By Larry I. Willis
There is little disagreement among lawmakers, frontline workers, government agencies, and even rail carriers themselves that freight rail in this country must be held to the highest safety standards and oversight rules. Yet, as we speak, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is allowing foreign crews, originating in Mexico, to operate in the U.S. without assurances […]
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By Larry I. Willis
Labor Day 2018 marks a pivotal moment for working people in this country. Sustained, coordinated attacks on the rights of working families to have a union voice have led to one of the greatest wealth gaps in our nation’s history. Stagnating wages for workers means that while tens of millions of Americans are forced to […]
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As the calendar flips towards hurricane season, communities along the coasts are getting ready to tackle dangerous storms and surging flood waters. Yet while many are thinking of ways to make their community safer and stronger, the usual suspects are preparing to use these natural disasters as an excuse to trot out the same tired, […]
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Chairman John Thune (R-ND) announced the Senate will take-up FAA Reauthorization over the next few weeks – potentially good news for aviation workers. But the details of this bill matter and are still being worked out by Senate leaders. If done right, FAA Reauthorization can and should advance important safety priorities, protect U.S. jobs from […]
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By Larry I. Willis
While right-wing think tanks and anti-government ideologues have always criticized Amtrak’s long-distance routes, questions are now being raised about whether or not Amtrak itself supports a national system.
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As part of the Congressional response to our nation’s opioid crisis, the Senate Commerce Committee passed the Fighting Opioid Abuse in Transportation Act last week. There is no question that drug and alcohol abuse has no place on our roads, rail networks, aviation system, or in maritime commerce, and transportation labor is committed to that […]
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By Larry I. Willis
In 1897, when public transit was practically unheard of, America’s first subway system opened, setting the stage for public transportation throughout the country and across the world. At the time of its construction in 1913, Grand Central Terminal was the largest construction project in New York City’s history, and one of the first all-electric buildings […]
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By Larry I. Willis
In our highly politicized world, it has become a rarity for Members of Congress to agree on anything. So when a large group of bipartisan lawmakers comes together to take a stand on a single issue, it’s probably a good idea to listen. One of these rare moments happened earlier this week when 66 lawmakers, led […]
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By Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
No one who works for a living should have to put themselves in a compromising situation just to put food on the table. Yet, every year, thousands of working people, including frontline transportation workers, are hurt or killed on the job. It’s true that decades of struggle by working people and their unions have improved […]
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By Larry I. Willis
Here in America, there’s this idea that if you are dedicated and work hard, you can make a good life for yourself and your family. It’s called the American Dream, and it is a promise our country was founded on. But for too many who work behind the scenes making the aviation industry profitable, the […]
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