Policy

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) notice of availability of proposed updates to its National Public Transportation Safety Plan. TTD consists of 37 affiliated unions – including those representing the majority of public transportation workers in the United States – who have a significant interest in ensuring the safety performance measures set forth in the National Safety Plan will adequately address growing safety concerns in the public transportation sector.

As the agency explains, 49 USC § 5329(d)(1) requires transit agencies receiving § 5307 Urbanized Area Formula funds or § 5311 Rural Area Formula funds to certify that they have in place a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) adds new requirements for safety performance measures related to the PTASP safety risk reduction program, precautionary and reactive actions in emergency situations, and consideration of performance-based and risk-based methodologies.

July 31, 2023 The Honorable Patty Murray Chair Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington DC 20510 The Honorable Susan Collins Vice Chair Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington DC 20510 The Honorable Kay Granger Chairwoman Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington DC 20510 The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations […]

July 26, 2023 The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair House Committee on Energy and Commerce The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member House Committee on Energy and Commerce The Honorable Gus Bilirakis, Chair Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce The Honorable Jan Schakowsky, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce Dear Chair McMorris Rodgers, Ranking Member […]

July 19, 2023 Dear Representative: As the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in Aviation Act moves to the House floor, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) outlines our positions on pending amendments below. Please note that the amendment number is listed first as it appeared in the Rules Committee and second as it appears for […]

July 18, 2023 Dear Senator, The undersigned labor organizations representing workers write to urge that you oppose any change to the statutory pilot retirement age as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation considers deliberation of an FAA reauthorization bill.  Raising the retirement age to be in noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) […]

July 17, 2023 Dear Senator,  On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), representing 37 labor unions across all modes of transportation, we urge you to oppose Senate Amendment 265, led by Senator Risch, that would eliminate Ship American “cargo preference” rules that are essential to our U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S.-flag shipping industry. […]

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Speaker U.S. House of Representatives H-232, the Capitol Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries Democratic Leader U.S. House of Representatives H-204, the Capitol Washington, DC 20515 July 14, 2023 Dear Speaker McCarthy and Leader Jeffries, The undersigned labor organizations representing airline workers write to urge that you allow for a […]

Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I’m writing to express our serious concerns about the drastic cuts to transportation programs in the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee’s FY24 bill. Although TTD commends the inclusion of much-needed investments in FAA’s operations and maintenance budget to […]

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to provide comments on Amtrak’s petition for a waiver of compliance from the “hands-on” component of periodic refresher trainings required by 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8), 49 CFR 215.11(b), 49 CFR 229.5, and 49 CFR. 238.109. TTD consists of 37 affiliate unions, which include the totality of rail labor, and therefore has a vested interest in this petition. Virtual training is not a sufficient substitute for hands-on training, and as such, we request that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) deny Amtrak’s petition for a waiver of compliance from such requirements.

As discussed below, we oppose Amtrak’s waiver request and urge the FRA to reject the request because it jeopardizes the safety of rail labor employees and the public. When protocols are revisited, it is imperative to recognize and retain, not weaken or waive the very requirements that are core to the safety of our system.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), and the totality of rail labor as represented by our affiliated unions, I write to request that Congress provide Amtrak with $3.65 billion in the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill. That level is consistent with Congress’ authorized level in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Providing Amtrak with this level of funding will ensure that our national passenger rail system has the staffing and operating capacity necessary to maintain current service and move forward with the BIL’s generational investments.

Amtrak’s overall financial performance in FY2022 improved significantly, continuing its trend of recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Total ridership in the seven-month period ending on April 30th was 84% of 2019 levels and ticket revenues were 95% of 2019 levels.[2] Ridership on certain routes in states like Virginia is at an all-time high.[3] Responding to increased demand, Amtrak hired roughly 3,700 new employees in FY2022 and is working to hire more than 4,000 employees in FY2023 so it can start or expand rail service in many states. Now is the time for Congress to help Amtrak continue to build on this progress, not undermine it.