News and Media

[As posted by Ed Wytkind on National Journal’s Transportation Experts Blog] What should the gas tax pay for? In a word, transportation. Contrary to The Washington Post’s misguided editorial today, the gas tax must exclusively fund the expansion and maintenance of America’s transit and highway systems. Given our surface transportation network’s current state of disrepair and the […]

ORLANDO, FL – Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), offers the following statement after having honored Rep. James Oberstar with the organization’s 20th Anniversary Congressional Award: “As transportation workers in America go to work every day, we are proud to have a champion in Chairman Oberstar. As an architect of much […]

Executive Committee Members are Joined by DOT Sec. LaHood, Rep. Oberstar, and   AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka Orlando, FL – Transportation union leaders gathered Sunday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) and to discuss their agenda for the upcoming year. Joined by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, House Transportation and Infrastructure […]

ORLANDO, FL – Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), offers the following statement regarding Senator Jim Bunning blocking legislation that now means thousands of workers will get furloughed: “Partisan games are getting in the way of progress for our nation’s transportation system. But for at least 2,000 workers who will get […]

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), offers the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s announcement of grant awards from the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program:   “Transportation workers across the country applaud the announcement of additional investments in our nation’s transportation infrastructure. TIGER grants will continue the stimulus bill’s track […]

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), offers the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s upcoming high speed rail announcements:   “A new day in rail travel in America has arrived. With the anticipated announcement of high speed rail grant awards, transportation workers around the country look forward to contributing to the success […]

following statement about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the holiday on which we honor him:   “Martin Luther King, Jr.’s focus on economic justice is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. As we honor Dr. King in 2010, we recognize yet again the wisdom of his teachings and the certainty that a good […]

WASHINGTON, DC – Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, issued the following statement following passage of a new jobs bill in the House of Representatives: “Although job losses are slowing, this economy continues to bleed jobs and Congress is right to act.  We have advocated for a new round of investments in all […]

WASHINGTON, DC – Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), appeared at a public hearing today to support the National Mediation Board’s proposed rule changes for airline and railroad union elections. Below are excerpts from his submitted statement: “Currently, an absolute majority of all eligible employees in a craft or class are […]

Flight Crews Look Forward to Family and Medical Leave Act Coverage WASHINGTON, DC – Flight crews will soon have the same family and medical leave coverage that other working Americans have enjoyed since 1993. Transportation labor applauds the passage of the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act, which is expected to be signed into law […]