LOCAL 589
CARMEN’S QUARTERLY
Spring 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S REPORT CARMEN’S LEADS THE FIGHT TO REVERSE MBTA CUTS AT THE WORKSITE UPDATES MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JOSE MOLINA 50 YEAR MEMBERS TRANSIT DRIVER APPRECIATION IN MEMORIAM RETIREMENTS/HEALTH AND WELFARE UPDATES
2
L O C A L 5 8 9 AT U
3 4 5 6 7 8-9 10 11
PRESIDENT’S REPORT A Message from President Jim Evers Brothers and Sisters, This past year has been a trying time for us all, full of challenge and uncertainty. Yet as we emerge from the hardships of 2020, our union has remained strong and continues to fight for the priorities of Carmen’s Local 589 members. Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 stood up to Governor Charlie Baker and forced him to address the needs of essential transit workers. The announcement shifting transportation workers into Phase 2 as of March 22 ensured earlier eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. We also look forward to making real and lasting change in transportation funding as the new Biden-Harris administration priorities around infrastructure move forward. Through our effort, and that of our allies, including our strong Congressional delegation, we defeated plans for layoffs and furloughs of transit workers. We also united to fight back against moves by Governor Baker and MBTA leadership to cut services on T trains and bus lines, and have won restoration of most service lines. As the American Rescue Plan Act funding of $4.5 billion for Massachusetts becomes available, we are fighting for transit to stay front and center. We continue to work with other labor and community organizations to advocate together, and ensure tactics to divide us fail. A shared message will best accomplish our shared goals. The confirmation of former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as Secretary of Labor promises to bring a new level of support to the MBTA, local members, and the Massachusetts transportation system. Throughout his career, Secretary Walsh has shown unwavering support for transit workers and public transportation.
We must work to support leaders who share our values. That’s why we proudly endorsed and stood by Jeffrey Turco as he ran for State Representative, 19th Suffolk District, in the March 30 general election. The seat was vacated by former Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and following a Special Election victory. Several key pieces of legislation at the State House impact Carmen’s members, including House Bill 1781, sponsored by Representative McGonagle and with an ever-growing list of over 25 cosponsors. This legislation would increase penalties on those who assault transit employees, and will be a continued high priority for our union in the coming months. We encourage members to contact their legislators and encourage them to back this legislation. We also continue to push legislation to create a union seat and a rider seat on the FMCB, ensuring labor and community voices are heard at that table. Exploration of a pilot program to test a low-income fare system, and ensure expansion dependent on a funding mechanism is another priority bill. Our frequent and open dialogues with legislators ensure the voices of members are heard loud and clear. We will continue to advocate for our members, and against any moves by MBTA leadership to prioritize budget and service cuts at the expense of safety, riders, and the public. The Carmen’s Union, and our members, remain united. Jim Evers, President Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 We continue to move forward with the lawsuit against the MBTA for payroll errors, and we are gathering depositions. Please notify your delegate of any payroll issues you have experienced. C A R M E N ’ S Q U A R T E R LY
•
SPRING 2021
3
LOCAL 589 LEADS THE FIGHT TO REVERSE MBTA CUTS AND RESTORE SERVICE Thanks to weeks of organizing, protests and heartfelt testimony before the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board spearheaded by Carmen’s Local 589 and a broad coalition of transit advocates and community groups, we succeeded in forcing the governor and T’s leadership to move T employees into Phase 2 for COVID-19 vaccines and reverse a range of damaging budget and service cuts. As part of an ongoing partnership with community and labor allies, our union strongly argued the MBTA did NOT need to furlough workers or make drastic cuts to bus and train lines, because it is due to receive at least $845 million from the federal COVID-19 relief bill. After voting to enact millions in cuts, the FMCB voted to reverse the decision “as fast as possible” across all platforms. The agency’s reversal is a major victory for frontline workers and for the working-class communities who rely on public transit to get to their jobs, medical appointments, and complete other important tasks. What began with street and hearing room protests escalated and drew pressure from the Massachusetts congressional delegation, as well as state leaders. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Stephen Lynch, and State Senator Joseph Boncore were among the elected officials who joined us in urging the Baker-Polito Administration and the FMCB to put people over profits. Hundreds of
4
L O C A L 5 8 9 AT U
people also called Governor Charlie Baker’s office, urging him to use the federal stimulus bill funds to roll back cuts and reinstitute full service on bus, rail, and ferry lines. We are thankful for the efforts of the Public Transit Public Good coalition in this battle and look forward to continued collaboration. Together we can strengthen the MBTA, and safeguard workers and commuters. We also stood up to Governor Baker to demand that thousands of transit workers waiting for COVID-19 vaccines not be pushed to the back of the line, especially when a fully set up vaccination site for transit agency employees was shuttered by the Baker-Polito administration. This steady drumbeat resulted in a shift to transit workers being included in Phase 2 of vaccination planning. We will continue to fight for Carmen’s members and the community as federal dollars are spent, the pandemic continues to decrease, and as our region begins to return to the busy events and activities of spring.
