Transit workers reach agreement with Metro Transit
After a year since their previous contract expired, the members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 voted to approve a three-year agreement with employer Metro Transit this week.
🚌 According to Steve Share from Minneapolis Labor Review,
“The new agreement offers the same wage increases as the contract that was rejected in May — 2 percent the first year, 2 percent the second year, 2.5 percent the third year — but also includes a one-time payment of $1,000, reported Ryan Timlin, Local 1005 president.”
The contract includes protection for part-time employees working overtime and gaining sick hours. The union also fought for hazard pay, but it wasn’t included in the agreement. Check out the results displayed on the union’s website below:
🎧 Listen: This American Life podcast episode, “Essential”
Moneta Lewis is a station agent for the New York City Transit. In this episode, she’s interviewed about her experience working during the pandemic. “They get to stay home? We want them to close down the station, too. But as station agents we had to be here on set. We felt a little cheated, we felt like, okay, what about us? We’re grateful to have a job, don’t get me wrong...but it was just like, an uneasiness. It was like we was coming to work to get sick.” The episode also includes an interview with restaurant server Shelly Ortiz, who was asked to take her mask off by customers so they could see how much to tip her.
(pssst: if you liked this episode, check out my podcast on my family of essential workers. Stay tuned for a second episode!)
Update: Twin Cities window cleaners continue their third day of striking
Save the date for a labor history film discussion! 🎥
The East Side Freedom Library is inviting you to watch the film Bisbee ‘17 and attend a discussion on August 26 from 7-8:30pm. Filmmaker Robert Greene and historian Jonathan Rosenblum will be in attendance. Click the link to find more info about the event and register!
Remember to stay hydrated. We are each other’s harvest.