General Committee 875 Endorses Ara Najarian for County Supervisor

For Immediate Release
June 3, 2016

SMART General Committee 875 Endorses Ara Najarian for County Supervisor

Irwindale CA - General Chairman Marco Gudino and SMART General Committee 875 is proud to endorse Ara Najarian for Los Angeles County Supervisor’s Fifth District.

Ara Najarian has served the communities of Los Angeles County in the District Attorney’s Office, on the Glendale City Council, and for 10 years on the LA Metro Executive Board.  His knowledge, experience and support for public transportation is arguably the greatest of any other candidate running for the Fifth District seat.

Last year General Chairman Marco Gudino invited four of the major candidates in the race to speak about their campaigns and their vision for LA County public transportation.  Both Ara Najarian and Kathryn Barger, Chief of Staff for County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, returned the requests to meet.  LA County Prosecutor Elan Carr and LA City Councilmember Mitchell Englander did not reply to the request. 

General Chairman Gudino was impressed with both Najarian and Barger following the meetings.  Both had a clear vision for public transportation, the knowledge and experience to see those visions through and both saw SMART Transportation and the operators for LA Metro as a major part in shaping that future.  It was Najarian though, that took the time and effort to continue the conversation over the next year to gain a greater perspective of the issues important to the operators of LA Metro.  As a Director for the LA Metro Board, Ara Najarian has expressed a displeasure for reducing bus lines, eliminating vital transportation services and subcontracting work that can and should be done by LA Metro and its employees.  To the contrary, Najarian has been a stalwart proponent for expanding LA Metro’s Bus Rapid Transit services to more parts of LA County.

Ara Najarian is a knowledgeable and accomplished public servant with a forward thinking plan for public transportation.  His willingness to listen to and consult with the workers that make public transportation possible, is a valuable resource that has been missing in the 5th District for a long time.  With Ara Najarian on the Board of Supervisors, SMART General Committee 875 can see a bright future for the citizens of LA County as well as the patrons and workers of LA Metro.

SMART Begins Negotiations with MTA Over Lines 190 & 194

Today, SMART General Committee 875 General Chairman Marco Gudino and 1563 Local Chairman Robert Gonzalez, accompanied by legal counsel, conducted their first negotiation session with the LACMTA over the transfer of Bus Lines 190 and 194 to Foothill Transit.

In the May 6th article titled “General Committee 875 Continues the Fight for Lines 190 & 194” it was reported that there was confusion over whether the MTA Board had officially voted to transfer the lines.  The “Receive and File” report on all public testimony for the June 2016 Services Changes was presented to the MTA Board at the Regular Board Meeting held on April 28.  The report included the recommendation from the San Gabriel Valley Service Council to transfer Lines 190 and 194 to Foothill Transit.  By simply receiving the report, the MTA Board accepted the recommendation along with all the others listed.

A letter dated May 4, 2016 was sent from General Chairman Marco Gudino to the MTA requesting formal negotiations as outlined in Article 51 of the contract.  A generous number of dates was given by General Chairman Gudino to the MTA in order to negotiate the matter before the June “Shake Up.”  May 24 and May 25 were the only dates agreed to by the MTA. The MTA also cancelled 2 previously scheduled bargaining dates on May 19 and May 20.  

In today's session, General Chairman Gudino expressed his frustration to the MTA negotiations team for the lack of days the MTA is willing to make available.  Chairman Gudino also expressed his displeasure to the MTA for their slow response to the information requests because of the limited number of days left to negotiate before the beginning of the June “Shake Up” bidding process.  Without complete and timely information and an adequate number of dates to meet, the ability to fully negotiate in good faith is eroded.  

Much like contract negotiations, no decisions or discussions are binding until there is a signed agreement by the two parties.  In order to protect the negotiation process, no details of the meetings will be shared until there is an agreement.  

Keep up to date on the negotiations and all General Committee 875 news at  gca875smart.org/news.

General Committee 875 Continues the Fight for Lines 190 & 194

Last week it was reported that the LA Metro Board voted to approve the staff recommendation to transfer Lines 190 & 194 to Foothill Transit following a motion from Supervisor Don Knabe on Line 270.  After the MTA Board Meeting, news media reported the inclusion of Lines 190 and 194 as well as members of MTA Operations staff.  After further analysis of the board recap of actions, it appears Lines 190 & 194 were not included in the official motion presented by Supervisor Knabe and therefore were not voted on to be transferred by the rest of the board.  In short, General Committee 875 still has an opportunity to save these lines.

