Policy

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) notice regarding the National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) petition for exemption from FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. These requirements are necessary to obtain a Class B license to operate a groundwater well drilling rig. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing millions of transportation workers, including commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, who are subject to the FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements.

In its application, NGWA requests exemption from all ELDT requirements for individuals operating “any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, semi-trailer, or specialized mobile equipment propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on highways to transport water well field operating equipment, including water well drilling and pump service rigs equipped to access groundwater.” The request would include exemptions from ELDT requirements including demonstrating proficiency in proper techniques for initiating vehicle movement, executing left and right turns, changing lanes, navigating curves at speed, and stopping the vehicle in a controlled manner.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Request for Information regarding Buy America Requirements for Construction Materials. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing workers in construction and manufacturing who are directly impacted by Buy America policies.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) notice regarding the state of Alaska’s petition for a partial exemption from certain components of the FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, as set forth in 49 CFR 380 Appendix A, Section A3.1, necessary to obtain a Class A license. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing millions of transportation workers, including commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, who are subject to the FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) request for information regarding drug and alcohol testing data. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing workers across all modes of transportation.[1]

DOT requests information to determine if there is a broader audience for certain publicly available modal drug and alcohol testing data, and whether and how to make the information more readily available.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Request for Comments on Transit Bus Automation Research and Demonstrations. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing all kinds of transportation workers, including transit operators, mechanics, and other ground transportation workers whose safety, security, and livelihoods will be impacted by automated technologies. We therefore have a vested interest in making sure that the FTA invests in bus automation research and demonstrations that advance a future for transit and its employees consistent with the pro-worker and pro-union values of this administration.

Dear Senator: On behalf of the undersigned unions representing professional airline pilots and thousands of aviation workers who support strong safety standards, I urge you to oppose any legislation that increases the pilot retirement age. In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the direction of Congress, implemented the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act […]

Dear Representative: As the House continues consideration of H.R. 8294 – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2023, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO urges you to support the final bill and oppose the following amendments. […]

Dear Representative,

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), representing 37 labor unions across all modes of transportation, and USA Maritime, a coalition of American ship operators, maritime labor organizations, and maritime trade associations, we urge you to oppose an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act led by Representatives Jackie Walorski, Jim Costa, Michelle Fischbach and Mariannette Miller-Meeks that would eliminate Ship American “cargo preference” rules essential to our U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S.-flag shipping industry. This amendment is similar to H. Con. Res. 92 and companion to S. Con. Res. 37 and 38, which Senators Joni Ernst and Chris Coons introduced in May.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) notice regarding its information collection request. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions representing the totality of rail labor and its 105,000 workers across the country.[1] Our affiliated unions represent workers who perform every task on trains and railroad tracks and at rail yards. These workers are vital to keeping our railroad system operating successfully every day.

Expand the New Reporting Requirements to Address Self Inflicted Service Cuts
As discussed below, while TTD strongly supports the new reporting requirements set forth in the STB decision, TTD requests that additional information be required from Class I railroads to better understand the current rail service conditions and the impact employment decisions are having. Specifically, we request: a narrative description of employment data, employment data reported by craft in addition to job families, and data regarding specific causes for separation.

Dear Senator: I am writing on behalf of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO. TTD is the largest transportation labor federation in the nation and notably represents all of the rail unions and workers in this country. We appreciate the May 23rd letter that you and your colleagues sent to the Surface Transportation […]