Policy Statements

Recent events point to the need for a strong federal role in ensuring the safe operation of our nation’s transit systems and particularly rail transit operations.  In the past year alone, train-to-train collisions in Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. have taken the lives of employees and passengers and left others critically injured.  Beyond these […]

The increasing threat posed by criminal acts of marine piracy requires an aggressive response from our government to protect the lives of American merchant mariners and maintain the stability and integrity of the U.S. maritime industry.  The United States-flag fleet contributes to the economic, political and military security of our nation, and it is incumbent […]

As the United States seeks to enter into new and expanded international aviation agreements with our trading partners, it must be ensured that these agreements are balanced, legitimately promote U.S. aviation, and protect the interests and jobs of U.S. aviation workers.  While we support efforts to create additional international opportunities for U.S. carriers, these opportunities […]

At 7 a.m. on January 31, 2010, foreign-owned Rio Tinto, the second largest mining company in the world, locked out nearly 600 members of ILWU Local 30 at its borax mine and plant in Boron, California.  This mega-mining conglomerate is trying to force an extremely concessionary contract ultimatum down the throats of Local 30’s members […]

The current surface transportation authorization, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expired on September 30.  Congress has passed an extension of the bill but it remains unclear whether a final six-year bill will be completed in this session.  Transportation labor believes it is essential that the 111th Congress […]

For over two years, Congress has been unable to complete work on the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Not only has this forced the FAA to operate under a series of seven short-term and inherently uncertain funding extensions, but these delays have left a number of critical safety, infrastructure and technology investments, and […]

Transportation labor has endorsed a broad agenda to rebuild and expand our national transportation system.  One of the priorities previously endorsed by the Executive Committee was passage of a robust economic stimulus bill that included massive new investments in transportation.  Transportation labor’s agenda was enacted, in part, with the infusion of $48 billion for transportation […]

One of the hallmarks of sound U.S. transportation policy is conditioning regulatory approval of certain corporate transactions and arrangements on protecting the rights and jobs of affected workers.  As a continuation of this policy, Congress must move to protect the jobs of aviation workers as U.S. carriers seek to utilize international joint venture arrangements to […]

This year, Congress will consider surface transportation authorization legislation against a backdrop of dire investment needs and severe economic circumstances.  This legislation presents Congress and the President an opportunity to reverse years of severe underinvestment in our decaying transportation infrastructure and to create and sustain millions of good jobs. The American Society of Civil Engineers […]

The safe, secure and efficient transportation of hazardous materials throughout our country is critical due to the toxic and inherently dangerous nature of these substances.  Every day, there are 1.2 million movements of hazardous materials by rail, air, sea, waterways and highways and the volume will only increase.  It is therefore imperative that current hazmat […]