On Wednesday General Chairman Marco Gudino and Local Chairman Robert Gonzalez met with their legal team to determine the next steps in their challenge.  Following the deliberations, General Chairman Marco Gudino sent a letter to the MTA Staff and the Board requesting all information and correspondence in regards the proposed transfer of Lines 190 and 194.  The letter also gives notice to enter into formal negotiations in order to settle the dispute.  You can read a copy of the letter by following the link below.

letter to MTA

It is the desire of General Chairman Gudino to resolve this matter quickly, so that the Operators of Division 9 can bid on Lines 190 and 194 during the upcoming June Shake Up.

It is not surprising how so many people could be confused on the board actions around Lines 190 and 194.  The entire process, to include last week’s MTA Board meeting, has been so bizarre.  General Chairman Marco Gudino and the General Committee will be seeking clarity on the board action so they can proceed on their challenge to the transfer of Lines 190 and 194.

MTA Board Approves Transfer of 190 & 194, General Committee Continues the Fight

Yesterday the LACMTA Board voted to approve the June services changes when they received and filed the results of the public testimony held in February.  These service changes include the transfer of Lines 190 and 194 to Foothill Transit.

Since December 2014, General Committee 875 has been fighting to protect Lines 190 and 194 from being transferred following an unsolicited bid from Foothill Transit.  In early 2015 then General Chairman James Williams and International Representative Victor Baffoni met with MTA staff and Mayor Eric Garcetti, while he was chairman of the MTA Board, and argued the case against the service changes.  The General Committee’s efforts resulted in a cancellation of the June 2015 service changes which would have included Lines 190 and 194. 

In December 2015 the General Committee was approached once again by John Hillmer from the MTA and advised that Lines 190 and 194 were back up for a transfer to Foothill Transit.  Like the year before, the General Committee jumped into action to defend the work of these lines.  General Chairman Marco Gudino held numerous meetings with Mayor Eric Garcetti and his staff as well as Supervisors Hilda Solis and MTA Board Chairman Mark Ridley Thomas.  Phone calls, letters and numerous public testimonies were also given to the rest of the MTA Board during the process.  In February 2016 the General Committee organized an outreach effort that resulted in a packed audience at the San Gabriel Valley Service Council.  Those efforts netted an overwhelming public opposition to the proposed transfer.

In response to our continued pressure on the MTA and the board, MTA Staff along with Supervisor Solis’ staff organized numerous Foothill Transit representatives to speak in favor of the transfer of Lines 190 and 194 at yesterday’s MTA Board meeting.  Supervisor Don Knabe then made a motion, not on the agenda, to approve the transfer of Lines 190 and 194.  The vote was unanimous from the board.

This does not mean that the fight is over.  The General Committee has numerous legal and procedural tools at its disposal to delay and potentially stop the transfer of Lines 190 and 194 to Foothill Transit.  Once the MTA Board meeting concluded yesterday, General Chairman Marco Gudino and Local Chairman Robert Gonzalez were already strategizing, planning and consulting with legal counsel on its next moves.

You can keep up on the latest General Committee news and information on our website at gca875smart.org/news, on Facebook at /gca875smart and Twitter @gca875smart. 

Minimum Wage, Gold Line and "R2" in This Week's News Headlines

How California's Legislature voted: Did your lawmaker support raising the minimum wage?
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Who wins with a $15 minimum wage?
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Public weighs in on dueling plans for Gold Line's Eastside expansion
http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/03/30/59064/public-weighs-in-on-1-27-billion-eastside-gold-lin/

Highland Park Gold Line station reopens after suspicious package prompts evacuation
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-suspicious-package-highland-park-gold-line-20160330-story.html

Metro Board approves release of potential ballot measure spending plan for public review
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/03/24/metro-board-approves-release-of-draft-expenditure-plan-for-public-review/

GCA 875 PUSHES FOR $30 BILLION FOR BUS AND RAIL OPERATIONS
http://www.gca875smart.org/news/2016/3/28/gca-875-pushes-for-30-billion-for-bus-and-rail-operations

JMA statement on USDOT Ladders of Opportunity initiatives
http://jobstomoveamerica.org/jma-statement-on-usdot-ladders-of-opportunity-initiatives/#.Vv2yWnzEAnk.twitter

GCA 875 Pushes for $30 Billion for Bus and Rail Operations

Last week the LACMTA Board released its plan for a new tax measure set to be on the November 2016 ballot.  The new tax measure is predicted to raise $120 Billion by extending the current half cent sales tax from Measure R, and imposing and additional half cent sales tax over the next 40 years.  In order to pass, the measure will need a 2/3 majority support from the voters. 

