ATU Celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Richard Lee — Boston Carmen’s Local 589
Longtime Boston Carmen’s Local 589 member Richard Lee has been a constant force for his Local at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). A Bus Operator since 1987, Richard’s experience has made him a steady and knowledgeable advocate as a Cabot Barn Captain. Representing his Local and his members, he has served as a Local 589 delegate at numerous ATU International Conventions. From helping new bus operators understand the job to getting members to attend Local Union meetings to recruiting members to participate in rallies and other actions, Richard has always focused on what truly matters to the membership. We salute Richard for his compassion, strength, and dedication for his Local and our Union.
Maxwell Lall — Local 1576-Lynwood, WA
Maxwell Lall has been a member of Local 1576-Lynwood, WA, since becoming a Coach Operator at Community Transit in 2002. He has worn many hats at his Local as a Shop Steward, contract negotiations team member, organizing committee member, and two-term Executive Board Member. Over his many years of service, his knowledge, activism, and can-do attitude have earned the respect of his fellow ATU members. When not working, Maxwell is also involved in the Indian community, serving as a judge for Bhangra competitions, a high-energy folk dance of the Punjab area of India that he danced in college. We salute Maxwell for making a difference in the lives of our members.
Raj Brar — Local 569-Edmonton, AB
A native of the Punjab region of India, Raj Brar moved to Canada when he was 9 years old. He joined Local 569-Edmonton, AB, as a Transit Operator for Edmonton Transit Service in 2010. Early in his career, his oldest daughter was sick and ended up in the hospital. Raj needed to take off work to be with her, but his supervisor said he could lose his job. Raj contacted his Shop Steward who got him emergency leave to care for his daughter. That inspired him to become a Shop Steward in 2018. He was elected Recording Secretary in 2020. He served in that role until 2025 when the members elected him President/Business Agent in 2026. A strong advocate for fighting discrimination within our Union and workplaces, Raj has been the Co-Chair of the ATU Canada Equity and Inclusion committee since 2021. We are proud to call Raj a member of the ATU.