United States Version PDF - Amalgamated Transit Union

ATU Presents‘Legislator of the Year’Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-MSpThe ATU presented its third annual ATULegislator of the Year Award to Rep. BennieThompson, D-MS, on March 12, at the ATULegislative Conference. Local President ArtinesPratt, 1208-Jackson, MS, joined InternationalPresident Warren S. George in presenting theaward to Thompson for his tireless work on behalfof transit workers.Thompson has long been a friend to the ATUand all working men and women. In his 14 yearsin Congress, he has established himself as a leader on civil rights, educationand health care reform. His dedication to working family issues has madea real difference in the lives of his constituents and the lives of the ATUmembers that he represents.“I feel like I’m with family,” said Thompson, “I would not be inCongress had it not been for organized labor support in 1993.”Understands the Safety Role of Transit WorkersWhile his 14 years of dedication to transit labor are laudable, it washis work over the past two years, during which he served as the rankingDemocrat on the House Homeland Security Committee that earned himthe title of ATU Legislator of the Year.The Mississippi Democrat has shown that he understands the crucialrole that transit workers and over-the-road bus employees play inenhancing the safety and security of our nation’s transit systems.Despite resistance by transit employers and the previous RepublicanCongress, Thompson has been steadfast in calling for increased anddedicated funding for transit and over-the-road bus security – and formandatory training for all frontline workers in these industries.In June 2006, Thompson released a report on the state of rail and masstransit security in the U.S. The report called on the Administration to takeseveral concrete steps to address the security threats facing mass transit,including mandatory training for frontline workers. Shortly after releasingthe report, he introduced legislation to implement these recommendations.Unfortunately, due to opposition by the Bush Administration and theRepublican leadership in Congress, his bill was not enacted into law.Bold LegislationNow, however, Thompson is championing this issue from a muchmore advantageous position – as Chair of the House Committee onHomeland Security.“I’m real happy,” he told theconference, “to say that with the newleadership here you all can feel realcomfortable that you’ve got some friendswho now chair key committees and,believe me, in this town, there’s nosubstitute for being in charge.”He has introduced bold legislation (H.R. 1401) which will significantlyimprove the security of the systems that ATU members operate andmaintain, and will ensure that ATU members receive the training theyneed and deserve. The legislation would also provide transit workers withwhistleblower protections and ensure that they are consulted in the processof identifying and addressing security priorities. This legislation was passedby the U.S. House on March 27.“We’re going to mandate security training, and not that 30-minutevideo you get once a year,” he asserted, “it’s going to be an ongoingcontinuing education that’s tied to security.”“See what it means to be in charge,” Thompson asked, “everythingin that bill is exactly what you asked me to put in there.”“I want you to carry that back to your membership,” he stated,“that you can now talk to the people who are running things thatimpact your lives.”www.atu.org MARCH/APRIL 2007 17