ATU pledges solidarity and support for striking teachers.

Media Contact: David Roscow, 202-537-1645 x 254

Washington, DC -  Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) released the following statement pledging his union’s support for striking Chicago teachers.

“Today, September 11th, on the 11th anniversary of the slaughter of hundreds of New York's public employees while they were saving lives, the Amalgamated Transit Union is calling on President Barack Obama as the leader of the Democratic Party to stand up for the defense of all Americans, not only at airports and missile bases, but in Chicago classrooms.

"The ATU pledges our solidarity and full support for the striking Chicago teachers in their struggle.

“Transit workers know all too well how Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has attacked hard working public employees when he wrongly blamed Chicago Transit Authority workers for the agency's fiscal problems.

“It's time for the mayor to return to the principles of the Democratic Party and work with the teachers – not against them.

“No true Democrat can sit idly by and not voice an objection to the mayor’s anti-union actions. This struggle is a true test for the Democratic party and it's leadership to stand on the side of workers and for children.”

About the ATU

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, including 3,000 workers at Greyhound Lines, Inc. 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.