November 5, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Travis Reuther, treuther@twu.org
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Will Transform the Future of Public Transit and Passenger Rail
Infrastructure Bill Includes Record Sums for Transit and Rail, Key Workplace Protections for Transport Workers
Following House passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this statement should be attributed to Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen:
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a monumental victory for transportation workers and all workers in this country. This bill includes historic levels of much-needed federal investment that will repair, modernize, and grow our public transit and passenger rail systems. Not only will it create hundreds of thousands of new, good-paying, union jobs – it will improve job protection standards for workers nationwide.
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will also ensure that workers will not be cast aside by new technology investments such as electric vehicles, prevent assaults onboard public transit and Amtrak, and raise safety standards in our transportation systems.
“While no bill is perfect and the TWU will continue to fight against any increase in private activity bond (PAB) financing intended to undermine and diminish public transit service, the key infrastructure investments included in this bill will create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs and improve the lives of our members.
“The TWU recognizes the unwavering commitment of President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Sherrod Brown, and Representative Peter DeFazio to transportation workers. Together, we look forward to building the next generation of transportation infrastructure.”
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The TWU represents more than 150,000 members across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities, and services sectors.