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ATU Action Weekly Update - 7/30/07
ATU VICTORY: Congress Passes Transit Security Bill After more than 6 years of advocacy by the ATU and its allies, Congress finally passed comprehensive transit and over-the-road bus security legislation that not only authorizes significant funding for transit and bus security initiatives, but also requires security and emergency response training for frontline transit and over-the-road bus employees. The transit and over-the-road bus security provisions were incorporated into H.R. 1, a much larger piece of legislation designed to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The bill passed the House on Friday, July 27, less than 24 hours after it was passed by the Senate. Although the President has not committed to signing the legislation, he has not issued a veto threat either. In addition to transit and over-the-road bus security, H.R. 1 addresses airline security, transportation of hazardous materials, port security, and other non-transportation related homeland security matters. Unfortunately, in order to avoid a Presidential veto of the long-overdue legislation, the bill does not include a provision included in earlier versions of the bill which would permit federal airport security screeners to form and join a union. Nonetheless, for transit and bus employees, this bill can be viewed as an overwhelming victory. In total, the bill authorizes $3.4 billion over four years for capitol and operating grants to transit systems and $87 million over four years for grants to over-the-road bus companies. Significantly, both grant programs include Section 13(c) transit labor protections. In addition, the bill would require all transit grant recipients and all over-the-road bus companies to provide training to their frontline employees in emergency response and preparedness techiniques and procedures. Training must be updated regularly and must comply with training guidelines developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in coordination and consultation with transit labor. Since 9/11 and even before, the ATU has repeatedly and dilligently argued for mandatory training of transit and bus employees. The bill also includes new whistleblower and other employee protections which prohibit a transit agency or over-the-road bus company from discharging, demoting, suspending, reprimanding, or otherwise discrimating against an employee who reports security and safety breaches, refuses to violate safety or security rules, or who refuses to work when confronted with a hazardous safety or security condition that presents an imminent danger of death or serious injury. While the legislation does not require transit and over-the-road bus companies to conduct background checks on employees, it does require DHS to check all transit employee names against the consolidated terrorist watchlist and to conduct an immigration status check on all employees. The bill includes protections to protect employees who's names are erroneously matched against the terrorist watchlist. It also includes certain protections and appeals rights for transit employees should DHS decide to order all transit systems to conduct background checks. Finally, the bill requires additional study of the risk of terrorist attacks on school buses and requires DHS to consult with school bus labor representatives in conducting the study and making recommendations for future action. Keep posted to ATU Action Weekly Updates and In Transit for future updates on the measures adopted in this bill.
Have a Party and Watch the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum Next Tuesday, August 7th, the AFL-CIO will be hosting a Presidential Candidates Forum featuring all of the Presidential Candidates who responded to the AFL-CIO's candidate questionnaire. MSNBC and XM Radio will carry the forum live from Chicago from 7 - 8:30 pm EDT. Countdown host Keith Olbermann will moderate the forum while real union members ask the questions. The ATU is encouraging its members to not only watch the forum, but to hold a watch party with their friends, family members, and coworkers. It's easy. You can download a Watch Party toolkit at: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/upload/WatchPartyToolkit.pdf The toolkit includes:
Let us know if you are hosting a watch party. Send an email to atuaction@atu.org and describe your event, including where it will be and approximately how many people you expect to attend.
Also, you have the opportunity to submit and pick the questions the candidates will answer. Only members of AFL-CIO affiliate unions can submit questions, but anyone can vote. To submit a question, go to: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/contest/view.cfm?appState=enterstory. To vote on which questions will be asked, go to: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/contest/view.cfm?appState=listStories.
Attn: ATU Convention Delegates and Guests - Be an ATU Idol! Slots are still open for contestants for the ATU Idol Show at the ATU International Convention on September 17th. To be eligible, you must be a delegate to the Convention or an ATU member who has registered as a guest. ATU Idol was the surprise hit of the ATU International Convention in 2004, and it promises to be even better this year. Contestants bring their best vocal renditions of rock and pop hits, as well as selections from a wide range of American standards. Accompaniment is chosen by contestants from a HUGE list of Karaoke backup CDs provided by the competition. A panel of non-ATU entertainment professionals will judge the performances – just like the hit TV show. There may be a "Simon" in the group, but that’s all a part of the fun. Prizes will be awarded to the top performers,
but the real winner will be the ATU MS Research Fund – the
recipient of all show proceeds. Don’t delay. Performance slots are limited. You can download an application and the song list from the ATU website at http://www.atu.org. Just click on the ATU Idol link. |
