Hearing Testimony

With trade liberalization policies taking hold around the world, our government – with appropriate congressional oversight – has the responsibility to ensure U.S. airlines can compete on a level playing field worldwide and to protect and expand middle class aviation jobs. Specifically, the Administration and Congress must carefully manage aviation trade relationships to ensure we…

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The ability of U.S. carriers to operate domestically and compete internationally depends on having a fully functioning and efficient FAA with stable and robust financing for our aviation system and its workforce. We must also do more to ensure that important safety reforms are implemented and current rules are not needlessly reformed or revisited based…

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With trade liberalization policies taking hold around the world, our government – with appropriate congressional oversight – has the responsibility to promote the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry and protect the interests of its workforce. Specifically, the Administration must understand the land mines and pit falls of unscrupulous liberalization, protect against the outsourcing of…

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The Committee has had countless hearings and discussions on Amtrak – even a trip to the local McDonald’s was squeezed in before the August recess. These events have been mainly used to demonize Amtrak and its dedicated workforce and to promote controversial privatization proposals that have garnered little support. To quote the great Yogi Berra,…

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Chairman Mica, Ranking Member Rahall and members of the Committee, I am pleased to present the views of transportation labor on the topic of today’s hearing – competition for intercity passenger rail in America. This year alone I have appeared twice before this Committee to express our opposition to the privatization and break-up of Amtrak…

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Everybody agrees that America desperately needs new investment in its transportation system and infrastructure. In 2009, a report from the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission concluded that our country must invest $172 billion each year simply to maintain its existing transportation infrastructure. The costs to invest in new transport systems like modern transit and…

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Amtrak and its employees have a positive story to tell – a story that cannot be ignored as this Committee considers various proposals to advance passenger rail, including measures designed to boost private sector participation. Amtrak ridership is on the rise with growth reported in each of the last 16 months. Annual ridership records were…

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The consequences of distracted driving confront our affiliated unions and their members on a daily basis, and we understand the need to improve safety in the operation of motor vehicles. There is no question that more must be done to combat distracted driving, including limiting the use of communication devices. As Congress and regulators move…

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On behalf of the 32 member unions of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), thank you for inviting me to testify on the financing provisions of the federal surface transportation programs. These are perilous economic times.  The workers that our unions represent face unprecedented economic risks.  Overall, unemployment and under-employment are high, the earning power…

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