ATU Celebrates Pride Month
On June 28, 1969, the first major protest for LGBTQIA+ rights was born. After a police raid of a popular gay club in New York City called the Stonewall Inn turned violent after members of the LGBTQIA+ community and sympathizers fought back. Although we have come such a long way, even today, LGBTQIA+ people are still under constant attack, especially trans people and people of color.
LGBTQ+ Rank and File Heroes
This Pride Month in June, the ATU was honored to recognize our own LGBTQ+ rank and file members who have made a difference in their Locals, our Union, and their communities. By being proudly themselves, they are showing that no matter who you are, you’re deserving of dignity and respect. Thank you for contributing to a more just world.
Sandi Mansfield - Local 846-St. Catharines, ON
Local 846-St. Catharines, ON, member Sandi Mansfield identifies as Two-Spirited, a term used within some Indigenous communities, encompassing cultural, spiritual, sexual, and gender identity. Mansfield, who identifies as they/them, joined Local 1602-St. Catharines, ON, as a School Bus Driver, and then Local 1582-Niagara Falls, ON, as a Transit Operator. The 3 ATU Locals in the Niagara Region were recently merged into Local 846. A tireless Executive Board Member for Local 846, they have attended the ATU Canada Diversity and Inclusion Committee meetings. Mansfield played a critical role in having the Local sponsor a Two-Spirited panel at Brock University and serves as a member of the Local’s Audit Committee. They are active in the labor community, joining picket lines and other actions in solidarity with other unions. With a trade union and community mental health background, during COVID Mansfield led a live prayer feed for fellow members and others in the labor movement. We applaud Mansfield for their work to promote tolerance, social equality, and acceptance of all people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation in the Local, our Union, and the community.
Mike Mackay — Local 587-Seattle, WA
Mike Mackay (he/him) is an out and proud gay cisgender man, and an 18-year member of Local 587-Seattle, WA, working as a Bus Operator for King County Metro. Brother Mackay serves as a shop steward and was elected as a Local 587 Executive Board member. He was also appointed to the Labor Management Resolution Committee. At King County Metro, Brother Mackay is the Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Committee Vice President and At-Large Learning Coordinator. He is the Co-chair of the transit agency’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Regular Group and a longtime leader and advocate at Lambert House, the oldest LGBTQIA+ youth center in the world. Brother Mackay was recently unanimously elected as the founding President of the newly established LGBTQIA+ ATU International PRIDE Caucus. We applaud Brother Mackay for his commitment and dedication to fighting for inclusion and diversity for our members, his Local and our Union.
Ozzie Andrews - Local 689-Washington, DC
A Local 689-Washington, DC, Member since June 2000, Ozzie Andrews works as a Station Manager for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Andrews serves on the Local’s Executive Board and as a Shop Steward for Station Managers to ensure his fellow Station Managers have a strong voice in the workplace. A proud member of the ATU International PRIDE Caucus and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, Andrews believes the Caucus will open doors that are often closed to his fellow members in the LGBTQIA+ community. “I stand with countless others to welcome new members and to celebrate us and our freedom to love who we love and to love ourselves for being part of the movement,” said Andrews. We applaud Andrews for his commitment and dedication to his Local, his community, and our Union.