WW 9-22-21 New Orleans ATU1560 Pres Valerie Jefferson Fights Firing, For Justice & Human Rights by WorkWeek Radio

WorkWeek interviews New Orleans ATU 1560 president Valerie Jefferson who was fired after standing up for her members during the hurricanes and dangerous conditions for the members. The termination by the RTA manager Wiggins came after she demanded that the company pay for hurricane hazard pay which the company had promised the workers if they left their homes and families to operate the busses.
She and other workers and supporters talk about the conditions that ATU 1560 members face and the conditionsof the working class. The company now says that they refuse to recognize Valerie Jefferson as president of the union which
is a violation of the law and part of what the workers call a union busting attack threatening all trade unionists.They also discuss the systemic racism on the job which they call the plantation mentality.
This interview was done on 9/22/21
Additional media:
Solidarity Petition With ATU 1560 New Orleans Transit Workers and Fired President Valerie Jefferson
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-demand-hurricane-pay-for-rta-bus-operators/
New Orleans RTA ATU Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1560 Union president Valerie Jefferson alleges retaliatory firing over hurricane hazard pay
https://thelensnola.org/2021/09/14/rta-union-president-alleges-retaliatory-firing-over-hurricane-hazard-pay/
ATU LOCAL 1560 Members "Drivers" are being forced to work without Proper Training by the RTA
https://atulocal1560.org/local-1560/news
Zurik: Newly hired RTA CEO Wiggins has trail of ‘retaliation’ complaints, including a six-figure settlement to keep complaint quiet
https://www.fox8live.com/2020/11/24/zurik-newly-hired-rta-ceo-has-trail-retaliation-complaints-including-six-figure-settlement-keep-complaint-quiet
In New Orleans Transit COVID-19 Spreads Through RTA Staff As Safety Measures And Federal Guidance Lag
https://www.wwno.org/latest-news/2020-04-23/covid-19-spreads-through-rta-staff-as-safety-measures-and-federal-guidance-lag
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Contact the RTA Board of Commissioners and tell them to reinstate Valerie Jefferson, fire CEO Alex Wiggins, and give RTA workers the respect and pay that they are due!
Email: RTABoard@RTAforward.org mark.raymond@norta.com fred.neal@norta.com fdaniels@rtaforward.org
Call: Flozell Daniels: 225-772-7389, Mark Raymond: 504-982-5268, Fred Neal: 225-803-3836, Laura Bryan: 504-295-6047