Riders deserve safe public transit. Invest in transit now. Visit PublicTransitPublicGood.org for more information.
EXECUTIVE BOARD VISITS WITH MEMBERS AT WORKSITES The past few weeks have seen some unprecedented developments: A rapid expansion of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and the start of no-appointment, walk-up vaccine sites; Business reopenings, and a surge in the state’s economy. While we will not soon forget the toll COVID-19 has taken, we can see the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
As the year progresses, we will continue spreading the good news about service restoration and hopefully added capacity as allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds rolls out in Massachusetts!
Your Executive Board is excited to be ramping up visits with members. During the first week of May, members spent the afternoon visiting the MBTA Cabot Garage. Earlier this year, Officers visited the Fellsway Garage and the Blue Line’s Orient Heights station. COVID-19 restrictions did not keep us from observing Massachusetts Worker Memorial Day on April 28. We’ve also been talking over issues of concern like staffing, the payroll survey, and our effort to alert the public that they should continue to wear face coverings while using public transit. We want to highlight the successful fight to reverse MBTA management’s proposed cuts to service and jobs. It’s a victory that couldn’t have been achieved without your support and your efforts, adding your voice at public meetings, protests, and on social media.
Photo: This Workers’ Memorial Day, Carmen’s members Sanyi Harris, Bernandin Etienne, and Andrew Wong were remembered and honored.
C A R M E N ’ S Q U A R T E R LY
•
SPRING 2021
5
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Jose Molina
Jose Molina awakens each day at 3 a.m. in order to steer his Route 32 MBTA bus on its initial 4:34 a.m. trip from Hyde Park to Forest Hills. The bus is filled with first responders - nurses, doctors, and other hospital workers. For Molina, who is 52 and grew up in Roxbury, serving these frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic has been a source of extreme pride and satisfaction, and one of the highlights of his 21-year career. His dedication is the reason Molina, who is also known for helping passengers who don’t speak English when they board his vehicle, was recognized by the MBTA during Transit Driver Appreciation Month. “The T is not just not a bus service. The T is the eyes and ears of the city, especially during the coronavirus pandemic,” Molina observed. “We've been on the front line since this (pandemic) started.” “Everybody knows me off that route. In the mornings I pick up a lot of nurses, a lot of doctors, and a lot of people that work in the hospital, like janitors,” Molina said of the connection he’s forged with his passengers. “That’s really satisfying for me when they acknowledge us and they say thanks. I say ‘thank you’ about 40-to-50 times.” “That gets me excited and that gets me going for the entire day.” Molina, who has two daughters, now lives in Roslindale and operates out of the Arborway garage, formerly worked in the police division of the Massachusetts Department of Housing. He’d been in that job for 10 years and decided
6
L O C A L 5 8 9 AT U
to take the police exam and transition to being a police officer. While he was waiting to hear about his exam results, he decided to also apply for a position at the MBTA. As luck would have it, the T was the first to reach out and offer him a bus operator position. “I’ve had a wonderful experience with the T,” Molina said. “The job has always been great to me.” Molina said the best part of his job is interacting with the community, meeting people, and getting to connect with them, sometimes briefly, and sometimes over years of daily trips. “I get to see them in the morning. I used to give them a big smile in the morning, but with the mask, you really can’t see it as much,” Molina said with a chuckle. Molina said he’s felt comfortable as a bus driver since his first day on the job. He thinks his years as a housing officer helped make him feel at ease interacting with people, and being fluent in both English and Spanish has been a real asset. “I enjoy being bi-lingual. I enjoy when I’m able to provide that service to someone who speaks my language,” he said. “When they get on the bus they get a little bit nervous because they don't know what to ask in English. So that's when I smile and I say in Spanish, ‘How can I help you?’ And now I’ve broken that barrier and they feel comfortable and explain to me they need to get to a certain location, or I help them load up the farebox. They leave smiling. They leave happy that I could provide them the service they were looking for.”
