In a narrow vote count released earlier today, Strathcona County Transit (STC) Operators have chosen to join ATU Local 569. About a hundred STC workers are now effectively ATU members, attracting the same member benefits as all of us. If you see them operating a bus on Edmonton’s streets, please give them a friendly wave. If you have a chance to speak directly to them, please take a minute to welcome them to our Union.

 This historic decision completes ATU’s authority in the Edmonton region. ATU now represents all workers at ETS, including DATS operators and Inspectors/Controllers, St. Albert Operators, EOD Operators and STC Operators, as well as Red Deer workers. This cements ATU as THE Union representing Transit workers in the Edmonton Region and beyond.

 Congratulations go out to the many local leaders who put themselves and their careers at risk to get this job done. I personally witnessed the courage and determination of these ATU members and I found them inspiring. Congratulations also to Darlene Malayko who was there at the first contact all the way through to the final count. Also going above and beyond expectations were Sarah Maceda-Maciel and Justin Panos from ATU’s Organizing Team.

 Now, the hard work and logistics of pulling together a first contract for these members begins, a welcome body of work, indeed.