm bankin' on the ATU, Brother George is gonna see me through."
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council (ATUCC) in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, representing workers in the transit system and other industries. The ATU was founded as the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees in 1892; today, the ATU is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada, with over 190,000 members in 270 local unions spread across 46 states and nine provinces. The ATU consists of bus, van, subway, and light rail operators, clerks, baggage handler
Baggage handler
In the airline industry, a baggage handler is a person who loads and unloads baggage , and other cargo for transport via aircraft...
s and maintenance employees in urban transit, over-the-road and school bus industries, as well as emergency medical service personnel, ambulance operators, clerical personnel, and municipal workers. The ATU can be found in most major cities of the United States and Canada.
Structure
The Union is guided by a triennial convention at which delegates chosen by locals meet to debate and direct the future of the Union. The International officers consist of the International President, the International Executive Vice President, the International Secretary-Treasurer, and 18 International Vice Presidents. The International Vice Presidents serve on the Union's General Executive Board.The office of the International President is currently held by Larry Hanley, who took office in October, 2010. The International Executive Vice President is Bob Baker, and the International Secretary-Treasurer is Oscar Owens.
Canadian Council
Established in 1982, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Canadian Council is the highest authority and voice in Canada for the ATU on all issues of Canadian interest, including legislation, political, educational, health and safety, cultural and social welfare matters.Activities
In addition to membership service, the ATU engages in politics, promoting such causes as increased transit funding, energy independence, and the maintenance of a publicly-funded Social SecuritySocial Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
system. The Department of Training & Field Mobilization works with ATU locals to foster member participation in the union, and build community-based campaigns for transit. In turn, these community-based campaigns will nurture coalitions and build grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
support for increased flexibility in federal and state transit funding, reducing fares and improving access to transit.
In November 2010, the ATU, the Transportation Equity Network
Transportation Equity Network
The Transportation Equity Network is a project of the Gamaliel Foundation and a grassroots organization with more than 350 community organizations in 41 states in the United States...
(TEN), the Transport Workers Union
Transport Workers Union
Transport Workers Union may refer to:* The Transport Workers Union of America* The Transport Workers Union of Australia* The Swedish Transport Workers' Union...
(TWU), other labor unions, and transit advocates convened a "boot camp" in Chicago, IL. Activists from varying backgrounds discussed the issues facing both union members and transit riders, and identified opportunities to work together in the future to address the nation's transit crisis. The ATU and Good Jobs First convened a second boot camp for transit advocates in Silver Spring, MD in March 2011.
In 2008, the ATU endorsed Hillary Clinton in her bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination; after she conceded defeat, the ATU endorsed Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in his successful bid for President.
A similar union affiliate with AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
is the Transport Workers Union of America
Transport Workers Union of America
Transport Workers Union of America is a United States labor union that was founded in 1934 by subway workers in New York City, then expanded to represent transit employees in other cities, primarily in the eastern U.S. This article discusses the parent union and its largest local, Local 100,...
, which represents transit workers at the New York City Transit Authority
New York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
and SEPTA in Philadelphia, among others.
In popular culture
The ATU and President Emeritus Warren George are mentioned in the song "Workin' for the MTA" on Justin Townes Earle'sJustin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle , son of Steve Earle, stepson of Allison Moorer, and named for songwriter Townes Van Zandt is an AMA winning, Americana musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. Earle is signed to Bloodshot Records and has four released albums from 2007–2010...
2010 album, Harlem River Blues. The lyrics read:
"Yeah, them hard times are going around, hard times are goin' around, hard times are goin' around, bringin' hard luck on New York town. But I'm bankin' on the ATU, bankin' on the ATU, I'm bankin' on the ATU, Brother George is gonna see me through."
See also
- 2006 Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike
- St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900The St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900 was a labor action, and resulting civil disruption, against the St. Louis Transit Company by a group of three thousand workers unionized by the Amalgamated Street Railway Employees of America....
- Indianapolis Street Car Strike of 1913Indianapolis Street Car Strike of 1913The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike of 1913 and the subsequent Indianapolis Police Mutiny and 1913 Indianapolis Riots was a breakdown in public order in Indianapolis, Indiana. They began as a workers strike by the union employees of the Indianapolis Traction and Terminal Company and their allies on...
External links
- Amalgamated Transit Union
- ATU Canada
- "The Great Greyhound Strikes" (Mineta Transportation Institute College of Business commentary and analysis)