WASHINGTON, DC – Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, issued the following statement today in reaction to U.S. Senate confirmation of Joe Szabo as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration:
“It is a great day. A longtime advocate for rail workers and the safety of our railroad system has been confirmed to lead the Federal Railroad Administration.”
“Joe Szabo is the right choice for this job at a crucial time in the history of America’s freight and passenger rail network.
“Implementation of the President’s historic High Speed Rail initiative and the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, along with expanding and modernizing Amtrak, are among the critical responsibilities Joe Szabo faces on day one.
“Joe has worked in the railroad industry for most of his professional career. He understands from personal experience the real-world implications of policy making and we are confident he will build a legacy of action and accomplishment.”
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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 www.ttd.org.