Happy Pride Month!

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ communities, while also recognizing the ongoing struggle for equality, dignity, and human rights. It commemorates the courage of those who challenged discrimination and fought for a society where everyone can live authentically and safely. Pride is not only a celebration but also a reminder that progress has been achieved through collective action, solidarity, and a commitment to justice for all.

Unions have long fought to protect workers from discrimination and to advance workplace rights, fairness, and inclusion. By advocating for equitable policies, safe workplaces, and protections against harassment and bias, unions help ensure that all workers regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or background are treated with respect and dignity. Pride Month reinforces the importance of standing together in solidarity.

ATU 583 Membership Meetings – Summer Cancellation

The Membership of ATU Local 583 has voted on a motion to suspend the July and August Regular Membership Meetings. This motion has passed. We sent the request to International President, John Costa, and it has been approved.

With so many Members on vacation, it can be difficult to make quorum for the summer meetings. Members will be given credit for attendance of these two meetings in accordance with the ATU constitution. In lieu of the Summer meetings, the Executive Board of ATU Local 583 will see to the business of the Local.

We will continue to have our Facebook Live updates to keep members apprised of what is going on in the Local.

Rally for Transit Worker Safety

On June 19th, 2026 we held a rally at City Hall’s Municipal Plaza for Transit Worker Safety.

The date coincided with the sentencing of one of the now convicted assailants who viciously attacked our Member in May of 2025. We advocated for the use of Section 269.01 of the criminal code to be taken into account when sentencing. The video of the assault was played and it is as harrowing as you can imagine.

The convicted, Baker-Spence, received 4 years in federal prison including time served. Although we would have liked to of seen a heavier sentence, by sentencing standards for armed robbery and aggravated assault, 4 years is considered a stiff sentence.

Our rally was a success and it was heartening to see so many show up for the cause.

Jail time is the most effective deterrent to violence because it imposes serious and immediate consequences on those who commit violent acts. The loss of personal freedom, separation from family and friends, and the restrictions of prison life create a powerful incentive for individuals to avoid engaging in violent behavior. Knowing that a violent offense could result in months or years behind bars is the best deterrent for potential offenders to think twice before acting aggressively.

Jail time also protects society by removing violent offenders from the community and reducing their ability to harm others. While alternatives such as fines, probation, or counseling can play an important role in rehabilitation, they do not carry the same level of deterrence for serious crimes. The possibility of incarceration sends a clear message that violence is unacceptable and will be met with significant punishment.

Thank you to those who spoke at the rally on this topic: Mayor Farkas, Councillor Dhaliwal, Gil McGowan (AFL) and Alex Shevalier (CDLC) and Ryan Anderson (CACG). We would also like to thank all the Councillors that showed up and showed very strong support for Transit workers safety.

To everyone who took the time to come out in support of the rally. Your attendance truly means a lot to us. The safety of our Members is the most important thing and to have so many show up to advocate for that, was heartening.

Dues and ATU 583 Events

Please note that we will no longer be accepting dues at the following events:

The Family Picnic, the Retirement Banquet, the Children’s Christmas Party

In the past we have accepted payments on the go, however, with the size of our events growing every year, we are simply no longer able to do so.

Officers and volunteers will need to be focused on the event itself and their assigned duties therein.

We continue to accept the following payments via the following methods:

Mail:
Cheque or Money Order – please ensure your full name is on the payment type
In Office:
Cheque, Money Order, Cash, Debit, Credit
Over the phone:
Credit
Email:
E-Transfers (please send to payments@atu583.com and include your full name and email in the note)

Digitization of the Monthly Insights Letter – Update

We continue to collect email addresses from retired Members who wish to receive the newsletter as we transition to electronic distribution.

Please give us a call at 403 258 1258 ext 0 or email Jacinda.w@atu583.com with your personal email address.

Our intent is to have the newsletter fully electronic by this coming September.

For more information, please see our previous newsletter for all the details.

The ATU 583 Retirement Banquet

Mark your calendars! Our annual banquet for retired Members is Saturday October 3rd, 2026. We will be at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino and the event starts as usual around 5:30 PM.

Please keep in mind that our events are for Members in good standing which means we are unable to send out tickets to those who have not paid their dues for the previous year.

If you are unsure if you are up to date on your dues, please call 403 258 1258 ext 0 and an admin can assist you.

We understand that extenuating circumstances exist, if you fall into this category please email finsec@atu583.com and copy venise@atu583.com and a payment arrangement can be made,

Dirty Washrooms

We have had an influx of reports on washrooms which are not clean and sanitary. If you are attempting to use a washroom facility and it is not sanitary, please reach out to PS100 before reaching out to Local 583.

It is best to note the date and time of both the dirty washroom AND when you send the notice to PS100. If the washroom is not cleaned in a timely manner, please then reach out to us so we can help resolve the issue.

Volunteer Drivers for Calgary Stampede Parking

Stampede Parking was started in 1993 by IBEW and is now under the umbrella of the Civic Coalition. Once upon a time the Stampede provided the shuttle but when that shut down our Members at ATU 583 stepped up to volunteer their time (driving buses donated by the City of Calgary/Calgary Transit) for this wonderful cause.

Over the years STARS has been the biggest recipient of the money collected during Stampede Parking. Other recipients over the years include the Worker’s Resource Center, the Calgary Foundation (during the 2013 floods they dispersed funds where they were needed most), Bullying Ends Here, the Autism and Asperger’s Society and many more. Stampede Parking has raised an astounding $750,000 for STARS alone. You can read more about STARS and the imperative resources they provide to people in critical emergencies here: https://www.stars.ca/who-we-are/our-north-star

This year the funds collected will once again benefit STARS and will also include CARYA (formerly Calgary Counselling Services). “CARYAimpacts the lives of thousands of Calgarians each year, through a range of comprehensive, low to no-cost programs and services that enhance mental well-being, strengthen families, improve living conditions, and create meaningful social connections.”

To that end, volunteers are still needed. You will need to be proficient on Shuttle! Please call Brother Ian Clark to sign up for what is always a delightful and altruistic experience: 403-922-3964

COPE 397 /jw