Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 is a labor union representing 10,000 active and retired members of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Its members operate and maintain buses and trains and perform many other support functions. Many of the members work split shifts (am & pm rush with hours off in between) and others work late night hours. It often takes 20 years to get assignments that work a straight shift during the day with weekends off. Many transit workers work outside maintaining the system in all weather--heat, cold, rain, snow. Nearly all pitch in to work overtime during emergency situations. It is simply part of the job they do in order to insure safe, reliable service on the Washington Metro system.