(Forestville, MD) August 17th, 2021 – “Vaccines are the most effective way to save lives during this pandemic. I myself caught COVID and can tell you that I still live with the health consequences to this day. WMATA’s proposal will still allow members to opt-out of the shot in favor of weekly testing.” said Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent for ATU Local 689. “It is still our position that testing should be paid for and provided for by the employer. We will continue negotiations with WMATA on the implementation of this policy. We also look forward to working with WMATA on enforcement of its mask mandate policy on public transit.” 

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Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 is comprised of more than 13,000 members and retirees performing occupations within the many skilled transportation crafts for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), MetroAccess, DASH, and the DC Circulator and Streetcar among others. A member of the Amalgamated Transit Union (AFL-CIO/CLC), the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada, Local 689 was established on January 19, 1916. For more information please visit our website at atulocal689.org.