Silver Spring, MD – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International President John Costa released the following statement regarding ATU’s commitment to women’s rights.
“The ATU’s commitment to women’s equity and inclusion means fighting for equitable treatment of all our members in the workplace, in contract negotiations, in our own campaigns, and in the halls of government.
“This is why the ATU has launched a Women’s Equity Initiative along with surveys, bargaining resources, and training for our Local Unions to fight back against discriminatory policies and treatment. This initiative is based on an upcoming ATU’s Women’s Advocacy and Gender Equity Bargaining Guide that will give our members the tools to overcome barriers that women face on the job.
“At the same time, protests are happening across the United States to protect a person’s constitutional right to have an abortion. Access to healthcare without fear is everyone’s right and reproductive freedom is a worker’s rights issue. Women who do not want to give birth or cannot due to their own safety should not have that choice taken away from them.
“ATU members hold a variety of personal beliefs regarding abortion but the right to choose what happens to our bodies is fundamental. Full family health services should remain accessible and legal, and protecting such services is critical to ensuring that women are not forced to have unwanted and high-risk pregnancies.
“The ATU continues to stand for liberty and justice for all.”