POTENTIAL BALLOT MEASURE EXPENDITURE PLAN

From the beginning of the planning stages, SMART has been involved in providing input and advocacy to ensure that 25% of the funds raised would be devoted to Operations just like it had been in Measure R.  The Operations portion is what pays for the continued bus and rail service to include fuel, facilities, and employees.  Unlike Measure R, the authorization from the California State Legislature did not include the 25% operations provision over the numerous objections from General Committee 875 and the SMART CA State Legislative Board.  We had numerous meetings with LA Metro Management, Mayor Eric Garcetti, the LA County Supervisors and LACMTA Board members to stress the importance of the Operations portion in the tax measure.  Furthermore, it was communicated that without a minimum of 25% for Operations (20% for bus & 5% for rail) that not only could SMART not support the tax measure but that we may even need to oppose it.

In the draft released to the public last week, we were gratified to see the 25% for Operations included in the tax measure proposal.  If the voters approve, the measure could generate $30 Billion to help provide for bus and rail operations for the next 40 years.  The LACMTA will take the next 60 days to accept public comment and recommendations before releasing its final draft in June.  General Committee 875 will continue to monitor any changes in the draft and ensure that the operations budget remains intact. 

METRO TAX PLAN PUBLIC REVIEW MEETINGS

Once the LACMTA releases its final draft, we will take time to analyze the final plan before making a recommendation of endorsement.  This is a huge plan with billions of dollars at stake.  If done right, the new tax measure could ensure not only the stability of public transportation but its wide expansion across LA County and the high quality jobs that comes with it.

"Measure R2" in this Week's News Headlines

MTA shows what taxpayers will get if they OK a $120-billion sales tax increase
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-transit-projects-20160319-story.html

Advocates and county residents ask for changes to Metro's $120-billion transit plan
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-transit-projects-20160324-story.html

A Quick Look at Metro’s Newly Released Measure R2 Expenditure Plan
http://la.streetsblog.org/2016/03/18/a-quick-look-at-metros-newly-released-measure-r2-expenditure-plan/

Metro’s bold plan to transform transportation
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/03/18/metros-bold-plan-to-transform-transportation/

Janice Hahn, Gold Line and Sleep Apnea in This Week's News Headlines

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dead at 94
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nancy-reagan-dead-94-n532871

 

DOT SEEKS INPUT ON SCREENING & TREATING SLEEP APNEA IN BUS AND RAIL WORKERS
https://smart-union.org/news/dot-seeks-input-screening-treating-sleep-apnea-bus-rail-workers/

SMART GENERAL COMMITTEE 875 ENDORSES JANICE HAHN FOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR
http://www.gca875smart.org/news/2016/3/10/g38757rla6qyhcxej0fp13bziar6vv

Service Begins on Metro Gold Line Extension
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Officials-Unveil-Metro-Gold-Line-Extension-371145751.html

NJT Rally: ‘Give the people what they want’
http://utu.org/2016/03/07/njt-rally-give-the-people-what-they-want/

PRESS RELEASE: NJ TRANSIT RAIL LABOR COALITION
https://smart-union.org/news/press-release-nj-transit-rail-labor-coalition/

SMART General Committee 875 Endorses Janice Hahn for County Supervisor

Click the image for a full PDF version.

Click the image for a full PDF version.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         

March 10, 2016

LA Metro Bus and Rail Operator's Union Endorses Janice Hahn for County Supervisor 

Irwindale, CA-  SMART Transportation Division, General Committee 875, is proud to announce it's endorsement of Janice Hahn for Los Angeles County Supervisor.

