1 min read

Season 6, Episode 21

Lessons from ATU Local 689's President Jackson

ATU Local 689 Gray

 

Guest Name:


Raymond Jackson

Guest Website:


ATU Local 689 

Guest Social Media:


Facebook

Twitter

Supportive Documents:


Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his experience with the Local Union and the impact of privatization on the transit industry.

Jackson's career is one of dedication and resilience. With three decades of experience in transit, he has risen through the ranks to lead ATU Local 689, representing nearly 16,000 members across the D.C. area. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to protecting workers' rights, especially in the face of privatization efforts that threaten job security and fair wages.

Jackson's leadership was put to the test during the 2023 strike against Keolis, a company he said is notorious for its anti-union stance. The strike, lasting 67 days, highlighted the challenges of negotiating with companies prioritizing profit over people. Jackson noted the difficulties members faced during the 67-day strike. Their perseverance paid off, eventually leading to a contract settlement.

Jackson warned that the struggle with Keolis is a stark reminder of the pitfalls of privatization. Privatization often leads to cost-cutting at the expense of workers. He said profits often come from eliminating protections and benefits for workers. His advice to other unions is clear: remain vigilant and prepared to fight for fair treatment.

For a deeper dive into Jackson's insights and the challenges faced by transit workers, listen to the full episode above.


America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

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