From left: TCU Assistant National Legislative Director Tony Padilla, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, IAM GVP Robert Roach and TCU International President Bob Scardelletti.
TCU International President Bob Scardelletti, Robert Roach GVP IAM, and Tony Padilla TCU Assistant National Legislative Director met with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO winter meeting to discuss our union’s labor agenda as it affects our members on Amtrak, Freight railroads and airlines.
Bob Scardelletti thanked the Secretary and the Administration for taking care of back pay for Amtrak employees and the adequate funding for Amtrak and high-speed rail in the recent Stimulus, Omnibus FY2009 Appropriations bill as well as in the 2009 and 2010 budget. The Secretary confirmed that he envisioned these high-speed projects would be under Amtrak.
Without disclosing names, the Secretary also said that labor would be happy with the upcoming appointments President Obama will make to the FAA, FRA, NMB, and Amtrak.