ATU Action Weekly Update - 10/22/07

ATU Activist Discusses Transit in Katrina Aftermath

Joseph Prier, Jr., President/Business Agent of ATU Local 1560 in New Orleans, Louisiana, joined five other New Orleans labor activists on a panel at the recent International Labor Communication Association (ILCA) convention in New Orleans to discuss what has (and hasn't) happened to New Orleans' workforce since Katrina. 

Prier recalled how transit service in New Orleans was cut by 80% after Katrina.  "We lost over 700 members.  We lost 1200 buses.  We used to pick up 197,000 people a day.  We're doing 30,000 a day now," said Prier.  "But it doesn't have to be that way."

He discussed how some passengers have had to wait more than 2 hours for a bus and how 300 people a week are turned down from much need paratransit service.  The problem, says Prier, is poor leadership.  They keep saying "wait until the people come back."  According Prier, they can't come back until they know they'll have the transportation they need to get to work and medical appointments.

"I fight everyday because its about the people we pick up," said Prier.

 

Norfolk Local Applauded for Election Efforts

At a recent meeting of AFL-CIO affiliate political directors, the Virginia AFL-CIO applauded the efforts of ATU Local 1177 in Norfolk, Virginia for their outstanding efforts to help elect a worker-friendly majority to the Virginia State Senate. 

Over the past few weeks, leaders and members of Local 1177 have been phone banking other union members to encourage them to get out and vote for labor endorsed candidates on November 6th.  The efforts of this ATU local are part of a much broader effort by unions throughout the state to mobilize their members around the crucial state elections. 

Members of ATU Local 689 in Washington, D.C. have also been volunteering in Northern Virginia and ATU International employees have likewise volunteered to help with phone banks and walks in the area.

 

Oberstar, DeFazio Call for ADA Enforcement Against Curbside Buses

In a letter dated October 11, Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,  and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to immediately amend their regulations to ensure that rogue curbside bus operations are complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

FMCSA has previously refused to enforce the ADA requirements, arguing that they do not have jurisdiction over such matters.  Earlier this year, however, a federal court rejected this assertion and ordered FMCSA to reconsider its opinion on the matter.  To date, FMCSA has yet to respond to this order.

In their letter, Reps. Oberstar and DeFazio urge FMCSA to develop procedures to investigate complaints of ADA violations and to develop penalties for violation.  The Chairmen further urged that the agency revoke operating authority for carriers who are not in compliance and that applications for new entrants be denied if they can not demonstrate that they are able to comply.  IF FMCSA does not respond soon, the Chairmen said they would pursue legislative action.

The ATU has long advocated for enforcement of ADA requirements against intercity bus operators.  By refusing to comply with these regulations, rogue bus companies (often called "curbside operators") are allowed to undercut legitimate bus operations, such as Greyhound and Peter Pan, who employee ATU members.