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Transportation Learning Center and Jobs to Move America Co-Moderate Panel

Posted May 2018

Christy Veeder (Jobs to Move America), Chris Espinoza (BYD Heavy Industries), Miriam Rodriguez (BYD Heavy Industries), John Schiavone (Transportation Learning Center), Blanchard Pinto (Proterra, Inc.), Louis Durant, III (ATU 1300/MD MTA) and Jeffrey Shaffer (ATU 1277/LACMTA)

The APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference (May 5-9, 2018) held in Tampa, Florida featured a session entitled “Employees are our Greatest Asset - Perspectives from the Frontline Workforce,” co-moderated by Christy Veeder, Ph.D. of Jobs to Move America and the Center’s John Schiavone. Panel members consisted of Louis Durant, III, a bus operator representing ATU Local 1300, Maryland Transit Administration; Jeffrey Shaffer, a former bus technician and current officer representing ATU Local 1277, Los Angeles County MTA; Miriam Rodriguez and Chris Espinoza from BYD Heavy Industries; and Proterra’s Blanchard Pinto.

Following a brief description of their job functions, each panel member responded to a series of questions designed to provide their hands-on perspectives and insights into the many contributions they make to advance safety, training, productivity and innovation in the workplace. The passion each panel member brings to their job was evident in their detailed responses. Plant workers Ms. Rodriguez, Mr. Espinoza and Mr. Pinto from BYD and Proterra demonstrated a clear commitment to improving their products and contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment. In addition to his many duties as a bus operator, Mr. Durant helps to recruit new workers by touting the many benefits of his occupation. Mr. Shaffer emphasized that the ever increasing advancements being introduced to today’s transit buses requires technicians to acquire a new set of electrical skills. Many of the more than 65 attendees engaged with the panel in dialog that highlighted the value frontline workers bring to transit.