[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6648]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON CARMEN'S UNION, 
                               LOCAL 589

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Boston 
Carmen's Union, Local 589, who for the past 100 years has been a strong 
voice for transportation professionals in Boston and the surrounding 
areas.

       As it celebrates its centennial, the Boston Carmen's Union 
     represents 6,000 union members and is a part of the 
     Amalgamated Transit Union, the largest labor union in America 
     with over 190,000 members. The union was born in the same way 
     as the labor movement itself: with a great deal of 
     cooperation, dedication and perseverance. In 1912, after a 
     number of failed attempts to meet with management to assert 
     their rights and address their grievances, the first 
     organized Boston Elevated Carmen's Union voted to strike--
     1,389 votes to 8. During the strike, the newly-formed union 
     faced uncooperative tactics and strike breakers hired by the 
     transit company. Despite these challenges, the union members 
     fought for their rights, enjoying strong support from the 
     labor community, and soon after, from District Attorney 
     Joseph Pelletier, Governor Eugene Foss and legendary Boston 
     Mayor John ``Honey Fitz'' Fitzgerald. Finally, after more 
     than six weeks of striking, the union was able to come to a 
     settlement and gained recognition from Boston Elevated 
     Company.
       In the years to come, the Carmen's Union continued to grow 
     and collaborate with other local unions, evolving with the 
     changing transit industry to best serve its members. As it 
     marks this centennial milestone, the Boston Carmen's Union 
     has both served and represented the many transportation 
     professionals whose important work forms the backbone of our 
     city and the surrounding area's infrastructure. It is with 
     their help that the employees of the MBTA have been able to 
     stand up for better working conditions, hours and wages.
       The Boston Carmen's Union has a stellar record of activism 
     and community service. This year, the union participated in 
     the National Day of Action for Transportation on April 4th. 
     The event gathered the Carmen's membership and supporters to 
     demand fair treatment for transit workers and to demonstrate 
     that available, affordable and well-maintained public transit 
     is an issue of civil rights. The union also works hard to 
     build awareness about the crucial role transportation 
     professionals play in the daily life of every Bostonian. From 
     subway drivers to mechanics to baggage handlers, and so many 
     more, members of the Local 589 provide integral services to 
     their communities every single day.
       Along with its efforts to improve working conditions for 
     its membership and empower them to assert their rights as an 
     employee, the Boston Carmen's Union values its ability to 
     play a positive role in the community. When firefighters, 
     policemen or other public servants are killed in the line of 
     duty, members of Local 589 routinely volunteer their time and 
     services to provide transport to and from the memorial 
     service. I applaud the Boston Carmen's Union both for its 
     dedication to its mission of empowering transportation and 
     allied professionals and for its commitment to serving the 
     Boston community and beyond.

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Boston Carmen's Union, Local 589, its President John Lee and the entire 
community on the celebration of 100 years of service to the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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