On The Hill
TWU responds to federal report on the ‘plague’ of assaults
Posted OnJanuary 16, 2025 byThe Federal Transit Administration on Thursday released an initial analysis of transit agency responses to a General Directive regarding assaults issued last year. Agencies were directed to assess risks, implement strategies to protect workers, and take other actions. “The plague of assaults against transit workers is beyond reprehensible. We go to work to provide a service, not…Read More…
Victory! Onboard Workers at Brightline Vote to Join the TWU
Posted OnJanuary 14, 2025 byOnboard Attendants and Lead Attendants on the Brightline railroad in Florida voted today, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, to join the Transport Workers Union of America. The National Mediation Board announced the election results in Washington, D.C., after weeks of balloting and an aggressive anti-union campaign by the privately-owned company. Brightline has about 100 Onboard…Read More…
A Victory for Safety: Feds Side with TWU Over Autonomous Trucking Companies
Posted OnJanuary 6, 2025 byThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rejected a petition from autonomous trucking companies seeking to replace traditional warning devices used when a truck breaks down with cab-mounted beacons – a victory for The TWU which argued in 2023 the petition “would significantly diminish the safety of our roads.” Autonomous vehicle companies Waymo and Aurora…Read More…
TWU Applauds DOT Fine of JetBlue for Chronic Delays – Caused by the Airline’s Failure’s Failure to Invest in Workers
Posted OnJanuary 3, 2025 byThe Transport Workers Union of America – the union that represents Flight Attendants and Ground Simulator Instructors at JetBlue Airways – supports the Department of Transportation’s $2 million fine of JetBlue for chronically delaying flights. “JetBlue management is intentionally causing chronic delays through massive understaffing across the board,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Instead…Read More…
A Win for Aircraft Maintenance Workers: FAA Finalizes Drug and Alcohol Testing Rule for Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations
Posted OnDecember 16, 2024 byThe Federal Aviation Administration published a final rule on Monday that requires foreign aircraft maintenance facilities to create and maintain drug and alcohol testing for workers – ensuring that airlines cannot skirt safety rules when they choose to outsource work abroad. “This closes a major safety gap that the Transport Workers Union has fought to end…Read More…
Unemployment and Sick Benefits for Rail Workers to Get a Boost
Posted OnDecember 11, 2024 byBig Win for unemployed, sick, and injured railroad workers that restores benefits unfairly slashed over a decade ago The newly released text of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act includes language that boosts unemployment and sick benefits to eligible railroad workers by 5.7%. Railroad workers who are laid off or sidelined by a long-term illness or…Read More…
FTA Finalizes Critical Trackworker Safety Protections
Posted OnOctober 29, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America’s years of advocacy for trackworker safety is paying off. The Federal Transit Administration and Department of Transportation announced Tuesday a Final Rule requiring minimum safety standards to protect trackworkers from on-the-job injuries and deaths. The Final Rule requires local transit agencies around the country to follow federal standards that include…Read More…
The Express is Out!
Posted OnSeptember 30, 2024 byRead the latest news and features from The Transport Workers Union: Air, Rail, and TUUS.Read More…
No more secret six-figure bonuses for Amtrak executives
Posted OnSeptember 18, 2024 byA TWU-supported bill that would end Amtrak’s shameful practice of secretly doling out six-figure bonuses without giving the public and elected officials time to object advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives today.
“Amtrak deserves every bit of federal funding it gets to provide safe and reliable transportation,” TWU International President John Samuel said. “It absolutely should not, however, be doling out six-figure bonuses to wealthy executives sitting in comfortable office suites while the actual workers are out there providing service, fixing trains and cleaning coaches all day.”Read More…
TWU Keeps Fighting for 9/11 First Responders
Posted OnSeptember 13, 2024 byOn the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, TWU members and officers in New York City continued their years-long fight to get first responders the recognition and compensation they deserve. The TWU contingent – with participants from Local 100, Local 106, and Local 1400 – met with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in…Read More…