ITLC’s Newest Staff Member – David Stephen |
|
Please join us in welcoming our new Senior Communication Specialist, David Stephen, to the ITLC team. David brings to the ITLC and its Transit Workforce Center expertise established through almost two decades of experience in labor, transit, legislative, and communications work at local, regional, and national levels. Underlying that expertise is his commitment to helping to improve the lives of working people.
A Morehouse College graduate, David worked as a labor organizer in Georgia. Then, after completing his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, David relocated to the Washington D.C. area in 2014, where he began his work in transit as Communications Coordinator for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689. From his time at ATU Local 689, he notes, “I fell in love with the people who work in transit and their devotion to their work, work that literally drove people into the middle class.” David has also worked as a Congressional Communications Director and, most recently, as Political and Legislative Director for the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO.
David is excited to join ITLC and continue his passion for supporting workers who are pursuing great careers and advancement in transportation including outreach to underrepresented groups. “I look forward to expanding and building upon great work done here at the ITLC, using creative and innovative ways to amplify the message about our work to everyone who can benefit from it.” David can be reached at dstephen@transportcenter.org.
|
|
On Tuesday, ITLC’s new Senior Communications Specialist participated in the “What does transit equity mean to transit workers” virtual panel in recognition of Transit Equity Day, a day that transit activists around the nation have set aside to fight for access to public transportation as a civil right, marking the birthday of visionary activist and leader Rosa Parks, affectionately known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” The event, sponsored by ATU Local 689, the Washington Interfaith Network, and other transit organizations, showcased transit workers who spoke about their work and encouraged new workers into transit careers. In reflecting on the work of transit workers at WMATA, ATU Local 689 Executive Board Member Greg Bowen noted, “This is not just a job, this is a career.” He and WMATA Bus operator Tony Pollard, who was a part of the union organizing effort of the Cinder Bed Bus garage in Loudon, Virginia, answered questions from the panel that stressed the importance of being in a union and how that has provided them with paid vacations, sick leave, healthcare, pensions, guaranteed work, a 40- hour work week, and attention to safety. “At ITLC, we know that training and apprenticeship are essential to help advance equity and diversity in the transit workforce,” said David Stephen at the panel discussion. “We are proud to honor the legacy of Rosa Parks today by continuing our mission to work with transit agencies and unions around the county to provide equitable opportunities to secure good, family-sustaining jobs in transit.” To see Tuesday’s panel, click here.
|
|
APTAU – February 4, 2:00 pm ET
Building equitable transit is predicated on creating and sustaining authentic community engagement. How do you give voice to those who have not traditionally had a voice in transit-decision-making, and how do you engage the most vulnerable populations in an intentional and effective way? Join representatives from LA Metro and APTA’s 2021 local coalition grant winners in Michigan and Rhode Island for an engaging conversation.
Transportation Research Board - February 10, 2:00PM - 3:20 pm ET
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had a profound effect on transportation planning. TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern that will identify how transportation agencies can plan strategically while accounting for multiple challenges that have emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will discuss the unanticipated changes that transportation agencies have faced and suggest approaches for completing strategic plans that allow for agility. They will also highlight how to create a culture of strategic planning within the entire agency.
National Skills Coalition – February 15-17, 2022
Individuals representing community based organizations and advocates, community colleges, the public workforce, education, and training systems, labor, and business are invited to take part in NSC’s annual Skills Summit. 2022 Priorities:
- Elevate your voice with Members of Congress and the Administration
- Build relationships with federal policymakers and partners from across the country
- Contribute to discussions on skills training in the context of an inclusive economic recovery
Eno Center for Transportation – February 15, 2:00 pm ET
Successful cyber-attacks on our transportation systems have a debilitating effect on the economy and public safety. Systems including oil pipelines, transit networks, airlines, and supply chains all are susceptible to an attack, but many are under prepared for a large and growing concern. Although cybersecurity does not capture the public attention until a crisis, putting policies in place now to stay ahead of the issue is increasingly vital. In this webinar, we will discuss cybersecurity with expert Scott Belcher and gain insights into the nature, threat, and public policies that surround cybersecurity.
APTA – February 15, 3:00 pm ET
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires applicants for zero-emission vehicles to include a Zero-Emission Transition Plan in their competitive bus grant application. In this webinar, hosted by the APTA Zero Emission Fleet Committee, you will hear directly from public transit agencies who have completed their Transition Plans about why a comprehensive Transition Plan is important, and key factors agencies should consider as they develop their own Zero-Emission Transition Plan. For example, how will different propulsion technologies perform in your climate and service environment? What fueling technology is the best fit for your agency? What factors may limit the speed at which you can advance your transition? How can this transition be implemented equitably? In addition, this interactive webinar will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask their questions and join the discussion.
