By State House News Service | June 6, 2016 About a half dozen people tasked with cash-handling duties within the MBTA urged the transit agency’s overseers on Monday not to outsource the agency’s money room operations. Looking at an overhaul of the MBTA’s fare collection systems, agency officials have considered employing a private vendor that could take…
Associated Press, June 4, 2016 BOSTON (AP) — A union representing Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority workers is pushing back against plans to privatize fare collection services. Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589 President James O’Brien says privatization doesn’t equal improved service or reduced costs. Click here to read more….
Boston Metro | By Spencer Buell | 5/24/2016 Take a look around any MBTA train on a given day at rush hour, and it’s basically just a crowd of groggy commuters staring at their phones (or flipping through the Metro). But what if you could start your day not by awkwardly avoiding eye contact for…
This past Sunday, members of the executive board joined students who won Local 589 scholarships at an annual celebratory breakfast at IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester, MA. The executive board would like to congratulate these fine students and wish them much success in their college years. The following students were awarded scholarships: • Kori Garland — daughter of…
Boston Herald | Monday, May 09, 2016 The Herald reports that the MBTA Retirement Fund “discloses virtually no other info on a regular basis” than its annual reports (“Auditor ‘had to start from scratch’ on delayed T pension 2015 report,” April 25). The Boston Carmen’s Union has advocated that more information be made public. In…
Boston Metro | April 25, 2016 A man refusing to pay his fare spit on an MBTA bus driver before leading police on a lengthy pursuit, cops said. Jorge Diaz-Vasquez, 44, of Boston, boarded a bus at about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, but refused to pay his way, according to authorities. When the driver tried…
WCVB | Apr 24, 2016 BOSTON —A new national survey is giving the MBTA high marks when it comes to residents getting to work. Researchers at All-Transit used numbers from 805 transit agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to gauge how easy it is to catch a bus or train to get…
Dear brothers and sisters, The following people have been awarded the 2016 Boston Carmen’s Union Scholarships for $2,000: Kori Garland — daughter of Bridget Garland, a track laborer of E.E. & M. Kevin Richardson — son of Randolph Richardson, a trackman of E.E. & M. Ryan Nee — son of Timothy Nee, a train starter…
Today, member of Local 589’s Executive Board were proud to stand with our brothers and sisters at IBEW, who are advocating to ensure they get dignity on the job and wages and benefits that help them support their families.
Whether you’re running in the Boston Marathon or watching from the sidelines, we’ll get you there! #RidersFirst
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.