Local News
TWU Tech Newsletter: The Importance of Local Control Over AVs
Posted OnApril 4, 2024 byThis is the monthly edition of the Transport Workers Union’s Transportation Technology Newsletter. We aim to inform and educate our members, the labor movement, the public and policymakers about developments in transportation technology – and what the TWU is doing to ensure that new technology doesn’t undermine safety or harm the livelihoods of hard-working blue-collar workers. For suggestions and questions, please…Read More…
Do You Want to Be a Crash Test Dummy?
Posted OnApril 3, 2024 byTWU International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate criticizes a NYC plan to test Autonomous Vehicles in this opinion piece published in The New York Daily News. Tate also details why buses always need human Bus Operators.Read More…
TWU VICTORY: LA Metro Board Cancels Proposed Takeover of Bikeshare Program
Posted OnMarch 27, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union successfully fought a proposed takeover of La Metro’s Bike Share – keeping good jobs in place that provide economic certainty. The LA Metro Board on Tuesday evening notified the TWU it intends to cancel a request for proposal that would have potentially nullified an industry-leading contract for bikeshare workers that was…Read More…
Workers Over Robots: TWU’s Technology Push Gets National and International Press
Posted OnMarch 14, 2024 byAfter the Transport Workers Union announced it secured first-of-its-kind contract language to give labor veto power over the deployment of autonomous vehicles, the national media is taking note. Politico first covered the announcement of contract language with the Central Ohio Transit Authority that prevents the agency from laying off Bus Operators or Mechanics or…Read More…
TWU Tech Newsletter: Winning Contracts That Fight Autonomous Technology
Posted OnMarch 5, 2024 byThis is the monthly edition of the Transport Workers Union’s Transportation Technology Newsletter. We aim to inform and educate our members, the labor movement, the public and policymakers about developments in transportation technology – and what the TWU is doing to ensure that new technology doesn’t undermine safety or harm the livelihoods of hard-working blue-collar workers….Read More…
Statement on Cancelled JetBlue-Spirit airlines’ merger
Posted OnMarch 4, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America issued the following statement on the announcement that Jet Blue and Spirit airlines will no longer pursue a merger.
Our main concern throughout this process was protecting and advancing the livelihoods of our members. We achieved those goals. For our JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers, we secured 17% mid-contract raises, millions of dollars in potential bonus payments, and 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.
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…
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition Update
Posted OnApril 25, 2022 byThe Coordinated Bargaining Coalition released the following statement on April 25, 2022: On January 24, 2022, after more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class I railroads, the 10 Rail Unions bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) announced that they had applied to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for…Read More…