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MEDIA CENTER » NEWS ARTICLES » DC driver reveals poverty, poor conditions caused by paratransit privatization, brings Mayor to tears
JAN
14
DC DRIVER REVEALS POVERTY, POOR CONDITIONS CAUSED BY PARATRANSIT PRIVATIZATION, BRINGS MAYOR TO TEARS
Testimony Marks Turning Point in DC-Area Campaign
In a heart-wrenching and passionate testimony a Washington, DC, Metro Access paratransit operator gave new Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser and hundreds of DC residents and workers a first-hand look at the grim impact that transit outsourcing has on working families in the region.
Speaking on a January evening to a packed house at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Operator Karen Reed brought tears to Mayor Bowser's eyes as she described the financial struggle she endures as an employee of a private, for-profit company contracted by WMATA (DC's transit agency) to provide paratransit service. Reed was one of several speakers at a Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) forum on public services held for Mayor Bowser.
Attended by members of ATU Local 689, International President Larry Hanley, and the ATU General Executive Board, the emotional event marks the next phase of Local 689's campaign to fight outsourcing of transit services, to strengthen transit investment in local communities, and to unionize and raise the wages of area transit workers, who for far too long have been treated as second class citizens. Through their involvement with WIN, 689 has been building alliances with congregations, riders and other community and labor allies to broaden their support.       
"Karen's story is the story of thousands of workers in the DC area. It brought the whole room to tears, including Mayor Bowser," said ATU International President Larry Hanley.
The power and emotion of Reed's story hit home for many as she spoke about the importance of her connection with riders and the grim reality of the dangers she and her co-workers face every day.
'Disposable people'
"It would be a smoother ride for everybody if WMATA and First Transit would stop cutting corners and stop treating me and my fellow workers like disposable people," said Reed, who emphasized the importance of her job in transporting people with disabilities and seniors. "Employee turnover is through the roof and customer service suffers."
She was joined on stage by Barbara Mushette, one of her passengers, who praised Reed's dedication to the job and questioned the scheduling policies of First Transit and its treatment of workers and passengers alike.
Paid only $26,000 per year
Reed talked about the importance of her connection with riders and the accompanying dangers she and her co-workers face every day, from dangerous road conditions to robberies. Reed is dedicated to her work, but is paid only $26,000 per year (less than 30% of area median income), which qualifies her and her daughter for food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid. She and her daughter were homeless for three months last year. 
"You are going to pay me either way. In my public benefits check – or my paycheck," she explained in relating her need for public assistance to survive. "I enjoy working for a living.  Stop insulting me.  Pay me in just one check – MY PAY CHECK!"
Hanley said the new Mayor has an opportunity to stand with working Washingtonians, and ATU will work hard to get our message out across the city. "The mayor's actions in the weeks and months ahead will tell us if she really heard Karen. In the meantime, we're going to make sure that everyone in the Wilson Building hears what working families like Karen's are going through each and every day."

 
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Yabba
I'm happy to see someone respond about the EPP. I just hope others will follow us in writing to ALL our Officials especially the Mayor. It seems that many wait until the "Shit hits the fan" before they get motivated. Unfortunately this time around if we wait until the "Shit hits the fan" it will be to LATE. As you said "It can't hurt"!!

Now that the New Year is here and time is running out on the EPP it is time for each and every member to start writing, calling and emailing the Governor, Mayor, Councilmembers and any & all other Elected Officials. If not we the fortunate (eventhough we have already taken cuts but at least are still working) will find ourselves in an even worst position come the end of this school year. Without an EPP the majority of us that are still working will face even more substantial cuts or jobless like thousands of our Brothers & Sisters. That's besides what will happen to our Pensions & Medical Benefits. For those of you who think it is a waste of time, THINK AGAIN. Think of how you felt when you were walking that picket line, think of how you felt when you were forced to work under that "Best & Final Offer and most importantly think of the thousands of Members that have lost their jobs in the last two years. The idea of a Union is to stand together and voice your opinion for the Good of yourself, your family and your Brothers & Sisters. Members will go on this & other sites or in person and wish everyone a Happy & Healthy & Prosperous New Year! Unfortunately I can guarantee without an EPP for the majority of us this New Year will be Sad & Sickly & Broke! Don't waste any more time because time is one thing we do not have. Our Union Reps can use all the help they can get. Start writing TODAY!!!

