Important Transportation Work Must Proceed

ORLANDO, FL – Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), offers the following statement regarding Senator Jim Bunning blocking legislation that now means thousands of workers will get furloughed:

“Partisan games are getting in the way of progress for our nation’s transportation system. But for at least 2,000 workers who will get furloughed, this is no game.

“Sen. Bunning’s actions are not only irresponsible, but they are downright dangerous. In this economy, to purposefully put people out of work is cold-hearted. But it’s even worse that these workers perform essential functions to expand and build our nation’s transportation system and ensure it is safe for all its users.

“When Sen. Bunning blocked passage of critical legislation last week, that means that highway reimbursements to states are shutting down, Recovery Act investments may not get processed, new transit grants will not be approved, half of the staff of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are going home, and highway safety programs will be idled. In fact, one-quarter of the furloughed employees work for the agency responsible for truck and bus safety in this country. I would think that the American people would view this as a reckless act.

“Sen. Bunning must stand down for the good of the country and allow the critically important transportation work of our government to proceed.”