The Hahn family's history with Los Angeles is a historic one.  Janice Hahn's father, Kenneth Hahn, was a legendary Los Angeles leader who served as Supervisor for 40 years.  "Kenny" Hahn is credited for the growth of Downtown LA, the expansion of public transportation in the county and even for the Dodgers relocation from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  He was a stalwart defender of civil rights, workers rights and he was the only elected official to greet Dr. Martin Luther King when he visited Los Angeles in 1961.  That was the environment that Janice Hahn was raised in and those are the values that have guided her career of service.

Janice Hahn has served the people of South Los Angeles for nearly 20 years.  Her career includes service in the Los Angeles City Council and in the US House of Representatives.  As a member of the LA City Council, Janice was described as it's most pro-labor member and it is a moniker that she proudly accepts.  Hahn has been an opponent of layoffs and furloughs for city workers, walked picket lines with Longshoreman and helped to fight wage theft for truck drivers.  She has supported efforts to raise the minimum wage and condemned private business for unnecessary layoffs and outsourcing.  Janice Hahn even helped to broker a deal between Port of Los Angeles Management and Labor after port management locked out employees during contract negotiations.  The County of Los Angeles could not find a more qualified or vigorous supporter of hard working people than Janice Hahn.

Janice Hahn has more knowledge and experience in the region than all the other candidates for Supervisor combined.   Janice Hahn is one of the greatest friends and supporters of working class families in Los Angeles County.  Janice Hahn will continue the great tradition and legacy that her father began almost 65 years ago.  It is for all these reasons that SMART General Committee 875 is proud to support Janice Hahn for Los Angeles County Supervisor.


SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, is one of North America’s most dynamic and diverse unions with 216,000 members.  The General Committee of Adjustment 875 (GO875) represents the nearly 5000 bus and train operators employed by the Los Angeles County Municipal Transportation Authority know as LA Metro.  For more information about SMART and GO-875, contact Andrew Gonzales at agonzales.utu@gmail.com. 

Trump, Clinton, Gold Line and NJ Transit Strike in This Week's News Headlines

STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT NJ TRANSIT
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Q&A: everything you need to know about the Gold Line extension to Azusa
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/03/02/qa-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-gold-line-extension-to-azusa/

Hate Crime Alleged in Assault of Sikh Bus Driver
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Man is charged in racially motivated attack on Sikh Metro bus driver, prosecutors say
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-man-charged-sikh-bus-driver-20160302-story.html

Super Tuesday election results
http://graphics.latimes.com/2016-election-super-tuesday-results/

Expo Line, Trump and Clinton All Win Big in This Week's News Headlines

BIDEN: UNION DEPOT REFLECTS PATH TO RECOVERY
https://smart-union.org/news/biden-union-depot-reflects-path-to-recovery/

Hillary Clinton Beats Bernie Sanders in Nevada Caucuses
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/us/politics/nevada-caucus.html

Donald Trump Wins the South Carolina Primary - The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/nevada-south-carolina-results/468114/

In Nevada caucuses, Trump gets a third straight win
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-nevada-caucuses-are-trumps-to-lose--and-he-still-could/2016/02/23/687a3550-da44-11e5-891a-4ed04f4213e8_story.html

Much anticipated Expo Line train to Santa Monica, beach will open in May
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9 Hospitalized After 2 Metro Buses Crash West of Downtown LA
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David Ojeda: May 26, 1960 - February 10, 2016

David Ojeda can best be described as a "giant teddy bear" of a man who loved his family and friends, loved God and loved his Union.  David did his best to milk life for all it was worth while sharing all of it with his friends, his family and his co-workers.  If you were lucky enough to know David, then you know how he brought joy and optimism where ever he went and how he tried to spread that attitude to the people he would meet. 

David Ojeda spent 18 years as a union officer bringing that sense of optimism with him to inspire others and to make the lives of his Union brothers and sisters better.  His journey as an officer almost didn't happen though. 

After being nominated as shop steward, David was unsure about being able to do or even wanting the job, so he turned in a letter to Local Chairman Robert Gonzalez signaling his desire to withdraw from the race.

"I told him what a great shop steward and union officer I knew he could be" said Gonzalez.

After speaking with Robert, David agreed to continue on.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  David served as shop steward, a delegate, secretary LCofA and as Local 1563 President for 5 terms.  "I never turned in that letter," said Robert Gonzales.  "and I still hold that letter today."

