More than 250 local leaders from across North America gathered in Orlando, Florida, for the 2025 ATU CAN-AM Conference. The event, which is among the largest of its kind for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), focused on discussing strategies to strengthen the union and address current challenges facing members.
Host Local 1596 President and Business Agent Willie Delgado welcomed attendees at the start of the conference. International President John Costa highlighted the difficulties faced by Florida locals due to legislation such as SB 256, which he described as union-busting. Costa acknowledged the efforts of these locals in responding to such challenges.
“These Locals are fighting for their lives, for their very survival, every single day. They’ve come together to not only fight for themselves, but to fight for all of us because any one of us can be next. Together, and only together, are we able to combat the anti-union forces that want to destroy us.” Costa continued by outlining other ongoing disputes at various local and state levels and emphasized unity within the organization. “You are not alone,” said Costa. “That’s why this isn’t just a Union, it’s a movement. A movement fueled by courage, solidarity, and the unbreakable belief that when we stand united, we are unstoppable.”
A session during the conference included a presentation by ATU staff on microtransit services—an area that is changing public transportation with on-demand options. The presentation addressed how privatization affects transit workers and discussed approaches for negotiating better wages and benefits while keeping jobs within union control. Leaders also received guidance on organizing microtransit workers into the union.
Other speakers at the conference included International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo; International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk; International Vice Presidents Manny Sforza, Curtis Howard, Natalie Cruz, Anthony Garland, Steve MacDougall, Ken Wilson, Amanda Sawyer-Turner, Jacques Chapman, Mark Henry; ATU Canada President John Di Nino; ATU CAN-AM President Danny Casella; and Local 726-Staten Island representative from New York.