Honoring Boston Carmen’s Union members who have been members for over 50+ years Paul P Accarrino Frank Allen Vincent M Alleyne Eugene P Amico David W Anderson Stefano Avitabile Anthony Baio Lawrence E Bedell Warren L Belden, Sr. Richard S Bennett Eldon P Brean Walter C Bridgeman, Jr. Philip A Brine Paul J Bulens Paul S Burke James H Burke Robert A Burns Anthony M Cahill Donald F Campbell George D Campbell Roger L Campion Charles E Carroll Angelo F Carulli Francis Cattoggio William D Caulfield Richard J Cirrone Eugene F Clinton Paul M Connolly William T Connors James T Conroy Daniel M Cooper Gerard J Copeland Lawrence M Costello Leonard D Cottis Bernard M Cowing David J Cronin James C Crowley James E Curtin Dominic A D’Apice Francis M Darcy Thomas S Desmond William J Doherty, Jr. John E Donahue Joseph E Donaruma Francis W Doran Francis W Doyle, Jr.
Benjamin A Drainville Patrick H Duffy Jeremiah P Dwyer Michael J Dwyer Leo S Dyer Thomas F Faulkner Edward C Feeley Robert G Fitzpatrick Thomas G Flett Stephen J Foley Gennaro B Fondini Martin J Francis, Jr. Paul M Fraser Floyd M Frost John P Gallagher David F Galligani Curtis G Garner Richard F Gately Richard A Gaudet Vincent J George, Jr. Francis J Gibson, Jr. Joseph A Godin, Jr. John A Golden Warren E Graham Joseph S Gray Richard J Guiney Philip D Handy John M Harding James F Harlen Harold L Harris, Jr. Douglas A Harris, Jr. Gilbert S Hatfield Dennis A Hegarty Francis T Hennigan Patrick J Henry Francis B Hogan Thomas P Huminski William R Humphrey William D Hurley John J Hurley, Jr. Dennis P Ingersoll Frederick V Jennings Paul D Johnson Richard F Johnson Richard T Joyce Paul R Kearney
Paul E Keefe James K Keenan Paul D Kirby Howard R Klingenstein Robert W Ladanyi Paul J Lalicata Thomas J Larkin John A LaTora Lawrence P LeBeau Harold C Leete John R Lizotte Philip G Logue James M Long Matthew J Lynch Edward W MacDonald Francis X Madden John J Mahoney Robert C Marino, Jr. Ralph T Mazzeo Thomas B McAuliffe Francis J McCarron John P McDermott David W McGough Joseph F McGrady Donald H McLellan Edward L McNair James G McPherson James J McPhillips Christopher Mehrmann
John V Melagrano Gerald A Menkello Joseph E Mont John J Moran Hugh J Morgan Christopher C Moynihan James P Murphy John C Murphy Robert A Murray, Jr. Eugene F O’Callaghan James E O’Connor Patrick F O’Donoghue Anthony M Panzeri Gerard F Patterson Robert E Peckham Dennis M Piscopo Alfred P Poirier William J Powers James J Riggs Ernest A Ringer, Jr. Walter J Ronayne Robert E Rooney, Jr. Edward M Sacco William F Salter James M Shaffer John T Sheil Malcolm R Silva Ralph D Silva Ronald R Simpson
Edward J Smaller James K Smith Kevin Spearman Joseph M Stapleton Richard A Stearns William J Stella Paul D Sullivan Joseph H Sullivan, Jr. Donald R Sylvester James S Taylor Richard H Thiffault, Jr. John L Thomas Charles M Thomas Ronald A Thomas Patrick Togher John H Uber Charles A Venezia John J Wajcium William A Walsh Richard F Walsh Homer J Walton Alfred J White Kendall L Wilbur Edwin L Wood Harry N Wright Robert H Young Anthony R Zambello
Save the Date!
