Amtrak Releases Proposal for High- Speed Rail System

Passengers could be traveling between Philadelphia and New York in as little as 38 minutes under a plan unveiled by Amtrak on Sept. 27 to develop high-speed rail along the busy Northeast corridor.

Gary Maslanka, TWU Director of Railroad Division, was on hand in Philadelphia as Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman and the new Amtrak High Speed Rail Vice President Al Engel presented the American High Speed Rail Solution plan. The $117 billion 30-year plan would put the United States on the forefront of the next generation of high-speed rail technology and create a clean and green transportation system that can handle more passengers and move people quicker.

"The benefits of this vision becoming reality is exactly what America needs, good jobs and an energy efficient-environmentally friendly transportation option that the public has demonstrated it favors and will use," said Maslanka.

Countries, such as Japan and China have super-fast rail networks, but the United States has lagged behind. A large investment in rail will make America more competitive and be a benefit for travelers, workers and the United States' economy. This new vision will create opportunities for TWU members and create jobs building, maintaining and operating the system.

Maslanka praised the progressive vision of Amtrak's leadership. "This plan is the type of bold vision needed to advance high-speed rail in America, and reflects the forward thinking and commitment of current Amtrak President & CEO, Joe Boardman, a welcome change from past Amtrak leaders," said Maslanka.

Under the proposal, new rail lines would be built from Boston to Washington, DC with hubs in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. Trains would travel at speeds upwards of 220 miles per hour, cutting travel times by at least half. The trains could accommodate 33.7 million passengers by 2040 and generate $900 million more per year in revenue. As Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said, "We can't afford not to do it."

Local 291 from Florida to Join One Nation in Washington, DC

A thousand miles won’t keep TWU Local 291 from marching in the One Nation rally in Washington, DC on 10-2-10. A busload of Local 291 members from Miami-Dade County, FL is heeding the call to: “Get On the Bus,” to show their support for jobs, justice and equality.

According to Local 291 President Talib Nashib, the union wanted to be part of the momentous event. “Coming to the huge One Nation on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC is a chance to be part of something historic. This is about jobs with justice at a time when jobs are being cut and the economy is in bad shape. We are marching to support investment to create jobs through things like transportation and infrastructure,” said Nashib.

The One Nation march on Washington to Put America Back to Work and to Pull America Back Together is mobilizing tens of thousands of people from around the country to demand the change we deserve. Unions, civil rights groups, progressive organizations, peace activists, faith groups and students are assembling on the mall to create a positive vision for America that includes jobs and prosperity for all.

Members of Local 291 will be taking a 20-hour bus ride to march with working people and activists from around the country. Local 291 is taking an entire bus in order to allow more members to attend and to show their dedicated support for One Nation and the labor movement.

“We are going to take this experience back and share it with our membership. If it keeps going we will come back and do it again,” said Nashib.

Local 291 will be joining other TWU members and locals at the 10-2-10 rally. However, One Nation does not end on 10-2-10, the march is only the beginning of a movement to transform America.

It’s not too late to sign-up for the bus and join the thousands in DC.

Passing of Richard “Richie” Bermudez

He was a brother, a co-worker, a father to two sons, a fiancé and now, will be known as a hero.

Richard “Richie” Bermudez, Chairman of the NYC Transit 100th Street Depot and Local 100 member, died Sept. 20, 2010 after suffering a brain aneurism on September 17 trying to save a woman killed during a storm in New York.

“He is a true friend, someone who you can really count on,” said Barry Roberts of TWU International. “He will be missed by all who knew him on a family, friend or business relation.”

Bermudez started as a Bus Operator at the old 146th Street Depot. He then went to Hudson Pier Depot, where his efforts in assisting fellow union members with issues made him well known. He was elected as Recording Secretary of Hudson Pier in 1984, Vice Chairman of Hudson Pier in 1987 and finally, through his dedication to the members, was successfully elected to Chairman in 1995.

He also served as the Safety Representative with TWU Local 100 and because of his knowledge of union contract and his friendliness was elected as Depot Chairman in 2005.

Just recently, Bermudez was honored at the Society of African American Transit Employees Scholarship Dinner Dance and was to be honored in October by the MaBSTOA Division for his 30 years of service. He was engaged to Ms. Esperanza Torres.

“When a good man dies, their goodness does not perish,” Roberts said. “RIP my Brother.”

Text on Washington to Fund Public Transit

As passengers got on and off trains at Union Station in Washington, DC today, they got the message to save public transportation from a JumboTron screen displaying messages from riders and workers from across the nation about the need for mass transit.

The Text on Washington brought the Save Our Ride campaign message of affordable and quality public transportation to the Nation’s Capitol. Congressional staffers and politicians getting off the subway at Union Station saw the messages of people who rely on public transit to get to work and school. People texted about how they have been impacted by cuts in service and fare increases and support adequate funding for transportation.

“Washington, DC is where the message needs to be heard, right here on Capitol Hill. Congress makes laws and they can change them. We need them to take action and will keep coming out and making our voices heard until they do,” said Theotis James, International Representative Transit, Utility, University and Services Division.

People texted, emailed and Tweeted their thoughts from across the country, while video clips from other rallies brought the message to DC. Passersby's heard speakers from other rallies like Rev. Jesse Jackson, bus operators and TWU International Vice President Harry Lombardo.

“We are building public awareness and educating mass transit riders so they understand how funding works. We need to allow transit authorities the flexibility to use funds for operating costs, not just to buy more buses that sit idle while service is slashed,” said Carl Martin, International Director Transit, Utility, University and Services Division.