SPIR – February 17, 8:00 PM ET
Three transit systems — BART, Muni and Caltrain — carried 73% of the region’s weekday transit trips before the onset of the pandemic, yet they currently face the greatest financial uncertainty. Though transit trips are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels for many years, hundreds of thousands of residents continue to rely on these systems every day, and they serve a critical role in meeting the Bay Area’s sustainability, equity and mobility goals. However, despite these systems’ indispensability, there is no current plan for how they will continue to operate once the American Rescue Plan emergency grants supporting transit operations through the pandemic are exhausted — which may occur as soon as 2023. Join a discussion between BART, Muni and Caltrain board members as they discuss what’s at risk, the financial challenges and the potential solutions.
|
|
Labor Network for Sustainability – February, 2022
In 2018, LNS and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) launched the first Transit Equity Day to honor Rosa Parks on her birthday, February 4, by continuing to strive for social and economic justice. On Transit Equity Day we recognize transit as a civil rights, workers’ rights, and climate justice issue. Since 2018, the number of groups participating in TED activities has grown every year.
|
|
Mass Transit – January 27, 2022
Updates to TriMet Code have been approved by the board of directors. The updates aim to improve the overall safety and security for all on the transit system, including operators and other frontline employees. The board approved Ordinance 364 on Jan. 26, 2022, as part of TriMet’s comprehensive efforts to make the system safer, accessible and welcoming for all. The TriMet Code is the rules for operating, regulating and riding the transit system. The four updates:
- Prohibit police from checking fares in most instances.
- Increase penalties for spitting-type offenses against employees.
- Allow TriMet supervisors to intervene in non-criminal violations.
- Address outdated references and apply gender-neutral terminology.
Mass Transit – January 31, 2022
The two reports – “The State of the System” and the “Market Analysis” – include extensive and detailed technical analyses of transit markets, ridership patterns and service productivity that reveal what works in the bus network currently and opportunities for system improvement. Both reports aim to provide the public with an in-depth understanding of SEPTA’s current bus network.
Intelligent Transport – January 24, 2022
The historic improvements are the result of efforts to systematically identify and address the root causes of all train delays, as well as MTA’s accelerated capital work on the railroad – with crews pursuing an unprecedented 100 capital projects across the system to modernize and transform the railroad’s infrastructure.
|
|
The Washington Post – February 1, 2022
As part of its incentive program, Metro plans to give new drivers a $1,000 signing bonus in their first paycheck. Metro requires new hires to have a minimum of a commercial driver learner’s permit. Transit officials will provide the rest of the training needed to obtain a commercial driver’s license. After completing a required 10-week training program, drivers will receive the remaining $1,500 in bonus pay, Metro said.
|
|
Economic Policy Institute - January 20, 2022
One of the most important things that could be done to generate a more equitable economy is to dismantle the barriers to union organizing and collective bargaining (McNicholas et al. 2019; Oliver 2021). New data on unionization from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022), coupled with evidence on the value of unions and on workers’ desire to be unionized, reinforce the importance of this goal and the urgent need for policy reforms.
|
|
Building Transportation Infrastructure |
|
The Hill – January 31, 2022
The guidebook is a “one-stop-shop” for information about the law, according to the White House, and provides current materials about the more than 375 programs the law will fund for state, local, tribal and territorial governments. The guidebook was released as Biden welcomed governors to the White House on Monday while they are in Washington for the National Governors Association's winter meeting.
|
|
WBALTV – January 26, 2022
Federal lawmakers on Wednesday announced new measures to protect transit employees while on the job. The bipartisan measure requires transit and rail agencies to implement risk-reduction programs, including assault mitigation infrastructure, which can include barriers around a bus operator; de-escalation training and blind spot reduction to protect pedestrians. The law also mandates federal reporting of assaults on employees. Maryland's transit workers, who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, are facing another kind of threat on the job: Becoming the victim of assault.
“It’s indicative of our society’s need to explain things as ‘other’ that are not us. (Barriers) would actually solve the problem, it wouldn’t just solve the psychological need to blame a group,” said Philip Yanos, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “Speaking as a New Yorker, you’re at a much greater risk of getting hit by a car crossing the street than dying in the subway, but things that cue fear are an unkempt person, general dirtiness of the subway, not a giant SUV.”
|
|
International Transportation Learning Center
301.565.4713
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
