Press Releases
Massive Breakthrough for Trackworker Safety
Posted OnMarch 23, 2024 byThe federal government for the first time is proposing minimum safety standards to protect trackworkers from on-the-job injuries and deaths – a move The Transport Workers Union has advocated for over many years.Read More…
TWU Local 555 Ratifies Industry Leading Contract
Posted OnMarch 21, 2024 byThe TWU’s approximately 19,500 ground workers at Southwest Airlines have a new contract with industry-leading wage rates and other valuable provisions that advance their livelihoods and economic security. Local 555 members approved the collective bargaining agreement 78% to 22%.
“This is a good day for our hardworking members at Southwest,” Transport Workers Union Executive Vice President Alex Garcia said. “This contract between The TWU and Southwest provides best in-the industry wages, bonus payments and other significant economic gains. It’s an excellent well-deserved agreement.”Read More…
TWU Local 577 Reaches Tentative Agreement with Allegiant Airlines
Posted OnMarch 21, 2024 byTWU Local 577, representing 1,700 Flight Attendants working for Allegiant Airlines, announced a tentative agreement today on a five-year contract that would provide wage increases ranging from 20 to 41.2 percent for members on the date of ratification. The tentative agreement is a product of negotiations that began in August of 2022 and would be…Read More…
Amtrak and Transit Funding Victory
Posted OnMarch 6, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following comment regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ adoption of H. Res. 1061, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. “This is a big win for Amtrak passengers, mass transit riders, and union workers who move America. Far right ideologues – with zero care or concern for the nation’s wellbeing – tried…Read More…
After Another Temporary Patch, Aviation Workers Need a Final FAA Bill
Posted OnMarch 1, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America is calling on the House and Senate to finally finish a final Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill by May 10 – a deadline that gives Congress more than enough time to complete negotiations on vitally important legislation that would advance several TWU pro-worker goals. The House voted…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 Local 555 Reaches Tentative Agreement with Southwest Airlines
Posted OnFebruary 22, 2024 byTWU Local 555, representing nearly 20,000 ramp, operations, provisioning and freight agents at Southwest Airlines, reached a tentative agreement Wednesday on a contract that provides top-of-the-industry wage rates and average pay increases over 18 percent. The contract, which would provide pay increases to hardworking Southwest employees who last saw a wage increase nearly three…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,
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT AIRPORTS AND IN THE SKIES ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED
Posted OnNovember 30, 2023 byFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2023 Contact: Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org The Transport Workers Union Urges Both Chambers of Congress to Close Safety Gaps By Approving Full FAA Reauthorization WASHINGTON, D.C.—Testifying at a House of Representatives subcommittee in Washington, D.C., today, TWU Executive Director Gary Peterson cited several alarming situations requiring immediate attention through reauthorization legislation:…Read More…
Unions Call for Federal Crackdown of Automated Vehicles
Posted OnNovember 9, 2023 byWashington, DC – The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) and nearly 2 dozen other unions are calling on the federal government to crack down on dangerous RoboTaxis and the companies that are testing these driverless vehicles on city streets, often without oversight or regulation. In a letter sent today to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete…Read More…