ATU, Transit Union @ATUComm

The ATU General Executive Board (GEB) gathered in New York City this week for a full slate of reports and updates from across our Union. International President John Costa chaired the week-long meeting, joined by International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo, International Secretary Treasurer Ken Kirk, ATU Canada President John Di Nino, and ATU's International Vice Presidents representing members from coast to coast across the United States and Canada. Over the course of the week, the GEB dug into the work of charting our Union's future. Board members heard presentations from every International department, reflecting the full scope of what ATU does for the 200,000+ workers we're proud to represent. The GEB also gathered with members and leaders from New York and New Jersey Locals to hear directly from the people who keep this country moving. Costa thanked the Locals for their hospitality and the GEB for a productive week of work. "Everything we do in that boardroom comes back to the members," said Costa. "Transit workers move millions of people every single day, and they do it with skill and heart. They're the reason this Union exists, and they're the reason we fight."

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The ATU condemns the fatal shooting of a Culver City bus driver in California by a passenger. We send our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim as of a result of a senseless act of violence while bravely doing his job serving the public. Our Union demands that transit agencies and government officials provide better protections and safety measures that will help to prevent these tragedies from happening. #NotOneMore abc7.com/post/bus-drive…

We welcome Local 128-Asheville, NC,  President/Business Steve Sprague as our newest International Organizer. #OurVoiceOurPower

#TruthAndReconciliation

First Student is threatening the health and safety of our Local 1546 Zachary School Bus Drivers and their students by failing to address maintenance problems and broken air conditioning on buses. #UnionStrong wbrz.com/news/union-con…

It’s time for Regina Transit to keep their promises to beef up safety for the sake of our Local 588 members and riders. #NotOneMore #canlab leaderpost.com/news/regina-ci…

Our celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month continues recognizing Brother Pablo González Local 820-Union City, NJ. #HispanicHeritageMonth

Welcome to our newest Coach Operator apprenticeship graduates at Local 697-Toledo, OH. These are the first graduates of the new innovative apprenticeship program developed by our Local and TARTA. Under International President John Costa’s leadership, our Union has set the standard for developing these important apprenticeship programs in the transit industry.

Another successful ATU Canada Conference. Thanks to Local 508-Halifax, NS, for hosting and our Local leaders for advocating for our members. #OurVoicePower #canlab @NS_Labour #1u

On Day 2 of the ATU Canada Conference, delegates showed up in unity wearing their conference tshirts as International President John Costa and ATU Canada President John Di Nino opened the day. Then came one of the biggest items on the agenda: Nominations and Elections for an ATU Canada Executive Board member for Western Canada. Congratulations, Recording Secretary Crystal Hanley of Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB! The afternoon took us out of the conference room and onto the water. President Costa, our ATU International Officers, and Local 508 President/Business Agent Nicholas Hinkley took a site visit to the Halifax Ferry, run by our Local 508 members, including Ferry Captain Emma Charles. On behalf of ATU International, thank you to all of our Canadian members for showing the power of cross-border solidarity! Our Voice, Our Power! Notre Voix, Notre Pouvoir!

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Day 1 of the ATU Canada Conference is officially in the books! We opened in Halifax with the National Anthem, a Land Acknowledgment, and a Moment of Silence, before ATU Canada President John Di Nino called the conference to order. Claudia Chender, Leader of the NS NDP and Official Opposition, addressed delegates, and we heard reports from ATU International Vice Presidents Manny Sforza, John Callahan, and Ken Wilson, International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo and International Secretary Treasurer Ken Kirk, along with a strike recap from Local 1557's Olivier Lachance, Yan Dompierre-Duford, and Isabel Martins. ATU International President John Costa made it to Halifax to close out the day, bringing greetings and a message that set the tone for the whole conference. "We organize. We show up. We fight for our seat at the table, and when they attack us, we fight back and win." He pointed to the wins that prove it. Local 113's legal victory on drug and alcohol testing, Local 1557 coming out of their strike stronger, and the passage of Bill C-14 expanding Criminal Code protections for transit workers across the country. As Costa put it, "That's Power In Motion, and that's the ATU." Onward to Day 2!

