News and Media

WASHINGTON, DC — The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), today urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to ensure private entities that bid on long-distance Amtrak routes under the Competitive Passenger Rail Service Pilot Program fully comply with the explicit labor standards and service requirements mandated by Congress. TTD Secretary-Treasurer Larry Willis, appearing at the Agency’s […]

 Washington, DC — The following statement was issued by Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), in advance of Labor Day: “This Labor Day we honor and thank the frontline working people who keep America’s transportation system running safely and efficiently. They are hardworking, dedicated professionals who play a vital role in […]

Will Lifting The Jones Act Save Puerto Rico? Congressman Introduces Legislation to Exempt U.S. Territory As published in Global Trade Magazine In 2012, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported on the impact of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico, calling it a likely factor in the high cost of shipping to Puerto Rico, and […]

Biden: $2.45B loan for Amtrak upgrades in Northeast Corridor As published by Randall Chase in the Associated Press WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Amtrak is receiving a $2.45 billion loan from the federal government to buy new trains, upgrade tracks and make platform improvements along the busy Northeast corridor, the largest such loan ever by the […]

Washington, D.C. — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement following the announcement in Wilmington, DE by Vice President Joe Biden on the winning bidder in Amtrak’s high speed train purchase: “The U.S. economy and working people scored a victory today following the announcement by Vice President Joe Biden […]

Amtrak taps former freight railroad head to be new CEO As published by Joan Lowy in the Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The former head of the Norfolk Southern freight railroad, Charles “Wick” Moorman, has been tapped to be president and CEO of Amtrak, the nation’s passenger railroad, Amtrak officials said Friday. Moorman’s ties to […]

Washington, D.C. — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement following the appointment of Charles “Wick” Moorman as CEO of Amtrak. “I congratulate Wick Moorman on his appointment as CEO of Amtrak. We’re at a crucial moment in Amtrak’s history with the opportunity to reimagine a modernized national Amtrak […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) issued the following statement on the passing of former Rep. Steve LaTourette: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and many colleagues of former Ohio Rep. Steve LaTourette, who passed away yesterday. I especially want to express my sympathy to […]

Kaine primed for driver’s seat on transportation issues as VP As published by Melanie Zanona in The Hill Sen. Tim Kaine might be Hillary Clinton’s newly minted sidekick, but the Democratic vice presidential nominee is primed for the driver’s seat when it comes to infrastructure issues. Kaine, a former governor of Virginia and mayor of […]

US shippers face tough road to gain national port productivity metrics As published by Reynolds Hutchins in Journal of Commerce Just minutes into its first meeting it was clear that U.S. shippers shouldn’t expect an easy path toward the creation of nationwide metrics to measure the nation’s port productivity. The immediate roadblocks, stalemates and impasses the group […]