President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, the union representing Milwaukee County Transit System employees.
Content referencing James Macon
Streetcar Workers Unionize
The Hop's workers approve union with ATU Local 998, which also represents MCTS workers.
Feb 6th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
MCTS Working On Bus Security. Again
Number of security incidents has declined but most bus drivers report feeling unsafe.
Sep 7th, 2022 by Graham Kilmer
Nicholson Boots Weishan Off Committee
Board's leader takes away both his transportation chair position and committee membership. "It's unheard of."
Apr 20th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Drivers Union Leader Forced Out
James Macon loses presidency as International ATU takes over Local 998.
Mar 3rd, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
COVID-19 At The Bargaining Table
Unions, employers discuss workplace changes in the age of pandemic.
Mar 31st, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Bus Driver Tests Positive for COVID-19
Transit union calls for personal protective equipment for operators. MCTS says drivers protected by shield.
Mar 20th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Seven Will Run for County Executive
Gwen Moore endorses Lipscomb, Crowley has raised $53,000, no word from Abele.
Jan 7th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Why the Bus Union Didn’t Strike
MCTS offer of back pay for workers, and weariness after 21 months bargaining, were key.
Nov 19th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Thursday Transit Strike Averted
Transit union will vote on contract offer from MCTS.
Nov 7th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Drivers Ready (Again) To Strike
Transit union leader says negotiations with MCTS going nowhere, threatens strike.
Nov 6th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Revised Budget Saves More Transit
Board scrapes the barrel for funds to save bus routes, prevent various service cuts.
Nov 1st, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Union Threatens Strike By October 25
Demands new contract proposal by then. Transit officials say they will meet the deadline.
Oct 18th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Transit Union Stages Rally
Calls for contract to include to backpay and driver security measures, and for the restoration of bus routes.
Sep 22nd, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Union Authorizes a Strike
The union votes no on MCTS' final contract offer, gives leadership power to call strike.
Sep 6th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Union Threatens Strike By Friday
Union leader predicts a strike, but some workers likely to favor contract being offered.
Sep 5th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Union’s Budget Claims Disputed
Its claim that MCTS has big annual surpluses misrepresents the budget, comptroller says.
Sep 4th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Abele Urges Bus Drivers to Settle Contract
Union and county transit system have been in contract fight for 18 months.
Aug 30th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Transit Negotiations Over, What’s Next?
MCTS makes its best and final offer. Union must accept it or go on strike.
Aug 13th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Abele’s Power Over County Transit Targeted
Proposal gives county supervisors and employees more power over county bus system.
Jul 11th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Should Sheriff Provide Security on Buses?
It would cost more and issue divides bus drivers and riders. No action taken on idea.
Jun 6th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Transit System Plans 10% Service Cut
"Out of local funding options” says MCTS leader. Union pressed for benefit givebacks.
May 8th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Drivers Union Assails MCTS Leaders
"The fight is on," says union leader, as labor negotiations hit wall over health care coverage.
Apr 15th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Public Favors Transit System’s Redesign
Plan means faster, more frequent buses, slightly fewer stops in Milwaukee County.
Mar 11th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Drivers’ Union Fights New Contract
Transit system cites $6 million deficit, wants workers to pay more for health care.
Mar 7th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
County May Study Security Officers for Buses
County committee unanimously approves study, will next go to full board.
Jan 24th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Last Minute Amendment Saves Job Line
County board will pay to extend bus line to jobs in Waukesha, Washington counties.
Oct 31st, 2018 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Line to Foxconn Could Transport Workers
Lipscomb proposal could transport thousands, promote regional transportation.
Mar 7th, 2018 by Graham Kilmer
Should County Operate Streetcar?
Board members push -- belatedly -- for county transit to operate streetcar.
Mar 8th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Experts Say County Wheel Tax Needed
14% of residents have no car, need transit system the tax would fund.
Nov 1st, 2016 by Naomi Waxman
Bus System Will Go Paperless
Paper transfers and tickets are gone, but the union is still upset.
Jan 14th, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
Bus Strike Forces Riders to Seek Alternatives
Thousands left stranded and struggling to find other means of transit.
Jul 3rd, 2015 by Devi Shastri and Edgar Mendez
Who’s To Blame for Bus Strike?
The union? Chris Abele? John Weishan? Scott Walker? A frank assessment.
Jul 2nd, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
15 Myths About The Bus Strike (and More)
Bus service continuing, but union president references more potential work stoppages. What else did he say?
Jun 30th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
