Washington, DC – Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement in response to President Trump’s decision to walk away from Coronavirus relief package negotiations:
“The decision by the president to walk away from Congressional negotiations and abdicate his responsibility to the American people is not leadership. It is a move that will cost jobs, weaken an already fragile economy, and further harm the frontline workers who are heroically and bravely seeing us through this pandemic.
“House and Senate negotiators were preparing to produce a bill that would have provided significant and needed financial support to transportation systems and frontline workers devastated by this public health and economic crisis. President Trump’s actions not only leave working people to fend for themselves but also represent a missed opportunity to address important worker-first safety reforms in the era of a historic pandemic.
“In the midst of this unprecedented moment in history, our country needs more than legally questionable executive orders. We urge the President to return to the negotiating table and work with Congress to produce a clear and comprehensive relief plan that will serve the interests of working families, support our transportation network, and improve the overall economy. ”