Washington, DC (April 26, 2011) – Larry Hanley, International President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), met today with National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) Tony Orden to discuss a campaign for safe and fair wages in the road transport industry, specifically for over-the-road and discount bus lines.
“This year’s devastating bus crash in the Bronx shed light on the gruesome reality of the discount bus industry,” said International President Hanley. “Irresponsible bus companies are putting their own profit before their passengers’ safety – and our country’s egregious lack of regulations is letting them get away with it. By refusing to pay fair wages, these companies force their drivers to work shift after shift with little or no rest, jeopardizing the life and safety of every passenger on board. Never has the need to ensure all drivers get safe, livable wages been more vital.”
“National Secretary Orden has implemented an extremely impressive safe rates campaign in Australia, and it was an incredible opportunity to meet with him today and discuss ways in which the ATU can mirror his success,” added Hanley.
“Low margins, unpaid working time and no access to full-cost recovery puts pressure on drivers to drive unsafe hours and to do less maintenance,” said National Secretary Orden. “We need a system of safe rates that will protect our drivers and their passengers. International President Hanley has been a leading advocate for fair wages, and it was an honor to meet with him and discuss our countries’ mutual efforts with him today.”
Long a priority of the ATU’s, safe wages for road transport workers has become increasingly crucial in the wake of this year’s tragic crashes in the discount bus industry. Drivers in this sorely under-regulated industry are paid next to nothing and forced to work endless hours on little sleep just to make ends meet. President Hanley and the ATU have been working to bring this growing safety concern to light. For more information, please read President Hanley’s recent testimony before Congress here.
About Larry Hanley
Lawrence J. Hanley was elected the ninth International President of the Amalgamated Transit Union at its 56th Convention on September 30, 2010. Prior to his election, he served as an International Vice President and member of the General Executive Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union for eight years, gaining extensive experience in contract negotiations and further expanding his role in the legislative and political arenas.
Prior to his appointment as an ATU International Vice President in 2002, International President Hanley served first as secretary-treasurer and then as president of ATU Local 726 (Staten Island, NY), representing the members of the Metropolitan Transit Authority from 1984 until 2002. International President Hanley began his career in Brooklyn as a bus driver with the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1978.
About the Amalgamated Transit Union
The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members in 264 local unions spread across 44 states and nine provinces. Composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees, the ATU works to promote transit issues and fights for the interests of its hard-working members. For more information, please visit: http://www.atu.org/
About the Transport Workers Union of Australia
The Transport Workers Union of Australia represents 90,000 men and women in the country’s transport industry. Their members work in aviation, oil, waste management, gas, road transport, passenger vehicles and freight logistics. For more information, please visit: http://www.twu.com.au/
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Contact: Emily Browne, browne@sunshinesachs.com, (212) 691-2800
