Press Releases and Statements

Condemn ‘Reckless’ Cuts from Threatened Sequestration ORLANDO, FL—Transportation union leaders are rolling out a 2013 transportation investment and jobs agenda, staking out an aggressive stance against irresponsible liberalization of aviation trade and condemning damaging cuts to transportation programs and jobs that are threatened by sequestration. The unions also call for the reform of maritime cargo […]

  Oppose Expansion of ICAO Mandate ORLANDO, FL—Transportation unions staked out their opposition to continuing attempts by the EU and others to “loosen” U.S. airline ownership and control rules, and rejected the “shockingly ambitious” agenda of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to expand its policy mandate. “We have rolled out a clear vision on how […]

ORLANDO, FL—Transportation unions vowed to protect and create U.S. maritime jobs by strengthening enforcement of cargo preference laws and reversing recent congressional action that undermined these longstanding requirements. Meeting this week, the Executive Committee of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) criticized legislation adopted in 2012, as part of an 11th hour deal on a […]

 ORLANDO, FL—Seeking to end a stalemate on long-term federal support for public transit and highway investments, AFL-CIO transportation unions are calling for a bipartisan solution to fix a “broken and outdated funding system” for these critical national investments. In a policy statement unanimously adopted by the Executive Committee of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), […]

 ORLANDO, FL—As lawmakers prepare to debate passenger rail reauthorization, leaders of AFL-CIO transportation unions are calling on Congress to set a long-term future for Amtrak that meets the demands of a growing ridership, invests in the railroad’s decaying equipment and network, protects the rights and jobs of workers and rejects “risky” privatization of key routes […]

WASHINGTON, DC—In comments submitted to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed rulemaking, TTD agreed with the agency that “deficiencies” exist with safety and oversight of contract aircraft repair stations and that new rules are needed to address this problem. However, TTD still believes more needs to be done. If maintenance work is going to be […]

WASHINGTON, DC—Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Edward Wytkind releases this statement in anticipation of President Obama’s State of the Union address on February 12: “The President has a chance tomorrow night to make the case for rebuilding our nation, beginning with the expansion of our depleted transportation system and infrastructure. “On President Obama’s watch, […]

WASHINGTON, DC—The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) applauds the Department of Labor (DOL) for issuing a final rule today that guarantees flight crew members are not denied Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections. With passage of the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act in 2009, Congress established new FMLA leave eligibility requirements that addressed […]

WASHINGTON, DC—Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Edward Wytkind issued the following statement following the announcement of the imminent departure of Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: “Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s departure from the President’s Cabinet is a loss for the nation as we strive to address America’s mounting passenger and freight transportation needs. “Secretary […]

WASHINGTON, DC—Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Edward Wytkind issues this statement on Senate passage of the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R.152): “Thanks to Senate action last night residents and businesses in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the Northeast will soon receive long overdue federal relief from the devastation of […]