Published 07 Apr, 2016
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today, TWU joined other unions in the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department in urging the secretary to issue a rule to protect bus drivers and other transit operators from physical assault.
The letter, signed by International President Harry Lombardo and seven other union leaders, points out the gravity of the situation and the growing threat to transit operators regardless of where they work: cities, suburbs or even rural communities.
“These incidents not only pose severe physical and emotional problems for the members we represent but jeopardizes the safety of public transportation more broadly,” wrote the union leaders. “When operators are assaulted, passengers can be put at risk when violence spreads into a vehicle.”
The unions are pursuing legislative action as well. One section of the FAST Act—passed in December with extraordinary help from TWU members—requires the Federal Transit Administration to issue a rulemaking on transit operator assaults. The signatory unions call on Secretary Foxx to finalize a rule by the end of 2016. Download the full letter
TWU is committed to protecting our members on the job—and the passengers whose safety they are entrusted with—and will continue to push for congressional action on this issue. Sign up for TWU’s Action Alerts to stay informed.