Labor in the News: Keeping Transit Public in DC
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)The fight to stop the privatization of public
transit is gaining steam. Last week ABC
Channel 7 reported on the District
government’s proposed expansion of the
Circulator -- a private bus service in DC --
and the Department of Transportation’s
interest in privatizing local bus routes. The
Metro Council pledged to support (Transit
Workers Fight to "Keep the 'Public' in 'Public
Transit'" UC 4/17/2013) ATU Local 689
in their fight against this privatization.
“Privatization of public transit in DC could
cost hundreds of members their jobs and worsen
the bus service throughout the District” says
DC JwJ organizer Pedro Cruz. Cruz and Local 689
leaders are attending community and labor
meetings to garner local support against the
privatization plans. Tonight Local 689
President Jackie Jeter will be joined by
AFGE’s Bill Fletcher and Gaynell Nixon of the
Injured Worker Advocates for a Panel
on Privatization where they will discuss
DDOT’s proposal and previous local and
national attempts at privatization. Stay tuned
for more updates as the public transit campaign
develops. - photo: ATU 689 officers Earl T.
Beatty (left) and Esker Bilger Jr. attend local
meeting of APWU of Southern Maryland and the
Nation’s Capital to talk about their campaign
; photo by Pedro Cruz