Boston Carmen's Union, Local 589

Special Election for Financial-Secretary Treasurer

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:10:03 +0000

Dear Brother or Sister:

Nominations will be held at the Union Office at 295 Devonshire St. on Monday, March 5, 2012 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You may call the Union office (617-542-8212) or Recording Secretary John Clancy on his cell phone (617-775-2990) between these hours to be nominated. The date of the special election is as follows and all voting will take place at the Boston Teachers Union Hall 180 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, MA accessible by the Red-Line at JFK Station.

Primary Election will take place on Monday, March 19, 2012 between the hours of 7:00 am, and 9:00 pm.
Final Election will take place on Monday, April 2, 2012 between the hours of 7:00 am, and 9:00 pm.

Section 38. A member to be eligible as an officer or other elected position of this Local Union, or a delegate to a convention, must have been an active member in continuous good standing for the two years next preceding the day of the election; he must also have attended at least six meetings during each of these years unless excused by the President/Business Agent on account of absence or injury the duration of which would have prevented him from attending the required number of meetings or because his work has taken him out of town on the required number of meeting days. If a member who is in arrears pays his arrearage within sixty (60) days of his date of arrears, he shall be considered in good standing and eligible to be an officer, delegate, inspector or holder of another elected position. Members in the service of the Local Union or the International Union are deemed to be in service and are eligible to office provided they have complied with the provisions of the General Constitution and the Local By-Laws of the Local Union.

Fraternally,

John A. Clancy
Recording Secretary
ATU, Local 589

Statement by President John Lee

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:31:32 +0000

Earlier this month a regular internal audit uncovered irregularities in the Union’s treasury. The positive news for MBTA riders and taxpayers is that this exclusively involved Union funds – no MBTA funds and no taxpayer money was involved in any manner.

Immediately upon being informed by our auditor of problems, the Union contacted the proper authorities including our International Union as directed by our bylaws and constitution. The Union took all necessary and required steps to address the internal financial situation and that internal situation has been resolved.

At meetings this morning and this evening, the Union provided full details of this internal matter to our membership. Because no MBTA and no taxpayer funds were involved, this remains a private and internal matter that has been addressed and rectified.

MBTA Service Could Face Washington Threat

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:43:01 +0000

SouthEnd Patch | By Matt M. Casey | February 16, 2012

While local groups argue with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority about potential reductions to bus and ferry service, a proposal in Washington could worsen conditions for T riders.

A Salon.com opinion piece reported this week that House Republicans have proposed a transportation bill that would eliminate the Mass Transit Account from the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

Such a change could sharply impact the MBTA.

“The House transportation bill represents a giant step in the wrong direction for transit systems all over the country,” said Rep. Mike Capuano. “The dedicated funding stream for mass transit projects, which has been in place for decades, is being eliminated. This will mean less money for public transit projects everywhere. I won’t vote for this bill and I will continue doing everything I can to fight for transit funding.”

Congress will not vote on the measure this week. House speaker John Boehner reportedly told Republicans this week that he will delay voting on the bill until after next week’s congressional recess.

New documentary shows how T workers toil while others sleep

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:36:10 +0000

Boston Globe | Jeremy C. Fox | February 13, 2012

Late each night, more than 100 MBTA workers prowl the tracks of the transit system to find damage and make repairs, ending their workday before most commuters begin theirs.

It’s a largely unseen part of the MBTA, but one that is vital to the system’s maintenance and public safety. Thanks to a new documentary film recently released by the state, those workers and others who labor to make commuters safe are getting some rare attention.

“Boston Under: After Hours” follows the night crew through its shift, as workers deal with the challenges and dangers of the job, but the 44-minute film, available on YouTube, also surveys the history of the country’s first subway system and the safety issues that can arise at any time of day.

Patrick Kineavy, the T’s director of physical infrastructure maintenance who appears in the film, said in a recent phone interview that night crews are usually invisible to the commuting public but work hard to make riders safe, and they take pride in what they do.

