The Message

Throughout the Department as a whole there has been a loss of trust in the Union. Cops have felt distrust in the leadership of the current PBA. Cops feel their voices are not being heard. They feel their concerns are not being addressed. Cops have felt betrayed by the union’s late and weak legal response to the vaccine mandates. Cops were left forced to resign or take a vaccine against their sincerely held religious beliefs. Cops also have felt excluded from major union decisions, such as political endorsements and union spending due to the lack of TRANSPARENCY. I believe cops should have input as dues paying members. It is together that we will make this organization great again. Cops need union leaders that don’t just come around with pizza and take pictures for a social media post. Furthermore the current Transit trustee supports the same current administration that has pushed tier 3 members to the side, ignored their concerns and neglected their importance to this organization. Tier 3 members currently make up the majority of the membership. Yet this current administration has fallen short on that acknowledgment, a quick example is the lack of pension seminars for Tier 3. Members should be educated and encouraged in the workings of their Union and delegate body so they can take on roles such as delegate and transition to leadership rolls within the Union as tier 2 members phase out. It’s time the union evolved and EVOLUTION requires CHANGE. Change is not only inevitable but it is necessary for growth, our union needs change, I not only support change but I want to be part of that change. This coming election I’m asking Transit Cops everywhere to take part in writing new history by voting for me, Franklin Valdez for Transit Trustee along with my partner Derek Andrews for Transit Financial Secretary. As Trustees we pledge INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY. We pledge to restore confidence in the leadership, as well work to restore their trust and faith in the union by listening to their concerns. Additionally, we pledge to be more present at all Transit commands and the different tours because all members matter. 

The Plan 

• Draft an amendment to Bylaws to establish provision for "Term Limits" for the executive board

• Promoting and developing a friendly, secure relationship among the membership

• Holding our PBA President and the executive board accountable for disseminating information fairly to our delegates so that they may in turn inform our.

• Bringing outside agencies and speakers to provide valuable information benefitting members (example: Homebuying, car buying, discounts, financial planning/management, self development, and more)

• Working toward better understanding our member's needs and concerns by listening and establishing surveys

• Making more routine appearances at transit districts on the different tours

• Informing members of the delegate process, to encourage and mentor Tier 3 members to be more active within our union.

• Work with the Bureau management to establish a positive and healthy work environment that is essential to boost members morale

• Address the forced overtime and last minute notification issues that are greatly affecting our members' family life, physical health as well as mental health.

We are not making unrealistic promises and we are not expecting change to happen over night. We do promise to work hard to ensure your concerns are not only heard but that actual efforts are made to address those concerns by being present, staying committed and being accountable.
Working together because we are stronger together. Together we can all bring back quality of life, camaraderie and respect back to our uniform. We have to work on changing our mindset of "The job is dead", by bringing a positive attitude of gratitude.

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