When the Teamsters initiated a representation drive on members of Local 1496 in Riverside CA, David volunteered to help Union President Lonnie Hookfin in speaking with the members.  Together they spent hours explaining to the membership the many benefits and advantages of UTU representation.  David, a friend of Lonnie’s, was able to give the members of Local 1496 a perspective from another local on how to work together.  His willingness and commitment to assist fellow officers and members, to help them identify, improve and advance their mutually beneficial goals for the betterment of all, is what David brought to this Union everyday.

David Ojeda exemplified what it meant to be a father and husband, a true and dear friend and a great Union Man.  This Union and this world will not be the same with him gone.  David has undoubtedly moved on to a better place that he is certain to make even better.  David Ojeda will truly be missed.

General Chairman Meets with Mark Ridley-Thomas on 190 and 194

On Thursday February 18th, General Chairman Marco Gudino met with Los Angeles County Supervisor and LACMTA Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration to discuss the proposed elimination of MTA Bus Lines 190 & 194.  Gudino was accompanied by ATU Local 1277 President Arturo Aguilar who is also concerned about the privatization and outsourcing of MTA services to Foothill Transit and other transit agencies.

This was the first official meeting between General Chairman Gudino and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.  The Supervisor was encouraged by the outreach from Gudino and expressed a desire for more regular contact and collaboration with the Union.  Supervisor Ridley-Thomas was well aware of the issues surrounding the proposed MTA Service Changes and Lines 190 & 194.  He was also very much aware of the two Union Leaders' concerns about subcontracting and outsourcing of work.

Although no promises or decisions were made at this meeting, General Chairman Gudino left the meeting feeling encouraged about the possible results.  It was extremely important to get the concerns of the workers and the riding public in front of the LACMTA Board Chairman who may ultimately decide the fate of lines 190 and 194.

SMART Takes Action on Service Changes and New Hampshire Primary in This Week's News Headlines

Bus operators’ union will protest Metro bus cuts at meeting
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20160207/bus-operators-union-will-protest-metro-bus-cuts-at-meeting

BUS RIDERS AND BUS OPERATORS SAY "NO!" TO FOOTHILL TRANSIT AND "NO!" TO SERVICE CHANGES
http://www.gca875smart.org/news/2016/2/9/bus-riders-and-bus-operators-say-no-to-foothill-transit-and-no-to-service-changes

LABOR LEADER CALLS FOR A "NO" VOTE ON LACMTA SERVICE CHANGES
http://www.gca875smart.org/news/2016/2/10/labor-leader-calls-for-a-no-vote-on-lacmta-service-changes

NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY RESULTS
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/primaries/NH

Outsiders sweep to victory in New Hampshire
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/09/politics/new-hampshire-primary-highlights/

Transportation sector loses 20K jobs in January
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L.A. Metro mulls parking fee at nine stations
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http://www.gca875smart.org/action/

 

SoCal SMART TD Leaders Meet for Training in Irwindale

Yesterday, SMART Transportation Division Union leaders from Southern California met at the General Committee 875 offices in Irwindale, CA for the fourth and final installment of a training class designed to help improve negotiation, appeal and arbitration skills.

Yesterday's training involved a mock trial scenario where participants were given only 15 minutes to prepare an appeals case and then argue the case before a mock hearing officer.  Throughout the process participants were critiqued and strategies were shared so that best practices could be tried and tested.  With this training under their belts, Local Chairs and Vice Local Chairs will be better prepared for future negotiations, arbitration and appeals.

LABOR LEADER CALLS FOR A "NO" VOTE ON LACMTA SERVICE CHANGES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2016

LABOR LEADER CALLS FOR A "NO" VOTE ON LACMTA SERVICE CHANGES 

Irwindale, CA - On February 9, 2016, SMART Transportation Division General Chairman Marco Gudino sent an official letter to the LACMTA Service Councils and the LACMTA Board of Directors asking them to vote "No" on the proposed 2016 Service Changes to Bus Lines 190 and 194.

On Monday, February 8, 2016 a meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Service Council was held to receive public comment on the proposed service changes in their region including bus lines 190 and 194.  The proposed service change would eliminate the MTA lines and allow Foothill Transit to take over their operation.  72 speakers cards were turned in and over 2 hours of public testimony was heard by the Service Council.  Over those 2 hours, not a single person spoke in favor of Foothill Transit or the elimination of bus lines 190 and 194.

