News and Media

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: “We are again disappointed that President Bush failed to provide leadership regarding our nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure for the eighth time in a row in last night’s State of the Union address. “The Minneapolis bridge collapse in…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: “There is no doubt working people are reeling as the U.S. economy continues to weaken. As the Administration and Congressional leaders take action to spur the economy and create jobs, we urge all involved to include investment…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of courage and conviction is no less relevant today than it ever was. His prophetic teachings continue to inspire generations of Americans to fight for…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Transportation unions applaud House passage of legislation that makes clear to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that it must require bus companies to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, the House of Representatives passed HR 3985, a bill that instructs the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the National Transportation Safety Board made important additions to its “NTSB Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements. Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, offers the following statement: “We are pleased to see the National Transportation Safety Board add air traffic controller and rail operating employee fatigue to…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, flight attendants and pilots were hospitalized for what appeared to be carbon monoxide poisoning on a U.S. Airways flight from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, offers the following statement: “For years, transportation unions have supported the call for healthy air quality in…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Transportation unions are outraged that security training for thousands of frontline transit workers across the nation will be delayed again in the wake of another missed deadline by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “Transportation workers will be left to fend for themselves simply because the DHS has again defied a Congressional…

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WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the Senate approved the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007, which reauthorizes Amtrak’s funding levels and programs. Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, offers the following statement: “In passing a multi-year funding plan for Amtrak, the Senate rejected the failed Bush Administration policies of attempting…

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WASHINGTON, DC – Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, offers the following statement on last night’s House passage of H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act: “It’s been a decade since rail safety laws expired in this country, and accidents have increased 29 percent during that same time. It’s high time…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Transportation unions praise the passage of Rep. Ted Poe’s (R-TX) amendment to the FAA bill that requires drug and alcohol testing for mechanics at foreign aircraft repair stations who work on U.S. aircraft.   “Why bother drug and alcohol testing U.S. mechanics if we’re not going to require the same of foreign…

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