Press Releases
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…
TWU Blasts House Proposal To Decimate Rail and Transit Funding
Posted OnNovember 3, 2023 byTWU International President John Samuelsen issues this statement on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024: “This horrific legislation would gut vital investments in our national mass transit and railroad infrastructure – and destroy thousands of good, union jobs. It would be horrible for American workers, American families, American commuters…Read More…
Statement on California Suspending Cruise’s License to Operate Driverless Vehicles
Posted OnOctober 24, 2023 byWashington, DC – John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), issues in this statement in response to the suspension of Cruise’s operating and testing permits by the California Department of Motor Vehicles: “California’s Department of Motor Vehicles absolutely made the right decision and recognized exactly what the TWU has been…Read More…
TWU, Lawmakers Push for Aircraft Maintenance in America, Not China, To Protect Fliers & U.S. Jobs
Posted OnOctober 23, 2023 byFor Immediate Release Contact: Pete Donohue, PDonohue@twu.org | Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org New York City – Airlines are increasingly having planes fixed, overhauled, and maintained by lower-skilled workers in less-secure facilities in South America and Asia. This upward trend increases the risk of a potentially catastrophic mechanical failure – and takes away jobs that can, and should, be done by better qualified American…Read More…
Statement in support of The Transit Emergency Relief Act
Posted OnOctober 18, 2023 byWashington, DC – John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union, issues this statement in support of the Transit Emergency Relief Act: “We’ve all seen the horrific impact major weather events and natural disasters have on our transit systems. Stations flooded with grimy rainwater, damaged tracks and other impaired infrastructure make travel impossible for…Read More…
TWU Statement on FAA Nominee Michael Whitaker
Posted OnSeptember 7, 2023 byFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jonna Huseman, jhuseman@twu.org Washington, DC — John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union, issues this statement in response to President Biden nominated Michael Whitaker for FAA Administrator: “As the largest airline union in the U.S. with members in nearly every frontline job across 17 carriers and multiple airline contract…Read More…