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Transportation Labor: Mandatory Security Training A Must

By Admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenifer McCormick
202-628-9262 – office
202-340-5351 – cell phone
JeniferM@ttd.org

TTD Leaders Agree to Oppose any Rail or Transit Security Bill Without It

Washington, D.C. – Transportation labor leaders announced opposition to any rail or transit security bill that does not make worker security training mandatory in response to the overwhelming lack of training among rail carriers and transit agencies.

“It’s time to arm frontline workers with the training they need to be ready and responsive in this post-9/11 world we live in,” said Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD). “We will not relent until mandatory security training is written into law.”

Transportation Labor also pushed for significantly more security resources for a vast rail and transit network that is vulnerable due to Bush Administration inattention. A House Homeland Security report reveals the lack of equity in security spending. For every $9 spent on aviation passengers, only 1 cent is spent on rail passengers. Attacks on Madrid, London and Mumbai are recent examples that unfortunately show that transit systems can be terrorist targets.

Last month, the Senate Commerce Committee passed a rail security bill and the Senate Banking Committee approved a transit security bill. Both measures have been incorporated into the 9/11 Commission bill under consideration in the Senate. Last week, the House Homeland Security Transportation Subcommittee approved its rail and transit bill. In addition, House Transportation & Infrastructure committee leaders introduced the Rail and Public Transit Security Act. All of these bills include provisions on employee security training.

For the full policy statement approved at TTD’s biannual executive committee meeting, visit www.ttd.org.

Attached Document or File Transportation Labor: Mandatory Security Training A Must