News and Updates

TWU Local 234, SEPTA, Community Work to Prevent Violence in Public Transit

Posted May 2013

TWU Local 234 held a groundbreaking conference last week as part of their ongoing campaign to stop violence on public transit. The April 25 event brought together almost 200 agency and union leaders, top law enforcement, elected officials, community activists and transit workers. The day kicked off with harrowing videos and testimony by bus operator victims of assault, ranging from spitting through sexual touching to brutal force. One repeated beating left the operator with a broken nose and gratefully unable to remember what happened, even after viewing the attack on the bus security camera tape. (His assailant will be in jail for only 16 months).

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Good Jobs Green Jobs Conf. 2013: Public Trans. Jobs are Finally Being Recognized as Being Green

Posted April 2013

For years now the Center has been identifying jobs in public transportation as green jobs which not only help the environment but also provide the livable wage and strong benefits associated with strong union presence.  In previous years, the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference held by the Blue-Green Alliance - an organization that brings together unions from all over the country with environmental advocates like the Sierra Club - also touched on how public transportation helped to green our country.

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Innovative Frontline Workforce Training Successes at APTA Rail Conference

Posted April 2013

Success with standards-based rail training partnerships will be highlighted at APTA’s June national Rail Conference in Philadelphia.  Hands-on leaders from around the industry will introduce the emerging system of standards-based partnerships through the Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium, now in its second year; the Signals Training Consortium being launched this year with 18 transit agencies and passenger/commuter railroads and their unions; and the ongoing program to develop national system of training and qualifications for Rail Car technicians.

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Weekly Update for April 4, 2013

Posted April 2013

This week’s update includes stories on Obama’s ‘Rebuild America Partnership’ Plan, a stranger rescues a man who accidentally fell off a platform, the “Workforce Initiative Now” (WIN) program has put about 100 people to work.

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Weekly Update for March 28, 2013

Posted March 2013

This week’s update includes stories on Secretary LaHood speaking at the APTA Legislative Conference in Washington, purchasing real estate near public transit is good investment practices and how riding public transit affects our mood.

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