Press Releases and Statements

WASHINGTON, DC – Nobody wants to experience a nightmare at 30,000 feet, trapped in close quarters aboard an aircraft with a violent passenger who is brawling their way into the ‘air rage passenger hall of shame.’  But sky-high levels of disgraceful violence directed at flight crews and fellow passengers has become rampant.  Now, a bipartisan group of […]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) today introduced the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation establishes a global safety standard for American aircraft repairs and removes the incentive to offshore aircraft maintenance jobs. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bill alongside U.S. Reps. Julie Brownley (D-CA-26), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), John Garamendi (D-CA-8) and 22 other Members […]

WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), released this statement after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a notice to encourage high-speed rail project sponsors to voluntarily submit their domestic sourcing and workforce plans for review prior to the awarding of any federal funds: “We applaud […]

WASHINGTON — Today, the Ohio Democratic congressional delegation announced the introduction of the bipartisan Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act, led by Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) and Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06): “Public safety transcends political parties and congressional boundaries, which is why I am proud to co-lead the RAIL Act — bipartisan, commonsense legislation to prevent […]

WASHINGTON  — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), released this statement after the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced new safety measures today: “The rail industry has repeatedly demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to self-regulate on safety. While we appreciate recent efforts to address some safety […]

WASHINGTON  — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued this statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it is opening a special investigation into Norfolk Southern Railway’s safety practices and culture: “We welcome the NTSB’s special investigation into Norfolk Southern’s safety practices and culture. […]

WASHINGTON  — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), released this statement about today in response to new regulatory and congressional efforts to reform rail safety: “Rail unions and workers have been sounding the alarm about safety concerns in the freight rail industry for years. “We welcome […]

WASHINGTON  — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued this statement after the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced that the seven major U.S. freight railroads will join the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System: “We welcome today’s announcement that the seven major […]

WASHINGTON — Today, transportation labor and industry groups urged Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to adopt a federal framework to manage the broad impacts of new technologies on the transportation workforce. The letter from the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO and ITS America states: “With such rapid technological change […]

WASHINGTON  — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued this statement after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety advisory related to the maintenance and use of hot bearing wayside detectors: “We welcome recent rail safety actions from the Federal Railroad Administration, including the safety […]