ATU Local 1700 recently negotiated contracts with Greyhound covering drivers for a new cut-rate bus line and service workers at garages across the country that had been contracted-out for years.

During the Great Depression, Washington regulated the communications, banking and transportation industries, limiting Big Business’ ability to abuse its workers. But Corporate America never rests, and has tried ever since to roll back employee rights and working conditions. Congress deregulated intercity bus service 25 years ago.

On the morning of April 15, hundreds of members from dozens of unions gathered in Hollywood and began marching 28 miles to San Pedro. The 3-day pilgrimage built unprecedented support for 350,000 workers across L.A. County who will negotiate new contracts during 2008. Greyhound workers will not be at the bargaining table this year, but ATU Local 1700 members were involved at every step of the way.

Months after Local 1700 members elected officers, the U.S. Dept. of Labor claims it must continue to supervise our union activities. Obviously, the DOL cannot still be investigating last fall’s election. The government supervisor approved everything the union office sent out, and all questions and concerns that members brought to his attention were answered immediately.

ATU Local 1700 has tried many times to settle a long-running dispute with Greyhound over when regular run drivers are paid run guarantee. We have narrowed the question down to two basic types of claims:

• Drivers who, through no fault of their own, lack sufficient DOT hours to pull their run on the next trip out after arriving late at their home terminal.


• Drivers who, also through no fault of their own, run out of hours on their 70 and cannot pull the next portion of their run.

Local 1700 consistently leads the way when it comes to the safety of our members and the traveling public. The union has insisted on contract language that exceeds federal safety standards. We have conducted “Check Your Bus Days” and other workplace safety actions. And we have worked with governmental agencies to enforce what legal protections exist. No one is more concerned about safety than us.

ATU Local 1700 members know that Greyhound’s radical downsizing has hit the union’s treasury hard. During the past decade we have lost more than a third of our members, resulting in a huge drop in dues revenue.

In 2006, the Local 1700 Executive Board decided it would not let our deteriorating finances keep us from making an all out effort to secure the best contract possible. Thanks to that decision, we led an unprecedented effort to organize and mobilize union members.

Seniority rights for bidding new work and vacancies restored, and Extra Board drivers allowed to bid days off.

The new contract for Greyhound drivers and mechanics went into effect in June, although some provisions did not go into effect right away.

Greyhound’s radical downsizing is the most significant factor in Local 1700’s current financial position. Since 2004, the union has lost more than a third of its members. That translates into a huge loss in revenue.

Local 1700 had significant expenses this past year to negotiate the new contract for Greyhound drivers and mechanics, and settle the Department of Labor lawsuit. The union treasury has been more than depleted.

Goal to ensure vote conforms to federal, union laws.

ATU Local 1700 members will elect officers this fall to 3-year terms that begin in January. The U.S. Dept. of Labor will supervise these elections, according to a settlement between the union and government over alleged violations during 2004 voting. The election supervisor will ensure the process conforms to the union’s constitution and bylaws, as well as federal law.