California Transit Works! welcomes the newest mentors to our HRTP network. Congratulations to Omnitrans and ATU Local 1704. #MentorsMovingForward
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Frontline Workers Lead the Way at "Mentors In Motion: Inspiring Each Other and Building Community"1/30/2024 “I have never attended anything like this!” was the day’s refrain, as 250 people from California and five other states attended Mentors In Motion: Inspiring Each Other and Building Community, the annual meeting of California Transit Works! (CTW) on January 27, 2024. This historic meeting was the largest gathering of public transit High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) in the country, featuring the leadership and voice of frontline workers themselves. The entire event was organized by current and former peer mentors/mentor coordinators and supported by CTW and its labor/management partnerships. More than 70% of attendees were frontline transit workers – both current peer mentors, as well as frontline transportation and maintenance workers who were interested in peer mentoring, as well as issues such as conversion to zero emission buses (ZEB). They were joined by ATU and agency leaders of their agencies’ training partnerships, as well as ATU officers and agency managers at all levels. Special guest presenters included the US Department of Labor, the California Workforce Development Board, and community college deans. CTW was graciously hosted by the principal, counselor, and automotive instructor and students of Logan High School in Union City, CA. ATU International Vice President Jim Lindsay, on behalf of International President John Costa, gave the official welcome, emphasizing the ATU’s commitment to promoting apprenticeships and workforce development for ATU members at every local in the US and Canada. Michael Hursh, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, and Jamaine Gibson, ATU Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Director, opened the plenary by speaking from the heart about why these public transit labor/management partnerships centering frontline workers are so meaningful and essential for the public transit industry. The morning’s highlight were presentations by each of the 16 labor/management partnerships from California, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Oregon, and Washington on their work and accomplishments to date. Participants included frontline workers and officers from ATU locals 192, 256, 265, 268, 757, 788, 1070, 1225, 1277, 1574, 1575, 1704, and 1756; as well as the ATU California Conference Board. Transit agency participants included GM/CEOs, managers, and supervisors from AC Transit, Sacramento RT, San Joaquin RTD, Santa Clara VTA, Cleveland RTA, TriMet, Eugene Transit, Metro St. Louis, IndyGo, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Riverside Transit, SunLine Transit, San Diego, SamTrans, Golden Gate Transit, OmniTrans, Foothill-Pomona, and King County Metro. The afternoon plenary kicked off with a peer mentor panel representing six US transit partnerships. Throughout the day, meeting attendees had multiple opportunities to network with their peers in productive small group workshops and caucuses on key issues and challenges facing transit labor/management partnerships and programs. The maintenance caucus had a special hands-on presentation by the James Logan High School automotive students and instructor, building the high school to career pathway in real life. The CTW Advisory Board also held a well-attended meeting, with both labor and management leaders committing to “be CTW” and assist their peers throughout the year as they work on their partnerships and programs. The afternoon was devoted to each labor/management partnership working together to share what they learned and develop partnership “Commitment to Action” plans for 2024. As each partnership shared their Commitment to Action plans on stage to the rest of the meeting attendees, their enthusiasm was the perfect way to close out the day and carry us all forward into 2024!
For more information, please go to: www.catransitworks.org or rich@catransitworks.org On November 8th and 9th, California Transit Works! (CTW) newly formed High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) start up team conducted meetings with new HRTP’s in Southern California.
The team, comprising members Shandis McGlothen, Ray Messier, Russell Anderson, David Lawhorn, Rich Hibbs, Eliseo Acosta Jr., and Robert Hannibal, began the first day with a visit to OmniTrans/ATU 1756. In-depth discussions were held between both labor and management representatives on strategies to advance their bus operator mentor program. The collaborative selection of mentors and the anticipation of their training by CTW were key discussion points. The shared commitment of both labor and management to advance a successful Labor Management Partnership and mentor program was evident. A subsequent meeting is scheduled for early December to facilitate the formulation of a comprehensive work plan. On November 9th, CTW engaged with SunLine Transit at the request of the new CEO/General Manager, Mona Babauta. The meeting involved a comprehensive discussion with the staff regarding Labor Management Partnership and Mentor/Apprenticeship programs. This initial meeting served as a valuable introduction to the agency, providing insights into their goals and future needs. The active participation of all attendees underscored the belief that implementing a Labor Management Partnership and related programs would be mutually advantageous. Further meetings are scheduled to delve into their specific objectives and future plans. Also on November 9th, CTW met with Foothill Transit/ATU 1704, where both labor and management were represented. The agenda encompassed discussions on the significance of a Labor Management Partnership, the establishment of a maintenance mentor/apprenticeship program, development of classroom curriculum, training protocols, funding considerations, and collaboration with colleges. Plans for a subsequent meeting were set to provide continued assistance in propelling these initiatives forward. The California Workforce Development Board has announced a substantial $5 million grant from the USDOL Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Program. The funding is a significant milestone in expanding workforce development programs for transit maintenance workers, preparing them for the future of transportation with Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs). The CWDB partnered with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), California Transit Works, Oregon AFL-CIO, various public transit agencies, and dedicated frontline transit workers, resulting in a grant that plays a pivotal role in aligning with the goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, specifically focusing on reducing emissions and addressing the climate crisis. California Transit Works is privileged to be part of this momentous venture, anticipating a positive impact on the state's workforce and the environment, and invites everyone to stay tuned for further updates as we collectively shape a cleaner and more sustainable future for all. #CleanTransportation #workforcedevelopment #ClimateAction
Teamwork and commitment took center stage as Sacramento Regional Transit District and ATU 256 came together for their Labor Management Partnership meeting with California Transit Works. It was a day filled with innovation, collaboration, and unity, marking a significant step forward in our shared journey.
