Author Archive
Battle in Boston
Posted OnFebruary 29, 2024 byThe TWU fired a shot across the bow of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and its hired-gun commuter rail operator, the French conglomerate, Keolis. TWU Local 2054 in Boston warned of possible strike as Keolis pays the lowest wages of passenger rail providers in the Northeast.
“France would not tolerate an American company degrading French workers’ wages and working conditions like this,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “The TWU will fight like hell to stop Keolis from doing it in Boston.”Read More…
TWU International President Samueslen Blasts NY Gov. Kathy Hochul
Posted OnFebruary 29, 2024 byNY Gov. Kathy Hochul and her MTA have hit TWU members at the Metro-North Railroad with a litany of heavy-handed contract demands that will cause real economic harm on the blue-collar workforce.
TWU International President blasts Hochul for her treatment of TWU Local 2001 and 2055 members in this editorial published in the NY Daily News.Read More…
STOPPING AVs FROM REPLACING BUS OPERATORS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER TRANSIT WORKERS
Posted OnFebruary 23, 2024 byAs automated cars and shuttles proliferate, The TWU has drawn a line in the sand and is taking steps to protect Bus Operators and other workers from being replaced someday by autonomous vehicle technology.
The Transport Workers Union’s Technology Task Force recently secured first-of-its kind contract language with a public transportation agency in Ohio giving the union veto power over the deployment of autonomous vehicles. The contract also says Bus Operators and Mechanics cannot be laid off, or have their wages reduced, because of new or modified technology.
The collective bargaining agreement – with the Central Ohio Transit Authority – is part of TWU’s national strategy against job killing technology. It will now serve as a template for the TWU as it negotiates new contracts in cities across the United StatesRead More…
TWU vs. NY Gov. Hochul – Round 2
Posted OnFebruary 22, 2024 byHundreds of hardworking union workers at the Metro-North Railroad are again being attacked by the Hochul-controlled MTA. The NY authority wants to impose a litany of contract changes that will significantly reduce workers income, job security, and retirement security.
“It’s a brutal attack on blue-collar workers,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said, vowing a fierce fightback campaign,Read More…
Senate Makes Progress on Pro-Worker FAA Bill, More to Come
Posted OnFebruary 8, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen said the markup is a “great development” but the House and Senate “must seal the deal and pass final legislation.”
“Our front-line airline flight attendants and boots-on-the ground mechanics have been waiting far too long for Congress to adopt critically important measures needed to address long-standing problems – like unhinged passengers attacking and abusing crewmembers, and greedy airline executives sending aircraft to questionable repair shops in China, and other low-wage countries, for maintenance and repairs.”Read More…
The TWU Pushes For Big Boost in Transit Funding
Posted OnJanuary 18, 2024 byJan. 18, 2024
The Transport Workers Union strongly supports proposed legislation allocating $80 billion in operating funds for transit agencies to operate more rail and bus service. The Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act, introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) today, would allocate $20 billion a year for four years for agencies “to make substantial improvements” to systems in our cities, towns and rural communities.
“This legislation would dramatically improve the lives of working men and women,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “It would replace the government’s current transit funding scheme, which is completely asinine and void of common sense. Transit agencies would be able to increase and improve bus and rail service so working communities don’t just survive but thrive.” Click ‘Read More’ for the full statement,
JetBlue Purchase of Spirit Blocked
Posted OnJanuary 16, 2024 byA federal judge issued a ruling Tuesday blocking JetBlue Airways proposed purchase of Spirit Airline. The judge sided with the U.S. Justice Department that the merger would violate anti-trust laws aimed at maintaining competition and consumer choice in the marketplace. Passengers who rely on Spirit’s low fares would be harmed in that the cost of flying either airline would likely increase, the judge ruled. Consolidation of the industry to just a few major carriers has resulted in higher prices. TWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following statement.
FTA ISSUES LANDMARK DIRECTIVE ON TRANSIT WORKER ASSAULTS
Posted OnDecember 20, 2023 byThe General Directive requires all transit agencies serving urbanized areas with at least 50,000 residents to immediately conduct a risk assessment for assaults on transit workers in their systems. The agencies must then work with frontline transit workers (through Safety Committees established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to develop mitigation strategies that prevent the kinds of assaults at their property. These plans and the assessment must be submitted to the FTA for review, data collection, and policy development.Read More…