Cleveland, Ohio – On August 26, 2024, the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in the upcoming presidential election. The announcement follows a thorough investigation by ATDA, and was made upon a variety of criteria:
The pro-union record of Harris and the Biden White House – The current administration has repeatedly acted on behalf of union members, including:
- Establishing a Presidential Emergency Board that recommended the largest general wage increases in 40 years, the addition of autism coverage to the National Healthcare plan, adding one additional paid day off, and yearly retention bonuses for those covered by National Bargaining.
- Making the largest-ever investment in passenger rail through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Advancing Federal regulation to establish a two-person minimum train-crew requirement.
- Advancing Federal regulation that requires Rail Carriers to develop written programs for the Certification of Train Dispatchers and Signal Employees.
- Actively pressing for Congressional action on rail safety.
- Investing in High-Speed rail projects that create good union jobs.
- Pressing railroads to provide paid sick leave. As a result, this paid sick leave has been provided to 88% of rail workers.
- Pressing all Class-I railroad CEOs to participate in the FRA’s Confidential Close-Call Reporting System (C3RS).
- Funding Hazmat rail first responders and requiring railroads to give advance notice to first responders about the movement of hazmat trains.
The pro-union record of Tim Walz as Minnesota Governor – As Governor, Walz has also taken action that delivered for workers and unions, including:
- Showing up at picket lines to support union strike actions
- Banning captive audience meetings, which companies use to dissuade workers from unionizing.
- Supporting legislation that provides Minnesota workers with 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
- Leading Minnesota to become the first state with a minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Kamala Harris offers clear and unqualified stated support for unions – When first campaigning with Joe Biden in 2020, Kamala Harris offered the following quote, “Strong unions built the American middle class—everything from a 40-hour work week to paid leave was because of workers who organized and fought. And when @JoeBiden and I are in the White House, advancing worker rights will be a priority”
Continuing with her commitment to labor now, as a Presidential candidate, Harris recently stated the following on X (formerly Twitter), Harris had the following to say about unions and union wages, “When union wages go up, everybody’s wages go up. When union workplaces are safer, all workplaces are safer.”
This echoes similar remarks on X from Harris, where she stated, “We know a worker negotiating against a corporation isn’t going to be fair. That’s why we have unions: so we can achieve fair wages and benefits for workers.”
Finally, in recent remarks at the Service Employees International Union Quadrennial Convention (SEIU), Harris had the following to say about the labor movement, “We are fighting to protect the sacred right to organize. We are protecting the sacred right to organize because we know when unions are strong, America is strong.”
Donald Trump’s clearly stated opposition to unions – While Harris openly supports unions, her opponent, Donald Trump recently called Elon Musk “the greatest” for his alleged firing of striking union workers. His exact quote was, “I look at what you do. You walk in. You want to quit? Then go on strike. I won’t mention the name of the company, but they go on strike, and you say, that’s ok. You’re all gone. You’re all gone. So, every one of you is gone. And you are the greatest.”
This follows earlier public statements from Trump that Union workers make too much money. As Trump put it, “I’m paying them too much. I mean, I’m paying some guys much more than I should be paying. You know why? Time. Same thing with the unions. They get a little increase, get another, another…” Trump went on to describe union desire for improved wages as an entitlement issue, by saying “They expect it. It’s the same thing with the unions. They get there little 5%. They get another 2%. They get another 3%, 4%. Then, all of a sudden, they’re making more money than the people that own the company.”
The bottom line – is that ATDA is compelled to support a candidate who speaks up for and acts to protect the organization’s members. Their pay, their safety, and their livelihoods are ATDA’s mandate, so its endorsement of a presidential candidate must align with those priorities. Based upon this, the actions of the candidates, and their stated priorities, the ATDA must endorse Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President.
Commenting on the endorsement, ATDA President Ed Dowell said, “After carefully considering the candidates, it has become clear that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will continue where the Biden/Harris Administration left off. That means ensuring that the Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board each consider the voice of labor, rather than serve at the whims of corporate America. Electing Vice President Harris will preserve the access and relationships our union has achieved, while protecting the interests of organized labor. Her commitment to improving quality of life, working conditions, and safety regulations for our nation’s dedicated rail workers is unwavering.”