Bus Riders Union

Bus Riders Union is a Los Angeles-based organization that advocates for the rights of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) bus riders, with a focus on social justice, environmental justice, and civil rights. The union was founded in 1992 by the Labor/Community Strategy Center, a think tank and community organization led by Eric Mann, a veteran civil rights and anti-war activist. The Bus Riders Union has been involved in various social movements, including the Environmental Justice Movement and the Transportation Equity Movement, and has worked with organizations such as the Sierra Club and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

● History

The Bus Riders Union was formed in response to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LA Metro) plans to increase bus fares and reduce service, which would have disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities. The union's early campaigns were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Chicano Movement, and were supported by organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the United Farm Workers. The Bus Riders Union also drew inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Disability Rights Movement, and has worked with activists such as Nelson Mandela and Judy Heumann. In the 1990s, the union was involved in a series of protests and demonstrations against LA Metro, including a 1994 bus boycott that was supported by organizations such as the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

● Organization

The Bus Riders Union is a grassroots organization that is governed by a democratic decision-making process, with a board of directors that includes representatives from various community organizations and labor unions. The union has a close relationship with the Labor/Community Strategy Center, which provides research and policy analysis support. The Bus Riders Union also works with other organizations, such as the Los Angeles Federation of Labor and the California Nurses Association, to advocate for transportation justice and workers' rights. The union's activities are supported by a network of volunteers and donors, including organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.

● Activities and Campaigns

The Bus Riders Union has been involved in a range of activities and campaigns over the years, including protests, petitions, and lobbying efforts. One of the union's most notable campaigns was the 1996 Consent Decree, which was a federal court order that required LA Metro to improve its bus service and reduce its environmental impact. The union has also been involved in campaigns to increase funding for public transportation and to promote sustainable transportation options, such as bicycling and walking. The Bus Riders Union has worked with organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the American Public Transportation Association to advocate for environmental justice and transportation equity. The union has also been involved in international campaigns, such as the Global Climate Strike and the International Transport Workers' Federation.

● Impact and Controversies

The Bus Riders Union has had a significant impact on transportation policy in Los Angeles and beyond, and has been recognized for its innovative approach to community organizing and social justice advocacy. However, the union has also been involved in controversies over the years, including conflicts with LA Metro and other transportation agencies. The union has been criticized for its confrontational approach to advocacy, and has been involved in lawsuits and protests that have disrupted public transportation services. Despite these controversies, the Bus Riders Union remains a prominent voice in the transportation justice movement, and has worked with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Asian Americans Advancing Justice to promote civil rights and social justice.

● Notable Members and Leadership

The Bus Riders Union has been led by a number of notable activists and organizers over the years, including Eric Mann, who is the union's founder and executive director. Other notable members and leaders of the union include Barbara Lott-Holland, who is a veteran civil rights activist and community organizer, and Manuel Criollo, who is a labor organizer and social justice advocate. The union has also been supported by a range of elected officials and public figures, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Bus Riders Union has worked with organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union to promote workers' rights and social justice, and has been recognized for its innovative approach to community organizing and grassroots activism.