"The people have spoken," said General Chairman Marco Gudino in his letter. "Public transportation riders publicly testified on the poor on time performance, poor customer service, limited service options and inadequate hours that Foothill Transit provides."

Speakers at the meeting spoke highly of LA Metro and the customer service they receive from the operators.  Some speakers suggested that if Metro continued to cut service in their neighborhoods, that they would be less likely to support any future sales tax measures.

"If it aint broke, don't fix it,"  said Gudino. "These lines are not broken and the people who ride them value the service that LA Metro and our operators provide.  That is why I am urging you to vote "NO" on the proposed service changes to Lines 190 and 194."

The LACMTA Service Councils will take written comment through midnight, February 13, 2016 and then they will make their recommendations to the MTA Board.  The MTA Board will then vote on the proposed service changes at a later meeting.

General Committee 875 of the SMART Transportation Division is the collective bargaining unit for the nearly 5000 bus a train operators at LA Metro.  Find out more about General Committee 875 and SMART transportation Division by visiting gca875smart.org

Media inquiries should be directed to Andrew Gonzales at agonzales.utu@gmail.com

3 Days Left to Tell LA Metro "NO!" to Bus Line Elimination

There are still 3 days left to let the LA Metro Service Councils know that you oppose the "June 2016 Service Changes" and that you don't support Foothill Transit taking Bus Lines 190 & 194. Persons who were unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through midnight Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Comments sent via U.S Mail should be addressed to: Metro Customer Relations
Attn: June 2016 Service Changes
1 Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932


Comments via e-mail should be addressed to: servicechanges@metro.net
Attn: “June 2016 Service Changes”


Facsimiles should be addressed as above and sent to: 213-922-6988.

http://www.gca875smart.org/action/

Bus Riders and Bus Operators Say "No!" to Foothill Transit and "No!" to Service Changes

Last night, union members from SMART Transportation Division General Committee 875 joined bus riders and community members to oppose the elimination of Bus Lines 190 and 194 at a meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Service Council.  The meeting, which filled the room and spilled out into the hallway, unanimously spoke out against the proposed service changes.  72 speaker cards in all were turned in and not a single one spoke favorably of Foothill Transit taking over the lines.

Bus riders and members of the community praised the LA Metro operators for the professionalism, customer service and dedication to on time performance.  The exact opposite was said of Foothill Transit operations.  Public transportation riders in the audience criticized Foothill Transit for their poor on time performance, poor customer service, limited service options and inadequate service hours.

At the conclusion of the meeting, San Gabriel Valley Service Council members praised those in attendance and had tough questions for members of the MTA staff.  Following the public comment period, the service councils will make recommendations on the proposed service changes to the MTA Board.  After considering the recommendations, the MTA Board will then vote on the service changes at their General Board Meeting at the end of February or March.

If you did not get a chance to attend a public meeting and would like to leave a comment for the service councils, you have until February 13th to submit written comments.

Comments sent via U.S Mail should be addressed to:
Metro Customer Relations
Attn: June 2016 Service Changes
1 Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932

Comments via e-mail should be addressed to:
servicechanges@metro.net
Attn: “June 2016 Service Changes”

Facsimiles should be addressed as above and sent to:
213-922-6988.

20160208_200451.jpg

Unite and Fight Tonight to Stop Service Changes

Members from the SMART Transportation Division General Committee 875 were on hand at the public meeting on Saturday, February 6, to speak out against the proposed service changes and line eliminations proposed by the LACMTA.  There was significant public opposition was well and the service council members seemed receptive to the public comment.

The second of the two meetings will be held tonight at Division 9 in El Monte.  Members from the San Gabriel Valley Service Council will be at that meeting to take and hear the public testimony on the elimination of Bus Lines 190 and 194.

 

Monday, February 8, 2016

6:00pm

Metro El Monte Division 9 Building

3449 Santa Anita Ave.

3rd Floor Service Council Conference Room

El Monte, CA 91731

 

The San Gabriel Valley Service Council will make a recommendation on the proposed service changes and that recommendation will have a major impact on the decision made by the MTA Board.  Your brothers and sisters at Division 9 will need as much support as they can get to convince the Service Council to keep Lines 190 and 194.

For more information on how you can help protect public transportation services and quality middle class jobs in the San Gabriel Valley log on to:

http://www.gca875smart.org/action/