Dear Brothers & Sisters, This past Friday, Governor Patrick signed a $36.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. We wanted to update you on a few things that were included in the passed budget: Driver Assaults: Although everyone is entitled to a safe workplace, this is often not the case for our members. To help ensure…
Do you Recognize this person? On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at approximately 5:30 PM, the subject depicted within spit on the bus operator of a Route #110 MBTA Bus near the intersection of Clinton Street and Chelsea Street in the City of Everett. The subject is described as follows: White or Hispanic male, black hair,…
Group Insurance Benefit Deductions Begin Pay Period Ending 7/4/14. The Group Insurance Commission requires 1 month’s advance payment on all benefit plans (excluding the Flexible Spending Accounts). This results in a double deduction taken for the following payroll end dates: 7/4/14 7/11/14 7/18/14 7/25/14
What started as a regular workday turned into a team effort lead by Local 589 members to save a man’s life on T property. The MBTA recently purchased a large piece of floor sweeping equipment and a vendor representative was in to set up and demonstrate the machine. While preparing for the training, the vendor…
By Martin Finucane | Boston Globe | June 18, 2014 A bus crash last month left an MBTA bus dangling over the Massachusetts Turnpike in Newton. The union that represents MBTA train and bus operators is objecting to state a tough new policy against cellphone possession by operators issued by state officials. The Boston Carmen’s…
The Boston Carmen’s Union ATU Local 589 shares the desire to keep bus transportation as safe as possible for riders and employees alike. However, our Union is deeply disturbed by MBTA management’s decision to turn bargained policy on its head, determining that all bus and transportation workers are guilty until proven innocent and declaring management…
Boston Globe | Roberto Scalese | June 11, 2014 Can we stop? Please? The MBTA Transit Police published a photo of a woman they believe spat on a bus driver on June 4. According to a Transit Police statement, the woman and driver got into an argument over the fare at Ashmont station. Anyone with…
Under section 18 of the CONSTITUTION AND GENERAL LAWS, the per capita tax and minimum dues rate for all active members must be adjusted each July based upon the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W, 1982-84=100) published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Dues will increases in the amount of $1.50 on…
Local 589 members who volunteered their time for the wakes and funerals of two Boston Fire Fighters, a Boston Police Gang Unit officer and a Plymouth Police Officer were honored on June 3rd at a special recognition ceremony. The event, attended by the Local 589 Executive Board, MBTA officials and Police and Fire Department leadership…
The next Governor of Massachusetts will have important decisions to make about how we will get to work, school, recreation, visit family and friends, and keep the economy going. Whether you walk, bike, take the train, the bus, drive, or ride a motorcycle, our quality of life depends on being able to get around. Please…
By Jacqueline Tempera | Boston Globe | MAY 22, 2014 A homeless man is facing assault charges after he allegedly attacked an MBTA bus driver, even after she allowed him to ride the bus for free, according to Suffolk County prosecutors. Donnell Flattes, 23, was charged with interfering with a bus driver, indecent assault and…
Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to the summer holiday season. While the day honors those who have given their lives defending the nation the weekend also marks the start of grilling season. Here’s some union-made food and drink to get your barbecue off to a great start: Hot Dogs, Sausages, Other Grill Meats Ball…
Wishing all our members and their families a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. As we enjoy the long weekend, let us never forgot all the men and women who gave their today for our tomorrow.
Join transit riders, workers and advocates on National Call Elected Officials Day on May 20 to call for more and better public transit, increased funding and better protection for riders and drivers. Keep the green coming for the greenest form of transportation. Millions of people in North America rely on the bus or train to…