Amalgamated Transit Union

01/10/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/10/2025 22:35

Honoring the Life of ATU Member Shawn Yim, Local 587-Seattle, WA

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Honoring the Life of ATU Member Shawn Yim, Local 587-Seattle, WA

Friday, January 10, 2025
Today, International President John Costa, International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo, International Vice President Michael Corneilis and ATU members from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at the Lumen Field Event Center in Seattle, WA, to honor our Local 587-Seattle, WA, Brother Shawn Yim, who was tragically stabbed to death by an angry passenger on December 18, 2024. The day began with a solemn procession of King County Metro buses and other transit agencies' buses from our Union escorted by police to the Center.
At the memorial, Costa delivered an impassioned speech expressing condolences to Brother Yim's family and demanding that elected officials and transit agencies make real changes to improve safety for our members and riders. "Say his name…Shawn Yim. Say his name….Shawn Yim," Costa said in a spirited call and response with the memorial attendees. "We need our transit agencies and elected officials to bring the same sense of regret that you display in the public mourning of Shawn's unnecessary death and actually do something that will help to prevent these tragedies from happening," Costa continued. "Not One More. Not One More!"
Also delivering impassioned remarks offering condolences and calling for better safety measures for our Local 587 members, riders, and all transit workers were Local 587 President/Business Agent Greg Woodfill, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, Local 587 Financial Secretary Paul Neil, Local 587 Vice President Ken Price, Local 587 Recording Secretary Latrelle Gibson, King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, and others.
The Memorial ended with an emotional Final Radio Call of Brother Yim's Operator number, "Operator 21882. Operator 21882. Operator 21882. Out of Service," followed by a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" by the Northwest Firefighters Pipes & Drums. Thanks to all who attended this memorial to remember our fallen Brother Yim.