The U.S. public transit industry has experienced remarkable labor relations stability during the 43 years of the Federal Transit Program. This has allowed transit employees to go about the business of their most important role: Moving America Safely. The basis for five decades of labor-management cooperation is Section 5333 (b) of Title 49 of the United States Code (formerly Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act), which states that when Federal funds, most recently authorized under SAFETEA-LU, are used to acquire, improve or operate a transit system, there must be arrangements to protect the rights of affected transit employees.

Statute Protects Transit Workers

The crucial so-called Section 13(c) provisions ensure the continuation of collective bargaining rights and benefits of more than 320,000 urban, suburban and rural transit employees under existing collective bargaining agreements. The statute protects transit workers from adverse affects that may arise when federal dollars are invested in their local transit systems. This sensible, balanced system fosters unmatched labor-management stability, ensuring a highly trained, experienced, safe and professional work force, allowing for the development of significant technological, structural, and productivity improvements.

Recent reports issued by the GAO further confirm that transit agencies are reaping the benefits of Section 13(c) while receiving grants on a timely basis, making technological advancements, increasing operational efficiency and maintaining and reducing labor costs.

Any effort to weaken the critical collective bargaining rights protected by Section 13(c) through legislation or regulation should be opposed.