Safety was front and center on an historic day in Toronto as International President John Costa, Local 113-Toronto, ON, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College convened nearly 200 Local leaders, transit agency officials, bus manufacturers, transit organizations, and academia from across North America for the ATU Bus Safety and Innovation Summit, an innovative labor-management partnership to build a safer, better bus to combat growing violence on transit and address other safety and health issues. “Our Union has been pounding on the issue of safety for our members and riders for decades. Just weeks ago, our Local 308-Chicago, IL, Brother Julian Mobley was killed on the job. When I came into office in 2019, our Local 1593-Tampa, FL, Brother Thomas Dunn was stabbed to death on his bus, and I can go on and on,” said Costa. “This program would be impossible without a commitment to giving workers a seat at the table. Nobody knows what needs to change on a bus better than our members who drive and work on them eight, ten hours or more a day. Thank you to the TTC and Centennial College for recognizing, like the ATU, that the future of transit safety is best achieved through collaboration. Now let’s get it done.” A highlight of the day included a press conference where Local 113 Member Anna Cohen and Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB, Member Crystal Hanley told their harrowing stories of being attacked on their bus. Attendees also participated in engaging workshops on developing a fully enclosed operator workstation, eliminating dangerous blind spots, improving airflow, and creating more ergonomic operator seats. Thank you to all who attended for creating a safer and better workplace for transit workers across the world.

Local 113’s Anna Cohen was beaten with the handset from her own bus phone. Broken orbital bone, lasting injuries, and PTSD. Buses can be built to protect the people who drive them. Anna’s assault spearheaded the push for driver safety barriers that will save lives. Learn how ATU’s Bus Design Innovation Program is pushing for safer workspaces. Read more @ atu.org/members/bdip

Our Union is building our future through our innovative workforce development and mentorship programs under the leadership and vision of International President John Costa. Our New York City Locals 726, 1056, 1179, and 1181 recently held productive meeting with the MTA about establishing mentorship and registered apprenticeship programs throughout the agency. When labor and management work together to invest in training, workers win, and transit systems get stronger. This is how we build the next generation of the transit workforce.

Crosswalks are the transit industry’s Achilles heel and blind spots for bus operators created by poor bus design are the reason why. Large mirrors on the driver side of buses create blind spots for operators, who are often unable to see pedestrians who are walking in crosswalks. The Bus Design Innovation Program (BDIP), spearheaded by the ATU, Local 113, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College, is working to develop a safer bus without blind spots for operators. Read more @ atu.org/members/bdip

A sad day for our ATU family.

It's National School Bus Safety Week, thank you to our school bus members for the important job you do each day. #SchoolBusSafety

Another brutal attack on one of our members. Our transit agencies and elected officials need to make real changes to improve safety on our transit systems. ATU Local 689 wjla.com/news/local/metro-bu…

We are deeply saddened to hear about a fatal accident involving two Calgary Transit buses, operated by our Local 583-Calgary, AB, members, and multiple vehicles. One of our Bus Operators had to be extracted from their bus and was transported to the hospital. The other Bus Operator was able to remove himself from his bus. Tragically three of bus passengers were killed and ten people were injured. The accident is under investigation.

We send our deepest condolences to family and friends of those killed in this accident. Our thoughts and prayers for healing are with our injured Bus Operator and our Local 583 members and all those impacted by this tragedy. livewirecalgary.com/2026/10/… via @livewirecalgary

CBC News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation found that assaults on public transit roughly doubled in eight of Canada's ten largest cities between 2016 and 2024. Behind many of those numbers is a person who went to work in a uniform and ended the shift in an ambulance. To develop a safer, better bus, the ATU, Local 113, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and Centennial College are working collaboratively on a Bus Design Innovation Program (BDIP) to improve bus design through a worker-centered approach. For more information on BDIP, visit: atu.org/members/bdip #NotPartOfTheJob #NotOneMore

Because automation is already here, International President John Costa hosted a “Preparing for an Automated Transit Future” webinar tonight for our Local leaders on autonomous vehicles, AI surveillance, and how we fight back at the bargaining table. “This is not a theoretical exercise. ATU members are already working as safety operators on autonomous vehicle pilots, and our members are being watched by AI-powered systems every second they’re behind the wheel,” said Costa. “If we wait, employers will sideline our Union, undermine our working conditions, contract out our work, and eliminate our jobs. This is not going to be easy, but we need to start bargaining and organizing over these issues before they become problems at our properties.” Our members were updated by ATU International staff on AV and AI in our industry, bargaining resources, workforce development opportunities, and the latest on the surface transportation reauthorization bill. This technology is moving fast, but so are we.

More than 200 Local leaders logged on for two well-attended Executive Board Trainings with International President John Costa and International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo. Costa opened both sessions with a moment of silence for our Local 308-Chicago, IL, Brother Julian Mobley, who was tragically killed on the job. We will never forget him. “From the epidemic of attacks on our members to automated vehicles, to transit funding fights and anti-union politicians, our Union is facing many challenges,” said Costa. “As Executive Board members, you play an important role for your Local. I’ve been in your shoes serving as an Executive Board Member. As leaders, you have a serious responsibility and duty to your membership. You must organize, strategize, and think outside the box.” Board members dug into their roles under the ATU Constitution and General Laws, Local Union oversight and fiduciary responsibilities. Strong Locals start with strong boards! Thank you to everyone who showed up for our members! Were you on today’s training? Drop your Local number below.

We wrap up our celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month by honoring our Local 1225-San Francisco, CA, Sister Mary Mendez #HispanicHeritageMonth2026

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian members and their families! #canadianthanksgiving

ATU Local 308 Brother Julian Mobley, a CTA Janitor, was tragically killed while trying to stop an attack on a fellow member over a fare dispute. He died a hero. This evening, International President John Costa joined a Zoom of our Chicago Locals 308 and 241 to offer our deepest condolences, solidarity, and support. “I started my career at NJ Transit as a cleaner just like Brother Julian. Many nights at the end of my shift, I walked in fear of being attacked,” Costa said. “What happened to Julian is devastating. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. More than 45 transit workers are attacked every single day. Julian’s murder will not be in vain. City officials will express their condolences, and they should. But condolences without action won’t save workers’ lives.” Costa, Local 308 President/Business Agent Pennie McCoach, Local 241 President/Business Agent Keith Hill, their Executive Boards, and key ATU staff spoke about intensifying efforts to hold our transit agencies and elected officials accountable to provide real solutions and real funding for safety measures and protections for our members and our riders. Rest in power, Brother Julian.

A tragic day for the ATU. #NotOneMore #1u #canlab #UnionStrong

With the Manitoba Legislature returning for its fall session this week, our Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB, members joined a coalition of labour, environmental, and community organizations to demand Premier Wab Kinew and the provincial government restore Manitoba’s 50-50 transit operating funding agreement. #OurVoiceOurPower