Friday, July 6, 2012

ATU dispatch



HBO takes hard, honest look at recession, premieres July 9



Chronicling the casualties of the Great Recession in the birthplace of the American suburban dream, Long Island, an HBO Documentary “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island” follows the story of the long-term unemployed and the shrinking of the middle class by exploring the lives of four families. Starting in the summer of 2010, which was supposed to be the summer of recovery, and continuing through the holiday season six months later, viewers witness the growing difficulties and despair as these people search in vain for employment while their plight and pain are too often invisible to the political and media elite. The documentary airs July 9th at 9pm on HBO. Watch the trailer.

Stay connected and win an iPad2 or ATU jacket
You too can win an ATU iPad2 like John "Jack" Miller of Local 741, London, ON, pictured on the right.

All you have to do is go to the ATU website (www.atu.org) and sign up to receive the latest ATU news and action alerts. To enter the contest, simply provide your e-mail, local number and postal code. If you have already submitted your email you’re still signed up for the contest, simply click “Skip and Continue to Website.”



Optimism in Moncton lockout?

Locked out Codiac Transpo workers received some potential good news as the City of Moncton and Local 1290 have agreed to sit down with a conciliator on July 9th and 10th to try and work out their dispute. Local 1290 President George Turple says they are willing to do what they can to help bring this dispute to an end. "Hopefully the city's coming with the same approach” he said. Additionally, a complaint of bargaining in bad faith by the ATU is scheduled to come before the Labour Board this month and Turple says if a fair deal is reached that complaint would go away. Read more.

Column profiles transit victory in Wisconsin

Featured in In These Times, ATU International President Larry Hanley tells the story of an unexpected progressive victory in Weston, WI, a town that fully restored public transit services, overriding a local governing Board decision to terminate funding. What makes the story remarkable is that the ballots were cast at the same time as the Wisconsin recall of Gov. Scott Walker. While Weston voted heavily to keep Walker in office, these same voters delivered a large margin in favor of restoring public transit services due to an aggressive campaign led by Local 1168 and a coalition of transit advocates. What does this mean for public transportation and progressive politics? Read President Hanley’s blog here.


Winnipeg considers transit cops on buses

In an effort to protect bus drivers and passengers from rising assaults, the city of Winnipeg is considering expanding the role of its inspectors to provide more security on the city’s buses. The city council's public works committee voted to hold off on approving a report about safety on buses until transit officials explore the idea of granting more power to supervisors who currently have the task of responding to incidents on buses. Read more.

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