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.