In The News
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…
Transportation Technology Newsletter #16
Posted OnOctober 30, 2023 byIssue #16 October 27, 2023 If you see or hear about new technologies or services, please send us an email, TransportationTech@twu.org BREAKING: Cruise Suspends Robotaxi Operations Nationwide After greenlighting unsafe deployment of autonomous vehicles on California streets, the state’s motor vehicle agency informed AV company Cruise that it was revoking its permits to operate AVs…Read More…
Statement on California Suspending Cruise’s License to Operate Driverless Vehicles
Posted OnOctober 24, 2023 byWashington, DC – John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), issues in this statement in response to the suspension of Cruise’s operating and testing permits by the California Department of Motor Vehicles: “California’s Department of Motor Vehicles absolutely made the right decision and recognized exactly what the TWU has been…Read More…
TWU, Lawmakers Push for Aircraft Maintenance in America, Not China, To Protect Fliers & U.S. Jobs
Posted OnOctober 23, 2023 byFor Immediate Release Contact: Pete Donohue, PDonohue@twu.org | Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org New York City – Airlines are increasingly having planes fixed, overhauled, and maintained by lower-skilled workers in less-secure facilities in South America and Asia. This upward trend increases the risk of a potentially catastrophic mechanical failure – and takes away jobs that can, and should, be done by better qualified American…Read More…
Statement in support of The Transit Emergency Relief Act
Posted OnOctober 18, 2023 byWashington, DC – John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union, issues this statement in support of the Transit Emergency Relief Act: “We’ve all seen the horrific impact major weather events and natural disasters have on our transit systems. Stations flooded with grimy rainwater, damaged tracks and other impaired infrastructure make travel impossible for…Read More…
22 Years Later: The TWU Remembers
Posted OnSeptember 11, 2023 byAs our nation marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the TWU pauses to remember those whose lives have been lost or forever altered by these horrific events—including many of our own members. Today we honor our union members across all of our industries who, in the face of uncertainty and adversity,…Read More…