President’s Report
A Message from President Jim Evers
Brothers and Sisters,
Summer is here and we are in the midst of one of the busiest tourist seasons Boston has ever seen.
From the World Cup to Sail Boston to the nation’s 250th Celebration, our members are the key to keeping Boston and the region moving safely and efficiently. Thank you all for all you do every day to make sure the millions of visitors get to where they’re going.
This edition of the Carmen’s Quarterly is packed with news, including an update on our efforts to raise public awareness about the new transit employee Assault Law. It's important to let the public know that the new law, which makes it a felony to assault a public transit worker, is now in effect. You’ll be seeing lots more about this in the coming weeks and months, including signs, advertisements and more media coverage.
We are also proud to have recently hosted the ATU Basketball Classic. We hosted teams from all across the country for a three-day tournament in Walpole that was not only fun, but great for the camaraderie of our national union. Local 589 made a great run to the championship game but ultimately came up short to Chicago. Thanks to all who participated in this great event!
Finally, we were proud to have been able to help our union brothers and sisters in the Boston Firefighters Local 718 and firefighters from across the country as they mourned the loss of their brother, Bobby Kilduff Jr. Local 589 stands in solidarity with the firefighters and mourns alongside you all.
Enjoy the summer and as always, please get in touch with me or a member of the executive board with any questions or concerns.
In solidarity,
Jim Evers President
CONGRATULATIONS PEGGY!
Former Local 589 Vice President Margaret “Peggy” LaPaglia was recently honored with the Glass Rose Award at the ATU International Women’s Caucus.
As the first female executive board member and first female VP of our local, Peggy was a tireless advocate for women’s issues in the workplace during her time in union office. Notably, she fought for and won maternity uniforms in our collective bargaining agreement, in addition to fighting for better wages and working conditions.
As a retiree, Peggy continues to serve the interests of our members as a leader in the pensioners club and by doing political work for candidates we
endorse. As part of her acceptance speech, Peggy took a point of personal privilege to acknowledge former Assistant Secretary Karen Maxwell. While Ms. LaPaglia and Ms. Maxwell may be the first two female board members for our union, they most certainly won’t be the last. Their ongoing efforts to ensure that everyone has a voice in the workplace have benefitted all of our members and will continue to do so.
Congratulations Peggy!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Carmen’s Union applauds new law aimed at protecting transit workers from assaults
The assault bill, which makes assaulting transit workers a felony and increases penalties, went into effect in March. Carmen’s 589 President Jim Evers and Vice President Bill Berardino have been leading a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the new law. Bill did a recent interview on “Nightside with Dan Rea” on WBZ Radio while both Jim and Bill sat down with “Monday Night Talk” on WATD 95.9 FM.There was also a recent piece covering the issue in the Dorchester Reporter.
Local 589 will be doing more public outreach in coming weeks, including posting ads on MBTA property and social media, as well as more press interviews. We are also actively monitoring the case in which a female operator was assaulted. The alleged assailant recently skipped bail. We are monitoring the case and will continue to support our sister to bring the assailant to justice. Keep an eye out for more information on how you can participate.
Listen to the WATD interview here.
Listen to the WBZ interview here.
Nubian Station
Welcome New Board Members Alix Gaston and Jerry Cohen
Longtime Local 589 members Alix Gaston and Jerry Cohen - both former bus operatorswere recently sworn in as new members of the executive board.
Gaston was born in Haiti and moved to the United States with his family when he was 12 years old. He became a U.S. citizen and attended Hyde Park High School and the Ben Franklin Institute in Boston before being hired as an MBTA bus operator in 2004. He became a barn captain at Cabot Yard and was elected as a delegate in the fall.
"I wanted to do a little more within the union," he said. "It’s better to be part of it than just complaining about it. If you want changes you have to do it yourself. That’s one of the reasons I got more involved."
Cohen, whose dad is a retiree of Carmen's Local 589, grew up in Mattapan and Roxbury and is a graduate of Bedford High School in Bedford. He studied criminal justice at Curry College and
worked in hospitality. He was working as a chef at a Newbury Street restaurant when he was hired by the T in 2014.
He worked as a bus operator first in Charlestown and then in Southampton, where he was elected Barn Captain in 2020.
"I like the fact I’m in a position to help the operators," he said. "At the end of the day, I’m still a bus operator. Anything I can do to help the operators, I’ll do it.”
