OUR UNION
February, 2010 - Transit News
Brothers and Sisters,
As you know, President Barack Obama has made job growth his top 2010 priority. In an annual economic report to Congress last week, the White House predicted an average of 95,000 jobs a month will be created this year. Another positive sign towards economic recovery is that the US Department of Labor reported initial applications for unemployment benefits dropped by 43,000, from 440,000 last week as opposed to 483,000 the prior week. Optimistically, the tide is beginning to change.
We in the Labor Movement need to continue to make our voices heard to make sure that we get a bigger piece of the pie. We need to kick it up a notch! All across America we are facing cuts in State and City budgets. The result -- municipalities cut essential services, and transit agencies propose eliminating routes and jobs. We know that this can erode our work rules and working conditions. It is a great injustice to workers and the riding public. We need more Federal funds now to support our mass transit systems and municipal services and to assist in our nation's recovery from the recession. In the meantime, many of our Locals should be applauded for the innovative methods that they have negotiated to retain jobs but America has to do better!
The jobs bill must include emergency support for public transportation. Congress helped a little in the last stimulus by allowing transit agencies to use a small share of their federal capital funds for operating expenses, but today they need access to all the resources they can get. This will save transit workers’ jobs and keep the lifeblood of local economies healthy. Retaining jobs is just as important as job creation. Congress must also expand rail and bus service. Any jobs measure that funds infrastructure should be strongly focused on this goal. Recent studies of the previous stimulus have shown that transit projects created more jobs, faster than other infrastructure investments. Congress must supply aid to State governments to provide essential services and education.
Upcoming events: COPE/Legislative Conference in Washington DC 4/26- 4/29; Presidents' Council Meeting at Caesars in Atlantic City on June 24 & 25.
I and my staff, Assistant Director Vice President JW Johnson, Vice President John Bland, Staff Representatives Carl Martin, Jerome Lafragola, Irwin Lum and Staff Assistant Orton Reynolds, are planning a very interesting agenda for our Presidents' Council Meeting and encourage participation in both the above events.
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News.
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President
Director Transit Utilities University & Service Division
As you know, President Barack Obama has made job growth his top 2010 priority. In an annual economic report to Congress last week, the White House predicted an average of 95,000 jobs a month will be created this year. Another positive sign towards economic recovery is that the US Department of Labor reported initial applications for unemployment benefits dropped by 43,000, from 440,000 last week as opposed to 483,000 the prior week. Optimistically, the tide is beginning to change.
We in the Labor Movement need to continue to make our voices heard to make sure that we get a bigger piece of the pie. We need to kick it up a notch! All across America we are facing cuts in State and City budgets. The result -- municipalities cut essential services, and transit agencies propose eliminating routes and jobs. We know that this can erode our work rules and working conditions. It is a great injustice to workers and the riding public. We need more Federal funds now to support our mass transit systems and municipal services and to assist in our nation's recovery from the recession. In the meantime, many of our Locals should be applauded for the innovative methods that they have negotiated to retain jobs but America has to do better!
The jobs bill must include emergency support for public transportation. Congress helped a little in the last stimulus by allowing transit agencies to use a small share of their federal capital funds for operating expenses, but today they need access to all the resources they can get. This will save transit workers’ jobs and keep the lifeblood of local economies healthy. Retaining jobs is just as important as job creation. Congress must also expand rail and bus service. Any jobs measure that funds infrastructure should be strongly focused on this goal. Recent studies of the previous stimulus have shown that transit projects created more jobs, faster than other infrastructure investments. Congress must supply aid to State governments to provide essential services and education.
Upcoming events: COPE/Legislative Conference in Washington DC 4/26- 4/29; Presidents' Council Meeting at Caesars in Atlantic City on June 24 & 25.
I and my staff, Assistant Director Vice President JW Johnson, Vice President John Bland, Staff Representatives Carl Martin, Jerome Lafragola, Irwin Lum and Staff Assistant Orton Reynolds, are planning a very interesting agenda for our Presidents' Council Meeting and encourage participation in both the above events.
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News.
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President
Director Transit Utilities University & Service Division
December, 2009
Brothers and Sisters,
As 2009 comes to a close, we find our country continuing to battle the aftermath of the worst economic recession in decades. This year was particularly difficult for many working families, so recent economic reports that indicate we are turning the corner bring welcome news. The Department of Labor recently reported that the unemployment rate edged down to 10.0 percent in November, economic indicators are generally trending higher, and economic growth has returned after four consecutive quarters of contraction.
Acknowledging these signs of economic recovery, we are far below where we were when the recession began and still have a long way to go. Government sponsored job creation, dedicated funding for transportation and aid to State governments are critical areas that will help keep public workers employed. TWU members need to continue holding our elected officials’ “feet to the fire” in order to secure necessary funding. Congress must act with urgency to fuel a recovery that affects millions of working families.
There were a few hard fought victories for the Transit Division recently despite the challenging times. On December 11, a New York Supreme Court Justice upheld provisions of the Local 100 contract decided by an arbitration panel earlier this year. These members are due 11.3% in raises over the next three years. Local 234 in Philadelphia settled their contract after a week-long strike, approving a deal that included an 11.5% raise over five years and a $1,250 signing bonus. Local 222, the newly organized Railcrew Xpress, approved their first bargaining agreement as well.
On behalf of all of us at TWU, especially the Transit Division, Assistant Director Vice President JW Johnson, Vice President John Bland, Staff Representatives Carl Martin, Jerome Lafragola, Irwin Lum and Staff Assistant Orton Reynolds, we extend our Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News.