Please join California Transit Works as we honor the remarkable achievements of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and SunLine Transit Agency in public transportation! These two California transit agencies received highest honors from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on October 10, 2023, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to enhancing public transit. AC Transit and their frontline workers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 have been honored with APTA’s 2023 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award for their exceptional service to communities, serving 15 million or fewer passengers annually. AC Transit and ATU Local 192’s high road training partnership, Partners In Action, is one of the founders of CTW. This award reflects their remarkable collaboration on the frontlines, emphasizing the pivotal role of strong partnerships in advancing the quality and accessibility of public transportation. AC Transit also received APTA’s AdWheel Grand Award for marketing and communication efforts with their workforce development video, ”Recruitment: Live Your Best Life”, highlighting the impact of AC Transit’s good union jobs and career opportunities on entry level frontline workers. SunLine Transit Agency, in partnership with ATU Local 1277, has been recognized for their dedication to excellence in transit, with a particular focus on communities with 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips. This award reflects their shared commitment to improving transit services and fostering innovation. SunLine Transit Agency and ATU Local 1277 are one of eight new High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) sites in central and southern California. CTW is honored to be working closely with them to formally establish their high road training partnership and programs.
We wish AC Transit and SunLine Transit Agency continued success and look forward to our ongoing collaboration in further developing their high road training partnerships (HRTPs)! For more information about their achievements: AC Transit: https://www.actransit.org/press-release/ac-transit-wins-2023-outstanding-public-transportation-system-award https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfh6YvDPEGA SunLine: https://www.sunline.org/news/sunline-transit-agency-named-outstanding-public-transportation-system-for-2023-by-the-american For more information about California Transit Works!, please visit www.catransitworks.org On Tuesday, May 16th, CTW members attended the successful and informative statewide “High Road Community Spring Gathering 2023” in Sacramento, organized by the California Workforce Development Board.
For the first time since the pandemic, High Road Training Partnerships from various industries such as health, education, public service, manufacturing, service sector, utilities, green transition and agriculture came together to map their progress and development. Partnerships' development ranged from initial start-ups to those like CTW, now expanding their work to Central and Southern CA. Through roundtable discussions, resource breakouts and networking, with the help from the High Road Initiative Founders and the UC Labor Centers from Los Angeles, Berkeley and Merced, the gathering provided ways to learn from each other, find resources, share strategies, challenges, successes, and opportunities. Pictured here with the nine happy graduates are members of Golden Gate Transit, Santa Rosa Junior College, California Transit Works!, ATU Local 1575, and mentors from the WIN program.
They have completed 12 weeks of classroom work and three on-site shadow days at Golden Gate Transit. On this final day of the program, the pre-apprentices completed their final shadow day which included learning about obtaining their commercial drivers leaner permit, tips for a successful job interview, and an introduction to the Golden Gate Transit Training Department and staff. The next steps for this group will be to complete an interview, obtain their commercial drivers learner permits, and complete their physical examinations and pre-employment drug tests. Having completed this pre-apprenticeship has helped them take an important step towards securing their future career as a bus operator with Golden Gate Transit. To learn more about the pre-apprentice program at Golden Gate Transit, or about California Transit Works!, visit our website at www.catransitworks.org Pictured L-R: Jamaine Gibson, Brent Parton, Rob Gamble On March 25, 2023, the California Transit Works’ model of workforce development was presented at The Forum, the annual conference of the National Association of Workforce Boards, in Washington DC. The US Department of Labor, Acting Assistant Secretary ETA Brent Parton, ATU Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development Jamaine Gibson, and California Transit Works Senior Workforce Development Strategist Rob Gamble described how public transit agencies and unions are building a High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) apprenticeship model across California and increasingly nationwide. Their session highlighted how a systematic approach to workforce development based on the principles of industry-driven, worker centered, community oriented, and measurable results addresses critical issues of equity, job quality worker voice, industry efficiency and environmental sustainability. Rob Gamble gave a brief overview of CTW’s innovative labor/ management partnership approach to workforce development. CTW’s accomplishments so far include six US-DOL registered public transit apprenticeships, five California community college (credit bearing) certificates, 46 credit-bearing college courses, and more than 350 Career Technical Education (CTE) certificates awarded (to date) by three California community colleges, in partnership with the high road training partnerships (HRTPs) of two public transit agencies and their ATU locals. Brent Parton observed that the CTW labor/management partnership-based approach is one of the ways the United States is going to have to approach workforce development, going forward. Jamaine Gibson discussed the partnership between the ATU International and CTW that is building groundbreaking transit apprenticeship and peer mentorship programs across California, and how the ATU International is successfully bringing the CTW HRTP model to scale across the country.
This week’s spotlight is on the High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) between the San Joaquin Rapid Transit District (SJRTD) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 256.
This partnership is relatively new, however it has started off strong. The partnership recently completed its first all day mentor meeting and mentor training meeting. All eight of the mentors and the Transportation Superintendent attended the meeting which was a special day of learning and collaboration. In 2023, they will continue to push forward with the progress that they started last year, and work towards the goals set for this year.
Additionally, in late 2022, CTW conducted a one-day basic electrical troubleshooting workshop at SJRTD for the maintenance technicians. The objective of the workshop was to share innovative basic electrical concepts and troubleshooting procedures, including hands-on practice. By the end of the workshop each student had to troubleshoot and diagnose 25 different electrical defects! This type of training is necessary to prepare technicians for a future in bus maintenance as California moves closer to the implementation of its innovative clean transit initiative, which mandates zero emission bus transportation by year 2040.
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