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A Word from our former ATU 843 President, AJ Walcott:
Margaret Shepard said it best when she coined the phrase “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” That is what happened when the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America chartered their 843rd Local in Bellingham Washington on August 20, 1918. It was indeed a “leap of faith,” because around 11 years later, they had to face the “Great Depression”. Many unions did not make it. The economy plummeted, and unemployment rates sky-rocketed. A union member wage at the time barely covered the cost of living and yet they still paid their membership dues. It was a great struggle, but those members knew that without a union, working conditions could and most likely would be worse.
The availability of bargaining better working conditions and a higher wage would pay off soon. In 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt would bring forward the “New Deal” to the nation and several programs were enacted to take the nation out of the recession. While many locals folded during that time, ours persevered. Even with the struggles of the ownership changes throughout the years, we still made it.
The latest challenge for our local was the passage of Initiative 695. Funding was lost from the vehicle excise tax in the State of Washington and funding was also uncertain for public transportation in general. The Whatcom Transportation Authority was unsure of their future revenue sources. Through the solidarity of our union, we hit the street and petitioned, rallied, and picketed for a sales tax increase to fund public transit in Whatcom County. Through that “leap of faith” we succeeded and once again pulled through and have become stronger than ever.
It is a great honor and privilege to recognize our struggles and triumphs as a union. Through solidarity and strength, we will make it another 100 years.
In Solidarity
Albert (AJ) Walcott
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Amalgamated Transit Union Local 843
Original Charter Members
Charter granted August 20, 1918 and organized by
Alf Solid, A.F.L.
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Page Last Updated: Sep 22, 2020 (10:55:00)
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