FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenifer McCormick
202-628-9262 – office
202-340-5351 – cell
JeniferM@ttd.org
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, thousands of transportation workers rallied on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and across the nation to demand action on key transportation worker issues from elected leaders and those seeking the presidency in 2008.
“Transportation safety and security needs are being ignored, workers are suffering from lost jobs, destroyed pensions and weakened bargaining rights, and under-investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure is harming the economy,” said Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “A safe and robust transportation system serves all Americans.”
Leaders and members from more than 20 transportation unions led a demonstration in Washington to say “Enough is Enough” and launch a dialogue with those politicians seeking the support of transportation workers in their bid next year for the Presidency of the United States.
“It isn’t enough to talk a good game,” Wytkind said. “It is time for our elected leaders to address the needs of transportation workers who have seen the federal government turn on them and ignore their pleas for action. Our goal is to confront the candidates with the issues that transportation workers face.”
The Bush transportation legacy leaves much to be desired for front-line transportation workers who have been forced to do more with less and who have seen bargaining rights diminished and good jobs eliminated. Transportation workers demand action and will work with elected leaders who will:
- Advance aviation policies that ensure good jobs in the private and public sector, honor workers’ bargaining rights, and strengthen the safety and security of the aviation system
- Protect and defend workers’ pensions
- Counter the effects of globalization on the transportation industry which include outsourced jobs and threatened safety and security standards
- Support and boost investment in mass transit, Amtrak, highways, airports and air traffic control, highways, ports and navigation channels
- Make mandatory security training for front-line transportation workers
- Support aggressive transportation safety & security measures
- Appoint individuals who support workers’ rights to national labor boards, such as the National Mediation Board (NMB)
Aviation, railroad, mass transit, port, maritime, highway and other workers from across the country joined in the rally today, led by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
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TTD represents 32 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit ttd.org.