Posts by Local589 Admin
Local 589 Salutes Operators on Transit Driver Appreciation Day
Today is Transit Driver Appreciation Day, and Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589, of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), salutes MBTA bus and subway drivers (transit operators) not only for the vital service they perform, but for the many extra acts of help and kindness they perform every day. “The members of the Boston Carmen’s Union…
Read MoreHelping Out Rosie’s Place
Yesterday, Local 589’s executive board made a food donation to Rosie’s Place. To the right is a photo of the board with Marty Wengert, Rosie’s Place volunteer services director.
Read MoreMBTA slashes worker overtime spending, absence
Boston Globe | By Matt Rocheleau | March 14, 2016 The MBTA has significantly reduced employee overtime spending and absenteeism so far this year, leading to fewer canceled trips for riders, according to data the agency released Monday. The T spent an average of about $119,000 per day on worker overtime costs during the first…
Read MoreFTI Consulting’s Audit Report
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Retirement Fund (MBTARF) today released FTI Consulting’s Audit Report assessing the MBTARF related to the report’s Annual Reports for the calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Independent Audit refutes previous allegations, showing that they were unsupported and unsubstantiated. James O’Brien, President of the Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589 and MBTARF Board…
Read MoreKeeping Our Buses and Trains Running Smoothly For Our Riders
Last night, crews connected and installed two new pieces of rail on the MBTA RedLine near JFK/UMass station. Another great example of our members always ready to make the repairs needed to keep our buses and trains running smoothly for our riders. More photos like this can be seen on our Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Read MoreMan Spits on T Bus Operator
On Monday, February 15, 2016, at approximately 5:50 PM, the subject depicted within spat on an MBTA Bus Operator near Central Square in Lynn. The incident occurred onboard an MBTA Bus # 871, Route # 442. If you know the whereabouts or identity of this individual please contact our Criminal Investigations Unit at 617-222-1050. If you…
Read MoreThis study says Boston is the third best city in the U.S. for public transit
Boston Globe | By Kristin Toussaint | Feb. 23, 2016 MBTA riders gripe about the T often—like, really often—but apparently Boston is the third best city in the country for public transportation, at least according to a new study by finance technology site SmartAsset, which is based out of New York City. SmartAsset looked at…
Read MoreUnion Meeting – Tuesday, January 19, 2016
The regular Meeting of the Membership will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, MA (Behind the State Police Station near Columbia Rd. and Morrissey Blvd.) accessible by the Red Line. The regular order of business will be transacted. The morning session will start…
Read MoreMBTA Union And Baker’s T Managers Agree On At Least One Thing: Leave Policy Is A Mess
WGBH | By Mike Deehan | January 8, 2016 One of the many problems the MBTA is trying to solve is the misuse and mismanagement of a critical leave program that’s lead to rampant cost overruns for the agency. Absenteeism among MBTA workers was one of the factors T managers cited to explain last winter’s…
Read MoreRight Behind Us: The T’s Failures Are Catching Up
BC Heights | By Matthew BeDugnis | November 1, 2015 “Attention, this train is disabled and being taken out of service. There’s service right behind us.” These disturbingly common words came over the PA system on one of my daily trips down Commonwealth Ave. this week. What was uncommon, however, was the fatigue with which…
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