Amalgamated Transit Union

This past weekend in Regina, SK, Shop Stewards from Local 588-Regina, SK, participated in an ATU’s Shop Steward training. This program aims to equip Shop Stewards with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively represent their fellow members and our Union.

Featuring hands-on exercises, attendees learned their legal rights, bargaining tactics, grievance procedures and handling, and other duties of the job.

We thank all those who attended this important training. Together, we will keep fighting for fair wages, safer working conditions, and the dignity all workers deserve.

Conducted by Local 1572-Mississauga, ON, President/Business Agent Jack Jackson the interactive training focused on the important role of Shop Stewards within their Local and discussed leadership, organization, and communication.

Featuring hands-on exercises, attendees learned their legal rights, bargaining tactics, grievance procedures and handling, and other duties of the job.

We thank all those who attended this important training. Together, we will keep fighting for fair wages, safer working conditions, and the dignity all workers deserve.

hindustantimes.comDriverless monorail train hits fallen crane in Brazil, debris crashes onto busy roadThe crane operator was injured in the accident after the driverless monorial struck a fallen crane in Brazil.   | World News

Another dangerous incident involving an autonomous transit vehicle. Human transit operators are essential to safe and reliable public transit.

It was a perfect fall day for golf and a worthy cause, as the ATU celebrated 40 years of the ATU MS Golf Tournament with nearly 110 golfers from ATU Locals, sponsors, and guests in attendance.

I’ve been coming to this event for many years, and this has been one of our best,” Costa told the crowd. “Thank you to our IVPs, our Locals, members, sponsors, vendors, and everyone who showed up to raise funds for the ATU MS Research Fund to fight this debilitating disease.

A special thank you to the staff for organizing this great event & coming out early to set up.” Also in attendance were retired International Vice President Richie Murphy and members of the ATU GEB. We appreciate everyone who came out to show your support for the ATU MS Research Fund and our Union.

It was a perfect fall day for golf and a worthy cause, as the ATU celebrated 40 years of the ATU MS Golf Tournament with nearly 110 golfers from ATU Locals, sponsors, and guests in attendance.

International President John Costa and International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo addressed participants at the reception, thanking them for attending the tournament to raise funds for the ATU Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund to support ongoing research to help end MS.

Costa also held a moment of silence for International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk, who did not attend due to the recent tragic passing of his beloved wife Barbara. “Our Union has been doing this tournament for 40 years, and I’m proud that we’ve continued this tradition.

The midterm elections are just over a week away. This is what’s at stake. Make your plan to vote @https://www.vote411.org #ATUVotes #VoteYourPaycheck #TransitVotes #OurRoutesOurVotes

Safety was front and center on an historic day in Toronto as International President John Costa, Local 113-Toronto, ON, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College convened nearly 200 Local leaders, transit agency officials, bus manufacturers, transit organizations, and

Member Crystal Hanley told their harrowing stories of being attacked on their bus. Attendees also participated in engaging workshops on developing a fully enclosed operator workstation, eliminating dangerous blind spots, improving airflow, and creating more ergonomic operator seats.

Thank you to all who attended for creating a safer and better workplace for transit workers across the world.

was stabbed to death on his bus, and I can go on and on,” said Costa. “This program would be impossible without a commitment to giving workers a seat at the table. Nobody knows what needs to change on a bus better than our members who drive and work on them eight, ten hours or more a day.

Thank you to the TTC and Centennial College for recognizing, like the ATU, that the future of transit safety is best achieved through collaboration. Now let’s get it done.” A highlight of the day included a press conference where Local 113 Member Anna Cohen and Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB,

academia from across North America for the ATU Bus Safety and Innovation Summit, an innovative labor-management partnership to build a safer, better bus to combat growing violence on transit and address other safety and health issues.

