WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued this statement in response to the Trump Administration’s firings of federal workers and destabilization of essential public services:
“As America’s largest transportation labor federation, representing thousands of federal workers who are essential to our nation’s transportation safety systems and public services, we urge the Trump Administration to reconsider their approach to the federal workforce. The sudden termination of dedicated public servants weakens national security, erodes public trust, and jeopardizes the stability of critical infrastructure.
“We urge President Trump to cease his suggested takeover of the U.S. Postal Service and to preserve the organizational independence that has existed since President Richard Nixon was in the White House. Merging the Postal Service into the Commerce Department would likely disrupt the essential mail service that is provided to every American, regardless of their zip code or political affiliation.
“We also urge the Administration to halt their large-scale firing of civil servants and reinstate the workers who have been laid off purely because of their probationary job status. Among the hundreds of probationary employees terminated at the Federal Aviation Administration are workers represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union. These workers perform tasks that support the safety of our nation’s commercial airspace. Among the terminated workers are employees who were classified as aviation safety assistants, flight operations program specialists, maintenance mechanics, telecommunications specialists, aeronautical information specialists, and more.
“In addition to these aviation professionals, the Administration also terminated 243 probationary homeland security workers employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These employees were Transportation Security Officers who keep our aviation system, mass transit networks, and large public gatherings safe and secure. Just last year, they identified and confiscated a record number of weapons at airport checkpoints.
“The Administration terminated nearly 40 employees at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). The majority of these cuts were in the FRA’s Office of Railroad Development, which is responsible for maintaining and improving our rail networks. Passenger rail is overwhelmingly popular among Americans, who have consistently said they want to see service expansions and improvements. These reductions threaten to delay the efficient distribution of federal grants, undermining ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance our nation’s rail network.
“While the Administration is now expected to halt the cuts to programs and workers that support 9/11 first responders and survivors, it is disappointing that they were scrutinized in the first place. The probationary employees who were terminated and those who accepted the buyout accounted for a 20% reduction in the overall workforce of the World Trade Center Health Program, and the targeted grants were supporting research and treatment for cancers and other health conditions related to 9/11. During the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, brave firefighters and other first-responders leapt into action. We owe a debt to these heroes that we will never be able to repay.
“As nationwide traffic fatalities gradually declined last year, safety must remain the focus of federal auto regulators. We are gravely concerned that the Administration’s decision to lay off 4% of the workforce at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will undermine roadway safety and reverse the progress that has been gained. During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Duffy pledged to reduce roadway fatalities. We agree with him that 40,000 lives lost each year is far too many and urge him to consider the impacts of the firings. NHTSA’s mission is to save lives and prevent injuries through safety standards and enforcement. That mission is only achievable when there is a sufficient workforce to make it happen.
“Again, we encourage the Administration to reconsider their approach for the good of the country and for the sake of the millions of Americans who rely on the public safety, public health, veterans benefits, Social Security benefits, consumer protections, emergency environmental response, natural disaster aid, national security, and other essential services provided by the dedicated federal workforce.”
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As America’s largest transportation labor federation, TTD represents 37 labor unions and millions of workers in the public and private sectors. These workers build, operate, maintain, and protect U.S. transportation and infrastructure systems across aviation, passenger and freight rail, maritime, transit, construction, manufacturing, and other industries.