CAN-AM Conference Transcends Geographical Boundaries
In Montreal, QC, more than 250 Local leaders from across North America gathered for the 2024 ATU CAN-AM Conference to come together to discuss our shared purpose and the strategies to strengthen our Union and industries across North America.
Critical Elections
After a warm welcome from host Local 1557-Gatineau, QC, President/Business Agent Olivier Lachance, International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo joined ATU CAN-AM President Danny Casella, Local 726-Staten Island, NY, to kick off the Conference, thanking our Local officers for their leadership and the important work they do in advocating for our members, Union, and riders. She talked about our endorsement of Kamala Harris in the critical election in the U.S., our recent successful strikes, contract wins for our Locals, our industry-changing Bus of the Future project, and the other work of our Union.
“In a world increasingly divided by borders and barriers, the CAN-AM and our Union stand as powerful testaments to the strength and solidarity that transcends geographical boundaries,” said Trujillo. “From the lively streets of New York City to the vibrant communities of Toronto and Gatineau in Quebec, we’re all working towards the same goal: ensuring our transit systems are efficient, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the people.”
Bus of the Future
On the first day a presentation was made by ATU Health and Safety Director Andrew Falotico on the ATU Bus Design Innovation Program/Bus of the Future project that will transform the design of the bus driver workstation to better protect our members on the job. A highlight was a tour of three Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) buses on-site of three driver workstation concepts that were retrofitted by our Local 113-Toronto, ON, and the TTC.
Throughout the conference, the attendees heard engaging presentations from ATU International staff and other labor experts on the perils of Microtransit, Organizing and Contract Fights, ATU’s innovative workforce development programs, and other topics
Also in attendance and addressing the conference were International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk, along with International Vice Presidents Manny Sforza, Curtis Howard, Natalie Cruz, Anthony Garland, Ray Greaves, Steve MacDougall, Ken Wilson, Amanda Sawyer-Turner, Mark Henry, Jacques Chapman, and ATU Canada President John Di Nino.