“Our Union has been pounding on the issue of safety for our members and riders for decades. Just weeks ago, our Local 308-Chicago, IL, Brother Julian Mobley was killed on the job. When I came into office in 2019, our Local 1593-Tampa, FL, Brother Thomas Dunn

Local 113’s Anna Cohen was beaten with the handset from her own bus phone. Broken orbital bone, lasting injuries, and PTSD. Buses can be built to protect the people who drive them.

atu.orgBus Design and Innovation Program

Anna’s assault spearheaded the push for driver safety barriers that will save lives. Learn how ATU’s Bus Design Innovation Program is pushing for safer workspaces. Read more @ www.atu.org/members/bdip

Our Union is building our future through our innovative workforce development and mentorship programs under the leadership and vision of International President John Costa.

Our New York City Locals 726, 1056, 1179, and 1181 recently held productive meeting with the MTA about establishing mentorship and registered apprenticeship programs throughout the agency.

When labor and management work together to invest in training, workers win, and transit systems get stronger. This is how we build the next generation of the transit workforce.

Crosswalks are the transit industry’s Achilles heel and blind spots for bus operators created by poor bus design are the reason why. Large mirrors on the driver side of buses create blind spots for operators, who are often unable to see pedestrians who are walking in crosswalks.

The Bus Design Innovation Program (BDIP), spearheaded by the ATU, Local 113, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College, is working to develop a safer bus without blind spots for operators. Read more at www.atu.org/members/bdip

A sad day for our ATU family.

It's National School Bus Safety Week, thank you to our school bus members for the important job you do each day. #SchoolBusSafety

wjla.comMetro bus driver robbed; Union leaders advocate for harsher punishment for violenceLaw enforcement in D.C. need you help finding a man they believe attacked and robbed a Metro bus driver early Wednesday morning near the corner of Torque Street

Another brutal attack on one of our members. Our transit agencies and elected officials need to make real changes to improve safety on our transit systems. ATU Local 689 wjla.com/news/local/m...

CBC News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation found that assaults on public transit roughly doubled in eight of Canada's ten largest cities between 2016 and 2024. Behind many of those numbers is a person who went to work in a uniform and ended the shift in an ambulance.

To develop a safer, better bus, the ATU, Local 113, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College are working collaboratively on a Bus Design Innovation Program (BDIP) to improve bus design through a worker-centered approach.

For more information on BDIP, visit: www.atu.org/members/bdip #NotPartOfTheJob #NotOneMore

Because automation is already here, International President John Costa hosted a “Preparing for an Automated Transit Future” webinar tonight for our Local leaders on autonomous vehicles, AI surveillance, and how we fight back at the bargaining table.

“If we wait, employers will sideline our Union, undermine our working conditions, contract out our work, and eliminate our jobs. This is not going to be easy, but we need to start bargaining and organizing over these issues before they become problems at our properties.”

Our members were updated by ATU International staff on AV and AI in our industry, bargaining resources, workforce development opportunities, and the latest on the surface transportation reauthorization bill. This technology is moving fast, but so are we.

“This is not a theoretical exercise. ATU members are already working as safety operators on autonomous vehicle pilots, and our members are being watched by AI-powered systems every second they’re behind the wheel,” said Costa.

More than 200 Local leaders logged on for two well-attended Executive Board Trainings with International President John Costa and International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo.

I’ve been in your shoes serving as an Executive Board Member. As leaders, you have a serious responsibility and duty to your membership. You must organize, strategize, and think outside the box.”

Board members dug into their roles under the ATU Constitution and General Laws, Local Union oversight and fiduciary responsibilities. Strong Locals start with strong boards! Thank you to everyone who showed up for our members! Were you on today’s training? Drop your Local number below.

More than 200 Local leaders logged on for two well-attended Executive Board Trainings with International President John Costa and International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo.

Costa opened both sessions with a moment of silence for our Local 308-Chicago, IL, Brother Julian Mobley, who was tragically killed on the job. We will never forget him.

“From the epidemic of attacks on our members to automated vehicles, to transit funding fights and anti-union politicians, our Union is facing many challenges,” said Costa. “As Executive Board members, you play an important role for your Local.

We wrap up our celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month by honoring our Local 1225-San Francisco, CA, Sister Mary Mendez #HispanicHeritageMonth2026