Posts by Local589 Admin
Opinion: Keeping Public Transportation Public
The Heights | 9/26/16 | By Matthew BeDugnis “Every day these hardworking people continue bailing out a ship that has been taking on water for years. You see it in the MBTA employee who has to figure out how to get an old, rotten, and rusted-out Green Line train back to the station after it…
Read MoreMake believe math won’t fix our public transportation system.
Last week, former Massachusetts Transportation Secretary James Aloisi wrote a detailed article (“Shutdown process costly for the T“) for Commonwealth Magazine on the complicated and costly process the MBTA has to go through to shut its service down every night. The article cites independent data sources that show the process costs the MBTA $3.8 million dollars…
Read MoreTestimony before Fiscal & Management Control Board on 7/18
Yesterday, Boston Carmen’s Union President, Jimmy O’Brien, provided testimony to the Fiscal and Management Control Board, speaking out against privatization, particularly in response to news and announcements over the past week. Below is his full testimony. ————- Good Afternoon. My name is James O’Brien, I am the President of the Boston Carmen’s Union, representing over…
Read MoreMBTA board gives $15m lift to Keolis
Commonwealth Magazine | By Bruce Mohl | July 11, 2016 THE MBTA’S OVERSIGHT BOARD on Monday approved a series of maintenance, repair, and scheduling changes for commuter rail service that are expected to improve on-time performance and boost the income of the cash-strapped private contractor, Keolis Commuter Services, by about $15 million a year. James…
Read MoreTestimony from Yesterday’s (7/11) Fiscal and Management Control Board
Yesterday, Boston Carmen’s Union President, Jimmy O’Brien, provided testimony to the Fiscal and Management Control Board in response to a recent audit of the Money Room and in opposition to privatization efforts. His testimony is below. ———- Good Afternoon. My name is James O’Brien, I am the President of the Boston Carmen’s Union, representing over…
Read MorePresident O’Brien’s Statement on Recent Audit of MBTA Money Room
A number of media outlets have been reporting on a recent audit of the MBTA money room. Please see the full statement from Boston Carmen’s Union President, Jimmy O’Brien, that has been provided to media outlets in response to the audit and statements made by MBTA management — “The recent reports and audits commissioned by…
Read MoreTV Ad: Proud to serve the people of Massachusetts!
The Carmen’s Union is proud to serve the people of Massachusetts and exemplifies what’s great about the Commonwealth and our country by bringing together people from different backgrounds. Click on the video below to see some of the great men and women who will be working all weekend on the MBTA to help get our riders…
Read MoreMBTA takes first major step toward privatization
Boston Globe | By Nicole Dungca | June 30, 2016 The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s warehouse operations could be run by a private company by October, as T officials take a major step toward outsourcing a part of the agency. MBTA officials on Thursday released a request for proposals from outside firms for the operations…
Read MorePress coverage of our proposal
Yesterday, Local 589’s chief negotiator and economist, Tom Roth, and President Jimmy O’Brien, presented an offer to the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board that would extend our contract for two years and save the MBTA $24 million. Below is some of the press coverage our proposal is receiving. MBTA union may agree to wage cuts for…
Read MoreOur Proposal to the MBTA
We’re writing today to tell you about our ongoing efforts to advocate on your behalf and protect transit jobs from privatization. A few months ago, the executive board agreed to look for ways to reach a deal with MBTA leadership to lengthen our contract and prevent the outsourcing of Boston Carmen’s Union work. Today,…
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