History

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is a Labor union in the United States and Canada, representing workers in the transit system and other industries.

The ATU was founded in 1892, and today has over 190,000 members in over 264 local unions in 46 states and 9 provinces. The ATU includes bus, subway, light rail and ferry operators, clerks, baggage handlers, mechanics and others in the urban transit, over-the-road and school bus industries, as well as paratransit, emergency medical, clerical and municipal workers.

In October 2003 it supported a strike of mechanics against Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority in Los Angeles over the cost and control of its benefit plan. The union avoided the benefit cost increases demanded by the MTA, while deferring resolution over other issues.

Its current International President is Lawrence J. Hanley, who assumed office on September 27, 2010.

A similar union affiliate with AFL-CIO is the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents transit workers at the New York City Transit Authority.