On The Hill
Victory for Transit Safety: FTA Sides with TWU Over Agency Executives on Safety Plans
Posted OnApril 10, 2024 byThe Biden Administration rejected efforts by transit executives to sideline workers when drafting mandatory safety plans addressing assaults, equipment malfunctions, traffic accidents, and other on-the-job hazards – a big win for workers and for The Transport Workers Union. The American Public Transportation Association wanted federally mandated safety committees with worker representatives to be advisory panels…Read More…
TWU Strongly Supports Establishment of Minimum Crew Size Rule
Posted OnApril 2, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union applauds the Department of Transportation’s final rule that would require at least two people operating every freight train – an essential safety measure that improves working conditions both on the tracks and in rail yards. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the final rule on Tuesday. “This final rule is essential for safety and…Read More…
Amtrak and Transit Funding Victory
Posted OnMarch 6, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following comment regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ adoption of H. Res. 1061, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. “This is a big win for Amtrak passengers, mass transit riders, and union workers who move America. Far right ideologues – with zero care or concern for the nation’s wellbeing – tried…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…
After Another Temporary Patch, Aviation Workers Need a Final FAA Bill
Posted OnMarch 1, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America is calling on the House and Senate to finally finish a final Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill by May 10 – a deadline that gives Congress more than enough time to complete negotiations on vitally important legislation that would advance several TWU pro-worker goals. The House voted…Read More…
TWU Calls for Congressional Action to Avert Harmful Shutdown
Posted OnFebruary 27, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union is urging House and Senate leaders to work together this week to prevent a shutdown of some federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. A shutdown would begin on March 2nd if Congress does not act. A government shutdown would halt the training of new air traffic…Read More…
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…
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,
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…