The Save Our Ride partners, TWU and ATU, are calling on Congress to give local transit authorities the flexibility to decide how funds are allocated by passing H.R. 2746. This important bill will allow money to go towards operating costs not just buying new equipment, thus avoiding deep service cuts, steep fare increases and layoffs of transportation workers.

Here are some of the messages shared:

· Please fund public transportation because not only does it save jobs in transit but every cut back means some can no longer get to work or out to shop- from Washington State

· Ride on Mass and Save your Gas!

· I Take public transit every day. No better way to get around the city!

· I Support HR 2746 - to save our communities, so people can get to work.

· From Laurie: Public mass transit creates green jobs and clean air.

· From Donny in Miami, FL: Please fund public transportation. It is vital to our community.

· From Ohio: We need support for public transit to keep America working and improve our economy. Transit and a good educational system are vital to our future survival.

· From Chicago, IL: All cities and local unions need funding to keep fares low for our riders, and to ease congestion on the roads.

· From Pittsburgh, PA: We need transit! It good for the environment, it creates jobs, it's vital to the city. I support public transit!!

Local 556 Reaches Tentative Agreement

Statement by Thom McDaniel, President of Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Union (TWU Local 556) on Tentative Agreement with LUV on Use of Larger Aircraft :

Members of the TWU Local 556 negotiating committee have reached a tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines on pay, rules, and working conditions tied to the use of new larger aircraft -- the Boeing 737-800 series -- on Southwest flights.

When Southwest notified us last month of their intention to consider purchase of these larger aircraft, we immediately agreed to put negotiations on a faster track than required under our existing agreement, in order to help our members, our customers, and our employer take advantage of this potential opportunity.

As a result of these talks, we have reached an agreement which ensures that the contractual variable pay increase (tied to the company's 2010 financial performance) will not be less than two percent; the tentative agreement also calls for company-paid training, the formation of a labor-management committee to address any ongoing work rule issues, and a one year contract extension.

Our union’s executive board has unanimously approved the tentative agreement. It will now be presented to members of TWU Local 556 for a ratification vote. Due to the long lead-time necessary for ordering new planes to the specifications SWA would require, the ratification process must be completed by December 1. 2010.

We believe this tentative agreement and the process by which it was reached, represents the best of Southwest, which is one of the most successful – and most highly unionized – companies in the airline industry. When workers have a voice on the job, and the ability to address changes in our 30,000-feet-in-the-sky workplace, we’re all empowered to deliver world-class customer service and contribute to the success of our company.

TWU Tells the Senate: Pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill NOW!

With Congress back in session from their August break, it is time to pass the long overdue Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill that expires on September 30th and stop the obstructionism that is allowing the Bush policies of 2007 to remain in force. The bill will create an estimated 300,000 jobs and make air travel safer for workers and passengers while funding modernization improvements to the nation’s airports and air traffic control system.

The FAA has been reauthorized on a temporary basis 15 times since it expired in 2007, which has prevented modernization and stalled improvements in aviation safety. We need a real piece of legislation- not another temporary band-aid.

The proposed bill will improve the working conditions for flight attendants, enhance maintenance standards and fund modernizing improvements. This will create jobs and bring America’s aviation infrastructure into the competitive 21st Century.

Unnecessary workplace hazards currently jeopardize the health and safety of flight attendants. However, this bill will extend OSHA protections to flight attendants who have gone for 40 years without the basic health and safety protections extended to other workers. The bill will also address the dangers of toxic and unhealthy cabin air and the impacts of fatigue.

The bill seeks to implement foreign repair stations standards that are more in line with the standards that U.S. mechanics are held to, which will ensure safety and prevent further outsourcing of jobs.

You can join TWU’s campaign to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill by emailing you senator now by clicking here.

Letter from James C. Little in Support of Striking RWDSU Members

On Wednesday September 1, 2010 TWU International President James C. Little sent a letter of support to Stuart Appelbaum, President of RWDSU (Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union). Since May 23, 2010 over 300 full time manufacturing workers at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, New York, were forced to strike after company executives demanded painful wage cuts while the company enjoyed a record year of $555 million in profits. President Little followed his letter of support for RWDSU with a letter to Larry D. Young, President & CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. urging him to negotiate fairly and reach an agreement that respects the workers. Below are both of the letters that President Little sent.

Dear President Appelbaum:

The Transport Workers Union would like to extend our support to the members of RWDSU Local 220 who are standing up for their rights against the injustices of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. I have written to Mr. Young expressing our outrage over their actions and stressing the need to negotiate a reasonable and fair contract. Profitable companies should not be exploiting the weak economy to hurt working families and boost executive pay.

We are proud to support the RWDSU and will do what we can to help combat this rampant example of corporate greed. We must take a strong stand against this abuse of corporate power and protect workers from being treated as commodities. I wish you strength in your fight and know that you are not alone.

Sincerely,
James C. Little
International President


Dear Mr. Young:

On behalf of the men and women of the Transport Workers Union, I would like to express my grave concerns over your company’s stance towards the workers at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, NY. Demanding wage and benefit cuts while the company and its executives profit are unjust and unreasonable. Our communities and our nation suffer when profitable companies use the weak economy as a guise to short-change their employees.

The Transport Workers Union will do all we can to support the cause of the Mott’s workers and ensure they get a fair contract. The New York and national economy will continue to stagnate if companies like your squeeze profits out of workers and slash wages.

I urge you and your company to negotiate fairly and reach an agreement that respects the workers. It is time to do what is right for your company and the working families in Williamson, NY.

Sincerely,
James C. Little
International President