In The News
Senate Makes Progress on Pro-Worker FAA Bill, More to Come
Posted OnFebruary 8, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen said the markup is a “great development” but the House and Senate “must seal the deal and pass final legislation.”
“Our front-line airline flight attendants and boots-on-the ground mechanics have been waiting far too long for Congress to adopt critically important measures needed to address long-standing problems – like unhinged passengers attacking and abusing crewmembers, and greedy airline executives sending aircraft to questionable repair shops in China, and other low-wage countries, for maintenance and repairs.”Read More…
Transportation Technology Newsletter #17
Posted OnJanuary 25, 2024 byTWU leaders descended on the CES tech show and co-sponsored the 5th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, together with the AFL-CIO, its Technology Institute and several unions.Read More…
The TWU Pushes For Big Boost in Transit Funding
Posted OnJanuary 18, 2024 byJan. 18, 2024
The Transport Workers Union strongly supports proposed legislation allocating $80 billion in operating funds for transit agencies to operate more rail and bus service. The Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act, introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) today, would allocate $20 billion a year for four years for agencies “to make substantial improvements” to systems in our cities, towns and rural communities.
“This legislation would dramatically improve the lives of working men and women,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “It would replace the government’s current transit funding scheme, which is completely asinine and void of common sense. Transit agencies would be able to increase and improve bus and rail service so working communities don’t just survive but thrive.” Click ‘Read More’ for the full statement,
JetBlue Purchase of Spirit Blocked
Posted OnJanuary 16, 2024 byA federal judge issued a ruling Tuesday blocking JetBlue Airways proposed purchase of Spirit Airline. The judge sided with the U.S. Justice Department that the merger would violate anti-trust laws aimed at maintaining competition and consumer choice in the marketplace. Passengers who rely on Spirit’s low fares would be harmed in that the cost of flying either airline would likely increase, the judge ruled. Consolidation of the industry to just a few major carriers has resulted in higher prices. TWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following statement.
Stop the Assaults!
Posted OnJanuary 8, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen calls for more federal action to finally bring an end the plague of violence facing the transit operating workforce. “Transit workers are outrageously getting attacked and abused every single day,” Samuelsen writes in this Op-Ed published by The Hill.Read More…
FTA ISSUES LANDMARK DIRECTIVE ON TRANSIT WORKER ASSAULTS
Posted OnDecember 20, 2023 byThe General Directive requires all transit agencies serving urbanized areas with at least 50,000 residents to immediately conduct a risk assessment for assaults on transit workers in their systems. The agencies must then work with frontline transit workers (through Safety Committees established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to develop mitigation strategies that prevent the kinds of assaults at their property. These plans and the assessment must be submitted to the FTA for review, data collection, and policy development.Read More…
Massive Victory For Airline Passengers And Union Workers
Posted OnDecember 6, 2023 bySTATEMENT FROM TWU INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT JOHN SAMUELSEN The FAA announced a proposed new rule that would apply drug and alcohol testing standards to all airline heavy maintenance mechanics, regardless of where they are on the planet. This is a massive victory for US airline passengers and workers. Airline mechanics in China and other lower-wage, lower-standard…Read More…
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT AIRPORTS AND IN THE SKIES ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED
Posted OnNovember 30, 2023 byFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2023 Contact: Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org The Transport Workers Union Urges Both Chambers of Congress to Close Safety Gaps By Approving Full FAA Reauthorization WASHINGTON, D.C.—Testifying at a House of Representatives subcommittee in Washington, D.C., today, TWU Executive Director Gary Peterson cited several alarming situations requiring immediate attention through reauthorization legislation:…Read More…
Unions Call for Federal Crackdown of Automated Vehicles
Posted OnNovember 9, 2023 byWashington, DC – The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) and nearly 2 dozen other unions are calling on the federal government to crack down on dangerous RoboTaxis and the companies that are testing these driverless vehicles on city streets, often without oversight or regulation. In a letter sent today to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete…Read More…
TWU Blasts House Proposal To Decimate Rail and Transit Funding
Posted OnNovember 3, 2023 byTWU International President John Samuelsen issues this statement on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024: “This horrific legislation would gut vital investments in our national mass transit and railroad infrastructure – and destroy thousands of good, union jobs. It would be horrible for American workers, American families, American commuters…Read More…