Local 589 Annual Golf Tournament Friday, September 10 | 8 a.m. Shotgun start Brookmeadow Country Club 100 Everendon Rd, Canton
$150/person for 18 holes of golf Banquet-style luncheon Raffles and prizes! All contributions go to the Committee On Political Education (COPE) Fund, to engage in electoral activity and support those elected officials who support public transit and workers. More details to follow this summer - stay tuned!
Honoring our members who have recently achieved 50 years of membership! Stephen E Allen John A Arinella, Jr. Robert W Bassett John L Busa Phillip H Cole
Francis L Connaughton Robert A DiCicco John J Doran, Jr. William J Egan, Jr. Francis A Fusco
Fred E Gilbert Burel Jones, Jr. Clifford M Lucia, Jr. Albert Mastrocola Robert J Moakley
Anthony J Monaco Hugh J O’Neill Asa K Seeley John M Shea Thomas W Sherlock
C A R M E N ’ S Q U A R T E R LY
James Steele Antonio H Vicente Theodies Williams
•
SPRING 2021
7
RIDERS SING CARMEN’S MEMBERS’ PRAISES In March, we celebrated Transit Driver Appreciation Month, honoring your countless contributions and steadfast commitment to providing riders across Massachusetts with reliable, safe transportation even in the most difficult of times. Brothers and sisters, our thanks go well beyond just one month. Once again, we want to thank you, for your consistent dedication and service. Throughout the pandemic, you have worked on the frontlines, putting yourselves at risk to ensure riders and essential workers can rely on our transit system. Your efforts during these challenging times have further underscored the
“
value of transit workers and the services we provide as essential to keeping Massachusetts moving. Despite the hardships, you went above and beyond to serve riders with kindness and professionalism. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Riders across our region have thanked members for providing unwavering service, spreading cheer, and treating everyone with kindness. Local 589 is proud to serve and celebrate all of our members, every day!
I want to make one final point, which is in the realm of a love letter. A love letter to the unions, a love letter to the workers - despite everything, the riders on the 112 bus have been treated with such kindness, such professionalism, such courtesy by the drivers. So a shout-out to them. Also, a shout-out to the machinists who have kept these lousy buses running despite everything because of course, we don’t get the good buses, you know. So, anyway, let’s continue to struggle, let’s stick together, and let’s not sell each other out because if we sell each other out, we are doomed. And like I said, you are us, and we are you.” - Rider on Bus 112 during the March 19 online rally for transit funding
Executive Board Turns the Camera on Outstanding Members This Spring, the Local 589 Executive Board came together to celebrate and honor our members’ remarkable achievements, contributions, and dedication. Through different video messages, the Executive Board spotlighted our members’ excellence and expressed sincere appreciation for everything they do.
8
L O C A L 5 8 9 AT U
Scan this QR Code to watch all the videos!
Black History Month To commemorate Black History Month in February, the Executive Board shared a video message to reflect on and celebrate Black excellence at Local 589, and honor the diversity that strengthens our union. The video message acknowledged the incredible contributions of our Black union brothers and sisters, who personify Black history. Moreover, the video, the first of several to follow, also detailed the creation of the annual Black History celebration at Cabot Garage, including interviews from those who helped make it happen.
