News and Media

“The humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico is being used by long-time opponents of the Jones Act to attack a law that promotes U.S. jobs and is critical to our national security. Damaging misinformation is being peddled about the Jones Act in an effort to weaken the law and advance the financial interests of foreign shipping companies.”

AS REPORTED IN PROGRESSIVE RAILROADING The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials yesterday held a hearing to gather stakeholders’ perspectives on what’s needed to improve the nation’s rail infrastructure. Several representatives of railroad and transportation labor organizations testified before the subcommittee members. The hearing was held as the subcommittee […]

Federal Funding Should be Used to Create Good Jobs, Protect Safety WASHINGTON, DC — Speaking before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials today, Larry I. Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), called on federal lawmakers to invest boldly in our nation’s rail and transportation infrastructure, and […]

AS REPORTED BY MARK SCHREMMER FOR LANDLINE MAG The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is speaking out against a bill that would force the U.S. Department of Transportation to push through a rule to mandate sleep apnea testing for trucker drivers. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., introduced the bill on Thursday, Sept. 28. While the full text […]

AS REPORTED BY NEIL ABT FOR FLEET OWNER Leaders with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee announced they reached an agreement on legislation overseeing self-driving vehicles that excludes commercial trucks. The Senate bill is similar to one the House unanimously passed in September that would allow automakers sell thousands of autonomous vehicles, provided they […]

AS REPORTED BY EDWARD GRAHAM FOR MORNING CONSULT Proposed Senate legislation that would speed up the production and development of self-driving cars does not apply to the production of automated trucks, but a Senate Commerce Committee spokesman said that doesn’t mean that self-driving trucks won’t get similar regulatory relief in the future. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), […]

“The causes of fatigue within these industries are varied and complex, which means adequately addressing this crisis will require a holistic approach,” said TTD President Larry I. Willis. “Regulating and evaluating sleep apnea is only one piece of the fatigue puzzle.”

AS REPORTED BY KEITH LAING FOR THE DETROIT NEWS Washington — The prospect of self-driving cars, trucks and buses has sparked alarm about job losses among professional drivers, one of the largest employment sectors for those without a college education. Auto manufacturers and tech companies have promised that self-driving cars will revolutionize mobility and boost safety on […]

“Congress has a responsibility to millions of Americans who make a living driving commercial vehicles. It is imperative lawmakers work with all stakeholders — including transportation labor — to carefully and thoughtfully address the impact these vehicles will have on jobs, wages, and worker safety.”

AS REPORTED BY KEITH LAING FOR THE DETROIT NEWS Washington — President Donald Trump’s proposal to spend $1 trillion to improve the nation’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure has been stuck in neutral as he struggles to advance his legislative priorities in Congress. But the president who built his national reputation as a deal-maker struck an accord […]