Published 24 Mar, 2011
TWU leaders representing transit division locals from around the country met with fellow local and national union activists, transportation experts and transit system administrators to discuss the major challenges facing the transportation industry during a period of decreased funding and service cuts, an aging workforce and changing technology.
The Transportation Learning Center’s Making Connections conference in Silver Spring, Md. on March 17, 2011 was an opportunity for participants to share ideas and discuss strategies for improving transit service and creating good jobs. TWU members from Philadelphia, New York and Columbus and International staff participated in workshops, gave presentations and led conversations on how to move the industry forward towards a more sustainable future.
A top priority was addressing the transit funding crisis that will result in service cuts, job losses and reductions in training. Unions and transit agencies have some options for creative solutions to secure funding and develop innovative training programs that create jobs. Meanwhile, diverse coalitions of unions, riders and other groups are forming to mobilize for quality transportation. Bill Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association, told the audience that change often occurs during times of stress and difficulty.
TWU members discussed green initiatives that their local unions have launched focused on training and increasing efficiency. Angel Gjboyeaux, Administrative Vice President TWU Local 100, presented on Local 100’s work in New York City with the MTA to secure a $5 million dollar grant for green skills training to teach hundreds of workers skills ranging from fiber-optics to photovoltaic installation. Local 208 in Columbus, Ohio is taking steps to make Central Ohio Transit Authority facilities more sustainable.
“We have a moral obligation to be green and it is something we need to do for our children and the future. Plus, going green is always cheaper and can create jobs for the future,” said Duane Marbury, Financial Secretary-Treasurer Local 208, during a workshop on sustainability in public transportation.
Participants reiterated that public transportation is key to America’s future and economic recovery, but politicians have to understand the importance of transit and pass supportive legislation. J.W. Johnson, TWU Managing Director Legislative Government Affairs, discussed the pressing need to pass a long-term reauthorization of the federal ground transportation bill to provide much needed funding.
“In transit people move the product. You can have all the infrastructure you want but its an industry about people- the workers and the communities we serve,” said Beverly Scott, General Manager/CEO of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. “We provide value every day- we get people to school, hospital and work. Politicians need to know how important our work is.”
Many of the workshops focused on the ways training can provide career mobility, attract workers and improve the performance of transit systems.
During the closing session John Johnson, President TWU Local 234, remarked, “I have learned a lot of great things during the conference that I am going to take back to my local in Philadelphia and share with my members. We all need to do this and be the visionaries needed to make positive things happen.”