Buzz
Unfortunately you disappoint me. There you go comparing Grimm to others (millions) again. For the last time right now I'm talking about Grimm and no one else. That's not what disappoints me. What does is now you're calling me a LIAR. Well if you don't take your Union Brother on his word then maybe I shouldn't be posting on this site. I told you I don't hate him yet you know what I think now and in the past better than I do. FYI I voted for Grimm in 2012 when he ran against Mark Murphy. And by the way I don't drink so why don't you call up your buddy & go have a Bud with him. I come on this site to voice my opinions and thoughts and to discuss with & hopefully help my Fellow Brothers and Sisters. And again I state I wish Mr. Grimm & his family well in the future just not as my Representative. It's a shame that on the last day of the year going into the New Year that one of my Brothers disrespects my integrity. Have a Happy New Year!!

Buzz
You keep dancing around my point. I'm not talking about anyone else (I already agreed with you about ALL politicians). Why can't you just agree that Grimm broke the law, lied to all of us and is not capable of maintaining the office of a U.S. Congressman? After all he himself has admitted to it and obviously believes he cannot maintain his responsibilities in the House otherwise he wouldn't resign. And you DON'T GET IT. I don't hate Grimm. I'm sure you know by all of my posts throughout this past year that I am not the type of person to hate anyone. I just believe that taking into account this man's past (good & bad) he should not be the one to represent me in Congress. I wish the best for him & his family in the future just not as an official representing me.

Buzz
You keep talking about what other politicians have or have not done. And you may very well be correct about each of them. I do not dispute that and I also am not happy with many of them even some of those that I voted for. My point this week is about Grimm and no one else. It is the same point I brought up two months ago and not many people agreed with me then. But now Grimm himself has confirmed it. HE BROKE THE LAW, HE LIED TO HIS CONSTIUENTS, HE THREATENED SOMEONE'S LIFE, HE WASTED OUR TIME & MONEY and HE WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND WHEN WE WERE ON STRIKE. Those are the facts and no matter what good he did or no matter what another politician did or didn't do those FACTS do not change. .... To All My 1181 Brothers & Sisters Enjoy The Rest of Your Vacation and have a Happy New Year!!!

I am not saying Charlie Rangel is any better. He should go too as should any elected official who we put our trust in then outright lies to his constituents and/or breaks the law. Although Grimm broke the law before he was elected does that make it right. If that came out before he was first elected to office in all probability he would never had got elected to begin with. Also if he had confessed instead of lying before this past election he not only wouldn't have got reelected but his party wouldn't have backed him to begin with. The bottom line is HE BROKE THE LAW and then lied and tried to cover it up while being a U.S. Congressman in order to better his future not ours. Then he PHYSICALLY THREATENS the life of a reporter who was just doing his job. He has wasted our time & money and brought shame to Staten Island. Just because he did some things right (which is what an elected official is elected to do) doesn't negect breaking the law. Lastly let's not forget what this web site is about. It's about Local 1181!!!!! I don't recall seeing or hearing from Grimm during those 5 weeks that we were on strike in the rain & cold worrying about our futures & families. Now that's Spot On!!!!

Goodbye Grimm it's about time U did the right thing!!!

If u are a NEW HIRE that made under $400 and don't get paid for Wed., Thurs. & Fri. then yes U DO claim unemployment for Wed., Thurs. & Fri. IF U get paid for those 3 days then no U DON'T call. If not sure the best thing is to contact Ernie or Andy as ASAP. For this coming week if u r not working then no matter if u r a NEW HIRE or NOT next Sunday U call and claim for the week. Remember U DID NOT get vacation or holiday pay & the reason U did not work was "lack of work"

Merry Christmas to all my 1181 Brothers & Sisters. May God be with you and your families!!!!

I want to be the first to thank Grimm for outright lying to us and wasting our time during this last election. Also for wasting our money for an eventual special election.

U probably are. But I'm probably the 1st to get a Jacob's card. Buy 10 and get the 11th at 1/2 price!!

I don't think you would ever be able to reverse the opt-out. Once that was put into play (for whatever reason???) the people who took advantage of it are use to that income. I believe Pioneer alone has at least 80 people. That's like me asking those of us who do not have the opt-out whether or not you have alternative insurance to take a $3000 (net) a year pay cut. More so from an owner's perpestive Neil alone would probably stand to lose about $800,000 a year. That's only the people that we know who would lose money. There could be others.

Neil might be giving $3000 or so to each member that opts out but it doesn't cost him anything. Just the opposite he is probably saving $10,000 a year per member that opts out. Meanwhile our fund takes the hit. I would have liked to have been there when the opt-out was negotiated. Something just doesn't seem right.

Is the Opt Out option available to all employees at all Shops or just at Pioneer??