“The only way that anyone knows there’s an actual crew out there at night is if there’s a delay in service for some reason,” Kineavy said. “What the public sees is those few times when something happens and there’s a delay.”

Kineavy said the idea for the documentary grew out of a popular article in the Boston Metro about the night crew’s work. A team of filmmakers from the communications office in the state Department of Revenue contacted the MBTA with the idea of digging deeper, so to speak, to show what the crew does.

Filmmakers Peter Olejnik and Edward Peters include personal reflections on the T from person-on-the-street interviews, including familiar criticisms that the T should run later at night, after bars close, or should be more technologically advanced.

The filmmakers include responses to those criticisms, including an interview where state Secretary of Transportation Richard A. Davey explains that while the current subway fare is $1.70 per ride, the actual cost to the T is $3.50 – $3.70. But that cost-per-ride shoots up to $8 – $10 for late-night service, when few are riding the trains, Davey says.

The film highlights women who work in challenging and physically demanding jobs on the night crew, such as welder Paula Pennachio, who talks about the satisfaction of repairing something broken and seeing it look brand new. Val Morris, a trackperson and former trolley conductor, says, “I think when a lot of females see us doing this, then they know they can do it too.”

It also reviews the construction of the original subway in the 1890s with transit historian Bradley H. Clarke, president of the Boston Street Railway Association. The subway was largely dug by hand by thousands of Irish and Italian immigrants, all in two and a half years, he explains.

Clarke says it would take about as long today, despite better technology, due to modern permitting requirements and environmental concerns.

Kineavy, who has worked in the T’s track department since 1982, hopes the documentary will show the riding public the intensive training that track workers undergo and the effort they put into making travelers safe.

Each night from Sunday to Thursday, the track department’s system repair workers walk the tracks performing visual inspections, taking measurements and looking for defects or anomalies. They cover the entire length of the tracks three times a week on the Green Line and twice a week on the Red, Orange, and Blue lines.

These workers list areas needing repair in their quality-control logs and assign each a priority number from one to three. A planning and scheduling coordinator then takes all the logs to schedule work for upcoming shifts.

Because all work needs to be done between 1 and 5 a.m., when the T is closed, to avoid service delays, work that requires four or more hours to complete must be performed over more than one night.

T employees were not required to participate in the film, Kineavy said, but many workers were proud to talk about what they do.

“Our goal out there every night is to create a safe ride for the other T employees and the public,” Kineavy said. “That’s always on our minds, so I hope that comes through [in the film].”

An MBTA spokesman said the authority hopes to host a public screening of the documentary but has not yet set a date.

Click here for the full film on YouTube.com.

Mass. AFL-CIO “State of the Union” Conference

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:02:13 +0000

The Executive Board of Local 589 attended the recent Massachusetts AFL-CIO “State of the Union” Conference. This 3-day intensive planning and information session included elected officials, panels on political and organizing efforts, economic overviews and discussions on the issues facing workers and unions in 2012.

Local 589′s Executive Board had the opportunity to meet with and discuss issues with many elected leaders in the Commonwealth including Lt. Governor Tim Murray, State Senate President Therese Murray, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA 8th CD) who is a member of the Transportation Committee in Congress.

Click here for more photos.

Menino urges new revenue for MBTA

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:00:54 +0000

By Eric Moskowitz | Boston Globe | January 31, 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino urged the state to avoid steep MBTA fare increases and service cuts, calling in a letter received yesterday by top state leaders for a gas tax or other increased levy to aid the T.

Hailing transit’s role in the region’s economy, environment, and quality of life, Menino said it would be a mistake to drive people away at a time of record ridership.

The T faces a $161 million deficit for the next budget year and carries more than $5 billion in debt, much of that used to pay for popular but unfunded MBTA expansion ordered by Beacon Hill.

That prompted the MBTA to propose raising the price of fares and passes an average of 35 percent to 43 percent while cutting numerous bus routes, scrapping ferry and weekend and late-night commuter rail service, and substantially raising discounted fares for students, seniors, and the disabled.

