TWU’s Curtis Tate named to federal transit advisory committee for safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2022
Contact: Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Curtis Tate, International Administration Vice President for the Transport Workers Union, and a longtime safety and workers’ rights advocate, has been named to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS).
Tate’s appointment to the federal safety committee comes at a critical time for TWU members in the public transit sector. Even as our country emerges from the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, transit workers continue to face unprecedented safety challenges related to the degradation and contracting out of service, the introduction of unproven technologies, and verbal and physical assaults at the hands of passengers they serve.
As a member of the committee, Tate will provide information, advice, and recommendations to the U.S. Transportation Secretary and FTA Administrator on how to ensure public transit remains one of America’s safest modes of transportation, for both passengers and frontline workers.
“Curtis’ appointment to this committee is critically important for the continued safety of our members and the communities they serve,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Highly trained, highly skilled human operators are the greatest safety feature on any public transit vehicle, yet too many Wall Street investors would rather see robots, not humans, driving our trains and buses. Having TWU’s voice on this committee will go a long way in counteracting the forces who seek profit above all else.”
“As a leader of this great union, the safety of our members will always be a primary focus. I am honored to bring the voice and perspective of my TWU sisters and brothers to highest levels of government,” Tate said.
Tate brings more than 36 years of frontline transit and safety experience to TRACS. An active TWU Member since joining the New York City Transit Authority in 1986, Tate began his career as a Car Cleaner in the Car Maintenance Department. In 1988, he was promoted to Train Operator in the Rapid Transit Division, and has since served the union in a variety of roles, ranging from shop steward to Transit, Universities, Utilities and Services Director.