Women’s History Month In March, the Executive Board produced a video message celebrating the remarkable female workforce of the MBTA to honor Women’s History Month. We spotlighted some of our talented, dedicated and strong women members, including Peggy LaPaglia, who broke barriers to become the first woman elected to the Local 589 Executive Board, serving as Assistant Secretary and later Vice President, and Lorraine Landsburg, the first woman to ever win the MBTA Bus Roadeo.
Transit Driver Appreciation Month This Transit Driver Appreciation Month, the Executive Board put together a video message to proudly thank all members for their continued hard work and dedicated service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The video featured members sharing what they enjoy most about their job, and also highlighted the heroic efforts of our brothers and sisters to keep Massachusetts residents safe and moving.
C A R M E N ’ S Q U A R T E R LY
•
SPRING 2021
9
IN MEMORIAM 2021 Fred J Allington
Ralph B Giorgio
Andrew Marshall
Richard C Branson
Michael J Greeley
Francis P McGrath
James F Cronin
William P Hubert
John A Perrella, Jr.
Edward J Cronin
Clinton Jones
James A Reardon
Frank Favale
Robert M Lettieri
John R Foster
Edmond A Marchant
RESOURCES FOR BENEFITS AND INFORMATION:
In the sad event of a Carmen’s member’s passing, we often receive calls and emails from the spouse concerning benefits and what actions they need to take. Here is some information should you need it - please cut out and save.
Health & Welfare Trust Life Insurance policy $10,000.00 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission Life Insurance $5,000.00 ATU Local 589 Funeral Benefit $1,200.00 National Group Protection (Supplemental Insurance) MBTA Retirement Fund
10
L O C A L 5 8 9 AT U
Contact: Extensive Benefits
1(833) 200-6282
Contact: MBTA Benefits Dept
(617) 222-3244
Contact: James Bradley FST Local 589
(617) 542-8212 1(800) 344-9016 (617) 316-3800
IN RETIREMENT
Photo: Executive Board Officers enjoyed the Retirees’ Luncheon.
Congratulations to our Retirees! Kendra R Brooks Anthony Devitt Arthur W Duncan James P Emerson Darryl C Foye Faustin G Gabriel Chaulkeenyiah Gooding-Da
Kim I Greeley Peter A Keys Mayola R Little Kevin Moran Vicktrina R Redrick Shawn L Scales Robert Tao Sferrazza
Jimmy Taylor Barry C Turnbull Olin D Whitford Andre Wicker Ming-Tao Wong
HEALTH AND WELFARE TRUST FUND UPDATE The Trustees of the Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Vice President Bill Berardino and Assistant Secretary Karen Maxwell, are proud to announce new dental and vision benefits for active retirees. You should have received a package in the mail about these new benefits. It contained the following good news: • DENTAL (for retirees only): A new dental benefit is now available for our retirees that is comparable to what active members have. This is something we have never had before for our retirees in our 100-year history. Retirees need to sign up for the new Delta Dental plan. • VISION: A new vision plan through EyeMed allows active members and retirees to get eye exams and new lenses every year as compared to every two years with Davis Vision. EyeMed’s plans provides more options and discounts on frames, hearing aids, and nonprescription sunglasses. We continue to find more options and benefits at better rates for you and your family. For more information about the above benefits, visit www.transitemployeesfund.com. If you have any questions please contact your Trustees: Bill Berardino at wberardino@carmensunion.org Karen Maxwell at kmaxwell@carmensunion.org Or contact the union hall at 617-542-8212. C A R M E N ’ S Q U A R T E R LY
•
SPRING 2021
11
Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 295 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02110
WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR UNION? Download the Local589 mobile app for easy access to helpful content and resources. Members can use the app to: • Submit grievances • Message their assigned delegate • Read the latest 589 news and announcements • Access key union contacts • Report workplace concerns • View union documents
Scan here for a tour of the app!