“I understand the difficult decisions facing the MBTA. Many administrations have simply passed the buck,’’ Menino wrote to state Secretary of Transportation Richard A. Davey, copying in the governor, Senate president, House speaker, and Boston lawmakers. “However, riders should not be forced to shoulder the entire weight of this debt.’’

Davey said he appreciated Menino’s letter and expected it, having spoken with him last week. But he said he has no expectation of receiving more money from the state.

“At this point, [we] are trying to offer solutions that are in our toolbox. Revenues from the state side do not seem to be forthcoming, in large part because there are significant budget pressures on the state as well,’’ Davey said. But Menino, he said, “knows the neighborhoods better than anyone in this city, and his perspective on how the cuts will affect our riders, our customers, and his constituents is extraordinarily valuable.’’

Menino acknowledged that riders might accept “modest fare increases’’ – the T last raised fares Jan. 1, 2007. But the mayor said he considers the proposals drastic, particularly hikes of 100 percent or more on fares for students and the elderly, and substantial changes to door-to-door service for the disabled, many of whom live on fixed incomes and rely on the MBTA to get around.

Faced with a choice between fare increases or service cuts, Menino said cuts should be avoided, given the lifeline that service represents. As an example, he cited threatened bus routes that carry hundreds daily to and from drug-treatment programs, homeless shelters, and other services on Long Island.

Meanwhile, ferries should be expanded, not cut, to encourage continued development along the waterfront from South Boston to East Boston, he wrote.

Calling current proposals a “one-year Band-Aid,’’ Menino wrote, “We are in desperate need of a dedicated revenue source’’ for the T. He offered help in discussing ideas while also asking that the T be relieved of Big Dig-related debt.

That debt – to pay for projects required for the state to proceed with the Big Dig and comply with federal environmental law – became the T’s burden in 2000.

Until then, the state annually made up the difference between MBTA expenses and the T’s fares, parking, and other income. But the Legislature enacted a program that made the T responsible for its budget, giving it a percentage of the state sales tax but also saddling it with debt.

The T cut staffing while adding service and wringing more money from advertising and real estate. But the sales tax has fallen short, some costs have soared (fuel, electricity, health insurance) and the debt has constrained the T’s budgets and its ability to invest in maintenance.

Patrick tried to raise the gas tax previously but lawmakers, instead raised the sales tax.

Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo noted the letter’s receipt but otherwise declined to comment.

Patrick said recently that the state transportation system needs a permanent financing fix, though he has no immediate plan; Murray and DeLeo have said they will wait until MBTA public hearings conclude in March to weigh in.

Davey said the T would continue to seek more money through real estate sales, advertising, and legal settlements.

He expects the T’s plans to evolve before they are enacted: “What I’ve heard from most customers is that if choosing between the two, folks would rather pay more than see service be cut.’’

But he said Menino is right that the problem is not going away. T debt payments will balloon in coming years, requiring even more cuts or fare increases without outside help.

“We do need a broader solution,’’ Davey said. “No doubt about it.’’

Eric Moskowitz can be reached at emoskowitz@globe.com.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: 2011 Tax Information

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:12:44 +0000

2011 Union Dues:
$832.00

Health Insurance Cost:
All deductions for your Health Insurance in 2011 were PRE-TAXED. Therefore they may not be deducted on your personal taxes. If you should need your Health Insurance deductions, they would appear on your last Payroll stub of 2011.

Fraternally,

John A. Clancy
Recording Secretary
ATU Local 589

2 arrested after MBTA bus driver allegedly assaulted

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:13:18 +0000

(Courtesy of Channel 7 – WHDH) NEWTON, Mass. — Two suspects were arrested in Newton after police say they talked their way into a free MBTA bus ride to court, and then beat up the driver who helped them.

7News cameras rolled as police cuffed 24-year-old Kelly Galvin and her boyfriend, 28-year-old Jesse Cedrone.

Friday morning, the two got on a bus heading towards Newton center. Police say Galvin told the driver her purse was stolen so she had no money, and driver let them ride.

