We’re writing today to tell you about our ongoing efforts to advocate on your behalf and protect transit jobs from privatization. A few months ago, the executive board agreed to look for ways to reach a deal with MBTA leadership to lengthen our contract and prevent the outsourcing of Boston Carmen’s Union work. Today,…
CBS Boston | June 17, 2016 10:08 AM BOSTON – “It’s the little things that can really brighten up someone’s life especially in hard moments.” That was a Cambridge man’s reaction after having a conversation with a remarkable MBTA bus driver Thursday afternoon. Samuel Gebru was taking the 64 bus home when he started talking…
The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board met again to explore more ways to privatize parts of the MBTA. Today’s meeting focused on warehouse logistics. President Jimmy O’Brien as well as several members of Local 589 questioned the savings privatization would bring as well as why it was being privatized at all since the problems…
Yesterday, the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board met to discuss privatizing the money room. President Jimmy O’Brien as well as several members of Local 589 spoke passionately against the measure citing, among others, security, safety, accountability, and quality. Below are some of the articles written about the meeting as well as some excerpts from…
Congratulations to all candidates – win or lose – who were on the final ballot. Our local is best served when our members take an active role so thank you to all members who participated in today’s election. Click here to see the results.
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