ATU, Transit Union @ATUComm

“Our Voice, Our Power” and “Who Are We? ATU!” echoed in the halls of Congress, as International President John Costa led our 150-strong delegation at a Capitol Hill rally before heading to lobby on behalf of our Union for the final day of our 2026 Legislative Conference. “Congress is going to hear our voices loud and clear. Our stories are powerful. We do the important job of moving people every day. We face serious dangers on the job. We’re the backbone of our communities,” Costa told attendees. “After this rally, we hit the halls of Congress to press our legislators on the serious matters of transit funding, transit worker safety, AI, and the need for an operator on board autonomous vehicles. We’re showing our legislators we aren’t just a Union, we’re a movement, a force to be reckoned with.” At the rally, our friends on Capitol Hill, Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-NJ), Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL), and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), delivered strong messages of solidarity. From Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to Tom Barrett (R-MI) to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. Rob Bresnan(R-PA), our more than 150 attendees visited more than 200 Members of Congress to push legislators on our Union’s priorities. Thank you to all our members for representing our Union on Capitol Hill today. Over the past three days of our 2026 Legislative Conference, our strength and unity were front and center, as our leaders came together to discuss the challenges facing our Union and our legislative priorities to ensure a stronger, brighter future for our members. #OurVoiceOurPower

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Speeches by Members of Congress, ATU State Legislative campaigns, Local Transit Funding, Autonomous Vehicles, and Lobby Day prep took center stage as International President John Costa kicked off day two of the 2026 ATU Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. Representative Greg Casar (D-TX) addressed attendees about his roots as an organizer in the labor movement and his role as Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Longtime ally of ATU, Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), ranking member on House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee spoke about the transit funding and safety measures our Union helped secure in the recently introduced BUILD America 250 Act. Attendees also heard panels of ATU Local leaders discussing strategies of their State Legislative Campaigns on transit funding, safety, school bus, worker power, Autonomous Vehicles, and micro transit. Breakout workshops were held again on the Power Mapping and Lobbying in Practice, the Unique Risks of AI, and Effective Safety Committees. To end the day, attendees were prepped for the all-important Capitol Hill Rally and Lobby Day tomorrow to meet with their Members of Congress on the critical issues impacting our Union. “From transit funding to autonomous vehicles, health and safety, workers’ right to organize, and more, you’ve learned a lot over the past few days about the issues impacting us,” said International President John Costa in his closing remarks. “Tomorrow is a big day for us to hit the Halls of Congress and talk about these issues. Congress hears from lobbyists all day long, who have never driven a bus or fixed a rail car in their lives. What they don’t hear is enough from workers like us on the frontlines. This is your advantage, use it. Now let’s go to work!” Tomorrow, Our Voice, Our Power will be heard on Capitol Hill! #1u #canlab @AFLCIO #UnionStrong

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Day one of the 2026 ATU Legislative Conference was an inspiring and busy day. #OurVoiceOurPower #1u #canlab @AFLCIO youtu.be/iwPaRynt8PY?si…

The room was filled with purpose and power, as International President John Costa kicked off the 2026 ATU Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, with more than 170 Local officers from across the U.S. and members of the General Executive Board. “You flew in from across the country to be here. Some of you drove. Some of you took the train, or maybe the bus. And I think that says something. Because when ATU members need to be somewhere, they show up,” Costa told attendees. “You’re here in D.C. at a very important time. I’m not going to sugarcoat this. The challenges in front of us right now are serious. Automation, transit funding, safety, 13(c) and the Midterm elections. Our Union is built for this. This week, Washington is going to hear from us. Let’s get to work!” Costa presented the ATU-COPE awards, including the “Chairman’s Awards,” the “President’s Awards,” the “Patriot Awards,” and the “Political Activism Awards.” Speakers included AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who talked about how our Union is a fighting Union that won’t back down. DC Mayoral Candidate Janesse Lewis George also spoke about her support for unions and how our Local 689-Washington, DC, was the first union she approached when she decided to run. Pennsylvania Candidate for Congress Janelle Stelson spoke by Zoom about her campaign that will be critical in upcoming midterm elections. Attendees heard presentations on the pending Federal Surface Transportation Bill, the importance of ATU-COPE, and the ATU Political Program for the critical Midterm Elections this coming Fall. In addition, breakout workshops were held on Power Mapping and Lobbying in Practice, the Unique Risks of AI, and Effective Safety Committees. To wrap up the day, Costa recognized Pride Month with a group photo to demonstrate our Union’s commitment to promoting diversity and to treating all people with respect and dignity. Thank you to everyone who came to D.C. to learn and make our Union and country better. Day two starts tomorrow! AFL-CIO Janeese Lewis George Janelle Stelson

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June is Pride month and the ATU is celebrating by recognizing LGBTQIA+ members who have made a difference in their Locals and our Union. Our first member is Mercedes Holmes Local 1546-Baton Rouge, LA.

This evening, the 2026 ATU Legislative Conference kicked off with the welcoming reception hosted by International President John Costa. “This is an important conference. Our Union, public transit, and our communities are under attack,” Costa told attendees. “When I first started coming to this conference, only Locals who gave to COPE were invited. I changed that since we need to educate all our Local leaders about the importance of political action and COPE. As you’re going to hear over the next three days, we’ve got major issues going on. It’s going to be an exciting and busy week, but there’s serious work to be done, so get ready.” At the conference, attendees will hear from an esteemed group of speakers, attend a Rally on Capitol Hill, participate in a Lobby Day, and take sessions on State Legislative issues, Health and Safety, Transit Worker Assaults, Autonomous Vehicles, COPE, and other topics.

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We are deeply saddened to hear about this fatal accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. While the cause of the crash is under investigation, driver fatigue is a serious issue impacting the motor coach bus industry. cbsnews.com/news/bus-crash…

From the ATU’s fight for an operator seat to striking for fair wages to securing COVID protections for our members, our Union has a deep and storied history of fighting for the rights of our members. Today, International President John Costa visited the History Factory in downtown Washington, D.C., to discuss potential designs for our ambitious endeavor of a permanent exhibit that will preserve and showcase ATU's history as we prepare to relocate to our new headquarters at the historic 21 Dupont Circle. "Our members have been on the front lines of the labor movement for generations," Costa said. "We're making sure our more than 130 years of organizing, advocacy, and wins for transit workers and the labor movement will be preserved. Our story is a bold one, and we're committed to making sure our new headquarters will tell our story."

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We wrap our celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month honoring Local 1756-Arcadia, CA, Member Phlli Hoo. #APIMonth

Wishing our members and the Muslim community a joyful and peaceful Eid al-Adha. #EidAlAdha

#NeverForget Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265

Happy Memorial Day from the ATU. #MemorialDay

The ATU applauds this historic ruling from the United Nation’s International Court of Justice that the right to strike is a fundamental human right protected under international law. Our Union knows well the power of a strike to fight for the rights of our members.  #OurVoiceOurPower  reuters.com/business/world…

As you prepare for your Memorial Day celebrations, make sure it’s Union-Made. #UnionMade

Local 279-Ottawa, ON, blames shutdown on OC Transpo for understaffing of trained rail operators and controllers. ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article…

Our Local 1091-Austin, TX, members are sending a loud and clear message to CapMetro they will do what is necessary to get a fair and just contract. #OurVoiceOurPower kvue.com/article/news/c…