News and Media Archives

February 3, 2026

News and Media, TTD on the Hill

TTD Supports RIDER Safety Act, Legislation to Support Transit Ambassadors and Public Safety on Transit

OAKLAND, CA – On January 30, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) announced her new legislation, H.R. 6069, the Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act, or the RIDER Safety Act. This legislation would support transit ambassador, or transit support specialist, programs at public transit agencies across the country. This legislation is based on Congresswoman Simon’s work at
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February 3, 2026

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

Members of Congress, Rail Labor Leaders, Community Officials Gather on 3-Year Anniversary of East Palestine Derailment to Urge Commonsense Rail Safety Measures

WASHINGTON – Today, on the third anniversary of the toxic Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, members of Congress, community leaders, and labor leaders gathered at a bipartisan press conference on Capitol Hill to advocate for passage of the Railway Safety Act and commonsense rail safety reform. Photos are available here and video
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January 29, 2026

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

One Year After DCA Mid-Air Tragedy, Transportation Labor Continues Urging Safety Improvements

WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued the following statement commemorating the one-year mark of the fatal mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025: “On this somber remembrance day, we pause to remember and honor all flight crew and passengers
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January 22, 2026

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

Modern Skies Coalition Urges Passage of the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, a broad coalition of aviation stakeholders released the statement below: “As members of the Modern Skies Coalition, we urge the House and Senate to pass the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. We appreciate and support the bicameral Appropriations Committees’ bipartisan leadership in ensuring increased investment in the
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January 16, 2026

News and Media, TTD on the Hill

Rep. Garamendi Statement After DOT Reinstates Key Worker Safety Committee

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today issued the following statement after the Trump administration reinstated the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). In August, DOT gutted over a dozen federal worker safety committees, including RSAC. “Workers are better off today than they were
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January 16, 2026

News and Media, TTD on the Hill

TTD Supports Bipartisan ‘Under Pressure Act’ to Study and Improve Rail Pressure Relief Devices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congressman Michael Rulli (R-OH-06) announced new, bipartisan rail safety legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Under Pressure Act of 2026 would study the performance of pressure relief devices on rail tank cars in a fiery derailment. Congressman Deluzio’s study bill was crafted with the National Transportation Safety Board, rail industry groups and multiple labor unions that represent rail workers. “The rail industry is
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January 15, 2026

News and Media, TTD on the Hill

TTD Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Passenger Rail Crewmembers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act to enhance public safety by ensuring passenger rail crew members are provided the legal protections that have been afforded to flight crew members and attendants for decades. Specifically, just as it is a federal crime to interfere
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January 13, 2026

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

Statement on Federal Rail Safety Advisory Committee Return

WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued the following statement after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced in the Federal Register that it will reestablish the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). In August 2025, the Department of Transportation disbanded 25 federal safety advisory committees,
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December 19, 2025

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

Maritime Labor Congratulates Stephen Carmel on His Senate Confirmation as U.S. Maritime Administrator

Washington, D.C. – The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), American Maritime Officers (AMO), the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P), the Seafarers International Union (SIU), the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific (SUP), and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) today released the following statement in response to the Senate confirmation of Mr. Stephen Carmel as
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December 16, 2025

News and Media, Press Releases and Statements

Transportation Labor Stands With Panama Canal Workers in Contract Negotiations, Calls Out Panama Canal Authority

WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued the following statement in support of the Unión de Capitanes y Oficiales de Cubierta (UCOC – Panamanian Tugboat Captains’ Union), an affiliate of TTD’s member union, the International Organization of Masters, Mates, & Pilots (MM&P): “Members of
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