FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Michael Buckley
202/628-9262
Washington, D.C. . . . The following statement was issued today by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), in response to the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee voting just $550 million in Amtrak funding for Fiscal Year 2006.
“Today’s disgraceful vote by the House Appropriations Subcommittee is a betrayal of Amtrak’s 25 million passengers and its 20,000 hard-working employees.
“The House panel ignored the mounting needs of a nation clamoring for greater, not worse, transportation. If Congress does not reverse this misguided vote, it would be the death knell for passenger rail in this country.
“Amtrak workers have sacrificed for years because of their deep commitment to serving a nation of passengers. Not only does today’s vote demean their important work and many sacrifices, but an Amtrak liquidation would create a severe pension crisis for current and retired passenger and freight rail workers.
“Transportation labor will work with congressional supporters on both sides of the aisle to reverse today’s reckless action.”
TTD represents 35 member unions in the rail, aviation, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit ttd.org.
Transportation Labor Condemns House Subcommittee Vote on Amtrak