Washington - Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), released the following statement in reaction to President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight.
“The Amalgamated Transit Union applauds President Obama’s call to build an equitable economy built to last. Our nation has become a nation of two classes – the small cadre of the super rich and the rest of us, bus drivers, restaurant workers, telecom workers, fire fighters, working families who have been victims of and taken the blame for this recession.
“It’s time for Republicans leaders in Congress to get serious about shared sacrifice in our nation by requiring the richest one percent to pay their fair share of taxes.
“Working people are losing faith in America as a land of opportunity. Our free enterprise system must become a ‘fair’ enterprise system so that all Americans have an equal chance to pursue the American Dream.”
“There are few things that can do more to help our economy dig out of this deep recession than investing in public transportation. We urge Congress to quickly reauthorize the federal transit program that ensures Americans accessible and affordable mass transit to safely get to and from work, school, the doctor and other important daily tasks.
“Not only does mass transit provide reliable mobility for years to come, it creates good jobs, delivers customers to businesses, and helps clear the air. There is literally nothing more effective in getting our economy moving than mass transit.”
Media Contacts: David Roscow, (202) 487-4990
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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.
