Washington, DC – Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) issues this statement honoring working people on Labor Day:
“As our nation pauses to celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of working people, we cannot ignore the realities of the crisis we face. This week, the United States surpassed 6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. Over 187,000 Americans are dead. Millions more worry about how they will pay for food and rent. And in the absence of leadership from the White House, it is working people and their unions who are seeing us through these darks times.
“Despite facing unimaginable fear and uncertainty, essential workers — including those on the frontlines of our transportation system — are leading our nation’s Coronavirus relief and recovery efforts. Across the country, they are showing up to their jobs, often without the protections they need, and with no guarantees that they or their families will be safe. They are doing so not for fame, fortune, or glory, but because they know America is counting on them.
“The fact is, working people have never stopped sacrificing for this country — and they never will. Workers are the heart and soul of our nation, and they deserve a country, economy, and elected leaders who will take care of them the way they are taking care of us.
“That is why transportation labor will never stop fighting for America’s working heroes. This Labor Day — and every day — we recommit to our efforts to fight for good jobs, safe workplaces, union rights on the job, an end to systemic racism, and elected leaders who will put working families first.”