Category Archives: Legislative Outlook

TCU Joins with Rail Unions and Agencies to Demand Congress Fund Transit

Unions representing frontline public transportation workers joined forces with transit agencies and rider advocates to deliver a stark warning to lawmakers: without at least $32 billion in emergency funding, transit systems in both urban and rural areas face irreversible harm. In a letter to Congressional leadership, 36 organizations explained that physical distancing measures, including stay-at-home

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TTD: Support Amtrak and its Workforce in COVID-19 Relief Package

On behalf of TCU and other rail labor affiliates, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, sent the following letter to Congressional leadership detailing the urgent need for $4.5 billion in Amtrak relief funding whilst preventing furloughs and protecting service for millions of Americans:   July 28, 2020 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House United

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TCU Statement on House Committee’s FY2021 Spending Bill

TCU National President Bob Scardelletti and National President-Elect Artie Maratea issued the following joint statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s passage of the FY2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill: “The House Appropriation Committee’s spending bill delivers record funding levels for Amtrak at a time when it’s needed most. The vision laid out

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TCU Demands Congress Support Commuter Rail Workers

Thousands of commuter rail workers have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, only to contract the disease, resulting in many deaths. With CARES Act funding due to expire, the IAM and TCU-IAM demand that Congress provide additional funding to ensure the safety and security of all employees. TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Support Commuter Rail

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Senators slam Amtrak over proposed cuts

Eleven U.S. Senators wrote Amtrak this week in two separate letters that criticized Amtrak’s proposed cuts to long-distance train service and plans to eliminate 20% of the workforce – many of which would be TCU members. As the largest union on Amtrak – representing approx. 6,800 Amtrak employees nationwide – our union is fighting diligently

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House Committee includes pro-rail worker provisions in INVEST in America Act

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recently passed the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 2). The bill will now go to the House floor for consideration. Amtrak The bill authorizes a record $29.3 billion over five years in grants supporting Amtrak, while including numerous provisions to help Amtrak workers in their fight to be treated

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TCU Supports the INVEST in America Act, Urges Swift Passage

TCU National President Bob Scardelletti and National President-elect Artie Maratea issued the following statement on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s INVEST in America Act: “After decades of calling for massive investments in our country’s infrastructure, the INVEST in America Act finally delivers. This is the kind of bold, transformative legislation that will lead rail

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Larry I. Willis, President Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO Testified Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science and Transportation

Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, And Transportation in a hearing titled: “THE STATE OF TRANSPORTATION AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC” In the written statement from TTD president Willis:   On behalf

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