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    TWU to Congress: Advance Pro-Worker Stimulus Package to Help Combat Pandemic

    March 17, 2020
    Related To: Transport Workers Union (TWU)
    Transportation Workers Union
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    In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic affecting our planet, the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (TWU) is calling on Congress to immediately advance a stimulus package to stabilize the transportation sector and keep workers employed. This package must protect workers’ livelihoods, careers, and healthcare in order to ensure stability in all modes of transportation and return our country to economic growth.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on our transportation sector’s economy. Airlines are drastically cutting capacity. Many transit systems have lost as many as one million riders each day. Travel on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor has plummeted. Workers in these industries are the first to suffer and will be among the hardest hit during this crisis,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “This stimulus package must put workers first as the priority for all government funds and ensure that these workers and their families will continue to be the priority once recovery begins.”

    The TWU is asking Congress to take the following steps immediately:

    Airlines

    • Provide significant direct support to stabilize the industry and keep workers employed.
    • Require these funds go directly to benefit workers at these carriers; forbid stock buybacks, increased executive compensation, and other, non-frontline workforce expenses.
    • Prevent any carrier that accepts financial assistance from rejecting or abrogating collectively bargained agreements during chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for 5 years following the last payment of such assistance.

    Transit

    • Reimburse transit agencies for increased operating costs and lost revenue associated with addressing the public health crisis. These funds should be directed through existing formula funding (49 USC 5307, 5311, and 5340).
    • Waive state and local match requirements, as allowed under 49 USC 5324.
    • Prevent waiving of any existing labor protections.

    Rail

    • Provide $700 million in supplemental aid to Amtrak expressly for maintaining the system and living up to their obligations under existing collectively bargained agreements.
    • Prevent Amtrak from outsourcing work currently performed by employees under a collectively bargained agreement.
    • Provide parity in unemployment benefits for railroad workers who are not eligible for state unemployment insurance but are covered under the federally administered Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.