WASHINGTON – Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued the following statement in opposition to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) plans to fully automate trains without a human operator:
“As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, representing 38 unions and thousands of transit operators and workers, we vehemently oppose WMATA’s plan to fully automate passenger trains and eliminate human operators.
“Transportation labor does not seek to prohibit technological advancement, so long as it is implemented safely and responsibly. However, this plan endangers Metro riders by removing the human presence that cannot be replaced by technology. In fact, a 2022 research study found that human operators are essential for safe transit regardless of the advancements in automation.
“Transit operators’ jobs extend far beyond the control center – they act as first responders in emergency situations and possess the training and expertise to keep passengers safe. Elimination of these jobs is costly, rushed, and reckless. We urge WMATA to reassess their plans for full automation and instead continue to improve Metro service.”
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