Amalgamated Transit Union Endorses Kamala Harris for President of the United States
Silver Spring, MD - The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the largest union representing transit workers in the U.S., is proud to be one of the first labor organizations to endorse Kamala Harris in her race against Donald Trump, the worst President in the history of our nation.
“Vice President Harris is without question the best candidate to beat Donald Trump,” said ATU International President John Costa. “She has been a full partner in one of the most successful administrations ever, pouring billions and billions of dollars into public transit, strengthening unions, and addressing critical concerns of the American people, including jobs, corporate greed, prescription drug prices, childcare, and retirement.”
The ATU salutes Joe Biden, the most pro-union commander in chief in U.S. history, for his bold and patriotic move to step aside from his reelection campaign in the interest of ensuring that Democrats beat Trump in November. The ATU was one of the first unions to endorse Biden in 2020.
“Through the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Joe Biden invested more money into public transit than any president in history. Our economy is back on track. Biden walked the picket line, the first sitting President in history to do so. We are forever grateful for the President’s leadership and friendship,” said Costa.
“Now, we will focus on building on the progress of the past three and a half years by electing the first female president, the woman who has played a key role in so many of the successful policies that have benefitted our members and all working families. For ATU members, this means further progress on transit worker safety through minimum vehicle safety standards on buses, investing in public transportation operating assistance to keep critical bus service on the road for transit dependent riders, and expansion of apprenticeship programs to ensure that transit workers have the skills for the transition to electric buses to keep their jobs and help transit agencies operate efficiently and safely. We know that Kamala Harris will fight for us on these issues, because she has already been doing so as Vice President,” said Costa.
“As for another Trump Administration, we know exactly what we will get—unions will be eviscerated, and millions of jobs will be lost, like the 2.9 million lost under his last Presidency compared to the 15 million created under Biden’s administration,” continued Costa. “The facts are the facts, even when Trump continues to lie. Wages, healthcare, retirement, and health and safety on the job will all be on the chopping block under Trump.”
While Donald Trump continues to say that he knows nothing about Project 2025, which he himself has called “extreme,” the truth is that the proposal was drafted by people who served throughout his administration at the highest levels. Project 2025 calls for ending federal support for public transportation, which would result in a death spiral for transit in America, leaving millions of transit-dependent people scrambling to find a way to get to work, their medical appointments, and the grocery store. This cut in federal investments for transit programs is designed to benefit the wealthy by cutting taxes for them. The proposal would also end longstanding employee protections for transit workers, putting their collective bargaining rights and job rights in jeopardy. It's a cruel, anti-worker document. We need to elect Kamala Harris so that it never sees the light of day.
“The visions each candidate has for the future of America couldn’t be more opposing. For the ATU, our members and workers will always come first, not corporate CEOs or management. This election is about our families and our future. Over the last few years, we have fought on picket lines, on the job, and in the halls of government, and we cannot and will not go back. We must protect our job security, healthcare, retirement, and our safety by electing Kamala Harris to keep our country on the right path. Our Union will mobilize our members and coordinate with the entire Labor Movement to make sure that she becomes our first female president. Unlike Trump, she has a big heart and a soul,” said Costa.