AMALGAMATED
TRANSPORTATION UNION
LOCAL 1300
HISTORY
ATU Local 1300 Union, serving the Greater Baltimore region, is one of 264 local unions in 44 states and 9 provinces that comprise the Amalgamated Transit Union. The Amalgamated Transit Union, founded in 1892, is the largest transit labor organization in the United States and Canada with over 190,000 members.
ATU Local 1300 was founded on February 4, 1942 as Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railways Motor Coach Employees or otherwise known as AF of L. The Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railways Motor Coach was granted a charter for thirteen white male bus and trolley operators and conductors of the Baltimore Transit Company that established Division 1300. The names of the organizers were Clayton Perry, Frank Pennington, Theodore J. Peacock, John W. McHenry, William Matoska, Willis O. Dise, Edward G. Willis, Irvin F. Tawney, James E. Santmeyer, and Mr. Peter F. Kramer. Prior to the Baltimore Transit Company, the union members were part of the United Railways and Electric Company.
ATU Local 1300 has since grown to be a diverse organization representing men and women as well as individuals of a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The local union has over 3,000 members and is one of several local unions in the Mid-Atlantic region. The union serves the Baltimore community by providing transit, para-transit, school bus, commuter, shuttle, and intercity transportation options to residents and tourists. The ATU Local 1300 primarily serves the Maryland Transit Administration.
THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members in 264 local unions spread across 44 states and nine provinces. Composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees, the ATU works to promote transit issues and fights for the interests of its hard-working members.
More about the ATU and its leadership.
The Union is guided by a triennial convention at which delegates chosen by locals meet to debate and direct the future of theUnion. The International officers consist of the International President, the International Executive Vice President, the International Secretary-Treasurer, and 18 International Vice Presidents. The International Vice Presidents serve on the Union's General Executive Board.
The office of the International President is currently held by John A. Costa. The International Executive Vice President is Javier M. Perez, Jr., and the International Secretary-Treasurer is Kenneth R. Kirk.
The ATU is comprised of bus, van, subway, and light rail operators, clerks, baggage handlers and maintenance employees in urban transit, over-the-road and school bus industries, as well as emergency medical service personnel, ambulance operators, clerical personnel, and municipal workers. The ATU can be found in most major cities of the United States and Canada.