Announcement
Put an end to cuts at the MBTA
Commonwealth Magazine | Katie Murphy and Karen Y. Chen | Feb 9, 2021 LAST FALL, when the MBTA announced it was planning deep cuts to bus, train, ferry ,and commuter rail service, the opposition was swift and virtually unanimous. Riders, workers, elected officials, and employers raised the alarm that T cuts would make it harder for essential workers to get to their…
Read MoreLetters to the Editor: Invest in transportation
Lowell Sun | By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | February 11, 2021 The governor’s recent decision to veto desperately needed transportation legislation was the wrong choice, and one that will slow our efforts to recover from the pandemic. And while lawmakers will need to refile legislation to move these essential transit policies forward, we are…
Read MoreEditorial: The ‘Road Ahead’ Needs a Plan
Boston Globe | By The Editorial Board | February 16, 2021 Just because every day seems like Groundhog Day, because most of our lives seem stuck in a pandemic-generated limbo, is no reason not to plan for the future — to think ahead. That’s what leaders are supposed to do. Last week, the state Senate…
Read MoreAsk Your State Rep. to Cosponsor HD.2574
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Over the past few years, there has been an increase in assaults on Local 589 members, but no law in place to punish the perpetrators. Working with our lobbyist, Local 589’s Executive Board drafted legislation, HD.2574 (An Act relative to the offense of assault and battery upon a transit worker), to create a…
Read MoreCall Gov. Baker + Lieutenant Gov. Polito to do right by our state’s public transit system
Dear Members and Allies, Getting by is harder than ever during the pandemic — and so is getting around. Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito are making it harder. They have supported moves to slash the MBTA, and even vetoed a bill that would have helped low-income people afford to ride transit. Stand with us to support public…
Read MoreWinter Video Message With Updates for Members!
As we move forward into the new year, I am pleased to share a video with updates on negotiations, the pandemic, fighting the MBTA reductions, and most importantly, a message of appreciation from the Executive Board. Over the past couple of months, our union actively fought against the MBTA service cuts, began contract negotiations, and…
Read MoreVacation Relief Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Earlier this morning, we were notified by the MBTA about a system error in the BidWeb software. This glitch prevented the system from distributing VR picks to those who had cutoff times at 5am this morning, as well as a 5pm distribution at Bennett last night. In the afternoon, the MBTA…
Read MoreNomination of General Officers / Executive
Dear Board Members and Barn Captains, Section 30: “A member to be nominated for any office in this Local Union must be present “at the Union Office” unless such member be confined through illness to her or his home or hospital or out of town on legitimate business. No member shall be a candidate for more…
Read MoreSchedule Change for Monday’s Rally (10/17) At Cabot
Dear Local 589 Members, The time on the calendar for Monday’s rally (10/17) at the MBTA Cabot Bus Garage is incorrect. The rally will be starting at 6am and running to 9am. Also, the afternoon rally at the same location from 3-6pm has been canceled. If you have any questions, please call the union office.…
Read MoreUpdate on the Injunction Status
Dear Local 589 Member, In our 13c arbitration, the MBTA argued that the arbitrator does not have authority regarding a temporary restraining order (TRO) resulting in us having to go to court to seek an injunction for the TRO. However, in subsequent court proceedings, the MBTA attorneys reversed their position and made the argument that…
Read More