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The ATU continues our celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month recognizing our rock star Brother Willie Delgado, Local 1596-Orlando, FL. #HispanicHeritageMonth #1u #canlab

Wishing all of our ATU members who observe Yom Kippur an easy fast. #YomKippur

One of the most well-attended in history, the 2026 ATU Latino Caucus wrapped today in New Orleans, closing out 35 years the same way this Caucus started by being organized, hopeful, and stronger together. Members walked in carrying concerns about what this moment means for their families. They walked out with answers, and with people ready to fight alongside them. International President John Costa opened the two days with a call to stand up to that fear, and what followed was a session on immigration law and rights, an immigration panel that armed members with real answers, and a room full of people who refused to face this moment alone. "This Caucus has never been about one hard fight," Costa said as the conference closed. "It's about 35 years of showing up for each other and building the power to keep showing up for 35 more. Sí se puede isn't just something we say. It's what we do." Congratulations to this year's award honorees, Latino Caucus President Luis Alzate, the entire executive board, and to each and every volunteer. ¡Gracias por todo!

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Day one of the 2026 ATU Latino Caucus is underway in New Orleans, and International President John Costa opened it with a message our hermanas y hermanos needed to hear. "We won’t stand by while our members live in fear," Costa said, addressing the immigration raids near transit hubs and the members who are afraid to go to work over where they were born, the color of their skin or what language they speak at home. Costa also named the economic pressure sitting right alongside rent, groceries, health care costs and the threats of automation climbing faster than paychecks. "For our members, immigration fear and economic pressure are not two separate fights," he said. "They show up in the same household, sometimes on the same day." Costa pointed to the Caucus's roots for strength, invoking the organizers who built power and the leaders carrying that same spirit forward today, including Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo, the first woman and first Latina elected to that seat. "That same spirit is what built the Latino Caucus," Costa said, "and it's what will carry us through this too. Our answer to fear is organizing. Our answer to fear is each other." On day one, attendees also heard from the Honorable Mayor of New Orleans, Helena Moreno, the first Latina Mayor in the city’s history, and learned from ATU International staff about arbitrations and grievances. We even got a chance to go to the original home of the “Poor Boy” sandwich at Parkway Bakery and Tavern, named after our striking members they fed in 1929. To every Latino and Latina worker, you're not alone. The ATU sees you and stands with you. ¡Sí se puede!

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Under International President John Costa, the ATU has set the standard for transit workforce development programs across North America. Our Union continues to expand our programs and recently meet with the Local 113-Toronto, ON, Maintenance Executive Board to discuss bringing a structured, union-led mentorship approach to the maintenance side of the transit workforce. This program would pair our experienced members with newly hired maintenance workers and those in need of additional support through a structured peer-to-peer mentoring model. This support helps our members navigate the early stages of their careers and build a foundation for long-term success. This is what union strength looks like: members supporting members and building a stronger future together. #OurVoiceOurPower

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Another tragic bus accident, this one involving one of our Local 587-Seattle, WA, Bus Operators. The driver of the stolen SUV was killed, and 3 bus passengers were injured. Our member is thankfully ok.  This accident hits home for our members across North America who do the essential job of safely and reliably transporting people each day. komonews.com/news/local/dri…

We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic bus accident and TV news helicopter crash covering the accident in Los Angeles, CA, that took the lives of six people. We extend our condolences and prayers to the families of the victims and all those impacted by this tragedy. latimes.com/california/sto…

Texas election zoom post is up, please tweet and post, on FB: With Texas being a critical battleground state in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections to determine power in Congress, International President John Costa convened a zoom of the ATU Texas State Legislative Conference Board to discuss our Union’s strategy. “We have a real opportunity in Texas with this election that we haven’t seen in a long time. We have a shot in the Senate with Talarico and the Governor’s race with Hinojosa,” Costa told the attendees. “We have thousands of members in Texas and their families that can make a difference in this election. Our future is at stake with the transportation bill, transit funding, autonomous vehicles, safety, AI, workforce training. We are committed to work with you and provide the resources to register our members and get the vote out to flip the Senate and the House. This is big for our future, and we can win.” ATU staff joined Costa on the call to discuss the political landscape in Texas and our plans for the election leading up to November 3. Also on the zoom were International Vice President Yvette Trujillo, International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk, and International Vice Presidents working with our Texas Locals. What was clear from this meeting is that elections have consequences and our Texas Locals and members will be mobilizing to ensure a stronger, brighter future for our Union, our families, and our country. #OurVoiceOurPower

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Today, September 15, marks the beginning of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. Our Union is celebrating by recognizing our Hispanic/Latinx members who have made a difference in our Union and the labor movement. Our first is International Vice President Arturo Aguilar. #HispanicHeritageMonth #1u #canlab #UnionStrong