Kansas City Streetcar Union Fight Spurs Democratic Socialist Support

A local unionization effort has sparked a recent wave of social media celebration and low-key transit enthusiasm. 

To wit . . .

KANSAS CITY TOY TRAIN STREETCAR WORKERS DEMAND UNION RIGHTS!!!

 This likely signals the end of corporate enthusiasm for the project but that's not reason not to try and learn more . . . Check the basics: 

"The operators of the KC Streetcar officially announced their unionization with Teamsters Local 955. The campaign moved forward rapidly, with a majority of the streetcar operators already signing their union cards to formalize the request.

"The effort has secured strong backing from local labor organizations and political figures. It is officially endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1287, which represents Kansas City’s city bus drivers. Local political candidates have also voiced public support."

Now . . . 

 We share this quick summary about how the struggle is going so far . . . 

"This week workers walked up to Herzog management at the Singleton Yard and hand delivered a letter. In it, they asked the company to formally recognize their union, Teamsters Local 955, which is the Kansas City branch of one of the biggest labor unions in the country. Recognizing the union would mean the workers get to negotiate pay, hours, and working conditions together as one group instead of one person at a time."

Even better . . . 

Our leading KCMO Council contender Democratic Socialist, urban Latina cosplayer and possibly prez of the cowtown Zohran Mamdani fan club offers this encouragement . .

"Congratulations to the operators of Kansas City’s beloved @kcstreetcar who just announced their unionization with @teamsters Local 955! I am proud to support expanding our entire public transit system and am backed by the workers who make it run, including @atucomms Local 1287 who run our bus system!"

More context via www.TonysKansasCity.com notes . . .

"The unionization comes during a period of massive growth for the transit system. The streetcar network recently celebrated record-breaking ridership days exceeding 40,000 riders. This follows major capital upgrades, including the 3.5-mile Main Street Extension to the UMKC campus and the CPKC Stadium riverfront extension.

"The workers' organizing efforts run parallel to a broader push for transit advocacy across the city. This includes the recent formation of the Kansas City Bus Riders Union, which has been independently organizing to protest funding gaps and proposed route reductions on the RideKC bus network."

Developing . . .