ATU Local 689, Washington Metro workers Show What Must Be Done to Win

This is an important development and Facts For Working People congratulate the Amalgamated Transit Union  (ATU) for its stand. This is using the power of organized labor and our unique position in the economy to defend all workers rights and fight anti-worker and racist groups. This sort of activity must spread throughout the country and also around all issues affecting working class and poor people. In this way, the unions will not only be seen as organizations that represent all workers form all backgrounds, people will be rushing to join them. This frightens the labor hierarchy of course as they are terrified of a victory of any sort that will give the working class confidence and open up a more direct struggle against capital on the issue of jobs, housing, education, public services, transportation and capital allocation ie social needs not the Pentagons predatory wars.

Let's not forget, the largest hate groups of all are those organizations of the capitalist class, The US Chamber of Commerce, The National Association of Manufacturers and many others. They "hate" unions, "hate" workers, "hate" freedom to organize on our own behalf, "hate" any obstacle to profit making, safety regulations, leisure time, workplace breaks etc.

If you are in a union introduce motions to have your local, District Council and Central Labor Council send messages of support to ATU 689. The president is Jackie Jeter. You can reach the local here:

Good Job ATU 689

ATU Local 689
2701 Whitney Place
Forestville, MD 20747
Ofc: (301) 568-6899
Fax: 301-568-0692

By Erin Corbett

August 4, 2018
reprinted from Fortune.com

Washington D.C.’s metro rail system is considering providing separate trains for white nationalists attending the so-called “Unite the Right” rally next weekend, according to the Washington Post. The rally, taking place at the National Mall, will be held on the anniversary of last year’s deadly events in Charlottesville, Va.

The proposal would involve providing special trains to white nationalists on August 11 and 12 that pick up at the East Falls Church Metro in Virginia and go to the Foggy Bottom station. Once there, police will escort them to the rally.

Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Metro’s largest union, leaked the plans and stated that it refuses to accommodate the hate groups, ThinkProgress reported.

“Sources have shared with ATU Local 689 that a hate group with Ku Klux Klan affiliation will be provided three private Metro rail cars and police escort to Foggy Bottom Metro Station for the ‘Unite the Right’ 2018 rally,” the union said. “More than 80% of Local 689’s membership is people of color, the very people that the Ku Klux Klan and other white nationalist groups have killed, harassed and violated. The union has declared that it will not play a role in their special accommodation.”

ATU Local 689 President Jackie Jeter said in a statement, reported by ABC WJLA, that while the union is proud to provide transit for causes such as the Women’s March and Black Lives Matter, among others, the union draws the line at “hate groups and hate speech.”

Jeter added that the plans to accommodate white nationalists are “hypocritical” after a recent legal case ruled in favor of Metro’s decision to ban “issue-oriented” advertising.

“Considering that the courts granted Metro the ability to deny ads on buses and trains that are ‘issue-oriented,’ we find it hypocritical for [Wiedefeld] to make these unprecedented special accommodations for a hate group,” Jeter said.