November-December 2007
A Banner Year for Organizing
2007 was a banner year for the Amalgamated Transit Union – and organizing proved to be no exception. In its first year of operation the ATU Organizing Department made significant gains.
Many local unions participated in the new organizing drive. While some of the participating locals have organized for years, for others, the foray into member organizing was a first.
Working with the International, these locals collectively brought over 1,000 new members into the ATU from across North America. Over 100 rank and file member-organizers and officers took union leave to staff campaigns in their regions during the year.
Even though this first year yielded great success, ATU still has a long road ahead. International President George stated at the 55th Convention that we must continue to emphasize organizing — and organizing at a larger scale.
Non-Union Competition
Local President Patricia Carfagna, 1729-Pittsburgh, PA, understands the challenges of organizing all too well. Her school bus and paratransit local must always worry about competition from non-union properties.
In order to stem the tide of losing routes or work to these operations, Local 1729 began aggressively organizing non-union companies in its area. As a result, the local welcomed numerous new members this year.
Carfagna issued a challenge of her own, urging all ATU school bus locals to adopt a plan to organize at least two unorganized properties per year.
Pat admits, "It is a lot of work, but it needs to be done. We can notchange the school bus industry when we only represent a handful of operations across the country." She predicts, however, "We can organize 1,000 school bus drivers and monitors if we all work together andcommit the necessary people from our locals."
The Key is Identifying Leaders
After helping Local
1005-Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, win an organizing campaign for nearly 50 Rochester drivers, Local President Dale Anderson, 519-La Crosse, WI, has been involved in a campaign a little closerto home.
"As a small local, I always thought we could never spend any time organizing. But, I was wrong. The key is identifying and developingleaders from the worksite," Anderson explained.
Dale mentioned that the hardest challenge is overcoming employees’ fear. "Workers have to see their co-workers – especially the most respected ones – stand together. Then everyone feels the unity and the strength of theUnion. This is what overcomes fear and leads to victory," he asserted.
A Top Priority
Local President Stan Dera,
1573-Brampton, ON, says his local is committed to organizing. Due to the growth in transit in his area,Stan’s local has increased in size year after year. Nevertheless, organizing will be a top priority for the local. "We will start aggressively targetingand organizing other properties in my region," he said.
‘If You Don’t, Another Union Will!’
The Canadian Council has pledged to support all organizing by Canadian locals. After hosting an organizing strategy session for several locals in the Greater Toronto Region, Canadian Director Robin West urged local officers to go out and start organizing the unorganized, warning, "If we don’t, another union will!"
Organizing school bus, paratransit and traditional public transit services, ATU will continue to grow into the future. Contact the International Organizing Department if your local has plans to organize.