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President/Transit Director
As 2009 comes to a close, we find our country continuing to battle the aftermath of the worst economic recession in decades. This year was particularly difficult for many working families, so recent economic reports that indicate we are turning the corner bring welcome news. The Department of Labor recently reported that the unemployment rate edged down to 10.0 percent in November, economic indicators are generally trending higher, and economic growth has returned after four consecutive quarters of contraction.
Acknowledging these signs of economic recovery, we are far below where we were when the recession began and still have a long way to go. Government sponsored job creation, dedicated funding for transportation and aid to State governments are critical areas that will help keep public workers employed. TWU members need to continue holding our elected officials’ “feet to the fire” in order to secure necessary funding. Congress must act with urgency to fuel a recovery that affects millions of working families.
There were a few hard fought victories for the Transit Division recently despite the challenging times. On December 11, a New York Supreme Court Justice upheld provisions of the Local 100 contract decided by an arbitration panel earlier this year. These members are due 11.3% in raises over the next three years. Local 234 in Philadelphia settled their contract after a week-long strike, approving a deal that included an 11.5% raise over five years and a $1,250 signing bonus. Local 222, the newly organized Railcrew Xpress, approved their first bargaining agreement as well.
On behalf of all of us at TWU, especially the Transit Division, Assistant Director Vice President JW Johnson, Vice President John Bland, Staff Representatives Carl Martin, Jerome Lafragola, Irwin Lum and Staff Assistant Orton Reynolds, we extend our Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News.
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President/Transit Director
October 2009
Brothers & Sisters,
It has only been a few weeks since our 23rd Constitutional Convention and I know we all left the convention very enthused and motivated to bring about justice in the workplace, dignity to our members and to build our great Union. Our founder, Michael J. Quill, began the TWU at an economic time very similar to what we are experiencing today, despite this struggling economy the TWU experienced growth and solidarity. With the election of International President James C. Little, and his Team, we have the leadership and skills to continue in Quill’s tradition.
As Transit Director, I share in this vision of growth and responsible leadership in order to provide the best representation to our members. The newsletter is to keep staff, Local officers and members abreast of significant information related to our industries. My Staff and I look forward to assisting all Locals in any way we can, this includes but is not limited to: Collective Bargaining, Research/Analysis, Education, Printing, Union Administration, Legal Opinions, Grievances, Disciplines and Accounting/Fiduciary responsibilities.
The Staff consists of Assistant Transit Director/Vice-President JW Johnson who services locals in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina; Vice President John Bland, who services the many locals in the Great State of Texas; Staff Representative/IEC member Carl Martin who services the locals in the Midwest, including Omaha, Michigan, Ohio and parts of Georgia; Staff Representative/IEB member Jerome Lafragola who services Locals on the East Coast; Staff Representative/IEB member Irwin Lum who services the West Coast and Staff Assistant/IEB member Orton Reynolds who is assisting and educating locals in Georgia. In addition to servicing Locals, all of the staff is assigned special projects, such as organizing, strategic planning, and maintaining and scheduling our motor coach.
If you wish to submit any ideas or articles for future editions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News!
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President/Transit Director
It has only been a few weeks since our 23rd Constitutional Convention and I know we all left the convention very enthused and motivated to bring about justice in the workplace, dignity to our members and to build our great Union. Our founder, Michael J. Quill, began the TWU at an economic time very similar to what we are experiencing today, despite this struggling economy the TWU experienced growth and solidarity. With the election of International President James C. Little, and his Team, we have the leadership and skills to continue in Quill’s tradition.
As Transit Director, I share in this vision of growth and responsible leadership in order to provide the best representation to our members. The newsletter is to keep staff, Local officers and members abreast of significant information related to our industries. My Staff and I look forward to assisting all Locals in any way we can, this includes but is not limited to: Collective Bargaining, Research/Analysis, Education, Printing, Union Administration, Legal Opinions, Grievances, Disciplines and Accounting/Fiduciary responsibilities.
The Staff consists of Assistant Transit Director/Vice-President JW Johnson who services locals in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina; Vice President John Bland, who services the many locals in the Great State of Texas; Staff Representative/IEC member Carl Martin who services the locals in the Midwest, including Omaha, Michigan, Ohio and parts of Georgia; Staff Representative/IEB member Jerome Lafragola who services Locals on the East Coast; Staff Representative/IEB member Irwin Lum who services the West Coast and Staff Assistant/IEB member Orton Reynolds who is assisting and educating locals in Georgia. In addition to servicing Locals, all of the staff is assigned special projects, such as organizing, strategic planning, and maintaining and scheduling our motor coach.
If you wish to submit any ideas or articles for future editions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please enjoy this edition of Transit News!
Fraternally,
Susan Resch
Administrative Vice President/Transit Director
July 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you know, in February 2009 I was appointed as Interim Director of the Transit Utility, University and Services Division. This is a duty that I take great pride and pleasure in. I am serving at a period in time where we have a labor friendly President in the White House, and we have great opportunities as long as we educate and motivate our membership to build the labor movement, to secure dedicated transit funding and see the Employee Free Choice Act passed.
Our division continues to grow. We now service 47 different locals representing a wide variety of job titles across the nation. From the Northeast to the Deep South, from the plains of the Midwest to the Pacific shore, the TWU Transit Division includes municipal transit operators, mechanics, utility workers, food service employees, school bus drivers, clerks, and many other workers.
I know that we have our differences, but I also know that there are far more similarities than differences within the Transit, Utility, University and Services Division. I also know that by working together we can develop a stronger TWU by building on these similarities. My Staff and I are committed to providing service to all of our Locals in our Division.
I am happy to announce that Irwin Lum has joined our staff and he will be servicing our west coast locals, and Jerome Lafragola is now on staff full time.
TWU |
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