In a letter to members of the House of Representatives, the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO urged the two parties to come together and pass historic infrastructure investment bills.
The TTD, as well as the 33 affiliated unions it represents, highlighted the need for reliable, long-term reauthorizations for American highways, public transit and passenger rail systems, and called on lawmakers to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by the Oct. 31 deadline. The union also said it supported “large-scale infrastructure investments” that would modernize and repair the country’s aging transportation infrastructure.
“Beyond the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, TTD supports a number of labor priorities in the Build Back Better agenda that are likely to be included in a separate budget reconciliation package,” the letter said. “However, as you know, differences between the House and Senate over the size and scope of that package have put the entire Build Back Better agenda in jeopardy, risking immediate economic harm to working Americans.”
Calling short-term extensions of the surface transportation programs a hinderance to projects, the union asked the representatives to remember their campaign promises.
“As detailed in our policy statement, short-term extensions of our surface transportation programs have historically led to delayed or cancelled bids and increased highway and transit projects costs,” the letter said. “With our economy on the line as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the American people can no longer afford to sit by and wait on inaction. Many of you campaigned, and won, on the promise of infrastructure to your constituents. Now is the time to deliver on that promise.”
The group said that passing the budget reconciliation package would expand access to good jobs and strong labor protections, while enhancing the quality of life for Americans.