Smartgo875

Today Is A Victorious Historic Day - The L.A. Board approves “Metros own in house police agency”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Recently we met with Janice Hahn (A Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors) and Karen Bass (Los Angeles City Mayor) and we reiterated our stance in more police presence for you all.

Meanwhile , we have been relentless pushing for Metros own in-house police agency.

Today, June 27, 2024 SMART’s Unions Committee and I attended the L.A. County Board of Directors meeting.

The Union wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the forward steps the Board took today to create a safer environment for our members and for the riding public.

Too often incidents aboard Metro vehicles have compromised your lives and dissuaded residents from riding the bus and rail services. Maintaining the status quo was NOT an option.

The safety proposal for Metros own in-house police agency APPROVED today, allows Metro to control safety priorities and better commit resources toward protecting our Members who operate Metro vehicles and the people that our members serve.

We look forward to working with CEO Wiggins and management to make this proposal a reality.

We understand your own police agency will take years to ensure it works effectively and as swiftly as possible. It needs to start from the ground up during a 5 year transition. We will keep you updated as it progresses.

Nevertheless, we will continue to campaign to keep our members, Metros frontline heroes as safe as possible.

Thank you for your continued service. Every single one of you matter!




Group picture right to left, Juan Gonzalez Local Chairperson Rail 1605, Andy, Carter Local Chairperson 1564, Quintin Wormley Local Chairperson 1565/Vice General Chairman, John M. Ellis SMART Unions General Chairman, Julio Mejia Local Chairperson 1607/Secretary of the General Committee of Adjustment, Jaime Delgadillo Local Chairperson 1563, (absent in picture, Edgar Menendez Local Chairperson 1608)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have reached a critical milestone! After receiving our members input and countless meetings with Metro, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 I viewed the completed prototype enclosure. I have requested the ex*****on and mass production of the implementation of the driver enclosures.

I drove the bus for 35 years and I understand what you’re all up against daily. No one can begin to comprehend what an Operator faces during these unpredictable times. Rest assured I have raised hell and have reached out to the news media to press on the safety justice owed to you.

I will not stop fighting until all enclosures are on all the buses. We must remain vigilant to this plague effecting our Brothers and Sisters. Your physical and mental health is of upmost priority to your Union and families.

I will keep you apprised as we make headway and retrofit buses start rolling out. PLEASE stay alert and safe. God bless you all!

Thank you all for your service.

John M. Ellis
General Chairperson
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