WASHINGTON, DC—Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Edward Wytkind releases this statement in anticipation of President Obama’s State of the Union address on February 12:
“The President has a chance tomorrow night to make the case for rebuilding our nation, beginning with the expansion of our depleted transportation system and infrastructure.
“On President Obama’s watch, rebuilding and modernizing our transportation network have been key ingredients of his Administration’s economic agenda. There is no arguing that the debate has changed on the vital role of transportation in our economy because of the President’s leadership. But now is the time to advance a vision that includes a long-term plan to pay for these critically needed investments.
“We are also hopeful that during the President’s second term more Americans will be empowered to form and join unions and pursue their economic dreams through the power of collective bargaining.
“Billions in transportation investments will put hundreds of thousands to work, and giving more of those workers collective bargaining rights on the job will provide them with a pathway to the middle class.”
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The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, represents 31 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, motor carrier, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit us at www.ttd.org or on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact: Jennifer Michels, jenniferm@ttd.org, 202.628.9262, 703.395.2195