Silver Spring, MD – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International President John Costa issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of almost $1.5 billion in competitive grant funds to help modernize bus fleets and facilities across America.
“As the largest transit union in North America, the ATU applauds the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for these grants that will modernize public transit in this country including the five percent that must be used for workforce development and training, which our Union fought hard for. This is an investment in the backbone of the transit industry, our workers who will repair, maintain, and operate these zero-emission vehicles.
“From the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA, to Metro in the Twin Cities, MN, to TriMet in Portland, OR, and many other transit agencies, the ATU has been setting the standard for transit apprenticeships in North America. We know our members must be trained on this new and changing technology. That’s why the ATU has been advocating for a transition that doesn’t leave workers behind.
“Our members have been on the frontlines and have always been essential. An equitable future for public transit must include good union jobs and strong labor protections and training for transit workers, which will be possible because of this historic federal investment.
“We want to thank DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez for their leadership and demonstrated commitment to our transit workforce as well as President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Congress for ensuring that innovation will not come at the cost of our members’ jobs.”