59th Convention Daily Recaps

DAY FOUR

COSTA ELECTED INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT; PEREZ, OWENS RE-ELECTED

INCUMBENT IVPS RE-ELECTED TO THREE-YEAR TERMS

The delegates to the 59th Convention of the Amalgamated Transit Union unanimously voted John Costa to serve as international president for the next three years. The General Executive Board previously appointed Costa to serve the remaining four months of the term of the late international president, Larry Hanley, who passed away in May.

“I’m honored to stand here today. I am honored,” said Costa as the delegates chanted ‘Costa, Costa, Costa’. “But the energy that you give me to do this job is remarkable. This is a great union. We are one big family. And I just want to recognize and thank everyone here for your support. It’s just been a remarkable week.”

International Executive Vice President Javier Perez, Jr., was re-elected to another three-year term. And, International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens defeated Local 113 Financial Secretary Kevin Morton, to serve another three-year term.

Day One Daily Video Recap (Watch Video)
Day One Daily Proceeding (PDF)

DAY THREE

CONVENTION DEBATES MECHANICS RESOLUTION, PRESENTS AWARDS

The 59th Convention of the Amalgamated Transit Union reconvened on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 8:45 a.m., as a spontaneous chant erupted from the all of the delegates: “WE ARE THE UNION! THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY UNION!”

International President John Costa joined in, concluding, “Now, that is a union!”

Invocation

The proceedings began with an Invocation from Imam Fateen Seifullah, from the As-Sabur Mosque, who prayed, “Bless this gathering, give success to all of our brothers and sisters working to provide for their families in serving this nation.”

Credentials Committee

International President John Costa called up the Credentials Committee to deliver a second supplementary report. The delegates approved the decision of the committee to seat nine additional delegates. Chair Eric Tuck noted “that the roster of the 59th Convention will now show a total of 642 delegates… 640 of these delegates are found to be eligible for participation in the election of international officers and AFL-CIO convention delegates and alternates.

Day One Daily Video Recap (Watch Video)
Day One Daily Proceeding (PDF)

DAY TWO

CONVENTION ADOPTS REPORTS, PRESENTS FIRST HANLEY AWARD

The 59th Convention of the Amalgamated Transit Union reconvened on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 8:45 a.m.

Invocation

The proceedings began with an Invocation from Rev. Gerald Grupczynski, from Our Lady of Las Vegas Church in Las Vegas. Grupczynski prayed, “We especially thank you, Lord, for the people who drive and operate these vehicles each day. Keep within your care those who have faithfully served in the past and those who will continue to serve in the future, and may your protection and your blessing be upon them always.”

Day One Daily Video Recap (Watch Video)
Day One Daily Proceeding (PDF)

DAY ONE

The 59th International Convention of the Amalgamated Transit Union convened in high style, Monday, September 23, at 8:41 a.m., even in the midst of the tragedy of the recent death of its international president, Larry Hanley, in May. Yet his successor, International President John Costa, and the assembled delegates, alternates, and guests were determined to honor his legacy with a Convention that truly exemplified the spirit of their fallen leader.

The Day One festivities began with the rousing strains of the Clark High School Marching Band and the Presentation of the Colors by the school’s award-winning Naval Junior ROTC Color Guard. The attendees responded, joining vocalist Michelle Johnson in singing our national anthems.

International Secretary-Treasurer and Temporary Chair Oscar Owens opened the proceedings, bringing International Vice President (IVP) Marcellus Barnes to the podium to deliver the morning Invocation. Barnes put the purposes of the delegates at the Convention in perspective declaring, “… we walk by faith. Those of you who assembled here in this room this morning are special because God has chosen you to be the leader of the people.”

Day One Daily Video Recap (Watch Video)
Day One Daily Proceeding (PDF)