ATU Action Weekly Update - 4/2/07

April is National ATU-COPE Month - Upgrade TODAY!

During the month of April, the ATU International and each ATU Local in the U.S. will be increasing their efforts to raise funds for the ATU-COPE program.  In this effort, the International is once again offering the popular ATU-COPE Upgrade Award program for ATU members of participating U.S. locals who increase their ATU-COPE contributions during the month of April.  This is in addition to the ongoing ATU-COPE Club program, which rewards all ATU members who contribute at least $25/year to ATU-COPE. 

Members of participating locals who upgrade their ATU-COPE Club membership during the month of April will receive a blue lightweight nylon drawstring bag bearing the ATU-COPE logo.  Members may upgrade in the following ways:

  • if they are already in an ATU-COPE Club, they must raise their yearly pledge amount to the next COPE Club level;
  • if they are not already in an ATU-COPE Club, they must pledge at any COPE Club level; and
  • if they have already reached the Patriot’s Club level, they must increase their yearly pledge by at least $20

In addition, all members contributing at least $25 will receive an ATU-COPE Club lapel pin.  In recognition of the growing number of ATU members who work in the school bus industry, this year's lapel pin features an old-fashioned horse drawn "kid hack". 

Please remember, the upgrade award program will be administered through the local unions.  Participating locals must provide the International with the names of the members who upgraded no later than May 15th.  Members will not receive an award if the local fails to notify the International of their decision to upgrade.

Please contact your local union officers for more information about how you can participate in ATU-COPE.

 

McGovern Introduces Commuter Benefits Equity Act

Recognizing the need to promote greater ridership on public transit, Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) recently introduced a bill that would allow employers to offer employees larger monthly subsidies for using mass transit to commute to work.

The Commuter Benefits Equity Act, H.R. 1475, would amend the U.S. Tax Code, allowing employers to offer employees up to $200 a month in tax-free incentives to use mass transit.  Currently, the Tax Code allow for a $100-a-month subsidy, but also allows employers to offer employees more than double that - $215 a month - in subsidies to pay for parking.  McGovern's bill, which has been endorsed by the ATU, would equalize the sibsidies for mass transit and parking at $200 a month.

"Enactment of this legislation will help ease congestion, improve air quality and reduce dependence on foreign oil," said McGovern.

The legislation currently has 47 co-sponsors.  A Senate companion bill - S. 712, has been introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).  The ATU urges its members to contact their Representative and Senators and urge them to co-sponsor these important pieces of legislation.

 

Fight for Employee Free Choice Act Moves to Senate

Last week, working families moved one step closer to changing the nation's labor laws to give workers greater freedom to make their own decisions about joining a union and bargaining for better wages, benefits and working conditions.  On Thursday, March 29th, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), along with 46 co-sponsors, introduced the Employee Free Choice Act, S. 1041, in the U.S. Senate.

The House passed the Employee Free Choice Act on March 1 by a margin of 241-185.  If passed by the Senate and signed into law, this legislation would be the most important labor law reform in more than 70 years.  The legislation would rein in the employer harassment, intimidation and anti-worker tactics that tens of thousands of workers encounter every year when they try to form unions.

This week, during the Congressional Spring Recess, working families, including ATU members, will kick off a campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act in the Senate.  Workers will place phone calls and send their letters from their workplaces to members of the Senate.  In meetings scheduled around the country, workers will thank the Senators who co-sponsored the legislation and will push for others to sign-on. 

Click here to see if your Senators are co-sponsors.  If your senators are not cosponsors, click here to send them an email urging them to support America's workers by signing-on to this crucial legislation.

 

Who's Running for U.S. President?

Confused about who is or isn't running for U.S. President?  You are not alone.  Below is a list of the individuals that are either officially seeking the candidacy for President or who have formed an exploratory committee to investigate whether or not they will run.  We have also provided a link to each of their campaign websites.  

Official Candidates:

Candidates with Exploratory Committees:

The ATU encourages you to check out these candidates' positions on issues important to you.  After all, the primaries begin in less than 10 months!

Keep posted to ATU Action Weekly Updates for news and polls about these candidates and the 2008 elections.