Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) issued the following statement to mark Workers Memorial Day.
“The Amalgamated Transit Union joins the labor movement today in honoring the fallen on Workers Memorial Day.
“ATU was formed in 1892, when workers stood on open platforms exposed to the elements, driving horse-drawn streetcars up to 18 hours a day. Many froze to death at their posts, while others fell to their death collecting fares on the narrow running boards of the day.
“There were no sick days, no overtime; no employer provided health care, no workers’ compensation; no occupational health and safety rules. Transit workers couldn’t even afford a decent burial. The horses, by contrast, were changed every four-hours.
“Many believe that those days are well behind us. Unfortunately, they are mistaken. Too many transit employees are working under similar conditions today threatening the safety of all.
“Operators and their passengers are dying in crashes as a result of poor bus and track maintenance, or because the drivers are too fatigued from long hours at low pay, and no overtime, to drive safely.
“Workers have perished simply repairing rail lines, and mechanics have been killed trying to maintain aging equipment.
“Just last fall ATU lost a brother, Jake Schwab, in Erie, PA, who died when an engine he was working on exploded in his face. Jake was working with the wrong tools on an unfamiliar bus from another agency in a garage that workers say has no safety culture.
“The deafening silence coming from Pennsylvania about his death speaks volumes about the disregard and lack of concern they have for workers. To date there has been no official government investigation or explanation of the cause of the incident, which would seem to be necessary to prevent it from happening again.
“What’s lacking in Pennsylvania and in a growing number of transit properties is the safety culture and training that’s essential to protect workers and riders from injury and death.
“Mother Jones once said, “Mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living.” And that’s exactly what we do today. We mourn and remember all of those who have been injured or lost their lives simply trying to provide for themselves and support their families.
“And ATU is also committed to the goal of zero preventable accidents in the transit industry, and demands the adoption of an actively pursued and continually reviewed safety culture at every single transit workplace.
“That is the least we can do to honor the memory of Jake Schwab.”
