(Source: Statement by James P. Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, May 7, 2013)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s railroads have united east and west, stimulated commerce between the states and propelled our great nation into a global economic power. They are as crucial to our freedom and our strength as they were 150 years ago, when the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen was founded in Marshall, Mich., on May 8.
I couldn’t be prouder that the BLET is now part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. I joined my brothers and sisters in an anniversary celebration here in Detroit last week to mark the anniversary.
Back in 1863, engineers representing five Midwest railways approved a draft constitution here in Detroit. Ever since then, BLET has pushed railway carriers to improve working conditions for the dedicated men and women who service our nation’s rails. Whether battling high accident rates or long hours for little pay, union members have stood up to companies that had little desire to change their ways. We are proud of the example these fine workers set for the labor movement across the country.
BLET continues to fight for its members, but the challenges it faces are shifting. Today, certain members of Congress are threatening the future of Amtrak, the nation’s only intercity passenger carrier. These elected officials want to reduce the subsidy Amtrak is receiving or even completely privatize the railway. Such a move would be a big mistake.
America’s ability to compete in the global economy will depend increasingly on our ability to move our citizens safely and efficiently around the country. We can do that best with high-speed rail.
It’s easy to take cheap shots at Amtrak and call it a waste of taxpayer dollars. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Last year Amtrak logged its best ridership year ever, carrying more than 31 million passengers. It provides an alternate way to travel when roadways are increasingly clogged and travelers face more and more airport delays. And Amtrak consumes 20 percent less energy per passenger mile than planes and 30 percent less than automobiles.
Its biggest success is in the Northeast, where high-speed Acela service has led to Amtrak carrying 75 percent of intercity travelers between New York and Washington. Additional investment in the Northeast corridor would improve performance even further.
But that is not the only region that stands to benefit from increased resources. Countless studies have shown the gains that come from investing in rail. A July 2012 American Public Transportation Association report, for instance, showed that discontinuing high-speed rail investments in the Midwest, California, the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast Corridor could cause $24.6 billion in lost economic benefits over the next 40 years.
The Teamsters Rail Conference believes that reauthorization of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) would allow Amtrak to finally attain the stable long-term funding it needs to keep the railroad in a state of good repair. It would enable Amtrak to support the jobs and rights of their skilled and hard-working employees. Without them, the traveling public would not have the safe, reliable transportation it has come to depend on.
Amtrak is already moving in the right direction. Further investment would let Amtrak build on the great work it’s already doing. But political will is necessary to keep Amtrak strong.
Let Congress know we need to continue our investment in Amtrak.