ATU Action Weekly Update - 3/5/07

U.S. House Passes Employee Free Choice Act

After more than five hours of historic debate, the U.S. House passed the most important labor law reform legislation in 70 years.

By a margin of 241-185, the House passed H.R. 800, which would level the playing field when workers seek to form a union and bargain.  Thirteen Republicans joined 228 Democrats in voting for the bill.  Two Democrats and 183 Republicans voted against the bill.

ATU International President Warren S. George says the House vote "is a victory for all working men and women.  This legislation will open the door for thousands of hard working Americans who want to join a union."

On the eve of the vote, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney stated, "a union card is the single best ticket into the middle- class and, thanks to the Employee Free Choice Act, working people may finally have the chance to be part of a union."

To find out how your member of Congress voted, go to: http://www.unionvoice.org/wfean/EFCA_HouseVote.html

 

IEVP Siano to Testify on Transit and Over-the-Road Bus Security

On Wednesday, March 7th, ATU International Executive Vice President Mike Siano will testify before two Subcommittees of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commitee regarding the ATU's views and priorities for addressing transit and over-the-road bus security.

This week's hearing will mark the second time this year that a representative from the ATU has testified before a Congressional Committee on this issue.  ATU International President Warren S. George testified earlier this year before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

In his testimony, IEVP Siano will remark on legislation recently introduced by the leadership of the Committee which would provide significant funding for transit security initiatives, would require consultation with transit labor in identifying and developing security priorities, and would require all transit agencies to provide security and emergency response training for frontline employees.

The hearing follows a decision last week by the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Grants and Training to give elevated priority to any grant applications which seek funds for employee training.  "Recent assessments and evaluations have highlighted the fact that security training for front-line employees of transit systems is a critical vulnerability that must be addressed as soon as possible," stated the bulletin released by the TSA.

 

ATU Urges DOT to Enforce ADA Requirements Against Curbside Operators

In comments filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on February 20, 2007, the ATU urged the FMCSA to amend the process for granting operating authority to new entrants seeking to provide intercity bus service.

The comments were in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking wherein FMCSA proposed to include a check for compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations as part of the new entrant review process.  The ATU argued that simply including a check for compliance is not sufficient - FMCSA must enforce the ADA regulations by "denying registration to, and revoking registration of, passenger motor carriers who have shown they are not willing and able to comply with the DOT's ADA regulations."

Keep posted to ATU Action Weekly Updates for future updates on this and other issues of concern to transit, intercity bus and school bus employees.