Digital Age: Empowering Workers Through Inclusion - The ATU Black Caucus 59th Annual Conference Comes to New Jersey
With the theme “Digital Age: Empowering Workers Through Inclusion,” the ATU Black Caucus 59th Annual Conference came to Jersey City with more than 300 members, a packed agenda, and a clear message that the future of transit work is being decided right now, and Black workers will help shape it.
The theme set the tone for two days of workshops, general sessions, and real talk about what automation, AI, and the erosion of DEI mean for the workers who have the most to lose when conversations happen without them.
A Homecoming with Purpose
For International President John Costa, the setting was personal. A Newark boy who started his labor career at NJ Transit as a proud member of Local 819, Costa was back on his home turf, and he didn’t waste the moment.
“They Don’t Know This Room Very Well”
Addressing the full general session on the conference’s opening day, Costa called out the forces fighting against workers.
“The attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are real. The rise of automation is real. And the ATU Black Caucus isn’t pretending otherwise. There are people in positions of power who want those words to disappear,” said Costa. “They think that if they gut the programs, erase the language, and roll back the wins, we’ll just go quietly. They don’t know this room very well.”
AI, Automation, and Who Gets Left Behind
The opening session focused on two of the most urgent issues facing transit workers today: the rise of AI and automation in the industry and workforce development resources to help our members build power on the job. Costa was direct about who bears the greatest risk when decisions about workers’ lives go wrong.
“These decisions about automation and AI aren’t coming someday. They’re being made right now in boardrooms and city halls, sometimes without our members in the room. And who gets hurt first when those decisions go wrong? Black workers. That isn’t a coincidence. That’s a pattern,” Costa told attendees.
Getting Down to Business
The conference moved into its final day with the full International leadership team in the room and a general session that covered real ground: financial reports, and regional rep updates from the Caucus Executive Board. International Secretary Treasurer Ken Kirk addressed members on our Locals’ financial responsibility, while IVP Amanda Sawyer-Turner led a session on what members should expect from their International Vice Presidents. Both reflected what the Black Caucus consistently delivers: connecting the big picture to the on-the-ground work happening in communities across North America.
The Fearless Dancers Empire brought energy to the room ahead of the afternoon’s honorary awards and the closing All-Black Dinner, where we built solidarity across the Hudson and the Manhattan skyline.
The Work Isn’t Done
Costa brought the conference to a close with gratitude and a challenge. “Thank you for coming to my home state of New Jersey,” said Costa. “The International is here to assist you. I’m so proud of all the IVPs in the room who work hard to serve our Locals every single day. The 59th Annual Conference may be done, but the work isn’t. Black workers built this movement. You’ll help build what comes next.”
Thank you Black Caucus President Karima Howard and the full executive board, along with New Jersey State Council Chairman Orlando Riley who hosted the powerful conference, and the International’s leadership team, including International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo, International Secretary Treasurer Ken Kirk, and Int. Vice Presidents Gary Johnson, Natalie Cruz, Anthony Garland, Ray Greaves, Amanda Sawyer-Turner, Mark Henry, Kenneth Day, and ATU Canada President John Di Nino for attending.
