
- Chris Garlock, with additional reporting by Bruce Wolf; photos courtesy ATU 689 Twitter feed
Metro Washington Council afl-cio |
Bringing DC Labor Together since 1896 |
![]() Friday's derailment that shut down Metrorail’s Orange and Blue Lines dramatically underlined the need for dedicated funding that was the focus of Saturday's previously-planned rally organized by ATU 689 and other Metro workers. "Fix it! Fund it!" was the demand of hundreds of Metro workers and their allies at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on East Capitol Street. "This incident is a stark reminder of the need for dedicated funding for Metro so that the basic needs of maintenance and upkeep of our rail system can be addressed before someone else gets hurt," said Local 689. The rally featured introductions of Metro workers and a description of their work responsibility, each punctuated with call and response "We make it work!" From third shift car cleaners to station managers, electricians and journeyman escalator maintenance and repair, all reported having to "make do with less," including fewer people, less new equipment and inadequate supplies. "Try driving a bus in city traffic yourself and see who laughs," suggested ATU 689 president Jackie Jeter (left) to politicians who joke about Metro workers. "We can fix Metro but we can only fix it together," said WMATA Board Chair Jack Evans. "Workers, riders, and the entire region." Recounting the history of transport work from it's earliest days when private operators worked their horses four-hour shifts but forced 12-hour shifts on their workers, DC Circulator Bus Operator Flynn 'Tiny' Burke urged transit workers to "Organize, unite, and fight!" Read more from ATU 689 here. - Chris Garlock, with additional reporting by Bruce Wolf; photos courtesy ATU 689 Twitter feed Comments are closed.
|
COVID RESOURCESCOMMUNITY SERVICESen espanolUNEMPLOYMENT HELPLegislative updatesCalendarUNION City Radiomwc ELECTION 2020Evening with LaborDC LABORFestHIRING HALLUnion City NewsAFFILIATESAFFILIATE Social mediaUNION SHOPDC LABOR MAPDocumentsLeaders & StaffLabor 411-DCCategories
All
Archives
January 2021
|
NEW! Share any story to your Facebook or Twitter page or via email! Just click on the story and then click on the appropriate social media icon at right!
|
COPYRIGHT METRO COUNCIL AFL-CIO 2019
202-974-8150; [email protected] |