Published 04 Dec, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: December 4, 2015
CONTACT: Ori Korin, (202) 719-3834
Transport Workers Union Lauds Passage of FAST Act
Washington, D.C. —Today, President Obama signed the surface transportation reauthorization bill into law. The “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act” (FAST Act) is a bipartisan measure that will fund our nation’s public transit systems, passenger rail network, highways and bridges for the next five years. Overwhelming margins in the Senate and House of Representatives supported this vital legislation.
In response to passage of the legislation, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) President Harry Lombardo said, “The FAST Act is a bipartisan achievement that makes strides in funding our infrastructure system, improving safety and boosting our national economy. We are pleased to see this critical measure become law because it will increase transportation spending and protect the workers who make transit systems function.”
The reauthorization dramatically increases transit funding, creates thousands of jobs, provides important protections for Amtrak employees and makes our workplaces safer. It includes language to help stop assaults on bus drivers and improve restroom access for transit workers, while avoiding unnecessary privatization mandates and attacks on labor rights.
TWU represents nearly 140,000 workers in the public transportation, aviation, railroad, gaming, university, utilities and services sectors. The union is composed of 100 locals representing members and retirees from coast to coast.