“As they were getting off the bus she noticed the female who said her purse was stolen actually in fact had a purse on her. So she was not appreciative of this, the bus driver, she told her so. She said, ‘Don’t expect that to happen again,’” said Lt. Bruce Apotheker of the Newton Police Department.

Two hours later, the same driver pulled back up to another stop on her route where the two were waiting. Police say Galvin rushed on the bus and spit in the drivers face, then attacked her.

“The bus driver stands up and is pulled from the bus by the suspect, pulling clumps of her hair. She punches her, she kicks her, she bites her finger very badly,” said Lt. Apotheker.

The two got in a cab around the block them jumped on another bus trying to make their getaway, but police caught up to them. A belligerent Galvin resisted arrest, screaming and kicking a female officer in the leg.

“It’s a horrible thing, this bus driver; she’s just doing her job. She’s trying to do the right thing, she’s making a living and she’s viciously attacked at work. That shouldn’t happen to anybody,” said Lt. Apotheker.

Police say the two suspects may have been on drugs at the time or their arrest. The bus driver went to the hospital, but is fine.

Read more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12006541973983/2-arrested-after-mbta-bus-driver-allegedly-assaulted/#ixzz1kpRoAoLZ

ALERT: Fellow Union Brother Needs Help!

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:32:20 +0000

Delegate Patrick Hogan reports that Brother Jerome Tarter (Badge 67725) and his family were victims of a major fire that destroyed their home on January 22nd. Brother Tarter, his wife, son and daughter escaped unharmed but their home and all their possessions were lost in the fire.Donations of clothing, especially for the Tarter children, are badly needed and would be appreciated. His 7-year old son is size 7/8 Boys and his 12-year old daughter is size 14/16 Girls. Donations can be left at the Charlestown Garage or at the Union Office.

Local Leaders React to MBTA’s Proposed Cuts, Favor Upping Gas Tax

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:11:46 +0000

By Jarret Bencks | Somerville Patch | January 20, 2012

While the MBTA has ideas to solve its funding crisis, the state legislature is likely to come up with its own.

The MBTA Caucus of the state’s legislature—state representatives whose communities are served by the MBTA—met Tuesday and is actively meeting to develop its own plan as alternative to the transit authority’s offerings, state Rep. Carl Sciortino said Wednesday.

“I believe the legislature has a responsibility to look at this and address this,” Sciortino said.

Local political leaders are critical of proposals offered by the MBTA to resolve its funding crisis, and some believe there is a clear alternative—revisiting the commonwealth’s gas tax.

“MBTA fares have more than doubled since the gas tax was last raised in 1991 and now … we have to have a conversation again about the gas tax,” Sciortino said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The MBTA recently offered two scenarios to shore up a projected $161 million deficit. One proposal included significant cuts that would decimate much of the transit’s bus system, along with modest fare increases, while the other offered more significant fare hikes with fewer service cuts.

But those proposals don’t offer long-term solutions to the state’s infrastructure troubles, and they aren’t fair to riders, Sciortino said.

“A modest fare increase is reasonable, but the current proposals are not reasonable,” Sciortino said. “It’s unfair to ask T riders to pay more for less service.”

State Senator Pat Jehlen, a Democrat who represents Medford and Somerville, agrees.

“Even the relatively big increases being proposed will not provide more than a one- or two-year fix,” Jehlen said in an email to Patch Wednesday. “I, along with some of my colleagues, have been advocating for an increase in the gas tax as a reasonable and sustainable way to ensure financial solvency for the T. It is past time that we seriously address these long term funding issues. I will continue to advocate for an increase in the gas tax and more dedicated revenue to the T.”

In an interview with Somerville Patch, state Rep. Denise Provost said she would like to revisit the gas tax as an option to addressing the T’s woes. She also brought up the idea adding tolls to Boston’s central artery.

In the mean time, the MBTA is holding public meetings on the proposed fare increases and service reductions around the state, most recently at Chelsea Public Library Wednesday. They will hold local meetings in Malden on Feb. 16 and Somerville on Feb. 28.