Dear members,

Effective July 7, 2015, Governor Baker signed a $38 billion dollar budget in law, which included the relaxation of the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA), otherwise known as the Pacheco Law, for three years. For those who were not able to attend our most recent membership meeting on Thursday, July 21, 2015, below is a brief recap of what took place as well as the plan moving forward.

Initially, the Massachusetts House of Representatives rolled out a budget that included language in it to relax the TPA for five years. Obviously, this was acceptable to us so we began the process of adding an amendment to their budget proposal. We got 60 members of the House to co-sponsor the amendment to remove the relaxation of the TPA (Pacheco Law) from the budget. Unfortunately, leadership used strong-arm tactics to pressure the representatives and their support started to waiver. This resulted in our amendment NOT being put to the floor for a vote, which would have given us the opportunity to see who was a true friend of labor.

In the Senate, our support was much stronger resulting in a budget proposal that did not include any language that negatively affected Local 589 or the MBTA. Unfortunately, all of this was required to go to conference committee as well as the committee on Ways and Means. The debate continued back and forth, but at the end of the day, legislators hid behind the budget vote. The only legislators who stood with us were Rep. Brady, Sen. Pacheco, Sen. McGee, Sen. Donnelly, Sen. Eldridge, and Sen. Wolf. We thank them for their continued commitment and efforts on our behalf.

During all of this, members of this executive board were present daily at the State House as well as did the following:

1. Had numerous meetings with every member of the Senate and with a majority of the House―not to mention many in-depth meetings with those in leadership from both branches;
2. Provided and presented documents and evidence that refuted the false allegations made against our members and reaffirmed the facts regarding our union brothers and sisters who provide excellent service and commitment in the face of trying times;
3. Brought experts in the fields of transportation, contractual interpretation, and legal analysis to public hearings and one-on-one meetings with legislators;
4. From our national and The Labor Bureau, we had comprehensive documentation and testimony to support our positions at public hearings and one-on-one meetings with legislators; and
5. Through the help of our members and the support of other locals, we made over 150,000 phone calls to union members and constituents and patched them through to their elected officials so they could voice their support for our cause.
6. Created a micro website – FixTheT.org – to help get our message out to the general public about the real issues that contributed to the shutdown of the T during two back-to-back blizzards.

What is clear is this governor was determined to move forward with his agenda regardless of the facts. He along with other politicians and outside groups exploited last years’ unprecedented winter snowstorms to influence and sway the public. None of what took place had anything to do with the manner in which this membership stood tall and rose to the occasion―as they do every time there is a crisis. Nonetheless, with the horrific winter weather burned deep into the public’s heads and a call to “fix” the situation so it never occurs again, a direct attack on labor began.

We immediately fought back with the facts since they were on our side. Through radio ads, rallies, meetings with legislators, interviews with the media, and all the evidence to the contrary, we told our story. We talked about the T’s mismanagement, lack of monies and accountability, old equipment, and a backlog of infrastructure repair that left us all wondering how things kept moving.

What came as a surprise to us was the lack of support we received from our so-called “friends” at the State House. Except for a select few, all we got from our “friends” was empty promises, blank starts, phony commitments, and comments, like “you guys will be okay.”

THE WAY FORWARD

So where do we stand now? Going forward, this executive board and union will do the following:

1. No longer contribute to the politicians who turned their backs on us when we needed them;
2. Continue to reach out to other community, business, and faith-based organizations for their help and support; and
3. Continue to pressure legislators up at the State House through our presence, advocacy, and the support of other labor unions and community organizations.

Please note that in meetings with us, Governor Baker has always indicated that no one would be losing their jobs. He said as much during a public transportation hearing. However, we are cautious and wary of anything that comes from that building. To that point, we are now being told of the MBTA’s intent to put out Letters of Intent (LOI) for potential bus services, which would include night owl service, express routes, and routes identified as having “low” ridership numbers. They also have interest in having private construction contractors provide their own diversion shuttle service. As it relates to the maintenance of way area, the authority is looking to reserve the services of outside contractors who can handle “emergencies” that may arise and require additional workers.

We have already had discussions with our attorneys and will be utilizing all legal means available to us to fight and prevent this attack on labor. We have begun the process of identifying those companies with the potential to bid on these “outsourcing of jobs” and we will be contacting them and expressing our deep concern over their potential encroachment on our turf and the complications that will arise should they choose to do so. Make no mistake, Local 589 will bid on all work that the MBTA attempts to outsource and demonstrate our ability to do it better and cheaper.

More importantly, we will be reaching out to you, our members, and our most valuable resource, to join us in what we will be calling ACTION DAYS to allow you to speak up and speak out. You have a wealth of information and knowledge and we welcome your thoughts and ideas. Make no mistake, this executive board on behalf of this membership will leave no stone unturned or fail to explore any and all options available to preserve and protect our work. However, we still need your help, effort, voice, and time. Do not leave this fight for someone else to battle because divided we are weak, but together we are strong.

In closing, please continue to check this website for updates as well as call the new update hotline, and please stay ready for action days. Stand up and step up, do not give up!

In solidarity,

Executive Board
Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589