ATU Local 757 News & Info
In Memoriam of Carla Smith-Koonce
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Carla Smith-Koonce. Carla passed away on Sunday, March 31st. She had been a valued member of our team and will be forever missed. [...]
ATU/Tri Met Contract Negotiations Meetings
A meeting has been scheduled at the date and times listed below to discuss upcoming ATU/TriMet contract negotiations. Click on Read More for the official notice regarding date, times and location.
This Week in Labor History from Unionist
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, where he had been supporting a sanitation workers’ strike. In the wake of this tragedy, riots break out in many cities, including Washington, D.C. - 1968 Read more [...]
New Extra Board Liaison Officer at Center Street Garage
We would like to welcome Timothy Maxcy as the new Extra Board Liaison Officer at Center Street Garage. You can locate his contact information at the bottom of the TriMet Bus page.
Regarding ATU Local 587 Operator Shooting
Attached is the message from ATU Local 587 President Ken Price regarding the shooting of their operator Eric Stark.
Seattle Metro Operator Will Survive
Stark, the bus driver, suffered a gunshot wound to the torso but was able to walk to a gurney, according to Kenneth Price, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587. More information available in this [...]
Calendar
Meet Your Full Time Officers
SHIRLEY BLOCK
President – Business Representative
ATU 757
1801 NE Couch Street
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-300-2780
Email: president@atu757.org
Shirley is the first woman, and the first African-American, to be elected President – Business Representative of Division 757 since it began in 1917. She grew up in Florida and Michigan, the daughter of migrant laborers. Once she graduated from university with her nursing license she worked in Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital before moving to Portland in 1974 for the weather.
She worked as a nurse, and then got a job as a TriMet bus operator in 1981. She also married and raised children of her own, as well as 11 foster children. Her daughter currently works at TriMet, as did her husband, now retired. In the 34 years Block worked at TriMet, she’s been a bus operator, fare inspector, field operations coordinator, and road supervisor. She’s also served several terms as a member of the Union Executive Board.
JONATHAN HUNT
Vice President – Assistant Business Representative
ATU 757
1801 NE Couch Street
Portland, OR 97232
Office Phone: 503-232-9144
Cell Phone: 503-780-2263
E-Mail: vpresident@atu757.org
Jon Hunt grew up in a union household. His father was an ATU Executive Board Officer for over eight years before retiring from TriMet. Jon served as a noncommissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. He worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad and started out at TriMet as a mini-run bus operator. He moved to become a maintenance helper, completed the diesel mechanic apprenticeship program, and was a journeyman mechanic for the last three years before his election as Vice President-Assistant Business Representative for the first time in August 2002.
While in TriMet maintenance, he became a Shop Steward and was an Executive Board Officer for two years. In August 2003 he received a certificate of graduation from the University of Oregon Labor and Education Research Center 56 hour U-Lead certificate program.
Jon is married to Joyce and has two children: Jake and Joshua.
MARY LONGORIA
Financial Secretary Treasurer-Recording Secretary
ATU 757
1801 NE Couch Street
Portland, OR 97232
Office phone: 503-232-9144
Cell Phone: (971) 300-2778
E-Mail: fstreasurer@atu757.org
Mary is serving her second term as ATU 757’s Financial Secretary-Treasurer; she was first elected to the role in 2012.
Mary began working at TriMet in 1998 as a Trip Planner in Customer Service, becoming a proud member of ATU. She then advanced to the Finance Division as a Fare Revenue Specialist, overseeing millions of dollars of ticket and pass inventory. She became an ATU 757 shop steward in 2006 and has been active in our union and the broader labor movement ever since, including Portland Jobs with Justice and the Oregon AFL-CIO, as well as ATU International’s national advocacy work. She participated in Take Back the Capitol action in Washington D.C. to demand funding for public transit, as well as the Jobs with Justice Bridge Walk to support striking hotel workers in the Portland area. She has also worked with OPAL Environmental Justice and Bus Riders Unite for many years.
Mary is married to Jamie Longoria, who is also an ATU 757 member at TriMet. Jamie started as a helper in the Maintenance Division in 1995, working on cleaning and fueling buses. He moved on to Field Equipment Maintenance, where he currently works as a Journeyman.
Mary and Jamie have two adult children. Their daughter Nicole works at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon, where she is passionate about helping kids achieve their potential during their time in school. Mary & Jamie’s son Derek is a firefighter for Cal Fire in Shasta County, California. Derek has been dispatched to fight fires throughout California for weeks at a time, and he’s proud of the service that he and his fellow firefighters provide for the communities they serve.
Mary & Jamie are proud that their children have chosen to give back to the community as public servants.