Press Releases and Statements

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, issued this statement on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRRA): “Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders on both sides of the aisle have proven today that it is still possible in Washington to work together in advancing legislation that is good for the […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued the following statement on the El Faro cargo ship tragedy: “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of El Faro’s 33 crew members, and to all those who called these experienced, dedicated mariners friends and co-workers. These were skilled mariners […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued the following statement on a bipartisan bill that extends the deadline for implementation of positive train control (PTC) technology: “TTD supports bipartisan legislation – introduced today by the leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – that extends the statutory deadline […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued the following statement on the progress to build a new Hudson River Rail Tunnel: “We are pleased that Governors Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo have advanced a joint plan — in a letter to President Obama — to build a desperately […]

Washington, DC — The following statement was issued by Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), in advance of the Labor Day holiday: “For far too long, our country has distanced itself from the true meaning of Labor Day. Labor Day can’t be just another federal holiday – it must be a […]

WASHINGTON, DC—In a letter to the leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), together with member unions and coalition partners, is urging lawmakers to follow established protocol for developing federal drug testing procedures and exclude provisions for hair specimen testing from any House surface transportation bill. Historically, experts at […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement on the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015, introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-SD): “At a time when our country’s transportation infrastructure is failing and disenfranchised Americans are desperate for work, bipartisan support is crucial to fund […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement on the consideration of the Amtrak Reauthorization bill: “We applaud Senators Roger Wicker and Cory Booker for working in a bipartisan fashion to craft a sensible Amtrak Reauthorization bill that will be considered by the Commerce Committee today. The […]

Washington, DC — Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement on the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Vice Admiral Peter V. Neffenger as TSA administrator: “I congratulate Peter Neffenger on his new role as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and look forward to working with him to find […]

Washington, DC—Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement on the introduction of the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act: “Senator Cory Gardner’s PORTS bill is a blatant overreach by corporate interests whose sole objective is to eviscerate the collective bargaining rights of port employees. The Gardner […]