WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO:
“We are again disappointed that President Bush failed to provide leadership regarding our nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure for the eighth time in a row in last night’s State of the Union address.
“The Minneapolis bridge collapse in August was a horrific and vivid example of our infrastructure’s state of disrepair. How many bridges have to fall down before we make our transportation infrastructure a priority?
“A reliable, well-maintained transportation network is a critical component of our economic sustainability. But meanwhile, the lists of billions of dollars in needed and overdue maintenance sit collecting dust on the Oval Office shelves.
“Furthermore, investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure is an important component of any economic stimulus package. By investing in the country’s infrastructure, we would not only put thousands of people to work but also address a critical need.
“President Bush has neglected our nation’s transportation system and its workers more than any other president in memory. We have our work cut out for us to make up for eight years of inaction.”
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The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, represents 32 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit ttd.org.
