ATU Action Weekly Update - 4/30/07 

ATU Mourns Congresswoman Millender-McDonald

Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), a prominent Member of Congress and friend to the ATU and all working men and women, died of cancer on April 22, 2007.  Members of Congress and supporters from across the country will attend her funeral in California today.

In her twelve years in Congress, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a valued public servant who tirelessly fought for her consituents and for the rights of working people, ATU members in particular.  She was an earlier leader in the efforts to enhance the security of our mass transit systems.  In 2003, she introduced the Public Transportation Systems Vulnerability and Reduction Act, which would have provided significant funding for frontline transit employee training.

At the ATU Convention in 2004, the Congresswoman addressed ATU delegates and guests on behalf of then-Presidential candidate John Kerry.  She urged ATU activists to get active in campaign and emphasized the important role that labor plays in elections.

"Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was not only a friend to the ATU, she was a fighter who fought injustice wherever she saw it," said ATU International President Warren George.  "The thoughts and prayers of the ATU are with the Congresswoman's family, friends, constituents, staff and supporters in this very difficult time."

 

Senator Clinton Calls for Transit Security in SC Debate

In the first major debate of the Democratic Presidential Primary, held last Thursday in South Carolina, Presidential-candidate and Senator Hillary Clinton critized the Bush Administration for its failure to address the security needs of this country, including the needs of America's transit systems. 

"We haven't secured our borders, our ports, our mass transit systems," Clinton said about the threat of terrorism. .".. This administration has consistently tried to hype the fear without delivering on the promise of making America safer."  Clinton was the only candidate in the debate to mention mass transit.

Also participating in the debate were Senators Barack Obama (IL), Chris Dodd (CT), and Joe Biden (DE), former Senators John Edwards (NC) and Mike Gravel (AK), Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH), and Governor Bill Richardson (NM). 

The candidates were virtually united in their calls to end the war in Iraq and to bring American troops home.  Other issues discussed in the debate included health care, energy independence and global warming, late-term abortions, and immigration.  You can view the entire debate on the MSNBC website at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18296908/.

MSNBC will air the Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, hosted by the Reagan Presidential Library, this Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 8pm ET. 

 

Democratic Presidential Candidates Hold Worker Forums

In the first in a series of presidential town hall forums in which union members get a chance to hear directly from the 2008 candidates, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) took questions from union members in Sacramento, California this past Saturday.  More than 100 working people joined Dodd in the first AFL-CIO Working Families Vote forum. 

The candidate pledged to work for universal health care and passage of stronger laws to ensure employee freedom to form unions.  Dodd also spoke about retirement security, stating "people deserve to enjoy their retirement years with dignity and respect.  Pension reform is absolutely critical.  I know the difference between a pension fund and a slush fund."

The AFL-CIO, which has not endorsed any candidate for president, is holding these town hall forums as part of an intensive six-month program to engage union members and families nationwide in the AFL-CIO's presidential endorsement decision-making process.

The next forum will be held in Seattle, Washington, this Tuesday, May 1 at noon, with former Senator John Edwards (D-NC).  A forum with Senator Hillary Clinton has also been scheduled for June 9th in Michigan.  ATU members are strongly encouraged to attend these forums and ask the candidates about their positions on issues that matter most to transit workers. 

Keep posted to the ATU Action Weekly Updates for more information about the Working Families Vote forums.  For the latest news and information about the presidential candidates and their position on working family issues, check out the AFL-CIO Working Families Vote 2008 website.

 

Spokane Local President Joins Climate Change Efforts

ATU Local 1015 President/Business Agent and ATU Washington State Legislative Conference Chairman Dennis Antonellis has been appointed to the Transportation Technical Working Group (TWG) of Washington State's Climate Control Challenge. 

As part of the Transportation TWG, Antonellis will be analyzing policy options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realize economic development opportunties in the Transportation Sector.  The TWG will consider transportation demand, vehicle efficiency, mass transit, travel mode switching, alternative fuel cars and infrastructure, rail, air and maritime modes of transportation, and land use and community planning. 

The TWG plans to complete their work by the end of the year and make a recommendation to the Governor in January 2008.

 

"Enough is Enough" - May 17th is Day of Action

The ATU is joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in building support for a board-based transportation labor demonstration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on May 17, 2007.

Under the theme "Enough is Enough," the Day of Action is designed to demonstrate our resolve to change the direction of our government, elect a President who cares about creating good jobs in this country and defending working people, and challenge the corporate giants in transportation that are doing harm to workers in our industries. 

Several presidential candidates, including Senators Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and Representative Dennis Kucinich have committed to speak.  In addition, many Members of the House and Senate are expected to join the rally. 

ATU members are encouraged to participate.  For more information, please contact the ATU International Organizing Department at 202-537-1645

 

Help ATU Employees Race for a Cure for Breast Cancer

Employees of the ATU International, along with friends and family, have formed the ATU Moving for the Cure team for the National Race for the Cure on June 2nd in Washington, D.C.  The ATU team will participate in a 5K Run/Walk on the National Mall as part of a larger effort to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cure for breast cancer.  As part of this effort, the ATU Team is raising money for Komen for the Cure - a nonprofit dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

You can help!  Simply go the ATU Moving for the Cure team webpage and make a donation.  Any amount will help!  When you make a donation, you can honor someone you know who was affected by breast cancer. 

All submissions to the "Honor Roll" will be published in the July/August 2007 edition of In Transit.  To make a contribution, click here or click on the ATU/pink ribbon logo on the ATU website.