Occupy Transit! A National Day of Action, April 4th

The Seattle Transit Riders Union is teaming up with the drivers of ATU Local 587 to Occupy Transit in downtown Seattle! You are invited to join us.

Date: Wednesday April 4, 2012
Starting Point: 11 AM, 6th and Royal Brougham (Northbound)
Rally Point: 11:30 AM, Westlake Park, 4th and Pine

After a rally at Westlake, we will be taking our message to the buses and to the streets, flyering along 3rd Avenue and at Westlake until 6 PM. Join us if you can!

Here is the ATU’s press release:

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2012

Transit Union and Riders Union stand together to demand funding for Transit.

On Wednesday April 4th, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 will
join together with the Seattle Transit Riders Union for an Occupy Transit, A
National Day of Action, to demand mass transit funding for the 99%.

Seattle, WA- Local transit unions, throughout the country, will be participating
in call to action from Amalgamated Transit Union International. The General
Executive Board of the ATU International has endorsed the National Day of
Action for Public Transportation on April 4, in cities all over America. Transit
workers, riders unions and the Occupy Movement are joining together for this
action.

Public transportation is a right. It is also an integral part of our sustainable future.
Rather than fighting price hikes and service cuts, we should be focusing on expanding
service and innovating more sustainable and convenient systems for mass transit. The
economic downturn has been used as a reason to cut back service, raise fares, and
layoff workers throughout the U.S.

Here in Seattle, transit workers and their allies will “occupy” buses and trains, traveling
down to 4th & Pine St. near Westlake Plaza. There will be informational picketing and
distribution of flyers to remind the public that mass transit is for the 99% and that stable
funding is needed now.

Drivers of Puget Sound’s electric streetcars founded ATU Local 587 in 1912.
The union currently represents more than 4600 transit workers and retirees in
Clallam, Jefferson and King counties. Local 587 will be celebrating their 100th
anniversary on April 21st.

The Seattle Transit Rider’s Union is a democratic organization of working and
poor people who are dedicated to preserve, expand, and improve the public
transportation in Seattle and beyond, so that every human being has access to
safe, affordable and reliable transportation.

For more information, please contact Paul Bachtel, President of ATU Local 587,
@: 206-448-8588.