"It’s important," he added. "As you work your way up, you find out what people need. With us being on the frontlines, there’s no better person to delegate for this union."
Gaston agreed.
"It’s important for us to be part of that conversation," he said. "As operators we were effected by decisions. Now we’re trying to be more aware so our input means a lot more.”
Mentorship Program - Arborway Visit
Local 589 members gathered at Arborway this month for an information session on the union’s in-house mentorship program initiative. The program aims to foster guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing among members while helping strengthen the next generation of union leadership. Additional sessions and future dates are expected to follow. Thanks to all who joined this event!
ATU Basketball Classic
Local 589 was proud to host the ATU Basketball Classic, which included teams from Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Detroit in a three-day tournament at former Boston Celtic Brian Scalabrine’s White Mamba Gym in Walpole. Congrats to Chicago on a hardfought victory and thanks to all the locals who fielded teams and traveled to Boston for the tournament. Players and coaches from the teams also enjoyed Boston throughout their visit and got free MBTA passes to get around to see the sites! It was a great weekend — nice work by all who participated and helped organize this event!
589 Basketball League
Thanks to all who participated in the weekly Carmen’s 589 Wednesday night basketball league at the Vine Street Community Center. It was a great season! See you all next year.
Tweets of Praise
Retirees
Susie Accime
Gina R. Boswell
Keanita Burrell-Nanton
Guy Desrosena
Ricardo Diaz
Robert D. Enck
Jose W. Erazo-Sosa
John E. Fencer
Stephanie Hobbs
In Memoriam
Joseph Bates
Paul Belanger
Paul Belben – 50 Year Member
Edward F. Igoe
Cheung P. Lam
Philip A. Massive
Timothy J. Mchugo
Kevin J. Mendes
Pierre O. Mondesir
Fredrick W. Mutebi
Alex L. Owie
Patrick J. Perkins
Walter Bridgeman Jr – 50 Year Member
Silas Brown – 50 Year Member
Paul Burke – 50 Year Member
Daniel Cooper – 50 Year Member
Robert T. Crowley – 50 Year Member
Willie J Davis
Robert Degust
Arthur Fleming
Barry G. Pulsford
Maurizio Ricci
William H. Riley
Rafael Sanchez
Caroletta Shaw Boyd
Josept C. Straccia
James Irwin
Gloria Jolley
William B. Keane – 50 Year Member
William J. Maclellan – 50 Year Member
Michael Martelli
Huso Memic
John F. Morris – 50 Year Member
William Pollard Jr.
Mary Purvis
Helen Santos
Leonard Smith
Congrats to Tim Hugo
We recently bid a fond farewell and offered our congratulations to the #1 Streetcar Motorperson at the MBTA, Tim McHugo (Badge 9797). Hired in February of 1992, Tim’s reputation for being a quiet and hardworking professional made him an example for many new people throughout the years.
A fixture on the Boston College line for many years, Tim rounded out his service doing mornings on Beacon Street. His commitment to excellence, and kind and easy going presence will be missed.
Thank you to Tanya Baker and Sheila Beasley for organizing his luncheon and to Marlayna Robinson for doing his radio send off.
Congratulations Tim! The Green Line is better for your service. Thanks for helping to pave the way!
News from the Barns
The Riverside Carhouse was recently dedicated in honor of William “Billy” Scaccia, a longtime foreman whose nearly 50 years of service left a lasting mark on the MBTA and everyone who had the privilege of working with him.
Family, friends, coworkers, retirees, and current employees gathered to celebrate Billy’s legacy
and unveil a plaque recognizing his leadership, dedication, and commitment to his team.
As the plaque reads, Billy was “a leader who showed up, stood strong, and always had his team’s back.” His example continues to inspire those who work at Riverside today.
Never forgotten. That standard lives on.
589 in the Community
Local 589 Proudly Provided Transportation for Services for Fallen Boston Firefighter
The men and women of Local 589 were honored to provide transportation for our brothers, sisters, and siblings in the International Association of Fire Fighters as they gathered to say their final goodbye to Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF member Bobby Kilduff Jr. during memorial services.
It was a privilege to play a small role in honoring a life of service and sacrifice and to stand in solidarity with those mourning such a profound loss. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and fellow firefighters during this difficult time.
VOTE
SEPTEMBER 1
There are many local elections on September 1st. Please remember to vote. And support the endorsed candidates of Local 589.
Please check our website for the full list of endorsements.
