Rail Blog
Brightline Florida Workers File for a Union – Starting the Path for a Voice on the Job
Posted OnAugust 8, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America is helping to organize on-board rail workers at Brightline Florida, with an overwhelming majority filing for recognition on Thursday with the National Mediation Board. On-board workers at Brightline are critical for the operations of the nation’s only privately owned intercity passenger railroad and reached out to the TWU…Read More…
TWU Wins Largest Wage Increase for On-Board Workers in Amtrak History, With Paid Family Leave
Posted OnJuly 30, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America secured the largest wage increase for Amtrak workers in the agency’s 53-year history after on-board service workers overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new seven-year contract on Tuesday. The new contract includes a 34 percent compounded wage increase over seven years. The agreement covers July 1, 2022 through December…Read More…
New Freight Rail Safety Bill Would Make Rail Car Inspections Safer
Posted OnJuly 24, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union is backing a new House bill that would impose new regulations on freight rail in response to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) introduced a bill, The Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024, that expands on existing rail safety proposals drafted in the last year. The…Read More…
New Jersey Transit workers ratify new 3-year contract with pay raises and qualify-of-life improvements
Posted OnMay 31, 2024 byTransport Workers Union of America members at Local 2001 working for New Jersey Transit voted to ratify a new three-year contract that includes pay raises and additional time off. The new contract was ratified with 80 percent of votes in favor for the unit representing 180 Car Inspectors, Car Mechanics and Coach Cleaners. The…Read More…
Big Gains in Boston for TWU Commuter Rail Workers
Posted OnMay 12, 2024 byFrench-owned Keolis, part of an international transportation conglomerate, was offering unacceptably low wage increases and dragging out contract negotiations – until TWU Local 2054 and The International waged a fierce campaign against the “carpetbaggers.”Read More…
TWU Praises Brightline West Groundbreaking as a Major Opportunity for Labor
Posted OnApril 22, 2024 byTransport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen hailed the groundbreaking of Brightline West as a high-speed rail project with the potential to create thousands of economically secure union jobs. “The Transport Workers Union is proud to be here for the unveiling of this critical infrastructure project that will transform the way people travel…Read More…
TWU Strongly Supports Establishment of Minimum Crew Size Rule
Posted OnApril 2, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union applauds the Department of Transportation’s final rule that would require at least two people operating every freight train – an essential safety measure that improves working conditions both on the tracks and in rail yards. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the final rule on Tuesday. “This final rule is essential for safety and…Read More…
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 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…
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…