Amalgamated Transit Union

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ATU

Full name	Amalgamated Transit Union
Founded	1892
Members	190,000
Country	United States, Canada
Affiliation	AFL-CIO, CLC
Key people	Lawrence J. Hanley, International President; Robert H. Baker, International Executive Vice President; Oscar Owens, International Secretary-Treasurer
Office location	Washington, DC
Website	ATU.org Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is a labor union in the United States and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council (ATUCC) in Canada, representing workers in the transit system and other industries. The ATU was founded as the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees in 1892; today, the ATU is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada, with over 190,000 members in 270 local unions spread across 46 states and nine provinces. The ATU consists of bus, van, subway, and light rail operators, clerks, baggage handlers and maintenance employees in urban transit, over-the-road and school bus industries, as well as emergency medical service personnel, ambulance operators, clerical personnel, and municipal workers. The ATU can be found in most major cities of the United States and Canada.

Structure

The Union is guided by a triennial convention at which delegates chosen by locals meet to debate and direct the future of the Union. The International officers consist of the International President, the International Executive Vice President, the International Secretary-Treasurer, and 18 International Vice Presidents. The International Vice Presidents serve on the Union's General Executive Board.

Local 85, Pittsburgh

The office of the International President is currently held by Larry Hanley, who took office in October 2010. The International Executive Vice President is Bob Baker, and the International Secretary-Treasurer is Oscar Owens.

Canadian Council

Established in 1982, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Canadian Council is the highest authority and voice in Canada for the ATU on all issues of Canadian interest, including legislation, political, educational, health and safety, cultural and social welfare matters.

Activities

In addition to membership service, the ATU engages in politics, promoting such causes as increased transit funding, energy independence, and the maintenance of a publicly-funded Social Security system. The Department of Training & Field Mobilization works with ATU locals to foster member participation in the union, and build community-based campaigns for transit. In turn, these community-based campaigns will nurture coalitions and build grassroots support for increased flexibility in federal and state transit funding, reducing fares and improving access to transit.

In November 2010, the ATU, the Transportation Equity Network (TEN), the Transport Workers Union (TWU), other labor unions, and transit advocates convened a "boot camp" in Chicago, IL. Activists from varying backgrounds discussed the issues facing both union members and transit riders, and identified opportunities to work together in the future to address the nation's transit crisis. The ATU and Good Jobs First convened a second boot camp for transit advocates in Silver Spring, MD in March 2011.

In 2008, the ATU endorsed Hillary Clinton in her bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination; after she conceded defeat, the ATU endorsed Barack Obama in his successful bid for President.

A similar union affiliate with AFL-CIO is the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents transit workers at the New York City Transit Authority and SEPTA in Philadelphia, among others.

In popular culture

The ATU and President Emeritus Warren George are mentioned in the song "Workin' for the MTA" on Justin Townes Earle's 2010 album, Harlem River Blues. The lyrics read:

"Yeah, them hard times are going around, hard times are goin' around, hard times are goin' around, bringin' hard luck on New York town. But I'm bankin' on the ATU, bankin' on the ATU, I'm bankin' on the ATU, Brother George is gonna see me through."

See also

Organized labour portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amalgamated Transit Union

• 2006 Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike
• St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900
• Indianapolis Street Car Strike of 1913

External links

• Amalgamated Transit Union
• ATU Canada
• "The Great Greyhound Strikes" (Mineta Transportation Institute College of Business commentary and analysis)