Posts by Local589 Admin
City Council concerned more MBTA privatization could lead to discriminatory service
Boston Metro | By Kristin Toussaint | Nov. 2, 2016 Concerns about how more privatization efforts from the MBTA could lead to widespread discriminatory practices of transportation services prompted the Boston City Council on Wednesday to unanimously request a briefing from Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration. Residents have experienced multiple issues with Keolis Commuter Services, the…
Read MoreBoston City Council Unanimously Approves Resolution on MBTA Privatization Plans
*PRESS RELEASE* Media Contact: Cayenne Isaksen 617-646-1028 cisaksen@oneillandassoc.com Boston City Council Unanimously Approves Resolution on MBTA Privatization Plans Resolution calls on Baker Administration to provide “transparent briefing regarding privatization plans of MBTA” BOSTON, MA (November 2, 2016) – Transit workers from the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 attended the Boston City Council meeting today to…
Read MoreThe Boston Carmen’s Union Annual Christmas Gala
Please join us in celebrating the Holiday Season on Saturday, Dec, 17, 2016, at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Arlington Street in Boston, MA. Cocktail hour from 6-7pm, followed by dinner, and then entertainment and dancing. Tickets are $30.00 each and a table of 10 can be reserved. To purchase tickets, call…
Read MoreAfter smoky chaos on Orange Line, MBTA union chief rips into Gov. Charlie Baker
Mass Live | By Gintautas Dumcius | October 31, 2016 “The only way to evacuate those passengers was to do what the [train] operator did – leave his cab to try to manually open each car door,” O’Brien told members of the oversight board of the MBTA on Monday. “But Governor Baker’s first public comments…
Read MoreOpinion: 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…
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